Dust Control In Focus As Air Turns Very Poor | Delhi News – Times of India
Dust Control In Focus As Air Turns Very Poor The Times of India
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New Delhi’s Air Quality Enters ‘Very Poor’ Category
Introduction
Delhi’s air quality worsened further on Tuesday, entering the ‘very poor’ category with an air quality index (AQI) of 302. This is the highest AQI recorded since February 14. The city is expected to experience ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ air quality for the next few days.
Commission for Air Quality Management Meeting
The Commission for Air Quality Management held an emergency meeting and decided not to impose measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, it urged agencies to intensify dust control measures.
Deteriorating Air Quality
Delhi’s air quality started deteriorating on Tuesday morning due to dust-raising winds. The Central Pollution Control Board’s data shows that the AQI was in the higher-end of the ‘poor’ category at 290 in the morning, but it crossed 300 by the afternoon. The city has been experiencing poor air quality since May 3, with two stations—Anand Vihar and Shadipur—reporting ‘severe’ air quality with AQI surpassing 400.
Neighbouring Cities
Neighbouring cities also recorded high AQI on Tuesday, with Greater Noida at 340, Noida at 319, Faridabad at 303, Ghaziabad at 281, and Gurgaon at 291. Dust is currently a major source of pollution in the air, with dry soil and dust-raising winds contributing to the problem.
Expert Opinions
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, highlighted the dominance of PM10 in Delhi’s air quality. She emphasized the need to monitor dust generating activities, control vehicular traffic, and prevent open burning. Dipankar Saha, former head of CPCB’s air laboratory, attributed the higher concentration of dust to increased wind speed and the nature of alluvial soil in the region.
Conclusion
The air quality is expected to remain ‘very poor’ on Wednesday and may stay in the ‘poor’ category on Thursday and Friday.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Indicator: Air quality index (AQI) measurements
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Indicator: AQI measurements
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Indicator: AQI measurements
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
– Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions the air quality index (AQI) as a measurement of air quality. AQI measurements can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Air quality index (AQI) measurements |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Air quality index (AQI) measurements |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Air quality index (AQI) measurements |
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Fuente: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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