The Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has said that pollution in ambient air in rural areas, particularly in terms of PM10 (particulate matter having size less than 10 micron), is due to agricultural practices, burning of post-harvest residual stalks, use of wood, coal and dung-cake based hearth and baking of earthen pots.
In a written reply to a question by Shri Om Prakash Yadav in the lower house of Indian Parliament on March 7, the minister said that NEERI, Nagpur has undertaken a study, namely, Control of Indoor Air Pollution in Rural Areas under RSWNET (Rural Development, SC/ST, Women, North-East and Tribal Sector) project during 2009-10. NEERI has reported an increase in concentration of Carbon Monoxide, PM10 and Volatile Organic Compounds in indoor air in the rural household due to burning of wood, coal and dung-cake in kitchen.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a National Biomass Cook-stoves Initiative in December, 2009 with the primary aim of enhancing the availability of clean and efficient energy for energy deficient and poorer sections of the society. MNRE is also implementing a National Biogas and Manure Management Programme and a total of 4.32 million family type biogas plants have been installed under the programme since inception to create a smoke free environment for women in rural kitchens, the reply said.
