The Union Environment ministry gave notice to the Rajya Sabha as it continues its winter session that the air quality guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are not binding, but serve as advisory guidelines. These rules give indicative values on the main air pollutants to assist the nations in the quest to achieve better air quality. Nevertheless, Minister of State on Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, explained that each country eventually determines its own air quality parameters according to the local factors and limitations.
The ministry reports that areas, current environmental circumstances, past pollution rates, economic aspects, and priorities of the nation are critical in establishing Air Quality Index (AQI) standards of a nation. This leads to a situation where India has different standards compared with the recommended values by the WHO, and which are related to the particular situation of the country.
The statement was in reply to the questions which were posed by CPI-M MP V. Sivadasan. He attempted to find data on the international air quality rating of India in various international air quality indices such as the IQAir World Air Quality Ranking, the WHO Global Air Quality Database, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) pollution indicators of 2020 and onwards. He also enquired on the parameters applied by these indices and whether the government had checked the position of India in these indices.
The ministry in its response pointed out that it has established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on 12 pollutants to address the health and quality of the environment of the people. These requirements are the foundation of monitoring and control of the country.
And also, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) implements the Swachh Vayu Survekshan, which is an annual evaluation of 130 cities within the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The survey lists the cities in terms of effectiveness of their air quality improvement efforts. The well-performing cities are recognised and given awards every year on the National Swachh Vayu Diwas, which is held on September 7.
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