Haze Over Delhi

Why in news?

• Haze loomed over Delhi and its adjoining areas for over a week.
• The air quality index reflected a "severe" degradation in air quality in Delhi.

How has pollution been in Delhi?

• Delhi witnessed high pollution levels in the recent winter.
• Stubble burning in the neighbourhood regions was cited as the main reason.
• Smoke from brick kilns and vehicular emissions added to the air pollution.
• The weather patterns in winter season contributed for the sustenance of the pollution.
• However, the current haze, in summer, cannot be attributed to these.

What are the reasons?

• Delhi now witnesses high levels of dust, causing haze, reducing visibility.
• It also resulted in particulate matter (PM) levels shooting to over 8 times the normal range.
• Dust storms originating from Rajasthan and wind direction are said to be the cause.
• But besides this, local sources of pollution are also said to be the reasons.

How to address this?

• Emergency measures will have to be soon initiated and all construction activity stopped.
• Delhi government has been directed to carry out water sprinkling to bring down the PM levels.
• Modelling and measurements to evaluate the exact sources of the dust particles are essential to deal with it.
• Cities like Delhi require a green belt around it to reduce pollution levels.
• But greening open spaces or reforestation of land largely remain as concepts.
• Delhi needs long term planning and systematic research on dealing with the perpetual problem of pollution.

Source: BusinessLine