Brainstorming Workshop on National Air Quality Resource Framework of India (NARFI)
Brainstorming Workshop on National Air Quality Resource
Framework of India (NARFI)
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to Govt. of India,
inaugurated a Brainstorming Workshop on 22nd June 2022 at India
International Centre, New Delhi to kick start an ambitious National Mission on
"National Air Quality Resource Framework of India (NARFI)" developed
by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru with the
support from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (O/o PSA) to the
Government of India. The framework will provide an all-inclusive guide to
collecting air quality data, studying its impact and implementing science-based
solutions.
Why is it in news?
Speaking at the event, Prof. Sood stressed the need to bring
together all stakeholders from government, industry and citizens. “[Tackling
pollution] is a complex and multi-dimensional problem which will require
researchers, government officials and citizens to come-together. Solutions
to the problem will require an integrated, multi-sectoral science and
technology approach, while also addressing the social aspect of the problem”
remarked Prof. Sood.
Highlights
· The
inaugural function was also graced by Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, NIAS and
former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Dr. (Mrs.)
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary O/o PSA, Dr Randeep Guleria,
Director AIIMS, New Delhi, Prof Gufran Beig and Dr. M. Mohanty the Project
Coordinators of NARFI. The workshop saw participation of delegates from
government and non-government agencies, scientists, industry and start-up
representatives.
· While
presenting the overview of the mission, Prof Gufran Beig emphasized the absence
of authenticated and integrated information on air quality in the country. To
fulfil this vacuum, a science-based integrated air quality resource framework
is needed. NARFI, supported by O/o PSA and implemented by NIAS is a timely step
in the right direction. The NARFI is an information mechanism to help
decision-makers in government, municipalities, start-ups and in the private
sectors to address air pollution issues in different climatic zones of India.
Research-based audited Information and industry-oriented solutions will be
shared in an easy-to-understand format. The short-term basic training modules
tailored for different groups such as active ground level staff in government
establishments, implementers, media and policymakers, would be an integral part
of the framework. All this can help enrich communication and enhance general
awareness, leading to self-mitigation. The NARFI will evolve around the
following five modules:
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THEME-1: Emission Inventory, Air Shed, and Mitigation
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THEME-2: Impacts on Human Health and Agriculture
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THEME-3: Integrated Monitoring, Forecasting and Advisory
Framework
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THEME-4: Outreach, Social Dimension, Transition Strategy and
Policy
§
THEME-5: Solutions, Public-Industry Partnership, Stubble
Burning & New Technologies.
· It was
stressed that there is a need to have close cooperation between researchers and
industries in order to get faster solutions. Linking reduction of air pollution
in the health and agriculture sectors is important for citizens to understand
the gravity of the situation and solutions for the same.
· “We are
largely dependent on the models created in the west to tackle this problem. The
NARFI will enable knowledge creation, developing infrastructure and industrial
structures and studying its effects on human health in the country” remarked
Prof. Shailesh Nayak about the goal of NARFI.