Jaipur- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma presented the Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards, 2024, on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, also known as Swachh Vayu Diwas. The event, held in Jaipur on September 7, celebrated the efforts of nine top-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

In his address, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the government's continuous efforts to achieve clean air and blue skies under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted initiatives like the Vehicle Scrap Policy, Waste to Wealth campaign, and the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" program as part of the government's strategy to reduce pollution and improve air quality.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced that seven crore saplings had been planted across Rajasthan and commended the efforts of various departments for their dedication to the cause. He reiterated the cultural importance of conserving nature and emphasized the state's commitment to fostering a holistic, eco-friendly lifestyle.

During the event, a video showcasing the achievements of the NCAP program and improvements in air quality across 131 cities was presented. It was revealed that 95 cities have shown a downward trend in air pollution, with 51 cities reducing PM10 levels by more than 20% since the 2017-18 baseline, and 21 cities achieving reductions of over 40%.

The Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards recognized the best-performing NCAP cities in three categories. In Category-1 (population over 10 lakhs), Surat, Jabalpur, and Agra were honored. Category-2 (population between 3 and 10 lakhs) saw Firozabad, Amravati, and Jhansi recognized, while Category-3 (population under 3 lakhs) awarded Raebareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh. Municipal Commissioners from the winning cities received cash prizes, trophies, and certificates.

The event also included the release of a document titled "Compendium on Viable Technologies and Practices: Lessons from NCAP Cities," which highlighted successful initiatives for improving air quality. Additionally, 100 saplings were planted at the 'Matri Van' in Jaipur as part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav encouraged multi-stakeholder partnerships and investments in clean air initiatives, urging participants to embrace their shared responsibility in addressing air pollution. He also motivated young scientists, researchers, and students to contribute innovative ideas to the Ideas4LiFE campaign, focusing on themes such as saving water and energy, reducing waste and e-waste, and adopting sustainable food systems and healthy lifestyles.

The event concluded with a meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Clean Air Programme, chaired by Minister Yadav, where the implementation of clean air action plans across India was reviewed. He praised the collaborative efforts that have led to improved air quality in many NCAP cities since 2017.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, in his address, underscored the need to invest in clean air for a better quality of life and announced that Rajasthan would prepare a "Green Growth Budget" and introduce electric buses on key routes. The event was attended by senior officials, environmental experts, students, and numerous virtual participants.