For verification of this paper, please visit on http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/resonance.php#8

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected all the aspects of life in adverse manner; however, a significant improvement has been observed in the environment e g. air quality, water quality, noise pollution due to restricted human activities, as a result of stringent travel restrictions and shutting down of nonessential activities including those of air polluting sectors, air quality improvement has been noted in many towns and cities across the State .According to RSPCB a brief analysis of data generated from these CAAQMS(network of ten continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations ) stations regarding Air Quality Index (AQI) and prominent pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide).The impact of the covid-19 pandemic can be negative and positive on the environment, reduction of air pollution and GHGs emissions Reduction of water pollution Reduction of Noise pollution . Ecological restoration increase in Municipal solid wastes and decrease recycling process , increase of Medical wastes, Generation of COVID-19 related biomedical waste with special reference to Rajasthan. Hung use of sanitizer Municipal wastewater, Strategies for environmental sustainability, Behavioral change in daily life style, Periodically shutdown of ecotourism, treatment of wastewater for reuse, Use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuel, Use of public transport, According to the central pollution control board of India (CPCB ) noise level of residential area of Delhi is reduced 55 dB in day time and 45 dB in night time to 40 dB in day time and 30 dB in night time. Generation of COVID-19 related biomedical waste with special reference to Rajasthan data received by Central pollution control board (CPCB) New Delhi COVID19BMW tracking app.

The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of Covid-19 pandemic in different lockdown phases (PLD,LD1, LDII, and LD III) on three air pollutants PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 compared at ten different measuring stations in selected cities (Ajmer, Alwar, Bhiwadi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur, Pali) in Rajasthan (India) (Nigam et al., 2021).

In the nationwide lockdown, commercial activities including transport, industries and public gathering places were restricted, except for essential services. (Ruhela et al., 2022) Air quality improvement was the most beneficial environmental aspect due to the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown, mainly due to reduction of fuel consumption in transportation, industrial activity and agricultural activity. Fewer reports have discussed the improved water quality, mainly due to the shutdown of many industrial activities releasing wastewater in such water bodies. Various cities have seen an improvement in air quality due to restrictions on movement ,reduced fuel consumption in the shutdown of commercial, socioeconomic activities, due to the lockdown imposed to prevent the threat posed by the COVID-19 and improvement in water quality, mainly due to the shutdown of many industrial activities releasing wastewater in such water bodies. (Bansal & Sharma, 2021) Increasing use of PPE kits like face masks, hand gloves etc. to protect against coronavirus and huge amounts of hospital waste has a negative impact on the environment. The impact of the corona pandemic has not only been on human health, but social and economic impact as well as environmental and climate change. (On et al., 2020)The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected human health but has adversely affected all aspects of life;  However, a comparison between the pre-lockdown and the various phases of the lockdown shows a significant improvement in air quality due to the restriction of human activities.  (Verma & Kamyotra, 2021)The present study reports a comparison of the air quality before the lockdown period at different stages of the lockdown period and at ten different measuring stations in eight selected cities (Ajmer, Alwar, Bhiwadi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur, Pali, Rajasthan (India).The analysis period is During Pre Lockdown (15.03.2020 to 21.03.2020) During LD-I(22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020),During LD-II (15.04.2020 to 03.05.2020),During LD-II I(04.05.2020 to 17.05.2020) (divided into three phases during the lockdown period).  To understand the variation in the level of pollutant concentration during the different phases of the lockdown period and the lockdown period, a trend analysis is carried out for the average data of the three pollutants (PM10, PM2.5  and NO2 ). (Das et al., 2020) (https://environment.rajasthan.gov.in) Rajasthan is an attractive tourist destination rich in natural resources.  The state faces the challenge of air pollution like other states of India due to its geographical features and semi-arid climate, air pollution due to various natural causes like dust storms, weathering of rocks, etc. and anthropogenic sources like industrial operations, heavy  Air pollutants are being released into the atmosphere by transportation activity, indoor air pollution, construction and demolition activities, unscientific disposal of waste, etc.  Various researches show that the concentration of pollutants in the ambient air depends not only on the amount of air pollutants emitted, but also on the ability of the atmosphere to absorb or disperse these pollutants.  This report presents monitoring results from 10 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) located in 08 cities to evaluate the ambient air quality status and associated health concerns.(CAAQMS July to Sep.2018)

Study Area :-Rajasthan is the largest state of India in terms of area. Rajasthan is an attractive tourist destination rich in natural resources. (CAAQMS July to Sep.2018)  Its area is 342239 square kilometers which is 10.41% of the total area of ​​India.  The shape of Rajasthan is similar to a rhombus, the latitudinal position of Rajasthan is between 23 ° 03' North latitude to 30 ° 12' North latitude and 69 ° 30 East longitude to 78 ° 17' East longitude.  Rajasthan is spread between about 9 ° (8 ° 47') longitude. According to the Rajasthan State Pollution Control has 10 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations , three stations in Jaipur and one station each at Alwar, Bhiwadi, Jodhpur, Kota, Pali and Udaipur, The concentration of one AQI, PM₁₀ (Description Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter ( RSPM ) < 10μm particle size) PM_2.5(Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter ( RSPM ) < 2.5μm particle size)and (NO₂)Nitrogen Dioxide was studied before lockdown(PLD) and in lockdown first, lockdown second and lockdown III (https://environment.rajasthan.gov.in) Central pollution control board Delhi developed Covid-19 waste tracking software named “COVID19BMW” both Android mobile and web version of the software application was designed for waste treatment generation and disposal facility (CBWTF) operation.

Study of the effect of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown on air quality at 10 different monitoring stations of Rajasthan Pollution Control Board before lockdown and for air quality index in Lockdown-I(LDI), Lockdown II (LDII) and Lockdown III (LDIII), Rajasthan on Air Pollutants PM10, PM2.5 and (NO2) Nitrogen Dioxide Based on the data released by the Pollution Control Board and Based on the various articles studied, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on surface water quality was studied by the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board based on the concentration of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Dissolve Oxygen and Coliform. Data analysis of COVID19BMW and CBWTFs in respect of Rajasthan was done by Central Pollution Control Board by COVID19BMW tracking app/ software. According to Central pollution control board (CPCB) New Delhi COVID19BMW tracking app. currently average quantity of Covid-19 related biomedical Waste generation during April 2022 is about 4.67 turn per day(TPD) COVID 19 Biomedical waste generation in Rajasthan in April 2022 is 0.06 COVID19BMW (Tons/day) COVID 19 Biomedical waste generation and treatment facilities involved in collection ,treatment and disposal in April 2022 are 01 in Rajasthan, 72 out of 202 in India.

Assessment of Air Quality using AQI

The purpose of AQI is to reflect the real-time changes in the air quality of the particular area. The high value of  AQI will  be the adverse impact on plant and animal health. The measurement scale of AQI  was divided into six categories based on Possible health, i.e. 0–50 (Good),51-100 (satisfactory),101-200 (moderate) 201-300 (poor),301-400 (Very Poor),401-500 (Servere).

Table -1:

AQI	Air Pollution Level	Possible health impact
0-50	Good	Minimal impact
51-100	Satisfactory	Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people
101-200	Moderate	Breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma, and heart diseases
201-300	Poor	Breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure
301-400	Very poor	Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure
401-500	Severe	Affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases

Average meteorological data for all 10 monitoring stations for the period During Pre Lockdown (15.03.2020 to 21.03.2020) During LD-I (22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020),During LD-II (15.04.2020 to 03.05.2020), During LD-III (04.05.2020 to 17.05.2020) (divided into three phases during the lockdown period)  are provided in Table-2:(3)(Nigam et al., 2021)

Table-2:

Phase	Start Date	End Date
PLD	15.03.2020	21.03.2020
LD-I	22.03.2020	14.04.2020
LD-II	15.04.2020	03.05.2020
LD-III	04.05.2020	17.05.2020

The results were presented in Table-3:(14) (Chaudhary et al., 2021)Average concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and NO₂ with their range (minimum and maximum) and standard deviation for Ten monitoring stations during before lockdown (BLD) and lockdown phases Lockdown-I (LDI), Lockdown II (LDII) and Lockdown III (LDIII) are given in Supplemental Material Table-3: and are shown graphically in Supplemental Material Table-3: The percentage increase or decrease in pollutant concentrations were calculated with respect to their concentrations in the preceding phase and are given in Supplemental Material.

Table-3:Average concentration and variation %Increase and Decrease of air pollutants PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NO₂ during lockdown I, II and III in comparison to period of Pre-lockdown in the ten CAAQMS of Rajasthan.

Fig.1:Max. & Min. concentrations of AQI during Pre Lockdown and Lockdown

The fig.1, show the pollutant concentrations decreased during PLD compared to LD (3), (Chaudhary et al., 2021)During Pre Lockdown (15.03.2020 to 21.03.2020), Maximum concentrations of AQI was observed (229 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 82 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Alwar-MotiDungri ,during Lockdown-I (22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020), Maximum concentrations of AQI was observed (99 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 59 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Kota shrinathpuram, during Lockdown-II (15.04.2020 to 03.05.2020), Maximum concentrations of AQI was observed (101 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 52 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Jaipur shastrinagar, during Lockdown-III (04.05.2020 to 17.05.2020), Maximum concentrations of AQI was observed (122 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 70 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Udaipur ashoknagar,

Fig.2: Percentage  Fluctuation of AQI in % Max. & Min

The fig.2, show the pollutant percentage  fluctuation of AQI B/W  PLD& LD-1,LD-II,LD-III (3),(Chaudhary et al., 2021).Fluctuation of AQI in % was observed Maximum (64% ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 20%³ ) at CAAQMS Jaipur shastrinagar (B/W  PLD& LD-1) , observed Maximum (57% ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 5% ) at CAAQMS Jaipur shastrinagar (B/W  PLD& LD-1I) , observed Maximum (47% ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 4% ) at CAAQMS Jaipur adarshnagar (B/W  PLD& LD-III).

Fig.3: Max. & Min. concentrations of PM10  During Pre Lockdown and Lockdown

As per Fig.3,  the increase of PM10 between period of lockdown and modified lockdown at these stations ranges between 205 (Bhiwadi-RIICO Ind Area III)to 9 (Jodhpur collectorate).

Fig.4,Percentage  Fluctuation of PM₁₀ in % Max. & Min.

As per Fig.4, show  the Percentage  Fluctuation of PM₁₀ in % Max. & Min. of PM10 between period of lockdown and modified lockdown at these stations ranges between 60 % (Bhiwadi -RIICO Ind. Area III)to 8% (Jaipur Science park and kotashrinathpuram).

Fig.5,Max. & Min. Concentrations of PM_2.5 During Pre Lockdown and Lockdown

Fig. 5, show the percentage increase of PM2.5 at these stations between period of lockdown and modified lockdown at these stations ranges 117 (Bhiwadi -RIICO Ind. Area III)to 16 (Jaipur Science park and kotashrinathpuram).

Fig.6,Percentage  Fluctuation of PM_2.5 in % Max. & Min.

 Fig.6, show the Percentage  Fluctuation of PM_2.5 in % Max. & Min. between the period of  PLD& LD-1,LD-II,LD-III (3),(Chaudhary et al., 2021).Fluctuation of PM_2.5 in % was observed Maximum (65% ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 21%) at CAAQMS Pali (B/W  PLD& LD-1) , observed Maximum (67% ) at CAAQMS Ajmer and minimum ( 13% ) at CAAQMS Jaipur science park (B/W  PLD& LD-1I) , observed Maximum (54% ) at CAAQMS Ajmer civil lineand minimum ( 0% ) at CAAQMS Pali  (B/W  PLD& LD-III).

Fig.7,Max. & Min. Concentrations of NO₂  During Pre Lockdown and Lockdown

Fig.7, show the Maximum & Minimum Concentrations of NO₂  During Pre Lockdown and Lockdown at these stations was observed (85 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 31 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Kota shrinathpurum ,during Lockdown-I (22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020), Maximum concentrations of NO₂  was observed (23 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 6 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS  Udaipur, during Lockdown-II (15.04.2020 to 03.05.2020), Maximum concentrations ofNO₂ was observed (26 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Alwar and minimum ( 7 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Udaipur, during Lockdown-III (04.05.2020 to 17.05.2020), Maximum concentrations of AQI was observed (31 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Bhiwadi-RiiCO Ind. Area III and minimum ( 9 µg / m³ ) at CAAQMS Jaipur.

Fig.8,%Increase and Decrease of  NO2 in % Max. & Min

 Fig.8, show the percentage Increase and Decrease of NO2 in % Maximum  & Minimum at these stations between the period of pre-lockdown and lockdown-I has been recorded  30 % (Pali),77 % (Ajmer),between the period of pre-lockdown and lockdown-II has been recorded  33 % (Alwar), 79 % (Ajmer and Bhiwadi) and between the period of pre-lockdown and lockdown-III has been recorded 36 % (Alwar),75 % (Ajmer).

Generation of COVID-19 related biomedical waste with special reference to Rajasthan.

Bio medical waste (BMW) is  different from general municipal waste because it poses various health hazards, according to ministry of environment, forest & climate change Bio medical waste is disposed of according to the rules 2016 and this rule was amended in 2018. (Chand, Sharadet al.2021) (Dehal, Ashishet al.2022)Singh, (Harikesh, et al.2022)Due to the lack of resources  flawed  management system  India faced severe problems for biomedical waste  during the COVID-19.According to the Central pollution control board (CPCB) New Delhi COVID19BMW  tracking app. 4.3 Increase in BMW during the COVID-19 pandemic

Figure 8,9 show the COVID-19-based BMW (C-BMW) currently average quantity of Covid-19  related biomedical Waste generation in Rajasthan during April 2022 is about 4.67 turn per day(TPD)COVID 19 Biomedical waste generation in Rajasthan in April 2022 is 0.06 COVID19BMW(Tons/day)COVID 19 Biomedical waste generation and treatment facilities involved in collection ,treatment and disposal in April 2022 are 01 in Rajasthan ,72 out of 202 in India.  (Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Generation of COVID19 related Biomedical Waste in States/UTs).

Fig.8, Biomedical waste June 2020 to Dec.2020

Fig.8, Biomedical waste Jan 21 to toMay 2022

The present study found that Air quality improved significantly in Rajasthan due to air pollutants decreased and Biomedical waste increased during lockdown phases compared to before lockdown. Concentration of Pollutant started increasing slowly, particularly after LD2, due to relaxation of agricultural and industrial activity restrictions. At stations along national highways, air quality was initially better due to the combined effect of industrial shut down and limited vehicular movement but started to worsen on account of relaxation of restrictions and restarting of activities. improvement has been seen in Air Quality Index (AQI), after comparison between pre-lockdown (PLD) and different phases of lockdown LD1, LD2 and LD3 and observed that the data from all the monitoring stations cities show that the concentration of all the three parameters i.e. PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 has decreased at all monitoring stations due to restrictions in movement of human activity, agricultural and industrial activity. As compared to the period of pre-lockdown, air quality in terms of Air Quality Index has remained ‘Satisfactory’ during the three phases of Lockdown, except at Jodhpur (Lockdown II & III), Bhiwadi (Lockdown III) and Jaipur –Shastri Nagar (Lockdown-III) where it has degraded to ‘Moderate’ Category. Maximum decrease in percentage of air quality index was reported at Bhiwadi during Lockdown-I. Similarly, maximum decrease in percentage of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 has been recorded at 65 % (Ajmer during Lockdown-II and Kota during Lockdown-III) 67% (Ajmer during Lockdown-II) and 79 % (Ajmer and Bhiwadi during Lockdown-II). We all knows that this is a temporary effect and after the lockdown, level of pollution is increasing. But it forces us to think about how the environment is being affected by human activities. If these human activities cannot be stopped completely, they can definitely be reduced. The lockdown period has introduced many different models of working, education and business which require none or very less travel. (7) (Goel, 2020)

1. Bansal, M., & Sharma, J. G. (2021). Plastic pollution by COVID-19 pandemic: An urge for sustainable approaches to protect the environment. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 15(3), 1083–1093. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.15.3.36 2. Chaudhary, S., Kumar, S., Antil, R., & Yadav, S. (2021). Air Quality Before and After COVID-19 Lockdown Phases Around New Delhi, India. Journal of Health and Pollution, 11(30), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-11.30.210602 3. Das, S., Das, S., & Ghangrekar, M. M. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic: biological evolution, treatment options and consequences. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 5(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-00325-8 4. Garg, M., Goyal, S., & Bansal, O. (2021). Effect of lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic on air quality of most polluted cities of Punjab (India). Journal of Earth System Science, 130(4), 1157–1165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01713-z 5. Goel, A. (2020). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air quality in Delhi, India. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 19(3), 1095–1103. https://doi.org/10.46488/NEPT.2020.v19i03.020 6. Miyah, Y., Benjelloun, M., Lairini, S., & Lahrichi, A. (2022). COVID-19 Impact on Public Health, Environment, Human Psychology, Global Socioeconomy, and Education. Scientific World Journal, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5578284 7. Nigam, R., Pandya, K., Luis, A. J., Sengupta, R., & Kotha, M. (2021). Positive effects of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality of industrial cities (Ankleshwar and Vapi) of Western India. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83393-9 8. On, R., Of, I., Air, A., & Of, Q. (2020). Lockdown Part4 Report. https://environment.rajasthan.gov.in/content/environment/en/rajasthan-state-pollution-control-board/EnvironmentalReport/Reportonambientairqualitydataof rajasthanduringlockdowncovid-19.html 9. Ruhela, M., Maheshwari, V., Ahamad, F., & Kamboj, V. (2022). Air quality assessment of Jaipur city Rajasthan after the COVID-19 lockdown. Spatial Information Research, 30(5), 597–605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-022-00456-3 10. Verma, R. L., & Kamyotra, J. S. (2021). Impacts of COVID-19 on air quality in India. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200482 11. https://environment.rajasthan.gov.in/content/environment/en/rajasthan-state-pollution- control-board/EnvironmentalReport/Reportonambientairqualitydataof rajasthanduringlockdowncovid-19.html 12. Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Biomedical waste management rules, New Delhi (March. 2016), pp. 1-63Google Scholar 13. Chand, Sharad et al. “Updates on biomedical waste management during COVID-19: The Indian scenario.” Clinical epidemiology and global health vol. 11 (2021): 100715. doi:10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100715 14. Dehal, Ashish et al. “Biomedical waste generation and management during COVID-19 pandemic in India: challenges and possible management strategies.” Environmental science and pollution research international vol. 29,10 (2022): 14830-14845. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-16736-8 15. Singh, Harikesh, et al. “Status of Air Pollution during COVID-19-Induced Lockdown in Delhi, India.” Atmosphere, vol. 13, no. 12, Dec. 2022, p. 2090. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13122090. 16. Bhat, Shakeel Ahmad et al. “Impact of COVID-related lockdowns on environmental and climate change scenarios.” Environmental research vol. 195 (2021): 110839. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.110839 17. Elsaid, Khaled et al. “Effects of COVID-19 on the environment: An overview on air, water, wastewater, and solid waste.” Journal of environmental management vol. 292 (2021): 112694. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112694