BATHINDA: Despite the focus on air pollution in urban areas, a new report by Climate Trends reveals that both rural and urban regions in India have experienced a similar decline in PM 2.5 levels over the past few years. The report, titled ‘Status of Urban and Rural air quality exposure at a national scale: A comparative analysis’, highlights that air pollution remains a significant problem for both rural and urban populations.
Climate Trends is a research-based consulting initiative that aims to address environmental, climate change, and sustainable development issues.
According to the analysis, most states still have PM 2.5 levels higher than the safe limits. Between 2017 and 2022, rural regions saw a 19.1% decline in PM 2.5 levels, while urban regions recorded an 18.7% dip.
To assess the impact of air pollution on rural areas, the report used satellite data and the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) data for urban and rural classification. It found that Uttar Pradesh has made the most progress, with a reduction of 37.8% in urban PM 2.5 levels and 38.1% in rural PM 2.5 levels. Maharashtra performed the worst, with only a 7.7% decrease in urban PM 2.5 levels, while Gujarat had the least progress with an 8.2% decrease in rural PM 2.5 levels. The Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu also showed minimal progress, with a 4-7% decrease in PM 2.5 levels. Chandigarh was the only region to experience an increase, with a 0.3% rise in urban PM 2.5 levels.
The report emphasizes the value of satellite data in monitoring air pollution, especially in areas where ground-based monitoring is inadequate. It also calls for a better rural monitoring network and extended air pollution mitigation efforts beyond cities.
Although India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to reduce particulate concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, rural areas have not been monitored yet, and air pollution remains a significant problem in these areas.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi are exploring alternative approaches, including hybrid methods, to address the gaps in air quality monitoring.
Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, highlights the progress made under the NCAP and the need to extend air pollution reduction efforts beyond cities in the next phase of the program.
Climate Trends is a research-based consulting initiative that aims to address environmental, climate change, and sustainable development issues.
According to the analysis, most states still have PM 2.5 levels higher than the safe limits. Between 2017 and 2022, rural regions saw a 19.1% decline in PM 2.5 levels, while urban regions recorded an 18.7% dip.
To assess the impact of air pollution on rural areas, the report used satellite data and the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) data for urban and rural classification. It found that Uttar Pradesh has made the most progress, with a reduction of 37.8% in urban PM 2.5 levels and 38.1% in rural PM 2.5 levels. Maharashtra performed the worst, with only a 7.7% decrease in urban PM 2.5 levels, while Gujarat had the least progress with an 8.2% decrease in rural PM 2.5 levels. The Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu also showed minimal progress, with a 4-7% decrease in PM 2.5 levels. Chandigarh was the only region to experience an increase, with a 0.3% rise in urban PM 2.5 levels.
The report emphasizes the value of satellite data in monitoring air pollution, especially in areas where ground-based monitoring is inadequate. It also calls for a better rural monitoring network and extended air pollution mitigation efforts beyond cities.
Although India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 to reduce particulate concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, rural areas have not been monitored yet, and air pollution remains a significant problem in these areas.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi are exploring alternative approaches, including hybrid methods, to address the gaps in air quality monitoring.
Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, highlights the progress made under the NCAP and the need to extend air pollution reduction efforts beyond cities in the next phase of the program.
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