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Beyond the mirage Beyond the mirage

India’s third-most populous urban area is just another city that is being shown the mirror—the dreams of a perfect water supply driven by high-cost engineering solutions are being shattered Some years ago, at the release of our report Excreta Matters in Bengaluru, I got into a spirited discussion with the city’s water and sewage managers. The discussion was about water management in the city, which our research showed was unaffordable and so unsustainable. The engineers disagreed. According to them, they had managed to secure water from the Cauvery, some 100 km away, through pipelines, and so had no reason to worry. Now as this hi-tech city hurtles towards a severe water scarcity, maybe, just maybe, these wise men will reconsider and rework their options going forward. The fact is, Bengaluru is just another city that is being shown the mirror—the dreams of a perfect water supply driven by high-cost engineering solutions are being shattered. And this is in an era of climate risk, where rainfall will become more extreme and more variable. Bengaluru in the now-distant past used to receive water from its vast network of lakes, designed to collect rain and mitigate floods. Then the search expanded: its first official water supply was from Hesaraghatta lake on the Arkavathi river, 18-20 km from the city; and then from T G Halli reservoir, 35-40 km away. But all this did not suffice and around 1974, the ambitious Cauvery Water Supply Scheme was conceived—where water would be pumped up to a height of 490 metres and transported over 100 km. During my interactions with the city engineers, they were deep into stage 4 of this engineering marvel, and as I said, they did not see any reason to worry. I spoke about the cost of transporting water longer distances—about a decade ago, the city required huge power to pump the water, which was eating into the fragile economics of its water and sewerage board. Also, as the distance increased, so did the water loss which, according to official sources, was 40 per cent. All this meant that the cost of water supply was going up. I also pointed out that the engineers were discounting the following facts: one, groundwater usage was increasing in the city and its surrounding areas, which suggested that the water supply was not so perfect. Two, the city was exploding and this expanding water-sewage infrastructure would not keep pace with growth. Three, most importantly by their own admission, bulk of the sewage generated was not being treated and this in turn was adding to the pollution load in its lakes and streams. But again, the engineers were sanguine about the future. They boasted they had already built some 720 million litres per day (mld) of sewage treatment capacity, using every available technology possible—which technically would be able to treat almost all the sewage generated. When I pointed out that less than half the capacity was being utilised, they told me, very soon the pipeline network would expand and all would be well. Cut to present day. In 2010, the city’s water requirement was pegged at 1,125 mld, which has more than doubled to 2,600 mld. While the Cauvery still supplies half, the rest comes from groundwater. In other words, the demand has remained unmet and people have had no option but to dig and dig deeper to secure their water supply. With increased variability of rainfall, these sources are drying up, and fast. But the pipedream sellers have not understood the crisis—the city’s chief water manager is now banking on stage 5 of the Cauvery project, which, he says, will be commissioned very soon. The sewage story is similar. New hardware for treatment has been built; according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s 2021 inventory, the city now has 1,167.50 mld of sewage treatment capacity. And capacity utilisation has also somewhat improved to 75 per cent. But the gap between the generation of sewage and treatment capacity has widened. With the current water demand, sewage generation would be close to 2,000 mld—and so untreated sewage would be more than half. The city has gone round in circles, only to find that it is still standing where it was a decade ago. This is the real crisis of our water planning—the inability to understand the need and the opportunity for the change. The fact is, Bengaluru receives enough rain; it has lakes that can harvest this rain and recharge groundwater, so that in times of extreme rain events, its rich and powerful denizens do not have to swim to avoid drowning in the flood. Every drop can be used for the coming period of scarcity. Then it can manage its sewage differently. Instead of believing that it can transport sewage with pipelines, it can ensure that every drop of excreta is collected by tankers and then treated and reused. But for this, water engineers have to come down to earth, rework and rethink. This is Bengaluru’s story today and your city’s story tomorrow. DTE The writer is the Director-General of CSE and editor of DownToEarth. Views expressed are personal

India was 3rd most polluted country in 2023, Delhi most polluted capital: Report

India was the third most polluted country in 2023 after Pakistan and Bangladesh, according to the World Air Quality Report based on data from the Swiss firm IQAir. India’s annual PM 2.5 was 54.4µg/m3 compared to Pakistan’s 73.7µg/m3 and Bangladesh’s 79.9µg/m3. India’s annual PM 2.5 average was 53.3µg/m3 in 2022 when it was the eighth most polluted country. It was 58.1µg/m3 in 2021. The report, which was released on Tuesday and is based on data from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions, said 42 of the world’s most polluted 50 cities are in India. New Delhi (92.7µg/m3) was the most polluted capital city globally. Begusarai (118.9µg/m3) was the most polluted in India followed by Guwahati (105.4µg/m3). The Union Territory of Delhi had an average PM 2.5 concentration of 102.1µg/m3, making it the third most polluted worldwide. New Delhi (92.7µg/m3) was the sixth most polluted. Mullanpur (100.4µg/m3) in Punjab and Pakistan’s Lahore (99.5µg/m3) were the fourth and fifth most polluted places. Greater Noida (88.6µg/m3) was the most polluted, ranking 11th, across the National Capita Region after Delhi. Gurugram (84µg/m3) was next at 17th. The report said seven of the 134 countries—Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand—met the World Health Organization annual PM 2.5 average of 5µg/m3 or less. Greenpeace International senior air quality scientist Aidan Farrow said the report illustrates the international nature and inequitable consequences of the enduring air pollution crisis. “Local, national, and international effort is urgently needed to monitor air quality in under-resourced places, manage the causes of transboundary haze, and cut our reliance on combustion as an energy source,” he said. “In 2023, air pollution remained a global health catastrophe. IQAir’s global data set provides an important reminder of the resulting injustices and the need to implement the many solutions that exist to this problem.” Centre for Science and Environment executive director (research and advocacy) Anumita Roychowdhury said the report again highlights how air quality remains challenging in rapidly motorising and urbanising Indian cities. “To fix this, we need transformative multi-sector action across all regions under the National Clean Air Programme for a time-bound reduction in pollution levels.” She said while most global rankings are based on the PM2.5 concentration, their NCAP programme is solely focussed on evaluating the performance of cities based on PM10, which diverts attention and resources towards dust control. “This also shows that we need stronger strategies for controlling the more harmful finer fraction of PM2.5 that comes largely from combustion sources.”

How city fared in air quality this winter

This winter season, Bengaluru’s average PM2.5 concentration yet again exceeded National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) standards. While NAAQS’s prescribed limit of average PM2.5 concentration is 40µg/m3, Bengaluru registered a winter average of 41.3µg/m3. The analysis of air quality data from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) between October 2023 and January 2024 conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi showed the city’s average concentration of this harmful pollutant was much higher than some other major cities in South India. Chennai recorded a winter average of 36.5 µg/m3; in Thiruvananthapuram, the average concentration of PM2.5 was 29.5 µg/m3. The peak value of PM2.5 concentration in the given period in Bengaluru was 92µg/m3. Vehicular emission, according to experts, is the biggest contributor of particulate matter in the environment. They said while the number of vehicles on Bengaluru’s roads is increasing exponentially, the average speed is decreasing, leading to traffic stagnation and thus poorer air quality. “Chennai has cleaner air due to its proximity to the ocean, apart from efficient air pollution mitigation measures in place. Although Bengaluru too has the geographical advantage of altitude, this is diminishing due to exponential growth in vehicles. The city does not have road infrastructure to support such a large fleet of vehicles. Roads are also in bad shape, reducing vehicular speed, leading to higher emissioon,” said professor Gufran Beig, chair professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). The analysis showed Bengaluru registered a decrease in winter PM2.5 concentration level by 7% compared to the previous winter. Air quality experts told BM that this year’s winter months witnessed above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures due to the El Nino effect, and thus the concentration of pollutants has been lower. “This year, winter has not been as intense as last year due to the El Nino effect, and thus pollutant levels are lower than last year. However, this drop should not be considered as an improvement in the overall air quality of the city,” said a city-based researcher. Apart from Bengaluru, other cities in the southern part of the country that have registered a drop in PM2.5 concentration include Hyderabad (registered a two per cent decrease), Chennai (15 per cent decrease), and Thiruvananthapuram (18 per cent decrease). Kalaburagi, Belgaum, and Kochi registered an improvement in access of 40 per cent.

Political disconnect: Why environmental issues are not winning votes in India

NEW air is India with whil Prad reco glac flood thes secondary to livelihood concerns and are yet to national elections, experts say "You can see what Sonam (Wangchuk) is doing i when it is air pollution, you find some noises bei just on the periphery, " Panwar said. Wangchuk is leading a "climate fast" to demand Ladakh, which he says will help protect the frag identity of the region. The World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risk extreme weather events and critical change to e greatest concerns facing the world over the nex their manifestos for previous elections, focusing sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and promo "Still, not many would vote on these issues in ele Sinha, a senior resident fellow at the Vidhi Cent Delhi. "Environmental concerns will gain prominence address fundamental human needs. Food, water precedence. The majority of the population, bus tends to overlook environmental issues until the daily lives, " he said. Renowned environmentalist Sunita Narain said features prominently on the political agenda for heavily-polluted urban centres like Delhi, the in concerns in party manifestos does not necessari action at a significant scale. "Cooperative efforts are essential, but finger-po and state governments, as well as among differe is counterproductive. For instance, if Delhi face challenges, so do Punjab and Haryana, " she said

सियासी बेरुखी : पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को भारत के चुनावों में क्यों नहीं मिलती है तवज्जो

जहरीली हवा पूरे भारत में लोगों की उम्र को कम कर रही है, बेंगलुरु गंभीर जल संकट से जूझ रहा है, जबकि सिक्किम और हिमाचल प्रदेश अभी भी पिछले साल विनाशकारी हिमस्खलन और बाढ़ से पूरी तरह से उबर नहीं पाए हैं। विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि इसके बावजूद,ये मुद्दे आजीविका संबंधी चिंताओं के आगे गौण बने हुए हैं और राष्ट्रीय चुनावों में इनका अभी भी महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव नहीं है। उनका कहना है कि इसकी एक वजह यह है कि भारत में राजनीतिक और सामाजिक आंदोलन मुख्य रूप से आजीविका के मुद्दों पर केंद्रित होते हैं। आपका है ☰ शहर प्रदेश चुनाव सर्वे The ChargeSheet देश दुनिया खेल वीडियो एंटरटेनमेंट × search live tv Careers live tv लाइव टीवी IBC24 UP UK fire iconHOT NOW #LokSabhaChunav2024#चुनाव सर्वे google news download app Download App Home » Country » Political apathy: Why environmental issues don't get prominence in Indian elections सियासी बेरुखी : पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को भारत के चुनावों में क्यों नहीं मिलती है तवज्जो सियासी बेरुखी : पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को भारत के चुनावों में क्यों नहीं मिलती है तवज्जो : Bhasha Modified Date: March 17, 2024 / 07:49 PM IST , Published Date : March 17, 2024/7:49 pm IST (गौरव सैनी) Advertisement: 0:13 Close PlayerUnibots.com नयी दिल्ली, 17 मार्च (भाषा) जहरीली हवा पूरे भारत में लोगों की उम्र को कम कर रही है, बेंगलुरु गंभीर जल संकट से जूझ रहा है, जबकि सिक्किम और हिमाचल प्रदेश अभी भी पिछले साल विनाशकारी हिमस्खलन और बाढ़ से पूरी तरह से उबर नहीं पाए हैं। विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि इसके बावजूद,ये मुद्दे आजीविका संबंधी चिंताओं के आगे गौण बने हुए हैं और राष्ट्रीय चुनावों में इनका अभी भी महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव नहीं है। उनका कहना है कि इसकी एक वजह यह है कि भारत में राजनीतिक और सामाजिक आंदोलन मुख्य रूप से आजीविका के मुद्दों पर केंद्रित होते हैं। recommended by BRAINBERRIES This Is How Demi Moore Surprised Her Ex On His Birthday LEARN MORE शिमला के पूर्व उप महापौर टिकेंदर सिंह पंवार ने ‘पीटीआई-भाषा’ को बताया कि पर्यावरण को आजीविका से जोड़ने वाली सामाजिक प्रेरणा की कमी एक बड़ी बाधा है। उन्होंने विकास के जलवायु जोखिम की सूचना देने की केरल के दृष्टिकोण की सराहना की, लेकिन आपदाओं को आजीविका और शासन के मुद्दों से जोड़ने वाले ऐसे आंदोलनों की अनुपस्थिति के कारण हिमाचल प्रदेश और उत्तराखंड जैसे राज्यों में चुनौतियों का उल्लेख किया। मार्क्सवादी कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी (माकपा) के सदस्य ने कहा कि देश में पर्यावरण संबंधी मुद्दों को मुख्यधारा में लाने में और पांच से 10 साल लगेंगे। पंवार ने कहा, ‘‘आप देख सकते हैं कि सोनम (वांगचुक) लद्दाख में क्या कर रहे हैं। यहां तक कि दिल्ली में भी, जब वायु प्रदूषण होता है, तो आप कुछ शोर सुनते हैं। लेकिन ये सिर्फ नेपथ्य में हैं।’’ वांगचुक लद्दाख को जनजातीय क्षेत्र का दर्जा देने की मांग को लेकर ‘जलवायु उपवास’ का नेतृत्व कर रहे हैं। उनका मानना है कि इससे क्षेत्र की नाजुक पारिस्थितिकी और जनजातीय पहचान की रक्षा करने में मदद मिलेगी। विश्व आर्थिक मंच (डब्ल्यूईएफ) वैश्विक जोखिम रिपोर्ट-2024 में प्रतिकूल मौसमी घटनाओं और पृथ्वी प्रणालियों में महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन को अगले दशक में दुनिया के सामने सबसे बड़ी चिंताओं के रूप में उल्लेख किया गया है। येल प्रोग्राम ऑन क्लाइमेट चेंज कम्युनिकेशन (वाईपीसीसीसी) और सेंटर फॉर वोटिंग ओपिनियन एंड ट्रेंड्स इन इलेक्शन रिसर्च (सीवोटर) द्वारा 2021-2022 में किए गए एक सर्वेक्षण के मुताबिक 84 प्रतिशत भारतीय मानते हैं कि जलवायु परिवर्तन वास्तविक है और उनमें से अधिकांश स्वीकार करते हैं कि यह मानवजनित गतिविधियों से उत्पन्न हुआ है। कई छोटे राजनीतिक दलों ने भी पिछले चुनावों के लिए अपने घोषणापत्रों में जलवायु परिवर्तन को प्राथमिकता दी है, जिसमें टिकाऊ कृषि, पर्यावरण-पर्यटन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा को बढ़ावा देने जैसे मुद्दों पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया गया है। दिल्ली स्थित ‘विधि सेंटर फॉर लीगल पॉलिसी’ के सीनियर रेजिडेंट फेलो देबादित्यो सिन्हा ने कहा,‘‘फिर भी, बहुत से लोग चुनाव में इन मुद्दों पर वोट नहीं देंगे।’’ उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘बुनियादी मानवीय जरूरतों पर ध्यान देने के बाद ही पर्यावरण संबंधी चिंताओं को चुनावों में प्रमुखता मिलेगी। भोजन, पानी और स्वास्थ्य को प्राथमिकता दी जाती है। आजीविका कमाने में व्यस्त अधिकांश आबादी पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को तब तक नजरअंदाज करती है, जब तक कि ये सीधे तौर पर उनके दैनिक जीवन को प्रभावित न करें।’’ सिन्हा ने कहा कि लेकिन उच्च प्रति व्यक्ति आय वाले राज्यों में, पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों के संबंध में लोगों के बीच अधिक राजनीतिक जागरूकता होती है। उन्होंने कहा कि इन राज्यों में, राजनीतिक दलों से पर्यावरणीय क्षति की स्थिति को बदलने, जंगलों और जल संसाधनों की सुरक्षा और वायु प्रदूषण व जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने जैसी चिंताओं को प्राथमिकता देने की उम्मीद की जाती है। प्रख्यात पर्यावरणविद् सुनीता नारायण ने कहा कि वायु प्रदूषण शहरों के राजनीतिक एजेंडे में प्रमुखता से शामिल है, खासकर दिल्ली जैसे अत्यधिक प्रदूषित शहरी केंद्रों में, लेकिन पार्टी घोषणापत्रों में पर्यावरण संबंधी चिंताओं को शामिल करना भर महत्वपूर्ण एवं प्रभावी कार्रवाई की गारंटी नहीं है। स्वतंत्र थिंक टैंक ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट’ की प्रमुख नारायण ने कहा कि इन मुद्दों से प्रभावी ढंग से निपटने के लिए, सभी हितधारकों को सार्थक चर्चा के लिए एक साथ आना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा कि दुर्भाग्य से, वर्तमान खंडित और ध्रुवीकृत राजनीतिक परिदृश्य इस तरह के सहयोग को और अधिक कठिन बना देता है। भारतीय जनता पार्टी (भाजपा) और कांग्रेस ने 2019 में पहली बार वन संरक्षण और वायु प्रदूषण को अपने चुनावी घोषणापत्र में शामिल किया। हालांकि, हिमालयी राज्यों के लिए भाजपा के ‘हरित बोनस’ जैसे वादे अधूरे हैं। कांग्रेस ने वायु प्रदूषण को राष्ट्रीय सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य आपातकाल के रूप में मान्यता दी और राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ वायु कार्यक्रम को मजबूत करने का वादा किया। चुनाव घोषणा पत्र में शामिल करने के बावजूद, चुनाव के दौरान मुफ्त पानी और बिजली जैसे लोकलुभावन मुद्दे पर्यावरण संबंधी चिंताओं पर हावी रहते हैं।

Eat Right to Fight Climate Change

On March 12, a balmy spring evening in Delhi, First Food: Future of Taste published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), was released at the India Habitat Centre. This well-produced and deeply researched book has over a hundred recipes, all featuring locally sourced ingredients. It is a fitting tribute to India’s incredible biodiversity and indigenous food culture. Conceptualised by Vibha Varshney, this is the fourth title to be published under CSE’s ‘First Food’ series. The food featured in Future of Taste come with the promise of helping us survive—and live healthier lives—in a world that is facing extreme weather events and other dire threats due to climate change. On stage at the launch were four of India’s top chefs, who have contributed recipes to the book: Manjit S Gill (Founder-President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations), Manish Mehrotra (Culinary Director, Indian Accent), Rajiv Malhotra (Corporate Chef, Habitat World) and Jatin Mallick (Chef and co-owner, Tres Restaurant). Introducing the book to the audience, Sunita Narain, well-known environmentalist and Director General, CSE, stressed the need to be mindful of our food choices. “Climate change is breaking our farmers’ backs,” said Narain. “Today, there’s one extreme weather event daily that they have to grapple with. Industrial food farming adds to greenhouse gas emissions and wrecks the environment that is already under huge stress.” Future of Taste endorses resilient crops Future of Taste shines the spotlight on several indigenous food items that have been neglected by a majority of Indians over the years. “There is an existing class structure of food in our country,” said Narain. “We want to change it by sharing information about the variety of wild, native foodstuffs available across India.” Anyone who is curious about the vital links between food, livelihood, and nature will find a wealth of information here. The urgent need to reset these links as the “world begins to rework the paradigm of agriculture so that it is climate-smart” is highlighted. Readers have a gamut of dishes to choose from: full meals, breakfast and snacks, chutneys and pickles, desserts, and beverages. A sampling: for breakfast, there’s bathua stuffed paratha, karela leaf pakora, and bakla dal pancake. Full meals include green roti, moong dal with yaipan, kulfey ki kadhi, jimikhand kofta, ullsoppu sambhar, carrot leaf kadhi; chutneys made from jalpai, jamun jam, and Naga tree tomato chutney. The drinks menu sizzles with enticing beverages such as khus ki sharbat, kaitha rasam and sabja lemonade. These are simple, healthy recipes and the ingredients they list are all found in India—either in the wild or in the fields. Nothing exotic, or overpriced, about them! “We chefs decided to contribute some of our recipes to Future of Taste because it is crucial to share the right kind of information about locally sourced food and India’s culture of food,” says Chef Gill. “Good, clean, fairly produced food is the right choice for all of us in the time of climate change. This book articulates that message very well and we are glad to be part of it.” The chefs whose recipes are featured in the book are offering some of these dishes to customers who visit their restaurants. They are keen to cater to the growing tribe of people in India who are in search of healthy, locally sourced food items. The essays included in Future of Taste, written by experts, raises awareness about climate change. The topics they cover include the vanishing native fishes of the Sundarbans, wild foods of the Western Ghats, traditional food items of the Himalayan region, native food varieties of Nandurbar—the most climate-change vulnerable district in Maharashtra, and Meghalaya’s indigenous communities who are at acute risk from climate change impacts. The environment-friendly way of life of indigenous communities and their traditional farming practices find a mention here. Though affected by climate change, the rich agro-biodiversity (diversity of plants and animals used as food) found in local communities has cushioned them from damage to a certain extent. They have experimented with seeds which can be stored for long periods and plants with short life cycles, and also fashioned nutritious recipes out of parts of cultivated plants that are usually wasted.

Farmers’ protests a testimony to flawed market economy

As farmers in Spain spilt 400,000 litres of milk on the streets, Malaysian growers protested against low paddy prices. In France, Confederation Paysanne, a prominent organisation of small farmers, at a recent meeting with President Macron, sought an assurance that no purchases would be allowed below a guaranteed agricultural price that included production cost plus remuneration for farmers and social protection. Trade liberalisation, too, has come under attack. In Germany, France, Romania, Italy and Poland, farmers have staged protests against cheap imports coming from Ukraine, besides seeking a review of free trade agreements. They have blocked highways, stopped trucks carrying imported farm products and destroyed imported foodstuffs at many places. In France, thousands of farmers and fishermen have protested at ports against cheap fish imports, which they say are destroying farm livelihoods. In India, protesting farmers have reiterated their demand that India should pull out of the World Trade Organisation. A compilation by Down to Earth magazine has shown that while 24 countries in Europe faced farmer protests, 12 in Africa, 11 in Asia, eight each in South America and North & Central America and two in Oceania have been shaken by farmer demonstrations in the past year. In Europe, a study on the latest round of protests in January-February 2024 by Euractiv, an independent pan-Europe media network, showed a strong demand for a fair and remunerative price for farmers, emanating mainly from France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Belgian farmers wanted protection in the food chain as well. Their anger was also directed at the strict environmental regulations that the European Commission is trying to impose in a bid to achieve net-zero emissions. The impact of trade on the agricultural sector is a concern for EU farmers. German farmers’ demonstrations were focused on the withdrawal of tax exemptions on fuel for agricultural vehicles (which Berlin agreed to phase out), environmental regulations — especially the Nitrate Directive — and the demand for incentives to make up for low prices. In essence, most of these protests across continents were primarily against poor crop prices, high cost of production, cheaper imports and withdrawal of incentives, besides local issues. Leaving agriculture in the hands of markets hasn’t helped the farm sector. The global outcry by farmers is a testimony to this. In any case, Indian agriculture has been a victim of a dominant economic thinking that has deliberately ensured that food prices are kept low so as to contain inflationary spirals. This is an outdated approach, and it’s time the Reserve Bank of India revisited its macroeconomic policies to bring them in tune with the changing realities. The Household Expenditure Survey for 2022-23 shows that the expenditure on food has significantly declined, even as every household is burdened with an ever-rising expenditure on housing, health and education, which doesn’t get adequately reflected in the consumption basket. The moment you emphasise the urgency of a much-needed course correction, which will more or less free farm prices from tight macroeconomic control, a strong defiance emerges. It will lead to a higher inflation, and thereby market distortions, we are warned. This criticism is voiced whenever farmers reiterate the need for a guaranteed price. But the same economic thinking remained conspicuously quiet when a corporate rip-off resulted in inflation increasing by 57 per cent during the pandemic years and hovered around 53 per cent for the better part of 2023. Market distortions due to downright greed never sparked an outrage till economist Isabella M Weber from the University of Massachusetts cited ‘seller’s profit’ as the reason, which even the US President acknowledged in his recent State of the Union address and promised to initiate remedial action. Coming back to the call for fixing the minimum farm prices, what has not been realised is that for several decades, numerous incentives and domestic support mechanisms have been attempted to stabilise farm prices, but the reality is that farm distress has only worsened globally. Even in the US, from where the market reforms in agriculture have been borrowed, a documentary titled Deja vu, directed by former NASA scientist Bedabrata Pain, shows how the free market design pushed small farmers out of agriculture, leaving behind a trail of misery and devastation on the farm. A free market, therefore, is not the solution. It is, in fact, the reason behind the continuing farm crisis. If only markets had the wisdom and could reward efficiency, there is no reason why farming would be a losing proposition. Farmers’ revolt across the globe is a testimony to how flawed the economics has been. It’s time to radically overhaul the economic design that has deliberately kept farming impoverished. A legalised MSP is the way forward not only for Indian farmers but also for growers across the globe. Markets will adjust accordingly.

Political disconnect: Why environmental issues are not winning votes in India

NEW DELHI: The poisonous air is shortening lives across India, Bengaluru is grappling with a severe water crisis, while Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh are yet to fully recover from the devastating glacial lake outburst and flash floods last year. Despite this, these issues remain secondary to livelihood concerns and are yet to hold significant sway in national elections, experts say. One reason for this, they say, is that political and social movements in India predominantly focus on livelihood issues. Tikender Singh Panwar, former deputy mayor of Shimla, told PTI that the lack of social mobilisation linking the environment with livelihoods is a major obstacle. He praised Kerala's approach to risk-informed climate development but noted the challenges in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to the absence of such movements connecting disasters with livelihood and governance issues. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) member said it would take another five to 10 years for environmental issues to become mainstream in the country. "You can see what Sonam (Wangchuk) is doing in Ladakh. Even in Delhi, when it is air pollution, you find some noises being made. But these are just on the periphery," Panwar said. Wangchuk is leading a "climate fast" to demand tribal area status for Ladakh, which he says will help protect the fragile ecology and tribal identity of the region. The World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risks Report 2024 counts extreme weather events and critical change to earth systems as the greatest concerns facing the world over the next decade. A survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) and Centre for Voting Opinion and Trends in Election Research (CVoter) in 2021-2022 showed that 84 per cent Indians believe that climate change is real and most of them acknowledge that it stems from anthropogenic activities. Several smaller political parties have also prioritised climate change in their manifestos for previous elections, focusing on issues such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and promoting renewable energy. "Still, not many would vote on these issues in elections," says Debadityo Sinha, a senior resident fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy in Delhi. "Environmental concerns will gain prominence in elections only after we address fundamental human needs. Food, water and health take precedence. The majority of the population, busy earning a livelihood, tends to overlook environmental issues until these directly impact their daily lives," he said. However, in states with a higher per capita income, there tends to be greater political awareness among people regarding environmental issues. In these states, political parties are expected to prioritise concerns, such as reversing environmental degradation, safeguarding forests and water resources and combating air pollution and climate change, Sinha said. Renowned environmentalist Sunita Narain said while air pollution features prominently on the political agenda for cities, especially in heavily-polluted urban centres like Delhi, the inclusion of environmental concerns in party manifestos does not necessarily translate into effective action at a significant scale. "Cooperative efforts are essential, but finger-pointing between central and state governments, as well as among different states within a region, is counterproductive. For instance, if Delhi faces environmental challenges, so do Punjab and Haryana," she said. To address these issues effectively, all the stakeholders must come together at a common table for meaningful discussions. Unfortunately, the current fractured and polarised political landscape makes such cooperation increasingly difficult, Narain, the director general of independent think tank Centre for Science and Environment, said. In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress included forest conservation and air pollution in their election manifestos for the first time. However, promises like the BJP's "green bonus" for Himalayan states remain unfulfilled. The Congress recognised air pollution as a national public health emergency and pledged to strengthen the National Clean Air Programme. Yet, despite these inclusions, environmental concerns continue to be overshadowed by populist issues, such as free water and power, during elections. Aarti Khosla, founder of Climate Trends, a Delhi-based policy outreach organisation, said it is important to simplify complex environmental topics to demonstrate their impact on daily life. There is an urgent need for policymakers and researchers to collaborate in addressing environmental challenges for the country's well-being. With India facing threats from climate change and air pollution, understanding the personal effects of environmental decisions becomes crucial for both elected officials and voters, she said.

Explained: The Fine-Print In Modi Govt’s Rooftop Solar/Free Electricity Scheme

Mumbai: The Indian government wants to solarise 10 million homes with rooftop solar that could allow consumers benefits such as free electricity up to 300 units per month, amounting to gains up to Rs 18,000 every year. The scheme could be the leg-up the residential rooftop solar industry has needed for years. But with poor awareness, issues of import reliance, net metering and the apathy of discoms, the challenges before the sector could affect the success of the scheme, which has been introduced ahead of the upcoming general elections. After announcing the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana with the 10 million target on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana just three weeks later. The latter promises up to 300 units of free electricity per month for consumers who install rooftop solar. As per the new scheme, houses with solar plants up to 3 KW will now get up to Rs 78,000 subsidy as compared to the Rs 43,764 of the earlier scheme. The scheme’s target group is low- and middle-income households. The subsidy for group housing societies or residents’ welfare associations, which used to be Rs 7,294 per KW for a maximum capacity of 500 KW, has been changed to include common areas and electric vehicle charging stations at Rs 18,000 per KW up to 500 KW. The subsidy for households that require more than 10 KW units was fixed at Rs 94,822 earlier, but has been reduced wherein units larger than 3 KW have a cap of Rs 78,000. While there is no deadline for achieving the 10 million mark, the government already has a 40 GW target for rooftop solar for 2026, and to meet it will mean addressing the various challenges. States that are lagging behind in uptake of rooftop solar also need impetus to improve their policies and increase awareness. “Between 2014 and 2024, rooftop solar’s progress has been 11 GW,” said Binit Das, deputy programme manager at the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. “The number of households that have solar is less than 10 lakh [1 million]. Even with the ‘free electricity’ tag, is it possible we will get to 1 crore [10 million] households? There is a 2026 target but I find this difficult even in the next five years.” ndiaSpend wrote to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for comments on the concerns around rooftop solar. We will update this story when we receive a response. Sunshine sector India ranks fifth in the world in solar power installed capacity. It has pledged to have 50% of its cumulative electricity installed capacity from non-fossil fuels by the year 2030. Currently, this stands at 42.2%. While solar dominates the non-fossil fuel group with 17%, India is still far behind its target of 100 GW electricity through solar power by 2026, including 40 GW through rooftop solar. It has installed only around 11 GW rooftop solar so far. India is trying to position itself as a global leader with initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance that has 94 countries as members by now. Under India’s G20 presidency last year, global leaders had agreed to triple their renewables capacity. Even at COP28, countries agreed on the same and pledged to transition away from fossil fuels. As per India’s own climate pledges, it is supposed to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2070 and renewable energy is an essential step towards that. If all suitable rooftops are entirely covered with solar panels, India has a potential of 637 GW solar power. But based on demand, technical factors, consumers’ willingness to pay and the payback period of around five years, this had reduced to only 11 GW so far, research shows. To improve uptake, and with the approaching Lok Sabha elections in mind, the new rooftop solar and free electricity scheme was announced by PM Modi on social media platform X on February 13, pegged at Rs 75,000 crore. If successful, the bid to solarise 10 million rooftops might lead to a capacity addition of around 30 GW and result in the reduction of 720 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the 25-year lifetime of rooftop systems. The government estimates that the scheme will create around 1.7 million direct jobs in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, installation, operation, maintenance and other services. As part of the new scheme, the national portal has been renamed to Surya Ghar Muft Bijli scheme. People can still make online applications for rooftop solar. If they receive technical approval from a government body such as a power distribution company (discom), people can select a vendor in their area and have a solar plant (unit) installed. Once a ‘net meter’ is installed (which tracks generation and consumption) and commissioning certificate issued, the consumer can apply for a subsidy from the government which is supposed to come into their bank account within 30 days. The new part of the scheme is the rejigged and substantially hiked subsidy structure mentioned earlier.

विकास और पर्यावरण के बीच संतुलन होना चाहिए, पढ़िए पर्यावरणविद सुनीता नारायण का इंटरव्यू

पिछले कुछ सालों से प्रदूषण में लगातार कमी आ रही थी, लेकिन यह सिलसिला इस बार की सर्दियों में टूट गया। सर्दियों के अधिक प्रदूषित होने से इस बार कई तरह के सवाल उठ रहे हैं। लोग अब कह रहे हैं कि प्रदूषण से तो राहत नहीं मिल रही, लेकिन इन्हें कंट्रोल करने के नाम पर तरह-तरह की पाबंदियों से लोगों की परेशानियां जरूर बढ़ गई हैं। मसलन, दिवाली पहले जश्न का प्रतीक था तो अब यह पाबंदियों का त्योहार है। प्रदूषण में आए इन्हीं सारे बदलावों को लेकर सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की डायरेक्टर जनरल और मशहूर पर्यावरणविद सुनीता नारायण से बात की पूनम गौर ने। पेश हैं बातचीत के अहम अंश : सवाल: इस बार की सर्दियां पिछले कुछ सालों से काफी अधिक प्रदूषित रहीं। क्या इसका मतलब है कि आने वाले समय में कुछ और सख्त कदम उठाए जा सकते हैं? जवाब: बीते कुछ सालों में प्रदूषण में लगातार कमी का ट्रेंड दिख रहा था। इससे हमें पता चल रहा था कि हम सही दिशा में आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। इस साल सर्दियां काफी अधिक प्रदूषित रही। करीब चार-पांच सालों बाद ऐसा प्रदूषण दिखा। इसकी वजह मौसम और नियमों की अनदेखी दोनों हैं। इस सीजन की स्टडी जरूरी है ताकि ऐसे मौसम में भी प्रदूषण को कैसे कंट्रोल करें, इस दिशा में हम कदम बढ़ा सकें। सवाल: 2017 में ग्रैप EPCA (एनवायरमेंट एंड पलूशन कंट्रोल अथॉरिटी) ने लागू किया। इसके बाद से इसे तीन बार बदला गया है। क्या 2017 से अब तक प्रदूषण में कुछ कमी आई है? जवाब: हां, दिल्ली-NCR के प्रदूषण में कुछ कमी महसूस होती है। सर्दियों को छोड़ दें तो बाकी सीजन, खासतौर पर गर्मियों के सीजन में काफी राहत मिली है। ऐसे दिनों की संख्या बढ़ी है जब प्रदूषण भारतीय मानकों के अनुरूप रहा है। सर्दियों में भी थोड़ी-बहुत कमी आ रही है। इसे कम करने के लिए अभी काफी काम और किए जाने हैं। सवाल: दिल्ली-NCR को बिना मास्क वाली सर्दियों की उम्मीद कब तक करनी चाहिए? जवाब: नियमों का सख्ती से पालन किया जाए तो आने वाले दो से तीन साल में प्रदूषण में काफी कमी आ सकती है। हम सही दिशा में आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। इस साल सर्दियों में मौसम की मार नहीं होती, तो नतीजे कुछ और होते। इस तरह के मौसम में प्रदूषण को कैसे कम करें, इसके लिए कदम उठाने जरूरी हैं। साथ ही, नियम कागजों तक न रहें, दिल्ली के अलावा आसपास के अन्य शहरों में भी इन कदमों पर काम हो। सवाल: प्रदूषण अब दिल्ली-NCR के अलावा अन्य शहरों में भी बढ़ रहा है। इसे कैसे रोका जाए? जवाब: देश में एनवायरमेंटल क्लीयरेंस को कुछ समय के लिए पूरी तरह रोक दिया जाना चाहिए। इसकी मंजूरी के नियमों पर अभी कई सवाल उठ रहे हैं। इस समय हमें विकास और पर्यावरण दोनों के बीच में बैलेंस की जरूरत है। एनवायरमेंटल और फॉरेस्ट क्लीयरेंस का मौजूदा सिस्टम और प्रदूषकों पर जुर्माने का सिस्टम अभी इस हद तक टूट रहा है कि इसे तुरंत बंद किए जाने की जरूरत है। इस सिस्टम में किसी की जिम्मेदारी तय नहीं है। पैनल मंजूरी देने के दौरान कई शर्तें लगाता है। इन शर्तों को पूरा किया जाता है या नहीं, यह देखा ही नहीं जाता। इसके लिए किसी की जवाबदेही नहीं है। पर्यावरण मंत्रालय के क्षेत्रीय ऑफिस इनकी मॉनिटरिंग करते हैं लेकिन उनके पास इतना स्टाफ और क्षमता नहीं है। सवाल: क्या हिमालय जैसे क्षेत्र में एक के बाद एक बन रहे हाइड्रो पावर प्रॉजेक्ट क्लाइमेट चेंज को और अधिक गंभीर बना रहे हैं? जवाब: बिलकुल सही। जिस तरह से इन हाइड्रो पावर प्रॉजेक्ट्स को एक के बाद एक एनवायरमेंटल क्लीयरेंस दी जा रही है, यह शर्म की बात है। हमने विकास के नाम को नदी के बहाव को बदल दिया और कहते हैं कि नदी में 10 प्रतिशत बहाव भी पर्याप्त है। और यह सब गंगा में हुआ है। हर प्रॉजेक्ट को एक अलग कमिटी क्लीयरेंस दे रही है। सवाल: इन दिनों क्लाइमेट चेंज से जुड़ी स्टडीज काफी अधिक आ रही है। इसके क्या मायने हैं? जवाब: इन स्टडीज के बारे में मैं अधिक कुछ नहीं कहना चाहूंगी। लेकिन यह जरूरी है कि इन स्टडीज को ग्लोबल स्तर पर मान्य नियमों के तहत होना चाहिए। ऐसी स्टडीज जैसे ही आती हैं, उनका पॉलिटिकल इस्तेमाल शुरू हो जाता है। इसका इस्तेमाल काफी जगह आम लोगों को कम मुआवजे के रूप में झेलना पड़ता है। सरकारों को इस तरह की स्टडीज पर गौर करने से पहले यह जरूर सोचना चाहिए कि प्रभावित लोगों को लॉस एंड डैमेज एग्रीमेंट के तहत सही मुआवजा मिले। सवाल: दिल्ली में प्रदूषण की बड़ी वजह गाड़ियों को माना जाता है। इस प्रदूषण को कैसे कम किया जा सकता है? जवाब: यह सही है कि जिस अनुपात में दिल्ली में गाड़ियां बढ़ रही हैं, उससे हालत सुधरने मुश्किल लग रहे हैं। 2010 में जब क्लीन फ्यूल CNG आई तो इस सेक्टर का प्रदूषण काफी हद तक कम हुआ। उसके बाद फिर तेजी से गाड़ियां बढ़ गईं और गाड़ियों से होने वाला प्रदूषण बढ़ गया। अब हम इलेक्ट्रिक मोड में जा रहे हैं। डीजल बसों की एंट्री रोक रहे हैं, BS-6 लेकर आए हैं। इससे निश्चित तौर पर प्रदूषण कम होगा। लेकिन हमें इसके साथ गाड़ियों को बढ़ने से भी रोकना होगा। मेरे शहर दिल्ली में ऐसे भी लोग हैं जो बस के किराये के दस रुपये बचाने के लिए साइकल पर चलते हैं। ऐसे भी लोग हैं जो लग्जरी गाड़ियों में चलते हैं। जब तक इन दोनों वर्गों को ध्यान में रख कर पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट सिस्टम नहीं बनेगा, गाड़ियां बढ़ती रहेंगी। सवाल: EPCA की आप सदस्य रहीं। अब प्रदूषण को कम करने की जिम्मेदारी कमिशन फॉर एयर क्वालिटी मैनेजमेंट की है। दोनों की कार्य शैली में क्या अंतर है? जवाब: मुझे नहीं पता। हमने EPCA में रहते हुए प्रदूषण कम करने की तमाम कोशिशें कीं, अंतर भी पड़ा। CAQM के कार्यों पर मेरी नजर नहीं है। इसलिए इस पर मैं कुछ नहीं कहूंगी। लेकिन काम हो रहा है। नतीजे भी मिल रहे हैं। प्रयासों को बढ़ाने की जरूरत है।

Comedians Tackle Climate Change with Humor at Delhi's 'Breathless' Show, Sparking Awareness

Amid the growing concern over climate change and its effects on the environment, a unique approach to raising awareness took center stage at the Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts in Delhi. On March 10, the show titled 'Breathless' featured 20 comedians who used their wit to highlight the serious issue of air pollution in the National Capital. Their punchlines not only elicited laughter but also shed light on the pressing need to address the environmental crisis. Comedy as a Catalyst for Change The event was not just about making people laugh; it was a deliberate effort to engage the audience on the subject of climate change in an accessible manner. Comedians shared personal anecdotes about how air pollution has affected their health, turning their experiences into relatable content. For instance, comedian Daahab Chisti discussed her struggle with respiratory issues following COVID-19, humorously pointing out the irony of worrying about smoking in a city with hazardous air quality. This personal connection to the cause made the message all the more powerful. Eco-Anxiety and Humor Another significant aspect of the 'Breathless' show was its exploration of eco-anxiety among younger generations. Comedian Rupali Tyagi conveyed the emotional turmoil of environmental degradation through a joke about being unable to kiss her husband after hearing news about dying polar bears. This approach to climate change, using humor as a tool, aligns with the findings of a 2022 study by Yale University, 'Climate Change in the Indian Mind,' which highlighted a general lack of awareness about global warming in India. By connecting everyday experiences with broader environmental issues, the comedians at 'Breathless' aimed to bridge this awareness gap. The Impact of Laughter The show's success lies in its ability to use humor as a means to speak truth to power and raise awareness about climate change without overwhelming the audience. Experts, including Souparno Banerjee from the Centre for Science and Environment, praised the initiative for its innovative approach to discussing climate change. Clinical psychologist Dr. Kamna Chhibber suggested that presenting issues in a lighter manner could make people more receptive to engaging with and understanding them. The comedians' efforts to blend the right intent, effort, and craft demonstrated that laughter could indeed be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. As the curtains closed on 'Breathless,' it was clear that the comedians had achieved more than just making people laugh. They had opened up a vital conversation about climate change, proving that humor can be an effective medium for social change. By making the issue more relatable and less daunting, they inspired a sense of urgency and a call to action, demonstrating the impact that comedy can have in addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Most Polluted City in India: सर्दियों में दिल्ली और चंडीगढ़ रहे देश के सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित शहर

सर्दियों के प्रदूषण पर सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CEC) के नए विश्लेषण में दिल्ली और चंडीगढ़ इस बार सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित शहर रहे हैं। TOP TEN शहरों में बिहार, हरियाणा, उत्तर प्रदेश, पंजाब व बंगाल भी शामिल हैं। सीएसई ने एक अक्टूबर 2023 से 31 जनवरी 2024 तक देश के 36 में से 29 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों का विश्लेषण …

Names of Chameli Devi Jain media award 2024 winners announced

New Delhi: The Media Foundation has announced the recipients of the prestigious Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year. Independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar and Ritika Chopra of The Indian Express have been honored jointly for their exemplary contributions to journalism. Selected by an independent jury comprising senior journalist and columnist Radhika Ramaseshan (Chair), award-winning journalist and author Mariyam Alavi, and Down to Earth managing editor Richard Mahapatra, the winners were chosen from a pool of more than 65 entries of women journalists. The award presentation ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at 6 pm at the India International Centre, New Delhi, specifically in the CD Deshmukh Hall. The event will feature the BG Verghese Memorial Lecture delivered by TN Ninan, editor and author, on the topic "Work and Wages: Old Challenges in the Age of Automation and AI". Greeshma Kuthar is an independent multimedia journalist renowned for her deeply-researched long-form investigative reporting, particularly from conflict areas like Manipur. Her work emphasizes the social and cultural impacts of national political narratives on India’s marginalized communities and has been published in esteemed outlets such as The Caravan and Al Jazeera. Ritika Chopra serves as the chief national bureau (government) and national education editor at The Indian Express, New Delhi. She oversees the newspaper’s coverage of government policy, education, and the politically sensitive Election Commission of India. Chopra, who has received several awards for her work, is acclaimed for her in-depth investigative stories in the fields of education and government policy. Established by the Media Foundation in 1980, the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year pays tribute to Chameli Devi Jain, a freedom fighter and community reformer who played a significant role in India’s independence movement. Presented annually since 1982, the award recognizes impactful journalism in areas such as social development, politics, gender justice, human rights, health, conflict, and consumer values. Past recipients include eminent journalists like Barkha Dutt, Neerja Chowdhury, and Sunita Narain, among others. Founded in 1979, The Media Foundation (TMF) is dedicated to upholding freedom of speech, expression, and information and enhancing the quality of life through media and communication. In addition to presenting the Chameli Devi Jain Award, TMF hosts quarterly Media Dialogues, which analyze and debate crucial media-related issues. TMF also operated thehoot.org, a respected media watch website, from 2001 to 2017. The BG Verghese Memorial Lecture, established in memory of the renowned editor and free speech advocate BG Verghese, has become a highly anticipated annual event in Delhi. Over the past decade, it has featured distinguished speakers such as former Governor Gopal Gandhi and academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta. The 2024 lecture will be delivered by editor and author TN Ninan.