Indore ranks first in ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023’, Bhopal ranks fifth

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 7 : Indore has secured the first position in the country in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 and received the prize of Rs 1.5 crore for the same in the category of population of over ten lakh people.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the award and the prize money at a program held for the same in the state capital Bhopal on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion CM Chouhan said, “I am happy to say that the efforts we have made for clean air have yielded better results. In the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023, Indore got first rank, Bhopal 5th, Jabalpur 13th and Gwalior 41st in the category of population of over ten lakh people.”
Sagar ranks 10th among cities with a population of 3 to 10 lakhs, and Dewas ranks 6th among cities with a population of less than 3 lakhs, he added.
Chouhan said, “Love for nature and the environment is deeply rooted in Indian values. Indian culture cautions that nature should not be exploited but conserved. We should use natural resources and replenish them at the same time. The spirit of goodwill towards all living beings and the welfare of the world are the values inherent in India's thinking process. The concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'' reflects this idea. This is an Indian value, and as part of Mission Life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given this mantra to the entire world.”
Chouhan said that two and a half years ago, he took a pledge to plant a sapling every day. Today people are joining this initiative. It has become a campaign.
The chief minister said, “The efforts made to keep the air clean are aimed at ensuring the safety of future generations. All states will continue to work towards the welfare of humanity while competing for environmental conservation. It is essential to adopt an environment-friendly lifestyle. Due to the adverse effects of environmental degradation, even rainfall is irregular. We need to understand these signs and contribute to improving the situation.”
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “PM Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring clean air. He announced his vision to improve air quality in over 100 cities through a comprehensive approach. Following this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) as a national strategy, reorienting activities to reduce air pollution at the city and regional levels.”
As many as 131 cities have been identified. Coordination, cooperation, partnership, and continuous efforts of all stakeholders are helping achieve the objectives of the National Clean Air Program, he added.
On the occasion, Union Minister Yadav also highlighted the notification of solid waste, plastic waste, e-waste, biomedical waste, battery waste, construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste management rules that cover waste management.