NATIONAL CLEAN AIR POLICY 2019

INTRODUCTION:

“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed”

– M.K. Gandhi

The creation of the world was one big accident, in which the existence of human beings
would not even amount to a tiny speck of dust. When earth became life sustaining, its bio
diversity also grew over thousands of years giving us the natural resources which we now
have. As human kind progressed ahead it consumed more natural resources and started to
degrade and pollute the environment. Having no regard for the nature’s natural ability to cure
and restock itself, we continue to destroy ourselves and other living organisms depending on
those natural resources. One among the different types of pollution caused by humans is the
various sources of Air Pollution.

As a result of air pollution the environment has been slowly but surely dying. It reached its
peak when the ozone layer of the earth protecting us from harmful UV rays was damaged. It
was at this instance the world leaders felt the need for a united front to tackle pollution in its
various forms and as a result the Stockholm declaration was signed in 1972. India being one
of the signatory to the declaration, in order to fulfil its obligation, enacted The Environmental
(Protection) Act 1986, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The government also brought in new
industrial and economic policies which were more environmentally agreeable at least
theoretically and would address the raising pollution crisis in the country, such as Policy
Statement for the Abatement of Pollution, 19921, The National Environment Policy, 20062
and the recent National Clean Air Policy 2019 (NCAP). This is an attempt to evaluate and
critically analyse the NCAP 2019, find loopholes if any and attempt to provide practical
solutions.

PROBLEMS:

India is a developing country and as such its development policies tend to be more
focused on industrial development and urban development. This trend is because of two
reasons; Population and Poverty3, which pushed the government to come up with policies
which was able to provide immediate solutions for Population and Poverty such as more
industries rather than doing more Research & Development on Sustainable Development
technology. But after the Stockholm Declaration was signed India’s Development philosophy
changed to “Sustainable development in terms of human well-being”.

1
http://iced.cag.gov.in/?page_id=1034
2
http://iced.cag.gov.in/?page_id=1037
3
Indira Gandhi when speaking at Stockholm in 1972 voiced out the status of developing countries, she said,
“Pollution, Population and Poverty are inter-related problems and as such needs an integrated approach”
Even though both Research and Developmental Policies, have been based on developing the
conditions of the environment around us, the enforcement and follow-up of such policies on
the part of the government are lacking in almost every part of the country.

Finally the major stakeholder in protecting environment, the people have turned a blind eye
and ear to the protection of the environment by constantly polluting the environment
wherever they go. They close their mouths where they should have voiced against pollution.
The common “it’s just one plastic carry-bag, but the river is so big” idea is destroying the
vast multitude of species and the eco systems of the world.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION:

1. Air pollution growth sprouts in small and medium cities reflect in the pollution levels
of Non-attainment cities.
2. In 2012 alone over 1.5 million people died from effects of Air pollution4. India is also
home to 15 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world5. The most concerning type of
air pollution in these cities are the alarming levels of PM2.5.
3. Effect of air pollution in Agriculture is also a growing concern.
4. Adverse impacts of air pollution in Flora and Fauna.

GOVERNMENT STEPS TILL DATE:

1. Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards and sector specific emission
and effluents standards for industries.
2. Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality.
3. Introduction of cleaner gaseous fuels like CNG and LPG and ethanol blending.
4. Launching of National Air quality Index.
5. Universalization of BS-IV.
6. Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI standards by 2020.
7. Banning burning of biomass.
8. Promotion of public transport network.
9. Power to issue directions under Air Act, 1981.
10. Online 24X7 monitoring of 17 polluting industrial sectors.
11. Ban on crackers between 10 pm to 6am.
12. Notifying of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and NCR; identifying source
wise action plan for various levels of air pollution.

According to Government the above mentioned plans have increased the quality of air to an
extent but due to pressing demand for more initiatives the NCAP was brought in as a policy.

GOAL OF NCAP:

To meet the prescribed annual average ambient air quality standards at all locations in the
country in a stipulated timeframe.
4
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/7/16-020716/en/
5
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/fifteen-of-the-20-most-polluted-cities-in-the-
world-are-in-india/article26440603.ece
OBJECTIVES:

1. To augment and evolve effective and proficient ambient air quality monitoring
networks across the country for ensuring comprehensive and reliable database.
2. To have efficient:
 Data dissemination. In planning and implementation of
 Public outreach mechanism. programmes and policies of
 Public participation. government on air pollution.
3. To have a feasible management plan for prevention, control and abatement of
pollution.

APPROACH:

1. Collaborative, multi-scale and cross-sectorial coordination between ministries, State

governments and Local bodies.
2. Focus on:
 No regret measures.
 Participatory approach.
 Disciplined approach.

INITIATIVES and planned NATIONAL CLEAN AIR POLICY (NCAP)6:

The proposed NACP, 2019 is planning on to bring about major improvements and inclusions
in the existing initiatives of the government.

1. Augmenting Air quality monitoring network:

The existing national air quality monitoring programme (NAMP)7 contains a network
of 691 manual operating stations monitoring the levels of Sulphur dioxide, oxides of
nitrogen, Suspended particulate matter PM10 and fine particulate matter PM2.58
which is to be increased to 1000 Stations. NAMO also contains 101 real-time
continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) monitoring levels of
the aforesaid substances + ammonia, Co, Ozone, and Benzene, which is to be
increased to 210 CAAQMS with specific importance ti Indo-Gangetic Plain. They
authorities are also directed to Revisit old data then analyse parameters then adopt
optimum technology for manual & continuous stations, sensors and satellites.

As a part of NCAP Identifying alternative tech for real time monitoring is also a
priority. This job is entrusted to Central Pollution Control Board who should work in
consultation with IIT, CSIR, NEERI etc.
6
http://envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/NCAP%20with%20annex-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf
7
https://www.cpcb.nic.in/about-namp/?&page_id=about-namp
8
http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25
 Rural monitoring network which has not been given adequate concern is also under
the spot light under the NACP. The common belief that the urban area is the most
affected due to pollution is not always true as Rural Air Pollution is also a major
contributor to the levels of raising Air pollution within the country. Rural air pollution
is divided into two types. Outdoor air pollution including indiscriminate use of
Insecticides, burning of wheat/paddy ect and Indoor Air Pollution including
traditional fuel such as cow dung, sticks which causes severe health effects in women
and children. Since rural areas were not covered under the previous NAMP. 50
monitoring stations are proposed to be setup under NCAP.

New guidelines for setting up monitoring stations will be not arbitrary but will be
decided on the criteria of Existing pollution, nearby stations, Sites and Location and
man power.

Until now PM2.5 is being monitored only in 67 stations. Under NACP it is planned to
be extended to all 1000 stations. The NACP also plans to set up 10 city Super
Networks.

2. National Air Quality Index (AQI)9:

Originally introduced in 14 cities, it now is operational in 57 cities. The main job of

the AQI is to analyse the data and categories the quality of air under six categories.
They are: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very poor, Severe.

3. Vehicle pollution:

India has panned to skip a step and jump from BS-IV to BS-VI by 202010, to reduce
pollution caused by combustion and spark ignition engines. This plan was first
introduced in Europe in 2000, where EU jumped from Euro 4 to Euro 6. The other
major action taken was introducing ethanol blending11 in the petroleum industry to
reduce vehicle exhaust emissions.

4. Air Quality management plan for 100 Non-Attainment cities:

Plan is based on a Comprehensive Science based approach to

 Identify emission sources.
 Assessment of contribution of sources.
 Prioritizing sources.
 Evaluation of various best options for controlling pollution.
 Formulation of action plans.

9
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Air%20Quality%20Index.pdf
10
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/explained-changing-from-bharat-stage-bs-iv-to-
bs-vi/articleshow/66361429.cms
11
http://vikaspedia.in/energy/policy-support/renewable-energy-1/ethanol-blended-petrol-programme
 As Phase I the management plan is to be introduced in 10 cities with support of
IIT, NEERI, TERI and gradually cover the areas surrounding the institutions.

5. Indoor Air Pollution Monitoring & Management:

Analysing Physical, Chemical, Biological characteristics of air in indoor environment

within home, buildings, institutes and commercial facilities is also under the purview
of the proposed NCAP. An astounding 3.5 billion people around the world use
traditional fuel causing various health issues. In Urban areas the types of Indoor air
pollution are: Sealed buildings, Synthetic Materials used in buildings, Chemicals in
Paints, which are also studied in order to find viable solutions.

6. Air Pollution Impact Studies:

As most of the studies and statistics in India are based on foreign standards and
carried out by foreign / international agencies there is an absence of more authentic
India Data and Study, which is under NCAP, which may further boost our efforts to
improve air quality. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has
constituted a high level apex committee and working group to study the National
Environmental Health Profile.

7. Air Information Centres:

Under NACP plans to Setup Air Information Centres for Data analysis, interpretation,
dissemination is proposed. They are also responsible for keeping track of international
developments and updating data and policies.

8. To setup 3 tier mechanism for review of monitoring, assessment and inspection for
implementation:

 Real time physical data collection.

 Data archiving and analytics infrastructure.
 Action Trigger System (come up with predefined actions for tackling
problems).

The three tier mechanism will be working independently under a single

supervising authority. Now people can know pollution statistics on mobile with
GPS connectivity and know how polluted is their city.

9. National Emission Inventory is planned to setup. It is basically accounting done to

calculate the amount of pollution discharged. The reason being that information on
the amounts of emission would actually be helpful to treat those pollution sources.
This would also help in formulating policies with specific directions to specific
emissions.
 10. Institutional framework:
Apex Committee U/MoEF

Steering Committee U/MoEF

Monitpring Committee U/Joint Secretary

National Level PMU at MoEF(25 scientific personnel (3-4 asst))

National Level Project Implementation Unit at CPCB(5-6 scientific personnel)

State Level PMU (3-4 Scientific Personnel).

11. Other planned initiatives under NCAP:

 Technology assessment cell.
 International Co-operation.
 Tech support.
 Network of technical institutions-knowledge partners.
 Intensive awareness, training, capacity building drive.
 Issuance of notification on dust management rules.
 Extensive plantation drive.
 Air quality forecasting systems (AAQFS).
 Certification system for monitoring instruments.

The total budget allocated for NCAP is 637 Crores and the total period of implementation
varies from 3 months to 3 years.

CONCLUSION:

It is high time that drastic measures are being taken to mitigate the increasing air pollution in
the country. Our developmental policy has always been drafted and implemented keeping in
mind the immediate consequences. The drive that the government has in constructing a
factory is not found in creating a protected forest. Policies are being implemented to increase
the population of tigers on one hand but they forget to increase area of forest cover which is
its home causing human animal conflict to rise. The recent “Chinna Thambi”12 incident in
Tamil Nadu acts as a testament to the statement.

Population and Poverty is directly contributing to the air pollution levels in India. The
increasing population necessitates more basic raw materials and commodities, which is
continuously exhausting the natural resources but is not compensated, the industries are
running and expanding continuously, urban regions expand rapidly without proper planning.

12
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/chinna-thambi-a-wild-elephant-searching-for-
his-family/dear-chinna-thambi/slideshow/67848762.cms
Bringing population control policies would be a step towards the right direction, but the
political parties do not do that in fear of losing favour from the people.

In the 1st draft of the NCAP there was a timeline proposed to reduce air pollution by 35% in 3
years and by 50% in 5 years, but this was removed in the 2nd draft. Instead of removing the
timelines the government can choose to come up with more practical and realistic timelines
which it can work with instead of no time lines to reduce the percentage of pollution.

The NCAP has the potential to mitigate the levels of air pollution in the country to a great
extent but it is a dream that can be achieved only if the enforcement agencies work properly
carrying out every rule to the letter in perfection.

The people also can make a huge difference by making small changes in their everyday lives.
By making better choices we can actually leave a better place for the future generations.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Giving more focus to research and development of renewable energy production.

2. Coming up with practical methods for energy conservation.
3. Increasing the forest cover for the twin benefits of increasing clean air production and
creating more space for animals reducing man animal conflict.
4. Approving green building technologies13 and if possible giving incentives and
subsidies to people who construct green buildings.
5. Producing more eco-friendly transportation such as Electric vehicles and Hydrogen
vehicles14.
6. The lack of forest management in the proposed NACP 2019 is disturbing because by
increasing the range of forest cover its benefits could not only tackle the existing air
pollution problem but can also open doors to many economic activity which is more
eco-friendly and sustainable.
7. The concept of Polluter Pays principle ought to be introduced in the policy even
though it has been reaffirmed in other policies and laws, so that the government can
actually follow the “no regret measure” approach it promised in NCAP.
8. People, who are capable, should buy eco-friendly products so that other competitors
in the market would be forced to convert to clean energy which would create a “less
polluter more favourable” market scenario. For example, don’t buy toothpastes which
come in boxes rather switch to paste which come only in tubes.

13
https://igbc.in/igbc/
14
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/how-do-hydrogen-fuel-cells-work