Lok Sabha Question No. 3260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: WHO Report on Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3260

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2016

## WHO Report on Air Pollution

## 3260. SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be  pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the report by WHO indicating that out of the 8 lakh deaths caused by air pollution in South East Asia Region, India accounts for over 75%;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government recognizes the deteriorating air quality in the country as a public health hazard; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government  to combat this problem?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)  to  (c)  World  Health  Organisation  (WHO)  has  published  a  report  titled  'Ambient  Air Pollution: A global assessment of exposure and burden of disease' which presents summary of  methods  and  results  of  the  latest  global  assessment  of  ambient  air  pollution  exposure. According  to  this  report,  air  pollution  has  become  a  growing  concern  with  an  increasing number of acute air pollution episodes in many cities worldwide in South East Asia Region including  India.  There  are  no  conclusive  data  available  in  the  country  to  establish  direct correlationship of diseases exclusively due to air pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic  manifestation  of  factors  which  include  food  habits,  occupational  habits,  socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity, heredity etc. of the individuals. Air Pollution could be one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases.

(d)  The  major  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  control  pollution  include  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 etc.), ethanol blending; promotion of cleaner  production  processes;  launching  of  National  Air  Quality  index;  universalization  of BS-IV  by  2017;leapfrogging  from  BS-IV  to  BS-VI  fuel  standards  by  1st  April,  2020; comprehensive  amendments  to  various  Waste  Management  Rules  and  notification  of Construction  and  Demolition  Waste  Management  Rules;  banning  of  burning  of  leaves, biomass,  municipal  solid  waste;  promotion  of  public  transport  and  network  of  metro,  erickshaws,  promotion  of  car  pooling,  Pollution  Under  Control  Certificate,  lane  discipline, vehicle  maintenance;  regular  co-ordination  meetings  at  official  and  ministerial  level  with

Delhi  and  other  State  Governments  within  the  NCR;  issuance  of  directions  under  Section 18(1)(b)  of  Air  (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1981  and  under  Section  5  of Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986;  installation  of  on-line  continuous  (24x7)  monitoring devices  by  major  industries;  collection  of  Environmental  Protection  Charge  on  more  than 2000 CC diesel vehicles in Delhi; and ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM etc.

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