• Director General Office

Environmental Clearance System in India: A Call for Radical Overhaul by Sunita Narain

In a candid revelation to PTI, Sunita Narain, the renowned environmentalist and director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), voiced her strong critique of India's environmental clearance system. Stressing the system's ineffectiveness, Narain advocated for a complete shutdown, urging a reformation to reconcile environmental conservation with development needs. Broken Beyond Repair Narain described the current mechanism for granting environmental and forest clearances, along with penalizing polluters, as 'broken beyond repair'. Highlighting the superficiality of the environmental impact assessments, she pointed out the lack of accountability and transparency in the process. Narain criticized the environmental clearance committees for laying down conditions without ensuring compliance or making information public. Furthermore, she raised concerns over the understaffed regional offices of the environment ministry, which lack the capacity to monitor and enforce compliance effectively. Hydropower Projects in the Himalayas: A Case in Point The construction of consecutive hydropower projects in the Himalayas served as a prime example of the system's failures. Narain called the environmental clearance process for these projects a 'sham', emphasizing the detrimental re-engineering of rivers like the Ganga. Each project, cleared by separate committees without a holistic view of the cumulative impact, exemplifies the flawed approach to environmental preservation under the current clearance system. Looking Towards the Future Narain urged a redesign of the environmental clearance system fit for the 21st century, aiming to return to the original goal of mitigating adverse environmental impacts. She also stressed the importance of developing a globally accepted methodology for climate attribution studies to avoid politicization and ensure fair compensation in future loss-and-damage agreements. This call for reform highlights the need for a balanced approach that honors both environmental sustainability and development objectives, a challenge that India faces amidst rapid modernization and climate change. As the dialogue around environmental governance grows louder, Narain's critique presents an opportunity for reflection and action. Her insights compel us to reconsider our strategies for environmental preservation and development, advocating for a system that is transparent, accountable, and effective. The path forward requires a collective effort to reimagine and reconstruct our approach to environmental clearances, ensuring that it serves the planet and its people equitably.

• Renewable Energy

Delhi Budget: Solar is govt’s new mantra for cheaper, reliable power

Atishi said that the government’s power subsidy scheme will continue in 2024-25, allowing a large population of Delhi’s consumers to continue receiving zero electricity bills The Delhi government will set up solar plants on the rooftops of all government buildings in 2024-25 to give a targetted push towards green energy, finance minister Atishi said during the Delhi Budget address on Monday, adding that a target of generating 4500 MW or around 25% of Delhi’s total power supply through solar energy by 2027 has been set. Atishi added that the government’s power subsidy scheme will continue in 2024-25, allowing a large population of Delhi’s consumers to continue receiving zero electricity bills. The Delhi government has allocated ₹3,353 crore, the budget estimate to the power sector for the financial year 2024-25, a marginal increase from ₹3,348 crore allocated last year (BE). The revised estimate for last year was ₹3,446 crore. Atishi said there were around 5.86 million domestic electricity consumers in Delhi, out of which around 68.33% or 4.02 million domestic electricity consumers are receiving benefits of the subsidy from the Delhi government. Out of these, over 2.2 million consumers were also receiving zero bills, she said. “In 2023, around 3.41 crores (34.1 million) zero electricity bills were issued to consumers. We will continue this subsidy scheme this year also,” Atishi said during her speech, adding that the government was inspired by the principles of “Ram Rajya”, where the “government’s responsibility was not just towards the people but also the environment”. Additionally, the government said it has planned a sustained push towards green energy and the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 will be notified soon. According to the policy, any consumer using more than 400 units of electricity can receive zero bills if they install adequate solar panels. “The government will not only give subsidies for installation of solar panels but also give money for per unit electricity production from solar panels. Today, about 30% of Delhi’s power supply comes from green and renewable energy. At present, 255 MW of electricity in Delhi is produced from rooftop solar power plants and around 1,280 government buildings have solar rooftop plants installed on them. I am delighted to share that by 2024-25, every building under the Delhi government will have solar plants on its roof,” she said, adding that an ambitious target of achieving 4,500 MW from solar rooftops by 2027 — around 25% of Delhi’s total power supply — has been set. Atishi said that in 2014, the residents of Delhi were grappling with power outages when the peak power demand was around 5,800 MW. “Delhi was able to meet a peak power demand of 7,438 MW on August 22 last year, without any load shedding... not only had the government managed to keep electricity prices and bills low, but the power distribution companies were also faring well,” the minister added. “In the January rating released by the central government, all three discoms (distribution companies) in Delhi received an ‘A+ rating.’ Delhi’s Discoms rank among the top three in the country... All of them operate at a profit and the people receive free electricity. If this is not Ram Rajya, what is?” she added. Experts said that the target of 4,500 MW by 2027 was ambitious — one that will require substantial support from citizens. ”Even if all Delhi government buildings are covered, the target is not likely to be met and one would still require Delhiites to adopt solar rooftop panels, in line with the new policy. We also have to ensure there is proper planning in terms of strengthening the distribution network as excess energy will be pumped back into the grid,” said Binit Das, deputy programme manager, renewable energy, Centre for Science and Environment. Meanwhile, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the finance minister was misleading the residents of Delhi by saying that the Kejriwal government was providing power subsidy to 2.2 million consumers even as discoms made a profit.

• Down To Earth

Electric buses to fuel public transport growth, but several schemes relegated to back burner

Delhi govt has allocated Rs 510 crore for electric buses in its budget for 2024-25, finance minister Atishi said while presenting her first budget on Monday. “Delhi has a fleet of 7,582 buses currently, which is being used by more than 41 lakh passengers on a daily basis. To expand this fleet further, a concession agreement for the engagement of 1,900 new e-buses has been signed,” Atishi said. The minister also proposed Rs 340 crore to continue the scheme of free bus travel for women in DTC and cluster buses through “pink tickets”. On the mohalla bus service, wherein nine-metre electric buses were to be deployed to boost last-mile connectivity, Atishi said, “Kejriwal govt will procure 2,080 nine-meter e-buses, which will be used as mohalla buses. By 2025, Delhi will have more than 10,000 buses, out of which 80% will be electric.” Announced in last year’s budget, Delhi govt’s flagship mohalla bus service is yet to be rolled out. Last month, transport minister Kailash Gahlot had said in the assembly that govt had placed orders for the buses, but their delivery was taking time. “The transport department is holding regular meetings with manufacturers to expedite the delivery. I hope that by March beginning, the buses will be delivered,” he had said. Some schemes proposed last time did not find any mention in this year’s budget. These included the e-scooter sharing service in Dwarka; three international-standard inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) in Dwarka, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan; and the plan to build 1,400 new and modern bus queue shelters (BQS) with digital screens with modern passenger information system (PIS). All three projects are yet to take off. According to a senior official of the transport department, they had planned to deploy e-scooters in 90 places in Dwarka, but govt had to float tender again as the previous one was unsuccessful. The ISBT project, he added, would hit the ground soon and a plan has been formed in this regard. Delhi govt has, however, has got a measure of success with the induction of 1,650 electric buses, which is the highest in the country. We also published the following articles recently More modern buses plying, but ridership dips in DelhiDelhi has experienced a significant decline in bus ridership despite an increase in the bus fleet and the induction of electric buses, as highlighted in the Annual State of Indias Environment 2024 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Public transport accounts for 50.8% of daily ridership in Delhi, but private vehicles cover more kilometers.108172204 Cabinet approves inter-city air services & 552 e-busesChief Minister Mohan Yadav instructs district collectors to survey crops damaged in hailstorms and excessive rains. Cabinet approves tourism department's proposal for air services in cities under PPP. Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla instructs ministers, MLAs, and MPs to monitor survey work for hailstorm-affected farmers.108058423 E-buses to run in Pkl from March 1Panchkula residents can travel on electric buses from March 1. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will flag off 5 buses. Haryana Roadways constructed a charging station in Sector-5 bus stand. Buses have longer routes than Chandigarh. Special routes planned for city cleanliness.108091046

• Down To Earth

India’s dysfunctional environmental clearance system should be shut down: Sunita Narain

New Delhi, Mar 4 (PTI) India’s system for granting environmental clearances is badly broken and should be completely shut down to dispel any illusions about their effectiveness, eminent environmentalist Sunita Narain has said. In an interview with PTI, Narain — the director general of independent think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) — suggested that the government overhaul the system to strike a balance between environmental preservation and development. Expressing concern over the decriminalisation of environmental laws in India, Narain said the current system for granting environmental and forest clearances, and penalising polluters is “so broken that it should be completely shut down so that we have no illusion of anything that is not working”. Regarding environmental impact assessments, Narain pointed out the lack of accountability of committees granting clearances. “The panel lays down hundreds of conditions so that it is not held to account but there is no way to know if the conditions have been complied with,” Narain said. “The regional offices of the environment ministry responsible for compliance monitoring are understaffed and do not have the (monitoring) capacity,” she said, adding that information on compliance is not made public. Narain raised serious concerns over the construction of back-to-back hydropower projects in the Himalayas, terming the process of granting environmental clearances to these a “sham”. “You are re-engineering a river and you say even 10 per cent of the flow (remaining) in the river is okay. This is the Ganga I am talking about. Each project has been cleared by a separate committee,” she said. Narain urged the government to redesign the system for the 21st century and return to the original intent of mitigating adverse environmental impacts. Asked about the effectiveness of climate attribution studies, Narain emphasised the need for a globally-accepted methodology for such studies to prevent politicisation and ensure fair compensation in future loss-and-damage agreements. Climate attribution studies ascertain the contribution of climate change to disasters. “These studies can very quickly turn political. Therefore, the methodology of these studies has to be much more universal. They have to be owned by countries of the Global South. Otherwise, in a loss-and-damage agreement tomorrow, someone could argue that according to this attribution study, only 10 per cent of the disaster was caused by climate change. So, we will only pay you 10 per cent of the cost,” Narain said.

• Director General Office

The Energy Agenda for A Climate-Risked World

Energy is a determinant of our economic well-being. We know that. But today, it is crucial that we discuss the future trajectory of energy, particularly clean energy, for the global challenges that confront us. We need to reset the global agenda for energy. India’s national plan for energy transition is based on our realities; One to augment and grow energy infrastructure but to do this so that it is green and based on renewable energy. We need to double our energy production and consumption by the end of the decade. Two, to provide for affordable energy so that the needs of the poorest are secured, and three, to develop domestic supply chains for new energy systems. Given the enormity of the crisis that awaits the world, India is not just walking the talk, but it is running the talk. India has not been a historical contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – from 1870 to 2019, its emissions have added up to a miniscule 4 per cent of the global total. It is lambasted as the world’s third highest polluter in 2019, but its scale of emissions, 2.88 CO2 gigatonnes (Gt) as compared to the highest polluter (China at 10.6 Gt) and second highest (US at 5 Gt), are not comparable, not by a stretch. And, we have a huge need to grow our economy and meet the energy needs of millions of our people. So, from every angle, we did not have to take these global targets to reduce our carbon emissions. The question also is why should the world differentiate between coal and natural gas, when both are fossil fuels. This is also a question of climate justice and most importantly, the feasibility of moving at speed and scale to reduce fossil fuel emissions responsible for heating the Planet. The fact is, roughly 70 per cent of the world’s population has not contributed to the stock of emissions in the atmosphere but is today highly dependent on coal for energy. Richer countries have made the transition from coal to natural gas, which is somewhat cleaner—it emits roughly half the carbon dioxide emitted by coal, in addition to methane. However given their enormous appetite for energy, these countries’ past and current emissions are high; disproportionate to their share of the global carbon budget. Now, the burden of the transition to clean energy has been shifted to countries that are least responsible for the stock of emissions and least capable of making the switch. This is not only unjust but also unrealistic. It makes the fight against climate change even more intractable and difficult. What, then, are the options ahead? Let me discuss this in the context of India, where we need to address the issue of toxic air pollution because of coal burning. We cannot become defenders of coal however bad global politics may be. It is in our interest to reduce local air pollution and to combat climate change. But we need to do this based on our imperatives. The strategy should be to vastly increase the rates of electrification in the country so that we can reduce coal combustion in millions of industrial boilers that are inefficient and highly polluting, and move towards electrification of vehicles, which in turn will reduce air pollution in our cities. The zillion-dollar question then is, how will this electricity be produced? Our first task is to reduce dependence on coal even as we vastly increase our energy supply. This means doing more of what the Indian government is also committed to doing; limiting coal and investing in cleaner natural gas and renewable energy. Reducing India’s coal power dependence in the electricity mix to 50 per cent from over 70 per cent now would mean upping our target for renewable energy from 450 GW to 650- 700 GW by 2030. This scale of transformation will need financing, especially if we want to keep the cost of new renewable energy capacity low so that energy is affordable. This is where international partnerships must be sought; both to reduce the cost of finances and to provide additional finance. The global community needs to rework its proposals. The transition to clean energy means focusing on making the cost of finances to the emerging world, which is 2-6x higher than the developed OECD countries, much lower and more accessible. Second, the global energy transition pathway has to be for all fossil fuels—coal and natural gas. This would not only show that richer countries have exhausted their quota for using natural gas but also make gas available at affordable costs to emerging countries that face the twin problems of local and global emissions. Let’s be clear, the science of climate change is also the politics of inclusion and responsibility. This is where we must get it right. All this means that we have accepted a massive transformation of our energy systems, which will be designed for the future and compliant with climate change goals. The big issue that must concern us as we move ahead – and this will remain the discussion for the future – will be to ensure that growth is equitable and that the poor in the country are not denied their right to development in this new energy future. The per capita emissions of India remain low because we have massive numbers of people who still need energy for their development. Now, in the future, as we have set ourselves the goal to grow without pollution, we must work on increasing clean, but affordable, energy for the poor. So, I would argue that, given these challenges, it is time that we began an altogether different discourse about clean energy and renewable power. We need to reinvent the clean energy imperative. We need to redefine its objective so that it can meet societal needs. It must meet the poor’s energy, clean air, and climate change needs. So, how will it happen? The fact is that energy security for vast numbers of the poor requires an energy delivery system that is different. It will require reaching energy, which costs less but is advanced and cleaner, into households that cannot even afford to buy basic fuel or light. It will require cutting the length of supply lines, leakages and losses, and everything else that makes energy costs more so that it is affordable. There is no clear idea of what will work. But what is clear is that we have to push the envelope so that renewable energy becomes transformational – not because it is produced – but because it is an agent of transformation of society and the environment. What is clear is that we need to ask deliberately what it would take to put clean energy into the hands of the poor. For this, we will need to do everything to make the transition to clean power. Similarly, we need to ask how clean and renewable energy can work to clean up local air in our cities. It is not just about battery vehicles, but clean power to power the batteries. It is not about shifting the source of pollution. But cleaning it up. Every house needs to generate this clean power; every vehicle – ideally a bus or cycle – and every industry needs to be powered from this source. This is where we need to go. The same is the case with the wicked problem of cooking energy of the poor woman. We need clean energy to be the basis of the electricity that powers the cookstove – from solar, and wind to biogas and all other ways in which it can be supplied into the hearth. It can do this if it is available; if it is convenient, affordable, and clean. The basis for this transition has to be the health of the last person, in this case, the woman behind the cookstove. Clean and renewable energy has to be the moral and economic imperative for a sustainable and more inclusive world. Views expressed by Sunita Narain, Centre for Science and Environment.

• Director General Office

India's dysfunctional environmental clearance system should be shut down: Sunita Narain

India's system for granting environmental clearances is badly broken and should be completely shut down to dispel any illusions about their effectiveness, eminent environmentalist Sunita Narain has said. In an interview with PTI, Narain -- the director general of independent think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) -- suggested that the government overhaul the system to strike a balance between environmental preservation and development. Expressing concern over the decriminalisation of environmental laws in India, Narain said the current system for granting environmental and forest clearances, and penalising polluters is "so broken that it should be completely shut down so that we have no illusion of anything that is not working".

• Down To Earth

Prepare for hot spell from mid-March to May

Kolkata: Weather experts have raised concerns about potential heatwave conditions in Kolkata and the rest of Bengal from mid-March through April, along with highly humid summer days in May, and their worries have been amplified by the concurrent Lok Sabha election process. Experts from IMD and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have issued warnings, drawing attention to the tragic incident during last April’s Bhushan award ceremony in Navi Mumbai, where 13 attendees perished due to extreme heat. Last year was one of the warmest on record, surpassing the average temperature recorded from 1850-1900 by 1.5°C and the record set in 2016 by 0.2°C. The surge in temperature has been attributed to the El Nino effect, which is anticipated to induce heatwave conditions this summer as it gradually diminishes by May. Roxy Mathew Koll from IITM in Pune presented a detailed study at Anil Agarwal Dialogue, an annual event organised by New Delhi-based environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment, predicting heatwave conditions starting as early as March and extending through May. During this period, the El Nino effect is expected to wane, giving way to the La Nina effect. “While El Nino involves hot marine streams that warm the environment, La Nina, theoretically, introduces a cooling effect with cold streams. However, the overall impact does not significantly counteract the heating effect of El Nino,” Koll said. Former director general of IMD K J Ramesh, in his talk on “Heat Waves: Prediction and Current Trends”, said higher humidity in coastal regions exacerbates the morbidity factor associated with heatwaves. He stressed the need for precautionary measures ahead of the LS election campaign and voting process. IITM Pune has issued a comprehensive advisory urging the Election Commission and local authorities to make necessary preparations. “All campaign activities and rallies should be planned with consideration for heat impact. The IMD will disseminate heatwave forecasts. Measures such as awareness campaigns, shaded waiting areas, hydration stations, cooling centres, healthcare facilities, flexible-attire guidelines, transportation arrangements and outreach to vulnerable communities must be prioritized,” Ramesh said. Koll also suggested considering extended voting hours in areas predicted to experience heatwaves. We also published the following articles recently IMD: Scorching summer ahead, 'above normal' March-May temperatureIndia Meteorological Department predicts above normal summer temperatures for India during March-May. February had second warmest night temperatures since 1901. South Peninsular India experienced warmest February. March may see above normal rainfall. Beginning of summer expected to be warmer. Heatwave days likely in most parts of India.108148407 Heat wave likely to breach all previous records this summer, weather experts sound caution for electoral processYear 2023 marked one of the warmest on record due to El Nino. Concerns raised over impact on Lok Sabha Election. Precautions, based on IITM Pune advisory, needed for 2024 electioneering, including extended voting hours and provision of shade, water, and toilets at polling booths.108113919 Apple on why many agencies are worried about EU rules for iPhones coming into effect from March 7Starting March 7, Apple will comply with the Digital Markets Act by allowing sideloading on iPhone in the EU. Government agencies have concerns about security risks and Apple's in-app payment system fees. EU lawmakers believe this will open up the market for apps.

• Director General Office

Urgent Call for Safer Roads in Delhi Post Recent Cyclist Fatality, Experts Weigh In

Recent incidents have highlighted the perilous conditions cyclists face in Delhi, prompting calls from experts and cycling enthusiasts for significant improvements in road safety measures. Two years ago, ultra-distance cyclist Kamal Bisht became a victim of the city's hazardous traffic, suffering severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle. This tragedy has been brought back into focus following the death of a cyclist in Safdarjung Enclave, intensifying the demand for enhanced cyclist protection on Delhi's roads. he Dire State of Cyclist Safety in Delhi An IIT-Delhi study uncovered the grim reality that cyclists in Delhi face a fatality risk per kilometre more than twice as high as motorcyclists, and astonishingly, about 40 times higher than car occupants. This stark difference in safety levels is contrasted by the situation in London, where cyclists' fatality risk is 57% lower than that of motorcyclists, thanks to better cycling infrastructure. Despite the clear evidence, Delhi's roads remain largely unfriendly to cyclists, lacking the necessary infrastructure to ensure their safety. Voices from the Community Dalip Sabharwal, the bicycle mayor of Delhi, emphasizes the urgent need for road infrastructure development that accommodates cyclists and pedestrians, rather than prioritizing motor vehicles alone. The sentiment is echoed across the cycling community, with many sharing personal experiences of disrespect and danger on the roads. Amitabh Sharma, a witness to the recent fatal incident, pointed out the general disregard motor vehicle drivers have for cyclists and pedestrians. These accounts underline the pressing need for a shift in both infrastructure and mindset towards cyclists in Delhi. Proposals for Change Experts and cycling advocates propose several measures to bridge the safety gap between cyclists and motor vehicle occupants. These include the development of dedicated cycling lanes, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, and a cultural shift in the recognition and respect of cyclists' rights to the road. Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, stresses the necessity of ensuring cyclists' safety and treating them with the respect they deserve, highlighting the broader benefits of cycling for health and the environment. The call for change is clear, but it requires concerted effort from both policymakers and the public to create safer roads for cyclists in Delhi.

• Director General Office

Rethink the way we grow food

There is something fundamentally broken in the world’s agricultural system when you see images of rich European farmers and their poorer counterparts in India straddling tractors to block highways to make their anger heard. The fact is that these farmers are enjoined across continents with a serious problem of increased cost of agricultural production in an age of climate risk and losses. In Europe, the flashpoint ironically was the introduction of climate rules, under which farms would be required to halve pesticide use; cut fertiliser use by 20 per cent; double organic production; and leave more land for non-agricultural use for biodiversity conservation. In addition, the Netherlands had proposed to reduce its livestock numbers to cut nitrogen pollution and Germany to slash its subsidy on diesel, a fossil fuel. All this is clearly needed in a world faced with the existential threat of climate change. Agriculture in the European Union (EU), as in other parts of the world, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emission — one-tenth of its annual emission. If this cost of abatement is high for rich farmers, what will it do to farmers in our world, who are at the margins of survival? The fact is that the European farming system, which epitomises modern agriculture as we know it today, has survived only because of massive subsidy. Since 1962, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has provided financial support for agriculture — after much criticism, the support was brought down but only marginally. Today it constitutes some 40 per cent of the EU Budget and involves direct payment to farmers. Each farmer, according to the European Commission data, received €6,700 annually (roughly ~50,000/month) in 2021 as direct income support. Over and above this, there is more investment made to facilitate agriculture. Over the years, the “nature” of farming has evolved, and farms have become larger and more consolidated. Small agriculturists now struggle to survive because of increased input cost, higher standards, and bureaucracy. Larger farms are also faced with high debt as cost increases. The practice of organic farming — today 10 per cent of EU land is under this system — has been designed to increase the cost of cultivation. Farming has responded by becoming more intensive — more productivity per crop or livestock — and this means more use of chemicals and bio-inputs, which, combined with adverse environmental conditions, results in even higher cost. This spiral of cost is then faced with two realities — one, the need to keep consumer prices of food under control and, two, growing crop damages because of climate exigencies. This is the system of intensive agriculture that is feted in the world — it is held that environmental standards can be built into the system and yet farmers can increase production and make the business work. Clearly, this is not the case. The cost of food is not affordable even in countries of the Western world. The environment is not protected. In India, farmers protesting on the doorstep of Delhi want higher minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. They face the same challenges as their counterparts in rich Europe, but without the massive subsidy to support food cultivation. Then they face a pincer attack — the government has to procure food for distribution and so it needs to keep the price under control; consumers (all of us) do not want to be hit by food inflation. So, even as farmers struggle to make ends meet in terms of cost and increased risk because of weather and pest attacks, and every time the food price goes up and they could benefit, the option is to cool prices through cheaper import. They lose. They cannot then invest in the improvement of soil, water, or biodiversity. In this system, the only way ahead is to discount the cost of environmental safeguards. They are now being told that they need to increase productivity to stay profitable. But this comes at a higher cost because of expensive inputs — this food economics makes no sense as the higher cost will not be paid for in a country that needs affordable food. It is clear that the Indian government cannot subsidise individual farmers on the scale Europe does. It is also clear that even this whopping financial support would not be enough in this system of intensive agriculture. So, we need to discuss how to reduce the cost of cultivation and yet put money on the table for farmers. This is where regenerative or natural farming will play a role, but at scale and with great policy and deliberate practice and science to back it. We also need food-procurement policies to work at local level so that farmers get assured markets for good food. The Odisha government’s millet procurement for mid-day meals is one such practice. The fact is, the world has enough food to feed its people; the problem is that much of this food is going into feeding livestock or just to waste. This is what needs to be addressed. The writer is at the Centre for Science and Environment sunita@cseindia.org, X: @sunitanar

• Down To Earth

‘First Food: Future of Taste’ is a practical guide for climate-resilient food

Dinesh C Sharma Erratic weather patterns, extreme rainfall events, recurring droughts and flooding are all indications of climate change. The phenomenon is adversely affecting food, water and ecological systems as well as the livelihoods of farming, fishing and other communities. To overcome the food shortage experienced in the middle of the 20th century, we adopted new farming techniques and methodologies such as the use of chemical fertilisers and water-intensive crops. In rainfall-deficit areas, irrigation as well as extensive use of groundwater became common. Over the past several decades, this food system damaged the ecology as well as food diversity as the thrust was on cereals like wheat and rice and commercial crops like sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds, etc. Still, many local communities in tribal areas, hills and drylands continued to grow and use food crops and varieties which needed little water to grow and were sturdy. The climate crisis has brought such food crops into focus, given that they can be climate-resilient. The current limelight on millets is an example of this trend. It is critical not only to understand the link between climate change and food systems, but also to propose options that are climate-friendly and practical to adopt. The Centre for Science and Environment has been engaged in trying to connect the dots between climate change, traditional food systems and consumers. While general awareness about millets such as bajra and jowar may be going up due to government publicity and marketing hype created by food companies, it is still cursory. There are several local foods — vegetables, fruits, weeds, spices, grasses, nuts and grains — that we don’t know about. The book is an attempt to put together information about such foods and present recipes, including those crafted by leading chefs and nutrition experts. In this sense, it is a practical guide for climate-resilient food. Many of the forgotten or neglected foods discussed in the book are nutritious and wholesome foods — for instance, kulfa or purslane, which is also known as juni bhaji in parts of North India and nunar in Kashmir. All parts of kulfa — leaves, stems, flowers and seeds — are edible and contain several micronutrients and vitamins. Similarly, faba bean or bakla phali can be consumed both as a green vegetable and as a pulse along with other legumes. Karela or bitter gourd is a popular vegetable and several of its dishes are popular in different regions, but few would know that bitter gourd leaves too can be used in making interesting dishes like pakora. Powered By VDO.AI PlayUnmute Fullscreen In Odisha, bitter gourd leaves are added to some rice dishes as an additional ingredient. In Karnataka and Maharashtra, tamarind seeds are consumed in different ways — flour from these seeds is used to make dal vada or added to wheat dough to make rotis. Field bean or dolichos lablab is yet another legume-like seed grown and consumed in central India. In the Northeast, tiny and bitter brinjals that look like miniature pumpkins or cherry tomatoes are a part of many dishes. Even the usually discarded kernel of watermelon can be used to make stir-fried sabzi as well as jams and pickles. The book is full of traditional as well as new recipes for such food items. Vibha Varshney and other contributors have meticulously collated cultural, scientific and nutrition-related information, along with new and old recipes. They are grouped under different categories — breakfast and snacks, meals, chutneys, pickles, desserts and beverages. For a climate-friendly world, the dictum should be: ‘eat locally-grown food’. The book points out that traditionally grown crops are good for climate and food systems. Edible wilds, it says, can help achieve several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to food security, nutrition, health and biodiversity. However, the promotion and cultivation of these resources should be undertaken in ways that are sustainable and equitable for local communities. Overmarketing can be dangerous, as appears to be the case with millets. The book is an excellent compendium useful for all those interested in climate change, food, nutrition, health and sustainability.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Hit & ruin: Unsafe roads eating into Delhi's love for green ride

NEW DELHI: About two years ago, when ultra-distance cyclist Kamal Bisht (44) was crossing Khichripur flyover in east Delhi around 4 am, a car hit his bicycle from behind. Bisht suffered severe injuries and was bed-ridden for a month. Delhi love for green ride After a cyclist died after being hit by a pickup van in Safdarjung Enclave on Saturday morning, Bisht has said that steps need to be taken to ensure safety of cyclists on Delhi's roads. "Getting a driving licence in Delhi is tough as it is mandatory for a person to pass a test. However, it's easy to procure a licence in other cities, despite applicants not having knowledge of traffic rules or driving skills," the cylist pointed out. Many motorists don't follow traffic rules and because basic infrastructure is missing for the cyclists. Experts and cyclists say that it has become dangerous to cycle in Delhi-NCR. An IIT-Delhi study last year showed that fatality risk per kilometre for cyclists in Delhi was more than twice as high as for motorcyclists, and about 40 times high compared to car occupants. In contrast, cyclists in London, which has better cycling infrastructure, face 57% lower fatality risk than motorcyclists. "To encourage greater use of cycling, there is an urgent need to narrow this gap between the safety of cyclists and that of car occupants," Rahul Goel from IIT-Delhi said in his study. Another study by IIT-Delhi, which analysed 167 cycle deaths over three years (from 2016 to 2018) in Delhi, found that 60% of all the crashes in which cyclists died involved a vehicle hitting them from behind while travelling in the same direction. Dalip Sabharwal (38), appointed the bicycle mayor of Delhi by an Amsterdam-based global organisation advocating bicycle for transport, said: "The infrastructure has been designed only for motor vehicles and people need to realise that cyclists and pedestrians have the basic right to safe access of roads. In Delhi, many roads have been made signal-free without considering the cycling community." Sabharwal, who works as a research associate with Delhi Commission for Women, cycles every day from his home in Jungpura Extension to his workplace in Vikas Bhawan. He said that cyclists do not get respect on roads. Amitabh Sharma (56), who was cycling along with the woman who died on Saturday, said: "Compliance of traffic rules is poor. People who drive motorised vehicles have zero respect for cyclists and pedestrians." Ketan Garg (40), who runs 7X Cycling Club, said people, especially those who drive heavy vehicles, do not consider that cyclists can travel along with them on roads. Garg said the law needs to change for better enforcement of traffic rules. Bhawna Gaur, who runs Super Women Athlete Group that organises daily cycling trips of 10-20 km, said better awareness is needed to change the mindset of people towards cyclists. "A woman cyclist in our group suffered minor injuries after an auto hit her cycle. The woman stopped cycling. Though cycling is healthier and environmentally friendly, such incidents create panic," Gaur said. Sunita Narain, director-general of Centre for Science and Environment, who was injured in an accident in 2013 after she was hit by a vehicle when she was cycling, said things have become worse in the past years. "The safety of cyclists should be ensured.... Culprits easily get bail. Besides, cyclists need to be treated with respect."

• Renewable Energy

How Ankit Mathur's Smart Stoves Saved 3 Million Lives Across Rural Villages

A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says that nearly 500 million people in India don't have clean cooking options. About 41 percent of India's population, including people like Lalita, use wood and other biomass for cooking. This contributes to a lot of carbon dioxide emissions, which harm the environment. A daily wage labourer, Lalita Marshkole from Madhya Pradesh, starts her day at 4 am to make breakfast for her family of four. She spends most of her time preparing food on a traditional mud stove, packing lunch for her kids, and then heading off to work. The most challenging task for her each day is gathering firewood for cooking and carrying it back home for several kilometres. Lalita and her husband both work as daily wage labourers in Badhir village, which is in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says that nearly 500 million people in India don't have clean cooking options. About 41 percent of India's population, including people like Lalita, use wood and other biomass for cooking. This contributes to a lot of carbon dioxide emissions, which harm the environment.

• Water Programme

स्वयं सहायता समूह की महिलाओं के प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम का हुआ आयोजन, कई अधिकारी रहे मौजूद

अमृत 2.0 एवं डे-एनयूएलएम के संयुक्त तत्वाधान में क्रियान्वित किये जा रहे, अमृत कार्यक्रम के अंतर्गत चयनित स्वयं सहायता समूह की महिलाओं के प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम का आयोजन आज नगर पालिका खुर्जा में किया गया। बता दे कि स्वयं सहायता समूह की 04 महिलाओं को कार्यादेश का वितरण श्रीमती अंजना सिंघल अध्यक्ष नगर पालिका परिषद खुर्जा द्वारा किया गया ,प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम में श्रीमती रजनी सिंह परियोजना अधिकारी (डूडा),अधिशासी अधिकारी श्रीमती पूजा श्रीवास्तव,सुश्री अलका कुमारी(कार्यक्रम अधिकारी सी॰एस॰ई),श्री हर्ष यादव (कार्यक्रम अधिकारी सी॰एस॰ई) तथा शहर मिशन प्रबंधक श्री अब्दुल रहमान बेग उपस्थित रहे ।

• Down To Earth

Plastics in our clothes becoming new challenge for waste managers

A significant portion of our fabrics—over 60%—are composed of plastic materials. These synthetic textiles, once discarded, find their way into our landfills, becoming a predominant form of waste. As the third most common type of refuse in these dumps, they represent a colossal challenge for urban waste management systems, which are already grappling with the complexities of handling ever-increasing volumes of refuse. The Anil Agarwal Dialogue, an annual gathering hosted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), brings together over a hundred journalists and experts specializing in environmental and developmental issues. During the event, the “2024 State of India’s Environment” report was unveiled, shedding light on the environmental implications of the widespread use of plastic in textiles. Atin Biswas, the programme director of solid waste management and circular economy at CSE, remarked on the affordability of synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic, and nylon, which has led to their prevalence in the market. However, he cautioned that the environmental cost of these materials is significant, affecting all stages from production to disposal. Consider the vast number of individuals laundering their garments daily and the sheer volume of clothing in circulation. Imogen Napper, a marine scientist at the University of Plymouth, who contributed to a pivotal 2016 study, highlights the ubiquity of plastic fiber shedding: “Even as we simply move about, our clothes are constantly releasing tiny fibers; it’s a pervasive issue.” Globally, concerted efforts are underway to curtail the use of products that contribute to oceanic waste, such as plastic cups, shopping bags, and straws. In our quest to combat plastic pollution, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significant role our apparel plays in this environmental challenge, necessitating its inclusion in any comprehensive solution. Plastics in textiles: cheap, costly

• Down To Earth

More modern buses plying, but ridership dips in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Despite having more modern buses, Delhi has recorded a sharp drop in the bus ridership, according to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to CSE’s Annual State of India’s Environment 2024 report, there has been a sharp drop of 48.5% in bus ridership in Delhi since 2017-18. The observations, CSE said, are based on the data from the Economic Survey of Delhi and other records. The fall in bus ridership was the maximum in Delhi of the 13 cities analysed, including Mumbai and Chennai. DTC buses The report pointed out that the bus fleet had increased from 5,695 in 2017-18 to 7,072 in 2021-22, with 1,600 electric buses also being inducted. Yet the bus ridership had plummeted sharply by 48.5% since 2017-18. The report listed several reasons why riding a bus is now “unattractive” to people. “Less than 1% of bus stops have an under 10 minute waiting time and 50% of the bus stops in Delhi are in the high waiting time (more than 15 minutes),” the study said. CSE said that private transport was likely to overtake public transport by 2040 across the country. In the analysis for Delhi, the report said that public transport still accounts for 50.8% of daily ridership, of which DTC accounts for 14.4%, Cluster Scheme for 9.1% and Delhi Metro, 27.2%. It said more kilometres were covered by private vehicles and urged the urgent scaling up of public transport. The latest report also referred to the older document that had pointed out how the modern public transport system had made travel unaffordable for the majority of people. “In relation to the threshold of 10-15% income that can be spent on transport as the upper cap for affordability, almost one-third, or 34%, of Delhi’s population stand excluded from basic non-AC bus services — as they cannot afford it,” stated CSE. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, CSE, suggested some improvements in the public transport system, including the upscaling of public transport and creating seamless transfer from different modes of transport at affordable cost. “What we need is transformative changes in the transport infrastructure. We need to scale up public transport at three levels. There is first the Delhi Metro, which enjoys maximum ridership among public transport. But it’s more important to integrate the metro system with buses and other modes of transport so that seamless transfer is possible,” she said. She added, “Second, there is a need to overall scale up the transport infrastructure keeping in mind that it should be easy for commuters to travel affordably. The interchanges in public transport add to the cost, and that is why personal vehicles are preferred. So a policy is required to ensure that interchange between transit modes doesn’t add to the cost. Third, we need to develop streets that are safe when accessing public transport, with proper foot bridges, stops, etc.” Roychowdhury said that road design needed to be such that it facilitated safe and convenient access to public transport. Buses should also have a public information system like in the metro trains.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

'सख्त उपायों से कसी जा सकती प्रदूषण पर लगाम', CSE की महानिदेशक ने कहा- राजनीतिक दलों को एजेंडे में शामिल करना चाहिए

सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट की महानिदेशक ने कहा कि जरा सा सुधार आने पर शिथिल पड़ जाने से फिर वही हालात बन जाते हैं। यह भी कहा कि प्रदूषण की रोकथाम शब्दों और चिट्ठियों से नहीं बल्कि सख्त उपायों से ही संभव है। इसकी रोकथाम के लिए कार्ययोजना व्यावहारिक व दीर्घकालिक होनी चाहिए। जो कारक प्रदूषण की जड़ हैं उन्हीं पर फोकस करना चाहिए। सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट (सीएसई) की महानिदेशक और पर्यावरण प्रदूषण नियंत्रण प्राधिकरण (ईपीसीए) की पूर्व सदस्य पदमश्री सुनीता नारायण का कहना है कि वायु प्रदूषण का मुददा राजनीतिक दलों को अपने एजेंडे में शामिल करना चाहिए। साथ ही इस पर लगातार काम करना चाहिए। जरा सा सुधार आने पर शिथिल पड़ जाने से फिर वही हालात बन जाते हैं। प्रदूषण रोकने के लिए हो गंभीरता से काम उन्होंने कहा कि पराली की समस्या भी तभी दूर हो सकती है जब आरोप-प्रत्यारोप की राजनीति के बजाए इस मुददे पर गंभीरता से काम किया जाए। जागरण से विशेष बातचीत में सुनीता ने यह भी कहा कि प्रदूषण की रोकथाम शब्दों और चिट्ठियों से नहीं बल्कि सख्त उपायों से ही संभव है। इसकी रोकथाम के लिए कार्ययोजना व्यावहारिक व दीर्घकालिक होनी चाहिए। जो कारक प्रदूषण की जड़ हैं, उन्हीं पर फोकस करना चाहिए। मसलन, ई बसें लाना तथा इनकी संख्या बढ़ाना ही पर्याप्त नहीं है। ये भी सुनिश्चित करना होगा कि लोग निजी वाहन छोड़कर इनमें सफर करें। उन्होंने माना कि राज्य व केंद्र सरकार प्रदूषण की रोकथाम के लिए आज गंभीर हैं। इसी के तहत इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों पर फोकस किया जा रहा है और पराली प्रबंधन पर भी काम चल रहा है, लेकिन कड़वा सच यह भी है कि प्रदूषण अब सरकारों के नियंत्रण से बाहर निकल चुका है। आज सभी के पास मोबाइल है, हर किसी को पता है कि जहां भी वह रहता है, वहां का एक्यूआइ क्या है। मतलब सरकारें आम जनता को अब गुमराह नहीं कर सकतीं। इसलिए वे इस दिशा में काम करने के लिए जन आक्रोश के चलते मजबूर हो गई हैं। ग्रेप एक अस्थायी व्यवस्था है- सुनीता राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र के संदर्भ में सुनीता ने कहा कि ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (ग्रेप) एक अस्थायी व्यवस्था है। जाड़े में जब मौसमी वजह से प्रदूषण अधिक हो जाता है तो उस पर नियंत्रण की प्रक्रिया है, लेकिन अगर उस दौरान स्कूल बंद करने की नौबत आती है तो साल भर ऐसे उपाय करने चाहिए जिससे कि दोबारा वह हालात नहीं बनें। बकौल सुनीता, स्माग टावर और रियल टाइम सोस अपार्शन्मेंट स्टडी या सुपरसाइट भी बिल्कुल बेमानी हैं। यह दोनों प्रदूषण की रोकथाम में नाकाम है। इन पर काम करना या इनके भरोसे रहना समय की बर्बादी ही है। कृत्रिम वर्षा का भी यहां के संदर्भ में कोई फायदा नहीं होगा। सुनीता नारायण ने एक अहम बात यह भी कही कि परियोजनाओं के लिए एन्वायरमेंट क्लीयरेंस (पर्यावरण अनापत्ति) लेने की बाध्यता एक बार पूरी तरह खत्म कर देनी चाहिए। इसमें न तो पारदर्शिता है, न ही इसके मानक स्पष्ट हैं। कई लेवल बने हुए हैं। इसे ब्लाकेज नहीं, पर्यावरण की बेहतरी का माध्यम बनाना चाहिए। सिस्टम में बदलाव की जरूरत है।