Transboundary Air Pollution in Indo-Gangetic Plains Demands Regional Cooperation

Indian Express - Explained · 13 Feb 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Environment Mains · GS3 Environment and biodiversity High relevance

The World Bank report highlights the transboundary nature of air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation to address shared airshed challenges.

Key points

Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) function as a single transboundary airshed, where pollutants cross national borders due to prevailing winds, making unilateral actions insufficient for sustained air-quality improvements.

World Bank report notes that up to 30% of air pollution in Indian Punjab originates from Pakistan’s Punjab, highlighting the regional nature of the problem.

IIT Bombay study reveals that PM₂.₅ concentrations in Indian cities are significantly influenced by transboundary and inter-regional transport of pollutants.

Male Declaration is a non-binding regional agreement for air-quality coordination in South Asia, but lacks sustained funding and institutional strength.

Kathmandu Roadmap (2022) and Thimphu Outcome (2024) emphasize harmonized emissions inventories and shared air-quality monitoring across borders, facilitated by ICIMOD and World Bank.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in India adopts an airshed-based approach for Delhi-NCR, moving beyond city- and state-level boundaries.

[GS3-Environment] The transboundary air pollution issue connects to climate change and public health, requiring integrated policies under India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

[GS2-International Relations] Regional cooperation mechanisms like the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) provide platforms for technical collaboration.

Way Forward: India should push for a legally binding regional treaty on transboundary air pollution, establish a dedicated funding mechanism for airshed management, and enhance real-time data sharing with neighboring countries.

Key terms

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

A statutory body established in 2021 to oversee air-quality management in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. For UPSC, it represents India’s shift toward airshed-based governance, a key development in environmental policy and federal coordination.

Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP)

A fertile plain spanning northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, characterized by high population density and agricultural activity. For UPSC, its significance lies in being a shared airshed where transboundary pollution affects multiple countries, necessitating regional governance frameworks.

Airshed

A geographical area with a distinct air mass where emissions largely remain within its boundaries. In UPSC context, understanding airsheds is critical for environmental governance, as pollution in one region can impact neighboring areas, requiring coordinated policy responses.

Male Declaration

A non-binding agreement among South Asian countries to address transboundary air pollution. Its relevance for UPSC lies in highlighting the challenges of regional cooperation without legal enforcement or sustained funding mechanisms.