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स्लज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट के उपयोग पर बैठक:ठोस कचरे के निस्तारण और उसके उपयोग के बारे में बताया, ग्रामीण-शहरी समन्वय पर जोर दिया

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई), नई दिल्ली के ज्योतिप्रसाद दाधीच और विवेक कुमार साह ने फीकल स्लज मैनेजमेंट (एफएसएम) पर एक तकनीकी सत्र आयोजित किया। इस सत्र में स्वच्छता श्रृंखला, फीकल स्लज के वैज्ञानिक प्रबंधन, निर्धारित डिस्लजिंग और एफएसटीपी के संचालन और रखरखाव की जानकारी दी गई। विशेषज्ञों ने बताया कि इससे खुले में फीकल स्लज के निस्तारण पर रोक लगेगी, भूजल और सतही जल स्रोतों का संरक्षण होगा, जिससे जनस्वास्थ्य एवं पर्यावरण को लाभ मिलेगा।

Haryana Railway News: पहली हाइड्रोजन ट्रेन में क्या है खास? अश्विनी वैष्णव ने बताईं बारीकियां, जानिए एक्सपर्ट्स की राय

Haryana Railway News: जींद। भारत ने स्वच्छ और आधुनिक परिवहन की दिशा में एक नया अध्याय लिख दिया है। प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने शुक्रवार को देश की पहली हाइड्रोजन ईंधन से चलने वाली ट्रेन को हरी झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया। जींद-सोनीपत रेलखंड पर शुरू हुई यह ट्रेन भारत की हरित परिवहन पहल का बड़ा कदम मानी जा रही है। इस उपलब्धि के साथ भारत उन चुनिंदा देशों में शामिल हो गया है, जिन्होंने हाइड्रोजन तकनीक को रेलवे में अपनाया है। हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल सेल कैसे करता है काम? Haryana Railway News रेल मंत्री अश्विनी वैष्णव ने बताया कि इस ट्रेन में हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल सेल तकनीक का इस्तेमाल किया गया है। फ्यूल सेल हाइड्रोजन और हवा में मौजूद ऑक्सीजन की रासायनिक प्रक्रिया से बिजली पैदा करता है। यह बिजली कन्वर्टर के जरिए ट्रेन की मोटरों तक पहुंचती है, जिससे ट्रेन चलती है। उन्होंने कहा कि इस परियोजना की सबसे बड़ी उपलब्धि यह है कि पूरी तकनीक का विकास भारत में हुआ है और इसका बौद्धिक संपदा अधिकार (आईपी) भी भारत के पास है। इसके परीक्षण और प्रमाणीकरण का काम विश्वस्तरीय एजेंसी ने किया है, जिससे यह तकनीक पूरी तरह सुरक्षित मानी जा रही है। सिर्फ पानी का होता है उत्सर्जन हाइड्रोजन ट्रेन की सबसे बड़ी खासियत यह है कि इससे प्रदूषण नहीं होता। फ्यूल सेल की प्रक्रिया के बाद केवल पानी और जलवाष्प का उत्सर्जन होता है। यही वजह है कि इसे पर्यावरण के अनुकूल परिवहन का बेहतर विकल्प माना जा रहा है। रेलवे से आगे भी होगा इस्तेमाल अश्विनी वैष्णव के अनुसार, इस तकनीक का उपयोग केवल रेलवे तक सीमित नहीं रहेगा। भविष्य में इसका इस्तेमाल समुद्री परिवहन, ट्रकों, छोटी नावों और मछली पकड़ने वाली नौकाओं सहित कई अन्य क्षेत्रों में भी किया जा सकता है। उनका कहना है कि स्वदेशी तकनीक विकसित होने से भारत को भविष्य में इस क्षेत्र में किसी अन्य देश पर निर्भर नहीं रहना पड़ेगा। विशेषज्ञों की क्या है राय? विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि हाइड्रोजन ट्रेन का शुभारंभ भारत के ऊर्जा परिवर्तन और हरित परिवहन की दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। हालांकि, उनका यह भी कहना है कि भारत के 95 प्रतिशत से अधिक ब्रॉड-गेज रेलवे नेटवर्क का पहले ही विद्युतीकरण हो चुका है। ऐसे में हाइड्रोजन ट्रेनें मुख्यधारा का विकल्प बनने के बजाय उन मार्गों पर अधिक उपयोगी साबित हो सकती हैं, जहां बिजली का बुनियादी ढांचा उपलब्ध नहीं है। हरित हाइड्रोजन की उपलब्धता होगी अहम विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार, हाइड्रोजन तकनीक की दीर्घकालिक सफलता इस बात पर निर्भर करेगी कि नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा से तैयार होने वाला हरित हाइड्रोजन कितनी किफायती दर पर उपलब्ध हो पाता है। यदि ग्रीन हाइड्रोजन का उत्पादन सस्ता और बड़े पैमाने पर संभव हुआ, तो यह तकनीक रेलवे के साथ-साथ परिवहन के कई अन्य क्षेत्रों में भी क्रांतिकारी बदलाव ला सकती है। शिव नादर विश्वविद्यालय के इंजीनियरिंग विभाग के प्रोफेसर हरप्रीत सिंह अरोड़ा ने बताया कि हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल सेल हवा से ऑक्सीजन और हाइड्रोजन को मिलाकर बिजली पैदा करता है। यही बिजली ट्रेन के मोटरों को चलाती है। वहीं, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की वरिष्ठ कार्यक्रम प्रबंधक मौशुमी मोहंती का कहना है कि भारत में अधिकांश रेल नेटवर्क पहले से विद्युतीकृत है, इसलिए हाइड्रोजन ट्रेनों की भूमिका सीमित लेकिन महत्वपूर्ण रहने की संभावना है। भारत की पहली हाइड्रोजन ट्रेन केवल एक नई रेल सेवा नहीं, बल्कि स्वदेशी तकनीक, स्वच्छ ऊर्जा और आत्मनिर्भर भारत की दिशा में एक बड़ी उपलब्धि है। आने वाले वर्षों में यह तकनीक देश के परिवहन क्षेत्र को अधिक टिकाऊ और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल बनाने में अहम भूमिका निभा सकती है।

‘100,000 houses installing solar systems a week under PM Surya Ghar’

Union renewable energy secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi on Wednesday said that around 100,000 households are now installing rooftop solar systems every week under the Centre’s flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with the government expressing confidence that its target of covering 10 million homes by March 2027 remains firmly on track. Latest data, till July 13 by the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) shows the scheme has so far benefitted 4.65 million households across the country. Gujarat leads the country with 1.06 million households covered, followed closely by Maharashtra (1.04 million) and Uttar Pradesh (676,000). The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, seeks to provide rooftop solar systems to 10 million residential households while reducing dependence on conventional power sources. Households installing systems larger than 3 kW receive a central subsidy of ₹78,000. “We are covering around one lakh (100,000) households every seven days now and we expect to cross 50 lakh (5 million) households next month. The target of covering one crore (10 million) households by March 2027 is very much on track,” Sarangi told HT. The increase in numbers is also down to an aggressive push in states, where initial numbers were low. “This includes states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where initially, numbers were low but have picked up pace now,” Sarangi said. Kerala (300,000), Rajasthan (267,000), Andhra Pradesh (227,000), Madhya Pradesh (154,000), Assam (153,000), Odisha (131,000) and Haryana (117,000) are among the other leading states. Among Union Territories, Delhi has recorded 14,736 household rooftop solar connections under the scheme so far. He further attributed the recent momentum partly to word-of-mouth publicity by beneficiaries and sustained awareness campaigns across print, television and FM radio, adding as renewables grow, it helps push towards India’s target of installing 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. Sarangi said the government has already installed 288 GW of capacity so far. Experts said while the numbers are encouraging, the finer challenges, like making the subsidy process smoother, is also important. “The data speaks for itself. We are seeing consistent growth now and states where there is both central and state subsidy are doing well,” said Binit Das, programme manager for the renewable energy team at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). He said while space constraints remain an issue, particularly in urban spaces, other challenges include the financial process.

One ofthe world’s first canal-top solar projects placed a 750-meter solar array above an Indian irrigation canal, generating clean power while saving an estimated 9 million liters of water each year

Access to land for solar farms is becoming a problem worldwide. Solar panels require a lot of land, but farmland already has other uses. Over a decade ago, engineers in Gujarat pioneered one of the world's first canal-top solar power projects by placing solar panels above an irrigation canal instead of on farmland. The project produces renewable energy while saving water, one of the country's most precious resources. An innovative concept using existing infrastructure The solar farm spans 750 metres along the Sardar Sarovar Narmada canal at Chandrasan village in Mehsana district, Gujarat. According to Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (https://www.gsecl.in/uploads/financial/GSECLAnnual-Report-FY-2023-24.pdf) (GSECL), the 1 MW Canal Top Solar PV Project was launched in March 2012 and was among the first canal-top solar power plants in the world. Instead of using any agricultural land, the solar panels were installed on steel structures placed above the canal so that irrigation water could still flow below the panels. According to GSECL, the power plant generates about 1.6 million units of electricity annually without using land for solar power generation. The shade does more than produce electricity Open canals can lose water to evaporation, especially in Gujarat's arid climate. Installing solar panels above the canal shades part of the water surface, helping reduce evaporation. GSECL and contemporary reports estimated that the pilot plant saves about 9 million liters of water a year. Moreover, the flowing water may have a cooling effect on the panels. Ground-mounted solar parks can require hundreds or even thousands of acres. Canal-top solar power helps address this challenge by making use of existing canal infrastructure. Land does not have to be bought, and there is no need for the clearing of new land before setting up the panels. The idea drew attention because it addressed two problems at once: generating renewable energy and conserving land and water. As per the report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (https://cdn.cseindia.org/userfiles/State-of-Renewable-Energy-in-India.pdf), if solar panels are installed on 10 percent of Gujarat's canal cover of about 19,000 km, then 2,200 MW of electricity could be produced each year with savings of 11,000 acres of land and 20 billion liters of water. Despite these benefits, canal-top solar power has not replaced traditional solar fields. Building above a flowing canal is more complex than building on land. Steel support structures are more expensive, the system is harder to maintain, and it requires specialised engineering expertise. These extra costs have limited wider adoption, even though the project has attracted attention from policymakers and researchers. Since the pilot project, Gujarat has built additional canal-top solar installations. More than a decade later, the project is still notable As governments look for renewable energy sources that do not compete with farmland or strain water supplies, Gujarat's canal-top solar project remains a useful example of infrastructure reuse. Rather than acquiring new land, engineers explored whether existing canal infrastructure could serve a second purpose. More than a decade later, the project remains a notable example of innovative renewable energy infrastructure. It has inspired similar initiatives elsewhere in India and abroad, where efforts have been made to integrate renewable energy into existing systems. Although canal-top solar power is unlikely to replace traditional solar farms entirely, it offers an alternative in areas where land and water are scarce. The Gujarat case shows that existing infrastructure can help shape the future of renewable energy.

हाइड्रोजन से चलने वाली ट्रेन ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन में कमी की दिशा में अहम कदम: विशेषज्ञ

विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि भारत की पहली हाइड्रोजन-चालित ट्रेन रेलवे जैसे अत्यधिक ऊर्जा-खपत वाले क्षेत्र में जीवाश्म ईंधनों पर निर्भरता कम करने और ग्रीनहाउस गैसों के उत्सर्जन में कमी लाने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। हालांकि, विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि देश के अधिकांश ‘ब्रॉड गेज’ रेल नेटवर्क के पहले से ही विद्युतीकृत होने के कारण इसकी भूमिका सीमित रहने की संभावना है। विशेषज्ञों के अनुसार, भारत के ऊर्जा परिवर्तन और जलवायु लक्ष्यों में हाइड्रोजन की दीर्घकालिक भूमिका सस्ती ग्रीन हाइड्रोजन उपलब्ध होने पर निर्भर करेगी, जिसका उत्पादन नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा से किया जाता है। यह भी देखना होगा कि क्या यह किसी विशेष रेल मार्ग पर आर्थिक रूप से प्रतिस्पर्धी साबित होती है। शुक्रवार को प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी हरियाणा में जींद से सोनीपत के बीच देश की पहली हाइड्रोजन ट्रेन सेवा की शुरुआत करेंगे। दोनों शहरों के बीच 89 किलोमीटर की दूरी ट्रेन लगभग दो घंटे में तय करेगी और इस दौरान 12 स्टेशनों पर रुकेगी। रेल मंत्रालय ने बृहस्पतिवार को जारी एक बयान में बताया कि 10 डिब्बों वाली इस ट्रेन को 1,200 किलोवाट क्षमता वाली हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल-सेल प्रणोदन प्रणाली से संचालित किया जाएगा। ट्रेन की अधिकतम गति 75 किलोमीटर प्रति घंटा होगी। शिव नादर विश्वविद्यालय के इंजीनियरिंग स्कूल के प्रोफेसर हरप्रीत सिंह अरोड़ा ने ‘पीटीआई-भाषा’ से कहा, ‘‘सरल शब्दों में समझें तो हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल-सेल प्रणोदन प्रणाली में फ्यूल सेल के भीतर हवा से प्राप्त ऑक्सीजन और हाइड्रोजन को मिलाकर बिजली उत्पन्न की जाती है। यही बिजली ट्रेन की मोटरों को चलाती है।’’ नयी दिल्ली स्थित ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट’ (सीएसई) के इलेक्ट्रिक मोबिलिटी कार्यक्रम से जुड़ी मौसमी मोहंती ने ‘पीटीआई-भाषा’ से कहा, ‘‘हाइड्रोजन फ्यूल-सेल ट्रेन मूल रूप से एक इलेक्ट्रिक ट्रेन है, जो अपनी बिजली खुद ही ट्रेन के भीतर उत्पन्न करती है। यह ओवरहेड बिजली लाइनों से ऊर्जा लेने के बजाय, उच्च दबाव वाले टैंकों में संग्रहित हाइड्रोजन को हवा से प्राप्त ऑक्सीजन के साथ फ्यूल सेल में अभिक्रिया कराकर बिजली पैदा करती है।’’ उन्होंने बताया कि इससे होने वाला एकमात्र प्रत्यक्ष उत्सर्जन जलवाष्प होता है। हाइड्रोजन को ‘‘स्वच्छ ईंधन’’ माना जाता है क्योंकि इसके जलने से कोई हानिकारक प्रदूषक नहीं निकलते। मोहंती ने बताया कि ट्रेन के लिए हाइड्रोजन ईंधन ‘‘अलग से बनाया जाता है, ईंधन स्टेशन तक पहुंचाया जाता है और ट्रेन में लगे भंडारण टैंक में भरा जाता है।’’ बयान में कहा गया है कि ट्रेन के लिए जींद में हाइड्रोजन भंडारण और पुनर्भरण सुविधा स्थापित की गई है। अरोड़ा ने कहा, ‘‘हाइड्रोजन से चलने वाली ट्रेन की शुरुआत भारत के ऊर्जा बदलाव के लिए अहम है, क्योंकि यह साफ-सुथरे और कम उत्सर्जन वाले परिवहन की दिशा में एक कदम है। यह जीवाश्म ईंधन पर निर्भरता कम करके और ग्रीनहाउस गैस उत्सर्जन को घटाकर भारत के जलवायु लक्ष्यों को पूरा करने में मदद करती है, खासकर रेलवे जैसे क्षेत्रों में, जहां बहुत ज्यादा ऊर्जा की खपत होती है।’’

Tackle water security on both supply, demand sides: Experts

Asked what practical steps cities need to take on water infrastructure, given that bursts of heavy rain are making the old approach of waiting for a steady monsoon to fill dams increasingly unreliable, Sushmita Sengupta of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) told PTI that cities need to start cleaning up local water bodies, managing wastewater properly, and rebuilding decentralised systems as a sustainable source of water. She said this is a return to how India managed water long before piped supply took over. The country historically depended on decentralised sources -- small-scale rainwater harvesting, lakes, ponds, and rivers -- with cities traditionally built around a water body specifically to draw from it. "India depended on rainfall since ancient times, but the British arrival marked a shift toward piped taps," she said. According to her, the ancestors relied on decentralised systems and cities were built around water bodies. Over time, the British introduced piped drinking water, and households grew used to simply opening a tap that cities adopted and continued ever since. She noted that the shift itself was not the problem, but the negligence of lakes, ponds, and decentralised water systems, along with the wastewater networks tied to them.

India's Water Reserves Critical as Supply Deficit Deepens

Over 50% of India's major reservoirs are dry despite the ongoing monsoon, heightening risks of water scarcity. Experts warn that current per capita water availability has dropped below the international water-stress threshold, urging a shift toward better demand management and wastewater recycling. India is grappling with a severe water security challenge as major reservoirs remain critically low, even after the arrival of the monsoon season. With more than half of these storage facilities failing to reach adequate levels, concerns are growing regarding the long-term impact on agriculture, industry, and domestic supply. Falling Per Capita Availability The decline in water resources is stark when looking at historical data. According to experts at The Energy and Resources Institute, per capita water availability in India has fallen from roughly 5,000 cubic meters in 1950 to about 1,500 cubic meters today. This level is significant because it sits below the 1,700 cubic meter international benchmark used to define water-stressed regions. If availability dips below 1,000 cubic meters, the nation moves into a category of acute water scarcity. Growing Demand and Supply Mismatch The gap between what is available and what is required continues to widen. While the agricultural sector remains the largest consumer of water, industrial and urban domestic demand is rising rapidly. NITI Aayog has projected that by 2050, the country's total water demand could reach double the amount of reliably available supply. This projection highlights the urgent need for a shift in how water is managed, particularly in urban areas where current systems often rely on fresh water for non-potable needs rather than treating and recycling wastewater. Climate and Infrastructure Challenges Climate change is adding a layer of complexity by making monsoon rainfall patterns more unpredictable. Erratic cycles of heavy rain followed by prolonged dry spells reduce the effectiveness of traditional storage systems. While the government has launched initiatives like Mission Amrit Sarovar to build and restore decentralized water bodies, experts from organizations like the Centre for Science and Environment suggest that a return to more localized, decentralized management systems—similar to those used before the shift to centralized piped water—could be crucial for resilience. Investors and policymakers are monitoring these trends as water scarcity increasingly impacts industrial output, construction projects, and agricultural productivity. The critical next monitorables for the sector include the progress of water recycling infrastructure, the success of state-level rainwater harvesting policies, and the speed at which industrial water-use efficiency measures are adopted to offset rising demand.

Central Water Commission says 166 reservoirs 1-third full, straining supplies

India's running low on water: 166 major reservoirs are only about one-third full, says the Central Water Commission. While that's a small bump from last week, it's way below where we were last year. This shortage is already making things tough for drinking water, farming, and industry. Experts urge wastewater reuse, smarter irrigation Experts say climate change is messing with India's usual monsoon patterns, making rainfall less reliable. Former Water Resources Secretary Syamal Sarkar points out that only 8% of rainwater gets stored and Sushmita Sengupta of the Centre for Science and Environment notes that long-distance pipelines lose 40-50% of water through leakage. Plus, each person now has just 1,500 cubic meters of water per year, down from 5,000 in 1950. To fix this, experts urge quick action: reuse wastewater, switch to smarter irrigation methods, harvest more rainwater, and restore local lakes and ponds before things get worse.

कमजोर मानसून ने बढ़ाई चिंता : आधे से ज्यादा जलाशय खाली, विशेषज्ञ बोले- बारिश का पानी बचाने की रणनीति जरूरी

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CSE) की विशेषज्ञ सुष्मिता सेनगुप्ता का कहना है कि शहरों को फिर से तालाब, झील, वर्षा जल संचयन और स्थानीय जल स्रोतों को मजबूत करना होगा। उनके अनुसार, पाइपलाइन आधारित जल आपूर्ति पर पूरी तरह निर्भर रहने के बजाय विकेंद्रीकृत जल प्रबंधन प्रणाली अपनाने की जरूरत है। उन्होंने कहा कि लंबे समय से स्थानीय जल स्रोतों की अनदेखी, भूजल का अत्यधिक दोहन और पाइपलाइन से होने वाली 40-50% पानी की बर्बादी ने जल संकट को और गंभीर बना दिया है।

Heatwaves squeeze household budgets as cooling and food costs rise

According to the IMD's monthly report, heatwave conditions prevailed in Delhi on May 18, 19, 20, 21, 24 and 27. The city also experienced warm-night conditions on May 21 and 25. A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment found that Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 32.4 degrees Celsius on May 25, making it the warmest night in 14 years. The national capital also witnessed above-normal temperatures in June. When Sanjay Arora, a resident of Delhi's Kalkaji, received his electricity bill in June, he was taken aback by the amount. The bill was nearly double what he had paid during the cooler months. With temperatures regularly crossing 40 degrees Celsius, his family's air conditioner remained switched on for longer periods, while ceiling fans ran throughout the day. “We had no choice. The house becomes unbearable without cooling,” he said. “The electricity bill has become one of our biggest summer expenses.” Arora's experience is becoming increasingly common as extreme heat reshapes household finances across India. For families like Arora's, the impact is measured not only in degrees Celsius but also in monthly expenses. They are spending more on cooling, water and healthcare, while many workers are simultaneously losing income as prolonged exposure to high temperatures makes outdoor work difficult and, at times, dangerous. The India Meteorological Department's (IMD's) forecast of above-normal heatwave conditions and warmer-than-usual nights largely played out across large parts of the country during the April-June period. According to the IMD's monthly report, heatwave conditions prevailed in Delhi on May 18, 19, 20, 21, 24 and 27. The city also experienced warm-night conditions on May 21 and 25. A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment found that Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 32.4 degrees Celsius on May 25, making it the warmest night in 14 years. The national capital also witnessed above-normal temperatures in June. According to the IMD, a warm night occurs when the maximum temperature remains above 40 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature departs from normal by 4.5-6.4 degrees Celsius. Below-normal rainfall, driven by prevailing El Niño conditions, has kept temperatures elevated across large parts of the country. In Delhi, the mercury climbed to 38.6 degrees Celsius on July 14 — 3.1 degrees above normal — while the heat index, or “feels-like” temperature, touched 45.8 degrees Celsius in the evening, according to the IMD. There appears to be little immediate relief. The IMD has forecast below-normal rainfall across much of the country in July, with both maximum and minimum temperatures expected to remain above normal in most regions, raising the likelihood of continued heat stress. The consequences of these rising temperatures are increasingly visible not just in weather records but also in household budgets. For Mohd Arif, a delivery rider in Delhi, the heat has directly affected both his earnings and expenses. On particularly hot days, he avoids taking orders during the afternoon hours, when “roads feel like furnaces”. “I find myself in a quandary,” Arif said. “If I continue working in that heat, I risk falling sick. But if I stop working, I earn less.” His experience reflects a growing challenge facing India's informal workforce. Arif said his electricity bill had increased as multiple fans ran throughout the day and night. Staying hydrated while working outdoors has also become an added expense. “Even when I am out for work, I constantly have to buy water and drinks to stay hydrated,” he said. According to E Somanathan, head of the Centre for Research on the Economics of Climate, Food, Energy and Environment at the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi, heatwaves are increasingly becoming an economic issue for households, particularly those dependent on daily earnings. “Heatwaves can result in a large loss of income for people on daily wages or who are street vendors. It can become too hot to work or work can become less productive,” Somanathan said. In a study co-authored by Somanathan, researchers found that a one-degree increase in mean temperature was associated with a decline in net earnings of about 16 per cent, while a one-degree increase in wet-bulb temperature was associated with a decline in net earnings of nearly 19 per cent. Wet-bulb temperature refers to the lowest temperature that can be reached through the evaporation of water and is widely used to assess heat stress on the human body. Arjun Singh, an autorickshaw driver in Delhi, faces similar challenges. “I could not work for four days last month because I suffered from loo,” Singh said, referring to heatstroke-like symptoms caused by prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. The illness not only cost him several days' income but also forced him to spend on medical treatment. “After I recovered, I bought a cooler for around Rs 9,000 because I didn't want my family to go through the same thing,” he said. “It was an unplanned expense, but it was necessary.” While electricity bills and healthcare costs are among the most immediate consequences of extreme heat, food expenses are also beginning to reflect the impact of rising temperatures. A report by HSBC titled India Economics: Why RBI May Need a Thermometer noted that temperature now has a greater influence on food output and inflation than even rainfall and reservoir levels. “Even the prices of dairy, poultry and fishery products, which we collectively call animal protein sources of food, are becoming increasingly more sensitive to rising temperatures,” the report noted. Research by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has similarly highlighted the vulnerability of food prices to extreme weather conditions. Vegetables, which account for 6.04 per cent of the Consumer Price Index basket, are particularly sensitive to temperature shocks. According to the RBI study, a one-unit increase in temperature deviation adds 2.60 points to vegetable price momentum on average, compared with 0.07 points for rainfall deviations. For families already grappling with rising electricity costs, even modest increases in food prices can stretch household budgets. Sakshi Devi, a homemaker in Delhi, said food prices had risen sharply in recent months. “Vegetable prices have almost doubled over the last two months,” she said. “During summer, we spend around Rs 1,000 extra every month on drinking water, fruits and other food items. It changes our entire monthly budget.” The latest inflation data reflects some of these pressures. The food inflation rate, based on the All India Consumer Food Price Index, rose to 4.78 per cent in May from 4.2 per cent in April. Somanathan said rising temperatures could contribute to food inflation, particularly when extreme weather affects agricultural output and supply chains. The burden is often compounded by increasingly warm nights, which offer little respite from daytime temperatures. According to Somanathan, minimum temperatures can be as important as daytime heat in determining economic outcomes. “In our study, we found that the minimum temperature played an equally important role in reducing workers' earnings as did the maximum temperature. So, protection from heat at night will definitely help,” he said.

केंद्रीय जल आयोग की चेतावनी, 166 जलाशयों में भरा है सिर्फ एक-तिहाई पानी

केंद्रीय जल आयोग ने जानकारी दी है कि देश में पानी की भारी किल्लत का सामना करना पड़ रहा है। देश के 166 प्रमुख जलाशयों में सिर्फ एक-तिहाई पानी ही बचा है। हालांकि, पिछले हफ्ते से इसमें थोड़ा सुधार दिखा है, लेकिन पिछले साल की तुलना में यह अब भी काफी कम है। इस पानी की कमी का सीधा असर पीने के पानी, खेती-बाड़ी और उद्योगों पर दिखने लगा है। विशेषज्ञों ने दी यह अहम सलाह विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण मानसून का पैटर्न गड़बड़ा गया है। इससे बारिश की विश्वसनीयता कम हो गई है और पानी की आपूर्ति पर बुरा असर पड़ रहा है। पूर्व जल संसाधन सचिव एस सरकार ने बताया कि हम बारिश के कुल पानी का केवल 8 प्रतिशत ही जमा कर पाते हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की सुष्मिता सेनगुप्ता के अनुसार, दूर-दूर तक पानी ले जाने वाली पाइपलाइनों से 40 से 50 प्रतिशत पानी लीक होकर बर्बाद हो जाता है। आज प्रति व्यक्ति सालाना पानी की उपलब्धता घटकर सिर्फ 1,500 क्यूबिक मीटर रह गई है, जबकि 1950 में यह 5,000 क्यूबिक मीटर थी। इस स्थिति से निपटने के लिए विशेषज्ञों ने तुरंत कदम उठाने की सलाह दी है। उन्होंने सुझाव दिया है कि हमें इस्तेमाल किए गए पानी को साफ करके दोबारा उपयोग में लाना चाहिए, सिंचाई के लिए बेहतर और आधुनिक तरीके अपनाने चाहिए, ज्यादा से ज्यादा बारिश के पानी को जमा करना चाहिए और स्थानीय तालाबों व झीलों को फिर से जिंदा करना चाहिए, ताकि हालात और न बिगड़ें।

Extreme weather is becoming the next macroeconomic risk

The arrival of the monsoon has finally brought much-needed relief from one of northern India's hottest summers in recent years. But even as cooler winds sweep across much of the country, they cannot erase what the heat has already left behind. Before the rains arrived, schools had shortened hours, construction activity had slowed, and India's peak electricity demand had climbed to a record 270.73 GW as millions struggled to stay cool. Elsewhere, even before the monsoon had fully set in, torrential rains washed away roads, damaged crops and disrupted supply chains. None of these appeared to be an economic crisis in isolation. Taken together, however, they tell a different story. Increasingly, India's next macro-economic shock may arrive not through financial markets, but through the weather forecast. For decades, economists viewed climate change largely as an environmental concern. That distinction is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. A delayed monsoon, an extended heatwave or widespread flooding now reverberates far beyond agriculture. It influences production, employment, inflation, public finances and business confidence. Climate no longer sits outside the economy. It has become one of the forces shaping it. The evidence is becoming impossible to ignore. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, extreme weather affected 9.47 million hectares of cropped land during the first nine months of 2025—almost three times the area affected during the corresponding period a year earlier. The same assessment recorded more than 4,000 deaths and damage to nearly 100,000 houses. These are no longer isolated disasters. They are becoming recurring features of India's growth story. The first signs usually appear in the neighbourhood market. Food and beverages account for 36.75% of India's Consumer Price Index. When heatwaves, droughts or floods damage crops, supplies tighten and prices climb. Families stretch household budgets, businesses absorb higher input costs and supply chains become less predictable. Inflation increasingly begins in the sky before it reaches the supermarket. But vegetables are only where the story begins. The same heatwave that shrivels crops also slows construction sites, disrupts logistics, cuts factory productivity and keeps customers away from neighbourhood businesses. The damage spreads quietly—from fields to factories, from highways to household budgets. Every extreme weather event now carries an economic price tag. The impact is equally visible in the labour market. Heat stress shortens working hours, lowers productivity and makes outdoor work increasingly hazardous across construction, transport and India's vast informal economy. According to the International Labour Organization, rising temperatures could reduce India's total working hours by 5.8% by 2030—among the highest projected losses globally. GDP never sweats. Workers do. National income simply keeps the score. Governments, too, face mounting costs. Every flood, cyclone or drought demands spending on disaster relief, crop compensation and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. These are unavoidable expenditures, but they also divert scarce public resources from schools, hospitals and long-term investments that strengthen future growth. Climate shocks, therefore, weaken not only today's economy but tomorrow's development prospects as well. They also complicate the task of the Reserve Bank of India. Monetary policy was designed to cool demand, not cool the weather. Raising interest rates cannot replace a failed harvest, restore damaged crops or rebuild washed-away roads. Yet repeated weather-driven spikes in food prices can reshape inflation expectations, making the central bank's job increasingly difficult. Climate risk is no longer tomorrow's inflation problem. It is today's. This is precisely why climate indicators such as the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole deserve a place alongside oil prices, exchange rates and other traditional macroeconomic indicators. The monsoon has quietly become one of India's most important economic indicators. Increasingly, a weather bulletin tells us as much about tomorrow's economy as today's market report. That calls for a broader policy response. Climate adaptation is no longer simply environmental policy; it is sound macroeconomic policy. Investments in irrigation, climate-resilient agriculture, logistics, urban water systems and more accurate weather forecasting are investments in lower inflation, stronger productivity and more resilient growth. Building resilience before disasters strike is invariably less costly than rebuilding after they do. For decades, weather was treated as little more than the backdrop to India's economic story. Today, it has become part of the main narrative. The next major economic disruption may not begin in financial markets or global commodity exchanges. It may begin with a failed monsoon, a prolonged heatwave or an unexpected weather bulletin. India's future prosperity will depend not only on how fast the economy grows, but also on how well it learns to grow in a changing climate.

India's 40°C Classrooms Are Cooking Children's Brains — Why Does No Policy Treat Heat as a Learning Disability?

The India Meteorological Department's own data shows that the number of heatwave days across India has roughly doubled since 2010, with central India — Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Telangana, northern Karnataka — now routinely recording 45°C-plus ambient temperatures in May and June. Indoor temperatures in poorly ventilated, overcrowded classrooms typically run 2-4°C above ambient, according to a 2023 field study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). That means children in these regions are sitting in 44-49°C rooms.

Delhi EV Policy 2.0: Ambitious roadmap, but can mandates deliver where subsidies failed?

Environmental organisations, including the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), have strongly backed the policy, arguing that accelerated EV adoption will significantly improve air quality. They have, however, urged the government to move faster in electrifying public transport and integrate renewable energy into the charging ecosystem. Greenpeace India has similarly advocated faster implementation alongside sustainable battery recycling and clean electricity for charging infrastructure.

Rajasthan's Biochar Plants Show Promise Amid Mercury and Pathogen Risks: Report

A new study of 39 faecal sludge treatment plants across Rajasthan by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that a technology designed to turn human waste into clean water, energy and farm-ready biochar is largely working but is falling short on key safety benchmarks, including pathogen destruction and heavy-metal contamination. The study evaluated plants commissioned in 2023-24 and operated by MVR Technology, ranging in treatment capacity from 10 to 35 kilolitres a day, spread across central and eastern Rajasthan. Most Households Rely on Septic Tanks Rather Than Sewer Networks According to the report, Rajasthan has officially achieved open-defecation-free status under the Swachh Bharat Mission, but roughly seven in ten urban households still rely on septic tanks rather than sewer networks, generating nearly 3,870 kilolitres of faecal sludge daily that existing infrastructure only partly treats. That gap has pushed the state toward plants using "pyrolysis-based Omni Processor" technology, which separates solid and liquid waste through a screw press, treats the liquid in a bioreactor, and heats the solids in a low-oxygen furnace to produce biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material that locks carbon in soil for centuries while serving as organic fertilizer. Treatment Side of the Process Worked At Most Sites The report found the treatment side of the process working effectively at most sites. Outlet pH stayed within the required 5.5-9.0 band across all plants, and suspended-solids removal topped 90% at many facilities, meeting national discharge limits. Organic pollutant removal exceeded 95% at most sites, with the majority discharging effluent that met even the strictest national standards. Disinfection using UV treatment also kept faecal coliform levels in the treated liquid within permissible limits at most locations. The biochar and biosolids produced also showed nutrient value: both maintained pH and salinity levels compliant with India's Fertilizer Control Order standards for organic manure, contained more than 14 per cent organic carbon, and had combined nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium content exceeding the regulatory minimum, making them, workable substitutes for chemical fertilizer. The report said plants at Kishangarh Renwal and Khairthal showed nitrogen well above limits, while phosphorus exceeded caps at several sites, including Kishangarh Bas. A few plants, such as Lakheri and Losal, showed unusually high dissolved-solids levels needing direct intervention. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead stayed within safe limits, but mercury and zinc frequently exceeded fertilizer-safety standards in both biosolids and biochar, mercury alone breached limits at 15 biochar sites and nearly all biosolid locations. Chromium and nickel also exceeded limits at sites such as Khairthal. Biosolids retained high levels of E. coli, Salmonella and helminth eggs at nearly every site, unfit for unrestricted use. The report showed none of the 25 larger plants met USEPA or WHO pathogen limits for open agricultural use. Even biochar, despite pyrolysis cutting pathogen loads sharply, still exceeded USEPA's Class A limit for helminth eggs at multiple sites. Recommendations The researchers proposed better dissolved-oxygen and carbon-to-nitrogen control for nitrogen removal, chemical precipitation for phosphorus, and reverse osmosis for dissolved-solids problems. For solids, they recommend optimized belt-dryer conditions, pulverizing biosolids to aid pathogen kill-off, and secure long-term storage and tighter pyrolysis temperature and residence-time control for biochar.