Commission for Air Quality Management

Background and context

Commission for Air Quality Management: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recently reviewed the status of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) across Delhi and NCR states. This review gains importance as poor waste handling directly contributes to air pollution through landfill fires, open burning, and secondary dust emissions.

Air pollution in the NCR is not seasonal alone. Structural issues like waste mismanagement worsen air quality throughout the year, especially during winter months.

Static GK fact: The National Capital Region was formally notified under the NCR Planning Board Act, 1985 to enable coordinated regional development.

Origin and legal status of CAQM

CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. It was created to ensure a permanent institutional mechanism to deal with air pollution in a coordinated manner.

The commission replaced the earlier Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA), which functioned under judicial directions. CAQM enjoys legislative backing, making its directions legally binding.

Static GK Tip: Statutory bodies derive their authority directly from an Act of Parliament, unlike regulatory authorities created through executive orders.

Administrative control and composition

CAQM functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The commission includes representatives from the Central Government, State Governments, and technical experts.

This multi-stakeholder composition allows inter-state coordination, which was a major gap in earlier pollution control mechanisms.

The Chairperson has the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India, reflecting the high administrative authority of the commission.

Jurisdiction and regional coverage

The jurisdiction of CAQM extends over the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas, covering parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. These regions significantly influence Delhi’s air quality due to transboundary pollution.

Pollution sources like stubble burning, industrial emissions, and waste dumping often originate outside Delhi, making regional coordination essential.

Static GK fact: Transboundary air pollution refers to pollutants originating in one region but affecting air quality in another.

Powers and functions of CAQM

CAQM has binding and overriding powers over state pollution control boards in its jurisdiction. It can restrict polluting activities, issue enforceable directions, and impose environmental compensation.

The commission can also investigate causes of pollution, prepare guidelines, and coordinate action plans across states. Its directions prevail over any conflicting orders from state authorities.

Unlike advisory bodies, non-compliance with CAQM orders can attract legal consequences.

Focus on Municipal Solid Waste Management

The recent CAQM review highlighted deficiencies in solid waste segregation, processing capacity, and legacy landfill remediation. Open dumping and fires at landfill sites are major contributors to particulate matter emissions.

Unscientific waste disposal increases methane release and causes frequent smog episodes during winter.

Static GK fact: India’s Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 mandate segregation at source into biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous waste.

Significance in India’s air governance

CAQM represents a shift from fragmented pollution control to region-wide environmental governance. It integrates air quality management with waste, transport, and industrial regulation.

By addressing structural causes like waste management, CAQM strengthens India’s long-term pollution mitigation framework rather than relying on emergency measures alone.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Commission for Air Quality Management: