New Delhi: PM2.5 pollution in rural and urban India reduced by around 19 per cent between 2017 and 2022, according to a new analysis. Uttar Pradesh leads the way with a 38 per cent decline in PM2.5 pollution in both urban and rural regions during the same period. On the other hand, Maharashtra observed the least decrease in PM2.5 pollution across the country, according to the study conducted by Climate Trends, a non-governmental environmental think tank, using satellite data from IIT Delhi.
PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and are the greatest risk to health. The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
Rural India’s PM 2.5 levels in 2022 stood at 46.8 microgram per cubic metre, down by 19.1 per cent compared to 2017. Urban India’s PM 2.5 levels in 2022 stood at 46.4 microgram per cubic metre, down by 18.7 per cent compared to 2017.
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The study shows the annual average PM 2.5 levels in rural and urban India were the highest (57.4 microgram per cubic metre and 57.6 microgram per cubic metre, respectively) in 2017 and lowest (45.5 microgram per cubic metre and 45.6 microgram per cubic metre) in 2020.
Annual average PM 2.5 levels in rural and urban parts of most states have seen a similar trajectory over the last six years. The rural parts saw a greater reduction in PM 2.5 levels. For instance, Karnataka’s rural PM 2.5 levels were down by 18.1 per cent, while the urban levels were lowered by 16.2 per cent in the same period.
Similarly, West Bengal’s rural PM 2.5 levels were down by 15.6 per cent and urban PM 2.5 levels were down by 14.9 per cent.
The analysis showed PM2.5 concentration is equally high in both rural and urban areas, underscoring the need for the next phase of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to cover rural areas.
NCAP is a national-level strategy for a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. The programme covers 131 non-attainment cities which did not meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards for five consecutive years (2011-2015).
The Centre has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration in the cities covered under NCAP by 2026.
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Aarti Khosla, Director, Climate Trends, a research-based initiative focusing on environment and climate issues, said the analysis shows that the states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar have seen a significant dip in PM 2.5 pollution indicating that the focus of the air pollution fight continues to remain in the region.
Western states like Maharashtra and Gujarat have made little progress and have seen the air pollution problem become significant in recent years, the study shows.
According to the analysis, PM2.5 reductions in the country ranged from around 5 per cent to 38 per cent.
UP saw a reduction of 37.8 per cent and 38.1 per cent in urban and rural PM 2.5 levels, respectively, from 2017 to 2022.
Maharashtra recorded a dip of just 7.7 per cent and 9.5 per cent in PM 2.5 pollution in urban and rural areas, respectively. When divided into NCAP and non-NCAP states, a more significant dip is seen in states where NCAP is being implemented.
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Ms Khosla said,
The analysis also highlights that rural air pollution levels are not far behind. The results show that gains come across an entire region or air shed, making a stronger case for airshed management while also focusing on hyper-local pollution. The first NCAP deadline of 2024 is close and action must move beyond cities in the programme’s next phase.
S N Tripathi from IIT-Kanpur and Steering Committee Member, NCAP, Union environment ministry, said more than 10 per cent reduction in PM2.5 levels across the timescale should be considered positive.
However, anything less than 10 per cent in the last six years needs to be evaluated.
Arun Sharma, Director, ICMR-NIRCMD, Jodhpur, said,
This analysis is a reiteration that air pollution is not a problem of cities alone; the rural population is as much affected. Prevention and mitigation measures should be based on local conditions. Documentation of health effects is as important as exposure documentation.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
