On World Environment Day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal highlighted the decline in pollution levels over the past eight years despite rapid development in the city. He emphasized that the levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 had dropped by 30 percent in 2022 compared to 2016.
Kejriwal acknowledged that development activities such as tree felling, road construction, and dust generation contribute to pollution but stated that the pace of development had not slowed down in Delhi. He shared data indicating a decrease in the number of “very bad” pollution days and an increase in days with “low pollution and clear skies” from 2016 to 2022.
Additionally, Kejriwal mentioned that the city’s tree cover had increased from 20 percent in 2013 to 23 percent at present. He urged the people of Delhi to join forces in combating pollution, transforming it into a collective movement. However, the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, refuted Kejriwal’s claim and attributed the reduction in pollution to the efforts of the central government rather than the state government.
Kejriwal highlighted various measures taken by the Delhi government to address pollution, including the development of a chemical solution in collaboration with the PUSA Institute to eliminate stubble burning. He also mentioned initiatives like tree transplantation, piped natural gas implementation in industries, Real-Time Source Apportionment Technology, and the identification and remediation of pollution hotspots. The Delhi government aimed to plant 52 lakh saplings in the current year and transform Delhi into a “city of lakes” with the creation of 380 lakes surrounded by greenery.
During the event, a street play, a song, and a short film were presented to raise awareness about pollution caused by plastic and promote environmental conservation. Certificates were awarded to representatives of eco clubs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and forest guards who actively contributed to improving the environment. The event was attended by Delhi Environment and Forests Minister Gopal Rai, local legislators, and senior department officials.
(With PTI inputs)
