Context

The air quality global ranking of cities for 2023 has been released by a Swiss firm, IQAir, which has been reporting this annually for over six years now. 

Key Highlights

Key-highlights of the Report

• Bangladesh is the world’s most polluted country and Delhi is the most polluted capital.
• India has emerged as the world’s third most polluted country.
• The world’s most polluted city is Begusarai in the east Indian state of Bihar.
• Nine of the top 10 most polluted cities are in India, up from six the previous year.
• Meanwhile, 42 cities in the top 50 are in India, up from 39; and an astounding 83 cities in the top 100 are Indian (up from 63 and 65 in the previous two years).
• Delhi is back to being the most polluted capital of the world, the fifth time in the last six years.
• It’s PM 2.5 level has averaged over 102 micrograms per cubic metre, up 10 units from the previous year. WHO’s safe guideline is just 5 micrograms.

1: Dimension-Reason behind high polluting levels

• Transboundary Pollution: Pollution from northern and southern India is funnelled in by winds and affects the entirety of eastern India and Bangladesh. This is known as transboundary pollution.
• Climate change could be exacerbating air pollution.
  • Fossil fuel emissions account for 65% of global CO2 emissions and are also the primary cause of the majority of PM2.5-related deaths.

2: Dimension- Why cities of Indo-Gangetic plains are heavily polluted?

• Coal-powered plants: The Indo-Gangetic plain is a highly productive and fertile river basin that supports more than 200 million people. This belt hosts 10% of India’s coal-fired power generation plants – all located close to the Ganga.
• High PM levels: The entire Indo-Gangetic plain has high level of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, which are responsible for increased levels of particulate matter in the air.
• Multiple sources: There is no one source when it comes to air pollution, but many. These include dust, biomass burning, industrial emissions, coal-powered plants, deforestation and complex weather patterns.

Fact Box: PM 2.5 Fine particulate matter is defined as particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5). WHO’s safe guideline is just 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Mains Practice Question

Q: ‘Air pollution’ is a major global environmental risk. How is India being affected by air pollution? Furthermore, delve into the enduring challenge of pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, elucidating its persistent nature and impact on the region.