Why is South Asia the global hotspot of pollution?
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[November 13, 2023]
By Sakshi Dayal
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Toxic levels of air pollution are disrupting the
lives of millions of people in South Asia forcing closure of schools,
impacting sporting events and leaving governments urging people to stay
in doors to avoid health problems.
The worsening air pollution is an annual problem for South Asian nations
as winter approaches and cold, heavy air traps pollution in a thick
layer of smog.
South Asia has become the global hotspot for air pollution, with studies
finding four of the world's most polluted countries and nine of the 10
most polluted cities in the region.
WHY IS POLLUTION IN SOUTH ASIA WORSE THAN OTHER PLACES?
Countries in South Asia have seen a marked increased in
industrialisation, economic development, and population growth over the
past two decades, leading to increased demand for energy and fossil
fuels.
While sources like industries and vehicles affect most countries, there
are certain major contributors that are unique to South Asia, including
solid fuel combustion for cooking and heating, human cremation, and
burning of agricultural waste.
About 38% of the pollution in New Delhi this year, for example, has been
caused by stubble burning - a practice where stubble left after
harvesting rice is burnt to clear fields - in the neighbouring states of
Punjab and Haryana.
An increase in the number of vehicles on roads as the region has
developed has also exacerbated the pollution problem. In India and
Pakistan, for example, the number of vehicles has increased four-fold
since the early 2000s.
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New Delhi, ranked the world's most polluted capital for four years in a
row by Swiss Group IQAir, has 472 vehicles per thousand population,
according to government data, with almost eight million vehicles plying
on its roads as of 2022.
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![](../images/111323PIX/news_r4.jpg)
A man is seen on the field on the Yamuna floodplains on a smoggy
morning in New Delhi, India, November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree
Fadnavis
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WHY ARE EFFORTS TO REDUCE POLLUTION NOT WORKING?
Although South Asian countries have started trying to curb
pollution, putting together air quality management plans, installing
more pollution monitors, and pushing for a switch to cleaner fuels,
these are yet to yield significant results.
Experts say that the problem lies in a lack of coordination on
pollution control efforts between the countries.
Dust particles can travel hundreds of kilometres, studies say,
transcending national boundaries and impacting countries other than
those in which they originate.
About 30% of the pollution in Bangladesh's largest cities, for
example, originates in India and is transported to the country by
the wind moving from northwest to southeast.
Country-wide or city-wide measures to curb toxic air, hence, have
limited effectiveness.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Countries across South Asia will have to coordinate efforts if the
region's pollution problem is to be solved, collaborating to enhance
monitoring and make policy decisions. At the same time, these
region-wide efforts will have to be balanced by moulding solutions
to suit local conditions where needed.
In addition, the focus will also have to be broadened to include
sectors that have received limited attention so far, such as
agriculture and waste management.
To curb stubble burning, for example, governments can offer
subsidies on better harvesting machines. Countries like India have
already started offering such incentives but demand for such
machines has been limited due to their high purchase cost and high
waiting time for those who want to rent them.
(Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Michael Perry)
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