Gujarat has launched the 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative to monitor urban lakes and air quality using advanced technology, supporting sustainable development and environmentally resilient cities.

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• The Gujarat government introduced the 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative under the Gujarat Urban Development Mission to strengthen environmental monitoring and promote sustainable urban development.
• The programme focuses on improving the health of urban lakes and tracking air quality levels across cities through integrated monitoring systems and coordinated administrative action.
• Rapid urbanisation has led to pollution, shrinking water bodies, declining groundwater recharge and worsening air quality, making environmental monitoring increasingly essential for urban planning.
• Satellite technology will be used to monitor lake conditions, including changes in water spread area, waste accumulation and the presence of algae or other pollution indicators.
• The system will generate automated alerts when abnormal changes are detected in lakes, enabling authorities to take immediate conservation and restoration measures.
• Alongside lake monitoring, the state will establish a network of air quality monitoring stations across major urban areas to track pollution levels continuously.
• These monitoring stations will be installed in seventeen municipal corporations and one hundred fifty-two municipal areas to provide real-time Air Quality Index data.
• Authorities will receive automatic alerts when pollution levels exceed safe limits, enabling timely interventions to reduce emissions and improve overall urban environmental conditions.