Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.
What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?
Context:
The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority has directed Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to implement air pollution control measures under “very poor” and “severe” category air quality of the Graded Response Action Plan from October 15.
What is GRAP?
Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016.
The plan was prepared by EPCA.
It works only as an emergency measure.
- As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.
- When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.
Overview of the plan:
- The plan requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (NCR areas).
- At the head of the table is the EPCA, mandated by the Supreme Court.
- Before the imposition of any measures, EPCA holds a meeting with representatives from all NCR states, and a call is taken on which actions has to be made applicable in which town.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Is EPCA a statutory body?
- When and why was it established?
- Powers and functions.
- Composition.
- What is Graded Response Action Plan?
Sources: the Hindu.
