Mumbai needs a regional 'airshed approach' to combat air pollution: Study

A groundbreaking panIndia study has proposed a new solution to Mumbais persistent air pollution a regional airshed approach The full study published in the peerreviewed journal Air by MDPI on July 12 2024 recommends dividing India into 15 regional airsheds tailored to specific climatic and pollution patterns with Mumbai and its satellite cities forming one cohesive coastal airshedThe findings challenge Mumbais current focus on managing local pollution sources emphasizing that such efforts alone may be insufficient to improve air quality particularly during the winter months when pollution spikes The study highlights the need for a cooperative framework among urban local bodies ULBs and neighboring regions to tackle shared pollution challenges effectivelyIndias Proposed Regional AirshedsThe study divides India into 15 regional airsheds based on climatic and pollution profiles Himalayas 2 airsheds Gangetic Plains 4 airsheds Plateaus 4 airsheds AridDesert 1 airshed Coastal Plains 3 airsheds Islands 1 airshedThe IndoGangetic Plain IGP which houses 4137 of Indiarsquos population and faces severe pollution due to industrial activity and agriculture is identified as a priority However the study also underscores growing pollution in coastal cities like Mumbai despite natural landsea breezesWhat is an AirshedAn airshed is a geographic region where air pollution levels are measured and managed collectively recognizing that pollutants cross city and state boundaries This approach calls for collaborative efforts across administrative borders to ensure effective air quality managementWhy Mumbai needs a regional airshed approachMumbais air quality has worsened during winters driven by local emissions and pollution from neighboring regions The World Air Quality Report 2023 revealed a 2337 increase in PM25 levels in January 2023 compared to the previous year placing Mumbai among the worldrsquos most polluted cities during winterldquoMumbai is a significant contributor to regional air pollutionrdquo said Dr Sarath Guttikunda lead author of the study and founder of UrbanEmissionsinfo ldquoWhile local emission controls in Mumbai are beneficial the city also absorbs pollution from its satellite cities and vice versa Coordinated management within a regional airshed can create a positive feedback loop improving air quality across the entire Western region he addedMumbairsquos coastal airshed A collaborative solutionIntegrating Mumbai with its satellite cities in a single coastal airshed would involve participation from ULBs state officials and regional stakeholders This collaboration could tackle pollution from urban industrial and rural sources creating a unified strategy for emission reductionldquoThe urban regional airshed concept ensures that air quality management accounts for the interconnectedness of regionsrdquo said Dr Guttikunda ldquoFor coastal cities like Mumbai such coordination is critical to mitigating seasonal spikes in pollution and addressing longterm health impactsrdquoLessons from the US environmental modelThe study advocates for a national air quality management system inspired by the US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos USEPA model This framework would centralize data collection monitoring and pollution control efforts across airsheds fostering transparency and accountabilityldquoA centralized system would enable seamless collaboration between cities states and airsheds ensuring progress towards common clean air goalsrdquo Dr Guttikunda explained ldquoAir pollution is not just an environmental issuemdashitrsquos a public health crisis A coordinated airshed approach can bring transformative change benefiting millions across urban and rural India he saidGOIs call for actionAs air pollution continues to jeopardize public health and economic growth the studyrsquos findings present a compelling case for immediate implementation of a regional airshed framework By adopting this approach Mumbai can lead by example demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can address one of Indiarsquos most pressing challenges Guttikunda suggestsAmid worsening air quality in Delhi and the NCR the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change MoEFampCC took a decisive step in September 2024 by forming a coordination committee to address air quality issues in the IndoGangetic Plain IGP airshedOn November 7 the Principal Scientific Adviser PSA to the Government of India GoI Professor Ajay Kumar Sood chaired a stakeholders meeting to tackle air pollution and its links to climate change This meeting followed a Brainstorming Workshop on the National Air Quality Resource Framework of India NARFI hosted in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Studies NIAS Bengaluru in June 2022 The workshop had strongly underscored the necessity of such a framework to address air quality challengesBuilding on this momentum the PSAs Office sponsored a project with NIAS in early 2023 to explore Airshed Management across Peninsular India The project utilizes highresolution emission data and advanced GISbased models to examine pollution transport mechanisms assess emissions impacts and analyze regional climatic influences The aim is to develop a robust evidencebased and scientifically grounded structure for air quality managementDuring the meeting Professor Sood emphasized the urgent need to improve air quality especially in the context of accelerating climate change due to its profound impacts on public health and environmental sustainability He acknowledged that air pollution is a complex multifaceted issue influenced by diverse factors To address this he advocated for an integrated approach that incorporates comprehensive meteorological data refined emissions inventories and detailed airshed mapping forming the basis of a strategic and actionable response He also noted that the meeting served to review findings from the NIAS study and explore how sciencebased strategies could be implemented to achieve effective pollution control over both short and longterm timelinesDr Gufran Beig Chair Professor at NIAS and former Project Director of SAFAR presented the projectrsquos findings and the NARFI framework The framework was positioned as a critical tool to address air pollution and Shortlived Climate Forcers Speaking to midday Dr Beig remarked We have been advocating for the airshed approach for several years now It is encouraging to see the concept of airsheds being recognized and promoted