Problem / Objective

As per estimates by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), brick kilns cause 14% of the air pollution in the state. A directive issued by the Central Pollution Control Board of India (CPCB) in 2017 mandates brick kilns across India to convert to the less polluting zigzag design. Only about 70% of brick kilns in Bihar have adopted the cleaner technology while the rest are still using the banned traditional method. Furthermore, most of the brick kilns are situated in remote areas making it difficult to inspect them manually. The BSPCB collaborated with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) India to implement a novel AI-driven approach for improving regulatory governance in India.

Solution / Approach

The research paper ‘Slavery from Space’ from the University of Nottingham showcased a novel approach of using geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence to detect the exact locations of brick kilns using satellite imagery. UNDP India connected with the University and the BSPCB to identify such air pollution hotspots in Bihar. The GeoAI platform demonstrated how environmental non-compliance can be detected from space using Artificial Intelligence. It significantly reduces the humongous task and investments required to regulate each and every industrial unit in a state as big as Bihar.

Impact / Implementation

Bihar’s Pollution Control Board is going for a state-wide roll out in almost 9,000 brick kilns. Using GeoAI, the challenge of monitoring about 9,000 brick kilns in Bihar was brought down to less than 1,000. GeoAI platform helps in reporting violations of ‘Right to Life’ under Article 21 of India’s constitution, of relevant labour laws, human rights and access to social security. The GeoAI platform brings together coordinated action from diverse stakeholders – regulators, government agencies, civil society, and volunteer groups to tackle the complexity around brick kilns.

Source: UNDP India Blog

Image from Wikimedia Commons