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Erratic Weather Is Hurting Indian Firms in The Biggest Consumer Market

India experienced extreme weather events on 88% of days in 2024 in one or more parts of the country, according to a database maintained by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Between 1993 and 2022, the South Asian nation lost about $180 billion to severe heat and rains, the Climate Risk Index 2025 report said. Some of India’s largest companies, already hit by a demand slump, are facing a new threat in wooing the country’s 1.4 billion consumers: unpredictable weather. A cooler-than-usual summer this year — followed by the earliest onset of rain since 2009 — has hurt companies selling everything from talcum powder to air conditioners. Blue Star Ltd., one of the largest AC sellers in the country, had to cut production by as much as 25% between April and June, as it saw fewer buyers. It also delayed imports of compressors, a key input, and extended credit to some dealerships saddled with unsold inventories. Rivals Havells Ltd. and Tata-owned Voltas Ltd. also flagged a sales slowdown. A four-fold jump in frequency, unpredictability and intensity of extreme weather events in India over the past four decades has made planning and preparedness more demanding for companies. From Hindustan Unilever Ltd. to food delivery app Zomato-owner Eternal Ltd. to engineering giant Larsen & Tourbro Ltd., it’s affecting everything from sales to labor and supply chain management in the world’s biggest consumer market. India’s situation as one of the most affected nations by climate change provides a glimpse of what’s in store for other major economies as environmental change accelerates. As record-breaking temperatures, rains and other extreme weather occur worldwide, companies are likely to be left scrambling to predict and plan for the future. Earnings Calls On earnings calls over the last six months, top management and equity analysts discussed “delayed summer” and “delayed winter” the most in five years, according to transcripts analyzed by Bloomberg News. “This quarter is slightly challenging as far as the summer portfolio is concerned,” Mohan Goenka, vice chairman of Emami Ltd., whose products include talc powder, told investors on an earnings call last month. The company will try to make up for the setback through its other segments, he added. Varun Beverages Ltd., which bottles Pepsi in India, had said in April that it was ramping up production for the summer, expecting higher demand. Instead, unseasonal rains likely hurt performance at the beverage maker, according to analysts at Jefferies. The brokerage also flagged weaker demand at Dabur Ltd., which sells fruit juices, and Tata Consumer Products Ltd., which sells cold drinks. Time-sensitive summer demand, “once missed, is difficult to recover,” analysts at Nuvama, led by Abneesh Roy, said in a note to clients. Labor Shortage Rising incidence of heat waves, for example, was among factors causing a shortage of labor at Larsen, even as it split shifts between early morning and late afternoon. Eternal, which operates Zomato and Blinkit, said it faces a seasonal shortage of delivery workers in the summer. Hindustan Unilever, which sells skincare brands including Ponds and Vaseline, said it saw muted performance in the December quarter partly due to a delayed winter. India experienced extreme weather events on 88% of days in 2024 in one or more parts of the country, according to a database maintained by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. Between 1993 and 2022, the South Asian nation lost about $180 billion to severe heat and rains, the Climate Risk Index 2025 report said.

पीएम नहीं बल्कि ओजोन दिल्ली में सबसे बड़ा प्रदूषक : सीएसई

इस गर्मी में दिल्ली की हवा में पार्टिकुलेट मैटर (पीएम) नहीं बल्कि ओजोन सबसे बड़ा प्रदूषक बनकर उभरा है। यह एक बड़ा बदलाव है, जो राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र (एनसीआर) में स्वास्थ्य के लिए खतरनाक है। इसका खुलासा दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) ने अपनी नई रिपोर्ट में किया है। नए विश्लेषण से पता चला है कि जमीनी स्तर पर ओजोन मार्च और मई 2025 के बीच लगभग हर दिन राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा सीमाओं के तय मानक से अधिक रहा। साथ ही, पिछले वर्षों की तुलना में इसका भौगोलिक विस्तार अधिक होगा और अवधि भी अधिक लंबी होगी। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 25 मई से 11 जून के बीच 18 दिनों में से 12 दिनों में वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (एक्यूआई) में ओजोन प्रमुख प्रदूषक रहा, जिसने इतने लंबे समय में पहली बार महीन कण पदार्थ (पीएम2.5) को विस्थापित कर दिया। इसके बावजूद मौजूदा आपातकालीन प्रतिक्रिया ढांचे, ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (ग्रेप) में ओजोन या इसके पूर्ववर्ती गैसों को रोकने के लिए कोई प्रावधान नहीं है। दक्षिण दिल्ली का नेहरू नगर सबसे अधिक प्रभावित रहा, जहां ओजोन का स्तर हर दिन सुरक्षित सीमा को पार कर रहा था, जबकि नोएडा के सेक्टर 125 और गाजियाबाद के वसुंधरा में राष्ट्रीय राजधानी के बाहर सबसे अधिक दिनों तक ओजोन का स्तर बढ़ा। ओजोन का स्तर रात तक भी बना रहा विश्लेषण से पता चला कि ओजोन का स्तर न केवल दिन के समय बढ़ा बल्कि अक्सर देर रात तक ऊंचा बना रहा। दिल्ली के स्टेशनों ने प्रतिदिन 14.2 घंटे ओजोन के स्तर को मानक से ऊपर दर्ज किया, जो पिछली गर्मियों में 12 घंटे था। एनसीआर के शहरों में यह आंकड़ा बढ़कर 15 घंटे हो गया। गुरुग्राम के ग्वाल पहाड़ी में रात के समय ओजोन की सबसे अधिक घटनाएं दर्ज की गईं। इस गर्मी में सबसे ज्यादा रीडिंग दिल्ली के सीआरआरआई मथुरा रोड स्टेशन से आई, जहां 19 मई को आठ घंटे का औसत 472 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति क्यूबिक मीटर दर्ज किया गया, जो राष्ट्रीय मानक से चार गुना अधिक है।

PM Modi Addresses G7 Outreach Session in Canada, Stresses Energy Security and Global Cooperation

Citing a report by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, the AP noted that the combined share of solar, wind, small hydro, and biomass in India’s electricity generation stood at 12% — double the figure in 2014 but still below expectations for 2025. PM Modi Addresses G7 Outreach Session in Canada, Stresses Energy Security and Global Cooperation Kananaskis, Canada – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the outreach session of the 51st G7 Leaders’ Summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. He spoke during a session on “Energy Security: Diversification, Technology, and Infrastructure to Ensure Access and Affordability in a Changing World”, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that energy security remains one of the key challenges facing future generations. He outlined India’s commitment to inclusive growth and highlighted the four pillars of India’s energy policy: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. Modi stated that India had successfully met its Paris climate commitments ahead of schedule, despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy. “Despite rapid growth, challenges persist. While non-fossil fuel sources now comprise 45% of India’s total installed power capacity, their share in actual electricity generation stood at 24% last year. Coal remains the dominant source, accounting for 75% of electricity generation,” the Associated Press reported weeks ahead of G7 summit. Citing a report by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, the AP noted that the combined share of solar, wind, small hydro, and biomass in India’s electricity generation stood at 12% — double the figure in 2014 but still below expectations for 2025. The report also pointed out that while India is making progress in harnessing solar, wind, and other clean energy sources, coal continues to dominate electricity generation. However, its dominance is gradually declining: coal accounted for 60% of installed power capacity 11 years ago, compared to less than 50% today, according to data from India’s Ministry of Power. In his speech, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to a sustainable and green future. He mentioned several key global initiatives led or co-led by India, including the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Global Biofuels Alliance, Mission LiFE, and the One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative. He urged the international community to strengthen and support these efforts. He also underlined the severe impact of global uncertainty and conflicts on the Global South. Modi stressed that a sustainable future requires recognizing and addressing the concerns and priorities of developing nations. Turning to global security, the Prime Minister called for stronger international action against terrorism. Referring to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, he stated that it was not just an assault on India but on all of humanity. He called for strict action against countries that support and promote terrorism. “Terrorism is a grave threat to humanity,” Modi said, posing three pressing questions to the global community: Will countries recognize the grave threat of terrorism only after becoming its victims? How can the perpetrators of terror be equated with its victims? Will global institutions remain mute spectators to terrorism? The Prime Minister also spoke on the evolving relationship between technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy. While calling AI a critical tool for promoting innovation and efficiency, he warned that it is also energy-intensive. He emphasized the need to develop sustainable and green AI systems. "Concluding a productive Canada visit. Thankful to the Canadian people and Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which witnessed fruitful discussions on diverse global issues. We remain committed to furthering global peace, prosperity and sustainability," PM Modi said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 51st G7 Leaders’ Summit at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office on March 14, 2025.

In Re: News Item titled

1. This original application is registered suo-motu based on the news item titled "Nayar river is vanishing - a yatra reveals conservation goes beyond science and policy" appearing in ‘The Down To Earth’ dated 03.06.2025.

Ground-level ozone at 5-yr high; south, northwest Delhi worst hit

New Delhi: The city experienced its highest ozone levels in five years this summer, according to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment. The eight-hour rolling average of the gas exceeded safe standards for 14.2 hours daily, increasing from 12 hours in previous summers. The analysis revealed that south and northwest Delhi were most affected, showing the broadest geographical spread of ozone exceedance since 2018. The study indicated that ground-level ozone surpassed national safety standards throughout the 92-day summer period from March 1 to May 31, with breaches occurring on 83 days. The established eight-hour standard for O3 is 100 micrograms per cubic metre. "Ground-level ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region, with the maximum concentration exceeding 100 microgram per cubic metre on each of the 92 days between March 1 and May 31, highlighting the persistent and widespread nature of the problem," the study said. "The worst day in terms of spatial spread was April 28, when 32 out of 58 monitoring stations across the region reported ozone levels above the safe limit. The highest regional intensity was recorded on April 13, with the Delhi-NCR average reaching 135." Ozone forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide, which are released by vehicles, power plants and factories. These substances react in sunlight to create ground-level ozone. This highly reactive gas poses serious health risks. It can inflame and damage the airways, increase susceptibility to infections and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. CSE analysed summer trends from 2021 to 2025 (until May 31) using CPCB's official online portal, Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The findings showed Nehru Nagar breached the safe level on all 92 days, followed by Najafgarh (82 days) and Okhla Phase-II (81 days). Only six locations, Anand Vihar, IHBAS, ITO, Shadipur, Narela and Knowledge Park in Greater Noida, maintained levels below the standard. On several days this summer, therefore, ozone was the lead pollutant instead of particulate matter in the daily air quality index. "Out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11, ozone was the lead pollutant on 12," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, CSE. The study also said there was no system to address the ozone problem under the Graded Response Action Plan. "While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected," Roychowdhury pointed out, calling for measures to curb ozone.

Ozone pollution this year highest since 2021 in Delhi: Report

Delhi has recorded its highest ozone (O3) levels this summer in the last five years, with readings breaching the safe mark for 14.2 hours on an average in a day, a report shows. This eight-hour rolling average has gone up from 12 hours in a day from the last two summers, 11.7 hours in 2022 and 12.2 hours in 2021, according to the report released by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Tuesday. The eight-hour safe standard for the pollutant is 100 μg/m3. The analysis also shows that Delhi recorded its widest geographical spread of ozone exceedance in the past five years this summer, with south Delhi and northwest Delhi being the worst impacted. CSE said ground-level ozone levels exceeded the national safety standards on all 92 days in the summer period – considered as March 1 till May 31, while it exceeded the safe standards on 83 out of the 92 days in the summer. “Ground-level ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region, with the maximum concentration exceeding 100 µg/m³ on each of the 92 days between March 1 and May 31, highlighting the persistent and widespread nature of the problem. The worst day in terms of spatial spread was April 28, when 32 out of 58 monitoring stations across the region reported ozone levels above the safe limit. The highest regional intensity was recorded on April 13, with the Delhi-NCR average reaching 135 µg/m³..” said the analysis. Unlike primary pollutants (emitted directly from sources), ozone is not emitted directly from any source, but is formed through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide — pollutants released by vehicles, power plants, factories and other combustion sources. In the presence of sunlight, these substances undergo a series of cyclic reactions that result in the formation of ozone near the ground. CSE took into account summer trends from 2021 to 2025 (up to May 31) available on the Central Pollution Control Board’s official portal. Data showed that Nehru Nagar was the worst impacted station, exceeding standards on all 92 days. This was followed by Najafgarh (82 days) and Okhla Phase-II (81 days). In comparison, six locations – Anand Vihar, IHBAS, ITO, Shadipur, Narela and Knowledge Park in Greater Noida did not exceed the standards even on a single day this summer. “This summer, several days have recorded ozone — instead of particulate matter — as the lead pollutant in the daily Air Quality Index (AQI). Out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11, ozone has been the lead pollutant on 12,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director and in-charge of clean air programme at CSE. “But there is no system to address this problem under the current Graded Response Action Plan for emergency action to reduce exposure or to address its sustained mitigation with longer term clean air action plan. While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected,” she said, calling for focused action against the highly reactive gas.

Delhi-NCR breaches safe ozone limits on most summer days: CSE report

Delhi’s ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant, remained above safe limits throughout this summer, according to a study released Tuesday by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based environment think tank. Experts have pointed out that this summer, ozone emerged as the dominant pollutant on several days. While particulate matter remains the main focus of government efforts to combat air pollution, ozone levels topped the charts on 12 out of 18 days between May 25 and June 11. Despite this spike and its known health risks, ozone has yet to be included in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which guides emergency measures to curb air pollution. This leaves a major gap in strategies to limit both short- and long-term exposure to the gas. Advertisement “While the policy attention is nearly fully focused on particulate pollution, co-control of toxic gases from vehicles, industry, and combustion sources that contribute to ozone formation in the air is neglected,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director and head of the clean air programme at the CSE. Citing the highly reactive nature of the gas, experts have warned that unchecked ozone levels could trigger a serious public health crisis. According to the study, ozone exposure poses significant respiratory risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children with underdeveloped lungs, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Experts noted that ozone can inflame and damage the airways, reduce resistance to infections, and aggravate diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. This can increase both the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, often resulting in higher hospitalisation rates. Unlike particulate matter, which is monitored based on a 24-hour average, ozone standards are set for an eight-hour average due to the gas’s highly reactive nature. The national pollution monitoring agency also tracks hourly ozone levels across all monitoring stations. As per CPCB norms, the permissible limit is 100 µg/m³ for an eight-hour average and 190 µg/m³ for a one-hour average—both of which were breached at several stations across the Delhi-NCR region during the recorded period. The report, titled ‘Ground-level ozone – Delhi-NCR: An Invisible Threat’, found that from March 1 to May 31, ozone pollution remained consistently high across the region. The maximum concentration exceeded the safe limit of 100 µg/m³ on all 92 days, underscoring the persistent and widespread nature of the problem. Meanwhile, the surrounding NCR areas reported surges on 83 days during the same period. In Delhi, the highest ozone levels were recorded on April 13, with an average concentration of135 µg/m³. In the wider NCR region, the peak was slightly higher at 139 µg/m³ on April 25. According to CSE’s analysis, the worst-affected areas are in northwest and south Delhi, with Nehru Nagar in South Delhi exceeding the safe ozone standard on all 92 days of monitoring. It was followed by Najafgarh (82 days), Okhla Phase II (81), Ashok Vihar and Aya Nagar (77 each), and Wazirpur (72). The study also indicated significant changes in hourly ground-level ozone data this summer. Ground-level ozone pollution has intensified this summer, with the regional hourly peak rising by 9% compared to lockdown-era levels and eight-hour averages crossing 450 µg/m³ due to the removal of CPCB’s earlier data cap. Delhi’s Mathura Road station logged a record 472 µg/m³ on May 19, while hotspots across NCR—like Alipur, Ashok Vihar, Gurugram’s Gwal Pahari, and Noida Sector 62—also reported dangerously high concentrations. Ozone, unlike primary pollutants, is a secondary pollutant formed through sunlight-driven reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from human-made sources such as vehicles, power plants, factories, and other combustion activities, as well as from natural sources like vegetation. The CSE warns that poor monitoring and oversimplified averaging methods are masking localised ozone spikes, underscoring the need for hotspot-specific strategies to reduce short-term exposure and protect public health. “Instead of only averaging out the levels for the city, which is the standard practice to estimate AQI, it is also important to capture adequately the high levels of localised exposures in the hotspots and to design mitigation strategies accordingly. Managing short-term exposures is critical to protect public health,” said Shranajeet Kaur, deputy programme manager at CSE’s Urban Lab, in a press statement. In light of the recurring rise in ozone pollution, Roychowdhury urged that ozone be formally included in Delhi-NCR’s clean air action plan. She cautioned that, unlike developed economies, which shifted to a multi-pollutant approach only after controlling particulate pollution and then facing a surge in NOx and ozone levels, India should act early to avoid falling into the same trap. To combat rising ozone pollution, experts recommend integrating ozone into GRAP and city clean air plans to enable emergency measures targeting precursor emissions from vehicles, industries, and waste burning, while promoting zero-emission vehicles and clean fuels. They also call for a regional action plan, as ground-level ozone disperses beyond city limits, affecting rural areas, agricultural productivity, and food security, demanding coordinated local and regional strategies.

दिल्ली पर मंडरा रहा बढ़ते ओजोन प्रदूषण का खतरा, क्या है CSE की रिपोर्ट?

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) ने अपनी नई रिपोर्ट में दिल्ली और आसपास के क्षेत्रों में ओजोन प्रदूषण के बढ़ते खतरे को लेकर चेताया है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक इस साल गर्मियों के दौरान दिल्ली में करीब-करीब हर दिन ओजोन प्रदूषण का स्तर सुरक्षित सीमा से ऊपर रहा। दिल्ली के आसपास के क्षेत्रों में भी उन दिनों की संख्या बढ़ी है, जब हवा में ओजोन प्रदूषण हावी था। ओजोन कोई सीधे तौर पर उत्सर्जित होने वाला प्रदूषक नहीं है, यह सूर्य की रोशनी में नाइट्रोजन ऑक्साइड, वोलेटाइल ऑर्गेनिक कंपाउंड (वीओसी) और कार्बन मोनोऑक्साइड जैसी गैसों के साथ रासायनिक प्रतिक्रिया से बनता है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक दिल्ली में मार्च से मई 2025 के बीच हर दिन ओजोन का स्तर 100 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर से अधिक रहा। 28 अप्रैल को सबसे खराब दिन रहा, जब क्षेत्र के 58 में से 32 निगरानी स्टेशनों में ओजोन का स्तर सुरक्षित सीमा से ऊपर दर्ज किया गया। वहीं जब दिल्ली-एनसीआर के शहरों के अलग-अलग देखा गया तो स्थानीय स्तर पर अलग ही रुझान सामने आए। दिल्ली में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषण 13 अप्रैल को दर्ज किया गया, जब ओजोन का औसत स्तर 135 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर रहा। इस दौरान 39 में से 25 स्टेशनों पर ओजोन का स्तर तय सीमा से अधिक रिकार्ड किया गया। एनसीआर में 25 अप्रैल को ओजोन का स्तर 139 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर तक पहुंच गया। इस दौरान एनसीआर के अन्य शहरों में 83 दिनों तक ओजोन का स्तर तय सीमा से अधिक दर्ज किया गया। 18 और 28 अप्रैल को एनसीआर के 10 में से 9 स्टेशनों ने सीमा से अधिक स्तर दर्ज किया। दिल्ली के ये इलाके रहे सबसे अधिक प्रभावित रिपोर्ट में यह भी सामने आया है कि गर्मियों के दौरान उत्तर-पश्चिम और दक्षिण दिल्ली में बढ़ते ओजोन से सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित रहे। वहीं गाजियाबाद और नोएडा एनसीआर के सबसे प्रदूषित शहरों में शामिल थे। इस साल औसतन करीब 19 मानिटरिंग स्टेशनों ने रोजाना मानकों से अधिक स्तर दर्ज किया, जोकि पिछले पांच वर्षों में सबसे अधिक है। इस साल इसमें 6.8 प्रतिशत की बढ़ोतरी हुई है। इस गर्मी, ओजोन का स्तर रोजाना औसतन 14.2 घंटे तक हवा में बना रहा, जोकि पिछले साल 12 घंटों से कहीं अधिक है। इस गर्मी दिल्ली में ओजोन प्रदूषण का फैलाव बढ़कर औसतन 15.1 स्टेशनों तक पहुंच गया, जो पिछले साल के 13.2 स्टेशनों से अधिक है। ओजोन प्रदूषण का समय भी बढ़कर औसतन 12 घंटे हो गया। एनसीआर में ओजोन का प्रसार हुआ कम दूसरी तरफ एनसीआर के शहरों में ओजोन का स्थानीय प्रसार कम हुआ है, जो इस साल औसतन 3.6 स्टेशनों पर रहा, जबकि पिछले साल यह 4.4 स्टेशनों पर था। दक्षिणी दिल्ली का नेहरू नगर सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित इलाका रहा। मार्च से मई तक सभी 92 दिनों में यहां ओजोन का स्तर तय सीमा से ऊपर रहा। इसके बाद नजफगढ़, ओखला फेज-2, अशोक विहार, आया नगर और वज़ीरपुर भी ज्यादा प्रभावित रहे। सीएसई की कार्यकारी निदेशक और क्लीन एयर प्रोग्राम की प्रमुख अनुमिता रायचौधरी ने कहा कि वाहनों, उद्योगों और कचरे के जलने से निकलने वाली गैसें ओजोन के बनने में योगदान करती हैं, लेकिन नीतियों में इन पर ध्यान नहीं दिया जा रहा। सीएसई ने सुझाव दिया है कि ओजोन को ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (ग्रेप) में शामिल किया जाना चाहिए। वाहनों और उद्योगों से होने वाले उत्सर्जन को रोकने के लिए स्वच्छ ईंधन और तकनीक को बढ़ावा दिया जाए।

World Day To Combat Desertification and Drought: उपजाऊ भूमि को मरुस्थल होने से बचाना होगा

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) द्वारा जारी “स्टेट ऑफ एनवायरमेंट इन फिगर्स 2019” की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक 2003-05 से 2011-13 के बीच भारत में मरुस्थलीकरण 18.7 लाख हेक्टेयर बढ़ चुका है। सूखा प्रभावित 78 में से 21 जिले ऐसे हैं, जिनका 50 फीसदी से अधिक क्षेत्र मरुस्थलीकरण में बदल चुका है। मानव एवं जीव-जंतुओं का जीवन भूमि पर निर्भर है। फिर भी, पूरी दुनिया में प्रदूषण, भूमि का दोहन, जलवायु अराजकता और जैव विविधता विनाश का एक जहरीला मिश्रण स्वस्थ भूमि को रेगिस्तान में बदल रहा है और संपन्न पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र मृत क्षेत्रों में बदल रहा है। ‘हमारी भूमि’ नारे के तहत भूमि बहाली, मरुस्थलीकरण और सूखा निवारण आज की जलवायु समस्याओं का सटीक समाधान हो सकता है, इसी को ध्यान में रखते हुए विश्व मरुस्थलीकरण एवं सूखा निवारण दिवस 17 जून को मनाया जाता है। यह दिन मरुस्थलीकरण और सूखे से निपटने के लिए जागरूकता बढ़ाने और लोगों को एकजुट करने के लिए मनाया जाता है। इस वर्ष की थीम है ‘भूमि के लिए एकजुट। हमारी विरासत। हमारा भविष्य’ है, संयुक्त राष्ट्र के अनुसार यह दिवस पर भूमि के महत्व और इसे भावी पीढ़ियों के लिए संरक्षित करने की आवश्यकता पर प्रकाश डालता है। कोलंबिया गणराज्य इस वर्ष 17 जून को मरुस्थलीकरण और सूखा दिवस के वैश्विक आयोजन की मेजबानी करेगा, जो प्रकृति-आधारित समाधानों के माध्यम से भूमि क्षरण को संबोधित करने की अपनी प्रतिबद्धता को रेखांकित करता है। बोगोटा में आयोजित यह कार्यक्रम स्थिरता, शांति और समावेशी विकास के उत्प्रेरक के रूप में भूमि बहाली एवं सूखा निवारण की तत्काल आवश्यकता पर प्रकाश डालेगा, साथ ही भोजन, पानी, रोजगार और सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने में स्वस्थ भूमि की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका पर जोर देगा। मरुस्थलीकरण एक तरह से भूमि क्षरण का वह प्रकार है, जब शुष्क भूमि क्षेत्र निरंतर बंजर होता है और नम भूमि भी कम हो जाती है। साथ ही साथ, वन्य जीव व वनस्पति भी खत्म होती जाती है। इसकी कई वजह होती हैं, इसमें जलवायु परिवर्तन और इंसानी गतिविधियां प्रमुख हैं। इसे रेगिस्तान भी कहा जाता है। संयुक्त राष्ट्र के अनुमान के मुताबिक 2025 तक दुनिया के दो-तिहाई लोग जल संकट की परिस्थितियों में रहने को मजबूर होंगे। उन्हें कुछ ऐसे दिनों का भी सामना करना पड़ेगा जब जल की मांग और आपूर्ति में भारी अंतर होगा। ऐसे में मरुस्थलीकरण के परिणामस्वरूप विस्थापन बढ़ने की संभावना है और 2045 तक करीब 13 करोड़ से ज्यादा लोगों को अपना घर छोड़ना पड़ सकता है। विश्व में जमीन का मरुस्थल में परिवर्तन होना गंभीर समस्या एवं चिन्ता का विषय है। भारत में भी यह चिंता लगातार बढ़ रही है। इसकी वजह यह है कि भारत की करीब 30 फीसदी जमीन मरुस्थल में बदल चुकी है। इसमें से 82 प्रतिशत हिस्सा केवल आठ राज्यों राजस्थान, महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात, जम्मू एवं कश्मीर, कर्नाटक, झारखंड, ओडिशा, मध्य प्रदेश और तेलंगाना में है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) द्वारा जारी “स्टेट ऑफ एनवायरमेंट इन फिगर्स 2019” की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक 2003-05 से 2011-13 के बीच भारत में मरुस्थलीकरण 18.7 लाख हेक्टेयर बढ़ चुका है। सूखा प्रभावित 78 में से 21 जिले ऐसे हैं, जिनका 50 फीसदी से अधिक क्षेत्र मरुस्थलीकरण में बदल चुका है।

State of India’s Environment 2025 in Figures

India’s environmental performance has raised concerns as states struggle to meet the 70-mark threshold. The latest report, “State of India’s Environment 2025 in Figures,” published by Down To Earth magazine and the Centre for Science and Environment, reveals alarming gaps in sewage treatment and river health. Even the highest-ranked state, Andhra Pradesh, scored only 68.38 out of 100. This indicates that even top performers face serious environmental challenges. Environmental Performance Rankings The State of States rankings evaluate states across four themes – environment, agriculture and land, public health, and human development and infrastructure. Each theme consists of four sub-categories. The environment theme focuses on forest and biodiversity, climate, waste management, and water quality. Sewage Treatment Shortfalls Sewage treatment is a critical area where many states, including Andhra Pradesh, perform poorly. Andhra Pradesh ranks 18th among 36 states and Union Territories in sewage management, treating less than 11% of its daily sewage. This deficiency marks a nationwide issue in sewage infrastructure and treatment capacity. River Pollution Concerns River pollution remains a pressing challenge. Andhra Pradesh has reduced polluted river stretches from five in 2018 to three in 2022. However, the Vasishta river continues to be critically polluted, with a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level of 58 mg/L, far exceeding the safe limit of 3 mg/L. Nationally, 27 states and Union Territories scored below 50 in water quality assessments.

Drowning in plastic

At the sprawling 250-acre plastic bazaar at Tikri Kalan on the Delhi-Haryana border, towering mounds of white PP raffia bags stuffed with plastic scrap line the dusty, winding lanes. The plastic is segregated into at least 100 distinct varieties, ensuring each sack contains only one kind of plastic, since mixed plastic cannot be processed together. “Plastic waste from every district of India comes here,” says Vijay Sharma, office secretary, PVC and Plastic Waste Dealers Association. Between 30 and 50 trucks, each of 10-15 tonne capacity, arrive daily, says Sharma. Other traders estimate the figure to be much higher—200-250 trucks. Which means only one thing: the presence of a massive informal market—much larger than the formal one—right on Tikri Kalan’s periphery.

भारत के राज्य पर्यावरण प्रदर्शन में पिछड़े: सीवेज उपचार और नदी प्रदूषण बना प्रमुख अवरोध

स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज़ एनवायरनमेंट 2025 इन फिगर्स” नामक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, भारतीय राज्य पर्यावरण प्रदर्शन के क्षेत्र में 70 अंकों से नीचे हैं। यह रिपोर्ट डाउन टू अर्थ (DTE) मैगज़ीन और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) द्वारा प्रकाशित की गई है और देश के पर्यावरणीय हालात पर आंकड़ों के आधार पर गहराई से विश्लेषण करती है। क्यों पिछड़ रहे हैं राज्य? रिपोर्ट में सबसे बड़ा कारण सीवेज उपचार और नदी प्रदूषण को बताया गया है: आंध्र प्रदेश, जो इस वर्ष पर्यावरण श्रेणी में सर्वोच्च स्थान पर है, ने भी सिर्फ 68.38 अंक ही प्राप्त किए। राज्य ने वनों और जलवायु संकेतकों में अच्छा प्रदर्शन किया, लेकिन सीवेज उपचार और नदियों की सफाई में पिछड़ने से इसकी रैंकिंग प्रभावित हुई। सीवेज उपचार में गहरी खाई आंध्र प्रदेश प्रतिदिन के उत्पन्न सीवेज का केवल 11% ही उपचार करता है। सीवेज उपचार में राज्य की रैंकिंग 36 में से 18वीं है। देशभर के 19 राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों ने इस पैरामीटर पर 50 से कम अंक प्राप्त किए हैं। नदी प्रदूषण की गंभीर स्थिति 2018 में आंध्र प्रदेश में 5 प्रदूषित नदी खंड थे, जो 2022 में घटकर 3 रह गए (गोस्तानी, उप्पुटेरु और वशिष्ठा)। फिर भी, वशिष्ठा नदी में बायोकैमिकल ऑक्सीजन डिमांड (BOD) स्तर 58 mg/L है, जो कि स्नान के लिए स्वीकार्य 3 mg/L सीमा से 19 गुना अधिक है। अन्य राज्यों की स्थिति जल श्रेणी में 27 राज्य और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों ने 50 से कम अंक पाए। कर्नाटक में 17 नदियों के 41 स्थानों पर BOD स्तर मानकों से अधिक रहा। दक्षिणा पिनाकिनी नदी में मगलुर के पास 111 mg/L BOD स्तर दर्ज हुआ, जो स्वीकार्य सीमा से 37 गुना ज्यादा है। खबर से जुड़े जीके तथ्य BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) जल की गुणवत्ता का मापदंड है; अधिक BOD का अर्थ है जल में ऑक्सीजन की कमी और उच्च जैविक प्रदूषण। सीवेज उपचार ‘वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट’ का एक उप-विषय है, जिसे ‘एनवायरनमेंट थीम’ में शामिल किया गया है। भारत में 2011 के बाद से जनगणना नहीं हुई, जिससे सीवेज और जनसंख्या आधारित जल प्रबंधन आंकड़ों की सटीकता पर प्रश्न उठते हैं। 2025 की रिपोर्ट में चार मुख्य विषयों में राज्य स्तरीय प्रदर्शन का आकलन किया गया: पर्यावरण, कृषि एवं भूमि, सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य, मानव विकास एवं अधोसंरचना। डेटा संकट: नीतिगत रुकावट रिपोर्ट की भूमिका में DTE संपादक और CSE महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने चेताया कि डेटा की कमी योजना निर्माण और क्रियान्वयन को प्रभावित करती है।उदाहरण के तौर पर, नदी सफाई योजनाएं अपशिष्ट जल के अनुमान पर आधारित होती हैं, जो जनसंख्या आंकड़ों से निकाले जाते हैं।बिना अद्यतन जनगणना के, यह केवल अनुमान या गेसवर्क बन जाता है, जिससे योजना की प्रभावशीलता पर संदेह उत्पन्न होता है। भारत सरकार ने 4 जून 2025 को घोषणा की है कि अगली जनगणना दो चरणों में होगी और 1 मार्च 2027 तक पूरी की जाएगी। रिपोर्ट का निष्कर्ष स्पष्ट है: भारत को यदि पर्यावरणीय सुधार में वास्तविक प्रगति करनी है, तो सीवेज प्रबंधन, नदी संरक्षण और सटीक डेटा प्रणाली को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता देनी होगी। पर्यावरणीय सुधार केवल चुनिंदा क्षेत्रों में नहीं, बल्कि समग्र दृष्टिकोण से ही संभव है।

Younger generation moves into frontline for climate action

According to a 2024 survey by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), nine in ten Indian youth (15-25 years) feel the impact of climate change. The survey also determines a rising problem of climate anxiety amongst this generation, who, however, still believe in outcomes of singularly contributing to reduce the impact of global warming. Pune: As India grapples with heatwaves and environmental degradation, the country's young demographic is stepping up to take action. Several dynamic youth leaders are battling to salvage the future, spearheading movements to save rivers, forests and more, both by moving the judiciary and initiating change at the grassroots level. For instance, environmental lawyer Maitreya Ghorpade (30) has been behind landmark legal actions in Pune, including a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive ordering Centre to frame India's first guidelines on light pollution in 2024. The city resident also played a key role in challenging felling of heritage trees for the Sadhu Vaswani bridge project, prompting the Maharashtra Tree Authority to demand a scientific tree-age assessment from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year. Ghorpade said, "The law reflects our collective understanding of justice. We need that clarity more than ever in a climate-stressed world." His efforts are a bid to secure a better future for his family, friends, and others. "My father is an organic farmer, and my mother was a lawyer. I'm a culmination of both their values. I wasn't satisfied with my work stints till I started utilising my education for a cause. My first draft for a case regarding pollution in the Arabian Sea during an internship in 2018 changed my life," he added. Since then, Ghorpade has held corporations and governments accountable, delving into issues ranging from illegal coastal mining to the non-implementation of afforestation by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), resulting in an order for 39,000 trees to be planted and a Rs 9.23 crore fine being slapped in Feb 2025. According to a 2024 survey by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), nine in ten Indian youth (15-25 years) feel the impact of climate change. The survey also determines a rising problem of climate anxiety amongst this generation, who, however, still believe in outcomes of singularly contributing to reduce the impact of global warming. The trend is apparent in the actions of another youthful eco-crusader — Girish Patil (23) — who is continuing his fight to save the Pavana river in Pune while he finishes his degree in water policy in Mumbai. For his task, Patil in 2020 founded the Youth Organisation for Green India, which today has over 15 active members. Patil was inspired by the fight against illegal mining depleting groundwater along the Girna riverbanks in Jalgaon, his hometown. This prompted him to reach out to award-winning conservationist Rajendra Singh, better known as the "Waterman of India", with whom Patil went around the country to understand green issues and conflicts on ground. Through Nadi Ki Paathshaala, an initiative under social group Jal Biradari, Patil encountered the Pavana river and formed a deep connection with it. As Biradari's national youth convener, he has mobilised over 30 volunteers for the cause — many from his time at Fergusson College — who routinely walk the entire river stretch to document pollution and land conflicts. Today, their findings help shape Pavana's official rejuvenation plan undertaken by the state environment department. Patil also mentors FC's ‘River Club', empowering students to engage in river conservation through awareness and action. He told TOI, "The green cause is my passion — it has determined my career. I want to continue to fight and save the rivers of this country. This sphere does not let you generate a huge income, but it gives me the satisfaction that I am saving our lifeline. To reduce the impact of climate change, we need a group of young people asking the right questions. I want to build that collective voice." Not too far away, the toxic foam-blanketed Mula-Mutha and skies vanishing under a pall of black smoke made Gangotri Chanda (35), a film production professional in Pune, dedicate her time to fighting for the city's vanishing tree cover. "I want to prevent this destruction and interact with the authorities to save it," said Chanda, who moved to Pune in 2015 and has witnessed its changing face during a key decade of infrastructural growth. She now keeps a regular tab on tree felling documents published by PMC, fights to save every tree proposed to be felled without reason that she comes across, challenges the infrastructure planning system and more. "We need to say no to luxuries that end up choking our planet and instead, save the necessities like air, water and trees," Chanda summed up.

CO level 60 times higher than safe limit, air turns ‘very poor’ in a day in Gurgaon

Gurgaon: City residents are breathing in a blend of toxic gases, among them hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, as air quality on Sunday sank to ‘very' poor', from ‘moderate' the day before. Data from Gurgaon's only functioning monitoring station in Gwal Pahari showed that the average air quality index was 304 (‘very poor') on Sunday, from 154 (‘moderate') the day before. While the steep deterioration in air quality is cause for concern, a study of pollutants was more worrying, experts said. Key pollutants exceeding safe standards weren't limited to PM2.5, PM10 and ozone. Data showed that carbon monoxide (CO) concentration was over 60 times the permissible limit. CO concentration in the city has varied between 108 µg/m³ and 101 µg/m³ over the past four days. The maximum limit considered safe for exposure is 1.7 µg/m³. Environmentalists said open waste burning, a problem Gurgaon has been unable to resolve for years, and emissions from diesel vehicles lead to CO pollution. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless, and it doesn't cause irritation, unlike other pollutants. High concentrations can cause breathlessness, difficulty in focusing and memory loss, and long exposure affects the supply of oxygen to vital organs. "Carbon monoxide is essentially a slow poison. It binds with haemoglobin far more efficiently than oxygen, reducing the body's oxygen supply and putting vulnerable populations at risk even at relatively low concentrations. Pollutants like CO often accumulate rapidly under calm wind conditions, temperature inversions or reduced atmospheric mixing, common during transitional weather phases," said Shubhansh Tiwari, research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). On Sunday, Gwal Pahari recorded an average CO level at 101 µg/m³. It was 106 µg/m³ on Saturday, 108 µg/m³ on Friday, 107 µg/m³ on Thursday, and 81 µg/m³ on Wednesday and 51 µg/m³ on Tuesday. City's residents weren't just exposed to CO. PM2.5 concentration was 77 µg/m³ on Sunday, and PM10 was 165 µg/m³. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average safe limit for PM2.5 is 40 µg/m³ and 60 µg/m³ for PM10. Residents said they have made several complaints to police, MCG and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) about illegal waste dumping and burning in localities and on roadsides. "Authorities should take immediate measures to curb waste burning incidents and enforce stricter waste management protocols," Rahul Arora, who lives in Sector 86, said. Gurgaon's waste management crisis, ongoing for over a year, is yet to be resolved. MCG last year terminated two contracts given to two firms for waste collection and transportation. Before that, it de-empanelled 14 firms that were supposed to handle waste from bulk generators but were found illegally dumping inert material at unauthorised locations. These repeated failures have laid bare systemic flaws in the city's waste management system, which has resulted in piled up garbage in localities and roadsides. "Waste burning remains a serious concern in Gurgaon, contributing significantly to air pollution and public health risks. We are intensifying surveillance and enforcement measures to curb burning activities. Residents are urged to report such incidents immediately so that swift action can be taken," a senior MCG official said on Sunday. Asked about violations of environmental norms, an HSPCB official admitted that open waste-burning and vehicular emissions contribute to CO pollution. "We have informed traffic police and MCG to take immediate action," the official added.

CSE cautions India Facing A Mounting crisis on Multiple Environmental And Development Fronts

As the world prepares to observe Environment Day on June 5, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has sounded a sobering alarm: India is facing a mounting crisis on multiple environmental and development fronts. The Delhi-based think tank’s annual State of India’s Environment in Figures 2025 report, released in the capital offered a stark data-led portrait of a nation grappling with extreme weather, declining public health, stalled infrastructure and deepening economic strain. While Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Goa top the charts in individual categories, the broader picture is bleak. No state emerges as a consistent performer across all domains and even top-ranked states struggle with fundamental issues such as pollution, waste management and access to health care. “Numbers usually give us the truth and what we are unveiling on the eve of this year’s World Environment Day based on data that the government itself has generated and which is available publicly, clearly indicates that this is not the time for complacency, nor for chest-thumping,” said Sunita Narain, CSE’s director general, at the launch. Andhra Pradesh led in environmental management, thanks to its forest and biodiversity conservation efforts. Yet it fared poorly in sewage treatment and river pollution control. Sikkim’s organic farming and sustainable land-use practices helped it top the agriculture rankings, but it lagged in farmer welfare. Goa is the best in public health and infrastructure, with the country’s highest rate of medically certified deaths. Still, it faced a shortage of hospital beds and low female labour force participation. Sunita added: “Take just one indicator. India’s most populous states – Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh – that are together home to 49 per cent of the country’s population, rank low on the themes that our analysis has focused on. This means large segments of the country’s population remain vulnerable and exposed to multiple threats.” Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth, said none of the states are emerging as complete winners, says Mahapatra. 2024 was the warmest year on record for India; it was also the period in which 25 states recorded their monthly highest 24-hour rainfall in the last 123 years. Rajit Sengupta, associate editor of the magazine and one of the authors of the study report, said: “Extreme weather events occurred on 88 per cent of the days in 2024, marking a sharp rise in both frequency and impact since 2022. Natural disasters induced by extreme weather and other reasons emerged as the primary drivers of internal displacement.” India recorded 5.4 million internal displacements across at least 27 states and UTs in 2024, with Assam alone accounting for nearly half of them. This was the largest internal displacement in volume due to weather and geophysical disasters since 2013. In terms of disaster types, floods accounted for 64 per cent of the displacement. The country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions had declined in 2020 for the first time since 2011, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, India accounted for 7.8 per cent of global GHG emissions — the highest level since 1970. In 1980, the country’s contribution had stood at just 3.3 per cent: its share has since risen by roughly 1 percentage point each decade. Sengupta points out that this growth has accelerated in recent years: between 2020 and 2023 alone, India’s share increased by 0.84 percentage points. All signs point to a future that will continue to be severely taxed by changing climate. The first quarter of 2025 stands out as one of the wettest starts to a year in recent memory. Compared to the same period in the past three years (2022–24), India witnessed an alarming spike in heavy rains, floods and landslides, reported on 80 out of 90 days. The toll has been significant: 122 lives lost — the second-highest after 2023 — and 24,807 ha of cropped area affected. Despite comprising 36 per cent of the installed capacity, new renewable sources (solar, wind, bio-power and small hydro) currently generate only 14 percent of our total electricity – Sengupta says that this points to severe under-utilisation of capacity. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu lead in adapting new renewable sources, which account for over 20 per cent of the power generation in these states. The analysis report notes that population growth, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to a steady decline in the share of agricultural land in India.