Environment NGO's today lauded the Centre's decision to empower the EPCA in enforcing a graded response plan to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR, saying it is a "big" step in pollution management and it was the time that this national health emergency is taken up as a "serious" issue as it kills 1.2 million Indians every year.
The Environment Ministry has empowered the Supreme Court -appointed Environment Pollution Control and Prevention Authority (EPCA) to enforce the graded response plan under which measures like, 'car-rationing' odd-even scheme, may implemented in the Delhi-NCR region if pollution levels touch emergency proportions.
Sunita Narain, who is the Director General of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and also a member of EPCA said the fact that the government has notified it so quickly also shows its seriousness.
"The effort has to be that we do not reach a level of pollution emergency. The first effort of the graded action plan is to prevent emergency. But if there is one we must not baulk at the level of action that has to be taken. Beijing or Paris do take tough action in case of emergency. We will have to work out the mechanism.
"The challenge is that it has to be done across NCR and that will make a difference as cities like Gurugram are equally polluted. We will have to work with the government. The way it has been formulated is that CPCB will define that it is a public health emergency, will also forecast the episode three days ahead," she said.
She added that such decisions can be expected to be taken during Diwali and crop burning period and the EPCA will direct the Chief secretaries of the states to roll out the plan.
A comprehensive plan, prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), was submitted to the Supreme Court on December 2 last year. The apex court had accepted and asked the Centre to notify it.
"In pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government hereby assigns the task of implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan to the EPCA..." said the January 12 notification.
Greenpeace India also welcomed the move saying it is a "logical and necessary step" and it was high time that this national health emergency is taken up as a serious issue.
"It is high time that we take this national health emergency as a serious issue and come out with a National Clean Air Action Plan, as air pollution is killing 1.2 million Indians every year," said Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace India.
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