UPSC MAINS_ GS-3 (Pollution)
HOW TO TACKLE URBAN POLLUTION IN CITIES?
Pollution is a phenomenon in which either all or any one element of the environment gets contaminated; whether it be water, soil, air etc. there are two types of pollution based on the region:
a) URBAN POLLUTION: Contamination in air, water and other elements due to the activities performed in the cities and towns.
b) RURAL POLLUTION: Contamination due to activities in villages, mainly agricultural pollution.
TYPES OF URBAN POLLUTION:
1) AIR POLLUTION: Contamination in the quality of air in cities is due to –
· Industrial emission
· Vehicle emission
· Stubble burning
· Emission from mining
Among world’s 20 most worst cities’ list in terms of air pollution, 13 of India’s cities are in it. Delhi, Kanpur topping the list.
2) WATER POLLUTION: The untreated water from industries or from household, contributes majorly towards contamination in the water bodies.
· Untreated sewage from household
· Untreated effluent from industries
River Ganga and Yamuna are being included in the Global Polluted Rivers list.
3) NOISE POLLUTION: The unwanted sound from various means contributed towards deterioration of psychological mind, physical health of the people. These are-
· Noisy sound from machines
· Horns of cars
WAY AHEAD:
FOR AIR POLLUTION-
· Industries must discharge their emission after installation of carbon filteration, smoke scrubbers.
· Vehicles can move to hybrid electric vehicle system.
· Vehicles must install smoke scrubber.
· Farmers could use the stubble for biofuel purpose.
FOR WATER POLLUTION-
· Sewage from industries must be properly treated before disposing to rivers.
· Citizens can go with 3R’s( REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE) for biodegradable and non-biodegradable products.
FOR NOISE POLLUTION-
· Heavy machines must be installed with silencers.
· Minimize use of horns (mostly near residential and silence zone areas).
· Do not play music at high sound in marriages and parties.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES:
· In 2009 government came up with National Action Plan for Climate Change.
· Central government along with state government of U.P., Uttrakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal are working to conserve River Ganga under Namami Ganga Project.
· In 2000, government came up with National Noise Ambient Policy 2000 to regulate noise pollution in residential areas, silence zone etc.
· Government of Haryana gave various subsidies to farmers to tackle issue of stubble burning.
· Government made compulsory for vehicles to opt Bharat stage 4 from 2019.
· Government came up with CAMPA, Polluter’s pay norms.
It is the need of an hour to protect the environment . And the only solution for it is sustainable development, otherwise it could lead to natural disasters such as flood, flash flood(as in Uttrakhand in 2015).
