India’s Clean Air Campaign

Starting on February 10th, the New Delhi government will begin a two-week clean air campaign. The goal is to raise awareness about the need to improve air quality in India’s capital. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board, and other municipal agencies will be participating.

Air Pollution in India

Air pollution in India is quite serious. It is a leading cause of premature death in the country. The frequent, thick smog causes headaches and nausea, and even causes flight and train delays. In the cold months of the year, the pollution only gets worse. At certain times, the pollution has reached levels 30 times higher than what the World Health Organization recommends. In November of 2017, the situation reached such a dire point that officials closed 4,000 schools for nearly a week.

Raising Awareness

New Delhi’s clean air campaign will raise awareness about ways to mitigate pollution, including solid waste management and prevention of garbage burning. According to the Ministry of the Environment, “the campaign seeks to sensitise ground-level functionaries and general public to enforce the habit of environmental protection.”

Plants and trees can have a significant impact on reducing air pollution and increasing air quality. For instance, planting more trees in big cities helps filter dangerous particulate matter. It is a cost-effective solution that is healthy for us and the environment. Also, bringing plants indoors can also improve air quality. New Delhi-based researcher, Kamal Meattle, explains in his TED Talk how three common houseplants can result in cleaner indoor air.

Get Involved

Are you interested in joining New Delhi’s clean air campaign? From wherever you are in the world, you can purchase our tree kits. Grow your own tree, and we will plant matching trees in the developing country of your choice. You Plant We Plant!