Air pollution in India significantly impacts human health and the environment. High levels of pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, premature deaths, and aggravate asthma and bronchitis. The World Health Organization links air pollution to millions of annual deaths in India.

Environmentally, air pollution harms ecosystems, reduces agricultural productivity, and contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Acid rain, resulting from air pollutants, damages soil and water bodies, affecting biodiversity.

Measures to mitigate these impacts include:

1. Stringent Emission Standards: Implementing and enforcing stricter emission regulations for vehicles and industries.
2. Promotion of Clean Energy: Increasing the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
3. Public Transportation: Expanding and improving public transport to reduce vehicular emissions.
4. Afforestation: Planting trees to absorb pollutants and improve air quality.

Existing policies, such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aim to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024. While these policies are a step in the right direction, their effectiveness depends on robust implementation, regular monitoring, and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance and long-term success.