Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Pollution, Issue: Air Pollution Impact in South Asia.
Context:
Air pollution has become a transboundary South Asian crisis, with the 2024 India-Pakistan Smog exposing shared geography, poor policies, and unchecked development driving severe regional pollution.
Key Takeaways:
Reasons for the Crisis:
- Anthropogenic Sources: The Greenpeace 2023 World Air Quality Report identifies anthropogenic sources as the primary drivers of poor air quality in South Asia. These include: Industrial emissions, Vehicular emissions, Burning of solid fuel and wastages.
- Regional Topography: The Indo-Gangetic Plain’s topography contributes to the problem by limiting natural air ventilation and hindering the dispersal of pollutants. This results in a trans-national and regional haze due to the complex composition of air particulates.
- Lack of Political Will: Alongside natural geography, there is a transnational and regional commonality the failure in managing such crises due to abysmal political will.
- World Bank Report: The World Bank’s 2023 report on ‘Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia’ highlights that nine out of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution are located in South Asia.
- Exceptions: Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan are relatively less affected by transregional air pollution in the region.
Air Pollution and Development:
Economic and Health Consequences:
- Links to GDP loss, healthcare costs, reduced labor productivity.
- World Bank: ~3% GDP spent on health and lost labor.
- Lancet 2019: 1.36% GDP reduction from premature morbidity. Affects life expectancy, public health, and environmental justice.
- WHO: air quality influences lifespan and equity.
Air Pollution and Development:
Air pollution in South Asia is a complex, multi-faceted crisis requiring a collaborative, regional approach. Addressing the issue requires not only technological solutions but also fundamental changes in governance, development models, and consumption patterns.
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