Description

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Context:

Millions of people in the Indo-Gangetic plain and Himalayan foothills face persistent exposure to hazardous air, with recent levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reported as high as 20 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) daily recommended limit.

Detail:

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has unveiled an Air Quality Dashboard, a public platform offering real-time and forecasted data on air pollution.

The dashboard combines ground sensor data with satellite imagery to provide a comprehensive view of air pollution across local, sub-regional, and regional scales.

Among its tools is a dynamic timelapse powered by the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem).

The WRF-Chem model:

It is an atmospheric chemistry transport model widely applied to the South Asia region, including its development as an air quality early-warning system for Delhi.

About the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Organization	It is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
Establishment	5 December 1983.
Mission	Build and share knowledge to drive regional policy, action, and investment for greener, inclusive, and climate-resilient development.
Eight regional member countries	Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan
Functions	Generates and shares information and knowledge to address critical mountain problems.
	Bridges science with policies and practical solutions.
	Provides a regional platform for experts, planners, policymakers, and practitioners to collaborate.
Headquarters	Kathmandu, Nepal

READ ABOUT

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/delhi-ncrs-choking-air-pollution

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/delhi-pollution

Source:

DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD):

ICIMOD was established to serve the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
It operates as a research institution without any regional cooperation.
It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: ICIMOD was established to serve the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, focusing on the sustainable development of this diverse and ecologically significant area.

Statement 2 is incorrect: ICIMOD is not just a research institution; it also raises regional cooperation and collaboration among countries in the HKH region, such as through providing platforms for experts, policymakers, and practitioners to work together on mountain development issues.

Statement 3 is incorrect: ICIMOD was not established by UNEP but was established as an intergovernmental organization on December 5, 1983. It is supported by member countries in the HKH region and international donors.