Environment Min to issue advisory to tackle air pollution

Terming Delhi's smog situation a serious issue, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave today said his ministry will soon issue an advisory to the states concerned on taking up short, medium and long term measures to tackle air pollution, after holding wide consultations.
Dave said he has asked his ministry to hold a meeting with secretaries of NCR states tomorrow after which he will hold meetings with all the state environment ministers, other stakeholders like NGOs, and then the advisory will be issued.
He said although the problem had been persistent, Diwali aggravated the situation and collective effort from each individual is needed to tackle the issue.

"Tomorrow all the state secretaries have been called for a meeting. Then I will hold a meeting with ministers of concerned states and then also hold consultations with various stakeholders.
"Then what could be a short, medium and long term plan to tackle air pollution for Delhi, what can be done today and next year, we will discuss that and we will issue a recommendation or advisory and tell the states to implement it," the Union Minister said.
"Making allegations and counter allegations is part of politics. I do not belong to that stream. This is a problem which is in front of Delhi. If we want a solution, then we have to work collectively for this. Every person is a polluter," he said.

He said stricter rules need to be enforced to tackle the air pollution problem and the ministry will urge the states to do so.

"The seriousness which should be there...Street smart is different but if you really want any big change, then you yourself have to become big. We are talking about one day but not 365 days. The situation was bad in all 365 days and Diwali aggravated it.
Without naming the Delhi government, Dave said this is a democratic country where even for a small issue, any leader takes to the streets and being "street smart" might get one short gains but not long term ones.

"Street smart is bad for long term. One may get short term gains through it," he said when asked if the issue of pollution has become a thing of politics.
Asked whether states should experiment more like the odd-even scheme implemented by the Delhi government, Dave said states have the right to do it but experiments and politics should be kept separate.
(REOPENS DEL39)
Dave said it was true that the actions which should have been taken in the last few years have not been taken. But just by saying so, the problem cannot be solved today, he said.
"We want a solution to this. But it is unfortunate that in politics, on every issue, even national leaders come out on the streets. They do not think about solutions. If they had thought about solutions, then this problem would not have been there today.

"If you are telling me to address the problem, then I am ready to give the report of last two years. But who will give the report for all these years. We should stop this street politics and think about this issue seriously. This is a question of the crores of people residing in Delhi," he said.
The pollution is not only because of crop burning in neighbouring states but if petrol diesel, agricultural waste, coal and wood is burnt, and air conditioners run, there will be some effect.
"Proper diognosis is needed and the administration needs to be stricter. We will urge the states to do so," Dave said.

Asked if the situation could have been averted if some action would have been taken to restrict crackers this Diwali, Dave said the problem is that nobobody thinks about the per day pollution which is taking place at all.
"The situation was bad. Crackers burnt during Diwali made it worse. 365 days behavior, pollution, our activities, we need to think about it all. And then when we approach it in a holistic manner, then the solution can be reached," he said.
Dave stressed on the need for collective effort and responsible action to tackle the problem.
Asked about Delhi government's plans of installing air purifiers, Dave said experiments can be carried out by states but one should also lay stress on planting more trees.

"We have to think about the lungs of the city. The city must have its own lungs where oxygen is generated and the pollution is mitigated," he said.