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Summary
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) is an initiative by India's Ministry of Earth Sciences to monitor and report air quality in metropolitan cities.
Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and operationalized by the India Meteorological Department, SAFAR provides real-time air quality data through LED displays and forecasts. The project aims to raise public awareness and help policymakers develop strategies to improve air quality. Recognized by the World Meteorological Organization, SAFAR also aids sectors like agriculture, aviation, and disaster management by providing critical environmental data. The system has had significant impacts, including identifying major pollution sources, supporting health advisories, and improving crop yields. Despite its success in cities, there is a need to explore its application in rural areas and ensure its sustainability across India.
Detailed Description
SAFAR, initiated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is a national project designed to measure and forecast air quality in major Indian cities. This system was indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and is implemented by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It features a large true-color LED display that provides real-time air quality data 24/7, including a 72-hour advance forecast, all color-coded for ease of understanding.
The primary goal of SAFAR is to enhance public awareness about air quality, enabling people to take appropriate mitigation measures. It organizes awareness campaigns to educate the public on self-mitigation and assists policymakers in crafting strategies that balance economic development with environmental protection.
SAFAR is part of India's first Air Quality Early Warning System, operational in Delhi. It monitors a wide range of weather parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation. The pollutants it tracks include PM2.5, PM10, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, benzene, toluene, xylene, and mercury.
The World Meteorological Organization has recognized SAFAR as a prototype activity due to its high standards and quality control. The system offers significant cost savings across various sectors like agriculture, aviation, infrastructure, disaster management, and tourism, all of which are affected by air quality and weather conditions.
Impact of SAFAR:
SAFAR has positively impacted urban populations by providing crucial information for improving public health. It disseminates user-friendly data through digital display boards, a web portal, and an IVRS system, enabling individuals to monitor how poor air quality affects their health. One notable achievement of SAFAR is identifying wind-blown dust as a major source of particulate pollution in Delhi.
Timely weather information from SAFAR helps disaster response authorities mitigate the effects of extreme weather conditions. The data is also valuable for environmental and health research, with hospitals using it to support their studies. Additionally, SAFAR has contributed to better crop yields by assessing the impact of pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide on vegetation.
The system's data is used to issue health advisories, warning the public about increased levels of pollutants. Initiatives such as Bharat I and II compliance measures, the transition to CNG, and relocating industries to city outskirts are informed by SAFAR’s data.
Challenges and Future Directions:
While SAFAR has been successfully implemented in cities like Delhi and Pune and expanded to other metropolitan areas, there's a need to explore its feasibility in rural regions. The sustainability of the SAFAR model in various parts of India also needs to be evaluated. Despite these challenges, SAFAR remains a significant innovation, demonstrating its effectiveness in public health, disaster management, and environmental strategies.
( Thu, 3 Oct, 2024 )
