Rajasthan plays host as nine cities are honored for their air quality initiatives under NCAP
Jaipur: Marking the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, also celebrated as Swachh Vayu Diwas in India, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma jointly honored nine top-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) during a ceremony held in Jaipur. The event, which emphasized the importance of a collective push for cleaner air, also highlighted the strides being made towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a clean and green India.
Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards 2024: Recognizing Excellence in Air Quality Management
The Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards were presented to the best-performing NCAP cities across three population categories, underscoring the progress made in tackling air pollution at the local level. In Category 1 (cities with populations over 10 lakhs), Surat, Jabalpur, and Agra took home the honors. Category 2 (populations between 3 and 10 lakhs) saw Firozabad, Amravati, and Jhansi recognized, while Category 3 (populations under 3 lakhs) awarded Raebareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh for their commendable efforts.
The award ceremony was a key part of the larger event hosted by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, which also included the release of a compendium titled "Viable Technologies and Practices: Lessons from NCAP Cities." This document showcased success stories and initiatives from across India aimed at improving air quality, tailored to each city's unique challenges and needs.
National Clean Air Programme: Achieving Real Results
Since the launch of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019, cities across India have been working to reduce air pollution through targeted actions and collaborative efforts. The results, as highlighted during the event, have been promising. Air pollution levels have shown a significant decline in 95 cities, with 51 cities achieving a reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20% since the baseline year of 2017-18. Among them, 21 cities have seen reductions surpassing 40%, showcasing the impact of coordinated efforts between central and local governments.
An engaging video presentation at the event encapsulated the essence of the NCAP program, emphasizing the contributions of various agencies involved in improving air quality across 131 NCAP cities. The focus on convergence of resources and effective monitoring was credited with driving the positive trends.
A Call for Action: Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, in his address, congratulated the winning cities while encouraging all NCAP cities to continue their efforts in combating air pollution. He emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships and bolstering investments in clean air initiatives, reminding the audience of their shared responsibility to nature.
“Nature gives us its best; in return, we should give nature our best,” said Yadav, highlighting the Modi government's focus on environmental sustainability through initiatives like the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, Waste to Wealth, and the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.
Yadav also called on young scientists, researchers, and students to contribute innovative ideas to the Ideas4LiFE campaign, which seeks solutions across seven key areas, including water conservation, energy efficiency, and reducing plastic waste.
Rajasthan's Green Initiatives and Commitment to a Cleaner Future
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reinforced Rajasthan’s commitment to a cleaner environment, applauding the state's efforts in planting over 7 crore saplings as part of various afforestation initiatives. Sharma expressed gratitude to all departments involved in making Rajasthan a greener state and commended their enthusiastic contributions.
“Culturally, we honor the natural world, conserve society, and worship our rivers. It is our responsibility to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle,” said Sharma, emphasizing the importance of aligning development with environmental sustainability.
Sharma also announced Rajasthan's plans for a ‘Green Growth Budget’ focused on enhancing air quality across the state, particularly in five non-attainment cities. As part of this initiative, the state government intends to introduce electric buses on key intercity and intracity routes, further contributing to reduced emissions and a cleaner atmosphere.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Cleaner Air
The event culminated with the planting of 100 saplings under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign at the Matri Van in Jaipur, symbolizing the ongoing efforts to enhance green cover and improve air quality. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav also chaired the fourth meeting of the Apex Committee of the NCAP, further reinforcing the central government's commitment to addressing air pollution.
The ceremony in Jaipur, attended by senior officials from central and state governments, experts, students, and numerous virtual participants, served as a reminder of the importance of sustained efforts to ensure cleaner air for future generations. As the country continues its journey towards achieving the Prime Minister's vision for Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the focus remains on investing in cleaner air, greener initiatives, and a healthier environment for all.