MUMBAI: Following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) announcement of its first Climate Budget report, which allocates ₹10,000 crore for environmental initiatives, a coalition of environmental organisations has come together to support the city’s clean air efforts. This collective, named the Mumbai Clean Air Action Hub, held its inaugural meeting on June 1 to strategise on enhancing air quality through the Mumbai Clean Air Action Plan (MCAAP).
The meeting saw participation from various environmental groups including Asar, Watavaran, Awaaz Foundation, Conservation Action Trust, IIT Bombay, Walking Project, Green Communities Foundation, Govandi Citizens’ Group, and others. The attendees discussed a range of expectations, from forming collaborative initiatives to creating a pressure group similar to Bengaluru’s Round Table for solid waste management, and envisioning necessary policy changes.
An environmental startup representative highlighted the network’s goal to raise awareness and understanding of the MCAAP and other crucial aspects related to air quality. “Our focus group will address key issues like construction debris and demolition waste, which significantly contribute to air pollution,” he stated. “We plan to work closely with the BMC, which has shown serious commitment to tackling air pollution.”
Key discussion points included the science of air quality, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with insights from Delhi, MCAAP, BMC’s guidelines for construction and demolition waste management, and solid waste management. The group aims to build its capacity in technical aspects of air quality while engaging in on-ground action.
A hyperlocal strategy was endorsed, targeting specific areas such as Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Dadar, and Chembur for mapping and scoping. Each member will oversee specific pillars of work, including awareness, policy research, advocacy, and collaborating with the government on technical solutions.
Proposals for conducting Air Quality (AQ) awareness sessions in schools, colleges, and residential welfare associations were discussed, leveraging existing active citizen groups for broader reach. The group agreed on a solutions-based approach to foster opportunities for immediate, impactful actions.
During discussions on particulate matter (PM), it was agreed that PM 2.5 should be prioritised over PM 10 in public communications. A Citizens’ Group member suggested conducting a technical analysis of PM 2.5 to present to the government as part of their advocacy efforts. The group also plans to urge the government to publicly release air quality data and enhance transparency regarding fund utilisation under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
This initiative underscores the importance of community involvement in addressing environmental challenges and supports the BMC’s ongoing efforts to improve Mumbai’s air quality. By fostering collaboration and leveraging local expertise, the Mumbai Clean Air Action Hub aims to drive significant progress in the city’s battle against air pollution.
