NCAP - National Clean Air Programme - Why is the initiative needed?
India is dedicated to a clean atmosphere and pollution-free air and water. It is considered necessary in our Constitution. According to
Article 253 of the Constitution, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981 was introduced to apply the decisions that were made at the UN Conference on Human Environment at
Stockholm in June 1972, wherein India participated. Sustainable development is an important component of India's development principle given for improving human well-being.
For the previous three decades, India has experienced a stage of rapid industrial activity. The development in industrialization and urbanization has resulted in numerous pollution problems, especially air pollution.
Air pollution is presently one of the world's leading environmental problems. Emissions from air pollution are linked with many industries such as electricity, transport, housing, agriculture, construction, and industry. The
effects of air pollution are not confined to health but expand to agriculture and the survival of humans, flora and animal population. As air pollution is not localized, the impact is being felt far away from the source in towns and cities.
To tackle the problem, the Government has taken many important measures including:
i. Pollution under Control Certificate
ii. Launching of National Air Quality Index (AQI)
iii. Ban on bursting of sound-emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM.
iv. Promotion of public transport network
v. Banning of the burning of biomass
vi. Issuance of directions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 etc.
In the latest policy measures, pollution levels in several significant cities have recently shown some slight improvements. It's not enough and the need to tackle this problem comprehensively at the domestic level now seems to include greater levels of city and rural time-bound projects. The need for NCAP is therefore recognized, to nationally implement air pollution prevention policies on a regional and urban basis.
AQI:
AQI launched in New Delhi on 17 September 2014 under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan