Increasing industrialization and urbanization is deteriorating the quality of air i.e. high level of air pollution is occurring due to contamination of the atmosphere with harmful chemicals or gases. These are toxic to human beings, other living organisms and damage the natural environment also.
Air pollution is one of the most serious problems and is categorized as high risk factor , affecting the living beings on earth. To solve the problems of air pollution, it’s necessary to understand the issue and look for ways to counter it.
State’s Action Plan for Clean Air
State of Punjab has
envisaged comprehensive Action Plans for clean air for nine non attainment
cities (Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Derabassi, Nangal, Patiala, Mandi
Gobindgarh, Khanna & Dera Baba Nanak) by involving major Stakeholder
departments with an aim to restore air quality to prescribed standards.
The key components of the
action plans are identification of sources of air pollution, creating awareness
about adverse impact of pollution, measures to control pollution within fixed
timeline and monitoring the activities for effective implementation of the
action plans.
Acts, Rules & Orders
This section focuses on relevant Acts and Rules enacted
to regulate air pollution levels. It includes both prevention and control of
pollution regulatory efforts specifically to protect human health by limiting
or eliminating airborne pollutant concentrations. The air quality related National
Green Tribunal’s directions to the state are also cited.
Implementation & Monitoring
Three tier monitoring
committees have been constituted to review progress w.r.t implementation of
action plans on monthly basis by District level committee, State Level
Committee and State Apex Committee under the chairmanship of Deputy
Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment & Chief
Secretary respectively.