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Cse In News

स्टेट ऑफ अफ्रीका’स एनवायरनमेंट 2025

18 सितंबर, 2025 को इथियोपिया की राजधानी अदिस अबाबा में साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट सेंटर (CSE) ने अपनी वार्षिक रिपोर्ट ‘स्टेट ऑफ अफ्रीका’स एनवायरनमेंट 2025’ (State of Africa’s Environment 2025) जारी की। स्टेट ऑफ अफ्रीका’स एनवायरनमेंट 2025 के बारे में यह अफ्रीका के पर्यावरणीय संकट पर आधारित रिपोर्ट है जिसमें जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रभाव, आर्थिक हानि एवं अनुकूलन की आवश्यकता पर शोध केंद्रित है। यह रिपोर्ट विश्व मौसम विज्ञान संगठन (WMO) की ‘स्टेट ऑफ क्लाइमेट इन अफ्रीका 2024’ पर आधारित है, जो दर्शाती है कि वर्ष 2024 अफ्रीका का सबसे गर्म वर्ष था। यह अफ्रीका महाद्वीप की भूमि एवं आसपास के समुद्रों की ऊष्मा, चरम मौसम व स्वास्थ्य संकट को उजागर करती है। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, अफ्रीका वैश्विक जलवायु आपातकाल का प्रमुख केंद्र बन गया है। रिपोर्ट के प्रमुख निष्कर्ष तापमान वृद्धि : अफ्रीका का औसत सतह तापमान 1991-2020 के औसत से 0.86 °C अधिक रहा। उत्तरी अफ्रीका में यह 1.28 °C अधिक रहा। शताब्दी के अंत तक तापमान वृद्धि 3-6 °C तक हो सकती है। समुद्री हीट वेव्स : वर्ष 2024 में अफ्रीका के आसपास के समुद्रों में रिकॉर्ड समुद्री हीट वेव्स देखी गईं। जनवरी-अप्रैल में 30 लाख वर्ग किमी. क्षेत्र प्रभावित रहा, जो वर्ष 1993 के रिकॉर्ड से अधिक था। यह समुद्री जीवन, उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों और दक्षिण-पूर्वी देशों (मलावी, मोजाम्बिक, मेडागास्कर) को प्रभावित कर रहा है। घातक संकट : वर्ष 2021-2025 में 22.1 करोड़ लोग प्रभावित हुए तथा 28,759 मौतें हुई जो वर्ष 2016-2020 से तीन गुना अधिक है। बाढ़, सूखा, चक्रवात, भूस्खलन एवं हीट वेव वर्ष 2011 से अब तक 41 करोड़ लोगों को प्रभावित कर चुकी हैं। बीमारी का बोझ : मलेरिया के मामले वर्ष 2023 में 14% बढ़े, वर्ष 2030 तक 14.7-17.1 करोड़ अतिरिक्त जोखिम। कॉलरा के मामलों में 125% की वृद्धि हुई। जलवायु परिवर्तन से ऊँचाई वाले क्षेत्रों में मच्छरों के प्रजनन में वृद्धि हुई। खाद्य एवं जल संकट : 2 °C ग्लोबल वार्मिंग से 50% आबादी कुपोषण का शिकार हो सकती है। जल तनाव से वर्ष 2030 तक 70 करोड़ लोग विस्थापित हो सकते हैं। कोको उत्पादन व मत्स्य पालन प्रभावित होगा और मीठे पानी की कमी होगी। विस्थापन : अफ्रीका सर्वाधिक ‘जलवायु सक्रिय’ बनेगा। वर्ष 2021-2025 में संघर्ष एवं चरम मौसम से विस्थापन में वृद्धि हुई और नाइजीरिया में 87 लाख प्रभावित हुए। आर्थिक हानि : उत्तरी अफ्रीका में वर्षिक 11.8 अरब डॉलर, उप-सहारा में 12.5 अरब डॉलर की हानि हुई।

CSE Brings Africa’s Environmental Challenges to the Forefront in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is this week hosting a major gathering of African journalists and communicators for the release of the groundbreaking report, State of Africa’s Environment 2025: Africa and Climate Change. The event, which spans two days, brings together voices from across the continent to engage with the report’s critical findings and discuss the urgent environmental challenges facing Africa. The report highlights pressing issues such as: The accelerating climate emergency and its far-reaching impacts Migration and conflicts linked to environmental pressures Food security and the future of African agriculture Water scarcity and public health concerns Adaptation strategies that communities and governments can adopt The potential of biotechnology to enhance sustainable agriculture, improve crop resilience, and address food security challenges By convening journalists, the event seeks to strengthen media engagement in driving awareness, accountability, and solutions around climate change, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability in Africa. The briefing and book launch are jointly organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Down to Earth, Alliance for Science Ethiopia, and Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA). Participants can expect in-depth discussions, expert analysis, and storytelling opportunities that bring the data and challenges to life. Over the coming days, live updates and insights will be shared to ensure that this vital conversation reaches audiences across Africa and beyond.

New report highlights Africa’s climate crisis, sparks urgent calls to act

A new report has laid bare the scale of Africa’s climate emergency, revealing that the period between 2021 and 2025 has been the most devastating five-year stretch in terms of human toll from weather, climate, and water-related disasters. The State of Africa’s Environment 2025 report—produced by the India-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth—was released Thursday, September 18 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a media briefing that brought together journalists from across the continent. The 152-page report shows that about 412 million people in Africa have been affected by extreme weather events in the past 15 years, with more than half of them (53.77%) impacted in just the last five years. At least 41,549 people lost their lives, the majority between 2021 and 2025. Droughts were by far the most significant hazard, affecting 178 million people in that period.

Melting Peaks, Thinning Margins: A New Water Reality Is Arriving

A fresh environmental report released in Addis Ababa has a blunt message for East Africa: the water calculus is changing, and faster than most plans assume. The State of Africa’s Environment 2025 warns that climate-driven shifts in the water cycle are intensifying stress across the continent and could force mass displacement by the end of the decade. For East Africa, the signal is stark on the region’s signature peaks—Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori ranges in Uganda—where ice fields are retreating quicker than global averages. Glaciers on these mountains are small in volume but large in meaning. They store high-altitude water, regulate seasonal flows, and anchor tourism economies. When they shrink, nearby communities feel it first: springs weaken, dry-season buffers thin, and downstream irrigation schemes face tighter rationing. The report’s headline figure—a projection that up to 700 million Africans could face displacement linked to water stress by 2030—doesn’t land evenly, but it illustrates the scale of risk planners must price in. East African governments have expanded dams, boreholes, and rural water points. Yet the new reality calls for a different rhythm: faster groundwater mapping, aggressive leakage control, and conservation agriculture that keeps moisture in the soil instead of losing it to heat. Cities must catch more stormwater when it falls and reuse more wastewater when it doesn’t. Tourism boards will also need to diversify the draw—less “snow on the equator,” more culture, trails, biodiversity—so visitor numbers don’t hinge on disappearing ice. The report’s authors lean on earlier climate assessments to show how hotter, longer dry spells and erratic rains now bookend the calendar. Floods and droughts increasingly arrive as back-to-back shocks rather than isolated events, eroding household savings and stressing public works built for gentler cycles. That makes early-warning systems and micro-insurance less of an add-on and more of a core service for farmers and informal businesses. There is a route through this. East Africa’s energy build-out—geothermal in Kenya, hydropower across the region, nascent wind and solar corridors—can power desalination pilots on the coasts and big-lift pumping inland, while climate-smart farming raises yields per drop. The harder part is governance: keeping water allocations transparent, maintaining pipes before they fail, and treating catchments like living infrastructure. Symbols matter. If the white cap on Kibo fades, the image will sting, but the practical work remains the same: protect headwaters, price losses honestly, and help communities adapt without losing their homes or their livelihoods. The melt is a warning; the response can still be a plan.

Over 3,500 SWaCH Waste Pickers in Pune Lose Jobs as PMC Moves to Mechanised Waste Collection

Experts such as Atin Biswas of the Centre for Science and Environment have warned that shifting to a contract-driven, mechanised system threatens to dismantle Pune’s progressive legacy while risking a spike in landfill waste. Over 3,500 SWaCH waste pickers in Pune face sudden unemployment after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) introduced large mechanised vehicles and phased out the decentralised, doorstep model from September 2025. Despite prior assurances, SWaCH workers, mainly women, were allegedly excluded from the new system, leading to widespread distress, unanswered promises, and growing protests. PMC claims inclusion is possible, but affected families remain sceptical. Livelihoods Upended: Stories from the Ground Many waste pickers, previously earning ₹25,000–30,000 a month from citizen fees and recycling, now struggle to repay loans and maintain basic living standards. Despite a recent meeting promising inclusion, PMC vans have replaced SWaCH workers overnight, leaving families financially and emotionally devastated. Protests have erupted across the city, with thousands of waste pickers demanding fair treatment and warning of mass unemployment. Some now wear black bands as a silent protest against delayed contract renewals and uncertain futures, while senior SWaCH members urge the PMC to honour commitments made during official meetings. Undermining a Green and Inclusive Legacy The SWaCH–PMC partnership, recognised as a national model, enabled nearly 4,000 waste pickers to serve over 900,000 Pune households through direct household fees and recycling. SWaCH’s user-fee structure not only delivered financial autonomy but also high rates of segregation and recycling at low cost, saving the city an estimated ₹110 crores annually. Experts such as Atin Biswas of the Centre for Science and Environment have warned that shifting to a contract-driven, mechanised system threatens to dismantle Pune’s progressive legacy while risking a spike in landfill waste. SWaCH members argue their system is more transparent and accountable than the alternatives, pointing to their collection of over 70,000 tonnes of waste per year and their role in sustainable urban development. Despite these tangible benefits, the new policy appears to prioritise mechanisation and privatisation, raising concerns over environmental impacts and social exclusion. Stakeholder Responses and Calls for Action According to TOI, PMC officials maintain that SWaCH workers could be included in the new setup if they adapt their skills, with Solid Waste chief Sandip Kadam stating, “If they can drive a vehicle, they would be appointed in related roles. We want the process as mechanised as possible”. However, SWaCH representatives argue that communication has been lacking and that assurances have not materialised in practice. Union leaders and activists have backed the waste pickers, holding the government accountable for protecting a sustainable, inclusive model. Experts urge a dialogue between PMC, SWaCH, and citizens to preserve the city’s green legacy and promote livelihoods for all. In a report by HT, Suman More, chairperson of SWaCH, puts it, “Our commitment to the city remains unwavering. We will keep expressing dissent until all concerns are addressed”. The Logical Indian’s Perspective This episode reflects a larger urban dilemma: how should cities balance efficiency with empathy and justice? The Logical Indian advocates for a harmonised system in which waste pickers’ expertise, dignity, and environmental stewardship are protected, not undermined. By encouraging local governments and citizens to dialogue and defend sustainable models, Pune can set a precedent for socially just and green urbanisation.

Explained: Why Is Monsoon So Unusual This Year In India

Extreme weather is taking a growing toll on India, affecting lives, livelihoods, and the economy. A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that in 2024, extreme weather events—floods, cyclones, heatwaves—occurred on nearly 9 out of 10 days across the country. The impact was devastating: almost 3,000 lives lost, 2 million hectares of crops destroyed, and over 80,000 homes damaged. The report paints a stark picture of a nation increasingly at the mercy of climate-linked disasters, with serious consequences for public health, rural communities, and long-term development goals. The 2025 Indian monsoon has turned into a season of extremes — devastating floods in some regions, parching deficits in others. From Punjab’s worst deluge in nearly four decades to cloudbursts in Uttarakhand and flash floods sweeping through Manipur, the country is grappling with a monsoon that's both unpredictable and unforgiving. Entire villages have been cut off, crops destroyed, and thousands displaced. And it shows no signs of letting up, even as we enter mid-September. Just a few days ago, five people were swept away in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district after overnight rainfall triggered flooding and landslides. Experts warn that the crisis is not just a climate emergency but also a man-made disaster. The recklessness of unchecked growth and development is worsening the situation, with deforestation playing a major role. This explainer unpacks what’s gone wrong—and why this year has been especially destructive. Extreme weather is taking a growing toll on India, affecting lives, livelihoods, and the economy. A new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that in 2024, extreme weather events—floods, cyclones, heatwaves—occurred on nearly 9 out of 10 days across the country. The impact was devastating: almost 3,000 lives lost, 2 million hectares of crops destroyed, and over 80,000 homes damaged. The report paints a stark picture of a nation increasingly at the mercy of climate-linked disasters, with serious consequences for public health, rural communities, and long-term development goals.

Haryana sets 2030 target to end farm fires: Electric buses to STPs, govt lists measures to fight bad air till 2040

Gurgaon: Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini unveiled the govt's new environmental plan, aiming to eliminate stubble burning by 2030 and implement clean-air measures in a phased manner up to 2040. It outlined a series of interventions to improve air quality — from transforming its transport sector to setting up sewage treatment plants and ensuring accountability. First Steps The plan's immediate focus is on Gurgaon and Faridabad, where the rollout will begin this year itself. According to officials, key measures will include complete electrification of bus fleets, phasing out old three-wheelers in favour of electric models, and establishing automated vehicle testing stations. Air quality monitoring will be enhanced through new stations, mobile laboratories, and upgraded district facilities. Suppression of dust and construction waste management are also being prioritised, especially in pollution hotspots. Till 2030, the two districts will serve as the testing ground for these measures before interventions are scaled up statewide. Electrification of transport Despite the promise, Haryana's progress on electrification of transport has remained painfully slow. According to recent data, Gurgaon has over 18 lakh registered vehicles, but less than 0.5% of them are electric, which underscores the enormity of the challenge ahead. The govt has announced a Rs 3,600-crore clean air project with World Bank support, which includes procurement of 500 electric buses for Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Sonipat. However, of the 375 buses currently under procurement, only 50 have arrived, with another 105 expected soon. Over 370 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed so far, but private vehicle electrification lags far behind. Experts pointed out that if there was no rapid expansion of the electric bus fleet, the shift away from polluting cars would be sluggish at best. Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, emphasised the need for a holistic approach. "It's not enough to just electrify buses. The fleet itself has to expand to meet travel demand. Only then can we induce a real shift from cars to public transport. The strategy has to be a win-win solution for all. This means more buses — all of them electric — supported by reliable services and better infrastructure," she said. "At the same time, the govt must adopt legally binding, zero-emission vehicle regulations with clear targets for 2030, 2035, and 2040. Loose intent won't help, we need enforceable timelines, incentives, and infrastructure to scale up electrification. For farm fires too, targets are fine, but success will depend on ensuring all farmers have access to in-situ machinery and ex-situ linkages with industry so crop residue is absorbed into the economy," she added. Wider reforms Beyond air quality, the plan outlined the establishment of 13 integrated solid waste management plants and e-waste collection centres in every district. Real-time air quality monitoring will be operational by 2030. Of the state's 63 pollution hotspots, 48 have already been converted into green zones, according to official data. "The environmental plan is not the responsibility of just one or two departments. Rather, it requires the coordinated efforts of multiple offices. To facilitate this, a high-level committee will be constituted to coordinate between various departments and monitor the progress. The committee will ensure that all departments operate in a mission mode, move forward with full transparency and accountability, and actively involve public participation," Saini said at the event. Community role According to officials, the involvement of local residents will be as crucial as govt action. "We realise that the environment cannot be protected by govt action alone. Industry, local bodies, and communities must actively participate in this mission. The department will provide guidance, support, and oversight, but the responsibility to protect natural resources is one that must be shared. With this plan, we have an opportunity to demonstrate Haryana's commitment to sustainable growth. Let us collectively work towards building a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future," said Sudhir Rajpal, additional chief secretary for environment, forest, and wildlife. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has proposed Rs 150 crore in environment protection charges for clean air activities. Gurgaon alone will receive nearly Rs 35 crore for anti-smog guns, mechanised road sweepers, EV charging stations, construction and demolition waste facilities, and road work. Accountability Vineet Garg, the chairperson of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), acknowledged the importance of accountability in implementing the policy. "For HSPCB, the environmental plan is not simply a policy exercise — it is a practical roadmap for action. The pollution board's role will be to ensure that progress is measured through data, that compliance with environmental norms is enforced, and that stakeholder departments and industries are supported in fulfilling their responsibilities. At the same time, transparency and accountability will have to be built into every stage of monitoring, reporting, and ensuring that progress is visible and credible," he added. The road ahead The govt's goals are clear — zero stubble burning by 2030, adoption of clean fuel by all NCR industries, and a gradual expansion of clean air initiatives statewide. Yet, the real test will be in closing the gap between vision and reality — especially in the transport sector, where the transition to electric vehicles has barely begun.

Fluoride contamination found in surface water of Arunachal Pradesh

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), September 17, 2025 directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to file its reply on the matter of fluoride contamination found in surface water of Arunachal Pradesh. The NGT directed the authorities to file their response on the matter before the eastern bench of the NGT. The next date of hearing has been scheduled for November 11, 2025. In addition to the CPCB the other authorities directed to file their response included the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board; Deputy Commissioner, Tawang District and North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology. The application was registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled “Alarming levels of fluoride contamination found in surface water of Arunachal Pradesh raising health concerns" appearing in Down to Earth dated August 26, 2025. The news item related to the discovery of alarming levels of fluoride contamination in the surface water of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district. The article mentioned that in 2022, scientists from DRDO Tezpur reported fluoride concentrations as high as 21.86 mg/L in surface water samples taken from rivers and high-altitude lakes in the region—a figure that exceeds the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 1.5 mg/L. In a 2024 study, researchers from NERIST, Itanagar, reported that Sangetsar Tso (Madhuri Lake), a well-known tourist destination, contained fluoride levels of 7.11 mg/L, which is over four times higher than the WHO’s permissible limit.

Extremely heavy rain flood Punjab, over hundred killed, 2.5 million forced to flee

This monsoon season, “the western disturbances seem to have developed a fever. Instead of the occasional one or two which would come during the southwest monsoon, there have been 19 till the first week of September this year. These winds are literally colliding with the winds of monsoon,” wrote Sunita Narain of DTE. 100 people have been killed in Pakistan and at least 55 in India, in Punjab floods. Punjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said 2,303 villages required urgent relief and resettlement, PTI reported The Hindu reported people were anxious after suffering massive loss of farm produce and jobs. Around 2.5 million people have been forced to flee in Pakistan’s Punjab province, reported TOI and the Dawn. The newspapers reported that the whole province is on the move. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has deployed “1,500 boats …to rescue stranded families living along the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers,” the report said. Down to Earth analysed data for 33 days (August 1 to September 3) and found that rescue and relief started only after huge losses occurred and pressure increased on officials. In India, farmers will get compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre, exemption on loans for 6 months and they can sell soil and silt deposited in their fields, the state government said. Punjab, Himachal, Uttrakhand: Extreme weather batter north India this monsoon, data from states reveal Punjab has averaged 400% more rainfall in the last fortnight of August than its normal, reported Down to Earth. The outlet said “Himachal Pradesh broke all records as heavy and extremely heavy rain lashed” the Himalayan state for over 90% of the days in the past three months. “Himachal Pradesh, which is upstream of Punjab, has experienced incessant rains and between August 28 and September 3, the state saw over 300% more rainfall than the weekly average…wiping out livelihoods, property and years of developmental investments,” the report said. This monsoon season, “the western disturbances seem to have developed a fever. Instead of the occasional one or two which would come during the southwest monsoon, there have been 19 till the first week of September this year. These winds are literally colliding with the winds of monsoon,” wrote Sunita Narain of DTE. Cloudbursts are being made “scapegoats” for India’s floods Heavy rains that triggered flash floods and landslides in the Himalayan states were wrongly identified as cloudbursts in the media, the phenomenon has been made a scapegoat to mask systemic failures ignoring the role of “fragile slopes, deforestation, road-cutting and unregulated construction,” reported Dialogue Earth. The outlet explained: “Unplanned and rampant infrastructure development in the region plays a significant role in these disasters…When rains flow down from the hills, they bring with them mud and stones, mixed in with construction waste from road-building projects. Such waste is often dumped in rivers and along slopes in the Himalayas. This combination can cause devastating flash floods in areas surrounding the rivers.” Simplifying the cause of these disasters as cloudbursts or landslides isn’t good enough, “every heavy rain of less than 100 mm in one hour occurring in 2-3 hours can cause these flash floods, this is especially true with rain in the mountains.” The report said quoting scientist. Mohd Farooq Azam, scientist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Disasters in the region points out: In recent years, the South Lhonak glacial lake outburst flood in 2023 and the Til village flash flood in May 2025 were primarily caused by permafrost-linked landslides. The Chamoli disaster (2021) in Uttarakhand was variously called a cloudburst and a glacial lake outburst flood. But the real trigger had been a massive rock-ice avalanche, starting at 5,500 metres and cascading into two rivers, ICIMOD explained. The 2013 Kedarnath flooding, one of India’s worst disasters, with over 6,000 deaths, was initially labelled a cloudburst, a descriptor denied by the IMD days later. Subsequent studies found the event to be a combination of extreme, sustained rainfall linked to snowmelt and overflow from an upstream lake. The lack of automatic rain gauge or hourly measurements meant the occurrence of cloudburst could not be determined. The flood’s impact was exacerbated by debris from landslides and collapsed riverbanks rushing Apples rot in hundreds of trucks as landslides and heavy rain block key Kashmir highway Excessive rainfall and landslides triggered by rain in Kashmir blocked major highways unleashing huge losses on Kashmir’s apple industry. Hundreds of apple trucks were stranded after the closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Qazigund. 1,500 apple laden trucks, right from Anantnag outskirts up to Qazigund tunnel are lined up waiting for a green signal, HT reported. There is no railway cargo service for Kashmir fruit produce. The newspaper said the growers have already suffered losses worth ₹500 to 700 crore because of blocked roads. Usually in September and October around 2,000 to 2,500 apple trucks are dispatched across the country. The highway condition has forced farmers to delay harvest and close wholesale markets in Kashmir. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured a delegation of fruit dealers that the introduction of Railway Cargo Service for fruit produce of Kashmir has already been raised with the Union Railway Ministry. ‘Landmark’ report’s grim warning: Rising sea levels will threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050 A “horrifying” climate report warned that “one and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050”, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. BBC said: “Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment predicted more frequent and severe climate hazards like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires. The study looked at three global warming scenarios – above 1.5°C, above 2°C and above 3°C. The 72-page report – released days before the government announces its emissions reduction targets for 2035 – found that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be ‘cascading, compounding and concurrent’.” The country’s climate change minister Chris Bowen used the report to call for a “strong 2035 emissions reduction target, The Guardian reported. News.com.au also carried the news, warning that “property values could dive by up to A$500bn by 2050 as homes become uninsurable and floods, cyclones and bushfires lay siege to Australia, according to a grim new climate risk assessment.” Protect Arctic from ‘dangerous’ climate engineering, scientists warn Attempts to tackle climate change by “manipulating the Arctic and Antarctic environment are dangerous, unlikely to work and could distract from the need to ditch fossil fuels”, BBC News reported. The report is based on findings of a group of “more than 40 researchers”. The report noted that polar “geoengineering” techniques designed to cool the planet through artificially thickening sea-ice or releasing reflective particles into the atmosphere have “gained attention”. The Guardian also covered the research and said polar geoengineering schemes are “so flawed that no amount of research could resolve them and that they treat only the symptoms and not the causes of the climate emergency”. The Times report on the study said the UK government is spending £10m to see if Arctic ice could be thickened by pumping seawater onto the surface over winter months.

Reduce and Reuse: Efforts to improve water efficiency in TPPs

Centre for Science and Environment’s report, “Water Inefficient Power Implementing Norms and Zero Discharge in India’s Coal Power Fleet”, highlights that many thermal units under-report water consumption by omitting cooling or ash-handling volumes from official figures. Among water-intensive industries, the thermal power sector, with a share of 87.7 per cent, stands out as the single largest consumer, with far-reaching implications for both resource security and electricity gener­ation. As a result, thermal power plants (TPPs) that are located in water-stressed regions face risks during operation and often face complete shutdowns during an acute shortage. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), India had lost about 14 TW hours of thermal power generation due to water shortages in 2016. As India’s economy grows further, we are likely to witness rising demand for water from agriculture, industry and urban centres. This underscores the need for a systematic approach to water management in TPPs such that there is an integration of technological innovation and best practices in oper­ational performance. Regulatory landscape In December 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) first issued specific water consumption (SWC) norms for TPPs, with the mission to curb freshwater use in the sector. As per these rules, plants that were commissioned before January 1, 2017 were required to limit SWC to 3.5 cubic metres per MWh by December 2017. New plants installed after January 1, 2017 faced a tighter limit of 2.5 cubic metres per MWh and were mandated to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD). In 2018, the ministry revised these stan­­d­ards and increased the limit for post 2017 plants to 3 cubic metres per MWh, while keeping the ZLD requirement. In January 2025, the MoEFCC streamlined the environmental consent process by replacing multiple parallel applications with a common consent mechanism, covering “consent to establish”, “consent to operate” and “hazardous waste authorisation” under the air and water acts. For TPPs, the changes are expected to tighten compliance oversight through integrated reporting and higher compliance costs. This shift could potentially enable faster adoption of water-efficient technologies. Current consumption patterns Water use in TPPs is driven primarily by the requirements of cooling systems, ash handling and steam generation. It also encompasses a range of auxiliary processes such as coal handling, firefighting and cleaning. Of these, cooling systems account for the largest share, particularly in coal-based stations, where circulating water is needed to condense the steam exiting the turbine. Plants also use once-through cooling to withdraw a large amount of water, much more than those with closed-cycle systems, in ­order to reduce evaporative losses. Steam generation also requires high-purity demineralised water in water treatment and conditioning systems. Furthermore, auxiliary uses are in smaller proportion and include service water for equipment washing, potable water for plant personnel and firefighting reserves. Technological measures for water efficiency In order to improve water efficiency in TPPs, the process requires a combin­ation of process optimisation, technology upgrades, and systematic reuse and re­cycling. Cooling system optimisation offers the highest savings potential due to its dominant share in overall consumption. Plants have achieved notable reductions in water consumption by increasing their cycles of concentration (COC) in cooling towers, which allows water to be recirculated more times before blowdown. Replacing conventional wet slurry disposal with high-concentration slurry disposal or fully dry systems helps reduce water use, while improving operational efficiency. In the short term, recirculation of water in ash handling systems can also save up to 70 per cent in ash-related water use. Wastewater treatment and reuse are central to meeting ZLD requirements. Modern plants employ a mix of sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment plants and specialised systems for flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) wastewater. The best practices for FGD wastewater management include controlling impurities at source through coal quality monitoring, optimising operational parameters to prevent overloading filtration systems and introducing advanced treatment processes such as forward osmosis to handle high-chloride effluents. One of the key technologies for reducing freshwater use is the air-cooled condenser (ACC), which replaces water with air for condensing exhaust steam. Although ACCs involve higher capital costs and slightly lower efficiency in hot climates, they can reduce cooling water requirements more when compared to conventional wet cooling. In India, the adoption has been limited but recent projects such as NTPC’s North Karanpura supercritical plant have demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale deployment. Additionally, the ash water recirculation system (AWRS) is designed to reuse decanted ash water and toe drain water collected from the ash pond. This recovered water is then pumped back to the plant in a closed-loop cycle, where it is utilised for ash slurry preparation. By recycling ash pond water in this way, AWRS significantly reduces freshwater withdrawal for ash handling. Digital solutions are also being deployed to track and optimise water use in real time. Supervisory control and data acquisition systems, combined with AI and machine learning analytics, help detect early leak detection and enable predictive maintenance of water systems. Monitoring water consumption Several utilities have begun adopting on-ground measures to monitor and reduce freshwater use in their operations, with a focus on recycling and reuse of wastewater. For instance, NTPC Limited has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen water efficiency across its plants. At its Rihand plant, water-cooled couplings in the coal handling plant were replaced with air-cooled alternatives, resulting in estimated savings of 15.3 cubic metres per hour. The plant has also optimised jetting nozzles in bottom ash handling and diverted treated sewage water for horticultural use. At the Mouda plant, a ZLD system has been implemented, with complete reuse of STP-treated water for greenery development. Challenges and bottlenecks While the technical potential for water savings in TPPs is substantial, implementation faces several persistent challenges. It is still expensive to fit older units with advanced systems such as dry cooling or ZLD and in many cases, even technically complex. In addition, the economics of large-scale upgrades are unfavourable when plants are nearing the end of their design life, which makes them less efficient systems. Even when capital is available, operational risks can be slow to adopt. Increasing the COC in cooling towers raises the risk of scaling, corrosion and biological fouling. Additionally, there are data related issues that compound these operational challenges. Furthermore, the Centre for Science and Environment’s report, “Water Inefficient Power Implementing Norms and Zero Discharge in India’s Coal Power Fleet”, highlights that many thermal units under-report water consumption by omitting cooling or ash-handling volumes from official figures. There is no widely accepted standard in India for defining or reporting water withdrawal versus water consumption in the power sector. In the absence of clear, mandatory reporting guidelines, benchmarking will be inconsistent and progress difficult to track. Finally, enforcement capacity varies significantly among different states. While some integrate specific water consumption limits into environmental clearance and consent conditions, others rely on periodic self-reporting by operators, which can lead to underreporting or data gaps. Outlook and the way forward According to TERI’s (The Energy and Resources Institute’s), report titled “Enhancing water-use efficiency of thermal power plants in India” highlights the need for mandatory water audits, specific water consumption across Indian thermal plants ranges from 1.9 cubic metres per MWh to 6.5 cubic metres per MWh, which is driven by cooling system design, ash handling methods and operating practices. In the short term, TERI recommends recirculating about 70 per cent of the ash water, raising COC in cooling systems to six, and implementing aggressive reuse and recycling toward zero discharge. These interventions can save approximately 10 million cubic metres of water annually and generate around Rs 3 billion per year in monetary benefits.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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