India Launches National Clean Air Programme in Polluted Delhi
India Launches National Clean Air Programme in Polluted Delhi
In order to control increasing air pollution in India, the environment minister Harsh Vardhan launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in New Delhi on Thursday.
“Collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant central ministries, state governments, local bodies, and other stakeholders with focus on all sources of pollution forms the crux of the programme,” Harsh Vardhan said.
He informed that the tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 is proposed under the NCAP, taking 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
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“Overall objective of the NCAP is comprehensive mitigation actions for prevention and control of air pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country and strengthening the awareness and capacity building activities,” the minister added.
Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, was also present at the launch. He said that NCAP is a path-breaking initiative and a critical program, as it addresses one of the most alarming challenges of urbanization which is air pollution.
[ Air Pollution May Cause Mass Exodus from Delhi ]
“Today cities occupy just 3% of the land, but contribute to 82% of GDP and responsible for 78% of carbon dioxide emissions; cities though are engines of growth and equity but they have to be sustainable and it is in this context that NCAP being a very inclusive program holds special relevance,” said Amitabh Kant.
The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year.
Photo: Press Information Bureau
