New Delhi: As of 30 June, the average air quality of Delhi is in the ‘Moderate’ Category i.e. below 200 AQI. Favourable meteorological/weather conditions coupled with consistent, comprehensive and concerted efforts by Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) and various stakeholders to control air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) helped in achieving better overall air quality in Delhi during the first half of the current year.
During the first six months of the current year, Delhi experienced a remarkable increase in the number of days categorized as ‘Good to Moderate’ on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
During the eight years, from 2016 to 2023, for the period January to June, Delhi registered its best air quality during the current year, barring the time of the COVID-19 Lockdown.
The duration of the COVID-19 lockdown is not included in the above data when there were very low anthropogenic, industrial and commercial activities with the highest number of ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Days.
As per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
The number of ‘Good to Moderate’ Air Quality Days for the first half-year period was 30 in the year 2016, 57 in 2017, 65 in 2018, 78 in 2019, 126 in 2020, 84 in 2021, 54 in 2022, and 101 in the current year 2023.
The Ministry added,
During this period, Delhi has also experienced the least number of days with ‘Poor to Severe’ Air Quality in 2023, as compared to the corresponding period of last eight years since 2016 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to Covid). The number of ‘Poor to Severe’ Air Quality Days for the first half-year period (January to June) have also been progressively reducing from 147 in the year 2016 to 80 in the current year 2023.
Also Read: Delhi Registers Best Air Quality This Year Since 2016
The average AQI for Delhi during this period also remained in the Moderate AQI category i.e. below 200. Delhi has reported its lowest Average AQI during the current year, January to June, compared to the corresponding period for the last eight years.
Considering the daily average PM10 and PM2.5 concentration levels, during the first half-year period of 2023, Delhi has witnessed the lowest levels of daily average PM10 and PM2.5 concentration, as compared to the corresponding period for the last eight years.
Ministry further said that this improvement signifies a substantial reduction in air pollutants, with lower levels of particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10, and other harmful emissions. This declining trend has been sustained over a considerable period and is a testament to the commitment and action taken by CAQM and various stakeholders to improve the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR.
The Commission reiterates that it is essential to maintain the momentum and continue to strive for better air quality in Delhi-NCR in the days to come. CAQM is working closely with various stakeholders concerned to take adequate measures to prevent, control and abatement of air pollution and improve the overall air quality in the region.
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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.
