SYLLABUS
GS-3: Environment Conservation and environmental pollution.
Context:
Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025 Awards in New Delhi to honour the best-performing cities under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Key highlights of the Ceremony
• The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025 recognised the achievements of 11 out of 130 NCAP cities for their exceptional commitment and innovation in improving air quality.
- These awards are presented annually to the best-performing National Clean Air Campaign NCAP cities in three categories based on population.
• Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan: It is a mechanism conducted annually for 130 cities under NCAP and is a rigorous, multi-tiered evaluation promoting healthy competition to improve air quality.
• Wetland Cities: Indore and Udaipur were conferred the status of Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention for their efforts in conserving urban wetlands.
• NCAP’s visible progress: Of 103 cities reporting improved PM 10 levels, 64 achieved a 20% reduction and 25 cities recorded a 40% reduction from 2017–18 levels.
• Strengthening Local Action: The Minister released Ward-Level Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Guidelines for citizen engagement and a Compendium of Best Practices under NCAP to guide replication of successful strategies.
• The Government’s broader environmental vision was highlighted through key initiatives:
- Mission Amrit Sarovar for rejuvenation of water bodies.
- Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign to plant 75 crore trees.
- Mission LiFE to promote sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- NCAP was launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), to improve air quality at the city, regional and national levels.
- NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) concentrations in over 130 cities.
• Targets of NCAP:
- Initial Target: 20–30% reduction in PM10 concentrations by 2024–25, compared to 2017–18 levels.
- Revised Target: Up to 40% reduction in PM10 levels or achieve national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025–26.
City-Specific Goals: 4–15% reduction in annual PM10 concentrations through city-specific action plans.
• PRANA Portal (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment cities): Developed to track implementation of NCAP and monitor physical and financial progress of cities.