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11 Dead as Twin Disasters Hit J&K

Environmental activist Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment echoed similar concerns: “Cloudbursts may be natural, but their consequences are magnified when we alter natural drainage systems, destabilize slopes, and ignore scientific warnings. Nature’s fury returned to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday with devastating consequences. A cloudburst triggered by relentless overnight rains struck Ramban district, killing four people and leaving one missing, while in neighbouring Reasi, a massive landslide flattened a house in Badar village, wiping out an entire family of seven—including five children. The twin tragedies have once again underlined the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events, particularly cloudbursts and flash floods, which have become alarmingly frequent in recent years. Ramban Cloudburst|Panic at Dawn : According to officials, the cloudburst occurred in Rajgarh tehsil of Ramban in the early hours of Saturday. Torrential rains led to sudden surges of water, triggering flash floods and multiple landslides. Several houses sustained damage as mud and debris swept through narrow valleys. “Four people lost their lives on the spot, while one person is still missing. Rescue teams are on the ground and efforts are underway to trace the missing person,” a senior official of Ramban administration said. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local administration, along with volunteers from nearby villages, immediately swung into action. Despite continuing rain and challenging terrain, the rescue teams managed to pull several survivors from under the debris. Reasi Landslide: Family Of Seven Buried Alive: In neighbouring Reasi district’s Mahore area, the impact of the heavy downpour was no less catastrophic. At Badar village, a house belonging to 38-year-old Nazir Ahmed was reduced to rubble when a landslide thundered down the slope. Ahmed, his wife Wazira Begum, and their five children, all inside at the time, were buried under tons of debris. “By the time neighbours rushed to the spot, the house had completely vanished under mud and rocks. The screams faded within minutes,” recalled a local resident who joined the rescue efforts. Rescuers, including SDRF teams, police personnel, and local volunteers, are still working to retrieve the bodies. Authorities fear no one inside the house has survived. Government Response|CM’s Urgent Directives: Expressing deep sorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the deaths “a heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken the entire Union Territory.” In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the CM said:“The loss of innocent lives, especially children, in these tragedies is unbearable. I have directed the district administration and disaster management authorities to remain on the ground, ensure round-the-clock monitoring, and provide immediate relief and assistance to affected families.” The CM appealed to people to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety advisories, especially in hilly terrain prone to landslides. “Evacuation of residents from risk-prone zones must be prioritised. Every precautionary measure should be taken to safeguard lives in this inclement weather,” Abdullah added. Cloudbursts|A Recurring Nightmare: The twin incidents come against the backdrop of a series of deadly cloudbursts in Jammu and Kashmir this month alone. August 14, 2025: A catastrophic cloudburst in Chesoti village of Kishtwar killed 68 people, while 32 remain missing. The site, on the pilgrimage route to Mata Machail temple, witnessed flash floods that swept away homes, roads, and bridges. August 26, 2025: Another massive cloudburst caused landslides on the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine, claiming 34 lives, most of them pilgrims, and injuring 23 others. Rescue operations are still underway at the site. Environmental experts warn that such incidents are no longer isolated freak events but part of a disturbing trend linked to climate change. Expert Voices: Climate Change & Himalayan Fragility, Dr Abbas Adil, environmental activist said that Himalayan region, including Jammu and Kashmir, is experiencing a clear spike in extreme weather events. Rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events that often trigger cloudbursts and flash floods. These are classic symptoms of climate change.” He added that unplanned development in ecologically fragile zones—such as road widening, deforestation, and unchecked construction—further aggravates the impact of such disasters. Environmental activist Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment echoed similar concerns: “Cloudbursts may be natural, but their consequences are magnified when we alter natural drainage systems, destabilize slopes, and ignore scientific warnings. The tragedy in Ramban and Reasi is a wake-up call for long-term adaptation strategies, not just short-term rescue operations.” For the residents of Badar village in Reasi, Saturday turned into a day of unbearable grief. Nazir Ahmed’s relatives sat in stunned silence near the debris of the flattened house, waiting for the bodies to be recovered. “They were a simple family, earning livelihood from farming. The children were bright and playful. It feels unreal that they are all gone in one moment,” said a sobbing villager. In Ramban’s Rajgarh, survivors recounted how walls of water and mud came roaring down. “It was like the sky cracked open. We ran for our lives, but some of our neighbours didn’t make it,” said Mohammed Shafi, a local shopkeeper. A Region On Edge : The Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only all-weather road linking the Valley to the rest of the country, has already been frequently disrupted this monsoon due to landslides in the Ramban-Udhampur belt. The fresh spell of heavy rains has heightened the risk of further blockages and isolation of remote villages. Meteorological officials have warned of continued heavy rainfall in the region over the next 48 hours, raising the spectre of more cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. Residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to stay alert and cooperate with authorities in evacuation efforts. Lessons From The Past : Experts say J&K must draw lessons from past disasters, such as the 2014 floods in Srinagar, which killed nearly 300 people, and the frequent cloudburst incidents in Ladakh and Kishtwar. Despite repeated tragedies, disaster preparedness and early warning systems remain inadequate. Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmad, a disaster management expert at Kashmir University, stressed the need for scientific planning: “We require community-based disaster preparedness, investment in real-time weather monitoring, and resilient infrastructure. Without these, every heavy rainfall event risks turning into a large-scale tragedy.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a message from New Delhi, assured full support from the Centre for rescue and relief operations. “We stand with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of grief,” he said. The deaths of 11 people, including five children, in Ramban and Reasi are not isolated accidents but part of a grim pattern of escalating climate disasters in Jammu and Kashmir. As scientists warn of more extreme weather in the coming years, the Himalayan region stands at a crossroads: it must strengthen disaster preparedness, respect ecological limits, and adapt to a changing climate—or risk facing tragedies of even greater magnitude. For now, families in Ramban and Reasi are left to mourn their dead, praying that the rains relent and that the mountains they call home stop collapsing around them.

India’s top 5 climate change advocates driving action in 2025

India’s climate debate is no longer confined to reports and negotiations. It is being driven forward by people who have made the crisis impossible to ignore: through fasts in the mountains, petitions in court, street protests, and years of policy research. Their voices are diverse, but each in their own way has forced climate change into public view. And among them, one stands apart for pointing directly to the very root of the problem. 3. Sunita Narain Sunita Narain has been one of India’s most respected environmentalists. As Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), she has pushed research into policy: on Delhi’s choking air, on water security, on sustainable cities. She has sat on the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change and published multiple reports on sustainable development and waste management. Her focus has always been on regulation, accountability, and public health, areas essential for resilience. Still, her lens largely operates at the level of systems and policies, not the cultural addiction to consumption that underpins the real crisis. 1. Acharya Prashant Philosopher and bestselling author Acharya Prashant has built his climate message around a blunt truth: the crisis is not just about carbon, it is about consumption. While others focus on targets, treaties, or technologies, he has refused to let attention drift away from the real driver of the climate crisis: the lack of inner clarity in humans leading to excessive consumption. In 2025 he launched ‘Operation 2030,’ an emergency call urging citizens to grasp the real mechanics of the crisis and recognize their own role in it. His widely read book ‘Climate Within’ carries the same argument in print, dismantling the illusion of quick “green” fixes and proposing a life guided by understanding rather than blind consumption. Recognition has followed, including awards such as ‘Most Impactful Environmentalist (2025)’, PETA’s ‘Most Influential Vegan (2022)’, and ‘Best Animal Welfare Organisation (2025)’. In a noted exchange with environmental economist Eban Goodstein, he made the point again: no model or policy will work unless consumption itself is confronted. Writing frequently on climate change as a regular columnist for NDTV, The Pioneer, and The Sunday Guardian, his voice today stands as a rare global reminder that the climate battle is, at its core, a crisis of human consciousness. 2. Sonam Wangchuk Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer by training, but in Ladakh he is known as much for his activism as for his innovations. Years ago he designed the “ice stupa,” an artificial glacier that stores water through the winter and releases it in the summer, giving farmers a lifeline in the desert mountains. In the last two years, Wangchuk has stepped further into public life. His fasts in 2024 and 2025 turned the spotlight on Ladakh’s melting glaciers and on development projects that are pushing the fragile region closer to collapse. The images of tents and hunger strikes against the backdrop of the Himalayas gave the issue an immediacy. His efforts have spotlighted the urgency of protecting mountain communities. Yet his approach remains rooted in regional ecology and innovation: vital work, but still directed at the visible effects rather than the deeper drivers of climate change. 3. Sunita Narain Sunita Narain has been one of India’s most respected environmentalists. As Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), she has pushed research into policy: on Delhi’s choking air, on water security, on sustainable cities. She has sat on the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change and published multiple reports on sustainable development and waste management. Her focus has always been on regulation, accountability, and public health, areas essential for resilience. Still, her lens largely operates at the level of systems and policies, not the cultural addiction to consumption that underpins the real crisis. 4. Licypriya Kangujam At just 13 years old, Licypriya is one of the youngest climate advocates in India. She began protesting at seven and went on to found ‘The Child Movement,’ which seeks to empower children to take action against climate change. Her protests outside Parliament and her online campaigns have energized young people across the country. But her activism, like many youth-led movements, is aimed at pressuring governments to “do more”, an important demand, though one that stops short of questioning the lifestyle patterns that fuel the crisis itself. 5. Ridhima Pandey Ridhima Pandey was only nine when she took the Indian government to court for failing to act on climate change. She later joined 15 other children in filing a petition with the United Nations, accusing world leaders of neglecting their duty to protect the planet. Now 16, her voice continues to symbolize a generation unwilling to stay silent. Yet, like much of child-led climate litigation, her activism channels frustration at institutions rather than probing the deeper behavioral roots of why those institutions fail.

Kerala: Converting weeds to wealth

The late environmentalist Anil Agarwal, who co-founded the Centre for Science and Environment, had argued for afforestation-linked poverty-alleviation programmes decades ago. As illegal immigration only of the human variety? The question popped up as I read of a threat to Assam’s riverine grassland in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The state now faces an influx of plant species that are hurting local ecologies, like unwanted human intruders being blamed for the ills of local economies. As if the Brahmaputra floods and increasing human encroachment were not enough, the sensitive habitat that is home to feral horses is under threat from invasive species, according to a recent article in the Earth journal. The threats include the weed Parthenium hysterophorous and Mikania micrantha, a fast-creeping vine. On a single day this month, Assam’s forest officials cleared more than 5 acres of harmful weeds, including ‘Congress grass’ (an intriguing moniker for Parthenium hysterophorous) in Morigaon district. The names sound creepy enough. But my purpose here is to show it is time for botanists, environmentalists and agriculturists—not to speak of policymakers, economists and administrators—to think anew on how to turn environmental threats into social or economic opportunities. Down south in Kerala, h for hyacinth also spells harmful. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is common across India and is a green pest of sorts. But it’s ubiquitous in the waters of god’s own country. To the lay observer, the plant’s green carpets across ponds and canals may look beautiful; but in an environmental sense, they are not. In the Kuttanad lowland near Alappuzha, they are called the silent invaders of backwaters, thriving on man-made pollution. These infiltrators obstruct fishermen, choke irrigation channels and pose health challenges as mosquitoes breed easily in their company. The species, estimated to cover more than three-fourths of the area’s water surfaces, may well inspire Malayalam filmmakers as a controversial metaphor for illegal immigrants. But, like immigrants across the world, it depends on how you look at it. It turns out that some migrant species, like the entrepreneurial people who move to America, can create value and help the local economy. If you consider that scientists are discovering new plant species that deserve the attention of policymakers as well as farmers, we may be looking at new-age economics. That would be a reverse swing in reshaping the economy. Scientists from Pune’s Symbiosis University won a climate action challenge set up by the Elsevier Foundation in the Netherlands this year for their idea to convert water hyacinths into menstrual hygiene products. The $25,000 award is not a small amount for young scientists. A green startup founded by a couple of young men from Assam turned water hyacinths into eco-friendly handmade paper. The government has also reported other such green product initiatives using water hyacinth under the Swachh Bharat mission. In a deeper leap, a study at Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science into the nuances of agricultural growth has dug up a natural switch that could break down DELLA, a protein that inhibits plant growth. Such a scientific move led to high-yielding varieties of crops like wheat during the Green Revolution. In a world where botany meets artificial intelligence, we should be looking at more farmer-environmentalist-scientist collaborations. Some years ago, a study in Assam revealed that among 18 invasive plants stifling the Kaziranga National Park was a vitamin-D-rich weed that wild boars loved to eat. It makes me wonder if this is another case of positive outcomes from seemingly negative weeds. There is a case to revamp India’s anti-poverty programmes and panchayat raj practices to include labour-intensive cleaning up of habitats, including wastelands, wetlands, and grasslands, to remove weeds and boost afforestation. The late environmentalist Anil Agarwal, who co-founded the Centre for Science and Environment, had argued for afforestation-linked poverty-alleviation programmes decades ago. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has faced considerable criticism on its feeble efforts to create assets such as check dams, ponds, irrigation canals and tree cover. There is a clear opportunity to strengthen the programme by including environmental clean-ups and cultivation of village commons. This, of course, would need a revamp of the lacklustre panchayati raj system. If a government can build highways, why can’t it build assets that strengthen the environment, which I call the ‘original infrastructure’? What is missing here is the demand-supply loop that builds any economic activity on a large scale. Most environmental habitats fall in the common or public sphere, which means they are nobody’s property except of encroachers and well-intentioned government officials. What we need are clearer definitions and activities that bring private sector efficiency to places like grasslands and canals. Strangely enough, environmentalists tend to use the word ‘community’ in such initiatives, not realising that it is only commercialised economics that puts energy and scale into such activity. There is not much that volunteers or pilot projects can do. Compared to manufacturing and other modern industries, there is a much weaker linkage between research, economics, and public policy in environment-related initiatives, though science and technology are showing us new frontiers. This is where we could do with clearer policy initiatives that bring farmers and environmentalists on the same page.

Why transparency matters in what’s on your plate?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently issued an important directive that food brands can no longer use absolute terms like “100% pure” or “100% natural” on their packaging. At first glance, this may seem like a minor regulatory tweak. But its implications go far deeper. It signals a necessary shift in how we define honesty in the food we eat and how trust must be earned—through transparency, not just clever branding. Food labels are the first point of connection between what we eat and the people who produce it. Yet over the years, that connection has become increasingly distorted. Marketing terms like ‘real,’ ‘wholesome,’ ‘natural,’ or ‘pure,’ are everywhere. Many of these have no regulatory definition or scientific backing, but they influence purchase decisions and consumer perceptions all the same. In 2016, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reviewed common food products on Indian shelves and found that over 85% made unverifiable health or purity claims often using language that was misleading or vague. This is not just a labelling issue. It is a public health concern. As processed and packaged foods become a bigger part of our daily diet, especially in urban India, we are seeing a parallel rise in lifestyle-related diseases. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, reported in 2023 that 11.4% of Indian adults are living with diabetes, with much higher rates in urban centres. Much of this is linked to the rise of ultra-processed foods—high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium. But these same products often come with health halos, thanks to strategic packaging that emphasises select nutrients (“with added iron!”) while downplaying the rest. It is not uncommon to see breakfast cereals marketed as “healthy” while containing more sugar than dessert. Or packaged juices called “natural” despite added flavours, acids, or concentrates. This is where transparency matters. Labels must move beyond marketing language and offer real information—clearly, truthfully, and without hiding behind jargon. For example, rather than saying “100% natural,” a product should specify: “No artificial preservatives or colours used.” Consumers today are more curious and more aware than ever before. But awareness needs tools. Most people cannot decode technical terms like “INS 471” or “stabiliser (E466),” even though they appear routinely on packaging. The font is small. The ingredients are listed using scientific codes. And often, essential information—such as country of origin, shelf life after opening, or allergen warnings—is either missing or buried in fine print. We need to address this gap. One part of the solution lies in policy. The FSSAI’s recent directive is a welcome and important step in the right direction. It shows a clear intent to make food labelling more honest and meaningful, and that effort deserves real appreciation. As we build on this progress, there’s also a chance to explore tools that can make things even simpler for everyday consumers. In countries like the UK and Chile, traffic-light nutrition labels—where colours indicate high or low levels of sugar, salt, and fat—have made a real difference. If adapted thoughtfully to suit Indian foods and habits, something similar could help people here make better choices quickly, without needing to decode technical terms or fine print. Another part of the solution lies in public education. Food label literacy is not yet part of school curriculum or community health programs. It should be. Informed consumers are the strongest checks against misinformation. When people know how to read labels, compare claims, and question ingredients, they begin to make better food choices—not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. Over time, this creates pressure on the entire food ecosystem to do better. A positive example is CBSE’s recent initiative asking schools to set up “sugar boards” to educate children on the dangers of excess sugar consumption—an important step that other school boards should urgently emulate. There is also the issue of design and visual cues. Many brands use earthy colours, images of farms, or illustrations of fresh produce to imply naturalness—even when the product has no such connection. This practice, widely known as greenwashing, is not unique to India. A 2021 global report by the Changing Markets Foundation found that 60% of environmental and health-related claims on consumer products were either exaggerated or unverifiable. Regulating these visuals is as important as regulating the words. Certifications can play a powerful role here, but only if used responsibly. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority), Jaivik Bharat and other such frameworks provide strong standards for verification. However, some brands continue to use terms like “organic” or “chemical-free” without certification or third-party audits. This not only confuses consumers but undermines the credibility of those who follow the rules. Transparency, therefore, cannot be the burden of regulators alone. It must be built into the DNA of how we grow, process, and present food. Farmers, manufacturers, designers, marketers, and retailers all have a role to play. Most importantly, consumers must insist on it—by asking better questions, reading more closely, and rewarding honesty over hype. A label is not just ink on a packet. It is a reflection of values. It tells us whether the company behind the product respects the consumer, the environment, and the truth. When that respect is missing, trust begins to erode—and once lost, trust in food is very hard to rebuild. It is time we stop romanticising our food with empty words and start demanding facts. Because what we choose to eat is not just about taste or convenience. It is about health, dignity, and integrity. And that begins with knowing what’s on our plate. (The author is co-founder & CEO at Akshayakalpa Organic)

पंजाब की ‘कैंसर ट्रेन’ का सच

पर्यावरण कार्यकर्ता सुश्री सुनीता नारायण सहित कई लोगों ने इसे पंजाब की खेती और कीटनाशकों से जोड़कर पेश किया। लेकिन आरटीआई (सूचना का अधिकार) से प्राप्त आंकड़े इस दावे की पुष्टि नहीं करते। 29 अगस्त 2025, नई दिल्ली: पंजाब की ‘कैंसर ट्रेन’ का सच – लंबे समय से पंजाब को लेकर एक भयावह कहानी दोहराई जाती रही है- कि यह राज्य आधुनिक खेती के कारण कैंसर की महामारी से जूझ रहा है। इस कहानी का प्रतीक बनी है बठिंडा से बीकानेर जाने वाली रात की ट्रेन, जिसे आम बोलचाल में ‘कैंसर ट्रेन’ कहा जाने लगा। कहा जाता है कि इस ट्रेन में सवार ज्यादातर यात्री कैंसर के मरीज होते हैं जो इलाज के लिए राजस्थान जा रहे हैं। यह कहानी सुनने में मार्मिक लगती है, लेकिन जब तथ्यों की पड़ताल की जाती है तो तस्वीर बिल्कुल अलग निकलती है। ‘कैंसर ट्रेन’ की हकीकत हर रात 9:30 बजे बठिंडा से बीकानेर के लिए एक ट्रेन चलती है। पर्यावरण कार्यकर्ता सुश्री सुनीता नारायण सहित कई लोगों ने इसे पंजाब की खेती और कीटनाशकों से जोड़कर पेश किया। लेकिन आरटीआई (सूचना का अधिकार) से प्राप्त आंकड़े इस दावे की पुष्टि नहीं करते। बीकानेर स्थित आचार्य तुलसी क्षेत्रीय कैंसर उपचार एवं अनुसंधान संस्थान के आँकड़े बताते हैं कि पिछले 11 वर्षों (2014–2024) में इलाज के लिए आने वाले कुल मरीजों में से पंजाब से आने वाले मरीजों की औसत संख्या मात्र 6% रही है। साल 2024 में तो यह आँकड़ा घटकर केवल 2% रह गया। सीसीएफआई (Crop Care Federation of India) के वरिष्ठ सलाहकार श्री हरीश मेहता कहते हैं, “यह आँकड़े साफ-साफ दिखाते हैं कि पंजाब से कैंसर मरीजों की भारी संख्या बीकानेर नहीं जा रही। यह महज़ एक मिथक है, जिसे चुनिंदा उदाहरणों से बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर पेश किया गया है।”

NDMC finalises proposal for installing mist spraying systems on avenue roads to control dust pollution

The New Delhi Municipal Council proposes to install mist spraying systems on 24 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. The proposal will be presented at the upcoming meeting of NDMC. Among the roads proposed to be misted are Shahjahan Road, Prithvi Raj Road, Mansingh Road, Peshwa Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Mother Teresa Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Rama Krishna Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road. Inspired by the successful implementation of misting systems on streetlights on Lodhi Road, the new project will be executed in two phases and is part of broader measures planned to control dust pollution in the winter when air pollution usually spikes. "Delhi Development Authority first installed mist fogging systems on a road in Dwarka, which was inaugurated by lieutenant governor VK Saxena. After visiting the site, NDMC officials replicated the system on Lodhi Road and the performance of the system was found excellent for reducing air pollution," NDMC claimed, while tabling the proposal for administrative approval and sanction of costs. "At a senior officer's meeting, the competent authority was directed to take up such a project on other roads." Thereafter, a survey was carried out on all avenue roads under NDMC and 14 roads were identified in Phase II. These roads with a cumulative length of 12.7km were those where pollutants and dust were found to be on the higher side. Earlier, 10 roads of a total length of 11.8km had been similarly treated in Phase I. "The project will involve supplying, testing and commissioning of an automatic misting system," NDMC said. "The mist system significantly improves air quality by reducing particulate matter, helps in dust suppression suspended in the environment, reduces airborne pollutants, increases ambient humidity to make the atmosphere more comfortable, and reduces discomfort by excessive dryness." The project will also include maintenance and operation of these roads for a period of one year. In March, NDMC launched the pilot for installing mist sprayers on electricity poles. Fifteen sprayers were put up along a 500-metre section of Lodhi Road. These mostly operated from 8am to 11am and from 5.30pm to 7.30pm each day. Experts, however, aren't so sure about the efficacy of such spraying. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment, said mist sprayers only had a temporary effect on dust pollution. "The dust particles get suspended in the air again once the wetted soil dries," she pointed out. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said sprays could be useful in dust-heavy zones but provided short-term relief. She also said their effectiveness was "limited, especially when it comes to PM2.5, the tiny particles that pose the greatest health risks". Kandhari told TOI, "Several studies indicate that water-based dust suppression has a marginal impact on fine particulate matter, which is Delhi's primary health hazard." She added that without comprehensive data from the Lodhi Road pilot, such as reductions in AQI or particulate matter levels, the scalability of this measure was questionable.

Yamuna Pollution: प्रदूषण की चपेट में जीवनदायिनी यमुना, दिल्ली जल बोर्ड के 37 में से 14 ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट ठप

थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, दिल्ली में यमुना का 22 किलोमीटर लंबा हिस्सा है, जो नदी बेसिन की कुल लंबाई का बमुश्किल 2 प्रतिशत है। वह पूरी नदी में प्रदूषण के 80 प्रतिशत से अधिक हिस्से का योगदान देता है। यमुना नदी के किनारे स्थित दिल्ली जल बोर्ड (डीजेबी) के 37 सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट (एसटीपी) में से 14 संयंत्रों के काम नहीं करने से जीवन दायिनी यमुना प्रदूषण की चपेट में आ गई हैं। यह खुलासा दिल्ली प्रदूषण नियंत्रण समिति (डीपीसीसी) ने राष्ट्रीय हरित अधिकरण (एनजीटी) को सौंपी अपनी हालिया रिपोर्ट में किया है। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, एसटीपी निर्धारित मानकों को पूरा नहीं करते पाए गए।, जिसमें फीकल कोलीफॉर्म के मानक भी शामिल हैं। एनजीटी अध्यक्ष न्यायमूर्ति प्रकाश श्रीवास्तव की पीठ ने डीपीसीसी को उन 14 एसटीपी के खिलाफ सुधारात्मक और दंडात्मक कार्रवाई करने के लिए कहा है। साथ ही, इसकी कार्रवाई रिपोर्ट आठ सप्ताह के अंदर देने का आदेश दिया है। पीठ में विशेष सदस्य डॉ. ए. सेंथिल वेल, ईश्वर सिंह और डॉ. प्रशांत गर्गवा शामिल रहें। मामले में अगली सुनवाई 11 नवंबर को होगी। कामकाज की समीक्षा की एक रिपोर्ट से पता चला है कि यूवी और क्लोरीनीकरण विधियों का उपयोग किया जा रहा है, लेकिन कई प्लांट निर्धारित मानकों पर खरे नहीं उतर रहे हैं। आईआईटी दिल्ली को सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट में यूवी तकनीक की प्रभावशीलता की जांच करने का निर्देश दिया गया है। 80 प्रतिशत हिस्सा सीवर लाइनों से जुड़ा शहर का लगभग 80 प्रतिशत हिस्सा सीवर लाइनों से जुड़ा हुआ है। स्वास्थ्य विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि यमुना के गंदे पानी में हाथ डालना भी बीमारियों को न्योता देने जैसा है। दिल्ली के साथ साथ इसका सबसे बड़ा नुकसान उन लोगों को भुगतना पड़ रहा है जिनकी जिंदगी यमुना पर ही आश्रित है। थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, दिल्ली में यमुना का 22 किलोमीटर लंबा हिस्सा है, जो नदी बेसिन की कुल लंबाई का बमुश्किल 2 प्रतिशत है। वह पूरी नदी में प्रदूषण के 80 प्रतिशत से अधिक हिस्से का योगदान देता है। आईआईटी दिल्ली को जांच अदालत ने कहा कि सीपीसीबी और डीपीसीसी ने केवल एसटीपी की तरफ से पूरा किए जाने वाले मानकों को निर्धारित किया है, लेकिन उस तकनीक को नहीं, जिसे अपनाया जाना है। ऐसे में यह पता लगाने की आवश्यकता है कि क्या डीजेबी की तरफ से एसटीपी में अपनाई गई यूवी-तकनीक प्रभावी है। केंद्रीय सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य और पर्यावरण इंजीनियरिंग संगठन के सीवेज उपचार तकनीकों के मैनुअल में यूवी, ओजोनेशन आदि जैसे विकल्पों का खुलासा किया गया है, लेकिन उनकी प्रभावशीलता की जांच की जानी है। यह किसी विशेषज्ञ निकाय व संस्थान से पता लगाया जा सकता है। ऐसे में अदालत ने आईआईटी दिल्ली से अनुरोध किया कि वह इस मुद्दे की जांच करे और एसटीपी में कीटाणुशोधन के लिए यूवी के उपयोग की व्यवहार्यता और प्रभावशीलता के पहलू पर एक रिपोर्ट प्रस्तुत करे और साथ ही मानकों को प्राप्त करने के लिए सीवेज (तरल मैट्रिक्स) में फीकल कोलीफॉर्म की प्रतिशत संख्या को नष्ट करने के लिए आवश्यक यूवी तरंगदैर्ध्य, तीव्रता, एक्सपोजर समय और दूरी का भी खुलासा करे। 2015 से 2023 की पहली छमाही तक केंद्र ने 1200 करोड़ रुपये दिए डीपीसीसी के एक आंकड़े के अनुसार, वर्ष 2017-18 से 2020-21 के बीच पांच वर्षों में यमुना की सफाई में जुटे विभिन्न विभागों को 6856.9 करोड़ रुपये की धनराशि स्वीकृत की गई थी। यह धनराशि यमुना में गिरने वाले गंदे पानी के शोधन के लिए दिया गया था। 2015 से 2023 की पहली छमाही तक केंद्र सरकार ने यमुना की सफाई के लिए दिल्ली जल बोर्ड को लगभग 1200 करोड़ रुपये दिए थे। इसमें नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा के अंतर्गत 1000 करोड़ रुपये और यमुना एक्शन प्लान-3 के अंतर्गत 200 करोड़ रुपये दिए गए थे।

New Delhi Municipal Council plans misting drive to control dust pollution on 24 roads

The New Delhi Municipal Council proposes to install mist spraying systems on 24 roads at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore. The proposal will be presented at the upcoming meeting of NDMC. Among the roads proposed to be misted are Shahjahan Road, Prithvi Raj Road, Mansingh Road, Peshwa Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Mother Teresa Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Rama Krishna Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road. Advt Inspired by the successful implementation of misting systems on streetlights on Lodhi Road, the new project will be executed in two phases and is part of broader measures planned to control dust pollution in the winter when air pollution usually spikes. "Delhi Development Authority first installed mist fogging systems on a road in Dwarka, which was inaugurated by lieutenant governor VK Saxena. After visiting the site, NDMC officials replicated the system on Lodhi Road and the performance of the system was found excellent for reducing air pollution," NDMC claimed, while tabling the proposal for administrative approval and sanction of costs. "At a senior officer's meeting, the competent authority was directed to take up such a project on other roads." Thereafter, a survey was carried out on all avenue roads under NDMC and 14 roads were identified in Phase II. These roads with a cumulative length of 12.7km were those where pollutants and dust were found to be on the higher side. Earlier, 10 roads of a total length of 11.8km had been similarly treated in Phase I. "The project will involve supplying, testing and commissioning of an automatic misting system," NDMC said. "The mist system significantly improves air quality by reducing particulate matter, helps in dust suppression suspended in the environment, reduces airborne pollutants, increases ambient humidity to make the atmosphere more comfortable, and reduces discomfort by excessive dryness." The project will also include maintenance and operation of these roads for a period of one year. In March, NDMC launched the pilot for installing mist sprayers on electricity poles. Fifteen sprayers were put up along a 500-metre section of Lodhi Road. These mostly operated from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM each day. Experts, however, aren't so sure about the efficacy of such spraying. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment, said mist sprayers only had a temporary effect on dust pollution. "The dust particles get suspended in the air again once the wetted soil dries," she pointed out. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said sprays could be useful in dust-heavy zones but provided short-term relief. She also said their effectiveness was "limited, especially when it comes to PM2.5, the tiny particles that pose the greatest health risks". Kandhari told TOI, "Several studies indicate that water-based dust suppression has a marginal impact on fine particulate matter, which is Delhi's primary health hazard." She added that without comprehensive data from the Lodhi Road pilot, such as reductions in AQI or particulate matter levels, the scalability of this measure was questionable.

Monsoon Flush Resuscitates Yamuna, But Can Delhi Keep It Clean All Year?

New Delhi: The monsoon imparts a degree of health to the Yamuna. This year's excess rainfall in July and Aug have flushed the river of pollutants and improved the flow. Delhi Pollution Control Committee's monthly analysis shows water quality this season is far better than in earlier months, even better than Aug last year. But the vexing question is how the capital can keep its river clean year-round. The rain-caused relief is temporary. Despite the increased flow, contaminants in the river water are above permissible limits, with fecal coliform at an unimaginable count. The city's major drains, among them the Najafgarh and Shahdara channels, continue to disgorge untreated or partially treated sewage, undoing much of the monsoon's cleansing effect. The question is not whether the Yamuna can recover. It clearly can as July-Aug have shown. The real concern is how Delhi can sustain this improved river health throughout the seasons. Experts reiterated that the solution was in ensuring copious flow in the river alongside upgrading and maintaining of sewage treatment infrastructure. As Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, pointed out, despite pumping crores of rupees into sewage treatment and common effluent treatment plants, their performance was questionable. "During the rains, the Yamuna regains its hydrological functions, gets back its free-flowing status and rejuvenates the floodplain biota. But within a month or two afterwards, the pollution surges back and turns the river into a stinking drain," sighed Rawat. "In order to maintain and further improve the river health restored by floods, the govts of the Yamuna basin states, mainly Haryana and Delhi, must work out a multipronged approach to increase environmental flows and reduce effluents discharge into the river stretches under their jurisdiction." Earlier this month, a special committee established by Delhi High Court identified numerous irregularities in the functioning of STPs after inspecting the 37 facilities. It flagged substandard treatment processes, insufficient monitoring, mixing of industrial and domestic sewage and bypassing of sewage without treatment. The report also claimed treated sewage from some plants was being dumped into untreated channels, like Shahdara drain. Such an impact was evident in Aug, where despite improvement in water quality, substantial damage is indicated downstream of Wazirabad after the Najafgarh drain empties into the Yamuna. Fecal coliform, signifier of untreated sewage, was 640 MPN/100ml at Wazirabad, much lower than the acceptable standard of 2,500. But at ISBT bridge, the measurement rose 34 times to 22,000 units. That too was an improvement because in July, the figure of 3,900 at Wazirabad had spiked to a whopping 28,00,000 units at ISBT. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, only around 300km of the Yamuna's 1,376km course is pristine, predominantly in Uttarakhand. Around 80% of the sources that pollute the rest of its course originate in Delhi, where the largest polluter is the Najafgarh drain. With several other drains, the large ones being Shahdara, Tughlaqabad and Sahibabad, also emptying into the river, the Yamuna is steeped in sewage by the time it enters UP. A 2014 study by Delhi University professor Shashank Gupta, Jamia Millia Islamia's Vikram Soni and Natural Heritage First's Diwan Singh determined that 50-60% of the virgin flow is necessary throughout the year to maintain the Yamuna's river system. In Delhi, the river needed a minimum freshwater flow of 6.6 million cubic metres/day to prevent algal choking. The Yamuna's current natural flow is less than 0.86 MCM/day at Palla, while downstream of Wazirabad, the freshwater flow is nil, with the river receiving drain contents. The sewage, both treated and untreated, was assessed at 3.27MCM/day in 2014. The actual river flow remains unassessed.

5 States To Account For 70% of India’s E-Truck Charging Demand by 2030: ICCT

India will need a 9 GW charging network to support 1.3 lakh electric trucks by 2030, with demand concentrated in just five states—Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh—according to a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report, Charging Infrastructure Needed to Support India’s Full Transition to Battery Electric Trucks by 2050, was launched at the India Clean Transportation Summit (ICTS) 2025 in New Delhi by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, along with ICCT leadership and representatives from Norway’s Embassy and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Demand clustered along freight corridors ICCT estimates that the 9 GW requirement by 2030—equivalent to five times Delhi’s current generation capacity—will be driven largely by freight movement along the Golden Quadrilateral, Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Together, the five states will account for more than 70% of national demand, making them priority hubs for early planning and investment. India has committed to 100% zero-emission truck sales by 2050 under its net-zero pledge. The report notes that while technology readiness is improving, infrastructure bottlenecks remain.Fuel efficiency regulations, the PM e-DRIVE scheme, and incentives for high-power chargers are expected to support adoption, but state-level interventions on land, tariffs and grid capacity will be critical.

RSS 3-day lecture series begins today: Mohan Bhagwat to reflect on Sangh’s 100-year journey, spell out road ahead

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Dr Naresh Trehan and environmentalist Sunita Narain are some other eminent personalities who are expected to attend the event. Around 1,300 people from all walks of life, including politicians, judges, diplomats and social workers, are likely to attend the RSS’s three-day lecture series beginning Tuesday in Delhi, where Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will articulate his views on the organisation’s 100-year journey and the road ahead. Sources said the event was an attempt by the RSS to reach out to “eminent personalities” of the country and familiarise them with the Sangh. In the run-up to the event, the RSS had categorised invitees into 17 categories and 138 sub-categories, ranging from social and religious to economy and security. Advertisement “We are inviting people from all sections of the society, communities and ideologies apart from various sectors of the economy and from all political parties. Many have agreed to come and we hope that through this interaction, a lot of clarity on the Sangh, its ideas and work will reach society,” RSS publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar said. A similar conference was organised in 2018 where Bhagwat had spelt out the RSS’s thoughts. Ministers, ex-judges and former army chiefs on guest list According to RSS insiders, Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia and MoS (Petroleum and Natural Gas) Suresh Gopi are also likely to attend the event. Among the other invitees are retired judges, including former Chief Justices of India Ranjan Gogoi and J S Khehar and several former ambassadors such as Kanwal Sibal and Navtej Sarna apart from former bureaucrats. Former army chiefs M M Narawane, Deepak Kapoor and J J Singh also feature on the Sangh’s guest list. From the field of Arts, notable names like Dhrupad artists Dagar Brothers, actor Manoj Joshi and sculptor Ram Sutar may attend the event while eminent sportspersons like Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and cricketer Kapil Dev have also been invited. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Dr Naresh Trehan and environmentalist Sunita Narain are some other eminent personalities who are expected to attend the event. Social workers and diplomats of USA, China also invited The Sangh has also invited ambassadors of various countries, including the neighbourhood. According to Ambekar, diplomats from the USA, China, Kuwait, Kazhakhstan, Nepal, Bhutan, Argentina and Australia among others are expected to attend the event. “Social workers from all communities have been invited. A separate programme will be held for religious leaders. The first two days of the event will see lectures by the Sarsanghchalak (Bhagwat) while he will give answers to written questions submitted by the invitees on the third day,” Ambekar said. Commemorating 100 Years While the 2018 conference was organised in Delhi alone, this time similar conferences will be organised in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai till February. The initiative is part of Sangh’s larger outreach program to commemorate its centenary year. Addressing a press conference earlier, Ambekar had said more than 1,000 seminars and discussions, involving senior RSS functionaries, would be held across the country over the course of a year to commemorate 100 years of the RSS. There will also be discussions on RSS’s views on the “five transformations” (panch parivartan) and the expected participation of society in these efforts. “The focus would be on how India, progressing rapidly on the path of development, can fulfill its rising hopes and aspirations, with contributions from RSS volunteers. It will be emphasised that if India is to move toward new horizons, it must do so based on its own values and inner strength. There will be a critical look at colonial standards of development that originated during the period of subjugation, and discussions on how to bring forth the vast untapped potential of Indian society,” Ambekar said. Topics of national and societal importance in the present context, as well as India’s global role, would also be addressed.

RSS To Host Three Day Event Marking 100 Years

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, noted doctor Naresh Trehan and environmentalist Sunita Narain will be present too. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has launched a three day lecture series at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi to mark its centenary year. The theme of the programme is “100 Years of Sangh Journey - New Horizons.” The event will highlight the organisation’s century long path, its role in nation building and the future that it envisions. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is leading the discussions. On the opening day, he will present his views on the journey of the Sangh and on themes such as social service, education, environment and technology. Later sessions will also touch on participation of women in leadership and the scope of innovation in shaping India’s growth. The gathering has drawn around 1,300 guests from politics, judiciary, diplomacy, armed forces and civil society. The outreach is seen as an effort to familiarise eminent figures with the work and ideas of the Sangh. The invitees were divided into 17 categories and 138 sub categories that represent a wide spectrum of national life. Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Suresh Gopi are among the political leaders expected. Former Chief Justices of India Ranjan Gogoi and J S Khehar are also on the guest list. Several ex ambassadors such as Kanwal Sibal and Navtej Sarna and former army chiefs M M Narawane, Deepak Kapoor and J J Singh will attend as well. From the field of arts actor Manoj Joshi, sculptor Ram Sutar and the Dagar Brothers have been invited. Sports icons like Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and cricketer Kapil Dev are also expected. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, noted doctor Naresh Trehan and environmentalist Sunita Narain will be present too. The guest list also extends to diplomats from the United States, China, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Bhutan, Argentina and Australia. Social workers from diverse communities and religious leaders will participate in special sessions. Bhagwat will speak for two days and on the third day he will answer written questions submitted by the audience. The centenary outreach is not confined to Delhi. Similar conferences will be organised in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai in the coming months. The wider plan involves more than 1,000 seminars and discussions across the country with the goal of opening dialogue on five major areas of transformation. These will include debates on development models, cultural values and India’s role as a global power. In a press briefing, RSS publicity in charge Sunil Ambekar said that the idea is to encourage clarity about the Sangh’s work and to bring forward untapped social potential. He said that India must move toward new horizons based on its own values rather than colonial models of growth.

SWaCH cooperative faces threat as PMC plans Indore model

The future of SWaCH, India’s largest waste picker-run cooperative, hangs in the balance as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) considers adopting the Indore model of waste collection, a shift that could drastically alter the city’s current waste management system. On Sunday, nearly 1,500 waste pickers marked SWaCH’s 18th anniversary by raising concerns about the proposed changes. Recognised by the Ministry of Cooperation as a national model — alongside Gujarat’s SEWA, SWaCH currently serves over 900,000 households in Pune. Its decentralised, doorstep waste collection model allows waste pickers to earn directly from user fees and recyclable materials, while delivering high rates of segregation and recycling at minimal cost to the city. PMC’s plan to move toward a vehicle-based, gate-to-gate collection system threatens to dismantle this framework. According to SWaCH, the shift could displace up to two-thirds of Pune’s 3,900 waste pickers, approximately 2,600 workers, and undercut the cooperative’s user-fee system. “If citizens in one area stop paying because the service is covered by taxes, why would others continue paying us?” asked Vidya Naiknavre, a SWaCH worker. Experts echoed these concerns. “It’s shocking that Pune is looking to copy Indore, when it’s the Pune model that the rest of India should be emulating,” said Atin Biswas, programme director for Solid Waste Management at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). SWaCH representatives said they had planned to meet municipal commissioner Ram Naval Kishor and union minister of State Murlidhar Mohal, but both officials cancelled at the last minute. The gathering was so large that a second meeting had to be held outside.

India celebrates clean energy milestone, but coal still king

Non-fossil fuels now account for half of India’s installed energy capacity — years ahead of schedule — but the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter remains deeply reliant on coal for electricity generation. “A landmark in India’s energy transition journey,” Indian Minister of Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi sid after the world’s most populous nation released figures last month. “Five years early,” he added, referring to India’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement, and marking a step to the country’s stated goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2070. However, while the 50 percent milestone is significant, climate expert Avantika Goswami said the figures — which refer only to potential energy production — tell just part of the story. “Overall, actual generation from renewable sources is still quite low,” Goswami said from the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. The reason is stark: Nearly three-quarters of electricity continues to come from heavily polluting coal-burning power plants. The challenge becomes even more apparent when examining India’s continued dependence on coal. Far from decreasing its usage, the globe’s second-largest consumer of coal pushed up production of the dirty fossil fuel by five percent last year, mining 1 billion tonnes, according to the coal ministry. “Coal remains crucial,” the Indian Ministry of Coal said. The stance highlights the practical challenges of India’s energy transition. Coal is needed to fulfil power demands while storage capacity lags behind the surge in renewable sources of power. “The coal sector remains a crucial contributor to India’s energy mix, powering over 74 percent of the country’s electricity and sustaining key industries like steel and cement,” the coal ministry said, celebrating what it dubbed “India’s coal boom.” This reliance places India in a challenging position globally. The country ranks behind only China and the US for carbon emissions overall. However, analysts point out that in a country of 1.4 billion people, per capita emissions are only one-third of the global average, according to official figures. “Looking at India’s per capita emissions, the effort it is making, India is doing pretty well,” said activist Harjeet Singh, head of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. India has set itself the daunting challenge of reducing emissions by 45 percent by 2030. At the same time, electricity needs are expected to more than double by 2047, according to the country’s Center for Science and Environment. Supplying some of that demand “is likely to be met by the addition of renewables”, Goswami said. Half of India’s 484.8GW installed capacity is from non-fossil fuel sources. The majority comes from solar, totaling 119GW — the third-largest level globally. India is building one of the world’s largest solar and wind energy farms, spread over a desert the size of Singapore. It is followed by hydro and wind, and also nuclear power — which makes up less than 2 percent of the total mix. However, solar and wind create steady power only when the conditions are right, and India’s storage capacity is a meagre 505MWh — far lower than it can generate. The storage bottleneck was not lost on the renewable energy minister. Speaking at the inauguration of a battery storage systems plant in June, Joshi said India’s renewable energy potential was “growing fast” and “adding 25-30 GW every year.” “But without storage, we will either waste that energy or fall back on coal when renewables dip,” he added. Building storage based on batteries requires rare earth metals, with rival and neighbor China controlling 70 percent of the world’s supplies. “We still remain dependent on China,” said Harjeet Singh, the climate activist. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) was in New Delhi for talks on Tuesday, with the supply of rare earth metals on the agenda. One solution India is considering is pump-hydro energy storage projects. When wind and solar plants produce excess energy, water is pumped into high reservoirs. That stored energy can then be released to generate power when demand surges. However, Goswami believes the transition to cleaner power requires a multi-pronged approach. The transition to cleaner power must come from “emission intensity reduction” of often inefficient coal plants, combined with better integrated renewable energy in the grid that “will actually make the shift happen,” he said.

India celebrates clean energy milestone but coal still king

But while the 50 per cent milestone is significant, climate expert Avantika Goswami says the figures — which refer only to potential energy production — tell just part of the story. ‘Overall, actual generation from renewable sources is still quite low,’ Goswami told AFP from the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Non-fossil fuels now account for half of India’s installed energy capacity — years ahead of schedule — but the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter remains deeply reliant on coal for electricity generation. ‘A landmark in India’s energy transition journey,’ renewable energy minister Pralhad Joshi proclaimed after the world’s most populous nation released figures in July. ‘Five years early,’ he added, referring to India’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement, and marking a step to the country’s stated goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. But while the 50 per cent milestone is significant, climate expert Avantika Goswami says the figures — which refer only to potential energy production — tell just part of the story. ‘Overall, actual generation from renewable sources is still quite low,’ Goswami told AFP from the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The reason is stark: nearly three-quarters of electricity continues to come from heavily polluting coal-burning power plants. The challenge becomes even more apparent when examining India’s continued dependence on coal. Far from decreasing its usage, the globe’s second-largest consumer of coal pushed up production of the dirty fossil fuel by five per cent last year, mining one billion tonnes, according to the coal ministry. ‘Coal remains crucial,’ the ministry said. The stance highlights the practical challenges of India’s energy transition. Coal is needed to fulfil power demands while storage capacity lags behind the surge in renewable sources of power. ‘The coal sector remains a crucial contributor to India’s energy mix, powering over 74 per cent of the country’s electricity and sustaining key industries like steel and cement,’ the coal ministry said, celebrating what it dubbed ‘India’s coal boom’. This reliance places India in a challenging position globally. The country ranks behind only China and the United States for carbon emissions overall. But analysts point out that in a country of 1.4 billion people, per capita emissions are only one-third of the global average, according to official figures. ‘Looking at India’s per capita emissions, the effort it is making, India is doing pretty well,’ said activist Harjeet Singh, head of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. India has set itself the daunting challenge of reducing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030. At the same time, electricity needs are expected to more than double by 2047, according to the country’s Centre for Science and Environment. Supplying some of that demand ‘is likely to be met by the addition of renewables’, Goswami said. Half of India’s 484.8 GW installed capacity is from non-fossil fuel sources. The majority comes from solar, totalling 119 GW — the third-largest level globally. India is building one of the world’s largest solar and wind energy farms, spread over a desert the size of Singapore. It is followed by hydro and wind, and also nuclear power — which makes up less than two per cent of the total mix. But solar and wind create steady power only when the conditions are right, and India’s storage capacity is a meagre 505 MWh — far lower than it can generate. The storage bottleneck was not lost on the renewable energy minister. Speaking at the inauguration of a battery storage systems plant in June, Joshi said India’s renewable energy potential was ‘growing fast’ and ‘adding 25–30 GW every year’. He added: ‘But without storage, we will either waste that energy or fall back on coal when renewables dip.’ Building storage based on batteries requires rare earth metals, with rival and neighbour China controlling 70 per cent of the world’s supplies. ‘We still remain dependent on China,’ said Harjeet Singh, the climate activist. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was in New Delhi for talks on Tuesday, with the supply of rare earth metals on the agenda. One solution India is considering is pump-hydro energy storage projects. When wind and solar plants produce excess energy, water is pumped into high reservoirs. That stored energy can then be released to generate power when demand surges. But Goswami believes the transition to cleaner power requires a multi-pronged approach. The transition to cleaner power must come from ‘emission intensity reduction’ of often inefficient coal plants, combined with better integrated renewable energy in the grid that ‘will actually make the shift happen’.