Current Affairs Date: 02 April 2023

⇒ A 2-day International Conference Series on Vayu: The Vital Life Force, was inaugurated by Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Governor of Odisha, and Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav at Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 03 December 2022.

» As a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the conference is one of a series of conferences, which intend to disseminate Indian thought across the globe vis-à-vis Panchmahabhoot, the five essential elements of creation.

• • According to the concept of Panchmahaboot everything in nature is made up of five elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. The imbalance or threat to any of these elements threatens the wellbeing of humanity. Thus, the clean air is vital to sustain life force and good health.

Aim:

Addressing the inaugural session, Hon’ble Governor said that the conference aims to help individuals realize the connection that exists between the universe and humanity, as the universe is based on the spirit of cooperation and coexistence.

The aim of the Vayu conference was to build upon the multidimensional efforts taken by Governments to achieve our air quality targets as set in National Clean Air Program by uniting all the important stakeholders.

Participation:

• • The inaugural session saw wide participation from senior officials of MoEF&CC, CPCB, Municipal commissioners of non-attainment cities, representatives from State urban development departments, PSG officials, etc.
  • The conference was attended by more than 500 participants comprising experts, students, academicians, State Pollution Control Boards, Pollution Control Committees, Municipal Commissioners, State Environment Secretaries, scientists, and engineers.

‘National Clean Air City’ awards:

» During the inaugural session, to celebrate the achievements of our cities in their efforts to achieve clean air targets, ‘National Clean Air City’ awards were given to best performing cities.

• • The award was given to the best performing cities for meeting air quality targets and implementation of corrective, preventive and mitigation actions.
  • ‘National Clean Air City’ awards were given to 9 best performing cities based on Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2022.
  • Total cash prize of about Rs 05 Crores was awarded to these cities to motivate them to take further concrete action towards clean air goals. Prize cheques and certificates were given in three categories of cities based on population.

Top Winners:

» In the first category of cities i.e., those having population more than 10 lakh, Lucknow bagged the first prize with a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore for reducing average ambient PM10 concentration by 31% from 2019-20 to 2021-22 and scoring higher on actions taken for abating burning of biomass and solid waste.

» In the second category of cities i.e., those having population between 3-10 lakh, Moradabad bagged the first prize with a cash reward of Rs 75 lakhs by reducing PM10 concentration by 36%.

» In the third category of cities i.e., those having population less than 3 lakh, Dewas bagged the first prize with a cash reward of Rs 37.5 lakh.

• • The awards are expected to motivate these cities and other non-attainment cities to amplify their efforts towards achieving a cleaner and greener India.

National Youth Conference on Vayu: The Vital Life Force:

» To constructively engage the youth of the country and give them a platform to present their innovative ideas to solve air quality challenges, an engaging youth session was organized on December 02, 2022

• • Wherein students were involved in scholar sessions on atmospheric science, climate change, human health, heritage studies, agriculture issues and mitigation measures.
  • An exhibition was held to raise public awareness on air quality, natural alternatives and showcasing heritage of Odisha.

Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey addressed the valedictory session of National Youth Conference on Vayu: The Vital Life Force, in Odisha on 02 December 2022.

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan:

» A two-day National Conference of Ministers of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 23-24th September, 2022. The conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually.

» During a  parallel session on Control and Prevention of Pollution, the States were informed regarding guidelines on ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan- Ranking of Cities’ released under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

» Under the guidance of the Minister for Environment, Forest and climate Change, the Ministry launches Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan.

• • Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan promotes ranking of 131 cities in the country for implementing City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for reducing air pollution upto 40% by 2025-26.

131 cities are categorized into three groups based on population.

1. 1. 47 cities are in the first group having population more than 10 lakh.
   2. 44 cities are in the second group having population between 3 to 10 lakh.
   3. Third group consists of 40 cities having population less than 3 lakh.

Assessment on PRANA online portal:

• • Cities are required to do the self-assessment as per the framework provided on PRANA online portal.
  • This assessment is carried out annually.
  • Cities have to report implementation of activities and measures taken in respect of solid waste management, road dust management, management of construction and demolition waste, control of vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.