New Delhi April 17 2018 | 18 Members of Parliament from across party and state along with social activist had written to Dr Harsh Vardhan, citing an urgent need to notify and enforce the National Clean Air Programme to mitigate air pollution crisis. Greenpeace India’s representatives in several meetings with the parliamentarians have urged them to reach out to Dr. Harsh Vardhan asking him for transparency and notifying NCAP without any further delay. On 23rd March,, Greenpeace India representatives had also met the Environment Minister and urged him to enforce the NCAP with clear timelines and sectoral plans.
The Parliamentarians in their letters have requested for immediate enforcement of the National Clean Air Programme and ensure inclusive public participation, information availability on public platform and transparency. The MPs also observed that National Clean Air Programme to be ambitious, but showed concern on the lack of interim timelines to achieve 50% reduction of emission in next five years.
On March 8th 2018, the environment ministry had assured the Supreme Court to finalise the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) within four weeks. The four weeks deadline has already lapsed and there is no formal communication from the Ministry on the notification of NCAP.
“It’s encouraging to see the Members of Parliaments are aligned together to fight air pollution. The enforcement of NCAP is crucial if MoEFCC is serious about 35 % & 50% emission reduction targets” said Rachel Pearlin, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India
Greenpeace India Airpocalypse II report highlighted that more than 80% of cities in the country where air quality is monitored is severely polluted, which impacts 47 million children. Also, 580 million people in India don’t even have a single air quality monitoring stations in districts they are residing.
“It’s important to start implementing the NCAP before coming winter. For that MoEFCC needs to come up with a comprehensive NCAP immediately and ensure wide stakeholder participation” said Pearlin
NOTE TO EDITOR
Link to Member of Parliament letters
For further details-
Madhulika Verma, Sr. Media Specialist; Greenpeace India, 9971137736, [email protected]
Sunil Dahiya, Sr. Campaigner, Greenpeace India, 9013673250; [email protected]
Rachel Pearlin, Sr. Campaigner, Greenpeace India, 9945199533; [email protected]