What does the SC appointed EPCA stand for?

a. Environment Protection Control and Prevention Authority

b. Environment Pollution Control and Prevention Authority

c. Environmental Pollution Contamination and Prevention Authority

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Environment Protection Control and Prevention Authority

Explanation:

A host of emergency measures such as odd-even will kick off if pollution levels touch emergency proportions.

Centre has asked the SC appointed Environmental Pollution Control and Prevention Authority to enforce a graded response plan.

Pollution in Delhi-NCR has prompted the MoEF to assign the task to implement the plan to the EPCA under Environment Protection Act 1986.

As per sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central government hereby assigns the task of implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan.

Comprehensive plan has been prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board that submitted the report to the SC on Dec 2, 2016.

SC has accepted and asked the centre to notify the same.

Emergency measures such as odd-even car rationing and ban on construction activities will be enforced if the city PM 2.5 level breaches 300 mcg per cubic metre and PM 10 levels stay above 500 mcg per cubic metre for two consecutive days.

Prescribed standards of PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 60 and 100 mcg per cubic metre respectively.

Plan also recommends that during very poor air quality, diesel generators should be banned and parking free raised by 3-4 times.

Plan also said other measures include closing brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers, intensifying public transport services and increase in mechanised cleaning of roads and sprinkling of water.

High levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR have raised serious concerns and health problems.

Know More: CPCB

Formed: 22 September 1974

Employees: 500

Annual budget: ?400 million (US$5.9 million)

Chairman: Sh. S.P. Singh Parihar, IAS

Member Secretary: Dr. A.B. Akolkar

Website: www.cpcb.nic.in