Assess the National Clean Air Programme’s (NCAP) results. In what ways might Mission Life revitalize the NCAP to tackle the problem of air pollution? (Answer in 150 words) (Answer in 150 words)
Few substances, especially non- biodegradable ones (which cannot be metabolized by the living organism) have the ability to move through various trophic levels. The movement of these substances involves two main processes: Bio-accumulation: It is the process of gradual increase in the concentrationRead more
Few substances, especially non- biodegradable ones (which cannot be metabolized by the living organism) have the ability to move through various trophic levels. The movement of these substances involves two main processes:
- Bio-accumulation: It is the process of gradual increase in the concentration of toxic elements within the body of a particular organism. In general, the concentration of such pollutants becomes higher in the body of the organism compared to the external environment. It happens when the accumulating rate is much higher than the removal rate. Therefore, if the lifetime of the substance is higher, the impact of it also gets higher. Bioaccumulation occurs at the base of a food web, usually within primary producers like phytoplankton.
- Bio-magnification: It is the process in which the concentration of the toxic elements increases at the successive trophic levels in a food chain. It occurs when slightly larger organisms, such as zooplankton feed upon the contaminated phytoplankton and in turn absorb POPs into their own tissues at a higher concentration. These pollutants bio-magnify along food chains because successive trophic levels consume relatively large quantities of biomass (food) to ob tain the resources required for metabolic functioning. If that hiomass is contaminated, the contaminant will be taken up in large quantities by the consumer.
Hence, bio-accumulation occurs within a trophic level while bio-magnification occurs between trophic levels.
Their effects include
- Impact on human health: Bio-magnification makes humans more prone to cancers, organ failure, respiratory disorders, birth defects, brain damage, heart diseases etc. For instance, diseases like hepatitis and cancer have been attributed to consuming seafood that has been poisoned by mercury (Minamata disease) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Effects on aquatic life: The various toxic chemicals and elements accumulate in the vital organs of the various aquatic creatures affecting their reproduction and development. For instance, seabird eggs are laid with thinner shells than normal, and can result in the birds crushing their eggs instead of incubating them. Increased concentration of Mercury in an organism damages the nervous, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. Bio-accumulation of DDT can cause sterility etc.
- Disruption of the food chain: Many sea creatures depend on the natural food chain for survival. When chemicals and other toxins are carried into the soils, rivers, lakes or oceans and taken up by various organisms, it disrupts the interconnected relationships within the food chain.
- Destruction of the coral reefs: The coral reefs are destroyed by cyanide which is used in leaching gold and in fishing. The reefs provide for spawning, feeding, and dwelling grounds for numerous sea creatures. When destroyed, the survival of aquatic creatures is highly compromised.
- Effect on ecosystem: The destruction of keystone species due to bio-accumulation of toxic elements can disrupt the entire food chain and ultimately the entire ecosystem.
Effective solutions to these problems include elimination of the use of toxic elements like some harmful heavy metals, following proper safety measures and guidelines while using and disposing the toxic elements, increasing awareness among people about the issue ete.
See less
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January, 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 131 cities in 24 States and UTs by engaging all stakeholders. The programme envisages to achieve reductions up to 40% or achievement of NatiRead more
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January, 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 131 cities in 24 States and UTs by engaging all stakeholders. The programme envisages to achieve reductions up to 40% or achievement of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter10 (PM 10) concentrations by 2025-26.
See lessMeasures taken by the government to improve air quality-
1. Reducing vehicular emissions by introducing schemes like Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric vehicles, enhancing public transport by introducing metro rails connecting more cities.
2.Tightening emission norms for thermal power plants, installation of online continuous emission monitoring devices and ban on use of pet coke and furnace oil in NCR, and ban on use of pet coke in processes in cement plants, lime kilns and calcium carbide manufacturing units.
3.Public Grievances and Response System (PGRS) is developed under NCAP and Air quality monitoring cell has been constituted across the country in NCAP Cities.
Outcomes of the national Clean Air Programme-
A recent study conducted by the Climate Trends and Respirer Living Sciences reveals majority of the cities are far from the clean air targets of the NCAP.
◻ There seems to be a mixed progress among cities, while some of them like Varanasi ,Agra shows a decline others like Delhi reported marginal decline or sometimes even increased pollution loads.
◻ Lack of ambient Air Quality Monitoring systems in cities – Delhi and Mumbai have several such stations while others only have a hand full.
◻ The indo-gangetic plain remains highly vulnerable to elevated particulate matter concentrations (18 out of 20 most polluted cities).
◻ The varying results can be attributed to different factors like geographical locations, diverse emission sources and even meteorological factors.
Mission Lifestyle for Environment- the objective of this mission is to promote and encourage a sustainable and environmentally conscious way of living.
Mission Life can help to revitalize the NCAP in the following manner
1.Encourage people to use public transport systems in metro cities to avoid congestion and the resulting pollution due to individual vehicles.
2.Local bodies should persuade the residents to hand over the plastic waste instead of incinerating them and should heavily fine those who don’t comply.
3.Promotion and adoption of advanced Electric Vehicle technology especially in public transport systems through subsidies and benefits .
4.Systematically phasing out coal based thermal plants and giving way to Renewable energy generation.
5.Persuading manufacturers to produce more durable , recyclable plastic containers to ensure that they are not easily damaged and casted out as waste.
6. Spreading awareness among farmers about the environmental defects of stubble burning and suggest them viable alternative means.
Results suggest that the NCAP needs a makeover , region specific planning and Mission life with its pro planet people approach can help reinvigorate it.