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Delhi Air Pollution: Evaluating the Effectiveness of GRAP and Odd-Even Plans Amid Rising Pollution Levels Read more at: https://www.oneindia.com/videos/delhi-air-pollution-grap-odd-even-plans-under-scrutiny-011-4189780.html

Delhi NCR is facing a serious air pollution problem as winter approaches. The air quality index (AQI) has reached 400, indicating hazardous levels. Shambhavi Shukla from the Centre for Science and Environment explains the causes and possible solutions. The pollution is worsening due to low wind speed and increased traffic during festivals. Pollution levels have moved from moderate to very poor in recent days. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is in place, but its measures should be enforced year-round. Public transport improvements and reduced vehicle use are suggested to ease congestion and pollution. Health impacts are severe, affecting children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. Air pollution can cause asthma, bronchitis, and heart issues. PM 2.5 particles are particularly harmful as they enter the bloodstream, affecting overall health. Delhi has seen a 7% pollution reduction since 2019 but needs a 60% decrease to meet safe standards. Waste management is lacking in some areas, leading to waste burning. Vehicle congestion remains high despite efforts like BS-6 fuel and electric vehicles. Local sources contribute significantly to pollution, with transport being a major factor. Regional cooperation among states is essential to address the issue effectively. Individuals can help by using public transport and reporting illegal activities like waste burning. Public awareness and individual actions are crucial in tackling this problem. People should reduce private vehicle use and conserve electricity at home. These small steps can collectively make a difference in improving air quality.

दिल्ली की हवा फिर हुई दमघोंटू, GRAP-2 से कितना पड़ेगा असर?

दीवाली से पहले दिल्ली की हवा लगातार खराब होती जा रही है. राजधानी की हवा इतनी दमघोंटू हो गई है कि सांस लेना मुश्किल होने लगा है. हवा की क्वालिटी खतरे के लाल निशान तक पहुंच गई है. पराली को इसकी मुख्य वजह माना जा रहा है. केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) के मुताबिक, दिल्ली का औसत वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) बेहद खराब श्रेणी में 317 पहुंच गया है. इसे देखते हुए GRAP-2 लागू कर दिया गया है. इसके लागू होने के बाद वायु प्रदूषण की रोकथाम के लिए फोकस और टारगेट एक्शन सुनिश्चित करने की बात कही गई है. इस दौरान यहां वैक्यूम से सफाई और निगरानी की जा रही है. GRAP-2 के दौरान लोगों से पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट का इस्तेमाल करने के लिए कहा गया है जबकि निजी गाड़ियों के उपयोग को कम करने की बात कही गई है.

Building new foundations: Reimagining the International Financial Architecture

Views and proposals from civil society The international financial architecture is in urgent need of reform. In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, it is "outdated, dysfunctional and unjust". The main institutions were created 80 years ago in a transatlantic agreement, at a time when many of the world's nation-states of today were still colonies. Moreover, the institutions have failed in their mission to prevent and mitigate crises and to mobilize sufficient financing for internationally agreed development goals. The reform of the international financial architecture is currently a major topic on the United Nations agenda, at major events such as the UN Summit of the Future and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. Parallel discussions are taking place in other fora, such as the G20 or the governance bodies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. To inform these processes, independent researchers from academia and civil society have written this new research report. In eight chapters, the authors rethink the financial architecture and make proposals for new foundations, for fundamental reforms towards more legitimate and more effective institutions.

Delhi Air Pollution; Which Are The 22 Designated Hotspots In City? Check AREAS

New Delhi: In addition to the 13 designated pollution hotspots already identified in Delhi, nine more locations are now emerging as areas with high PM 2.5 concentrations. These newly identified locations include Mandir Marg, Pusa, Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, ITO, Patparganj, Lodhi Road (IITM station), and Alipur. According to TOI, the original 13 pollution hotspots, identified in 2018, include Anand Vihar, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, RK Puram, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, Bawana, Vivek Vihar, Narela, Ashok Vihar, and Dwarka. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) of the Central Pollution Control Board’s real-time air quality data reveals that these nine new locations have pollution levels almost as bad—or worse—than the original hotspots. Emerging hotspots such as Pusa, Lodhi Road, and Alipur have been identified, but unlike the original hotspots, they have not yet been prioritized for pollution mitigation measures, such as water sprinkling or enforcement actions against violators.

Delhi had 11 farm fires this year, highest in last four years: Satellite data

Satellite imagery of Delhi has begun to record instances of farm fires, data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows. While farm fires in neighbouring Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are on the rise, Delhi till October 21 has recorded 11 instances of stubble burning so far, which is the highest for the Capital in the last four years. Delhi logged a total of five cases in the entire season between September 15 and November 30 last year, 10 in 2022, four in 2021 and nine in 2020, data available by IARI’s Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (Creams) showed. Data for Delhi was not maintained before 2020. Comparative figures also show an increase in numbers so far. Till October 21 last year, Delhi had recorded two farm fires, three in 2022, none in 2021 and six in 2020. All cases logged this year are from the north and northwest districts – near the Delhi-Haryana border, Creams said. VK Sehgal, professor and principal scientist at IARI and part of Creams, said the two districts were known for growing paddy, but a clearer trend will emerge once data is gathered for another month. “Though an anomaly, we will have to wait and see until mid-November if we are recording more cases in Delhi or not. If the count goes up to 20 or 30, then we may have to assess why this is the case this year,” he said. Paras Tyagi, an activist with the NGO CYCLE India, which works with Delhi’s villages for development, said a delayed monsoon is likely to have played a part. “The withdrawal of the monsoon was delayed and most fields remained flooded throughout the monsoon season. It is likely some farmers felt the window of harvesting and growing the next crop became shorter and opted for this methodology,” he said, adding that farmers in Delhi also did not have access to happy seeders or other such machinery. Experts said instances in Delhi are not likely to have a significant impact on its air quality. “These are limited cases, but can be assessed once the season progresses. Sometimes, prolonged rains can lead to concentrated burning, but in Delhi’s case, these instances are still very few and far between,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive, director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment.

Not 13, Delhi Now Has 22 Pollution Pain Points

Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, ITO and Patparganj are among the emerging pollution hotspots in the city, exhibiting high PM2.5 concentrations. The Centre for Science and Environment's analysis of the Central Pollution Control Board's real-time air quality data shows that there are nine locations in Delhi with almost the same or worse pollution levels than the city's 13 pollution hotspots designated in 2018. Among the emerging hotspots are Pusa, Lodhi Road (IITM station) and Alipur. At the original hotspots, agencies concerned focus on pollution mitigation measures like water sprinkling and enforcement teams act against violators. The new hotspots haven't been prioritised for similar action. Data shows that Nehru Nagar near Lajpat Nagar recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 118 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022, 120 in 2023 and 90 micrograms per cubic metre till Oct 20 this year, all much higher than the national annual ambient average PM2.5 level of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. In the last three years, Nehru Nagar has fared worse than most original hotspots. Lodhi Road (IITM station) is another non-hotspot which has seen toxic pollution levels at 118 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022, 111 in 2023 and 75 so far in 2024. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said, "The only way to prevent the proliferation of new hotspots is to implement city-wide stringent measures to reduce emissions from all key pollution sources." Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst, Envirocatalysts, said no new hotspots should be ignored and should become part of the focus areas. "Systematic action year-round is necessary to reduce emissions and kill local and regional pollution at the source. Apart from original hotspots, the new hotspots should also feature in the list of places for targeted action," said Dahiya. In 2023, the locations in the capital that showed the worst pollution levels included ITO (100 micrograms per cubic metre), Patparganj (109), Sonia Vihar (108), Alipur and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (99 each), Mandir Marg (94) and Pusa (92).

World Bank Report Highlights Poverty and Climate Challenges

This post on World Bank Report Highlights Poverty and Climate Challenges has been created based on the article “Extreme weather obstacle to an equitable world, as 3.53 billion people continue to live in poverty” published in Down to Earth on 21st October 2024. Why in news? According to the World Bank’s latest report, extreme weather will be a significant obstacle to achieving a more equitable world, with 3.53 billion people still living in poverty in 2024. Findings of the report 1. Climate shocks, including extreme weather events, devastate livelihoods and trap vulnerable populations in a cycle of poverty. These shocks are especially difficult to recover from, particularly for those living in low-income countries without access to adequate infrastructure and resources. 2. In 2024, 692 million people are living in extreme poverty, defined as subsisting on less than $2.15 per day. When measured against the higher poverty standard of $6.85 per day, 43.6% of the global population or approximately 3.53 billion people are classified as living in poverty. 3. The slow progress in poverty alleviation reflects a “polycrisis” caused by factors such as the pandemic, slow economic growth, increased conflict, and climate change. 4. In 2024, South Asia is home to 1.48 billion poor people, while Sub-Saharan Africa has 1.11 billion poor people. Together, these regions account for 73% of the global poor. 5. By 2030, 7.3% of the world’s population could still be living on less than $2.15 a day, which is more than double the global goal of reducing extreme poverty to 3%. 6. Long-Term Poverty Reduction Goals: It could take over a century to lift individuals above the $6.85 per day threshold, according to current projections. 7. Rising Income Disparities: The World Bank’s report warns of growing income inequality, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, with many countries in these regions showing Gini index scores above 40. 8. High Inequality in Southern and Central Africa: Inequality is most pronounced in Southern and Central Africa, exacerbating the challenge of poverty reduction. 9. Climate Shocks and Economic Growth i) Vulnerability to Extreme Weather: South Asia, with 88.1% of its population exposed to climate risks, and Sub-Saharan Africa, home to the highest number of people at severe risk, are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks such as floods, heatwaves, and cyclones. ii) Need for Inclusive Economic Growth: The World Bank emphasizes the importance of inclusive economic growth to lift people out of poverty. This growth must be complemented by investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and access to markets. 10. Building Resilience to Climate Impacts i) Targeted Climate Adaptation Strategies: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia require targeted adaptation strategies to withstand the impacts of extreme weather. The report calls for stronger social protection systems, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. ii) Progressive Fiscal Policies: Countries must adopt progressive fiscal policies that increase domestic revenue while reducing inequality, ensuring that vulnerable populations benefit from economic growth. iii) Strengthening Insurance Mechanisms: To protect vulnerable populations from falling deeper into poverty during climate disasters, the report recommends strengthening insurance mechanisms and other safety nets.

From the India Today archives (2015) | Delhi: Capital punishment

Every great city has its great joys and its great sorrows. So Delhi, a radial melting pot of cultures that has history at every corner, greenery on every sidewalk, and changes clothes and colours with the seasons, has been plagued with debilitating concerns over women's safety, and with something noxious, deleterious, downright nasty, in the air. According to multiple surveys in recent years by organisations ranging from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the University of Surrey, and from the University of California at Berkeley to the Indian Institutes of Technology in Delhi, Kanpur and Mumbai, the city is now the most polluted in the world. An inglorious, undisputed leader in a dishonour roll that features 13 Indian cities among the top 20. A Delhi resident is today exposed to an average of 153 micrograms per cubic metre of PM 2.5-the smallest and most harmful of all measurable particulate matter-which is 15 times higher than the WHO's recommended annual average. And while this data may seem too obscure to raise alarm bells, and the effects of pollution too insidious to rattle the cage, disease and death is looming. Preying first on the most vulnerable-children, seniors, those with respiratory disorders-and slowly devouring even the most hardy. The stench of smoke, burning of the eyes, smoggy mornings, hazy nights, are all symptoms of a deeper malaise. Doctors associate high levels of suspended particulate matter and sulphur dioxide with increased mortality, morbidity and impaired pulmonary function. They say that fine particulates penetrate the respiratory system, and can alter the immune system, impair the liver and the kidney, and cause brain damage in children resulting in lower IQ, hyperactivity and lower concentration. The rise in carbon monoxide levels affects the cardiovascular system, particularly among children, and can attack the nervous system. Two studies endorsed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2012 said that one in five adults and one in four children in Delhi suffered from upper respiratory diseases, and that these numbers were on an upward trend. There is no dispute any longer that drastic action is needed. In this winter of discontent when the ambient air quality is at its worst, emergency measures have suddenly become the order of the day as Delhi has emerged all of a sudden as a test case for pollution reforms that will have implications for cities such as, Gwalior, Patna and Ahmedabad that are suffering from similar problems (see box). The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has announced a series of half-measures-but measures nonetheless-to kick-start the fight. It has been buttressed by the judiciary, which has radical ideas of its own. So while one group has decided to restrict Delhi's private four-wheelers to even and odd registration plates on alternate days, a battle of one-upmanship has begun in which the other wants to restrict or phase out diesel vehicles altogether. Ignoring the hue and cry and the logistic nightmare both these plans throw up, the executive and the judiciary seem determined to finally bell the cat. While this is a good issue to be squabbling over, some key questions remain: what does the cat really look like, how did it become so menacing, is the bell loud enough, and are they trying to bell the wrong cat altogether? Perhaps the first step towards understanding Delhi's particular pollution problem is to understand the city-its aspirations, and its design. Delhi is primarily a network of localities, or a conglomerate of villages, linked by roads that intersect, bifurcate and overlap, like spaghetti in a bowl. It's a series of concentric circles with numerous entry and exit points, and has almost no dedicated commercial centre, and no clear housing pattern. It is as long as it is wide, unlike Mumbai which has changed gradually from a straight line along the sea to a narrow isosceles triangle. Its population is growing at an alarming rate, having nearly doubled from 10 million to 20 million in the last two decades. And new satellite towns such as Gurgaon and Noida, which now form an ominous National Capital Region because of seamless urban integration, are also as commercial as they are residential. DESIGN FLAW It is, in other words, a landlocked cauldron of smoke, surrounded by an even smokier periphery, without the natural advantage of replenishing its air that coastal cities have. On top of that, it has an organic growth pattern that makes it arduous to provide a mass transit system that works for everyone because of a lack of clarity between where people live, and where they work. It is, as Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-Research and Advocacy at Centre of Science and Environment (CSE), puts it, "suffering from a design flaw". And as Rahul Mehrotra, urban planner and professor of Urban Design and Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, describes it, "a victim of poor land-use planning". It's because of this haphazard structure that the greatest middle-class dream in Delhi is individual mobility, and the entire focus of its transport system has been to support private vehicles. To have made it in Delhi, is to have wheels under you. The city, as a result, has a total of 8.8 million vehicles, and adds an average of 1,400 vehicles to its arsenal every month. This is more than the vehicles in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata combined, though about 60 per cent of these are two-wheelers.

Will drones, artificial rain help Delhi breathe this winter?

Days after Dussehra, when Ravana effigies were burned across Delhi and the “complete ban” on firecrackers went unenforced, the capital found itself plunged into its familiar grey haze of toxic smog. On October 22, the air quality index (AQI) plummeted to 310—classified as “very poor”. On October 14, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage I of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The CAQM, established in 2021 as a statutory body, oversees air quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas. GRAP, which operates under the Environment Ministry, is an emergency response system triggered by poor air quality. It has four stages based on AQI thresholds: Stage I for “poor” air (201-300), Stage II for “very poor” (301-400), Stage III for “severe” (401-450), and Stage IV for “severe+” (above 450). On October 22, the CAQM issued further orders for the implementation of Stage II of GRAP, which includes measures such as vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of roads, inspection of construction sites, and a ban on the use of coal, firewood, and diesel generator sets. An 11-point action plan is to be implemented across the NCR that mandates the deployment of adequate personnel at traffic congestion points, discouraging private transport by hiking parking fees, and increasing the frequency of bus and metro services. On the same day, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a series of anti-pollution measures. The minister said that another 1,800 traffic personnel will be positioned in 97 traffic congestion spots. Rai also added that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will deploy another 6,200 workers to increase water spraying at pollution hotspots. In late September, Delhi launched a 21-point Winter Action Plan to curb air pollution. According to Rai, drones, for the first time, will monitor air quality at Delhi’s pollution hotspots and a special task force will ensure enforcement of pollution control measures. The plan also includes an anti-dust campaign as well as emergency measures such as artificial rain and a vehicle rationing scheme. One of the most contentious sources of pollution is stubble burning in neighbouring States such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. On October 16, the Supreme Court criticised Haryana and Punjab for failing to take action against individuals involved in crop burning, summoning their Chief Secretaries to the next hearing on October 23. Political slugfest As the lungs of the capital deteriorate, political parties seem to be passing the buck, especially as the Delhi State Assembly election approaches. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reportedly said that the issue of stubble burning is not limited to any one State, it is the issue of the whole of northern India. Delhi’s incumbent Chief Minister Atishi criticised BJP’s “dirty politics” for the increasing air and water pollution. She attributed the issue to the inefficiency of the BJP-ruled States of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which failed to regulate stubble burning, worsening Delhi’s pollution levels. Citing reports from the Indian Agricultural Institute, Atishi said that while cases of farm fires in Punjab have dropped by 27 per cent, they have surged in the neighbouring States of Haryana and Punjab. “This clearly shows the dirty politics of the BJP. If the Punjab government can reduce parali [stubble] burning, why can’t the BJP governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh do it?” On the other hand, BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva said that Delhi is turning into a gas chamber and that the Atishi-led government has failed to address the primary causes of pollution. Caught in this political slugfest, it is the residents of Delhi who continue to suffer. Rise in respiratory conditions The impact on public health has been worrying. The number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is rising day by day, says Amit Suri, head of Respiratory Medicine at New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. “Atmospheric pollution plays a major role in this,” he adds. “While COPD is usually associated with smokers, we’re also seeing non-smokers developing similar symptoms due to exposure to pollution.” He has noticed an annual surge in patients with respiratory conditions as soon as winter sets in and especially after Diwali. “Many patients come to our chest OPD with symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Some have prolonged fever due to infections.” The hospital witnesses a 20 to 25 per cent spike in patients with respiratory problems post-Diwali when pollution peaks. Children under five, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems are among the most vulnerable, says Suri. Those who are subject to prolonged outdoor exposure, such as autorickshaw drivers, rickshaw pullers, and traffic police are particularly at risk, he adds. A “Pollution-Related Illness Clinic” has been established at the hospital bringing together specialists in respiratory health, dermatology, ophthalmology, and psychiatry. “We have a list of some dos and don’ts: avoid going outdoors, especially early in the morning or after sunset; use an N95 mask rather than cloth or surgical masks; use air purifiers, and do not open car windows; use cleaner fuels and do not use charcoal or wood,” says Suri. While some Delhi residents can take measures to shield themselves from pollution, others, like street vendors, who spend long hours outdoors, are particularly vulnerable. Arbind Singh, National Coordinator of the National Association of Street Vendors of India points out that while guidelines advise people to stay inside, vendors cannot afford to do so. “Even during peak pollution, there are vendors outside trying to earn their living,” Singh says, adding that street vendors lack health benefits. “In a city like Delhi, there is no access to Ayushman Bharat, so vendors cannot benefit from such schemes.” In his experience, vendors suffer from asthma and breathlessness after long hours on the streets. Children, too, remain at high risk, especially when exposed to PM2.5, one of the most dangerous components of Delhi’s air pollution. Aparajita Gautam, president of Delhi Parents Association, told Frontline, “After every Diwali, due to stubble burning and other reasons, there is a period of severe pollution and yet neither the Centre nor State governments do anything.” In 2023, when Delhi’s AQI crossed the 450 mark, nearly 10 times the acceptable limit, schools were shut and classes held online, a trend that has persisted for the past few years. This not only disrupts education but also poses several logistical questions regarding the sustainability of shutting schools each time pollution levels rise. “If schools close, the authorities will inevitably switch to online classes, given that this is a crucial period to complete the syllabus. In their attempt to escape one challenge, they end up pushing the children into another,” says Gautam, underscoring the difficulties children face. “A report by AIIMS shows that there is an increase in myopia cases in children. What would five to six hours of screentime do to their eyes?” She adds that many children from lower-income families lack devices and stable Internet connections. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Environment, acknowledges that while pollution levels remain dire, the long-term trend shows an improvement. “Overall, the trend up to last year indicates that the annual average pollution has declined, with the curve not trending upwards.” She adds that long-term measures yielded the most benefits. “The Delhi government implemented CNG programmes for all its public and local commercial transport. It also banned fuels such as charcoal and furnace oil.” However, Roychowdhury believes that the Winter Action Plan and the GRAP are only short-term interventions. “The GRAP is a more reactive measure, implemented only when pollution peaks. As it is a temporary solution, it fails to make a meaningful impact in the long term.”

Kalyan's B K Birla School boosts student safety with female bus drivers, offers free training to women

KALYAN: Following the heinous sexual abuse incident involving two young girls at a nursery school in Badlapur, the B K Birla School in Kalyan has taken the initiative to bolster the safety and security of their students. Although all of the staff in the nursery section are already women, the school now wants to employ a female bus driver to transport the children to and from the school premises. Due to the scarcity of skilled female bus drivers in the workforce, the school has extended an opportunity to women who currently operate auto rickshaws. They have announced that any woman auto rickshaw driver who is willing to transition to driving a bus, or any other interested woman, will be provided with complimentary training to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications. The school recently was honoured as a 'Green School' by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment for its implementation of significant eco-friendly initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, solar power, and effective wet and dry waste management. Additionally, the school recently received five national awards in recognition of its sustainable practices that includes. While announcing about getting these awards by school, O R Chitlange, Chairman of the B.K Birla School Management Committee, said, "Our school is known for doing every new innovative and advanced thing first for the education and well-being of students. In such a situation, keeping in view the safety of the girls in the nursery school, we have decided to have women drivers in the school buses in the coming new academic year so that along with women empowerment, the safety of the girls, which is our first priority, will be further strengthened." Ranjana Jangra, Principal of the school, said, "The school has decided to keep all-electric buses looking at environment purpose, and to run buses, we will provide free-of-cost training to women who are rare in this field and will also provide them jobs after training." The school has garnered numerous accolades. Among its recent recognitions, it was ranked 2nd in Thane and 3rd in Maharashtra among the top 20 CBSE schools by Education Today. In 2023, it was ranked 8th among the top 20 CBSE schools in India in the School Merit Awards by Education Today.

Kalyan's B K Birla School boosts student safety with female bus drivers, offers free training to women

KALYAN: Following the heinous sexual abuse incident involving two young girls at a nursery school in Badlapur, the B K Birla School in Kalyan has taken the initiative to bolster the safety and security of their students. Although all of the staff in the nursery section are already women, the school now wants to employ a female bus driver to transport the children to and from the school premises. Due to the scarcity of skilled female bus drivers in the workforce, the school has extended an opportunity to women who currently operate auto rickshaws. They have announced that any woman auto rickshaw driver who is willing to transition to driving a bus, or any other interested woman, will be provided with complimentary training to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications. The school recently was honoured as a 'Green School' by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment for its implementation of significant eco-friendly initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, solar power, and effective wet and dry waste management. Additionally, the school recently received five national awards in recognition of its sustainable practices that includes. While announcing about getting these awards by school, O R Chitlange, Chairman of the B.K Birla School Management Committee, said, "Our school is known for doing every new innovative and advanced thing first for the education and well-being of students. In such a situation, keeping in view the safety of the girls in the nursery school, we have decided to have women drivers in the school buses in the coming new academic year so that along with women empowerment, the safety of the girls, which is our first priority, will be further strengthened."

How Much Does Stubble Burning Contribute To Delhi’s Air Pollution? What Are The Alternatives?

Delhi air quality slipped to ‘very poor’ category on Monday morning, with the AQI reading of 307 , according to SAFAR-India. While stubble burning is considered to be the chief contributor of air pollution, it accounts for 1% of Delhi’s air quality, per official data. The Air Quality Index (AQI) scale categorises air quality into six levels: 0-50 is ‘good,’ 51-100 is ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 is ‘moderate,’ 201-300 is ‘poor,’ 301-400 is ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 is ‘severe.’ According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a ‘poor’ AQI can cause breathing discomfort, while ‘very poor’ levels increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. The deteriorating air quality can be attributed to several factors, including stubble burning in neighbouring states. September saw a 19.8% rise in stubble-burning incidents in Haryana, although Punjab recorded a 28.7% decline. How Much Stubble Burning Contribute to Air Pollution? Data released by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, mentioned in an India Today report, showed stubble burning accounted for just 1.3% of air pollution in the capital. The data suggests that the burning of crop residue is likely to contribute 2.3% and 2.4% to Delhi’s bad air quality. The study showed that vehicular pollution in Delhi essentially is the most significant contributor, accounting for 14.2%. Projections indicate it could decrease slightly further to 10.5% during subsequent days. Delhi’s construction activities and dust contribute less than 2% and near about 1%, respectively. The study highlighted that a significant level of pollution between 32% and 44% is caused by sources unknown. Meanwhile, neighbouring Noida has been consistently contributing between 10 and 11% to Delhi’s pollution, while Ghaziabad’s share ranges from 5 to 10%, as per the IITM data. Bulandshahr, a district in Uttar Pradesh around 110 km from Delhi, adds a noteworthy 6 to 9%. Meanwhile, Gurugram and Faridabad in Haryana contribute somewhere between 1.5 and 3% and 3 and 5%, respectively. What is Stubble Burning and Its Impact? Stubble or Parali burning is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November. The process includes setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy and wheat. It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue behind. The practice of paddy stubble burning is practiced mainly in Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for Rabi crop sowing. The paddy crop is harvested between the first and last weeks of October in Punjab and Haryana. Then, farmers sow the wheat crop from the first week of November until the middle of December. The rice stubble burning is highest in the state of Punjab followed by Haryana, whereas Uttar Pradesh ranks higher in wheat stubble burning. Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere containing harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide, methane, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds. These pollutants disperse in the surroundings and eventually affect air quality and people’s health by forming a thick blanket of smog. Stubble burning also makes soil less fertile and its nutrients are destroyed when the husk is burned on the ground. It also generates heat that penetrates into the soil, causing an increase in soil erosion. Why Are Farmers Burning Crop Residues? Only a very little time of two to three weeks is available to farmers between the harvesting of the paddy crop and the sowing of the next crop. This does not give farmers enough time to allow straw to be incorporated in the soil or use other methods of disposal. As per Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), use of expensive labour for stubble extraction is not feasible. Costs are especially high in Punjab and Haryana, where farm sizes are large and use of mechanised harvesters is common. Burning of residues is a cheaper and an easier option. With little commercial and economic value of crop residues, coupled with high processing, the value is reduced for farmers. What are the Alternatives to Stubble Burning? The Indian Agriculture Research Institute has devised a bio-enzyme called PUSA, which decomposes the stubble in 20-25 days, turning into manure. It leads to an increase in organic carbon and soil health while significantly reducing the fertiliser expense for the next cropping cycle. Prolonged practice over a period can considerably increases the soil’s nutrient health and microbial activity. Technology can be an enabler to help scale, reach and extend the benefits of a shared economy to the farmers. Biomass pellets can be sold commercially as the main fuel for industrial boilers and replace coal. Micro-pelletization should be incentivised and its local usage promoted. For in-situ management (example: crop residue management by zero-tiller machines and use of bio-decomposers) the government is currently giving equipment to farmers to mix the stubble back into the soil so that they don’t have to burn it. Reports, however, suggest despite the distribution of nearly 20,000 subsidised crop residue management (CRM) machines under a Central Government-sponsored scheme this year, only about 1 lakh of the total 1.5 lakh machines are expected to be operational this season. A uniform decentralised mechanism for the collection, storage and commercial sale of crop residue should be created, which will facilitate easy procurement of biomass fuel for power generation and other uses. Farm Fires and Stubble Burning Between 2018 and 2023 Since 2018, Punjab has recorded 50,590 farm fire incidents in 2018, 55,210 in 2019, 76,929 in 2020, 71,159 in 2021, 49,922 in 2022, and 36,629 in 2023. The area of paddy burned in 2018 was 17.81 lakh hectares out of the total paddy area of over 3 million hectares. In 2019, 18.54 lakh hectares were burned; in 2020, 17.55 lakh hectares were burned; in 2021, 15.64 lakh hectares were burned; in 2022, 15.43 lakh hectares were burned, which accounted for more than 50% of the total paddy area. However, in 2023, the burned area increased to 19 lakh hectares. The data suggests while the number of farm fire incidents decreased, the actual burned area of paddy rose by 26% compared to 2022. Punjab is expected to generate around 20 million tonnes of stubble this season. The state aims to manage 12.70 million tonnes through in-situ methods, while the remaining 6 million tonnes will be managed ex-situ, with the straw being collected and utilised in power plants, gas plants, and boilers.

Why a new climate finance goal already has countries fighting

Even though India’s southwest monsoon season is officially over, it left much loss and damage in its wake. The most devastating disaster this season was the landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad which killed over 400. The impact of climate change on India’s weather systems is well recorded. As every season becomes more intense and deadly, people are grappling with more intense and longer droughts, floods, landslides, cyclones, heatwaves and such. Against this backdrop, world leaders will convene in Azerbaijan next month for the 29th annual climate conference or COP29. The conference will go on for two weeks, but its centrepiece is likely to be the next climate finance goal. Historically, there has been a schism between members of this conference over money to deal with climate change. Developed countries were supposed to provide $100 billion per year up to 2020 to developing countries in order to deal with the effects of climate change such as for adaptation and taking steps to curb global warming. However, developed countries did not meet that deadline, and even when they have completed the target now, there are questions around it, furthering the atmosphere of distrust. As per the Paris Agreement, countries are supposed to agree on the next finance goal that will come into effect 2025 onwards, taking the $100 billion as the floor and raising it suitably as per developing countries’ needs. This new corpus will be called the New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance or NCQG. India was one of the few countries in the world to put a number to this finance goal, demanding that the developing world be given around $1 trillion per year, starting from 2025. But NCQG’s journey has already been rocky, with disagreements over what kind of finance, paid by whom, to whom and related matters. Since all countries are supposed to revise their climate pledges by February 2025, developing countries need to see the money in order to finalise their plans. As COP29 starts in less than a month, we explain what is at stake. What is NCQG? Money has always been at the heart of global climate negotiations because the world will need this sum to curb global warming and deal with the effects of climate change while transitioning away from fossil fuel. In fact, money has been crucial from the beginning. In 2009, at the then 15th annual climate conference or COP15, it was decided that developed countries would provide $100 billion in finance to developing countries to combat climate change. The rationale behind this is that it is the developed countries that have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore, have a greater responsibility. At the conference’s 21st session in 2015, countries decided to extend the $100 billion goal through 2025 and to set the NCQG by then. They agreed that $100 billion per year would be a floor for the new goal, which means that the new goal will build on that. Then, what would the ceiling be? Developing countries require about $5.8-5.9 trillion up until 2030 in order to meet their climate goals and comply with what they promised as per the Paris Agreement, according to the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) own estimate. Meanwhile, during COP27, the Independent High Level Expert Group had stated that annual investments in climate action need to increase to $2.4 trillion annually by 2030 for developing countries (excluding China) to ensure accelerated energy transition, investment in resilience and the protection of nature. Of this, $1.4 trillion needs to be mobilised from domestic sources, whereas $1 trillion a year will be needed in external climate finance by 2030. India had become one of the first countries earlier this year to put a number to what developing nations need, in its official submission to UNFCCC over the NCQG. It had said that developed countries should provide at least $1 trillion in climate finance to developing countries every year from 2025 onwards. It also mentioned that this should be in the form of grants and concessional finance, while suggesting a 10-year time frame. Formal NCQG deliberations have been going on for about three to four years now. There is an ad hoc working programme, high level ministerial dialogue, regular stocktake and guidance, along with many other elements to the day-to-day deliberations on NCQG. The process was supposed to have moved closer to completion at the recently concluded talks in Bonn, Germany, but many sticking points led to a disappointing result. Avantika Goswami, programme manager (climate change) at the Centre for Science and Environment, said that the floor has to be $100 billion but whether that will be a token increase of a few billions higher or climb into the trillions is a bit uncertain right now. “Some developed countries are positive about the figure being in trillions, but they are doing some clever workshopping by saying that there will be a larger private finance mobilisation goal,” Goswami said. “Now that's a bit dicier because there's no accountability and guarantee in the private sector. Private capital mobilisation for climate needs has been underwhelming so far. Most of the funding has been through public sources.” How the cookie crumbles Disagreements started with the earlier finance goal. Developed countries failed to fulfill the promise of $100 billion by 2020. It was only in May 2024 that data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that, for the first time, developing countries had in fact hit that target. The OECD’s seventh assessment found that in 2022, developed countries provided and mobilised a total of $115.9 billion in climate finance for developing countries, exceeding the annual goal for the first time. At the request of donor countries, the OECD has been tracking progress towards this goal since 2015. However, Oxfam research shows that while nearly $92 billion of the reported amount was provided as public finance, nearly 70% of this money was again in the form of loans provided at profitable market rates, all adding to the debt levels of the Global South countries. “Oxfam estimates that the ‘true value’ of climate finance provided by rich countries in 2022 is only between $28 billion and $35 billion, with at most only $15 billion earmarked for adaptation,” it stated. Against this backdrop, the NCQG too is facing issues such as who should pay and how much. Currently, “developed countries” are defined as the 24 countries that were OECD members in 1992, when the Framework Convention was signed. There are some developed countries which believe that this list needs to be updated now, since there are countries beyond the original 24 that are capable of paying. Similarly, there is debate over who should get the funding--whether it should go to the most vulnerable countries only, or to all developing countries.

Traffic, pollution fears in Kolkata after 2.4L two-wheelers hit roads in 4 years flat

Kolkata has experienced an unprecedented surge in two-wheeler ownership, with 2,36,948 new such vehicles added to the city's fleet since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. This is the highest addition recorded over any five-year span, pushing the total number of two-wheelers in the city to over 10 lakh, clogging Kolkata's roads and worsening pollution. Pollution levels have gone up because of this, as many older and inefficient motorbikes and scooters are still in use, contributing to emission. A transport department official highlighted the issue. "Since there is no policy to phase out private vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, they change hands and continue to emit filthy smoke," he said. The dramatic rise in two-wheelers has also made traffic management harder. "The explosive growth in two-wheelers has made managing traffic difficult," said a senior traffic officer. The surge in two-wheelers is largely attributed to the declining state of Kolkata's public transport, particularly following the pandemic. "With fewer buses on the roads due to non-revision of bus fares, many were forced to shift to autos. And the high cost of multiple auto rides forced a shift to two-wheelers," said Aniket Banerjee of Bus-o-Pedia. Transport experts warn that the growing reliance on private vehicles is eroding Kolkata's reputation as a public transport-centric city. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment, said: "Kolkata faces the risk of meeting the same fate as Bengaluru, where a sea of vehicles has choked the city. The city is adding nearly one lakh vehicles annually, though the road space is just 206sq km." The demand for two-wheelers has been further fuelled by the increasing demand for last-mile delivery services. "Two-wheelers, used for cab and delivery services received a massive boost during this period," Roychowdhury said. With the city logging 0.3 billion parcel deliveries by two-wheelers each year, a recent study by the Stand.earth Research Group. commissioned by the Clean Mobility Collective, found that "last-mile emissions" from delivery and e-commerce services in Kolkata, accounted for 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Public transport users are feeling the pinch of reduced bus services, especially during peak hours. "It's nearly impossible to find a bus after 9pm," said Amardeep Singh, a Kidderpore resident who commutes from Jadavpur. "Now, I spend five times more on my daily commute, and it takes almost twice as long to get home. I am seriously thinking of buying a two-wheeler," he added. Experts say punitive measures, such as higher taxes on two-wheelers, may not in itself deter people from using them. "‘Push' strategies, such as raising taxes, will only work if combined with ‘pull' strategies such as improving public transport and making them more affordable and attractive," said Bhargav Maitra, a transport expert from IIT-Kharagpur.