Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan : The findings of the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey) were revealed in Bhopal by Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, with Indore, Madhya Pradesh, taking first place among cities with a million or more residents. The National Clean Air Programme picked 130 cities for the survey, now in its second year. Thane, Maharashtra, came in third, with Agra, Uttar Pradesh, taking second place.
The awards were categorised by city population size based on the 2011 census. In the three to ten lakh population category, Amravati, Maharashtra, secured the top rank. Parwanoo and Kala Amb in Himachal Pradesh took the lead among cities with a population of less than three million, followed by Angul in Odisha in third place. The evaluation of the cities was based on several factors related to air quality, and the rankings have changed compared to last year.
What is Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan and why is it important?
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an initiative to assess air quality in Indian cities. It is significant because it promotes clean air and controls improvements.
Why did Indore get the top spot in the over 1 million population category?
Indore was able to control several air pollutants, reduce emissions and raise public awareness, earning it the top spot.
How does the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan evaluation process work?
Urban local bodies submit self-assessment reports, which are reviewed by air quality monitoring committees and analysed by the KPCB for ranking.
What changes were observed in the rankings compared to the 2022 survey?
In 2023, the cities of Uttar Pradesh which
was ranked first and lower in 2022
reflects changing air quality aspirations.
What factors were considered in the assessment of air quality in cities?
Cities were rated based on factors such as solid waste management, vehicle emissions, industrial emissions and improvement in PM10 levels.
What implications does this research have for India’s efforts to combat air pollution?
The study provides insight into the effectiveness of clean programs and highlights areas where further action is needed.
