The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed every year on 7 September. The day aims to enhance international cooperation to attain clean air.
Theme of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2021:
The 2021 theme for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”.
The theme of the 2nd International Day of Clean Air for blue skies emphasizes the health aspects of air pollution, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic.
About:
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to hold an International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on December 19, 2019, during its 74th session.
Since 2020, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
Last year, the first-ever International Day of Clean Air for blue skies was launched with the theme of “Clean Air for All”.
2nd International Day of clean Air For Blue Skies in India:
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav was speaking at an event in New Delhi to mark the second International Day of clean Air For Blue Skies, stated that Government has launched several initiatives to improve air quality in the entire country.
On the occasion, the Union Minister virtually inaugurated the first functional smog tower in India at Anand Vihar, Delhi.
About Smog Tower:
- A smog tower is a structure designed as large/medium scale air purifiers to reduce air pollution, usually by forcing the air through filters.
- The height of the smog tower is over 20m.
- Smog tower is downdraft type i.e., polluted air comes in from the top of the tower and clean air comes out of the bottom is intended for localised reduction in air pollution (Particulate Matter).
- The filtration system used in the tower has been designed by University of Minnesota with an expected efficiency of 90%.
- 40 fan units have been installed to provide a design airflow rate of 1000 m3/sec.
- The tower has been built by Tata Projects Limited with NBCC (India) Ltd as the project management consultant.
“PRANA” Portal:
During the event, a portal named “PRANA” was also launched. “PRANA” is a portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in non-Attainment cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board are implementing National Clean Air Programme in the country since 2019 with targets to achieve 20 to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations by 2024 across the country.