Air pollution monitoring stations get boost in #Budget2015

25 February 2015 - 16:21 By Sapa
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An Eskom power station. File photo
An Eskom power station. File photo
Image: Times LIVE

The environmental affairs department wants citizens to inhale clean air, according to the 2015/16 budget tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.

It plans to increase the number of air quality monitoring stations to 105 by 2017/18, from 65 in 2013/14.

The finalisation of desired emission reduction goals for various sectors would provide a regulatory framework for improving ambient air quality, according to the 2015 Estimates of National Expenditure document.

The SA Weather Service would receive transfers to the value of R570 million over the medium-term which would, among other things, ensure air pollution emissions were constantly monitored.

The department had a R5.9 billion budget for the 2015/16 financial year, most of which would be spent on environmental programmes.

Fighting wildlife crimes, particularly rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park, remained a top priority.

To combat this, an additional allocation of R140m would be allocated to deploy more rangers in the park.

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