New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said that in an effort to combat air pollution caused due to stubble burning, trial of ICAR developed bio-decomposer technology will be done in NCR and neighbouring states this year.
Mr Javadekar chaired a review meeting on the situation of air pollution, which has been a recurrent
environmental concern in winter season in Northern India, especially in Delhi NCR region, over the past few years.
Five states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab participated in the meeting.
In a press briefing after the meeting, which lasted for more than 90 minutes, Mr Javadekar said the meeting was fruitful in addressing the issue and that Centre and states have worked and will work together to implement steps to combat air pollution, but more needs to be done.
Mr Javadekar said the trial of Pusa Microbial Decomposer Capsule is underway in Delhi NCR and added that Uttar Pradesh will be using this technology over an area of 10,000 hectrares this year and Delhi will be using the same for 800 hectares as informed by Environment Ministers of these states during the meeting.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also stated the importance of using Bio Decomposers, Bio CNG and Bio power to reduce air pollution and its negative impact.
In an effort to combat air pollution caused due to stubble burning, Mr Javadekar informed that the Centre has allotted a fund of Rs 1700 crore to the states for stubble management. Currently, 80 per cent subsidy to cooperatives and 50 per cent subsidy to individuals on machineries for stubble is being provided to curb pollution caused due to stubble burning.
The Minister said that Hotspots have been identified in states of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan too and the state governments have been directed to pay more attention to these. State action plans have been made and discussed which will be implemented.
The Union Minister emphasised that Delhi government has been directed to take more action on the 13 hotspots in Delhi so as to reduce the air pollution in the capital. 50 teams of CPCB will be deployed in Delhi NCR region to take appropriate action this year.
The Minister emphasised that there are several other factors that contribute to air pollution other than stubble burning, which include constructions and demolition waste, poor waste management, unpaved roads and dust management and Bio mass burning.
Today, the states shared their plans to fight against pollution and the Centre have suggested more steps to deal with it further.
The Minister informed that several measures have been taken by the Centre like BS VI norms have been introduced; power plants of Badarpur have Sonipat have been closed.
He stated that Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways have helped massively in reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi and nearly 60,000 vehicles are diverted from Delhi, which earlier used to go through Delhi.
The Minister appealed to the state governments as well as the masses, to also take constructive measures to contribute in reducing air pollution and informed that the Central Pollution Control Board will work actively with all states on a daily basis, to monitor the level of pollution.
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