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At the 29th COP meeting in Baku, India called on neighbouring countries sharing the Indo-Gangetic airshed to collaborate on combating air pollution. With millions across South Asia affected by cross-border pollution, Indian officials emphasised that a unified regional approach is essential to improve air quality. The call for collaboration highlights the urgency of addressing severe pollution levels that peak annually, especially in Northern India, and impact the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, home to over a billion people.
The Indo-Gangetic Airshed Crisis
Air pollution across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region seriously threatens over a billion people, and India is among the most severely affected. Every year, northern India suffers from worsening air quality, driven by stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution. Delhi, in particular, has become emblematic of this crisis, often ranking among the most polluted cities globally and underscoring the urgency of regional intervention.
On Thursday morning, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a critical 432, engulfing the city in thick smog and exposing millions to dangerous air quality. The “severe” AQI levels highlight the impact of accumulated pollutants, especially in the winter months. This crisis is aggravated by cross-border pollution from neighbouring countries, showing that local actions alone cannot address the Indo-Gangetic region’s pollution. These pollutants circulate across borders, affecting not only India but neighbouring areas, illustrating the importance of regional cooperation.
At COP29 in Baku, India’s representative, Naresh Pal Gangwar, emphasised the need for joint measures among HKH countries to manage pollution. By collaborating, countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh could implement shared policies to tackle transboundary pollution and support each other’s environmental resilience efforts. This call for a united regional response reflects the shared responsibility of HKH nations to protect public health and mitigate escalating ecological risks across the region.
Regional Cooperation: Key to Long-term Solutions
In line with India’s position, HKH countries expressed collective concern over worsening environmental conditions. Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, hosted discussions on joint solutions, where representatives stressed that combating air pollution requires unified actions and financing mechanisms to support vulnerable populations. Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan echoed the need for a sustainable future through strategic international partnerships and regional investment in clean technology.
Climate change and air pollution are interconnected issues in the HKH region, affecting agricultural productivity, water security, and public health. At COP29, leaders discussed the importance of early-warning systems and disaster preparedness to mitigate climate impacts and protect residents in the HKH region, which supplies water to 1.6 billion people downstream.
The Role of Funding and Global Advocacy
Funding limitations have been a significant hurdle in addressing pollution effectively in South Asia. Countries at COP29 discussed access to funds like the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund to bolster pollution control and environmental resilience projects. The World Bank, UNESCO, and UNEP representatives at COP29 committed to supporting HKH nations with resources and advocacy at international levels.
Representatives, including Pakistan’s Romina Khursheed Alam, reiterated that pollution management needs global and regional support, urging developed countries and international bodies to assist in capacity building. The COP29 dialogue also stressed that countries like Bangladesh, dealing with immense climate vulnerability, need immediate intervention to prevent long-term environmental degradation.
The Future of the Hindu Kush Himalaya
The Hindu Kush Himalaya is vital for biodiversity and water resources across Asia. Bhutan’s Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources, Karma Tshering, called for annual HKH ministerial meetings to ensure ongoing collaboration and assess progress on shared environmental goals. As the impacts of climate change worsen, regional unity has become critical, with COP29 marking an essential step toward sustainable air quality management in South Asia.
This unity is essential to address pollution and protect a region where the stakes are global. The HKH countries are on the frontline of climate challenges, underscoring the need for collective, immediate action.
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