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Cse In News

Can Auto LPG retrofitment in cars be a game-changer in Delhi?

In a landmark move to tackle the capital’s air pollution crisis, Delhi government has enforced a fuel ban on all petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10 years old. This sweeping ban, affecting more than 62 lakh vehicles in Delhi alone, is being implemented through advanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at 498 fuel stations and robust on-ground enforcement by Delhi Police and the Transport Department. Vehicles identified as “end-of-life” will not be dispensed petrol or diesel, and violators risk impounding and scrapping. The urgency of this measure is underscored by findings from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which reveal that vehicles contribute a staggering 51% of Delhi’s local pollution. The ban, while necessary for public health, has raised concerns among citizens and stakeholders about the fate of millions of vehicles and the livelihoods tied to them. Suyash Gupta, Director General of Indian Auto LPG Coalition, stated, “Delhi stands at a fundamental crossroad in its battle against the rising air pollution. The current ban, while bold, will disrupt the lives of millions unless we provide a viable alternative. By promoting retrofitment to Auto LPG, we can offer immediate relief to vehicle owners and the environment alike. Auto LPG retrofitment is a proven, affordable, and scalable solution that can help Delhi achieve its clean air goals without forcing citizens to scrap their assets prematurely. The government’s support in incentivizing and simplifying the retrofitment process will be crucial in making this transition both practical and impactful.” Amid these challenges, experts and industry leaders are calling for a practical, sustainable solution: retrofitment to Auto LPG. By incentivising and streamlining the retrofitment process, Delhi can convert millions of older vehicles into clean, low-emission alternatives almost overnight. Auto LPG is not only cost-effective for consumers but also delivers immediate and significant reductions in harmful emissions, making our cities healthier and our air cleaner. The government must prioritize clean fuel policies and support retrofitment initiatives to ensure a sustainable and practical transition for India’s vast vehicle population. Retrofitment to clean fuels like Auto LPG stands out as a game-changing opportunity—one that can help Delhi – and perhaps more cities across the country, breathe easier while ensuring mobility and livelihoods for its people.

Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land diverted from in 10 years; 63% for mining, irrigation and roads: Centre tells Lok Sabha

Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh was replying to a question from Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who asked in the Lok Sabha whether forest clearances for projects had increased by over 150% from 2014 to 2023, citing a Centre for Science and Environment report. The Union environment ministry approved the diversion of 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes between 2014-15 and 2023-24, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The mining and quarrying sector, the hydropower energy and irrigation sector, and road projects accounted for about 63 per cent of diversion, with forest land of 40,096.17 hectares, 40,138.31 hectares, and 30,605.69 hectares diverted for the three purposes respectively. The Union minister was replying to a question from Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who asked whether forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects had increased by over 150 per cent from 2014 to 2023, citing a Centre for Science and Environment report. The minister added in his reply that forest land was allowed for non-forestry use in unavoidable circumstances with “adequate mitigation measures including raising of compensatory afforestation and payment of net present value”. As per the minister’s reply, linear infrastructure projects such as power transmission lines accounted for diversion of 17,232.69 hectares of forest land. The ministry also approved 14,968.14 hectares of forest land for defence projects. Railway projects accounted for 7,998 hectares of forest land diversion, whereas 2,644 hectares were diverted for the thermal power sector. For the “others” category, 9,669.85 hectares of forest land were diverted and 346.84 hectares for wind power. “The process of approvals for diversion of forest land for various non-forestry purposes under Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvarshan) Adhiniyam, 1980 is a continuous process. During the period from 2014-15 to 2023-24, the forest area measuring 173984.3 ha. has been approved to be used for various non-forestry purposes, including infrastructure and industrial projects under the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980,” the minister stated in his reply.

India cleared 1.73 lakh hectares of forests in a decade: Govt

India’s rapid infrastructure expansion over the past decade has come at a heavy environmental cost, with over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land approved for diversion to non-forestry purposes between 2014 and 2024. The staggering figure was placed before the Lok Sabha on Monday by Environment Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who cited the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by the Centre for Science and Environment. The report had flagged a 150 per cent surge in forest clearances over the last decade. Singh informed the House that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest area had been approved for diversion under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, during the period spanning April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2024. Leading the tally were mining and quarrying projects, which consumed 40,096.17 hectares, largely in mineral-rich regions of central and eastern India where extractive industries continue to chip away at forest cover. Hydropower and irrigation schemes collectively accounted for 40,138.31 hectares, including the construction of dams, canals, reservoirs and supporting infrastructure, reflecting the government's push for water security and energy generation. Linear infrastructure, a long-standing driver of deforestation, also featured prominently. Road-building projects were approved for 30,605.69 hectares, while power transmission lines claimed 17,232.69 hectares. Defence-related projects, including those in border areas, diverted 14,968.14 hectares, a significant figure that underscores the strategic realignment of infrastructure in frontier regions. The data placed railway projects next, with 7,998.65 hectares cleared, largely to accommodate new lines, doubling, and electrification drives. Singh said forest diversions were undertaken in “unavoidable circumstances” and only after adequate mitigation measures were ensured. Among other sectors, the “Others” category, which includes unclassified and miscellaneous use, accounted for 9,669.85 hvectares. Projects for converting forest villages into revenue villages used 3,250 hectares, a move often linked to resettlement under the Forest Rights Act. Thermal power plants accounted for 2,644.02 hectares, while resettlement schemes were sanctioned 1,580.55 hectares. Drinking water supply projects, including pipelines and treatment units, took up 1,282.21 hectares. Smaller but notable diversions included village electrification (551.13 ha), optical fibre cabling (437.63 ha), pipeline installations (543.57 ha), and industrial estates or standalone factories (405.82 ha). The footprint of renewable energy projects was considerably smaller. Wind power projects were granted 346.84 hectares, solar installations just 1.57 hectares, and substations 76.14 hectares. Healthcare and education projects together consumed less than 200 hectares. Hospitals and dispensaries took up 113.31 hectares, while educational institutions such as schools and colleges used 83.46 hectares. Marginal allocations were recorded for communication posts (6.54 ha), telecommunication lines (0.59 ha), and rainwater harvesting structures (0.11 ha). A total of 9.63 hectares of forest land was also regularised as encroachments under specific policy provisions. While the government insists that diversions are permitted only with environmental safeguards in place, the growing scale of forest loss for infrastructure signals an ongoing tension between development imperatives and ecological preservation.

1.73 Lakh Hectares of Forest Land Cleared for Infra Projects Since 2014, Government Confirms

GUWAHATI: Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion to non-forestry purposes across India between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 21. The data was shared by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh in response to a question from MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who cited the 2023 State of India’s Environment Report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report noted a 150% rise in forest clearances since 2014. While the government did not directly address this percentage, it confirmed the total diverted area under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

Encouraging active citizenship in the fight against socioecological catastrophe

'Global Warming in an Unequal World' by Anil Agarwal and Sunita Narain, a chapter published in 1991 and warning of environmental colonialism and the unjust responsibility placed on non-major players in aggravation of climate change. How can educators empower the next generation with the skillset to take on the socioecological crises we face? Professor Emily Shuckburgh delivered an insightful message of hope at the School of Education, Communication and Society's 2025 annual lecture. As the climate crisis rapidly progresses, educators are compelled to consider their role in supplying the next generation with the skills to take on the challenges we collectively face. To avoid instilling a sense of despair and helplessness in the today's youth, Dr Heather King shares in the opening remarks of this year's School of Education, Communication and Society annual lecture, that educators must be open to change, adaptation and innovation. Dr King is the current director of the Centre for Research in Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, who organised this year's lecture. This year's annual lecture was delivered by Professor Emily Shuckburgh OBE, world-leading climate scientist and science communicator, Director of Cambridge Zero, the University of Cambridge’s ambitious climate change initiative. The event, which took place on 1 July, brought together academics, students, King's staff across various departments, but importantly, human beings with a shared passion for a better future. Professor Shuckburgh highlighted the current status of our environmental resources, noting the effects of climate change and where we collectively are in the fight in relation to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Shuckburgh, who is also a mother of two, shared a moving anecdote at the lecture, which further strengthened her ambition to empower the next generation. I have two daughters who are now 10 and 12. A couple of years ago we were collectively watching the latest David Attenbourgh series. My daughter, who is now 12, after a while refused to watch any more episodes. And she refused to watch any more episodes because she just found it so sad. She ended up just going to bed and sitting in bed saying "I don't see the point in living." She later explained that she didn't see the point in humanity if this is how we treated the world. – Professor Emily Shuckburgh Moved by the profundity of her daughter's led Shuckburgh to question how we can help young people to respond to the current state of our relationship with the planet. The talk's title, 'Education visions: thriving sustainably on Planet Earth', shares its name with a soon to be published book edited by Professor Shuckburgh, James Biddulph and Harry Pearse. The book collects essays from academic experts across various fields, whose work is associated with sustainability. In putting together this collection, the team recognised a series of underlying themes and used these to inform a practical guide with real-life examples of how educators can respond to these urgent issues. These themes are associated with a series of tangible actions and solutions that educators can use in their work. Professor Shuckburgh highlighted the following themes: Informing and empowering young people Active citizenship Creativity and resilience Transdisciplinary Community engagement Museums At the University of Cambridge and as part of Cambridge Zero, Professor Shuckburgh has led on multiple initiatives to integrate climate education and encourage active citizenship in young people. Some of the actions taken by the University and led by Shuckburgh include integrating creative workshops in schools inspired by her Ladybird expert book on climate change, written with the HRH King Charles II, asking children to create artworks of their ideal world. Other initiatives include using climate change as an inspiration for plays and theatre shows and schools being the anchor for community engagement projects such as protecting local landscapes. More so, Professor Shuckburgh notes that it is not only climate issues that we must focus on, but a wider mission to bridge ever increasing social inequality and injustice. She warned of the erasure of existing scholarship about climate change that was written by non-Western scholars, such as 'Global Warming in an Unequal World' by Anil Agarwal and Sunita Narain, a chapter published in 1991 and warning of environmental colonialism and the unjust responsibility placed on non-major players in aggravation of climate change. Professor Shuckburgh spoke on a justified accountability and action, and provided a message of urgency and hope to educators to innovate their pedagogy in order to make a change to our environment and the lives of today's youth.

Golf Course Road testing ground for state’s 1st plastic-free urban stretch

Gurgaon: Starting with Golf Course Road, Haryana's pollution control board HSPCB will start handing out eco-friendly items to residents and businesses to help the city eliminate single-use plastics. HSPCB officials told TOI they will launch the initiative from the Golf Course Road and cover a radius of one kilometre in the first week of Aug. The drive will include commercial buildings, residential societies, schools and roadside vendors. The idea is simple, officials said, eliminate single-use plastic from one of the city's most prominent stretches and set a precedent for sustainable urban lifestyle. Instead of taking penal action for flouting the ban on single-use plastics, the board is opting for a transition phase that gives people time and tools to adapt. Over the next three months, HSPCB teams will provide paper, cloth and biodegradable alternatives of single-use plastics to residents and businesses. A buffer stock of biodegradable materials is being built to support the change. "We want this to be real, not symbolic. It's not enough to ban plastic; we need to make sure people have substitutes before we ask them to stop using it," said Akanksha Tanwar, HSPCB regional officer, Gurgaon. This preparation period, officials believe, will reduce resistance and confusion when enforcement begins. HSPCB is also working with resident welfare associations (RWAs) to drive awareness campaigns. Engagement with vendors and shopkeepers, often the biggest users of disposable plastic, is part of the strategy too. "If this pilot on Golf Course Road works, the model will be gradually expanded to other parts of the district. The idea is to treat this stretch as a testing ground for how to go plastic-free in a real-world setting," Tanwar said. Around 14% of all plastic waste generated in the state ends up in landfills, according to an annual report published by HSPCB last year. The state recycles approximately 78% of its plastic waste, the report said, but it also pointed out an alarming rise in plastic waste generation – a 38% increase from 129,866.7 tonnes in 2022-23 to 179,406.5 tonnes the next fiscal year. This is despite the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) imposed nationwide from July 1, 2022. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates, food and beverage containers, coffee cups and lids, drink stirrers, cigarette butts, balloons and balloon sticks, wrappers, wet wipes, and most plastic packaging designed to be used once and discarded. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), plastic packaging that is not covered under the ban and is abundantly used to pack processed food items contributes to 60% of the waste generated. Data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says the world produces over 300 million metric tonnes (MT) of plastic every year. Of this, 14 million MT ends up in the ocean. It estimates that India generates 3.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, or around 9,500 MT daily, and the country's waste generation has doubled over the past five years. "While the intent behind India's plastic ban has been commendable, enforcement has largely fallen short due to inadequate alternatives, patchy monitoring and a lack of coordinated waste management. That said, I am cautiously optimistic about the focused approach being tried on Golf Course Road. If authorities ensure genuine availability of eco-friendly substitutes and involve communities actively, this pilot could set a practical example for other regions to follow," said Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at CSE.

Monsoon mayhem: No easy fix to urban flooding

Ultimately, it has to be a combination of solutions. “The CSE study in Sangam Vihar –– Delhi’s largest unauthorised settlement, housing an estimated one million people, confirmed the need for a blend of grey and green-blue infrastructure under a decentralised water supply, wastewater and stormwater management. If we want to address equity and justice, then we must prioritise the deficits in our dense unplanned settlements,” insisted Kapur, who authored the study in his previous role at the Centre for Science and Environment. Parts of Bengaluru were knee-deep in rainwater during the pre-monsoon downpour in mid-May. The rains hit Mumbai a week earlier than scheduled, and flooded its new metro station, and halted the train service. Since the season’s onset, Delhi’s waterlogged roads have led to perpetual traffic snarls and sewage backflows. Gurugram has lived up to the moniker #Gurujam, offering spectacles of marooned gated communities and inspiring comparisons with Venice on social media. However shocking, these scenes now evoke a feeling of déjà vu. In the last two decades since the Mumbai flood, caused by a 100-year-high rainfall and killing more than 1,000 people in 2005, there has been no respite for Indian cities from inundation, monsoon after monsoon. Experts say there is no quick fix for flooding triggered by short bouts of intense rain due to climate change. While such events will continue to overwhelm the civic infrastructure, which has its physical limits and capacities, there is little excuse for not doing the basics right, which go a long way in monsoon preparedness. Predicting an uncertain climate future is often challenging, but looking back at how we have planned, designed, and maintained our cities can offer vital cues for course correction. Lessons from urban ‘development’ When the British decided to move the imperial capital from Calcutta (Now Kolkata) to Delhi, the architects were reluctant to go with the earmarked Coronation Park site in Burari because it was too close to the floodplain. Ultimately, the higher ground on Raisina Hill was selected. Ironically, much of the urbanisation post-Independence has happened in the floodplain, which naturally attracts floodwaters. Chennai, which is frequently inundated — its worst floods were reported in 2015 — does relatively better in the planned old town, where the drains are still functional, said Balaji Narasimhan, a hydrologist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The hotspots are low-lying areas developed on paddy fields where the soil is clayey, water cannot percolate freely, and drainage by gravity is limited due to topographical constraints and encroachment of drainage pathways. In Mumbai, the land reclamation areas, including parts of Island City and Bandra Kurla Complex, are more prone to waterlogging. “These low-lying areas are challenging to deal with. If high tide is coupled with high-intensity rainfall, water takes more than normal time to recede and accumulate,” said Abhijit Bangar, deputy municipal commissioner (projects) at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Rainwater is meant to take its natural course, flowing from upstream to downstream and falling into a lake, river, or sea or sinking back into the earth. However, when linear infrastructure such as rail tracks, roads, or buildings intercept this natural flow or concrete surfaces prevent absorption, flooding occurs. Delhi, for example, has raised pillars of elevated roads and the Metro inside its natural channels that once facilitated rainwater drainage to the Yamuna. Previously, cities would flood from swollen rivers. Now we see “in-situ flooding”, said Depinder Kapur, the head of the Climate Centre for Cities at the National Institute of Urban Affairs. “During heavy rains last year, the water levels in the Yamuna did not rise, yet south and central Delhi were inundated. Even Bengaluru, located on a plateau with no major river, suffers from frequent in-situ flooding. Increased precipitation plays a big part here, but this also highlights significant issues in urban planning.” Obsessive overbuilding Across cities, there has been a mindless tendency to overbuild. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, WRI-India found that between 2000 and 2015, the built-up area in the ten most populous Indian cities increased on average by 47% and 134% within 0–20km of the city centre and 20–50km periphery, respectively. Simultaneously, the blue cover (water bodies) decreased by 15%. The study also found that 44% of this new development is located in zones with high or very high recharge potential, and an estimated 300 billion litres of water per year are now diverted away from underground aquifers. A US-specific study indicates that even a 1% increase in built-up areas results in a 7% increase in the extent of flooding. In India, this is partly because of market pressure to get the maximum value from the land, said Sahana Goswami, senior programme manager at WRI-India, one of the authors of the 10-cities study. There is also the desire to have good views — such as lakeside and riverside apartments — where development occurs at the expense of green and blue spaces. Regulations on land use need to be implemented, added Nitin Bassi, who leads the sustainable water team at Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a non-profit policy research institute. In-built inadequacies Many cities have common channels for stormwater and sewers. In Bengaluru, nullahs are losing their natural slope because stormwater channels are used as sewer drains throughout the year. With siltation, the water stagnates, receding the slope gradient. Also, culverts with their pillars reduce the width of the drain, said Rajarshi Das Bhowmik, assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. In extreme cases of flooding, roads are also supposed to serve as conduits for water. But if roads are not milled to the bottom when relaid, it artificially changes the road profile as compared to the adjacent lands, and causes localised flooding, said Narasihman. Indian cities don’t have a separate utility duct to put water supply lines, power lines, data fibres, etc. They use the storm drain as an easy conduit, he added. If the older cities suffer from legacy drainage issues, the newer towns have grown without the basics. Gurugram rose from agricultural lands sold to builders who developed private gated communities on a level higher than the surrounding roads, said Bassi. these gated complexes set up decentralised wastewater management without factoring in the high runoff volumes they would release to the streets during storm events, he added. The newer areas of Bengaluru have similar problems. Wastewater is often dumped outside the gated society, which remains flood-free, but the road outside is inundated, said Bhowmik. Multiple jurisdictions of drains compound the problem. In Delhi, nine agencies are involved in drain management. “If the flood and irrigation department drains are not clean, the water from the public works department will backflow. When the PWD drains are blocked, the MCD drains backflow,” said a retired official at the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Seasonal mess Indian cities prepare for the monsoon mess throughout the year by dumping tonnes of garbage, construction waste, and domestic sewage into stormwater channels. Before the monsoon, the road-owning agencies clean these choked drains, leaving them on the roadside. The first shower, and the muck is back in the drains. On average, about one million metric tonnes of silt is removed from the drains annually in Delhi, but there is no dedicated disposal space. Landfills are saturated. “It is anybody’s guess where the silt goes,” said the retired official. While silt removed from the nullah is supposed to be carried for disposal, there is a reason desilted muck is left lying in the open for at least 48 hours. “It is to dehydrate it. Wet silt can’t be carried immediately, as it leads to problems of leachate leakage from the transport vehicles. Wet silt also adds to the weight-to-volume ratio and can lead to excessive payments to contractor payments,” explained Bangar. But can desilting alone ensure that rainwater won’t flood our cities? Not really, said Goswami. “We assume the drains have 100% coverage. Also, many parts of our cities have combined sewers, or what was originally a storm drain now carries sewage anyway. This high volume of mixed silt accumulating daily must be removed to ensure effective storm drains.” In Gurugram, even if the drains are there, they are inadequate to take care of the road runoff. Then there is additional water from the flyovers, which finds no way to evacuate and cascades like a waterfall to the road below, said Bassi. Municipal officials feel that too much accountability has been placed on agencies without adequate support. “They talk about geo-tagging the desilted sites, but during the three months we do the job, there is a shortage of machinery, trucks, loaders, etc, which nobody talks about. The plans to mechanise the work are still on paper,” said the former MCD official. Bassi concurs: “Municipalities manage too many things simultaneously, but their finances are poor. Municipal services — water supply, free solid waste collection, park maintenance — cannot be free anymore. They need to be priced to generate enough resources for the municipalities to work as required.” Nature-based solutions (NBS) Goswami said we can preserve excess water as a resource; only what can’t be absorbed should go downstream. So, efforts are being made to revive many natural water bodies surrounding Bengaluru. In Chennai, the marshland that used to absorb floodwater is being rehabilitated. But, NBS is not without its limitations, said Narasihman. “The sponge park might only work in two-year or five-year floods. If the flooding exceeds that, the city will still be inundated.” But, NBS has other co-benefits of reducing urban heat island, and helping groundwater recharge and biodiversity, he added. NBS are also not maintenance-free, as natural drains require dredging and sponge parks must be revegetated. Most importantly, agencies in charge must ensure that rainwater polluted with sewage, garbage, and road runoff doesn’t land in these water bodies and green spaces without proper treatment. The efficacy of runoff absorption also depends on the water table and may not work where the groundwater levels are high, warned Bhowmik. Bangar said that in cities like Mumbai, where every square inch of land is extremely valuable, there is no space for NBS apart from government land, forest land, the national park, and salt pans. “This has prompted us to design NBS considering existing gardens and grounds. Mangroves and salt pans can also act as great detention and retention areas for flood water,” he said. Unpaving the paved Many people who live in low-lying areas are from disadvantaged communities. They have built their lives around these locations. Goswami looked at this as a political problem: “Instead, why don’t we consider the interim retrofit solutions and make them equitable? Flooding often occurs in urban areas because stormwater flows across the city. This water needs to be absorbed locally, ideally in greenbelts or parks, but that is not possible if these areas are heavily walled off. In a 2010 survey, municipal officials identified at least 300 neighbourhoods that did not have issues with sewage discharge, which could have been used for recharging water in local parks. However, according to the MCD official, no action was taken. Ultimately, it has to be a combination of solutions. “The CSE study in Sangam Vihar –– Delhi’s largest unauthorised settlement, housing an estimated one million people, confirmed the need for a blend of grey and green-blue infrastructure under a decentralised water supply, wastewater and stormwater management. If we want to address equity and justice, then we must prioritise the deficits in our dense unplanned settlements,” insisted Kapur, who authored the study in his previous role at the Centre for Science and Environment.

6 Nations Excelling at Water Quality, 3 in Decline

“We’ve made progress, but the scale of the challenge is enormous,” admitted Dr. Sunita Narain, an environmental policy expert. Rapid urbanization and climate change are straining already limited resources, making clean water a daily concern for millions of Indians. Switzerland: Setting the Gold Standard Switzerland has long been recognized as a global leader in water quality, and the latest data only cements its reputation. The nation’s alpine lakes and rivers are so pristine that tap water often rivals bottled brands in taste and purity. According to the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, over 98% of drinking water samples met or exceeded all safety standards in 2024. Experts point to tight regulations and state-of-the-art filtration systems as key reasons for this success. Swiss authorities continuously monitor for contaminants like microplastics and pesticides, acting swiftly at the first sign of risk. “Water is our most precious resource, and we treat it as such,” noted Dr. Miriam Gasser, a leading hydrologist in Zurich. The country’s focus on renewable energy also means fewer pollutants enter waterways from industry, keeping the source as clean as possible. India’s quest for clean water is a story of both hope and heartbreak. The government’s Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped drinking water to every rural household by 2026, and there have been notable successes—access to safe water has increased by 24% in the past two years. However, waterborne diseases remain a major public health threat, particularly in densely populated regions. The Central Pollution Control Board reported that over 70% of the country’s surface water is contaminated with sewage and industrial waste. “We’ve made progress, but the scale of the challenge is enormous,” admitted Dr. Sunita Narain, an environmental policy expert. Rapid urbanization and climate change are straining already limited resources, making clean water a daily concern for millions of Indians.

Since 2014, 1.73L hectares of forest land diverted for infra projects: Centre

Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the Environment Ministry informed Parliament, on Monday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150% between 2014 and 2023. The highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 hectares. These included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern India. Hydropower and irrigation projects together accounted for the second-highest diversion, with 40,138.31 hectares of forest land approved for such purposes. These include large and small dams, canals, reservoirs and associated infrastructure. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by think tank, Centre for Science and Environment. According to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top contributors. Forest land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 hectares. Defence projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest land. The category listed as "Others", which includes miscellaneous or unclassified uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another significant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrification works. Projects involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages - a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies - used 3,250 hectares of land. Thermal power projects were approved on 2,644.02 hectares of forest land, while rehabilitation and resettlement schemes received clearance on 1,580.55 hectares. Projects related to drinking water supply, including pipeline networks and treatment plants, accounted for 1,282.21 hectares. Optical fibre cable laying, which generally involves underground or shallow surface work along road or railway alignments, led to the diversion of 437.63 hectares. Pipeline projects were approved on 543.57 hectares, while industry-related clearances, including those for industrial estates or standalone units, covered 405.82 hectares. Wind power installations accounted for 346.84 hectares, and village electrification initiatives used 551.13 hectares of forest land. Dispensaries and hospitals were allocated 113.31 hectares, and educational institutions, including schools and colleges, were constructed on 83.46 hectares of forest land. Substations took up 76.14 ha of forest land, solar power 1.57 ha, encroachments regularised under certain policies 9.63 ha, and communication posts 6.54 ha. A marginal amount of land (0.11 ha) was approved for rainwater harvesting structures, and 0.59 hectares was used for telecommunication lines. The minister said the process of forest land diversion is continuous and permitted only in "unavoidable circumstances" with adequate mitigation measures.

Govt claims 1.73 lakh hectares forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024

Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on Monday. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by think tank Centre for Science and Environment.

Over 1.73 lakh ha forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024: Govt

Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on Monday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 hectares. These included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern India. Hydropower and irrigation projects together accounted for the second-highest diversion, with 40,138.31 hectares of forest land approved for such purposes. These include large and small dams, canals, reservoirs and associated infrastructure. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India’s Environment Report by think tank Centre for Science and Environment. The report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150 per cent between 2014 and 2023. According to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top contributors. Forest land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 hectares. Defence projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest land. The category listed as “Others”, which includes miscellaneous or unclassified uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another significant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrification works. Projects involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages, a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies, used 3,250 hectares of land. Thermal power projects were approved on 2,644.02 hectares of forest land, while rehabilitation and resettlement schemes received clearance on 1,580.55 hectares. Projects related to drinking water supply, including pipeline networks and treatment plants, accounted for 1,282.21 hectares. Optical fibre cable laying, which generally involves underground or shallow surface work along road or railway alignments, led to the diversion of 437.63 hectares. Pipeline projects were approved on 543.57 hectares, while industry-related clearances, including those for industrial estates or standalone units, covered 405.82 hectares. Wind power installations accounted for 346.84 hectares, and village electrification initiatives used 551.13 hectares of forest land. Dispensaries and hospitals were allocated 113.31 hectares, and educational institutions, including schools and colleges, were constructed on 83.46 hectares of forest land. Substations took up 76.14 ha of forest land, solar power 1.57 ha, encroachments regularised under certain policies 9.63 ha, and communication posts 6.54 ha. A marginal amount of land (0.11 ha) was approved for rainwater harvesting structures, and 0.59 hectares was used for telecommunication lines. The minister said the process of forest land diversion is continuous and permitted only in “unavoidable circumstances” with adequate mitigation measures. PTI GVS RHL

Forest Clearances for Infrastructure and Industrial Projects

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether as per the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in its 2023 State of India's Environment Report, forest clearances for infrastructure and Industrial Projects has increased by over 150 per cent from 2014 to 2023; and (b) if so, the reasons therefor despite Government's international commitments to increase forest cover under Paris Agreement?

Over 1.73 lakh hectares forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024: Govt

: Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on Monday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 hectares. These included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern India. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by think tank Centre for Scien or ce and Environment. The report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150 per cent between 2014 and 2023. According to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top contributors. Forest land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 hectares. Defence projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest land. The category listed as "Others", which includes miscellaneous or unclassied uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another signicant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrication works. Projects involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages, a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies, used 3,250 hectares of land. Thermal power projects were approved on 2,644.02 hectares of forest land, while rehabilitation and resettlement schemes received clearance on 1,580.55 hectares. Projects related to drinking water supply, including pipeline networks and treatment plants, accounted for 1,282.21 hectares.

Over 1.73 lakh ha forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024: Govt

Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on Monday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 hectares. These included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern India. Hydropower and irrigation projects together accounted for the second-highest diversion, with 40,138.31 hectares of forest land approved for such purposes. These include large and small dams, canals, reservoirs and associated infrastructure. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India’s Environment Report by think tank Centre for Science and Environment. The report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150 per cent between 2014 and 2023. According to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top contributors. Forest land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 hectares. Defence projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest land. The category listed as “Others”, which includes miscellaneous or unclassified uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another significant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrification works. Projects involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages, a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies, used 3,250 hectares of land.

FGD Exemption Eases Cost For Coal Power Plants, Says CareEdge

CSE Raises Red Flags: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) calls the exemption a setback to India’s air pollution reduction commitments. Curious about how power gets cheaper? India’s Environment Ministry just made a big move! On July 11, 2025, it revised sulphur dioxide norms for coal and lignite power plants. What’s the buzz? “Category C” plants—those located outside sensitive or polluted zones—no longer need to install costly Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems. These systems remove harmful SO₂ from emissions. According to CareEdge Ratings, this change could save ₹87,000 to ₹1.16 lakh crore in capital costs and cut your electricity bills by ₹0.17 to ₹0.22 per unit! That’s ₹19,000 to ₹24,000 crore in annual savings. Coal Power Gets Financial Breather Thermal power continues to dominate India’s power mix, delivering 75% of total generation despite being just 47% of capacity. Plant Load Factor (PLF) remains high, making coal crucial. CareEdge anticipates coal will still provide nearly 60% of electricity by 2029–30, with consumption hitting 1,233 billion units. Recognising coal’s central role, the government permits Category A plants (cities with 1 million+ people) to comply by December 2027. Category B plants (critically polluted/non-attainment areas) get case-by-case deadlines. Category C plants—about 80% of capacity—won’t need FGDs but must follow alternative pollution norms. The revised structure aims for balance: lower cost versus emissions control. Wider Impacts & Environmental Concerns Tariff Relief, But at What Cost?: While the eased FGD norms lower power tariffs and capital costs, environmentalists warn of long-term public health costs. Reversal of Clean-Air Progress: According to Reuters, this move reverses India’s 2015 mandate for stricter emissions control across coal plants. Pollution Doesn’t Respect Boundaries: Critics argue that sulphur pollutants travel beyond zones, risking respiratory issues and acid rain across regions. SO₂’s Link to PM2.5: Independent studies estimate sulphur dioxide contributes 12–30% of India’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. CSE Raises Red Flags: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) calls the exemption a setback to India’s air pollution reduction commitments. Ministry’s Justification: The Ministry of Environment claims most Indian coal is low in sulphur, and insists stack emission limits and monitoring will ensure safety.

NHRC and IGNFA Launch Human Rights Training for 2023 Batch IFS Probationers in Dehradun – Details Inside

As part of its ongoing efforts to sensitise and build the capacities of All India Services officers, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), launched a two-day training programme for the 2023 batch of Indian Forest Service (IFS) probationers in Dehradun. Inaugurating the programme, NHRC Chairperson Justice Mr. V. Ramasubramanian underscored the constitutional obligations laid out in Article 48A and Article 51A (g), highlighting the dual responsibility of the State and every citizen to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife. He emphasised that compassion for living beings must be a guiding principle in governance and civic life. Evolution of Human Rights and Emerging Global Challenges Justice Mr. Ramasubramanian offered a comprehensive overview of the historical evolution of human rights, tracing milestones from the Charter of Cyrus to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). He explained the categorisation of human rights into four generations—from civil-political to socio-economic and collective rights, extending to emerging concerns in technology, digital privacy, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. He called for ethical vigilance as these challenges evolve. Human Rights: Deeply Rooted in India’s Ethos, Says Mr. Bharat Lal Delivering the keynote address, NHRC Secretary General Mr. Bharat Lal highlighted India’s robust institutional and constitutional commitment to human rights. He noted that India’s values of empathy, non-violence, and human dignity have long shaped its human rights discourse, referencing iconic reformers like Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Mr. Lal elaborated on how tools like Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and judicial remedies through Articles 32 and 226 have empowered citizens. He stressed the significance of Public Interest Litigation in delivering justice to the vulnerable. He further urged IFS officers to actively involve tribal and forest-dwelling communities in environmental management to ensure inclusive and sustainable conservation. NHRC’s Expanding Role in Rights Protection and Capacity Building Mr. Bharat Lal highlighted the NHRC’s role as the apex human rights body, coordinating with State Human Rights Commissions and offering multilingual complaint mechanisms. The Commission also undertakes suo motu actions, field investigations through Special Rapporteurs, and conducts public outreach through open discussions, camp sittings, and internship programmes. Integrating Human Rights into Environmental Governance In his address, IGNFA Director Mr. Jagmohan Sharma outlined the programme’s objective to integrate human rights into environmental governance. He emphasised that the training will expose IFS probationers to best practices and key legislative frameworks for protecting the rights of vulnerable and marginalised communities. Expert-Led Sessions Across Diverse Themes The training features 13 theme-based sessions led by eminent experts such as Mr. Rajiv Jain (Former NHRC Member), Mr. Rajiv Kumar (Former Chief Election Commissioner), Mr. Prasant Kumar (Member, CAT Srinagar), Dr. S. P. Yadav (DG, International Big Cats Alliance), and Ms. Sunita Narain (DG, Centre for Science and Environment), among others.