Air pollution is serious and most talked about issue in India as impacts are fast realized in a shorter time, unlike climate change. North India including the Indian capital experience extreme levels of pollution during winters due to extreme weather compounded by biomass burning episodes. On the other hand, Western India often witnesses pollution extremes during summer due to intercontinental dust flows whereas the peninsular and east India relatively remain better, but the frequency of weather extremes is increasing, and climate change is impacting the delicate balance. It is resulting in deteriorating health and food security. The problem is well recognized, but information and actions are fragmented warranting an integrated approach to build a resource framework for air quality in a mission mode. Network of specialists working on various aspects of air pollution and knowledge sharing for optimal and broad-scale results that benefit all. To address this gap, the National Institute of Advanced Study (NIAS, IISc Campus, Bengaluru) organized the brainstorming workshop for stakeholders along with the office of Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt. of India to help develop pathways for dialogue and knowledge sharing for air pollution information, alerts, capacity building, effective mitigation, and policy at the national level. The current strategic document is an outcome of this effort. This NARFI aims to build an integrated framework in air quality for a sustainable future by bringing together researchers, practitioners, and experts from diverse sectors and disciplines – air quality monitoring, health, and social inclusion, livelihoods, knowledge management, and communication, as well as those dealing with open burning, transport sectors, etc. Also, regional pollution issues like stubble burning, smog, and fog –to share their knowledge and experience on air pollution. The framework will support the public-industry partnership in air quality management that has the potential to influence decision-makers.
National Institute of Advanced Studies
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru - 560012, India