The Government of New Delhione of the most polluted cities in the world, presented its action plan on Wednesday reduce pollution which affects the city in the winter months and included among the possible measures the use of ‘artificial rain’.
“We have written a letter to the (Indian) Environment Minister seeking permission to implement ‘artificial rain’ during the winter,” Delhi’s Environment Minister, said in a press conference. Gopal Rai.
The head of the regional portfolio specified that this method would be applied between November 1 and 15when pollution is expected to peak in New Delhi, coinciding with the end of the Hindu festival Diwaliafter which the air quality in the capital is usually affected.
The ‘artificial rain’ It is not a novelty. The method called ‘cloud seeding’which attempts to change the amount or type of precipitation with substances dispersed in clouds, has already been used on several occasions in countries such as United Arab Emirates or in Pakistan.
The Pakistani city of Lahore recently tried to curb his alarming levels of environmental pollution with this method.
However, the ‘artificial rain’ It also has its detractors, even within the ranks of the Indian government. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which ruled out using this method on September 1 following an initial regional request.
Some party members considered the proposal “ineffective”as reported by the Indian media at the time, a thesis accepted by the scientific community.
In addition to the possible ‘cloud seeding’the Delhi government – of which New Delhi is a part – announced other measures to try to stop pollution, such as use of drones for monitoring the situation in the most polluted districts; formation of a committee of specialized experts; and the advancement of the ‘anti-dust campaign’ which will begin on October 7th.
The production, the sale and use of fireworksanother cause of pollution after Diwali, the popular Hindu festival of lights, was already banned on September 9 by local authorities, who They will not be allowed to be used in the Indian capital until 2025.
According to the platform IQAirNew Delhi experiences pollution spikes as residents set off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate the religious holiday marking the beginning of the hindu new year.
Polluting emissions from vehicles, construction dust, and the burning of stubble in rural areas surrounding the capital, as well as the burning of solid waste, contribute to the increase in pollution.
CHZ
