What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?

• It was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change which was later approved by the Supreme Court in 2016. 

• It comprises a series of measures that come into force incrementally as pollution increases.
• The nature, scope and rigor of measures to be taken is linked to levels of pollution viz. Severe + or Emergency, severe, Very poor, Moderate to poor and Moderate. 
• It is implemented by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 
• The actions are to be implemented in the entire National Capital Region (NCR).

Stages of GRAP

• Stage 1: When the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300), 

• Stage 2 is when it’s in the ‘Very poor’ category (301-400), 

• Stage 3 is when the AQI is the ‘Severe’ category (401-450),

• Stage 4 is when it rises to the ‘Severe +’ category (more than 450).

Why in news?

• Considering the significant spike in Delhi’s overall AQI from 260 to 346 in the last two days, north-westerly wind flow conducive to increase the impact of farm fires on the AQI of Delhi and the need to continue with the steps to prevent deterioration of air quality, the Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

reference:

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1875281
• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/grap-delhi-ncr-air-pollution-control-explained-8192952/
• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-grap-delhi-ncr-action-plan-to-combat-rising-air-pollution-8250061/