Question

article on :
role of government in curbing pollution

Answer 1

Government has Taken Series of Steps to Address Pollution-Related Issues: Environment Minister 

Pollution is a matter of concern in cities and towns and is caused due to introduction of contaminants into the environment viz. air, water and soil that may cause adverse change in ambient conditions. The Government has taken a series of steps to address issues related to water pollution, air & vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, improper waste disposal etc. in cities, towns and metropolises. The major steps being taken by the Government to control pollution inter alia include the following:- 

(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; 

(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes; 

(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; 

(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.; 

(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes. 

(vi) Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015; 

(vii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017; 

(viii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020; 

(ix) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles; 

(x) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified; 

(xi) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; 

(xii) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste; 

(xiii) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance; 

(xiv) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries; 

Answer 2

NEW DELHI: The Centre has made "serious" efforts to fight air pollution and the 2017 air quality data for fine particulate matter PM2.5 has shown improvement over the previous year, the Environment Ministry said today, after a WHO report listed 14 Indian cities among the world's 20 most polluted.  

In a statement, the ministry said as most of the polluted cities lie around Delhi and along the Indo-Gangetic plain, it is critical that the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are sensitised to take up urgent action on cleaning air.  

"It is noteworthy that almost one million vehicles are added on the roads of Delhi every year and in spite of increased construction activities and vehicular movement, air quality in Delhi is showing signs of improvement.  

"With similar intervention in other polluted cities and active participation of ULBs (urban local bodies) and state governments, air quality is expected to improve further," the ministry said.  

It said the improvement in particulate matter concentration in Delhi has happened despite episodic events in two successive years in November 2016 and November 2017.  

During these months, in addition to local emissions, there was a substantial contribution from regional sources, including smoke due to stubble burning in neighbouring states and dust from the Gulf countries, it said.