New Delhi: In a “big relief” for Delhi residents, the PM10 and PM2.5 levels have declined by an average of 45 per cent in the last 9 years, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday (August 5). Speaking to reporters here after a meeting with officials of the environment department, Mr Rai said that work on a ‘winter action plan’ to tackle any rise in air pollution levels has begun. The levels of particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5 usually start increasing from the last week of October and attain a peak in November when temperature plummets, requiring measures to check the poor quality of air, he added. The minister said,
अरविंद केजरीवाल सरकार द्वारा उठाए गए कदमों एवं दिल्लीवालों के सहयोग से पिछले 9 साल में दिल्ली के PM2.5 में 46% और PM10 में 42% की कमी आई है।
'Winter Action Plan' को लेकर आगामी 12 सितंबर को दिल्ली सचिवालय में 'Environmental Experts Meet' का आयोजन किया जाएगा।… pic.twitter.com/m9Xcei6p0I
— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) September 5, 2023
There is news of big relief for Delhi’s people. The PM 10 and PM 2.5, which are two important parameters of air quality and determine the level of air pollution in Delhi, have registered a downward trend since 2014 due to efforts of Delhi’s people and the government.
However, the Delhi government under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is determined to bring it further down, he said.
Citing data from past years, Mr Rai said that over the nine years from 2014 to August 2023, the PM10 level has declined by 42 per cent. It was 324 in 2014, 295 in 2015, 303 in 2016, 277 in 2017, 277 in 2018, 230 in 2019, 187 in 2020, 221 in 2021, 223 in 2022 and it was 188 until August 2023, he said.
Similarly, the PM2.5 level has declined by 46 percent from 149 in 2014, 133 in 2015, 137 in 2016, 130 in 2017, 128 in 2018, 112 in 2019, 101 in 2020, 113 in 2021, 103 in 2022, and 81 till August 2023, the minister said while showing a chart.
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He said the government on September 12 would hold a meeting of experts from 24 organisations associated with pollution mitigation and take their opinion for preparing the winter action plan.
Also, a meeting of 28 departments and agencies will be held on September 14 to seek their feedback on ways to tackle high levels of air pollution in the winter, the minister added.
Also Read: Delhi’s Green Cover To Be Increased To 25 Per Cent In Coming Years: CM Arvind Kejriwal
(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 – theLGBTQ 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 currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) 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, fightmalnutrition, 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 likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
