The Lockdown from March 25 announced across the country including Goa seems to have had a significant impact on the environment of the State.
As per the Report on Impact of Lockdown due to COVID19 pandemic on Ambient Air quality of Goa, by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the air pollution has decreased considerably.
“The ambient Air Quality during the lockdown has shown significant improvement in the State of Goa as is indicated by the data from the NAMP stations which may be attributed to very low vehicular density and industrial activities prevailing during lockdown period,” says the report in its observations.
It further says that the AQI has improved at almost all stations except Panaji.
“Maximum improvement has been observed at Baina with 58% decrease which could be attributed to reduction in vehicular traffic and re-suspension of road dust,” it says.
As per the report the average AQI at Mapusa, Baina, Ponda, Margao, Assanora, Amona, Sanguem, Kundaim, Tuem for the lockdown period is “GOOD”, which was “SATISFACTORY” during pre lockdown period, with significant decrease in the AQI ranging from 19% (Mapusa) to 58% (Baina).
“Average AQI for Residential/Commercial areas ( Panaji/ Mapusa Ponda/ Baina/ Vasco/ Ponda/ Margao). Mining Areas ( Assonora/ Animal Bicholim/ Honda/ Usgao/ Codli/ Sanguem/ Tilamol) and Industrial areas (Cuncolim/ Kundaim/ Tuem/ MPT) shows an average % reduction of 29%, 23% and 30% respectively.
In terms of PM10 and PM2.5 also, Baina has notices very high reduction of around 60% in the concentration for both PM10 and PM2.5 due to lockdown.
“The AQI data for April 2020 in comparison with AQI for April 2019 shows a very significant areas, 23% for Mining %reduction of 50% for Residential/Commercial areas and 48% for Industrial areas,” it says.