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Cse In News

दिल्ली में रोजाना निकलने वाले कचरे से बनी गैस से चल सकती हैं 17 हजार कारें, CSE की रिपोर्ट में दावा

क्या आपको पता है, यदि कचरे का सदुपयोग कर लिया जाए तो उससे आपकी गाड़ी का ईंधन भी बन सकता है। इतना ही नहीं दिल्ली-एनसीआर को वायु प्रदूषण जैसे बड़े संकट से भी निजात मिल सकती है। पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार घरों से निकलने वाला कचरा ईंधन का बड़ा स्रोत है। लेकिन देश की राजधानी दिल्ली इस दिशा में इसलिए पस्त हो जाती है क्योंकि यहां अब तक भी गीला-सूखा कचरा दिखावों और कागजों में ही अधिक अलग होता है। लोगों की खराब आदतें और सरकारी एजेंसियों की अन्यमनस्कता के चलते इस पर कभी सफल परिणाम नहीं निकल सके। हाल ही में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की ‘बायो सीएनजी फ्राम म्युनिसिपल सालिड वेस्ट’ पर एक रिपोर्ट आई है जिसके अनुसार दिल्ली में प्रतिदिन जितना कचरा निकलता है उससे रोजाना करीब 17 हजार कार चलाई जा सकती हैं। सीएसई की यह रिपोर्ट बताती है कि दिल्ली में हर दिन 5,210 टन गीला कचरा पैदा होता है। इस कचरे से हर दिन 174 टन यानी एक लाख 74 हजार किलो बायो-सीएनजी तैयार की जा सकती है। राजधानी में यदि किसी वाहन चालक की कार दिनभर औसतन दस किलो सीएनजी खर्च करती है तो इस हिसाब से 17,400 कारों के लिए ईंधन की जरूरत पूरी हो सकती है। इसी तरह यदि इस कचरे से एलपीजी गैस बनाई जाए तो 94 टन एलपीजी तैयार होगी, जिससे हर रोज 6,600 सिलिंडर भरे जा सकते हैं। पर्यावरण अनुकूल भी है बायो-सीएनजी गीले कचरे से खाद बनाने की तुलना में बायो सीएनजी बनाना कहीं अधिक पर्यावरण अनुकूल है। रिपोर्ट बताती है कि गीले कचरे से खाद बनाने के दौरान आसपास के लोग बदबू की शिकायत करते हैं। इसका सही प्रबंधन नहीं होने की स्थिति में कचरा सड़ते समय उससे निकलने वाला द्रव (लिचेट) भूजल में जाकर उसे जहरीला बनाता है। इसकी तुलना में बायो सीएनजी संयंत्र के पास बदबू नहीं होती व खाद बनाने वाले संयंत्र की तुलना में यह दो से तीन गुना कम जमीन पर ही काम कर सकता है। बड़े स्थानीय निकायों को इस तरह के संयंत्र लगाने चाहिए जिससे बायो-सीएनजी का उत्पादन किया जा सके। साथ ही शहरों को हर तीन साल में अपने यहां से निकलने वाले कचरे का आडिट भी कराना चाहिए। इसके जरिए पता लगाया जाना चाहिए कि किसी खास शहर में कितना और कैसा कचरा पैदा हो रहा है। उसी अनुसार उसके प्रबंधन की योजना बनाई जाए। इंदौर से सीखें कचरे से बायो-सीएनजी बनाने के प्लांट शुरुआत हुई: वर्ष 2021, पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी ने किया था प्लांट का उद्घाटन विदेश में : जर्मनी, कनाडा और अमेरिका में भी इसका सफल प्रयोग हो रहा। दिल्ली ही नहीं, सभी बड़े शहरों को गीले कचरे के बेहतर प्रबंधन के लिए खाद से बायो सीएनजी बनाने की तरफ शिफ्ट होना चाहिए। शहरी स्थानीय निकाय अपने कचरे से ईंधन बनाकर खुद के वाहनों की ईंधन जरूरतों को भी पूरा कर सकते हैं। इससे ईंधन का खर्च बचेगा और कचरे का प्रबंधन भी बेहतर तरीके से हो सकेगा। -कैफी जावेद, ठोस कचरा प्रबंधन विशेषज्ञ, सीएसई सूखे और गीले कचरे के बेहतर निपटान की दिशा में गंभीरता से सोचने की जरूरत है। बायोगैस प्लांट हालांकि एक पुरानी तकनीक है, लेकिन दिल्ली में अभी तक इस पर ढंग से काम नहीं किया गया। कचरे के स्मार्ट प्रबंधन से प्रदूषण भी कम होगा और ईंधन के नए स्रोत भी मिलेंगे। लैंडफिल साइट्स के अलावा गोशालाओं के गोबर से भी गैस बनाई जा सकती है। - डॉ. जेपीएस डबास, पूर्व प्रधान विज्ञानी, भारतीय कृषि अनुसंधान संस्थान, पूसा देवगुराडिया ट्रेंचिंग ग्राउंड स्थित बायो सीएनजी प्लांट की क्षमता बढ़ाने की दिशा में काम चल रहा है। हमारा लक्ष्य प्रतिदिन 28 टन सीएनजी उत्पादन का है। ऐसा करने के लिए हमें एजेंसी को रोजाना 800 टन गीला कचरा देना होगा। इसकी तैयारी चल रही है। -रोहित सिसोनिया, अपर आयुक्त इंदौर नगर निगम

Thousands of Crores Spent on Cleaning Ganga and To Fight Pollution, But What Are the Results?

In Central Hall, Kapil Sibal discusses the serious impact of ignoring ecological questions on ordinary lives and how to push India’s government to be mindful of the big risks it is courting. Ashok Lavasa, former Finance Secretary and Secretary, Forests, Environment and Climate Change; Sunita Narain, Editor of Down to Earth and award winning environmentalist and Arunabha Ghosh, public policy expert, author and columnist join him.

Disaster-proofing India: The need for early warning systems and resilient cities

The annual report on the state of India's environment by Centre For Science and Environment also reveals that extreme weather events happened somewhere in India on 88% of days in 2024. Nearly 3,000 people died, 2 million hectares of crops and 80,000 homes were destroyed due to extreme weather related events in 2024, in India. The annual report on the state of India's environment by Centre For Science and Environment also reveals that extreme weather events happened somewhere in India on 88% of days in 2024. This should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. As cloudbursts, landslides, incessant rains and unforgiving heat become the new normal, how prepared is India for the climate change happening at a rapid pace in South East Asia? Climate scientists have pointed out that global warming has accelerated since 2010 by more than 50 per cent as compared to the rate of warming between 1970 and 2010, which was 0.18°C per decade. The Climate Risk Index 2025 ranked India as the sixth most affected country globally from 1993 to 2022, with losses of more than $180 billion. Oceans are warming up leading to sudden and intense rain spells. As rain patterns change, the Himalayas become more vulnerable to weather events. Two back-to-back incidents in the Himalayan region this year have proved how fragile this mountainous region actually is and why immediate action is necessary. On August 14, 2025 the Chashoti area in the Western Himalayas was hit by a destructive debris flow. This was initially suspected to be a glacial lake outburst flood. Just days before, a similar incident had wreaked havoc in the Uttarkashi district where Dharali and Harsil villages were affected by a debris-laden flash flood. Both events can be attributed to extreme rainfall driving debris flows. We are clearly in the midst of a climate emergency where action is necessary in the here and now. Dr Roxy Mathew Koll, a Climate Scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, has prescribed the following measures in order to mitigate the climate crisis. Forecasts are not enough, early warning systems needed The rapid pace at which natural calamities are taking place requires a set of early warning systems in place. India has a world-class forecasting system. It can predict tropical weather conditions three days in advance but what is needed are landslide and flash flood forecasts too. Early warning systems must take into account local topography, demographics and infrastructure. Timely communication of risks is necessary which requires greater coordination between government departments and ministries. A dedicated research and development institution is needed to focus on early warning systems. Proactive disaster management It is necessary to disaster-proof regions at the district and panchayat levels. This would require a more proactive than a reactive approach. Proactive measures should be taken to protect the vulnerable population. Policies are required that can safeguard lives and livelihoods. Identification of hotspots The Indian Ocean is warming rapidly and glaciers are melting too. Assessing the vulnerable regions and identifying the hotspots is the crucial first step in managing disasters. A micro-level assessment needs to be done to measure frequency and intensity of exposure to climate risk. Local communities are crucial Educating people about climate risks and involving them in disaster preparedness is crucial to beating climate change. Local communities can bring about a big difference through activities like monitoring climate conditions, restoring local ecosystems and contributing through citizen science networks. Climate action and adaptation at local levels should go hand in hand with mitigation at global and national levels. Data accessibility Dr Koll says data accessibility and sharing are critical for tackling climate challenges in the country. India’s data accessibility policy requires that data from all ministries be open and shareable but poor implementation has created barriers in transparency. Data must be easily available to support research and decision-making within the country. Building climate resilient cities Climate change is happening in the present moment and the risk is real, not just for the vulnerable sections but also for urban dwellers living in prosperous cities. In the World Bank’s latest report ‘Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India 2025’, authors Asmita Tiwari and Natsuko Kikutake share that more than two-thirds of India’s urban dwellers will face the risk of surface flooding, potentially adding to losses of $5 billion by 2030. They say an integrated approach, which demarcates high-risk areas as no-build zones, improves city-wide drainage, promotes nature-based solutions that can absorb excess rainwater, and installs flood warning systems, is the only way to reduce this risk in urban areas. The report also states that investments in adaptation will save over 130,000 lives from extreme heat impacts by 2050. Auguste Tano Kouamé, World Bank Country Director, recommends investment in resilient urban development: “By investing in more green and resilient urban development, including housing, transport, and municipal services, cities can better mitigate extreme heat conditions and urban floods, and continue to grow and create jobs.” The need of the hour is to build a disaster-proof India and the time to act is now.

Delhi prepares for another smog-filled winter, DPCC orders anti-smog guns:High-rise buildings, malls, and universities must install devices from Oct to combat severe winter pollution

“Anti-smog guns are visible interventions, but they are not a silver bullet,” said an air quality researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Unless Delhi and neighbouring states address crop residue burning and vehicular pollution, winter smog will remain a recurring crisis.” As the monsoon recedes and winter approaches, the national capital is bracing itself for another choking season due to air pollution. In a renewed effort to curb rising smog levels, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has directed all high-rise commercial buildings to install anti-smog guns from 2 October onwards in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Rule to target tall buildings and large complexes The regulation, which was officially notified in May 2024, mandates that anti-smog guns be installed in commercial complexes, malls, hotels, office towers, universities, and educational institutions that have six or more floors. The requirement also extends to buildings with a built-up area of 3,000 square metres or more. The order had been temporarily relaxed during the monsoon season between 15 June and 1 October but will now be enforced for the first time this year. Why the move is critical Particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 remain the main drivers of Delhi’s hazardous air quality. Data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee shows that between October 2024 and January 2025, the average PM10 level was 420 micrograms per cubic metre, while PM2.5 stood at 271 micrograms per cubic metre—both over four times the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. During this period, Delhi witnessed 33 days of “poor” air, 72 days of “very poor” air, and 14 days in the “severe” category. Previous year trends The use of anti-smog guns in Delhi is not new. In 2023, 93 high-rise buildings were equipped with the machines. By 2024, the number had increased to 156, covering malls, hotels, and corporate towers. The capital has an estimated 200 high-rise commercial structures, and officials expect full compliance in the coming months. Meanwhile, Delhi’s overall air quality has shown little sign of long-term improvement. The city recorded about 180 “very poor” to “severe” air quality days in 2022 and a similar trend in 2023, underscoring the need for stricter pollution control measures beyond seasonal firefighting. Technical requirements for anti-smog guns According to the directive, the machines must meet specific technical standards: Nozzles should release water droplets of 5–20 microns in size. Spraying capacity must cover 75–100 metres. Operational timings are fixed at three slots: 6:30–9:30 am, 5:30–8:30 pm, and 1:30–4:30 am. Only treated water is permitted for use. Deployment guidelines For a built-up area of 10,000 sq. m – minimum 3 guns. For 15,000 sq. m – minimum 4 guns. For 20,000 sq. m – minimum 5 guns. For 25,000 sq. m – minimum 6 guns. For every additional 5,000 sq. m – one extra gun. While environmentalists welcome the move, experts caution that anti-smog guns can only provide limited, localised relief. Sources of pollution such as vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and construction dust, require broader, sustained policies. “Anti-smog guns are visible interventions, but they are not a silver bullet,” said an air quality researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Unless Delhi and neighbouring states address crop residue burning and vehicular pollution, winter smog will remain a recurring crisis.” With winter setting in, all eyes will be on whether Delhi’s new building-level measures can bring measurable improvement or if the city will once again be enveloped in its familiar toxic haze.

चिंताजनक: जंक फूड से लाडलों को बचाएं, हर दसवां बच्चा मोटापे से जूझ रहा; कम वजनी से मोटे बच्चों की संख्या अधिक

भारत में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने भी चेताया कि पैकेज्ड व फास्ट फूड में नमक और वसा की मात्रा, एफएसएसएआई की सीमा से कहीं ज्यादा है। क्या आपके बच्चे का खानपान सचमुच सुरक्षित और संतुलित है? आज दुनिया में बच्चों की सबसे बड़ी चुनौती सिर्फ भूख या कुपोषण नहीं रह गई, बल्कि जंक फूड और अल्ट्रा-प्रोसेस्ड खाने की वजह से बढ़ता मोटापा है। यह कुपोषण का नया चेहरा है। यूनिसेफ की ताजा रिपोर्ट चेतावनी देती है कि अगर समय रहते कदम न उठाए गए तो हमारे बच्चे आने वाले वर्षों में मधुमेह, हृदय रोग और कैंसर जैसी गंभीर बीमारियों के शिकार बन सकते हैं। पेरेंट्स को समय रहते सतर्क होकर बच्चों को ज्यादा से ज्यादा शारीरिक श्रम के लिए प्रेरित करने की आवश्यकता है। यूनिसेफ की वर्ल्ड न्यूट्रिशन रिपोर्ट बताती है कि दुनिया भर में अब हर दसवां बच्चा मोटापे से जूझ रहा है। यह आंकड़ा लगभग 18.8 करोड़ बच्चों का है। इतिहास में पहली बार ऐसा हुआ है जब मोटापे से पीड़ित बच्चों की संख्या कम वजन वाले बच्चों से ज्यादा हो गई है। 2000 से अब तक पांच से 19 वर्ष की आयु के कम वजन वाले बच्चों की संख्या 13% से घटकर 9.2% रह गई, लेकिन मोटापे से जूझ रहे बच्चों का अनुपात तीन गुना बढ़कर 9.4% हो गया। दुनिया में 39.1 करोड़ बच्चों में बढ़ते वजन की समस्या दुनिया में 39.1 करोड़ बच्चे बढ़ते वजन की समस्या से जूझ रहे हैं। इनमें से आधे बच्चे मोटापे की श्रेणी में आते हैं। प्रशांत द्वीप समूह में स्थिति सबसे गंभीर है। नियू में 38, कुक आइलैंड्स 37 और नाउरू 33% बच्चे मोटापे के शिकार हैं। अमेरिका और यूएई जैसे अमीर देशों में भी 21% बच्चे मोटापे से पीड़ित हैं। विशेषज्ञों के मुताबिक मोटापा बच्चों को सिर्फ शारीरिक रूप से ही नहीं बल्कि मानसिक रूप से भी प्रभावित करता है। बच्चों की डाइट पर विज्ञापनों का दबाव रिपोर्ट के अनुसार बच्चों की डाइट पर अब बाजार की ताकतें हावी हैं। चीनी, नमक और अस्वास्थ्यकर वसा से भरे अल्ट्रा-प्रोसेस्ड फूड व कोल्ड ड्रिंक उनके खानपान पर कब्जा कर चुके हैं। यूनीसेफ द्वारा किए गए 170 देशों के सर्वे में 75% युवाओं ने बताया कि उन्होंने पिछले हफ्ते जंक फूड व सॉफ्ट ड्रिंक के विज्ञापन देखे। 60% युवाओं ने स्वीकार किया कि इन विज्ञापनों से उनकी खाने की इच्छा और बढ़ गई। यही नहीं, संघर्ष या युद्ध-प्रभावित देशों के 68% युवाओं तक भी जंक फूड के विज्ञापन पहुंच रहे हैं। भारत-मैक्सिको की सकारात्मक पहल भारत ने खाद्य पदार्थों में ट्रांस-फैट की मात्रा को घटाकर अधिकतम 2% तक सीमित कर दिया है। यह नियम खाने के तेल, वसा और उनसे बने उत्पादों पर लागू है। भारत ऐसा कदम उठाने वाला पहला मध्यम आय वाला देश बना है। भारत में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने भी चेताया कि पैकेज्ड व फास्ट फूड में नमक और वसा की मात्रा, एफएसएसएआई की सीमा से कहीं ज्यादा है।

GoI Exempts Critical Mineral Mining from Public Hearings, Citing National Security

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had already stated that diluting public hearings “strips communities of their right to voice concerns about projects that affect their lives, livelihoods, and environment.” The primary contention being that national security is too broad a term that can be used to sideline democratic accountability. In a significant move that prioritizes national security and energy independence over community consultation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially exempted all mining projects for atomic, critical, and strategic minerals from the mandatory public hearing process for environmental clearance. The decision, formalized in an office memorandum dated September 8, 2025, fast-tracks the approval process for mines extracting minerals essential for defence, high-tech electronics, and India’s nuclear energy program. This policy shift comes in direct response to requests from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), who argued that reliance on imported supplies of these minerals poses a significant strategic risk. The memorandum outlines two key justifications: Defence Imperative: The MoD, in a proposal dated August 4, 2025, highlighted the irreplaceable role of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in modern defence equipment. These include precision-guided missiles, radar and sonar systems, communication devices, and permanent magnets for various platforms. The MoD stressed that the global supply of REEs is concentrated in a few countries, making domestic production a matter of national security. Nuclear Energy Goals: The DAE, in its August 29, 2025 communication, emphasized the need for uranium for the first stage of India’s nuclear power program and thorium (extracted from monazite) for its ambitious third stage. To meet these goals, the DAE requested expedited clearances for new atomic mineral mines. The Government of India has invoked a clause in the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification that exempts projects “concerning national defence and security or involving other strategic considerations” from public consultation. Furthermore, all such projects, regardless of size, will now be appraised at the central level by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), bypassing state-level authorities. The ministry memorandum does mandate that the Environment Management Plan (EMP) of these projects must still comprehensively address potential social and environmental impacts. Project proponents are required to detail: Mitigation measures for impacts on local habitats and populations; Plans for creating social infrastructure like medical and drinking water facilities; Skill development and employment opportunities for local communities; and A public grievance redressal system. Adequate financial provisions for these measures must be incorporated into the EMP and will be scrutinized by the central EAC. Critical Concerns While the Government of India’s strategic concerns are acknowledged, the move is likely to draw criticism from environmental groups, governance experts, and community rights activists. There are strong indications of opposing the move as this exemption fundamentally undermines the EIA process, which is designed to be a participatory and transparent check on industrial projects. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had already stated that diluting public hearings “strips communities of their right to voice concerns about projects that affect their lives, livelihoods, and environment.” The primary contention being that national security is too broad a term that can be used to sideline democratic accountability. It should also be noted that the Environmental Justice Initiative also points out that mining projects disproportionately affect tribal and rural communities. Removing the requirement for a public hearing silences these vulnerable groups, denying them a platform to raise issues related to displacement, pollution of water sources, and loss of forest rights guaranteed under laws like the Forest Rights Act (FRA). It is feared that this could lead to increased social conflict in mineral-rich regions. Governance watchdogs like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) also expressed concern that this sets a dangerous precedent. Once a category of projects is exempted using strategic grounds, it opens the door for other sectors to lobby for similar exemptions, effectively gutting the public consultation process altogether. This what most policy analyst may argue. Those who are skeptical of the move may argue that a document prepared by the project proponent and reviewed only by a central committee, without on-ground feedback from affected communities, is likely to be theoretical and poorly implemented. The history of failed rehabilitation and environmental restoration by mining companies fuels this skepticism. The Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment has been often arguing that the exemption clause in the EIA notification is applied opaquely. It has called for a clear, legally defined framework for what constitutes a “strategic” project, subject to judicial review, to prevent the arbitrary use of this power. The policy highlights the classic government dilemma of balancing urgent strategic and economic needs against environmental protection and democratic rights. While securing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals is a legitimate goal for a nation aiming for technological leadership and energy security, the method of achieving it by curtailing public participation is proving to be highly contentious. The move is expected to significantly accelerate the leasing and operationalization of mines for minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earths, uranium, and thorium. However, it remains to be seen whether this top-down approach will lead to sustainable development or spark new waves of environmental and social unrest in India’s hinterlands.

CAG Flags Deficiencies in Mining Rehabilitation in Gujarat, Welfare Funds Diverted to Non-Public Projects

Similarly, the 2018 Centre for Science and Environment report stated that even in high-need minerals districts such as Keonjhar and Sundargarh (Odisha), West Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh) etc., none of the districts sanctioned anything to address this. The report further underscored that DMF spending often ignores critical issues like child nutrition. The ‘Report of the CAG on Performance Audit of Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) including District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trusts in Gujarat’ was tabled in the state assembly on September 11, the last day of the three-day long monsoon session of the legislature. CAG Flags Major Lapses Under the PMKKKY scheme, funds collected from mining firms are used to improve the environment, health, socio-economics and livelihood of the mining-affected people with a focus on education, healthcare, drinking water and environment preservation. The CAG outlined several “deficiencies” such as selecting agencies without inviting tenders which led to “undue benefit”, non-completion of blood bank in Chhotaudepur district despite spending over ₹39 lakh, excess payment of ₹63 lakh for implementing a project in 42 schools in Devbhumi Dwarka district. The CAG also pointed out that the Gujarat District Mineral Foundation (GDMF) Rules formulated by the state government were not followed in some instances. “The Executive Committee and the Governing Council meetings of the DMFs were not conducted as per the frequency prescribed in the GDMD rules. The DMF Surat did not obtain the approval of the Gram Sabha prior to taking up projects and did not provide any report on implementation of projects in the Scheduled Areas in Surat district which was not as per GDMF Rules,” said the report. The audit also noticed that there were significant delays in preparation and finalisation of annual accounts and annual reports of DMFs at district level, while the four DMFs did not maintained prescribed registers. A total of 32 annual accounts and 30 annual reports were not prepared as of November 2024. The CAG recommended that DMFs should establish a system to identify projects that address the needs of the broader public in mining-affected areas, ensuring timely and effective utilisation of DMF contributions. DMFs should also ensure timely collection of all outstanding contributions with interest as per the rules, it said. As part of the performance audit, the CAG reviewed the records of the projects implemented by five DMFs in Bhavnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Mehsana, Porbandar and Surat districts, and also conducted inspections of 149 completed projects. "Audit observed deficiencies in tender process and selection of implementing agencies, non-completion of works, implementation of works outside affected areas, instances of projects implemented for private benefit rather than public benefit, instances of undue benefit to agency and instances of excess payment for works," said the report. Welfare Funds Diverted Elsewhere Audit reports from other states show Gujarat’s issues are part of a larger issue. According to an August 12 report, the state government initiated a probe into DMF funds allegedly diverted to major urban projects and non-welfare work in Odisha. Similarly, the 2018 Centre for Science and Environment report stated that even in high-need minerals districts such as Keonjhar and Sundargarh (Odisha), West Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh) etc., none of the districts sanctioned anything to address this. The report further underscored that DMF spending often ignores critical issues like child nutrition.

Delhi Heat Index Soars, Causing Record Power Demand This Monsoon

Delhi faced very high heat index levels this monsoon season. This caused a big increase in power demand. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shared this information on Monday. High Humidity Leads to Uncomfortable Heat The heat index went up a lot during June to August. It crossed 46 to 50 degrees Celsius. This made people feel very hot even though the actual temperature was not that high. The city used a lot of electricity during this time. CSE found that 67% of the daily peak power demand was because of the heat index and need for cooling. The nights were also very warm and humid. This made people use more cooling devices like fans and ACs.

Delhi’s Rising Heat Amid Humid Monsoon Pushes Electricity Demand, Urban Warming Intensifies Cooling Needs

Delhi’s electricity demand has flared up despite a summer with lesser heatwaves, according to a policy brief by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Heat index is the “feels like” temperature, capturing both relative humidity of a place along with temperature. Due to increased humidity in the monsoon months, people turn to their cooling devices, such as air conditioners or coolers, to escape heat stress. This pushes up the electricity demand. The high electricity demand seeped into monsoon months during June and August as well due to the high heat index in that range of 46-50 degrees Celsius. Monitoring electricity demand is important because it has become a sensitive marker of heat stress. During Delhi's monsoon months that were comparatively wetter this year than earlier, the heat index shoots up, dragging along the cooling demand. “In August 2025, the average peak demand was about 2%higher compared to August 2024, despite wetter conditions this year. Nearly half of the days in August 2025 (16 out of 31) recorded higher peak demand than the same days in 2024.” The researchers also observed a strong correlation between daily electricity demand peak and heat index. This means, power demand rises in lockstep with temperature and humidity. The report stated that 67% of the daily peak electricity demand in Delhi’s can be explained by variations in the hot and humid conditions outside. Another notable trend in 2025 was that peak cooling demand shifted to night (11.09 pm) compared to the afternoon surges observed in previous years. The CSE report attributes this to a 42% reduction in night cooling compared to the 2001-2010 average. A higher night-time temperature implies that the mercury dip from day to night is smaller, increasing thermal discomfort at night and impact on health.

कहां खो गई दिल्ली की ठंडक? इतनी बारिश के बावजूद मॉनसून में भी नहीं राहत, बिजली की बढ़ गई डिमांड

दिल्ली में गर्मी और उमस ने बिजली की मांग 67% बढ़ा दी. CSE की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि मॉनसून में हीट इंडेक्स 46-50 डिग्री पहुंचा, जिससे AC का इस्तेमाल बढ़ा....

दि ल्ली में बा रि श ने बो ल दि या गुडगु बा य! उमस भरी गर्मी छुड़ा रही पसी ना ; पढ़ि ए मौ सम अपडेट

गर्मी की वजह से 67% तक बढ़ जा ती है बि जली खपत दिल्ली मेंगर्मी और उमस के चलतेबिजली की खपत में 67 फीसदी तक की बढ़ोतरी हो जाती है। विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केन्द्र द्वारा सोमवार को जारी रिपोर्ट मेंयह जानकारी दी गई।

‘How Delhi is losing its cool’: CSE study detects rise in power demand during monsoon

Driven by high temperatures during the pre-monsoon months and a high heat index due to the rise in humid conditions during the monsoon months, power demand in the Capital is now reaching its peak earlier than before and persisting longer, a latest study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released on Monday showed. The study, titled ‘How Delhi is losing its cool: Heat and rising demand for cooling and electricity consumption’, has emphasised that a sharp increase in heat and humidity this summer led to a significant jump in electricity consumption in Delhi. “Heat and humidity stress increase active cooling demand and that has a direct bearing on electricity consumption,” the report stated, adding: “As much as 67 per cent of the daily peak electricity demand in Delhi can be explained by variations in heat index compounded by the lowering of adaptive comfort and changing lifestyles,which is increasing the city’s dependence on mechanical cooling systems.”

Heat index crosses 50°C in monsoon, peak power demand soars: CSE

Delhi recorded unusually high heat index levels this monsoon, driven by elevated humidity despite relatively lower temperatures, leading to a surge in power demand, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released on Monday. The study found that 67% of the variation in Delhi’s daily peak electricity demand is now attributable to the combined impact of heat index and cooling needs. CSE’s executive director for research and advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury, cautioned that the city is caught in a “deadly dilemma” as humid monsoon nights prove just as punishing as daytime heatwaves, forcing widespread use of cooling devices and straining the grid. “Our study shows how an increase in peak electricity demand is now happening earlier and persisting longer. But Delhi’s deadly dilemma is not only the high heat during the pre-monsoon months, but also the high humidity during monsoon months causing sharp increase in heat index (combination of heat and humidity). This is when the heat index goes beyond the threshold of thermal comfort to surge sharply as cooling devices are switched on across the city. This leads to sharper rise in electricity consumption, which strains grid reliability. Delhi has hit the second highest peak demand for electricity after 2024 summer,” she said.

Breaking the coal taboo

What do we do with coal and the electricity it generates? This is the zillion-dollar question in the face of the twin challenges of climate change and the urgent need for energy to power homes, factories and shops across vast parts of the still-developing world. The world is fast running out of the carbon budget to keep temperature rises below 1.5°C— a guardrail against out-and-out devastation. We need solutions that can and must work in the interests of all. This is where the coal question becomes complicated. It is easy to say “keep it in the ground”—do not use coal for generating electricity, as it is more than certainly responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions that have already filled our shared atmosphere. But how will that work in an energy-insecure world?

दिल्ली में भारी बारिश के बाद भी उमस, मानसून के दौरान भी बिजली की डिमांड में इजाफा

राष्ट्रीय राजधानी दिल्ली में गर्मी और उमस की वजह से इस बार बिजली की खपत बहुत ही ज्यादा बढ़ गई. प्री-मानसून महीनों के दौरान भीषण गर्मी और मानसून सीजन में उमस बढ़ने के कारण राजधानी में बिजली की मांग अब पहले की तुलना में अपने चरम पर पहुंच गई है. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की एक स्टडी में बताया गया है कि इस साल 2025 में गर्मी और उमस बढ़ने से दिल्ली में बिजली की खपत में रिकॉर्ड स्तर पर बढ़ोत्तरी दर्ज की गई है. 'दिल्ली कैसे अपनी ठंडक खो रही है: गर्मी और शीतलन और बिजली की खपत की बढ़ती मांग' शीर्षक वाली स्टडी ने इस बात का जिक्र किया गया है कि गर्मी के सीजन में गर्मी और उमस में तेज बढ़ोत्तरी की वजह से दिल्ली में बिजली की खपत में उल्लेखनीय उछाल आया. रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि गर्मी और उमस के दबाव से ठंडक के लिए AC और कूलर का इस्तेमाल बढ़ने से इसका बिजली की खपत पर सीधा असर पड़ता है.'' 12 जून को दिल्ली की पावर डिमांड रिकॉर्ड स्तर पर रही CSE की रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस साल 12 जून को शहर की बिजली की मांग 8,442 मेगावाट तक पहुंच गई, जो राजधानी में अब तक का दूसरा सबसे अधिक रिकॉर्ड है. शहर की ऑल टाइम हाईएस्ट पीक डिमांड पिछले साल 19 जून को दर्ज की गई 8,656 मेगावाट से केवल 2.5 प्रतिशत अधिक थी. स्टडी में यह भी कहा गया है कि 2015 और 2025 के बीच, दिल्ली की पीक पावर डिमांड 5,846 मेगावाट से बढ़कर 8,442 मेगावाट हो गई है, जो केवल एक दशक में 44 फीसदी की वृद्धि दर्ज करती है. बिजली मांग का 67 % हिस्सा गर्मी और उमस के कारण इंडियन एक्सप्रेस की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक स्टडी के प्रमुख निष्कर्षों में शामिल है कि मार्च से मई के प्री-मानसून महीनों के दौरान हीट इंडेक्स 31-32°C रहा. इस दौरान बिजली की मांग स्थिर रही. जून से अगस्त के मानसून महीनों के दौरान हीट इंडेक्स तेजी से बढ़ी और 46-50°C से ऊपर रही. इसमें यह भी पाया गया कि दिल्ली की दैनिक अधिकतम बिजली मांग का 67 प्रतिशत हिस्सा गर्मी और उमस के कारण है. हीट आइलैंड प्रभाव से स्थिति और खराब इसके अलावा, शहर पर हीट आइलैंड प्रभाव के कारण स्थिति और भी खराब हो रही है, क्योंकि रातें गर्म रहती हैं और दिन की गर्मी जल्दी कम नहीं होती, जिससे जन स्वास्थ्य जोखिम बढ़ जाता है. सीएसई ने कहा, "अगस्त की पीक डिमांड के विश्लेषण से पता चलता है कि शहर में बिजली की कमी अब केवल मई-जून तक ही सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि अब मानसून के महीनों में भी गहराती जा रही है. इस साल ज्यादा बारिश के बावजूद, अगस्त 2025 में औसत पीक डिमांड अगस्त 2024 की तुलना में लगभग 2 फीसदी ज्यादा थी.

Delhi’s Electricity Demand Shoots Up Due to Climate Change

What is the Heatwave Index The heat index is the “feels-like” temperature shown on weather dashboards along with the actual temperature. It factors in both temperature and relative humidity. As conditions become hotter and more humid, the heat index rises, prompting people to switch on their cooling devices. Air conditioners and coolers are being extensively used to escape heat stress, which in turn is pushing up electricity demand. Monitoring this increase is crucial, as it has become a sensitive marker of the heat stress the region is facing. Even during Delhi’s monsoon season, when days are usually more comfortable, the heat index remained high, further driving cooling demand. The humid heat became even more unbearable this August compared to last year, leading to higher electricity consumption. According to a policy brief released by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), “In August 2025, the average peak demand was about 2% higher compared to August 2024. Nearly half of the days in August 2025 (16 out of 31) recorded higher peak demand than the same days in 2024.”