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Dharali-like disasters could become more frequent & deadlier: Experts

Between June 1 and Aug 5 this year, 65% of days - 43 out of 66 - recorded extreme weather events, the highest frequency in four years, far exceeding 59% in 2024, 47% in 2023 and 33% in 2022, according to the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) DEHRADUN: The devastating flash flood that tore through Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Aug 5, leaving dozens missing and entire families displaced, comes amid a sharp escalation of monsoon extremes in Uttarakhand, fuelling concerns that climate change is intensifying the Himalayan state's vulnerability to natural disasters. Experts have cautioned that without urgent adaptation measures, "disasters like Dharali are likely to become more frequent and more deadly in the years ahead". Between June 1 and Aug 5 this year, 65% of days - 43 out of 66 - recorded extreme weather events, the highest frequency in four years, far exceeding 59% in 2024, 47% in 2023 and 33% in 2022, according to the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) analysis of India's Atlas on Weather Disasters. Since June 1, weather-related incidents across the state have claimed 39 lives, with 13 people still missing - figures that do not include the 43 still unaccounted for in Dharali, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). Collaboration between scientists and policymakers vital to build resilience in Uttarkashi region: Expert Professor Anjal Prakash, IPCC author and climate adaptation expert, called the trend “alarming”, saying it reflects the deepening impact of climate change on fragile Himalayan ecosystems. The region’s complex terrain and weather patterns already make it susceptible to intense rainfall and landslides, but warming temperatures, he said, are altering monsoon behaviour and increasing the severity of events. He added that human-driven factors, including deforestation, unplanned development and glacier melt, are compounding the risks. Rivers fed by glacier melt and extreme rainfall are increasingly likely to trigger flash floods, as seen in Dharali. Prakash added that reducing disaster risk will require stronger early warning systems, sustainable land-use planning and afforestation, combined with communitybased preparedness. “Collaboration between scientists and policymakers is vital to build resilience in this fragile region,” Prakash said. Glaciologist DP Dobhal, former scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, warned that climate change is pushing the zerodegree isotherm -the altitude where snowfall occurs -to higher levels. “A decade ago, summer rainfall typically occurred below 4,500 metres, but now it is happening at 5,000-5,200 metres, which is a clear indication of rising temperatures,” he said. Dobhal added that rising temperatures at higher altitudes are accelerating glacier melt, increasing the risk of hazards such as glacier bursts and glacial lake outburst floods.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

The Indian government is sitting on a hidden revenue of lakhs of crores—from the waste recycling sector, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said in a new report released Tuesday, arguing that reducing 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on several crucial waste categories could bring in Rs 1.8 lakh crore in additional revenue by 2035. Under the GST framework in India, scrap materials are treated as goods, and they are subject to GST when sold or traded. Further, the waste management sector in India is divided into the formal and informal sector. The formal sector consists of registered businesses that follow tax regulations, including GST, while the informal sector operates outside this framework. “Most small dealers who collect scrap cannot afford an 18% GST, so they keep their transactions cash-based and untaxed,” CSE said in a release on the report. “These unrecorded transactions lead to estimated Rs 65,000 crore annual GST losses for the government.” The report, titled ‘Relax the Tax: Facilitating Waste Circularity Ecosystem through GST Rationalization’, states how heavy GST rates on different products obstruct the circular economy around waste recycling in India.

The milk industry produces tonnes of wastewater. Plant-based coagulants can help clean up

A 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that less than one-third of India’s urban wastewater and sewage is treated. This means the rest flows into rivers, lakes, and land. India has been the world leader in milk production since 1998, currently accounting for nearly 25% of global output. In 2024 alone, the country produced over 239 million tonnes of milk. While the dairy sector plays a vital role in India’s economy and rural livelihoods, a lesser-known and underreported consequence is the vast amount of wastewater it generates, a significant but overlooked environmental challenge. Studies show the volume of wastewater produced by the sector is about 2.5 times greater than the amount of milk processed. A significant amount of wastewater is also produced while processing raw milk into consumer items such as yoghurt, butter, and cheese. Although traditional wastewater treatments, which involve the use of chemicals, have been used for decades, their cost and environmental impact have been a cause for concern. A new study published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment proposes natural coagulants as an eco-friendly alternative. “There is an increasing demand for water across the world, so it’s important to find ways to clean wastewater in a way that supports ecosystem health and reduces pollution,” says Lipsa Mishra, lead author of the study and assistant professor, MIT World Peace University. Natural coagulants In their study, Mishra and her team used Carica papaya seeds, Citrus limetta peels (sweet lemon), and Moringa oleifera (drumstick) in powder form as natural coagulants. Papaya seeds can attach to particles in water and sink to the bottom. Citrus limetta peels can recover significant nutrients for recycling or reuse, while also improving water quality, the study explains. Importantly, Moringa oleifera’s antibacterial properties help inhibit bacterial growth in water, improving water quality and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Natural coagulants also contribute to maintaining pH balance of water and lowering biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and turbidity levels, Mishra and colleagues note in the study. For instance, Moringa oleifera prevents oxygen loss from microbial breakdown and helps lower biochemical oxygen demand or biochemical oxygen demand, which is necessary to maintain healthy aquatic habitats. Biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand are essential parameters for assessing organic pollution in wastewater. Biochemical oxygen demand measures the oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose biodegradable matter, while chemical oxygen demand quantifies the total oxygen needed to chemically oxidise both biodegradable and non-biodegradable compounds, the study explains. High levels of chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand can suffocate aquatic life, as microorganisms rapidly consume oxygen while breaking down organic compounds, leading to oxygen depletion. “When we dispose of dairy wastewater into water bodies without treatment, it causes eutrophication, and marine life and aquatic plants can’t sustain themselves in such an environment due to the lack of dissolved oxygen,” says Pragyan Das, assistant professor, Odisha University of Technology and Research. Das is also the author of a 2022 study titled “Dairy wastewater and its potential for waste management”. Wastewater disposed in water bodies without treatment can also lead to harmful algal blooms that further deplete oxygen levels and inhibit aquatic plant growth. Moreover, toxic compounds like detergents and sanitisers in untreated dairy wastewater pose threats to aquatic ecosystems, the study elaborates. Among the various dairy products, a 2016 study found that sweet whey was the most polluting dairy effluent. Its biochemical composition is rich in organic matter (lactose, protein, phosphorus, nitrates, and nitrogen) and is 60 to 80 times more polluting than domestic sewage. Although the improper treatment of dairy wastewater is linked to high environmental risks, it often doesn’t receive the same attention as other industries. “Industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, coal mining, steel plants, and others release more visible hazardous pollutants or heavy metals. As a result, there are often more discussions about these compared to dairy wastewater,” notes Mishra. The study showed that Citrus limetta peels achieved a 93.8% removal efficiency for biochemical oxygen demand, while Carica papaya seeds and Moringa oleifera exhibited significant efficiency in turbidity and total dissolved solids removal, reaching values of 94% and 68%, respectively. “Comparatively, alum was able to remove over 99% of turbidity but with high chemical sludge. However, papaya seeds, lemon peels, and drumstick powder showed over 93% efficiency with biodegradable sludge. Lemon peels performed the best in BOD [biochemical oxygen demand] removal with almost 94%,” Mishra elaborates. Furthermore, plant-based coagulants not only offer cost-effectiveness but also present fewer environmental risks. Waste water Water is used in all processes in the dairy industry, including heating, cooling, and washing. Mishra estimates that around 3,000 litres of wastewater are generated per 1,000 litres of milk processed. From high amounts of organic materials such as dissolved solids, suspended solids, oil and grease, to detergents and various chemicals such as benzene, mercury, zinc, ammonia, and chromium used during industrial cleaning, an array of effluents can be found in dairy wastewater. These can cause harm to marine life if not treated properly. “The presence of high organic matter leads to high levels of BOD [biochemical oxygen demand] and COD [chemical oxygen demand], which can deplete oxygen in receiving water bodies if untreated wastewater is released. It creates hypoxic conditions that threaten aquatic life and disrupt nutrient cycling,” says Mishra. Improper disposal of wastewater on land can lead to contamination of groundwater and deterioration of surface water quality. And if this wastewater is released into water bodies, they could become breeding grounds for flies and mosquitoes carrying malaria and other diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Dairy wastewater, in particular, can be treated with physical, chemical and biological techniques. Another commonly used method is constructed wetlands. The large surface area of constructed wetlands facilitates an environment for removing pollutants such as organic matter, suspended solids, and nutrients. They are cost-effective and sustainable. One of the most widely used chemical methods is coagulation. Coagulants such as alum (aluminum sulphate) and ferrous sulphate are conventionally used to treat dairy wastewater. However, the sludge they produce contains chemicals that can harm water bodies and ecosystems. To address this issue, recent research has been focused on finding alternative coagulants that are natural, safe for humans, biodegradable, and produce minimal sludge. Dairy wastewater A 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that less than one-third of India’s urban wastewater and sewage is treated. This means the rest flows into rivers, lakes, and land. Mishra explains that in traditional methods of water or wastewater treatment, there are three stages: preliminary or primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments. In preliminary treatment, only heavy particles or floating materials are removed. In primary treatment, conventionally used coagulants such as alum and ferrous sulphate, which are easily available in the market, are added. “These coagulants form sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank, which needs to be treated again before being released. Some dairy plants just remove the sludge and dispose of it on the ground, which contaminates the soil and causes pollution,” says Mishra. Das further adds that chemical coagulants produce large amounts of sludge which can’t be reused. “The sludge only contains fatty acids, oil, and grease which shouldn’t be entering the environment. It should be treated again, but often that doesn’t happen,” she says.

United action is warranted for antimicrobial resistance which threatens everyone

When misuse and overuse of medicines is making infections difficult or impossible to treat, then are not we all at risk? rightly asks Bhakti Chavan, a survivor of extensively drug-resistant TB or XDR-TB (one of the severest forms of TB which has very limited treatment options) and a member of World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Survivors. Bhakti had no prior history of TB disease but got infected with TB bacteria, which was extensively drugresistant. If infection prevention and control had been optimal at all healthcare settings, society, community and homes, then no one should get infected with a preventable disease like TB. Bhakti is cured now and risen to help raise awareness and protect others from AMR. If we do not act now, we can go back to pre-antibiotic era “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and become resistant to (or no longer respond to) medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, medicines become ineffective, and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. AMR is a problem driven by misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines - including antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics and antifungals - and results in critical medicines losing effectiveness to treat infections,” said Dr SS Lal, a distinguished global health leader who serves as Director of ReAct Asia Pacific. “AMR is associated with around 5 million deaths a year. Besides this, there is the huge burden of morbidity and healthcare expenditure that can affect household welfare severely. We all need to realise that if we do not act now, we could go back to a pre-antibiotic era, when even simple infections become untreatable,” said Dr Lal Dr Lal reminded that first antibiotic was discovered in 1928 – almost 100 years ago, which has saved several millions of lives. But first sign of antibiotic resistance became apparent soon after the discovery of penicillin. The spread of penicillin resistance was already documented by 1942, when four Staphylococcus aureus strains were found to resist the action of penicillin in hospitalised patients. We all are at risk of AMR “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) affects each one of us – directly or indirectly – and all of us are at risk of AMR. AMR is among top 10 global health threats as well as an emerging threat to food security and SDGs. Economic toll of AMR is astronomical too. There is no excuse for inaction but to save the medicines that protect us,” said Shobha Shukla, SDG-3 Lead Discussant at the United Nations intergovernmental High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025). Shobha leads CNS and is also the Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA). Shobha commended journalists and other communicators from the Global South nations who, despite limited access to resources, have covered AMR consistently and helped raise awareness and increase accountability in health responses. GAMA is majorly led by journalists from the Global South nations. Indian chapter of GAMA, formally called as India Media Alliance on AMR, was also launched at Press Club of India in a national media workshop organised by ReAct Asia Pacific. Dr Ijyaa Singh of ReAct Asia Pacific stressed that media engagement remains one of the key priority action areas for strengthening AMR responses at all levels. AMR is a brewing pandemic AMR is a pandemic in making, said Dr Narinder Saini, former Secretary General of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Chairman of the IMA AMR Standing Committee. "If we do not act now to prevent AMR, then by 2050, every year almost 10 million will die due to it." Change is possible when people unite and lead Over 1860 young people living with HIV in India know their status, receive lifesaving antiretroviral therapy and continue to remain virally suppressed with viral load undetectable since at least last one year, said Pooja Mishra, Coordinator of Youth Lead Voices and General Secretary of National Coalition of People living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus). This means all of them had the right diagnosis and are adhering to daily therapy diligently - thereby minimising their risk of developing AMR or HIV virus becoming drug-resistant. Undetectable viral load means they are healthy and infection stops spreading too - so treatment works as prevention. We need person-centred and community-led health responses to support people through their journeys of diagnosis to treatment and self-care, said Pooja. AMR and environment: Connected? "AMR and climate change - both are big challenges confronting us today. Both of them are interconnected too. Climate impacts AMR but we also need to realise that antibiotic use can impact climate change too," said Dr Rajeshwari Sinha who leads AMR programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). With warmer climate temperatures, microbes are growing more. If these microbes are drug-resistant, then the threat of drug-resistant infection outbreak increases. Extreme weather events, such as flood or heavy rainfall, impact water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, thereby increasing the risk of vector-borne and waterborne disease outbreaks, said Rajeshwari. Unsafe waste disposal is a major threat. "Because of unsafe disposal from antibiotic-making factories or disposal of used or unused antibiotics in homes and hospitals, antibiotics are present in waste residue. When antibiotics reach the enviornment, environmental load of AMR causing determinants – residues or reminiscent bacteria or AMR causing genes - increases, added Rajeshwari. Antimicrobials we consume are not fully metabolised and are excreted out in form of excreta or urine and reach the affluents, sewage system, and eventually end up reaching our water canals or rivers or other water bodies," said Satish Sinha, Executive Director, Toxic Links. When Toxic Links did a study involving 4 rivers (Gomti river in Lucknow, Yamuna river in Delhi, Zuari river in Goa which is near pharmaceutical industries, and Cooum river in Chennai), they found antibiotic traces in different water concentrations in all of them. Source of these antibiotics could be hospitals, pharmaceutical companies or industries or waste disposal from homes and communities, said Satish Sinha. Toxic Links did another study in Baddi, a major hub of pharmaceutical industries in Himachal Pradesh state of India. This report was cited by National Green Tribunal and then in Supreme Court too, said Satish Sinha. Toxic Link report from Baddi is on pharmaceutical pollution, a significant environmental concern in the region. The report highlights issues related to the pharmaceutical industry's impact on water quality and the role of Common Effluent Treatment Plans in managing wastewater. Animal husbandry and AMR Satish Sinha highlighted misuse and overuse of medicines in poultry and other forms of animal husbandry. "We found alarming levels of antibiotic traces in feeds and excreta when we studied poultry farms in Andhra Pradesh state of India. Waste of poultry is often used as manure for fish farming and shrimp culture." "We also found antibiotic traces in water sources in animal husbandry. Antibiotics are also used as growth promoters in animal husbandry and end up reaching our water systems, rivers, lakes and air. This has widespread ramifications on the environment as microbes become resistant. We do not have optimal waste management system and affluent management system," said Toxic Links lead Satish Sinha. Agrees Dr Chanchal Bhattacharya, noted expert on animal health, AMR and One Health, who currently serves as a Senior Adviser, Livestock Technology and One Health at Heifer International. "Antibiotics are often used as growth promoter in animals which is the major source how antibiotics get in the human food chain. There are antibiotic residues found in meat, egg or milk samples. Those who consume milk which is not pasteurised, or half boiled eggs or not fully cooked eggs or meat, could be at a risk of acquiring infections or even drug-resistant infections." Dr Chanchal calls for improving standard veterinary medicine and healthcare practices. "Veterinary practice is often done by unqualified people in villages. Antibiotic use in animals and agriculture is 4th highest in India Dr Chanchal Bhattacharya said that use of antibiotics in animals and agriculture is 4th highest in India worldwide. 70% of antibiotics are used in animal husbandry globally. Indiscriminate antibiotic use is rampant in dairy culture, poultry and aquaculture. Dr Chanchal called for stronger measures to control antimicrobial use in animal health, food and agriculture sectors. "Vaccination is also not done properly in animal sector due to negligence. We need to raise awareness and build capacities so that animals can be protected from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Engaging, educating and informing farmers and paramedical veterinary healthcare staff is also important." Dispose antimicrobials safely "There are ways of safe disposal of antimicrobial waste in homes, communities and healthcare facilities," said Dr Sangeeta Sharma, President of Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs (DSPRUD). "80% of antimicrobial use is used in communities. Either we self-medicate or get over the counter medicines on advice by pharmacist or others. This is a big way how misuse and overuse of medicines happen.

Rajpura Thermal Power Plant named best for lowest emission intensity

Nabha Power Limited (NPL) on Wednesday said its Rajpura thermal power plant has been named as the country's best-performing supercritical coal-based thermal power plant for emission intensity by think tank '“ Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It said it is in the below 800MW capacity unit category. NPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro. The thermal power plant is located in Punjab's Patiala district. In its latest report titled 'Decarbonizing the Coal-based Thermal Power Sector in India: A Roadmap', released recently, CSE evaluated the emission intensity of all coal-based thermal power plants in India and identified Rajpura plant among the top performers, the company said in a statement. According to CSE, Rajpura plant achieved an emission factor of 0.84 tonne/MWh, a benchmark among all supercritical power units in the country. This is significantly better than the national average emission factor of 0.97 tonne/MWh. The CSE report also highlighted the plant's auxiliary power consumption rate of 4.62 per cent, the lowest in the sector, it said.

In Brief

The Centre for Science and Environment has ranked L&T’s Nabha Power Rajpura plant as India’s best supercritical coal thermal power plant (<800 MW) for lowest emission intensity at 0.84 tonne/MWh, outperforming the national average.

Washed, But Not Clean: No Good-Air Days In Last 2 Yrs

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) at Centre for Science and Environment, said the intense rainfall cleansed the particulates and dust. "But it is still difficult to attain sustained good air days due to high background levels of pollution in the region. Moreover, gases like ozone and NOx become more prominent during this season. At the same time, the systemic action for pollution control continues to remain inadequate," she said. Despite heavy rainfall on four days in 2025 so far, Delhi is yet to witness a single good air day — an air quality index in the range of 0 to 50. The city recorded the last good air day almost two years ago on Sept 10, 2023, with an AQI of 45. Since monsoon months are the cleanest as rain helps in settling down the pollutants, the city's lowest AQI recorded in 2025 was 51 in the satisfactory category on July 15. In 2024, the city saw the lowest AQI at 53 in the same category on Aug 8. Experts said that due to high emissions, heavy rainfall — measuring more than 64.5mm — could not aid in ensuring a good air day. On Aug 9 this year, Safdarjung, the city's base station, logged 79mm of rainfall. It also received heavy rainfall at 77mm on May 2, 81.2mm on May 25 and 68.1mm on July 29. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) at Centre for Science and Environment, said the intense rainfall cleansed the particulates and dust. "But it is still difficult to attain sustained good air days due to high background levels of pollution in the region. Moreover, gases like ozone and NOx become more prominent during this season. At the same time, the systemic action for pollution control continues to remain inadequate," she said. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of EnviroCatalysts, said Delhi's air quality was dependent on emissions and meteorology. "Delhi has not seen a good air day for almost two years as we haven't reduced the emissions at source and meteorology was unfavourable," Dahiya pointed out. The data since 2015, when Central Pollution Control Board started calculating AQI, shows that good air days were seen when Delhi recorded an intense spell of rain or there was a lockdown or restriction on polluting activities. For instance, 2023 recorded just one good air day on Sept 10 with an AQI of 45 following rain and restrictions imposed due to the G20 Summit. Since 2015, the city has witnessed only 14 good air days. No good air day was reported in 2015, 2016 and 2018, but Delhi witnessed two such days in 2017 during the monsoon, on July 30 and 31. Similarly, two good air days were witnessed in 2019 when AQI touched 49 on two consecutive days — Aug 18 and 19. In 2020, the city saw five good air days — one in March during the Covid-19 lockdown and four in Aug during the monsoon. The capital saw only one good air day in 2021 on Oct 18 when AQI dipped to 46 due to incessant rain. Three such days were reported in 2022 in Sept and Oct with rain again playing a crucial role in cleaning the air.

India’s Clean Energy Conundrum

President Trump’s threat to double tariffs on Indian goods, to 50%, as punishment for the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil, puts India in an untenable position. The US is its top export market, but India is deeply reliant on importing energy to support the needs of its 1.4 billion people. As the world’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, India faces unprecedented energy demands and also pressure to meet that demand with clean energy. Today, around 70 percent of the country’s electricity comes from coal — a major contributor to air pollution in India’s large cities. So how can India meet its fast-growing energy needs while also ensuring energy affordability, equity, and public health? Where is India in making progress toward deploying clean energy? What role might conventional energy continue to play? And how does India’s relationship with China factor into its decarbonization efforts? This week, Jason talks to Sunita Narain about the state of India’s clean energy transition. Sunita is executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment, a research and advocacy center where she has worked since 1982. In 2016, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

GST Hurting India''s Circular Economy: CSE Study

The steep GST of 18 per cent levied on several crucial waste categories has become an obstacle in the sustainable management of solid waste in India and is also leading to revenue losses of around Rs 65,000 crore, according to a new study published on Tuesday. The study by think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) finds that small dealers who collect scrap cannot afford an 18-per cent GST, so they keep their transactions cash-based and untaxed. This not only deprives the government of revenue but also distorts the market, as compliant businesses struggle to compete with tax-evading informal operators. In fact, the informal sector dominance results in an estimated Rs 65,000 crore in annual GST losses due to unrecorded transactions. Without interventions, this loss is projected to escalate to Rs 86,700 crore by 2035. "While India is rooting for recycling of waste and promotion of a circular economy, the existing GST regime could be dumping all that effort into the proverbial 'waste bin'. For one, the regime does not differentiate between virgin and recycled materials, taxing them equally, which places recycled products at a severe cost disadvantage despite their lower environmental impacts," said Nivit K Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution unit, CSE. "Metal scrap, including ferrous and non-ferrous materials essential for secondary steel and aluminum production, faces this high tax rate, making formal transactions economically unviable for small dealers," said Subhrajit Goswami, programme manager at CSE. This flies in the face of the National Steel Policy, which aims for 40 per cent of India's steel production to come from scrap by 2030. The 18-per cent GST on ferrous scrap makes it economically unviable for small dealers to operate formally. A reduced rate would align the fiscal policy with the country's circular economy objectives, says Goswami. Similarly, plastic waste, electronic waste and various industrial by-products are subjected to an 18-per cent GST, creating a significant cost burden that pushes operators toward informal, cash-based transactions. Goswami said this high taxation particularly impacts e-waste recycling, where valuable materials like gold, silver and rare earth elements could generate substantial formal economy revenues if properly incentivised through lower tax rates. Speaking at the report release, Pranshu Singhal of NGO Karo Sambhav concurred: "No one actually looks at waste as a resource. They wake up only when both natural resources and waste are taxed at the same rates for them." India's waste management sector is dominated by informal operators, who handle up to 90 per cent of certain waste streams like e-waste and metal scrap. "Policies have focussed more on the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) rules, which manage to cover about 30 per cent of the waste but the remaining major chunk of waste (70 per cent) is handled by the informal sector," Sandip Chatterjee of the Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) said. Millions of informal workers handle hazardous waste like batteries and e-waste without safety gear or fair wages. The CSE said formalising their work with social security, better pricing and access to healthcare is not just an economic necessity, it is a moral obligation. The study recommends lowering the GST rates on critical waste streams, such as metal scrap, plastics and e-waste, from 18 per cent to 12 per cent in the short term, with a further reduction to 5 per cent. This would encourage and incentivise compliance while maintaining revenue neutrality. Even a 50-per cent reduction in informal sector participation, combined with a 12-per cent GST rate, could generate Rs 62,384 crore in net revenue by 2035. The report proposes integrating informal workers into government schemes and providing them access to subsidised loans, healthcare and pensions. To strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, the report suggests linking GST benefits to verified recycling. Producers who meet EPR targets through formal channels could receive tax rebates, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of compliance and transparency.

CSE Study Seeks GST Cut on Waste to Boost Recycling, Add ₹1.8 Lakh Cr by 2035

CSE Study: A new analysis of India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shown that this much debated taxation structure can garner up to Rs 1.8 lakh crore in additional revenue by 2035 – simply by initiating some basic reforms in the way it deals with solid waste. “While India is rooting for reuse-recycle of waste and promotion of a circular economy, the existing GST regime could be dumping all that effort into the proverbial ‘wastebin’. For one, the regime does not differentiate between virgin and recycled materials, taxing them equally, which places recycled products at a severe cost disadvantage despite their lower environmental impacts,” says Nivit K Yadav , programme director, industrial pollution unit, CSE. Yadav was speaking here today at the online release of CSE’s study — Relax the Tax: Facilitating Waste Circularity Ecosystem through GST Rationalization — which exposes how the GST system is actually hindering the growth of a circular economy in the country, and also leading to revenue losses. Among the others who spoke at the release of the study were Dr Sandip Chatterjee , senior advisor, Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) and former senior director, Union ministry of electronics and information technology; Pranshu Singhal , founder and managing director, Karo Sambhav; Imteyaz Ali , project director, Plastic Sarthak Sanstha; and Subhrajit Goswami , programme officer, industrial pollution unit, CSE. High GST rates are stifling critical recycling sectors A steep GST of 18 per cent levied on several crucial waste categories has become an obstacle in the sustainable management of solid waste. Says Subhrajit Goswami of CSE: “Metal scrap, including ferrous and non-ferrous materials essential for secondary steel and aluminum production, faces this high tax rate, making formal transactions economically unviable for small dealers.” This flies in the face of the National Steel Policy, which aims for 40 per cent of India’s steel production to come from scrap by 2030 – the 18 per cent GST on ferrous scrap makes it economically unviable for small dealers to operate formally. A reduced rate would align the fiscal policy with our circular economy objectives, says Goswami. Similarly, plastic waste, electronic waste and various industrial by-products are subjected to an 18 per cent GST, creating a significant cost burden that pushes operators toward informal, cash-based transactions. Goswami points out that this high taxation particularly impacts e-waste recycling, where valuable materials like gold, silver and rare earth elements could generate substantial formal economy revenues if properly incentivised through lower tax rates. Speaking at the report release, Pranshu Singhal of Karo Sambhav concurred: “No one actually looks at waste as a resource – they wake up only when both natural resources and waste are taxed at the same rates for them.” India’s waste management sector is dominated by informal operators, who handle up to 90 per cent of certain waste streams like e-waste and metal scrap. According to SERI’s Sandip Chatterjee, “Policies have focused more on the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) rules, which manage to cover about 30 per cent of the waste – but the remaining major chunk of waste (70 per cent) is handled by the informal sector.” The CSE study finds that small dealers who collect scrap cannot afford an 18 per cent GST, so they keep their transactions cash-based and untaxed. This not only deprives the government of revenue, but also distorts the market, as compliant businesses struggle to compete with tax-evading informal operators. In fact, the informal sector dominance results in an estimated Rs 65,000 crore in annual GST losses due to unrecorded transactions. Without interventions, this loss is projected to escalate to Rs 86,700 crore by 2035. The CSE analysis offers another strong motivation for rationalising the GST regime. Millions of informal workers handle hazardous waste like batteries and e-waste without safety gear or fair wages. Formalising their work with social security, better pricing and access to healthcare is not just an economic necessity – it is a moral obligation. Yadav highlights the broader implications for India’s industrial competitiveness: “Our research shows that the current GST structure is inadvertently penalising the very sectors that could drive India’s transition to a circular economy. The 18 per cent tax on e-waste and metal scrap is particularly counterproductive when we’re trying to build a robust secondary materials market. By rationalising these rates, we’re not just talking about tax reform — we’re talking about unlocking India’s potential as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.” CSE study advocates a four-pronged strategy for reform Phased GST reduction: The study recommends lowering GST rates on critical waste streams — such as metal scrap, plastics and e-waste — from 18 per cent to 12 per cent in the short term, with a further reduction to 5 per cent. This would encourage and incentivise compliance while maintaining revenue neutrality. Integration of the informal sector: Even a 50 per cent reduction in informal sector participation, combined with a 12 per cent GST rate, could generate Rs 62,384 crore in net revenue by 2035. The report proposes integrating informal workers into government schemes and providing access for them to subsidised loans, healthcare, and pensions. EPR-GST integration: To strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, the report suggests linking GST benefits to verified recycling. Producers who meet EPR targets through formal channels could receive tax rebates, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of compliance and transparency. NGO and CSO integration for sectoral transformation: The study emphasises the crucial role of non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations in bridging the gap between informal workers and formal systems. NGOs with established networks in waste management communities can facilitate skill development programmes, provide financial literacy training, and help workers access government schemes. CSOs can serve as intermediaries, helping informal operators understand compliance requirements while advocating for their rights and safety standards. This collaborative approach ensures that formalisation does not displace existing workers, instead it upgrades their working conditions and economic opportunities through structured support systems. Goswami, who is the report’s lead author, says: “Our analysis proves that the status quo is unsustainable. The government loses double what it collects from the waste sector today — a deficit that will only worsen. By lowering GST rates and formalising the sector, we can turn this into a Rs-1.8 lakh crore opportunity while advancing environmental and social justice. This report provides the roadmap; now we need the political will to implement it.”

कबाड़ करा रहा देश को 65000 करोड़ का नुकसान? बस कम हो जाए ये एक चीज तो बदल जाएगी तस्वीर!

देश में ठोस कचरे के प्रबंधन पर 18 फीसदी जीएसटी लगने से न केवल पर्यावरण के अनुकूल रिसाइक्लिंग प्रक्रिया प्रभावित हो रही है, बल्कि सरकार को हर साल भारी राजस्व नुकसान भी उठाना पड़ रहा है. ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट’ (CSE) की एक ताजा रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, इस ऊंची कर दर के कारण कबाड़ खरीदने-बेचने वाले छोटे कारोबारी टैक्स देने से बचते हैं और नकद लेन-देन को तरजीह देते हैं. सालाना 65,000 करोड़ का टैक्स घाटा रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, इस व्यवस्था से सरकार को करीब 65,000 करोड़ रुपये सालाना का जीएसटी घाटा हो रहा है, जो 2035 तक बढ़कर 86,700 करोड़ रुपये तक पहुंच सकता है. इससे संगठित कारोबारियों के लिए प्रतिस्पर्धा करना भी मुश्किल हो जाता है, क्योंकि असंगठित कारोबार टैक्स का बोझ नहीं उठाते. अध्ययन में बताया गया कि धातु, प्लास्टिक, ई-कचरा और औद्योगिक उप-उत्पादों पर समान 18% जीएसटी लगाने से रिसाइक्लिंग को बढ़ावा देने के प्रयास कमजोर पड़ते हैं. CSE के औद्योगिक प्रदूषण इकाई के कार्यक्रम निदेशक निवित के. यादव ने कहा कि मौजूदा टैक्स ढांचा नए और रिसाइकल्ड उत्पादों में कोई अंतर नहीं करता, जिससे रिसाइकल्ड सामान महंगा पड़ता है और बाजार में उसकी मांग घटती है. 2030 तक 40 फीसदी स्टील कबाड़ से बनाने का टारगेट संस्था के कार्यक्रम प्रबंधक शुभ्रजीत गोस्वामी ने राष्ट्रीय इस्पात नीति का हवाला देते हुए कहा कि 2030 तक 40% इस्पात उत्पादन कबाड़ से करने का लक्ष्य है, लेकिन मौजूदा कर दरें छोटे कारोबारियों को संगठित ढांचे में आने से रोकती हैं. रिपोर्ट में सुझाव दिया गया है कि धातु, प्लास्टिक और ई-कचरे पर जीएसटी को चरणबद्ध तरीके से पहले 12% और फिर 5% तक लाया जाए. साथ ही, असंगठित क्षेत्र के कामगारों को संगठित दायरे में लाकर उन्हें सामाजिक सुरक्षा, स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं और सस्ते ऋण की सुविधा दी जानी चाहिए.

कबाड़ पर अधिक जीएसटी से देश की अर्थव्यवस्था को नुकसानः सीएसई अध्ययन

ठोस कचरे के प्रबंधन पर लागू 18 प्रतिशत जीएसटी को घटाने की सिफारिश करते हुए एक अध्ययन में कहा गया है कि इससे सरकार को सालाना करीब 65,000 करोड़ रुपये का नुकसान हो रहा है। साथ ही इससे कबाड़ का पर्यावरण अनुकूल तरीके से प्रबंधन भी प्रभावित हो रहा है। शोध संस्थान ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट’ (सीएसई) की मंगलवार को जारी एक रिपोर्ट कहती है कि कबाड़ खरीदने-बेचने वाले छोटे कारोबारी 18 प्रतिशत माल एवं सेवा कर (जीएसटी) का बोझ नहीं उठा सकते हैं लिहाजा वे नकद में लेनदेन करते हैं और कर नहीं चुकाते हैं। रिपोर्ट कहती है कि कबाड़ कारोबार में असंगठित क्षेत्र के इस दबदबे से सालाना करीब 65,000 करोड़ रुपये का जीएसटी नुकसान होता है, जो वर्ष 2035 तक बढ़कर 86,700 करोड़ रुपये तक पहुंच सकता है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, धातु, प्लास्टिक, ई-कचरा और औद्योगिक उप-उत्पादों पर समान रूप से 18 प्रतिशत कर लगाने से अपशिष्ट पुनर्चक्रण (रिसाइक्लिंग) को बढ़ावा देने के प्रयास कमजोर पड़ते हैं। सीएसई की औद्योगिक प्रदूषण इकाई के कार्यक्रम निदेशक निवित के. यादव ने कहा कि मौजूदा जीएसटी व्यवस्था में नए और पुनर्चक्रित उत्पादों में कोई भेदभाव नहीं होने से पर्यावरण के अनुकूल पुनर्चक्रित उत्पाद महंगे पड़ते हैं। संस्था के कार्यक्रम प्रबंधक शुभ्रजीत गोस्वामी ने कहा कि राष्ट्रीय इस्पात नीति के तहत वर्ष 2030 तक 40 प्रतिशत इस्पात उत्पादन कबाड़ से होना है, लेकिन मौजूदा कर दरें छोटे कारोबारियों के लिए संगठित ढंग से कामकाज को अलाभकारी बना रही हैं। अध्ययन में कहा गया है कि धातु, प्लास्टिक और ई-कचरे पर जीएसटी को चरणबद्ध तरीके से घटाकर पहले 12 प्रतिशत और फिर पांच प्रतिशत पर लाया जाए। साथ ही असंगठित क्षेत्र के कामगारों को संगठित दायरे में लाकर उन्हें सामाजिक सुरक्षा, स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं और सस्ती ऋण सुविधा देने का भी सुझाव दिया गया है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, जीएसटी दर घटाकर और आधे असंगठित कारोबारियों को संगठित क्षेत्र में लाने से वर्ष 2035 तक 62,000 करोड़ रुपये से अधिक का शुद्ध राजस्व प्राप्त किया जा सकता है।

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

The Indian government is sitting on a hidden revenue of lakhs of crores—from the waste recycling sector, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said in a new report released Tuesday, arguing that reducing 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on several crucial waste categories could bring in Rs 1.8 lakh crore in additional revenue by 2035. Under the GST framework in India, scrap materials are treated as goods, and they are subject to GST when sold or traded. Further, the waste management sector in India is divided into the formal and informal sector. The formal sector consists of registered businesses that follow tax regulations, including GST, while the informal sector operates outside this framework. “Most small dealers who collect scrap cannot afford an 18% GST, so they keep their transactions cash-based and untaxed,” CSE said in a release on the report. “These unrecorded transactions lead to estimated Rs 65,000 crore annual GST losses for the government.” The report, titled ‘Relax the Tax: Facilitating Waste Circularity Ecosystem through GST Rationalization’, states how heavy GST rates on different products obstruct the circular economy around waste recycling in India. From the same tax rates for virgin and recycled products, to a high 18% GST on metal scrap, plastic waste and e-waste, the report explains how the existing GST regime doesn’t incentivise and actively hinders waste recycling. Waste recycling and circular economy are seen as pillars of India’s sustainable development policies, with Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav announcing this March that India’s circular economy could create $2 trillion in market value by 2050. Initiatives like the NITI Aayog’s Circular Economy Cell and Circular Economy Action Plans for different waste categories like plastic, e-waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste and metal waste indicate the government’s efforts towards this end.

High GST on scrap, e-waste hurting India's circular economy: CSE study

he steep GST of 18 per cent levied on several crucial waste categories has become an obstacle in the sustainable management of solid waste in India and is also leading to revenue losses of around Rs 65,000 crore, according to a new study published on Tuesday. The study by think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) finds that small dealers who collect scrap cannot afford an 18-per cent GST, so they keep their transactions cash-based and untaxed. This not only deprives the government of revenue but also distorts the market, as compliant businesses struggle to compete with tax-evading informal operators.

Rajpura Plant: Lowest Emission Intensity

Nabha Power Limited (NPL) on Wednesday said its Rajpura thermal power plant has been named as the country's best-performing supercritical coal-based thermal power plant for emission intensity by think tank '? Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It said it is in the below 800MW capacity unit category. NPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro. The thermal power plant is located in Punjab's Patiala district.