The Coordination Committee for Air Quality Management in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) Region is a strategic initiative by the Union Government to address severe air pollution across eight states/UTs. Here’s a structured overview:
Objective
To implement regional airshed management for comprehensive air pollution mitigation in the IGP, recognizing the transboundary nature of pollution due to shared geography and meteorology.
Key Details
- Jurisdiction:
- States/UTs Covered: Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
- Geographic Focus: The IGP, a pollution-prone region with stagnant winter winds, thermal inversions, and cross-state pollutant transport (e.g., stubble smoke from Punjab/Haryana affecting Delhi).
- Committee Structure:
- 10-member panel: Likely includes central officials, state representatives, and technical experts (exact composition unspecified).
- Relationship with CAQM: May function under or alongside the existing Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which has enforcement powers under the 2021 Act.
- Core Functions:
- Develop IGP Regional Airshed Management Plan: Integrate state-level plans into a unified strategy targeting major sources (vehicular/industrial emissions, stubble burning, construction dust).
- Monitor Implementation: Track progress via satellite data, ground sensors, and inter-state compliance mechanisms.
- Coordinate Stakeholders: Foster collaboration between states, central ministries, and experts to align policies and share best practices.
- Challenges:
- Inter-State Coordination: Differing priorities (e.g., agriculture vs. urban pollution control).
- Enforcement: Ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
- Techno-Economic Solutions: Balancing pollution mitigation with livelihoods (e.g., alternatives to stubble burning).
- Potential Strategies:
- Source-Specific Measures: Promote crop residue management, electric vehicles, green industries, and emission standards.
- Data-Driven Governance: Real-time pollution monitoring and public dashboards.
- Funding & Incentives: Central support for state actions (e.g., subsidies for farmers, green infrastructure grants).
Significance
- Holistic Approach: Moves beyond city/state-specific measures to address regional airshed dynamics.
- Legal Backing: Likely leverages CAQM’s authority to enforce penalties or shutdowns in non-compliant areas.
- Global Relevance: Aligns with SDGs and climate goals, potentially attracting international partnerships.
Critical Gaps to Address
- Public Participation: Inclusion of civil society and communities in policymaking.
- Transparency: Clear reporting on committee decisions and progress.
- Timeliness: Urgent action needed to prevent annual winter pollution crises.
