50 most polluted regions of world in India’s northern plains: University of Chicago report

50 most polluted regions of world in India’s northern plains: University of Chicago report

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

• The world’s 50 most polluted regions belong to the Northern Plains of India, showed the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report for 2023 by the University of Chicago.

Key Findings:

• Particulate pollution has increased over time. From 1998 to 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 61 per cent, further reducing life expectancy by 3.2 years.
• Delhi is the most polluted city in India and the world.
• Seven states and Union territories that include Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, comprise a majority of this region.
• These states/UTs also face the greatest health burden due to particulate pollution in India.
• In north India, fine particulate air pollution (particulate matter 2.5) shortens lives by eight years.
• In the most polluted region of the Northern Plains — the national capital territory of Delhi — 18 million residents are on track to lose 11.9 years of life expectancy on average relative to the World Health Organization guidelines and 8.5 years relative to the national guideline if current pollution levels persist.
• Even in the least polluted district in the region — Pathankot in the state of Punjab — particulate pollution is more than seven times the WHO guideline, taking 3.1 years off life expectancy if current levels persist.

High pollution density:

• North plains (with 38.9 per cent of India’s population) live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level is 17.3 times higher than the WHO guideline.
• Human activity plays a key role in generating the severe particulate pollution.
• The region’s population density is nearly three times that of the rest of the country, meaning more pollution from vehicular, residential and agricultural sources.

About Air Quality Life Index (AQLI):

• AQLI is a pollution index that translates particulate air pollution into the most important metric that exists: Its impact on life expectancy.
• Developed by the University of Chicago’s Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, Michael Greenstone, and his team at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
• The index also illustrates how air pollution policies can increase life expectancy when they meet the WHO’s guideline for a safe level of exposure, existing national air quality standards or user-defined air quality levels.
• This information can help inform local communities and policymakers about the importance of air pollution policies in concrete terms.

What are the Initiatives Taken for Controlling Air Pollution in India?

• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal.
• Air Quality Index: AQI has been developed for eight pollutants viz. PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.
• Graded Response Action Plan (for Delhi).
• For Reducing Vehicular Pollution:
  • BS-VI Vehicles,
  • Push for Electric Vehicles (EVs),
  • Odd-Even Policy as an emergency measure (for Delhi).
• New Commission for Air Quality Management
• Subsidy to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine for reducing stubble burning.

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP): Under NAMP, four air pollutants viz. SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 have been identified for regular monitoring at all locations.