Nature, 17 December 2024

Northern India and Pakistan are yet again engulfed in a haze of pollution — but a lasting solution is possible

Instead of focusing on short-term fixes, cities such as Lahore and Delhi need a comprehensive, year-round plan to reduce air pollution.

By mid- to late November every year, a pall of noxious air settles over the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain, stretching from eastern Pakistan to Bangladesh. This year, the haze was visible in satellite images and disrupted daily life in large cities such as Lahore and Delhi, leading to school closures and weekend curfews reminiscent of COVID-19 lockdowns.