As per World Bank Disaster Management and Climate Change Unit Report, “India – Diagnostic Assessment of Select Environmental Challenges”, the cost of serious health consequences from Particulate Matter pollution is estimated to be around 3 per cent of India’s GDP and the total damage because of environmental degradation amounts to Rs. 3.75 trillion equivalent to 5.7 percent of the country’s GDP.
(Source: Central Pollution Control Board)
The steps being taken by the Government to control air pollution inter alia include the following:-
(i) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(ii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iii) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
(iv) Promotion of cleaner production processes;
(v) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(vi) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
(vii) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste and notified;
(viii) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
(ix) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(x) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of carpooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(xi) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(xii) Issuance of directions under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to NCR States (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi) for control of air pollution in NCR and NCT of Delhi. These directions covered a series of 42 time-bound action points viz. control of vehicular emissions; road dust/re-suspension of dust and other fugitive emissions; air pollution from bio-mass burning; industrial air pollution; air pollution from construction and demolition activities; etc.;
(xiii) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act,1986 to 22 Local bodies of NCR regarding control of burning of garbage, checking dust from construction and demolition activities and related issues;
(xiv) Installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by major industries;
(xv) Revision of emission standards including thermal power plants, cement plants, etc.;
(xvi) Ban on stubble burning in NCR States;
(xvii) Collection of Environmental Protection Charge on more than 2000 CC diesel vehicles at the time of registration as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court;
(xviii) Phasing out of 15 year old diesel vehicles in Delhi;
(xix) Ban on import of fire crackers from any country under Section 31 (A) of Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981 vide DPCC order dated 30.09.2016.
Source:PIB