What the causes of high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ozone pollution in India. How effective are the various steps taken by the government to mitigate particulate matter and ozone pollution?

Industrial burning of biomass

Burning of waste – plastic and biodegradation releasing PM and other gases.

Dust and sandstorms due in the summer season.

Steps taken by the government:

i) National Action Plan on Climate Change

b) Green India Mission – Trees reduce the dust by acting as barriers

c) National Energy Efficiency Mission.

ii) National Clean Air programme (NCAP)

Reduce PM2.5 and PM10 by 40% by 2026 from 2017 levels.

iii) Air quality monitoring system

iv) SAFAR weather forecast

v) Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

vi) Odd-even formula.