Smog: Air Pollution Issues of North India

Right to clean environment

  • Constitution does not explicitly provide for the citizen’s right to a clean and safe environment.
  • Right to clean environment is a Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of Indian constitution.
  • The scope of Article 21 of the Constitution has been considerably expanded by the Indian Supreme Court, which has interpreted the right of life to mean the right to live a civilized life and it also includes the right to clean environment.

Causes of air pollution in northern states

  • The National Capital Region is badly hit, as the burning of agricultural residue in Punjab and Haryana is releasing large volumes of smoke containing, among other pollutants, highly damaging fine particulates, or PM2.5.
  • Farm stubble burning is a major contributor to the problem, and its footprint may be growing because of wider use of mechanical harvesters that is producing more waste.
  • The problem is aggravated by the burning of urban waste, diesel soot, vehicular exhaust, road and construction dust, and power generation.
  • With the steady growth in the population of the capital and other cities, the trauma is set to worsen.
  • The geographical location of Delhi region and stagnant wind during winter season makes it impossible for the pollutants and smoke to move out of the region.
  • Over population in the capital region also adds pressure over air quality.
  • Investing lesson public infrastructure has resulted in poor waste management and high air pollution.
  • Large scale construction in Delhi- NCR region is another factor.
  • Inadequate solid waste management results into burning of then in open garbage basins and landfills.
  • Unmindful use of fire crackers during festival seasons like Diwali.

Effects of air pollution

  • The UN Environment Programme’s recent report titled ‘Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific.
  • Science-Based Solutions’ has sounded a warning, pointing out that only 8% of the population in the countries of the region get to breathe air of acceptable quality.
  • One study of degradation of Delhi’s air over a 10-year period beginning 2000 estimated premature mortality to have risen by as much as 60%.

Lack of consistent actions

  • Although India has nine of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, it has not taken consistent action on pollution.
  • Tens of millions live with ambient air quality that is well short of even the relaxed parameters the country has set for fine particulates, compared with those of the World Health Organisation.
  • This year’s ‘severe’ air quality rating for Delhi and poor conditions prevailing in other cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain should compel a decisive shift in policy.

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

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