Investigating the Impression of National Clean Air Programme in Enhancement of Air Quality Characteristics for Non-attainment Cities of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Developmental activities have become sweet poison nowadays. Such activities degrade local air quality status, which can severely impact human health and their surrounding environment. The present study examines Uttarakhand’s air quality characteristics in non-attainment cities (Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Kashipur) to understand its cleansing processes. Under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), concentration of air pollutants (such as PM, SO_x and NO_x) was regularly monitored between 2015 and 2019 to evaluate the air quality status in the state. The NAMP highlights the higher concentration of PM₁₀ in Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Kashipur, and hence it is imperative to reduce the concentration of PM₁₀ under the permissible limit. State has 30.2% urbanisation rate, and annual urban growth rate of 4.0% much higher than the rural growth rate (1.2%) of the state, which results in 3 times higher amount of PM₁₀ to the permissible limit. Moreover, 1.5–2-time higher amount of PM₁₀ were recorded in Rishikesh, and Kashipur. In making sustainable future, various sector-specific strategies and sustainable approaches under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) were launched to combat this critical situation. While comparing with the present air quality status, Dehradun experienced 12% reduction in PM₁₀; whereas for Rishikesh and Kashipur, only 4.1% and 0.866% reduction were observed. The effective implementation of sector-specific action points will be the key factor in improvement of air quality of the Uttarakhand state.

Graphical Abstract