Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that a World Health Organisation report had claimed 92% of the world’s population lives in places where air pollution level exceeds WHO limits.

He said that burning of agricultural waste in open fields may lead to increased level of air pollution in the local and adjoining areas particularly during adverse meteorological conditions such as low temperature, poor wind speed and low mixing height.

“Lung and allied diseases are affected by a number of factors such as smoking, hereditary factors, lifestyle, occupation, socio-economic status, immunity levels, medical history etc. besides air pollution.”

“There is no credible study to quantify number of people who have developed lung and allied diseases or number of deaths directly as a result of air pollution is available,” Madhav said.

He said that the air pollution in some cities of North India was reportedly high due to increased levels of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) -- especially after Diwali festival.

“The increase in level of air pollution occurs due to adverse meteorological conditions like low temperature, poor wind speed and low mixing height...”

Madhav said that a review mechanism in the central and state level-governments has been put in place to ensure implementation of sustainable measures to control pollution.

“The chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board also reviews the implementation of measures to mitigate pollution. The review process brings about necessary improvements in respect of required measures,” he said.

He added that the agriculture ministry has finalised a national policy for management of crop residues, which envisages adoption of technical measures, including diversified crop residue, capacity building and training, and extending central financial assistance for interventions proposed by states under ongoing schemes.