Swachh Vayu Diwas 2024

Blog Credit : Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy : Google

Swachh Vayu Diwas 2024

 

The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board hosted the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies or Swach Vayu Diwas on 7 September 2024 in the pink city of Jaipur.

Along with the 5th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies or Swach Vayu Diwas, the  4th meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was also held in Jaipur on 7 September. It was chaired by Bhupendra Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Background to the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

• The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 19 December 2019 to celebrate 7 September every year as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
• The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is celebrated as  Swach Vayu Diwas in India.
• The first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was observed worldwide on 7 September 2020.

Theme of 2024 Swach Vayu Diwas

The Theme of the 2024  International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies or the Swach Vayu Diwas is “Invest in clean air now.”

Who attended the 2024 Swacch Vayu Diwas function? 

The 2024 Swacch Vayu Diwas function in Jaipur was attended by Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Sanjay Sharma, the Minister of State for Forest, Environment & Climate Change of the Government of Rajasthan, and other dignitaries.

On the occasion, the Swachh Vayu Survekshan Award was presented to the winners of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Winners of 2024 Swachh Vayu Survekshan Award 

Bhupender Yadav and Bhajan Lal Sharma conferred the prizes to the winner of the 2024 Swachh Vayu Survekshan Award for cities under NCAP.

The Municipal Commissioners of the winning cities were awarded cash prizes, trophies, and a certificate.

This award was given to cities participating in the National Clean Air Programme for their performance in reducing air pollution and improving air quality in their cities.

Category 1 Award (for cities with a population of over 10 lakhs)

• Winner Cites-  Surat (Gujarat), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), and Agra (Uttar Pradesh);

Category-2 (population between  3 and 10 Lakhs) 

• Winner cities -Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati(Maharashtra), and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh); and

Category-3 (population under 3 Lakhs)

• Winner cities – Raebareli(Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana), and Nalagarh(Himachal Pradesh).

About NACP

The government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019  to reduce air pollution in identified cities.

It includes 131 non-attainment and million-plus population cities in 24 States and Union Territories.

The Union  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change administers the NCAP.

Targets under the NACP

• The goal is to reduce the concentration of PM2.5(particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less) by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024.
• Target to reduce by up to 40 per cent the concentration of   PM10(particulate matter of diameter between 10 and 2.5 micrometres) by 2025-26.
• The base year of the pollution level is 2017.

Non-Attainment Cities 

Non-attainment cities are those that consistently do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM 10 (Particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter) or N02 (Nitrogen Dioxide) over a period of five years.

 

Overview:

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma presented Swachh Vayu Survekshan Award, 2024Nine best performing NCAP cities awarded on the occasion of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies which is also celebrated as Swachh Vayu Diwas

Under the leadership of Prime Minister, we are continuously striving for clean air and blue sky: Union Environment Minister

A green earth is essential for the blue sky and the Modi government is working to make our air clean by reducing the pollution of the earth through schemes and campaigns like Vehicle Scrap Policy, Waste to Wealth, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Sh. Bhupender Yadav

Chief Minister Sh. Bhajan Lal Sharma informed that 07 crore saplings planted in Rajasthan and commended all the departments for their enthusiastic work for the achievement

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Swachh Vayu Diwas) was observed on 07.09.24 at Jaipur in the august presence of Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav and Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma. The event was also graced by Minister of State for Forest, Environment & Climate Change of Government of Rajasthan, Shri Sanjay Sharma and Union Minister of State Urban Development and Local Self Government of Government of Rajasthan, Shri Jhabar Singh Kharra. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board was  the host for this year’s observance.

On this occasion, an engaging video capturing the essence of NCAP program, contributions of the agencies involved and resulting improvements in air quality in 131 NCAP cities was displayed. It was informed that focused actions, convergence of resources and effective monitoring have shown positive results with declining trends of air pollution in 95 cities. 51 cities have shown reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20% with respect to base year 2017-18 and 21 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40%.

A document titled ‘Compendium on Viable Technologies and Practices: Lessons from NCAP cities’, showcasing examples of initiatives undertaken by cities to improve air quality in line with local contexts and requirements, was released. Besides, 100 sapling under “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam”, campaign were also planted at the ‘Matri Van’, Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards were presented to the best performing NCAP cities under Category-1 (population over 10 Lakhs) to Surat, Jabalpur, and Agra; Category-2 (population between  3 and 10 Lakhs) to Firozabad, Amravati, and Jhansi; and Category-3 (population under 3 Lakhs) to Raebareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh. The Municipal Commissioners of winner cities were awarded   with cash prizes, trophy, and certificate.

He also commended cities including smaller cities & towns on taking various strategic initiatives such as Central Command Monitoring Facility for air    quality forecasting, Jan Bhagidari initiatives, technical interventions, etc. for improving air quality. It is the collective effort of all the agencies involved that the air quality has improved in most of the NCAP cities since the base year 2017.

He motivated young scientists, researcher and students   to participate in the Ideas4LiFE campaign and submit innovative ideas/ solutions on seven Mission LiFE themes, namely, Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-waste, Say No To Single Use Plastic, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.

He reasserted commitment to realize the Prime Minister’s vision for Mission LiFE and improving environmental quality in the country. He congratulated the Government of Rajasthan for massive  tree plantation drive and express gratitude for hosting the day.

On the occasion of Swachh Vayu Diwas, Union Environment Minister also chaired the 4th meeting of Apex Committee of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in Jaipur. He also planted sapling in Jaipur.

In his address, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, reinforced the Prime Minister’s call for a cleaner and greener environment, as demonstrated through various schemes and initiatives, such as Swachh Bharat Mission and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. He informed that more than 07 crore saplings have been planted in the State  and thanked all the departments involved for their enthusiastic work.

He emphasized that culturally, we are conserving society, revere nature and worship our rivers. We should keep this in mind and strive to embrace a more holistic, eco-friendly lifestyle. Focusing on the theme of this year’s observance- ‘Invest in Clean Air Now,’ he emphasized on the need to invest our time, resources, and efforts to ensure clean air and an improved quality of life. He informed various actions taken in the State of Rajasthan for improving air quality, with focus on the five non-attainment cities. He announced that State will be preparing a ‘Green Growth Budget’ and electric buses are planned to ply on important intercity and intracity routes.

The event was attended by Chairmen and Member Secretaries of SPCBs/PCCs, Municipal Commissioners from NCAP cities, officials from Central & State governments and Urban Local Bodies, Experts, students, exhibitors and numerous virtual attendees.

 

 

Blog By : Trupti Thakur