Government Initiates Study to Assess Air Pollution’s Impact on Health
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has sanctioned projects aimed at assessing the impact of air pollution on human health in 20 selected cities across the country under the National Environmental Health Profile Study. The study is a comprehensive evaluation of environmental factors influencing public health, including air pollution.
India-US Collaboration Towards Electrification of Public Transport & Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2070
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change emphasized the critical role of decarbonizing the transport sector to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and achieve the ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2070 set by the Government of India. Speaking at a side event on the India-US “Payment Security Mechanism (PSM)” for e-buses, the Minister highlighted the significance of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), particularly electric buses, to achieve these environmental goals.
Commission for Air Quality Management Revokes GRAP Stage-III Actions Following Improved Air Quality
While actions under Stages I and II of GRAP will continue to be invoked, the Sub-Committee emphasized the need for strict vigilance and intensified measures to prevent the air quality from slipping into the ‘severe’ category, obviating the need for re-imposition of Stage-III actions in the NCR.
GRAP Stage-IV Revoked Amidst Improving Air Quality in NCR
Considering the current AQI level and ongoing preventive/mitigative/restrictive actions, the Sub-Committee sees a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI. Hence, the Sub-Committee has decided to revoke the GRAP Stage-IV actions with immediate effect. Actions under Stages-I to Stage-III of the GRAP will, however, remain in place.
CAQM implements Stage IV of Graded Response Action Plan
Citizens have been urged to follow the citizen charter and cooperate in implementing the GRAP measures to sustain and improve air quality in the region. Special consideration is advised for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases to minimize outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible.
Urgent Actions Taken to Address Deteriorating Air Quality in Delhi-NCR Region
Citizens are urged to follow the GRAP measures and actively participate in maintaining and improving air quality in the region. Recommendations include using sustainable transportation options like cycling, carpooling, and public transport, working from home if possible, refraining from burning coal and wood for heating, and combining errands to reduce trips.
