Environmental Pollution

📖 Air pollution

Major air pollutants include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, arising from vehicle emissions, industrial activity, crop residue burning, and construction dust. India monitors air quality through the Air Quality Index (AQI) and has implemented the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), targeting a reduction in particulate matter concentrations across identified non-attainment cities.

💧 Water pollution

Caused by untreated sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff (fertilisers, pesticides), and solid waste dumping into water bodies. Programmes like the Namami Gange Mission target the cleanup and rejuvenation of the Ganga river specifically.

🌱 Soil pollution

Results from excessive chemical fertiliser and pesticide use, industrial waste disposal, and improper solid waste management, degrading soil fertility and contaminating the food chain.

⚖️ Regulatory framework

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, are responsible for monitoring and enforcing pollution control standards.

💡 Key Facts

PM2.5 and PM10 are the primary particulate matter pollutants tracked in India's Air Quality Index.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets particulate matter reduction in identified cities.
The Namami Gange Mission focuses specifically on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga river.
The CPCB and SPCBs are the primary pollution-control regulatory bodies in India.

🔖 60-Second Revision

Air pollution: PM2.5/PM10, NCAP, AQI monitoring.
Water pollution: sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; Namami Gange Mission.
Soil pollution: chemical overuse, industrial/solid waste.
Regulators: CPCB (national) + SPCBs (state), under Water Act 1974 & Air Act 1981.