Mumbai: A year from now on, Mumbai and other cities in Maharashtra will have carbon emissions measured with extensive and hotspot pollution mapped.
It will be done with the help of several research organizations about National Repute, including IIT Bombay, Neer and CSIR, to frame zero-carbon action plans for the country, which aims to reduce 20% particles (PM) in 2024.
The methodology will include a database Available and satellite maps.
“After carbon footprint is mapped, strategies to reduce pollution such as reducing vehicle congestion, limiting garbage and reducing industrial smoke will be implemented,” said Abasaheb Jarhad, Chairperson, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
After mapping practice, the target phase-wise to start carbon neutrality will be regulated, said Secretary of the Ashok Shingare council member.
Although environmental institutions have succeeded in mapping PM pollution, the carbon footprint has not been measured locally.
Shingare said the only way to save the city is mapping the inventory that pollutes the air and replaces it with a cleaner and more green option.
He said that the air index located slowly would remind people and make them aware of the sources of polluting.
“The designated agency as part of the National Climate Action Plan (NCPA) to map pollution supplies is expected to complete the task in a year and eventually operate to repair or close the emission site will begin.
Consultation with institutions and agents is ongoing,” said Chairman MPCB.
Although the official target is a reduction of 20% PM in three years, environmental lovers want this level to increase to 60% for mitigation measures to significantly in a way of impact.
“The government must reconsider the target, given the increasing speed and spread of pollution.
Instead of the target reduction of 20-30% PM in 2024, it must target at least 60%.
We need to treat the environmental state as super emergency and must have a more ambitious plan.
To save Mumbai by taking fast and tight action, “said the environmentalist Bhagwan Kesbhat.
At the COP26 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to bringing the country’s carbon footprint to zero in 2070 by adopting a carbon neutrality strategy.
According to government officials, canceling old vehicles, only allowing electric vehicles or BS-IV / Hybrid, water sprinkling on vehicle and road tires, dust-netting around the construction site, prohibiting the burning of garbage, and the advanced filter mandate for the Chimneys industry will be an action “Will be enforced vigorously” once the mapping exercise ends.
“Only that’s when we will be able to measure how our actions will reduce carbon emissions from 2022 and so on, after the steps exist.
Enforcement will definitely cover a fine, but in the end people must understand that if they do not act, it will produce costs Weight for their own well-being, “said a senior MPCB official.
A recent study by several leading Indian institutions published in the journal Elsevier has revealed that cities including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Ahmedabad experienced the highest number of Covid cases between March and November 2020; It is also a city with a higher level of pollution which involves emission burden of PM 2.5.
This emission is mainly due to fossil fuel-based activities such as vehicle and industrial emissions, garbage combustion and construction.
This study said there was evidence that Coronavirus attached to fine particles such as PM 2.5 worsened the Covid case.
PM is a mixture of dust, pollen, soot, and complex smoke and can attack the lungs and affect the upper respiratory system, similar to Covid.
Mumbai has reported 2.64 lakh Covid cases and 10,445 deaths related during March-November 2020 (period studied) with 165 days long during those months, while Pune reported 3.38 lakh cases and 7,060 deaths with 117 bad days.
Particulate pollution in particular increased in Mumbai in August and lasted until March.
As part of the C40 climate change action group, 39 megacities worldwide has appealed to Mumbai to remove heat power plants because coal-related pollution can see 6,200 early deaths in Mumbai in addition to 3,200 early births, 4,400 emergency visits due to asthma and 2.4 million days Move sick over the next decade.
Experts say simultaneously that this is the time to act and do so without the slightest delay.