Artificial rain, WFH among measures suggested for Delhi’s Winter Action Plan

• The recommendations were sought at a Round Table Conference on Thursday which was attended by several environmental experts and officials, and chaired by the Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai.

Highlights:

• As Delhi gears up for its notorious winter air pollution, the government is formulating a comprehensive Winter Action Plan to combat deteriorating air quality from October to February.
• This plan, shaped by a recent Round Table Conference with environmental experts, proposes a mix of innovative and conventional measures to reduce pollution levels.

Key Proposals:

1. Artificial Rain:

• Cloud-Seeding: The government is exploring the feasibility of inducing artificial rain through cloud-seeding techniques. This method aims to wash away pollutants, although its effectiveness depends on the availability of moisture in clouds.
• The Environment Minister plans to discuss this with the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

2. Behavioral and Lifestyle Changes:

• Promoting Work from Home: Encouraging work-from-home policies to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, thereby lowering emissions.
• Tweaking Office Hours: Adjusting office hours to spread out peak traffic times, potentially reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
• Voluntary Limits on Private Vehicles: Encouraging residents to voluntarily reduce the use of private vehicles, possibly by promoting carpooling and the use of public transport.

3. Industry-Specific Measures:

• Transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG): Air-polluting industries are being surveyed, with new industries mandated to switch to PNG by October 31, 2024. This is part of a broader effort to reduce industrial emissions during the winter months.
• CSR Funds for Heaters: Utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to provide heater facilities in Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs), reducing the need for burning biomass for warmth.

4. Agricultural Interventions:

• Preventing Crop Residue Burning: Training programs for farmers aim to prevent the burning of paddy crop residue, a significant contributor to winter air pollution in Delhi.
• This initiative is crucial for controlling the seasonal spikes in pollution linked to agricultural practices in surrounding states.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Measuring Success: Environmental experts highlighted that rather than looking at year-round air quality, it is more critical to monitor the number of clean air days during the high-risk period of October to December.
• Feasibility of Artificial Rain: Concerns were raised about the unpredictability of artificial rain, as it depends heavily on weather conditions and cloud moisture levels.

Broader Implications:

• Public Participation: The plan emphasizes the need for active participation from Delhi residents, recognizing that combating air pollution requires collective effort.
• Long-Term Impact: While the immediate focus is on reducing winter pollution, the strategies proposed could have lasting benefits if they lead to sustained behavioral changes and industrial practices.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs)
• CSR