The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report highlighting the alarming rise in ground-level ozone pollution across India’s major cities, according to an order dated September 26.
The tribunal quoted a reply from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dated September 25, which primarily links the elevated ozone levels to emissions from the transport sector, power plants, and industrial activities all significant contributors of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. The CPCB specifically reported that Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region showed higher exceedances of ozone concentration compared to other regions.
The report further noted that while human activities are the main cause, ozone precursors can also arise from natural sources, including biogenic volatile organic compounds, soil-based NOx emissions, and wildfire-related carbon monoxide and methane.
In response to the growing crisis, the NGT observed that the CPCB has already proposed a study aimed at identifying and recommending targeted control measures for ozone and its precursors. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended the formation of an expert committee to address the issue comprehensively.
The NGT has scheduled the next hearing for both the suo motu matter and the related pollution issues for November 12, aligning with a request made by the CPCB.