SWACHH VAYU SURVEKSHAN AWARD, 2024

Source: PIB

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Context

Nine best performing NCAP cities were awarded on the occasion of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies which is also celebrated as Swachh Vayu Diwas.

Details

About the 2024 Awards

• Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards were presented to the best performing NCAP cities under:
• Category-1 (population over 10 Lakhs) to Surat, Jabalpur, and Agra;
• Category-2 (population between  3 and 10 Lakhs) to Firozabad, Amravati, and Jhansi; and
• Category-3 (population under 3 Lakhs) to Raebareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh.
• The Municipal Commissioners of winner cities were awarded   with cash prizes, trophy, and certificate.

TRIVIA:

The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 7 September to strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution. The designation was adopted on 19 December 2019.

About the Awards

• Swachh Vayu Survekshanis an initiative launched by MoEF&CC to rank 131 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) based on their efforts to improve air quality.
• This ranking is part of the broader goal of achieving "Clean Air for All" and encourages cities to implement approved action plans to reduce air pollution.

Read about NCAP: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/implementation-of-ncap#:~:text=Changed%20Target%20Levels%3A%20Initially%2C%20the,a%2040%25%20reduction%20by%202026.

Key Objectives

• Awareness: Creating awareness among all sections of society about the importance of clean air.
• Health Impacts: Informing citizens about the health risks associated with air pollution exposure.
• Comparative Air Quality Analysis: Comparing air quality across various cities.
• NCAP Goal: Aiming to fulfill the NCAP’s goal of providing "Clean Air for All."

Recognition and Awards

• Top Performing Cities: The top 3 cities in each category are awarded the title of "National Clean Air City."
• Rewards: These cities receive a cash prize, trophy, and certificate every year on September 7, celebrated as "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies."

Assessment Process

• Submission of Reports: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) submit self-assessment reports and supporting documents to the PRANA portal, which tracks NCAP progress.
• Evaluation: These reports are vetted by the Air Quality Monitoring Committee (AQMC), chaired by the Principal Secretary Environment, and evaluated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)according to a defined ranking framework.

Ranking Framework

• Performance Assessment: Cities are ranked based on performance during the preceding financial year (April 1 to March 31).
• Key Sectors: Cities are assessed based on control measures implemented in eight identified sectorsrelated to air quality management.

Sources:PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION  Q: Consider the following statements about National Clean Air Programme: 1.The NCAP aims to bring a 50% reduction in pollution levels from PM2.5 particles by 2024. 2.Non-attainment cities are those that have consistently failed to meet NAAQS for over five years. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2   Answer: a Explanation: 1st statement is incorrect: Initially, the NCAP aimed for a 20-30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 pollution levels by 2024, compared to 2017 levels. However, in September 2022, the government revised the target to a 40% reduction by 2026. 2nd statement is correct: Non-attainment cities are those that have consistently failed to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years. NAAQS are the established standards for ambient air quality concerning various pollutants notified by the CPCB under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. These include PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, NH3, Ozone, Lead, Benzene, Benzo-Pyrene, Arsenic, and Nickel.