India's slow progress towards improving the air quality and non-inclusion of time-bound targets in its National Clean Air Programme - yet to see light of day - has become a major concern for environmentalists.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Indian branch of global environmental group Greenpeace underlined how China has already released its second clean air action plan to fight air pollution, but India is yet to include time-bound targets and enforce its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
China started its clean air programme in 2013, setting a target to cut about 30 per cent pollution level by 2017. Beijing's efforts "have been huge in terms of scale and stringency of actions," says Anumita Roy Chaudhary of Center for Science and Environment (CSE).
As the winters approach every year, many parts in North India, especially in the national capital region (NCR) get choked due to crop burning and other sources of pollution. Experts believe that not much has been done by government to combat the causes of poor air quality across the country.
The government has also for the first time considered air pollution as a national issue to send a message that its approach is not just limited to Delhi-NCR now but is expanding much beyond. However, the centre's claims of NCAP draft being the action plan which will be able to reduce pollution levels has not gone down well with experts as well as the civil society organisations till now as it misses out on emission reduction targets as well as time bound air pollution reduction plans.
Sunil Dahiya, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India, explains: "While China still has a long way to go to solve its air pollution problem, the progress in the past few years shows what works -- region-wise, time-bound targets that hold decision-makers accountable, strong emission standards and strong enforcement, as well as a shift away from polluting energy sources. Indian government should learn from these actions to curb air pollution levels and must expedite enforcement of the National Clean Air Programme without further delay."
China may be the biggest carbon emitter in the world, but it has ambitious plans to improve its air quality. Experts believe tougher goals and tighter regulations can help Beijing in tackling its air pollution crisis.
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