Structure of Answer:

 Major source of Air pollution in India ( 70-80 words)

Write a note on measures taken by the government ( 60-70 words)

Content:

Some of the major causes of air pollution in India are as follows:

Industrial chimney wastes:

There are a number of industries which are source of pollution. The chief gases are SO2 and NO2. Mathura-based petroleum refinery is posing threat to Taj Mahal in Agra and other monuments at Fatepur Sikri complex. Cement factories emit plenty of dust, which is potential health hazard. Stone crushers and hot mix plants also create a menace. The SPM levels in such areas of stone crushing are more than five times the industrial safety limits. There are many food and fertilizers industries which emit acid vapors in air.

Thermal power stations:

There are number of power stations and super thermal power stations in the country. The coal consumption of thermal plants is several million tonnes. The chief pollutants are fly ash, SO2 and other gases and hydrocarbons.

Automobiles:

The Toxic vehicular exhausts are a source of considerable air pollution, next only to thermal power plants. The ever increasing vehicular traffic density has posed continued threat to the ambient air quality. In all the major cities of the country about 800 to 1000 tonnes of pollutants are being emitted into the air daily, of which 50% come from automobile exhausts.

In the major metropolitan cities, vehicular exhaust accounts for 70% of all CO, 50% of all hydrocarbons, 30-40% of all oxides and 30% of all SPM.

Chief sources of emission in automobiles are: Exhaust system, Fuel tank and carburetor and Crankcase

The exhaust produces many air pollutants including un-burnt hydrocarbons, CO, NOx and lead oxides. There are also traces of aldehydes, esters, ethers, peroxides and ketones which are chemically active and combine to form smog (smoke + fog) in presence of light. Evaporation from fuel tank goes on constantly due to volatile nature of petrol, causing emission of hydrocarbons.

Fuelwood and biomass burning:

Fuelwood and biomass burning is the primary reason for near-permanent haze and smoke observed above rural and urban India, and in satellite pictures of the country. Fuelwood and biomass cakes are used for cooking and general heating needs. These are burnt in cook stoves known as chullah or chulha piece in some parts of India.

The principal air pollutants emitted from these different sources are as follows:

1. Carbon compounds: These are mainly CO2 and CO, the former released by complete combustion of fossil fuels and the latter by automobile exhausts.
2. Sulphur compounds: There include SO2, H2S and H2SO2 mostly released by fossil fuel (Coal ) based power generating plants (thermal plants) and industrial units as refineries.
3. Nitrogen oxides: These include chiefly NO, NO2, HNO3, mostly released by automobiles, power plants and industries
4. Ozone (O3): Its level may rise in atmosphere due to human activities
5. Fluorocarbons: These come from industries, insecticides spray etc.
6. Hydrocarbons: These are chiefly benzene, benzphrene etc. which are mostly discharge by automobiles and industries
7. Metals: These include chiefly lead, nickel, arsenic beryllium, tin, vanadium, titanium, cadmium etc., present in air as solid particles or liquid droplets or gases. They are produced mostly by metallurgical processes, automobiles, sea pray etc.
8. Photochemical products: These are the photochemical smog, PAN, etc. released mostly by automobiles
9. Particulate matter: These are fly ash, dust, grit and other suspended particulate matter (SPM) released from power plants and industries (stone crushers etc.). There are also bacterial cells, fungal spores and pollens in air as biological particulate pollutants
10. Toxicants other than heavy metals: These are complex chemical substances released during manufacture of other goods.

‘Government has Taken Series of Steps to Address Pollution-Related Issues’: Environment Minister (Source: PIB)

The major steps being taken by the Government to control pollution include the following:

• Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
• Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
• Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
• Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG ), ethanol blend etc.;
• Promotion of cleaner production processes
• Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
• Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
• Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
• Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
• Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
• Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
• Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
• Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
• Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
• Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR;
• Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
• Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries
• Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;
• Implementation of National River Conservation Plan for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers and undertaking conservation activities which inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, education and awareness creation, community participation, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development