India and Pakistan must cooperate to fight air pollution – the health of their citizens is at stake

In October and November of 2024, the air quality in the Indo-Gangetic Plain deteriorated to a critical level, particularly in the vicinity of the Punjab region. Governments on both sides of the border are making efforts to address this problem. But it is complex and needs a collaborative regional effort to protect the health of Indians and Pakistanis, particularly infants and elderly who are more vulnerable to air pollution.

Though air pollution is a year-old problem in both countries in the Indo-Gangetic Plan region, it spikes at the onset of winter due to seasonal crop burning. Last year’s historically unprecedented Air Quality Index levels was also possibly due to change in unusual large-scale wind circulation linked to La Nina under the influence of climate change.

The health impacts of air pollution on human life, agricultural production and flora and fauna are serious. The World Health Organisation says that over 9 million people prematurely die due to air pollution every year. Most of these premature deaths are in Asian and African cities – on account of air pollution from transport, energy production and industrial emissions. More than a million residents of South Asia are at risk of losing their lives every year due to air pollution.

Crop productivity…

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