SC says no to all-year pollution curbs, seeks a long-term solution, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court declined to impose year-round restrictions from GRAP I onwards to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
• The court directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to strictly adhere to the directions issued by the CAQM regarding stubble burning.
• A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai emphasized the need for a long-term solution to address air pollution.
• The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 19, where it will review the action plan and issue further directives.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court acknowledged previous orders aimed at managing air pollution but stressed the necessity of a sustainable, long-term strategy.
• The court recognized the limitations of its expertise in determining specific restrictions and deferred to expert assessments for activities in Delhi.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with officials from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, are required to collaborate on a comprehensive action plan.
• Allegations of water being sprayed around pollution monitoring stations were addressed, and the Delhi Government was asked to submit an affidavit explaining the equipment used and its efficiency.

Key Concepts Involved:

• GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan): A set of emergency measures implemented to combat air pollution based on pollution levels.
• CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management): A statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the NCR region.
• Stubble Burning: The practice of setting fire to crop residue after harvesting, contributing significantly to air pollution.