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India's Air Pollution Mapped: 16 Regions Identified
4 Nov
Summary
- India may be divided into 16 air-quality management regions called airshedems.
- Controlling Delhi region emissions could cut local PM2.5 by 60%.
- Two regions, AS-2 and AS-7, contribute 50% of national pollution loads.
A recent study from the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) suggests a novel approach to managing India's air quality by dividing the country into 16 distinct "airshedems." This framework aims to implement targeted pollution control measures tailored to local geography and emission sources.
The research analyzed over two decades of climate data, pollution estimates, and emission inventories using machine learning to identify these regions. Key factors such as land use, population density, and economic activity were integrated for practical planning. Two specific airshedems, AS-2 (encompassing Delhi and surrounding states) and AS-7 (central and southern India), were found to contribute half of the nation's PM2.5 and NOx emissions.
AS-2's pollution stems from dense populations, agriculture, and industrial development, while AS-7 is impacted by mining and thermal power generation. The study simulated shutting off human-generated emissions solely in AS-2, resulting in a 60% reduction in local PM2.5, a 10% decrease nationally, and significant reductions in neighboring areas. Even without local emissions, background pollution levels remained high, with a notable contribution from transboundary pollution.
Researchers emphasize that controlling anthropogenic emissions within AS-2 could yield substantial local and national air quality improvements. This airshedem-based approach offers a more effective pathway to cleaner air, improved public health, and environmental sustainability by integrating socio-economic and cultural factors beyond traditional environmental parameters.
