The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in January, 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
It is to work towards national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem throughout the country.
NCAP targets:
To achieve 20% to 30% reduction in concentrations of
1. *PM10 i.e. the particulate matter with a diameter between 10 and 2.5 micrometer and
2. *PM2.5 i.e. the particulate matter with a diameter 2.5 micrometer or less
-By the year 2024,
-Keeping 2017 as the base year for comparison of concentration
AIMS:
1. To ensure strict implementation of mitigation measures for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
2. To augment and evolve effective and proficient ambient air quality monitoring network across the country for ensuring a comprehensive and reliable database.
3. To augment public awareness and capacity-building measures encompassing data dissemination and public outreach programmes for inclusive public participation and for ensuring trained manpower and infrastructure on air pollution.
Though initially NCAP is launched as a five-year plan, may be further extended to 20–25 years because the outcomes can be appreciated only in the long term.
Approach
• To nurture inter-sectoral coordination at all levels between concerned Central Ministries, State Goverments and departments and local bodies for action on climate change
• Increase emphasis on the existing programs and policies regarding action against climate change, especially the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with its 8 National missions
• Incorporating climate protective measures while developing the smart cities
• With continuous scientific research, NCAP will continue to advance and newer and better methodologies would be incorporated
Implementation of NCAP
The nation-wide implementing authority for NCAP is the Central Pollution Control Board.
It will ensure inter-sectoral synchronization and coordination among the concerned ministries like the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture etc.
Reference:
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