Even as pollution of the Yamuna river took centre stage in the Delhi Assembly election campaign for all three main political parties, air pollution was almost absent from the political messaging. This is despite the fact that Delhi is one of the most polluted capital cities in the world. Yamuna is linked to Chhath Puja, a festival celebrated by the people of Purvanchal. Purvanchalis form a major vote bank in Delhi. Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighted how people are able to take a dip in Ganga and juxtaposed it with the pollution in Yamuna in Delhi, promising to clean the river. Air pollution was almost absent from election speeches of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Mr. Modi, and found fleeting mentions in senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speeches. While the AAP manifesto did not mention air pollution at all, the BJP manifesto’s last page promised a Delhi Clean Air Mission to halve Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) by 2030. The Congress manifesto under the subhead of “pollution” has nine points for Yamuna and two for air pollution without offering a detailed solution to the problem. AAP in its 2020 manifesto had promised to reduce air pollution by 66%, but it was completely missing from its messaging in the run-up to the 2025 election. Last month, Mr. Kejriwal said that he could not fulfil three of his promises that he made ahead of the 2020 election, including cleaning of the Yamuna. However, air pollution did not find any mention in his speech. “We need strong political will and support to accelerate solutions for clean air in Delhi. Elections should be fought on sectoral solutions that will help in cleaning the air and provide health benefits,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organisation in Delhi.
Vimala Devi, a resident of V.P. Singh Camp, a resettlement colony in south Delhi says that each time the wind blows, a terrible stench spreads. She says that coughs are constant, as are cold-like illnesses – especially during the winters. Right next door to Devi’s house is the notorious Okhla landfill – and this is where the stench originates. “In the summer, a large amount of dust rises, making it even harder to breathe. This directly impacts our health, and we frequently fall sick,” Devi told The Wire. Waste from both the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Cantonment Board were disposed of in the Okhla landfill after 1996, when it was first commissioned. Okhla is one of the three officially-acknowledged landfills in the national capital, near where living has become virtually impossible. The others are Ghazipur in east Delhi, where waste from the East Delhi Municipal Corporation is dumped; and Bhalswa where waste from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation finds its resting place. As a result, living near these areas has become virtually impossible. Together, Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla contained 28 million tonnes of legacy waste as of 2019, of which nearly 12 million tonnes has been cleared since July 2019, as per a report. Meanwhile, pollution from vehicle emissions and other sources such as construction dust have also bogged down Delhi’s air quality over the last year, despite a huge drop in farm fires in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring areas (which are usually blamed for Delhi’s poor air quality during this season), the city’s air quality plummeted in the winter of 2024. And the Yamuna still flows dirty and frothy, as it snakes its way through Delhi. These are important environmental and health concerns that residents say they will keep in mind as they cast their votes on February 5. Leaching landfills “During every election, leaders from all political parties come here asking for votes and make promises, but nothing ever changes,” Suryanayan Paswan, who has been living in VP Singh Camp near the Okhla landfill since 1999, told The Wire. According to one estimate, the Okhla landfill commissioned in 1996 spans across 62 acres and contains 6 million tonnes of legacy waste (waste that has built up over the years, and still continues to be environmental and health threats). Though the landfill was decommissioned in 2018, a team from New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment observed fresh waste still being dumped at the site in 2023. Residents in VP Singh Camp claim that waste dumping at the site still continues. Due to garbage continuing to be dumped in the Okhla landfill, water in the taps in the area contains sand and mud, Paswan alleged. “Plastic, chemicals, and other waste are constantly dumped at the Okhla landfill. This has a direct impact on the health of our children, causing them to fall sick repeatedly.” With water from taps and borewells always polluted in the area, almost every household in VP Singh Camp relies on buying drinking water for their daily use, residents say.
The city did not have a single day in January when the air quality was “good” or “satisfactory”, the air quality report of Calcutta shows. The report is available on the website of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. Ballygunge, the upscale south Calcutta neighbourhood, was the worst among the six air quality monitoring stations in Calcutta with 17 days of “poor” air quality. Fort William was second with nine days of “poor” air quality and Jadavpur was third with eight days. Doctors said they witnessed a surge in respiratory infections during December and January. The surge continues. An infectious disease specialist said foul air weakens the natural defense mechanism of humans, making them vulnerable to infections. For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, the foul air can exacerbate the symptoms and even lead to hospitalisation, said Chandramouli Bhattacharya, an infectious disease specialist at the Peerless Hospital. “It can also result in coming back of symptoms in those who suffer from allergic rhinitis, but had been without any symptom for last several months,” he said. The Telegraph analysed the air quality data for January available on the website of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. The report for the city — an average of the readings in all six stations within Calcutta municipal area — showed that out of 31 days in January, there were six days when the air quality was “poor”. It was “moderate” on 25 days. The National Air Quality Index, prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board, mentions that the “possible health impact” of “poor” air quality is “breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.” The Index mentions that the impact of “moderate” air quality is “breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.” The six grades of air quality in the Air Quality Index in descending order are Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor and Severe. The air quality of Calcutta could not go up to “good” or “satisfactory” on a single day in January. According to the Index, “good” air quality has “minimal impact” while “satisfactory” air quality can result in “minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.” “This is better than the situation in Delhi or the National Capital Region or much of the Indo-Gangetic plains, but not the benchmark we should aspire for,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, an air quality management expert and the executive director of New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A senior scientist of the state pollution control board admitted there was still scope for improvement, but added the air quality in Calcutta was better than what it was a few years back. “The situation was worse three or four years back. There would have been more ‘poor’ days and some ‘very poor’ or severe’ days then,” said the scientist. An analysis of the Air Quality Bulletin, which gives a break-up of the readings in all six stations, showed that Ballygunge left others far behind in the race for the worst spot in January with 17 “poor” days. Roy Chowdhury said that locational variation meant there were local sources of pollution that needed to be addressed. The air quality monitoring station in Ballygunge is inside the campus of the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum on the leafy Gurusaday Road. “The primary cause seems to be vehicular pollution. There is hardly any industrial activity in Ballygunge. Many eateries in the area too could be responsible and the emissions from individual homes might add to the overall air quality,” said the state PCB scientist. Sibes Kumar Das, the head of respiratory medicine at Medical College, Kolkata, said the department witnessed aoriund 25 per cent surge in the number of patients during December and January. “Asthma and COPD symptoms exacerbate and new patients also come with complaints of respiratory problems,” he said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that “ the combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.”
Sunita Narain is director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Speaking to Srijana Mitra Das at Times Evoke, she discusses how worries over air pollution in India are blown away: Indian cities lead the world in high AQI — what are the main causes? ■ These have been inventorised — at its core, air pollution is about combustion or the fuel we burn and the emissions from this. Vehicles are among the main sources — even though we have moved to cleaner fuel, the sheer number of vehicles on Indian roads is negating gains. There is also industrial pollution — much comes from burning coal which industry resorts to as the cost of electricity is high. Even though gas is available at lower prices in Delhi, for instance, industry is no longer based only in official industrial areas but has spread into non-authorised areas where the use of polluting fuel continues. Although coal has been banned in the entire National Capital Region (NCR), alternative fuel or natural gas isn’t under GST and hence, it is taxed heavily. Gas prices are thrice the cost of coal and given how electricity prices are also substantial, polluting fuels continue as industries see no alternative. There is also the burning of waste — unlike other regions in India, where waste management practices have improved significantly, the NCR is failing to deal with the mountains of waste it generates. Consequently, whether it is landfill fires or smaller heaps being lit, waste burning is a major cause of air pollution now. Dust from construction, etc., also becomes a pollutant when solid particles from combustion are lifted into the wind, creating airborne particles which are inhaled. Household-related emissions are a cause as well — economically weaker sections in the outlying areas of large cities often have no option but to still use firewood, etc., to cook. These sources remain the same through the year. We erroneously believe pollution is only a winter problem and the agricultural stubble burning that occurs then is the main cause — this is not so. All these sources cause urban air pollution consistently through the year — in winter, climatic conditions turn adverse as it is cold, there’s less wind and more inversion. Pollutants settle then and people feel the choke. Does stubble burning play any part? ■ Certainly, the burning of residues constitutes another source — but it is a monthlong problem. This is linked both to the direction of the winds then and the fact that farmers don’t have viable alternatives yet. Projects like providing ethanol or bio-CNG from these residues should increase in speed and scale to offer options — at the moment, farmers are wrongly seen as the only cause of air pollution in the NCR. Are current official responses to high AQIs adequate? ■ They cannot be as air pollution is not acted on through the year. In much of 2024’s winter, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 3 restrictions were imposed on the NCR as a response to high AQIs. However, when we designed GRAP in 2016-17, we envisioned it only as an emergency action, an alert in the worst conditions. Unfortunately, GRAP has now become the only step that is taken — yet, it is not a policy instrument to be applied year after year. Other countries using similar measures, from Mexico to China, found these inconvenienced citizens far too much. It is not ideal to keep closing schools or stop construction and other outdoor work. Instead of addressing the solutions we actually need, we’re applying GRAP like policy. Meanwhile, worry over high AQIs lasts until spring and is then forgotten till October — but air pollution persists all the while. How did other countries correct similar situations? ■ China suffered from tremendous air pollution — then, it took two important steps. First, the authorities replaced coal with gas at a huge level, with a very strict ban enforced on using coal. They also pushed strongly for clean energy vehicles, shut down polluting industries and increased green spaces. Pollution control is a big issue — it needs big steps which can make a large difference. When India transitions out of coal, our air will be transformed. AFTER: Public voices cleaned China’s air (Getty images) Citizens in other countries have made air pollution a political issue, demanding and seeing action — how do you see this situation in India? ■ It’s very positive that today, air pollution data is in everyone’s hands — people know when AQI levels rise and there is huge concern across every strata of society. People are aware this is impacting the health and well-being particularly of children and elder people. There is very deep worry over this. However, the challenge is that tough measures are needed — and we don’t seem to have the political ability for this. When pollution becomes a political issue, it is entirely politicised — so, instead of developing serious cooperation among different authorities, this just becomes a skirmish among parties with name-calling and blame games. To tackle air pollution, we need coordination between the central government and all state governments. Air pollution in Delhi, for instance, isn’t just a Delhi problem — it is rooted in the entire region around it. There is public concern — but political parties don’t acknowledge it. ‘Air pollution needs tough steps and long vision — instead, it’s only politicised each winter’ In the past, some steps were taken — when CNG was introduced in Delhi in 2001, protests broke out but the move was enforced, alongside subsidies being given to autorickshaw owners to buy new vehicles, etc. Efforts were made to see the measure through — today, politicians hope the issue will just blow over. While Delhi’s bypass has helped matters somewhat, some trucks must still enter the city — these need to be BS6-compliant as those produce 90% lower emissions than BS4. However, unless more is done to enforce the official scrappage policy and incentives are given to truck owners to replace their old vehicles, this measure won’t work. WHERE THERE'S A WILL... Franklin D Roosevelt’s 1930s New Deal You have mentioned vehicles. These are part of aspirational Indian culture now — how can that aspect be managed? ■ Vehicles are aspirational — but they needn’t be used every single day. We should provide people with adequate alternatives. Delhi’s metro has been a boon but it lacks last-mile connectivity, forcing people to take further transport from metro stations to their destination. Weighing up the cost and hassle involved, people eventually decide to drive. Last-mile connectivity for public transport is key. We are also seeing fewer buses now with declining ridership, despite the focus on increasing electric buses. We should look at the entire system of bus services and not just buses themselves. Private vehicles have also proliferated at a massive scale. The last survey on this was carried out in 2009 — that found a million vehicles were traversing the NCR daily. No such survey has been conducted since but citizens are only too aware of how traffic has expanded, jamming multiple streets. We need an in-depth public transport strategy with car restraint measures, like higher parking charges — but then, you can’t apply those unless you provide adequate public transport. This needs serious work at a consistent, long-term level — and not just politicking which passes by each winter, leaving air pollution with us all year round.
The rise in the level of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), at certain locations in Patna is a matter of concern and needs constant monitoring and mitigation measures, a top official of Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said.
A few days before the election campaigning ended for the Delhi Assembly elections, the burning issue of toxic industrial waste from Haryana’s factories being dumped into the already polluted Yamuna river, amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi, became the centre of heated debates. However, within just three days, this pressing concern vanished from discussions, as if it were not serious enough for Delhi’s voters to base their decisions on. On January 7, when the Election Commission announced the Delhi Assembly election schedule, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released a report highlighting growing concerns about public health due to worsening air quality. The report indicated that an air quality level with PM 2.5 concentration or higher is considered hazardous. It further revealed that monitoring stations recorded an alarming 26% increase in air pollution levels from October to December of the previous year. However, there was neither a visible commitment to tackle the issue nor any special budgetary provision for making Delhi pollution-free in the Union budget presented in Parliament last week. As election campaigning ended on Monday and voting day approached, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) reached a hazardous level of 355. Smog and pollution enveloped the sky, and forecasts indicated a worsening trend. Over the past few days, hospitals have reported an increase in patients suffering from eye irritation and respiratory issues. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in mutual accusations over the pollution crisis for a brief period, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi doubled down on the Kejriwal government during his final election rallies, criticising the city’s filth and difficulties of breathing the toxic air. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also did not miss the opportunity to garner sympathy by publicly questioning Kejriwal, asking if the Haryana government would poison the same water that he (Modi) drinks in Delhi. The Election Commission appeared to be aiding the BJP in targeting the AAP government as it promptly issued a notice to Kejriwal, demanding evidence of the alleged poisoning of Delhi’s water supply. Meanwhile, the EC also remained unresponsive to multiple complaints from non-BJP parties about violations of the model code of conduct. Strangely, after just a few days, the entire debate was forgotten as if Delhi’s air quality had miraculously improved overnight and the Yamuna river had been purified. The campaigning ended, voting day came closer and the air quality index (AQI) once again plummeted to an extremely toxic level of 355. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) warned that the air would remain in the “severe” category in the coming days. During his election rallies, Modi repeatedly referred to the AAP as a “disaster.” Yet, there is also no significant increase in disaster management allocations in Delhi’s budget. Public health emergency gone unheard Every year from November to January, Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) face severe air pollution. During these months, air quality deteriorates to such hazardous levels that the entire region is covered in a toxic smog. This situation affects every aspect of life, particularly public health. Despite this, air pollution failed to become a central issue in the electoral discourse. It must also be noted that 60% of the city’s population resides in high-risk seismic zone 4, where a devastating earthquake could strike at any time. The manifestoes of all three major political parties in the Delhi elections lack concrete solutions to this critical issue. Their focus remains on offering free services and facilities to lure voters. Consequently, air pollution, which severely impacts public health and quality of life, is often missing from their agendas.
Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone in environmental education and sustainability by winning the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards at the Green Schools Awards 2025, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Ms. Sunita Narain, Head of the Centre for Science and Environment to Er. Pritpal Singh, Executive Director and Dr. Kulbir Singh Bath, Joint Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST). A unique initiative of CSE the Green Schools Programme (GSP) has been actively implemented in Punjab by PSCST under its Environment Education Programme. The program encourages schools to optimize resource management by conducting rigorous environmental audits across six key domains like air, energy, food, land, water and waste. These awards recognize Punjab’s leadership in fostering environmental sustainability and awareness among students and educational institutions. Out of 11,917 registered schools nationwide, 7406 schools from Punjab completed environmental audits, accounting for 84% of all audits conducted across the country. A total of 196 schools from Punjab were awarded Green School status, including 171 government schools and 25 private schools. Best District Award bestowed to Hoshiarpur District with setting up a national record with 1,945 schools completing environmental audits, the highest number from any district in India. These accolades solidify Punjab’s position as a leader in environmental education and underscore the state’s dedication to creating a sustainable future. The success of the Green Schools Programme serves as a model for other states to emulate, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental consciousness into the education system.
भारत सरकार के पर्यावरण, वन एवं जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्रालय के अधीन पर्यावरण शिक्षा कार्यक्रम द्वारा विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केन्द्र, नई दिल्ली तथा पंजाब राज्य विज्ञान परिषद के सहयोग से ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम के तहत पंजाब राज्य के सभी सरकारी एवं गैर-सरकारी स्कूलों का ऑडिट करवाया गया। इस ऑडिट के बाद फाजिल्का जिले के 11 सरकारी स्कूलों को ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड के लिए चुना गया। इस बारे शिक्षा विभाग से जिला नोडल अधिकारी ई.ई.पी. विजय पाल ने बताया कि ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड के लिए चयनित जिले के 11 स्कूल सरकारी हैं। यह शिक्षा क्रांति में एक नया मील का पत्थर है। उन्होंने बताया कि अक्टूबर माह के दौरान जीएसपी ऑडिट में भाग लेने वाले स्कूलों में हवा, पानी, मिट्टी, भोजन की गुणवत्ता, अपशिष्ट और ऊर्जा की जांच की गई। निरीक्षण के बाद फाजिल्का जिले के 11 सरकारी स्कूलों को ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड से सम्मानित किया गया। इन स्कूलों में मुख्य रूप से स्कूल ऑफ एमिनेंस जलालाबाद (पश्चिम), सरकारी हाई स्कूल बनवाला हनवंता, सरकारी हाई स्कूल हीरां वाली, सरकारी हाई स्कूल सड़ियां, सरकारी हाई स्कूल चुवाड़ियां वाली, सरकारी हाई स्कूल कटेहड़ा, सरकारी सीनियर सेकेंडरी स्कूल बकैन वाला, सरकारी स्कूल बलेल के हसल, सरकारी स्कूल कबूल शाह खुब्बन, सरकारी स्कूल खुब्बन और सरकारी स्कूल महुआना बोदला शामिल हैं। जिला शिक्षा अधिकारी ने दी बधाई ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम के अंतर्गत फाजिल्का जिले के 11 सरकारी स्कूलों का ग्रीन स्कूल अवार्ड के लिए चयन होने पर जिला शिक्षा अधिकारी बृज मोहन सिंह बेदी और उप जिला शिक्षा अधिकारी पंकज अंगी ने फाजिल्का जिले के निवासियों और स्कूलों को बधाई दी है। उन्होंने कहा कि फाजिल्का जिला शिक्षा व सह-पाठयक्रम गतिविधियों में दिन-प्रतिदिन उपलब्धियां हासिल कर रहा है। उन्होंने कहा कि ग्रीन प्रोग्राम के तहत पुरस्कार मिलने से जहां सरकारी स्कूलों का कद और बढ़ा है, वहीं स्कूलों में भी ग्रीन वातावरण बनाने के लिए लगातार प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं। उन्होंने सभी संबंधित स्कूलों, स्कूल शिक्षकों, नोडल अधिकारियों और इस कार्यक्रम से जुड़े अन्य लोगों को बधाई दी। जिले के लिए यह खुशी की बात है कि ग्रीन स्कूल के रूप में चयनित विद्यालयों को विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र द्वारा नई दिल्ली में आयोजित पुरस्कार समारोह में सम्मानित किया जाएगा।
हिमाचल प्रदेश के 17 स्कूलों का चयन ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट प्रोग्राम में हुआ है। विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र नई दिल्ली ने शैक्षणिक सत्र 2024-25 के लिए यह प्रमाणपत्र स्कूलों को जारी किया गया है। इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर नई दिल्ली में ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम पुरस्कार समारोह में मंगलवार को चयनित स्कूलों को प्रमाणपत्र देकर सम्मानित करेगा। बता दें कि ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट प्रोग्राम के लिए प्रदेश भर से 1322 स्कूलों ने अपना-अपना पंजीकरण करवाया था। ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट प्रस्तुत करने में विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र नई दिल्ली ने हिमाचल प्रदेश के 17 स्कूलों का चयन ग्रीन श्रेणी में किया है। इसमें सोलन और शिमला जिला से छह-छह स्कूल, हमीरपुर से दो, चंबा, बिलासपुर और सिरमौर से एक-एक स्कूल का चयन ग्रीन श्रेणी में हुआ है। विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र चार फरवरी को इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर नई दिल्ली में ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम पुरस्कार समारोह का आयोजन करने जा रहा है। समारोह में ईको क्लब इंचार्ज को इस उपलब्धि के लिए सम्मानित किया जाएगा। ग्रीन श्रेणी चयन के लिए स्कूलों के पर्यावरण संरक्षण थीम पर प्रोजेक्टों को बेहतर काम करने के आधार पर ओरेंज, यलो और ग्रीन प्रमाणपत्र दिए जाते हैं, ताकि पर्यावरण संरक्षण पर स्कूलों में छात्रों को अधिक से अधिक जागरूक एवं सक्षम बनाया जा सके। अगर हमीरपुर जिला की बात करें, तो हमीरपुर के 159 ईको क्लब स्कूलों ने ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट प्रोग्राम में पंजीकरण किया था, जिसमें से 16 स्कूलों के ईको क्लब इंचार्ज ने अपने-अपने स्कूल के प्रोजेक्ट जीएसपी वेबसाइट पर अपलोड किए थे। इसमें हमीरपुर के राजकीय वरिष्ठ माध्यमिक पाठशाला भलेठ और डिडवीं स्कूल को ग्रीन श्रेणी में शामिल किया गया है। उधर, राजेश गौतम, पर्यवेक्षक, जिला विज्ञान हमीरपुर ने बताया कि हमीरपुर जिला के दो स्कूलों का चयन ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट प्रोग्राम में हुआ है। इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर नई दिल्ली में ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम पुरुस्कार समारोह में मंगलवार को ईको क्लब इंचार्ज को सम्मानित किया जाएगा। दोनों स्कूलों के ईको क्लब प्रभारी बधाई के पात्र हैं। (एचडीएम) ये स्कूल सिलेक्ट सोलन में राजकीय वरिष्ठ माध्यमिक पाठशाला मंझोली, भाटियान स्कूल, बाघेरी स्कूल, नालागढ़ स्कूल, बोहली स्कूल और हाई स्कूल कनोह, शिमला में खतनोल स्कूल, बुलगानी स्कूल, भोंट स्कूल, हाई स्कूल भराड़ी, सरोग स्कूल और बल्दियान स्कूल, हमीरपुर में भलेठ और डिडवीं स्कूल, चंबा का रायपुर स्कूल, बिलासपुर का बरठीं और सिरमौर जिला का नैनटिक्कर स्कूल ग्रीन स्कूल ऑडिट में सिलेक्ट हुआ है।
Patna: The rise in the level of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), at certain locations in Patna is a matter of concern and needs constant monitoring and mitigation measures, a top ofcial of Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said. According to the UNDP survey report, accessed by the PTI, the CO2 concentration at Samanpura locality was 440.9 parts per million (ppm) in June 2024 and went up to 940.8 ppm in January (till 29th). In December 2024, Samanpura recorded the highest level of greenhouse gas concentration and it was 959.1 ppm. In November 2024, CO2 concentration at the same locality was 912.2 ppm, the report said. While the CO2 concentration near Shri Krishna Memorial recorded 515.4 ppm in January this year, it was 513.6 ppm at Shimli Nabab Ganj locality last month. At Mainpura (Danapur road), the CO2 concentration was 493.7 ppm, followed by Kidwaipuri (490.6 ppm), Taramandal (480.7 ppm), Ashok Netaji Path-Balapur (446.4 ppm), Rukanpura (445.3 ppm) and Shri Krishnapuram—Danapur (437.2 ppm) In 2023, globally averaged atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide was 419.3 ppm. Although carbon dioxide is not considered an air pollutant, high levels of concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere tend to warm the planet. Experts warn that the high concentration of CO2 in Patna may result in the temperature going up in some parts of the city in the peak of summer. Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) chairman D K Shukla said the high concentration of carbon dioxide is a matter of concern. He said this is for the rst time, the BSPCB got this survey done by UNDP for Patna. The UNDP India had signed an MoU with Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) for conducting this survey for Patna last year. The record increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations is driven by a combination of factors, including high fossil fuel emissions, reduced carbon capture by natural sinks such as wetlands. It appears that the number of wetlands, which play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, have decreased in Patna over the years," Shukla told PTI. The increasing atmospheric CO2 in Patna warrants constant monitoring, mitigation measures and policy decisions, he said. "Massive plantations in the right way and in the right places can make a major contribution to reducing carbon dioxide levels in the city. People should also opt for indoor plants, which reduce CO2 levels and lower related adverse health effects. People should also decrease the use of carbonintensive fossil fuels," the BSPCB chairman told PTI. As per the report the high concentration of CO2 at certain places in Patna suggest combined sources from residential activities, he added. Echoing a similar view, Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (India), told PTI, "The alarming rise in the levels of CO2 at certain locations in Patna, is a matter of concern. Authorities concerned must scale up action to control key sources of pollution-industry, vehicles, waste and biomass burning, solid fuel use in households, construction and other sources-- across the city. This requires stringent implementation of climate action plan measures to reduce local pollution and check high concentration of CO2 and reducing fossil fuel use should also be the top priority of the authorities concerned to check CO2, Roychowdhury said. Environment-friendly cooking methods should be encouraged among the people by the authorities concerned, she said, adding curbing household pollution will certainly play an effective role in checking the high concentration of CO2 in Patna. Chandra Bhushan, founder-CEO of International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), told PTI, "There is no scientic basis to correlate local CO2 concentration with local heat. CO2 causes a greenhouse effect in the atmosphere, which is a global phenomenon and not a local phenomenon. There can be many reasons for the high CO2 concentrations at Samanpura in Patna, including its close proximity to the airport. The report needs to be analysed from all aspects for evolving an effective mechanism to check increasing concentration levels of CO2."
India has faced more extreme weather events and higher damages in 2024 compared to last year, according to the Climate India 2024 report released recently by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and its fortnightly publication, Down to Earth (DTE). The report states alarmingly that over 3,000 persons lost their lives, and more than 200,000 houses were destroyed in just 255 of the 274 days of the first nine months of 2024. The state of Madhya Pradesh witnessed the highest number of extreme weather events, and the maximum number of fatalities was in the state of Kerala. Researchers at the CSE and the DTE have been compiling extreme weather events across India for the past three years to make sense of patterns and trends. In its press release, the CSE highlights that in 2024, India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months – 255 out of 274 days – marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides. These events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectares of crops, destroyed 235,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9457 livestock. Compared to this, the first nine months of 2023 recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2923 deaths, 1.84 million hectares of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths. The DTE data analysts, who have compiled this report, point out in the press release that “it is very likely that even these reported damages are an underestimation due to incomplete data collection on event-specific losses, particularly on public property and crop damages”. Also, this reported damage is likely an underestimate due to incomplete data collection on event-specific losses, particularly public property and crop damage. The year 2024 also set several climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901. In February, the country recorded its second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and July, August and September all registered their highest minimum temperatures since 1901, the report adds. It says that in the Northwest, January was the second driest, and July recorded the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. The Southern Peninsula saw its hottest February ever, followed by exceptionally hot and dry March and April, but with a 36.5% surplus in July rainfall and the second-highest minimum temperature in August. In terms of event types, the past nine months have seen everything from lightning and storms – spanning 32 states and resulting in 1021 deaths – to relentless monsoon rains, which led to flooding across various regions. In Assam alone, heavy rains, floods and landslides were recorded on 122 days, leaving large parts of the state submerged and communities devastated. Nationwide, 1376 lives were lost due to floods. The report says that Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days – the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60% of the affected crop area nationwide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 hectares). Regionally, Central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest at 213 days. In terms of lives lost, the Central region had the most deaths (1001), followed by the Southern Peninsula (762 deaths), East and Northeast (741 deaths) and Northwest (734 deaths). The CSE researchers point out in the press release that the report highlights a critical shift that is needed in our approach to extreme events – from disaster response to risk reduction and resilience-building. Flood management, for example, requires more than plans on paper; it calls for the strategic development of drainage and water recharge systems, along with expanded green spaces and forests to act as natural water reservoirs in preparation for future storms. The Climate India 2024 report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe.
Chandigarh, February 4, 2025: Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone in environmental education and sustainability by winning the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards at the Green Schools Awards 2025, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Sunita Narain, Head of the Centre for Science and Environment to Er. Pritpal Singh, Executive Director and Dr. Kulbir Singh Bath, Joint Director of the Punjab
Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone in environmental education and sustainability by winning the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards at the Green Schools Awards, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Ms Sunita Narain, Head of the CSE to Er Pritpal Singh, Executive Director, and Dr Kulbir Singh Bath, Joint Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST). A unique initiative of CSE the Green Schools Programme (GSP) has been actively implemented in Punjab by PSCST under its Environment Education Programme. The programme encourages schools to optimize resource management by conducting rigorous environmental audits across six key domains like Air, Energy, Food, Land, Water and Waste. These awards recognize Punjab’s leadership in fostering environmental sustainability and awareness among students and educational institutions. Out of 11,917 registered schools nationwide, 7,406 schools from Punjab completed environmental audits, accounting for 84 percent of all audits conducted across the country. A total of 196 schools from Punjab were awarded Green School status, including 171 government schools and 25 private schools. Best District Award was bestowed to Hoshiarpur district with setting up a national record with 1,945 schools completing environmental audits, the highest number from any district in India. UNI GS SS
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said that religious leaders should declare environmental harm a sin and protecting nature an act of virtue. Speaking at an event organized by the Centre for Science and Environment, where schools were awarded for their eco-friendly practices, Wangchuk said there is a need need to rethink education, as the current system teaches people only how to produce and consume more rather than how to live sustainably. "In today's world, people do not commit violence with knives or weapons, but through unsustainable lifestyles that harm nature," Wangchuk said. Referring to Delhi’s severe air pollution, he said, "People are being given slow poison. Those who could have lived up to 90 are dying at 80 due to air pollution alone. Isn’t this a sin? "Grown ups listen to religious leaders more compared to scientists and engineers. Religious leaders should declare environmental harm a sin and protecting nature an act of virtue. We need to redefine our values," he added. Wangchuk also called for stricter action against major polluters, including jail terms for those responsible for severe air pollution. He explained that life on Earth became possible only after carbon dioxide levels dropped over millions of years, thanks to photosynthesis. "Now, humans are reversing that process, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere. If we continue on this path, we will push the planet back to a time when life was impossible," he warned. Wangchuk urged a complete overhaul of the education system, which, he said, was designed during the industrial era to promote production and consumption. "We must redefine learning to focus on sustainability rather than endless consumption," he said.
Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone in environmental education and sustainability by winning the prestigious ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ awards at the Green Schools Awards 2025, organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Ms. Sunita Narain, Head of the Centre for Science and Environment to Er. Pritpal Singh, Executive Director and Dr. Kulbir Singh Bath, Joint Director of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST). A unique initiative of CSE the Green Schools Programme (GSP) has been actively implemented in Punjab by PSCST under its Environment Education Programme. The program encourages schools to optimize resource management by conducting rigorous environmental audits across six key domains like air, energy, food, land, water and waste. These awards recognize Punjab’s leadership in fostering environmental sustainability and awareness among students and educational institutions. Out of 11,917 registered schools nationwide, 7406 schools from Punjab completed environmental audits, accounting for 84% of all audits conducted across the country. A total of 196 schools from Punjab were awarded Green School status, including 171 government schools and 25 private schools. Best District Award bestowed to Hoshiarpur District with setting up a national record with 1,945 schools completing environmental audits, the highest number from any district in India.
