CSE analysis finds Delhi-NCR winter pollution levels down in October-November

Subject : Environment

Context-

The first phase of this year’s winter in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR) has shown early signs of improvement in air quality, according to Delhi-based non-profit the Centre for Science and Environment.

More in details-

The average levels of fine particulate matter (PM) went down to 142 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) for October and November. This is the lowest level recorded since the city installed these stations in 2018.
The fine particulate levels in the national capital this October-November were 15 per cent and 18 per cent lower compared to October-November of 2018 from a city-wide average of 37 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQM) and 10 older stations, respectively.
Delhi was the most polluted major city in NCR, with an October-November average of 142 µg/m3. Gurugram, with 134 µg/m3 and Ghaziabad, with 131 µg/m3, followed the national capital in the list.
The total number of farm stubble fires reported this year from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi was 37 per cent and 42 per cent lower than the October-November of 2021.

About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

The Commission was first formed by an ordinance in October 2020.
The erstwhile Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA had been dissolved to make way for the Commission.
The Commission is a statutory authority.
The Commission will supersede bodies such as the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.
In 2021, the Parliament approved the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill.

Composition:

Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary.
- The chairperson will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.
It will have members from several Ministries as well as representatives from the stakeholder States.
It will have experts from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Civil Society.

Powers and functions:

It will have the powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues pertaining to air pollution.
It will entertain complaints as it deems necessary for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the NCR and adjoining areas.
It will also lay down parameters for control of air pollution.
It will also be in charge of identifying violators, monitoring factories and industries and any other polluting unit in the region, and will have the powers to shut down such units.
It will also have the powers to overrule directives issued by the state governments in the region, that may be in violation of pollution norms.