Is air pollution a disaster in Indian cities?

This issue of Southasiadisasters.net takes a close look at the problem of air pollution in India. It not only highlights the underlying causes of the problem of air pollution but also discusses the possible institutional and operational solutions to address this insidious risk. This issue also highlights success stories in addressing air pollution from different countries for. Most importantly, it shows how the triple challenges of governance, technological innovation and behavioural change need to be overcome for addressing the problem of air pollution in India effectively.

It is important to remember that poverty and pollution go hand in hand. This poses a great challenge for a developing country like India which has a large population. Two-thirds of India's population still lives outside of cities, and 80 percent of these households rely on biomass like wood and dung for cooking and heating. Agricultural practices like burning crop stubble also remain widespread. Couple this with weak enforcement of anti-pollution laws and regulations in India and a clearer picture of this crisis starts to emerge.