EPCA Directs Delhi and Other States to Implement GRAP

EPCA Directs Delhi and Other States to Implement GRAP

  • Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) directed Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to implement Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) , to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
  • The pollution monitoring body has directed Delhi and neighboring states to implement air pollution control measures under “very poor” and “severe” category air quality of the GRAP, including the ban on the use of diesel generators, except for emergency activities.
  • A CPCB led task force and the EPCA will continue to review the situation.
  • If the pollution turns adverse, then “additional steps,” including a ban on construction activity and enhanced parking fees among others will have to be implemented.
Fight Against Pollution

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

  • GRAP is a set of stratified actions that are taken once the pollution level reaches a certain specified limit.
  • Supreme Court (SC) had mandated the Environmental Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to come up with such a plan.
  • EPCA is SC mandated body notified under Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • EPCA was constituted in 1998.
  • Air quality Index classifies air quality of a day considering criteria pollutants through color codes and air quality descriptor.

The index measures eight major pollutants namely

  • Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
  • Nitrogen dioxide
  • Sulphur dioxide
  • Ozone
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Ammonia
  • Lead

Reasons for Implementing GRAP Before Winter

  • Stubble burning in states of Punjab and Haryana.
  • Trapping of pollutants closer to the ground by slower winds and cooler temperatures.
  • Other causes such as emissions from vehicles and industries, construction dust and the burning of waste etc.
  • Recently, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) , Pusa, Delhi has developed a decomposer capsule.
  • It is called “Pusa bio-decomposer.”
  • The capsule could be converted into a liquid solution and sprayed on fields to decompose the stubble.

Examrace Team at Aug 24, 2021