Question : Environmental Pollution

(a) whether Indians are worst affected by environmental pollution in the world as per a study released in the Lancet medical journal recently and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Union Government has since ascertained the number of people died/ suffered major ailments due to air pollution/ water pollution during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof, year and State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the steps taken by the Union Government/Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Governments/State Pollution Control Boards to check the adverse impact of pollution on people have proved to be ineffective and if so, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Union Government has initiated any dialogue with the departments concerned of various States/UTs to make various cities including Delhi and Bengaluru pollution free and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the new strategies proposed to be adopted by the Union Government/CPCB in this regard?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 106 due for reply on 22.12.2017 regarding ‘Environmental Pollution'' by SHRI NINONG ERING and DR. SANJAY JAISWAL, Hon''ble Members of Lok Sabha

(a) to (e) An article titled ‘Nations within a nation: variations in epidemiological transition across the states of India, 1990-2016 in the Global Burden of Disease Study’ was published in the Lancet journal in December, 2017. The article reported that five leading risk factors for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in 2016 are child and maternal malnutrition, air pollution, dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and high fasting plasma glucose. The article also states that though the levels of exposure in India is among the highest in the world, the DALY due to air pollution decreased by 23•6% in India from 1990 to 2016.

There are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct correlation of death/disease exclusively due to air pollution. However, air pollution could be one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits, occupational habits, socio-economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals.

Government has formulated National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long term time bound national level strategy to tackle increasing air pollution across the country in comprehensive manner. The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective ambient air quality monitoring network across the country besides ensuring comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. The NCAP focuses on collaborative and participatory approach comprising all sources of pollution and coordination between relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, local bodies and other stakeholders. Government has further taken several steps to address air pollution which inter alia, include notification of Graded Response Action Plan for different levels of air pollution in NCR; notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality; introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending, 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; notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules; banning of burning of biomass; promotion of public transport network; streamlining the issuance of Pollution Under Control Certificate; 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; notification of about 115 emission/effluent norms for 104 different sectors besides 32 General Standards and special measures for critically polluted areas, etc.

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