Karnataka third-highest contributor to pollution among southern States

Karnataka third-highest contributor to pollution among southern States Published – August 19, 2026 10: 58 pm IST – Bengaluru.

Key points

• The study titled 'Governance Framework for Airshed-Level Air Quality Management in South India'.
• "The study found that 38%-65% of the annual average pollution in each of these States originates locally from South Indian States, " CSTEP remarked.
• As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, major urban regions in South India exceed the recommended annual average particulate matter (PM10).
• The study discovered that pollution originating from Karnataka accounts for 47% of the pollution contribution among the five South Indian States analysed.
• As per the study, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are net contributors, exporting more pollution to neighbouring states than they receive.

For context, the study discovered that pollution originating from Karnataka accounts for 47% of the pollution contribution among the five South Indian States analysed. Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

For context, the study titled 'Governance Framework for Airshed-Level Air Quality Management in South India'. It quantifies the contribution of the five South Indian States to each other's pollution levels, has made public that pollution originating from Telangana (38%) is the lowest, followed by Andhra Pradesh (44%), Karnataka (47%), Tamil Nadu (61%) and Kerala (65%).

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, major urban regions in South India exceed the recommended annual average particulate matter (PM10). Recognising this, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) classifies 25 cities in South India as non-attainment cities (cities that fail to meet the official national ambient air quality standards for PM).

"The study found that 38%-65% of the annual average pollution in each of these States originates locally from South Indian States, " CSTEP remarked. It further continued that unlike the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), State contributions to air pollution in South India vary with prevailing meteorological conditions and geography.

As per the study, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are net contributors, exporting more pollution to neighbouring states than they receive. By contrast, Kerala and Telangana are net receivers, receiving more pollution than they export, whereas Karnataka both receives and exports moderate amounts of pollution owing to its central location within the region.

According to The study additionally, domestic, industrial, and open burning sources are the three largest local sources of pollution throughout all five States.

"Domestic, energy, and industrial sources are the three largest sources of transported PM2.5. Unlike the Delhi airshed (a geographic region where air flows freely and shares common weather and pollution patterns), South India has no pollution hotspot, " CSTEP continued.

For better air quality management in South India, the study proposes the establishment of a body similar to the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.

"The study recommends an approved fuel framework. It none of the five states has yet notified. It additionally seeks uniform targets for electric vehicle adoption and phasing out of older vehicles. As per the study, " CSTEP stated, the funds under NCAP and state action intends can be utilised for implementing these measures.

Taken together, the developments around karnataka third-highest contributor to pollution among southern States point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.