Delhi’s New Rule: Electric Heaters for Security Staff to Fight Air Pollution
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas (CAQM) has issued an advisory to all Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and other residential societies in Delhi. The advisory mandates the provision of electric heaters and other suitable implements to all security staff and other service staff employed by them. This initiative aims to curb open burning practices.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, this move is crucial for controlling open biomass and municipal solid waste burning, which significantly impacts the air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially during winter.
With winter approaching, the Commission recognizes the urgent need to address the issue of uncontrolled burning of biomass and municipal solid waste (MSW) across Delhi-NCR. Open burning by security personnel and other individuals during winter to stay warm increases harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 in the air.
The Commission has consistently issued advisories, orders, and directions to mitigate the ill-effects of uncontrolled open burning of waste and biomass. The latest advisory emphasizes providing sustainable alternatives such as electric heaters to reduce the need for open burning, thereby contributing to cleaner air.
Resident Welfare Associations and residents are urged to take collective responsibility to improve air quality. The Directorate of Urban Local Bodies and municipal bodies have also been advised to disseminate this requirement widely and monitor its implementation periodically.
Doubts Revealed
Commission for Air Quality Management -: This is a group of people who make rules to keep the air clean in places like Delhi.
NCR -: NCR stands for National Capital Region, which includes Delhi and nearby areas like Gurgaon and Noida.
Resident Welfare Associations -: These are groups of people in a neighborhood who work together to make their area better and safer.
electric heaters -: These are devices that use electricity to produce heat, helping people stay warm without burning things.
open burning of waste -: This means burning trash or garbage in the open air, which can make the air dirty and unhealthy to breathe.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change -: This is a part of the Indian government that works to protect nature and make sure the air, water, and land are clean and safe.
sustainable alternatives -: These are better and safer ways to do things that don’t harm the environment, like using electric heaters instead of burning waste.
