Understanding the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is an initiative launched by the Indian government in 2019. Its primary aim is to reduce levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) by 20-30% in 131 designated 'non-attainment' cities by the year 2024, relative to the pollution levels recorded in 2017. The programme emphasizes a comprehensive approach to air quality management through city-specific action plans.

Challenges Faced by NCAP

Despite its goals, NCAP has struggled to effectively reduce pollution levels. Several factors contribute to this challenge:

• Public Awareness: The public often ranks air pollution low on their list of priorities, limiting demand for cleaner air initiatives.
• Industry Resistance: Industries responsible for significant pollution, including construction and transportation, frequently resist adopting cleaner practices.
• Institutional Coordination: The existing institutional framework often lacks coordination across states and the regulatory tools necessary to enforce compliance.
• Ineffective Enforcement: Both Central and State Pollution Control Boards have limited enforcement power, resulting in accountability issues.
• Insufficient Demand: There is inadequate demand for clean air from regional governments, which often underutilize allocated funds for air quality improvement.

Improving NCAP’s Effectiveness

To enhance the effectiveness of the NCAP, several strategic actions are recommended:

• Strengthening Incentives: Financial incentives should be linked to air quality outcomes, motivating urban local bodies to enhance their performance through competitive federalism.
• Increasing Public Demand: Raising awareness and fostering demand for clean air can be achieved through education, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
• Regional Cooperation: Holistic air pollution management at the airshed level is essential, along with granting urban local bodies greater fiscal autonomy.
• Incentivizing Sustainable Practices: Industries should be encouraged to adopt cleaner technologies through both financial incentives and penalties.

Role of Public and Industries in Air Quality Management

Both the public and industries play crucial roles in managing air quality. Public awareness and demand for cleaner air can prompt political and policy changes, while industries can significantly contribute by adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing emissions and utilizing cleaner technologies.

Transboundary Nature of Air Pollution

Air pollution is inherently a transboundary issue, as it does not recognize administrative boundaries. This characteristic necessitates coordinated action across states and regions, complicating the enforcement and effectiveness of NCAP. A unified approach is essential in tackling the sources of pollution collectively, allowing NCAP to evolve into a more robust programme capable of making considerable strides in improving air quality across India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the main objectives of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
Answer: NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter levels by 20-30% in 131 cities by 2024, focusing on city-specific action plans for effective air quality management.

Q2. Why has NCAP struggled to achieve its pollution reduction goals?
Answer: NCAP faces challenges like public apathy, industry resistance, ineffective enforcement, and insufficient demand from regional governments for clean air initiatives.

Q3. How can the effectiveness of NCAP be improved?
Answer: Improvements can be made by strengthening institutional incentives, increasing public awareness, promoting regional cooperation, and incentivizing sustainable industry practices.

Q4. What role do industries play in air quality management?
Answer: Industries can significantly impact air quality by adopting cleaner technologies and sustainable practices, which can reduce emissions and improve overall air quality.

Q5. Why is air pollution considered a transboundary problem?
Answer: Air pollution crosses administrative boundaries, requiring coordinated action across states and regions for effective management and enforcement of policies like NCAP.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary goal of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
A) To increase industrial production
B) To reduce air pollution levels by 20-30%
C) To promote electric vehicles
D) To enhance public transportation systems
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which of the following cities is NOT targeted by the NCAP?
A) Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Bengaluru
D) Shimla
Correct Answer: D

Question 3: What factor contributes to the struggle of NCAP in enforcing pollution laws?
A) Strong public support
B) Effective regional cooperation
C) Limited enforcement power of agencies
D) Increased funding from the government
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: Which initiative can help improve NCAP's effectiveness?
A) Reducing public awareness campaigns
B) Linking financial incentives to air quality outcomes
C) Limiting regional cooperation
D) Increasing industrial emissions
Correct Answer: B