Context:
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes GRAP Stage 4 in Delhi NCR to combat Air pollution.
About GRAP:
- It deals with a comprehensive strategy of emergency measures to prevent deterioration of air quality in Delhi NCR.
- Background –
- Originated from Supreme Court’s directions in 2016 to the Central Pollution Control Board to form an emergency action plan to combat air pollution.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified GRAP in 2017 in consultation with state government involved.
- How does GRAP Work?
- GRAP comprises a set of stratified actions that are triggered in response to specific pollution levels.
- It involves all stakeholders, implementing agencies and authorities to immediate respond to situations of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
- Referred to as ‘graded’ plan i.e. it functions in a step by step manner, or in stages.
- GRAP for Delhi NCR (4 different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi) –
- ‘Poor’ Air Quality (AQI 201-300)
- ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality (AQI 301-400)
- ‘Severe’ Air Quality (AQI 401-450)
- ‘Severe +’ Air Quality (AQI 450)
- Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) –
- Air Quality is measured using a metric called Air Quality Index (AQI).
- The AQI in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated to the ‘Severe +’ category (AQI > 450).
- Delhi’s air quality ranks among the worst in the world’s capital cities.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
- A statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region.
- Looks into Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas for co-ordination, research and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index (AQI).
- Takes proactive anti-air pollution actions based on forecasts made by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) up to three days in advance.
- CAQM has recently revised the existing GRAP to further strengthen the measures to combat air pollution especially ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe +’ air quality stages in the entire NCR.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m³ and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (b)
