• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Govt to add 2,026 e-buses by end of December 2025

Delhiites are likely to breathe easy and experience less pollution in the coming winter months as the national Capital is witnessing a rapid rise in the share of electric buses. The State Government intends to add a total of 2,026 electric buses by the end of December 2025. Currently Delhi is the leader in the faster adoption of e-mobility in public transport. Earlier this month the Union Cabinet approved the decision on deploying 10,000 electric buses worth Rs 57,613 crore. This will reduce CO2 emissions to a large extent and help India move towards its commitment on Net Zero. Delhi will also get a decent share of this number which will further help curb the pollution level. According to an analysis by New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment, the winter of 2022-2023 was the cleanest for Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) since 2018, when large-scale air quality monitoring started. The city-wide winter average for Delhi stood at 160 µg/m³ for October-January. The national capital’s pollution levels peaked at 401 µg/m³ on November 3, 2022. This was 26 per cent lower than the highest recorded winter peak — 546 µg/m³ in the winter of 2019-20. Downward trend is a shot in the arm for the government but more efforts are needed to sustain the momentum, according to the study. “Incidentally, each electric bus saves around 2.4 kg of CO2 per km. Electric buses have been running in the national capital since May 2022, roughly for over 1.5 years and have saved almost 50,000 tons of CO2 in this period”, says Anil Sharma, Director, CCSL Consulting, a Sustainability and CSR consulting firm based in New Delhi.

• Sustainable Food Systems

Small and medium companies stepping into antibiotics development, face huge challenges

At a time when big pharma is shying away from research and development on new antibiotics, it is the small and medium scale biopharmaceutical companies that have taken up the cudgels for filling this gap. But these companies are faced with enormous challenges of their own. Until these challenges are addressed and overcome, the world will continue to be in a dire predicament in which it will see its basket of life-saving antibiotics rapidly becoming smaller and smaller. This emerged from the deliberations at a global webinar organised on August 24 by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). This was the second webinar in a series being conducted by CSE to discuss the crisis in antibiotic research and development. In her opening speech in the webinar, CSE director general Sunita Narain said: “We need to conserve the antibiotics that we have, but we also need new antibiotics to treat deadly resistant infections. While the big pharmaceutical companies are no longer keen, it’s the small and medium scale companies which have taken up the responsibility. They have a huge task at hand and a lot depends on how they are supported.” Narain is a member of the Global Leader’s Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Antibiotic resistance is a silent pandemic. Antibiotics are becoming ineffective and treatment options are reducing — impacting health, livelihoods and economies. Worldwide, in 2019, about five million deaths were associated with it. Moderated by Narain, the webinar – ‘Small and Medium Scale Antibiotic Developers: Challenges they face and the way forward’, focused on developers based in India and brought together key stakeholders and experts including Vasan Sambandamurthy, senior vice president, Global Operations, Bugworks Research India Pvt Ltd; Jitendra Kumar, managing director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Sachin Bhagwat, senior vice president, Drug Discovery, Wockhardt Research Centre; T S Balganesh, president, GangaGen Biotechnologies Pvt Ltd; and Amit Khurana, director, Sustainable Food Systems Programme, CSE. The webinar series is based on a CSE assessment – ‘A Developing Crisis’, — published in Down To Earth (July 16-31). The assessment had showed how the global antibiotic pipeline is weak across the pre-clinical and clinical development stages. Analysis of the clinical pipeline of 15 high-earning pharmaceutical companies to understand their R&D focus showed that most big pharmaceutical companies have all but quit the R&D of new antibiotics. It is the small and medium scale pharmaceutical companies have taken up the responsibility, but they are facing challenges. “Indian small and medium antibiotic developers are facing multiple challenges. They can play an important role in rejuvenating the global pipeline, if their concerns are addressed,” said Amit Khurana from CSE. The antibiotic developers who spoke at the webinar clearly highlighted their challenges related to scientific, financial and regulatory aspects of drug development. “In addition to the big funding for antibiotic innovators, there is need for regulatory harmonisation at the global level so that the innovators can well use the data generated,” said Vasan Sambandamurthy from Bugworks, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing two traditional antibacterial agents. “We need to open up clinical trial testing for innovator drugs in India. We also need accelerated approval pathways so that it is clear how a life-saving antibiotics can qualify. It will spur a lot of innovation and help companies across the discovery space,” he added. “It is important to strike a right balance while selecting a project to be supported — between a viable and well differentiated product for the unmet need in the short term and an innovative drug carrying more failure risk for the longer term,” said Sachin Bhagwat from Wockhardt, which is developing four traditional antibiotics. “There has to be emphasis on nurturing the discovery talent. If the current situation continues, we won’t be able to do much even if we put in all resources,” he cautioned. Highlighting a real problem of sourcing funds, T S Balganesh of GangaGen said: “The level of resistance in pathogens may vary in India and the western world; western interests would not be keen to fund if it is not a major problem there. This makes us completely dependent on Indian sources or sources from neighbouring countries.” GangaGen Biotechnologies is a biologics company focusing on non-traditional therapies such as protein antibacterials and bacteriophages for treating serious bacterial infections. “The problem of commercialisation is different from the problem of development. There are problems at several levels. We need to break it down and address each of them,” he added. Responding to the concerns, Jitendra Kumar of BIRAC highlighted several initiatives that have been adopted. “We are keen to support this area as AMR is a pandemic and definitely a crisis. We have been working on it and will do whatever is possible from our side,” he assured. CSE researchers, in their assessment, had called for critical reforms to stimulate the antibiotic R&D ecosystem for a sustainable and equitable antibiotic access. There is a need for greater public financing, a coordinated response from national governments and striking the right balance in public-private partnership for antibiotic development. They had highlighted that antibiotics have attributes of a ‘global public good’ despite not fitting into the strictest definition. “We need to see how public funding is used not just for innovation but also to make sure to get these drugs out on the table. This is where we will need to look at our priorities, target what we need and see if we are able to use it for the rest of the world,” said Narain. “But it is not just a debate of push and pull incentives. It is a question of what more can be done. It is very clear that there is an agenda beyond just talking about funding,” she said while concluding the webinar. Key data findings from the DTE story: ‘A Developing Crisis’ Global antibiotic pipeline weak WHO database updated until late 2021 shows that of the 297 antibiotic candidates under consideration, 217 are in pre-clinical development, 77 in clinical trial, and only three are in pre-registration stage. This 77 in clinical development is miniscule compared to 10,000+ for cancer, 1800+ for neuropsychiatric conditions and about 1500 for endocrine, blood and immune disorders. Of the 77 products in clinical development, 45 are traditional antibiotic candidates and 32 are non-traditional candidates. Twenty eight out of 45 traditional candidates target WHO priority pathogens. In 2017, 12 pathogens out of which most were Gram-negative were categorised into critical, high and medium priority pathogens to guide global R&D by the WHO. Out of 77, only nine traditional small molecules are in phase 3 of clinical development. There is none for M. tuberculosis. Only two target WHO’s critical priority pathogens. Among the non-traditional antibiotic candidates, only five are in phase 3. For M. tuberculosis, there is only one product, that too in phase 1. The pipeline of antibacterial products in preclinical development shows that out of 217, only 3 have their Investigative New Drug (IND) application submitted while 31 are in clinical trial application/IND-enabling studies. This is too less a pool to feed into the clinical development stages. Big Exodus Analysis of clinical pipeline of 15 high-earning companies revealed that of the total 1007 candidates, only 13 are antibacterials which are developed by four companies. 400+ were for cancer, about 150 were for immunology, allergy, inflammation or respiratory diseases, and 84 were for cardiology, metabolism or renal. These are developed by most of these companies. Collectively, the 2022 revenue was about $711 billion, 17.5 per cent of which ($124 billion) was total investment in research and development. Out of these 15, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Pfizer and AbbVie are currently developing antibiotics. GSK is developing 8 out of 13 candidates. Few major companies with clinical pipelines focusing on other profitable areas but not on antibiotics are AstraZeneca, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi, Merck and Co, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Biogen and Viatris. Sanofi, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Company and GSK have bacterial vaccines under ddevelopment.

• Sustainable Food Systems

Small and medium-scale Biopharmaceutical companies venturing into antibiotics development facing challenges

Small and medium-sized biopharmaceutical companies that have embraced the responsibility of addressing the gap in life-saving antibiotics are encountering significant obstacles. Prominent figures in the sector emphasized that if these challenges are not adequately addressed and overcome, the world will remain trapped in a critical scenario where its pool of vital antibiotics, essential for preserving life, will gradually diminish, leading to a significant reduction. These conclusions were drawn from a global online seminar held on August 24 by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) as part of a series aimed at tackling the crisis in antibiotic research and development to mark the second in a series initiated by CSE to address the antibiotic research and development crisis. Antibiotic resistance, an insidious pandemic, is rendering treatments ineffective and reducing options, consequently affecting health, livelihoods, and economies. In 2019 alone, approximately five million deaths were linked to this phenomenon. The webinar, titled ‘Small and Medium Scale Antibiotic Developers: Challenges they face and the way forward,’ zoomed in on developers situated in India. It fostered a gathering of influential stakeholders and experts, including Vasan Sambandamurthy, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Bugworks Research India Pvt Ltd; Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Sachin Bhagwat, Senior Vice President of Drug Discovery at Wockhardt Research Centre; T S Balganesh, President of GangaGen Biotechnologies Pvt Ltd; and Amit Khurana, Director of the Sustainable Food Systems Programme at CSE. Director General of CSE, Sunita Narain emphasised the necessity of conserving existing antibiotics while simultaneously producing new ones to combat formidable drug-resistant infections. She said while the larger pharmaceutical entities have retreated, smaller companies have stepped into the breach, assuming a pivotal role. Narain, who is also a member of the Global Leader’s Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), remarked, “They [small and medium-scale companies] have a huge task at hand and a lot depends on how they are supported.” This webinar series stems from a CSE assessment titled ‘A Developing Crisis,’ published in Down To Earth (July 16-31). The evaluation revealed the fragility of the global antibiotic pipeline across pre-clinical and clinical development stages. Among the findings, an analysis of 15 high-revenue pharmaceutical companies’ clinical pipelines unveiled that major entities have largely forsaken new antibiotic R&D. In response, small and medium-scale pharmaceutical companies have risen to the occasion, albeit with a range of challenges. Amit Khurana from CSE highlighted the myriad challenges faced by Indian small and medium antibiotic developers. “They can play an important role in rejuvenating the global pipeline, if their concerns are addressed,” he indicated. During the webinar, antibiotic developers candidly articulated their challenges across scientific, financial, and regulatory dimensions of drug development. Vasan Sambandamurthy of Bugworks, a biopharmaceutical firm working on traditional antibacterial agents, underscored the need for harmonized global regulatory measures to facilitate innovators’ utilization of generated data, augmenting the funding allocated to antibiotic innovators. Sambandamurthy proposed opening clinical trials for innovator drugs in India and advocated for accelerated approval pathways, enhancing clarity on the qualification of life-saving antibiotics. He emphasized how this step could drive innovation and invigorate the discovery space. “We also need accelerated approval pathways so that it is clear how a life-saving antibiotics can qualify. It will spur a lot of innovation and help companies across the discovery space,” he said. Sachin Bhagwat of Wockhardt, engaged in the development of four traditional antibiotics, stressed the significance of striking a balance between immediate unmet needs and long-term innovative projects. He emphasized the importance of nurturing discovery talent and the imperative of breaking down problems into solvable components. “There has to be emphasis on nurturing the discovery talent. If the current situation continues, we won’t be able to do much even if we put in all resources,” he cautioned. T.S Balganesh of GangaGen Biotechnologies, specializing in non-traditional therapies like protein antibacterials and bacteriophages, highlighted the challenge of sourcing funds and the dependence on Indian and neighboring countries for support due to varying pathogen resistance levels. “The problem of commercialisation is different from the problem of development. There are problems at several levels. We need to break it down and address each of them,” he stated. Addressing concerns, Jitendra Kumar of BIRAC detailed initiatives aimed at supporting the field, recognizing AMR as a pandemic and a crisis. He assured that they are committed to deploying every possible resource to address the issue. “We have been working on it and will do whatever is possible from our side,” he assured CSE’s assessment called for critical reforms to stimulate a sustainable and equitable antibiotic R&D ecosystem. A call for greater public financing, coordinated national responses, and balanced public-private partnerships resonated. Despite not fitting the strictest definition, antibiotics possess attributes of a ‘global public good,’ reinforcing the need to optimize public funding for both innovation and equitable global accessibility.

• Down To Earth

India landslides: Video shows moment buildings destroyed

Many parts of Himachal Pradesh have been on high alert for heavy rainfall, leading authorities to move residents out of the area after it was deemed unsafe. A severe landslide in northern India has destroyed several buildings. Video from the state of Himachal Pradesh shows buildings collapsing during a massive mudslide. It's the latest in a series of disasters to hit the Himalayan region, which have killed hundreds of people this month. Elsewhere in the region, 12 people were killed on Wednesday. India's national disaster response force is investigating the collapsed building site in the Kullu region, but there are thought to be no casualties. Many parts of the province have been on high alert for heavy rainfall, leading authorities to move residents out of the area after it was deemed unsafe. "The administration had identified the risk and successfully evacuated the building two days prior," the state's chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said. A total of eight buildings were completely levelled, and another two were partially damaged. Unusually heavy monsoon rain, cloudbursts and melting glaciers have brought deadly flash floods to the mountains of India. More than 250 people have died and at least 40 are missing in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh alone, which authorities say has cost the state almost £1bn ($1.2bn). Disasters caused by landslides and floods are common during the June-September monsoon season in India. But this year has seen a surplus of almost 60% rainfall in the northwestern states. In contrast, many central and southern states have seen almost 40% less rain. Scientists are also warning that flash flooding could become more frequent as global warming contributes to the melting of glaciers. A 2022 report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the mountains in the Himalayan region have lost close to 40% of their ice. An assessment by the Centre of Science and Environment last year also showed that 314 of the 365 days in 2022 experienced severe weather events affecting at least one region of the country. Unpredictable weather patterns across India could affect the livelihoods of up to 1.4 billion people involved with agriculture.

• Down To Earth

Of heat, floods and lives on the edge

Ahmedabad: People like us do not have a job where we can afford to take paid leaves," remarks 40-year-old Urmila Srivastava drily. Srivastava, a resident of Ahmedabad’s Rakhial locality, pauses to catch her breath as she looks up from her sewing machine in her tiny, dimly lit home. Her husband sells plasticware and their three children, aged 20, 18, and 17, are studying. Though it is difficult to work in the cramped space, a part of which also serves as her bathroom, she reminds herself that the rent of ₹4,000 is all that the family can afford. “My priority is to educate my children," says Srivastava, and the number of days that she does not switch on her sewing machine are few. But the rising mercury has been distressing. “During the summer, I feel restless and my head reels. The heat is unbearable. I cannot sit for long and work during such heat. I have to take frequent breaks. Sometimes, I also get a fever and feel nauseous. I then have to bear more medical expenses." About 13 km away, 37-year-old Tarannum Banu endures the same suffering, spending sleepless nights as the delivery date of her third child nears. A home-based garment worker, Banu was in her eighth month of pregnancy when this reporter met her in July, and still scrambling to make ends meet for her family of four. The pregnancy, mounting living costs, as well as a medical emergency that translated into loss of two months’ work, have left the family in debt. As Banu tried to pick up more work sewing salwar kurta sets, the heat in May slowed her down, with the asbestos roof over her home turning it into an oven. “The room heats up so severely that it becomes unbearable for me to sit here. I sometimes work till midnight in the summer as I cannot work during the day. I also have a thyroid problem, which makes me feel exhausted," says Banu sitting on the floor, her legs stretched out. The tribulations faced by Srivastava and Banu are a familiar script playing out in the homes of millions of home-based women workers across India. While these largely invisible workers are critical to the supply chain and the economy, multiple studies have shown that the climate crisis has a direct impact on them, with little being done to address their issues. This year, for instance, severe heatwaves swept across India, with temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country, affecting the livelihoods of millions of home-based workers. The report, ‘State of India’s Environment In Figures, 2023,’ released in June by the Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment and environmental magazine Down To Earth, showed that India witnessed extreme weather events on 84 of the 120 days in the first four months of this year, across all the states and union territories (UT). Last year, this was spread across 27 states and UTs for over 89 days. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had earlier warned that India may face irreversible damage from climate change. Another 2023 study, conducted by scientists from India, Thailand, France, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Kenya, the Netherlands, the US and the UK, documented that large parts of south Asian countries had witnessed heat levels crossing the ‘dangerous’ mark of 41 degrees Celsius. Most parts of India will witness an increase in the heatwave duration by 12-18 days by 2060, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, ‘Heat and Cold Waves in India—Processes and Predictability,’ released in April. Productivity hit Home-based garment work involves a variety of subcontracted work —cutting out handkerchiefs, cutting threads from the edges of handkerchiefs, sewing kurtis, sticking stonework onto garments, sewing buttons, and sewing the edges of dupattas. Workers are paid by the piece. The workers this writer spoke to had an average income ranging between ₹800 and ₹5,000. Most typically have to depend on subcontractors, and are not assured of steady work. Interactions with the home-based female garment workers—over a dozen of them in the Sundarbans (West Bengal), Delhi and Ahmedabad—revealed the impact of climate change on their livelihoods. Both extreme heat and untimely rains had affected the productivity of workers, which led to a sharp decline in their incomes. Almost all the interviewees said they suffered distress induced by heat—headaches, fever, restlessness, nausea, and dehydration in the summer. Switching on the fan interferes with threadwork, so they typically work with fans off. Most women work where they cook, amid the heat in their small housing units. The workers say their income levels dipped by 50% in the summer months. This was in addition to the setbacks they suffered during the covid-19 pandemic, and the lockdowns it induced. Chandni Singh, a senior researcher at the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), noted that pregnant and lactating women who work indoors are doubly vulnerable to extreme heat. “Home-based workers are impacted by the increase in outdoor and indoor temperatures. This is particularly serious for indoor small industries, which themselves generate heat. Home-based weavers, cooks, people who work in small home-based jobs like making agarbattis, sorting tendu leaves, tailoring, cooking etc., are among those affected," says Singh. A 2022 paper, ‘Indoor heat measurement data from low-income households in rural and urban South Asia,’ showed that rising temperatures caused distress around the world. “India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are projected to be severely affected by changes in weather patterns. Besides the direct impact on health, this could lead to an overall decrease in per capita consumption expenditure and gross domestic product," the paper states. According to the draft action plan on climate change, Delhi may suffer a loss of ₹2.75 trillion by 2050 due to the climate crisis. The heat aside, the national capital region has been battling a flood-like situation, with the water level crossing the danger mark during monsoon. In July, as Delhi was inundated amid heavy rainfall, Reshma’s work cutting threads from jeans, which fetched her around ₹2,500 for a month, came to a halt. Reshma’s husband ekes out a living as a rickshaw driver. Around the same time, one of her sons, aged three, contracted pneumonia. “We stopped receiving supplies of garments and thread. Our income immediately dipped. It became difficult for us to sustain the family. My son had pneumonia around the same time. We admitted him to a government hospital," says Reshma. Anisha Sheikh, home-coordinator at the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a trade union, observed that climate change has thrown up a set of practical challenges that women workers have to deal with on an everyday basis. “While the intensifying heat brings down productivity during summers, the changing pattern of rains means workers find it difficult to plan for the monsoon months. Most workers stay in low-lying areas in the city, which get flooded. Raw material and electric sewing machines get damaged and the women workers have to bear the cost," says Sheikh. “For those who are engaged in stonework, the glue becomes so thin during the summer months that it becomes difficult to stick the stones on garments." Every year, rainfall wreaks just as much havoc, if not more, over 1,500 km away, in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas. Kashmira, a garment worker, says she has gotten used to losing her livelihood during the frequent cyclones that hit her home in the Sundarbans. “There is no electricity for days when cyclones hit our villages. The water level rises, flooding our homes. How will we work during those days?" she wonders. An IMD report observed that the Sundarbans is the cyclone capital of the country. When Cyclone Amphan raced through the region in May 2020, the tin roof of Kashmira’s mud house was blown away, and her house almost collapsed. At that time, she did not do any work; her husband worked as a tailor in Kolkata’s Metiabruz area. In 2021, Cyclones Yaas and Jawad raced through the Sundarbans again. A year and a half back, her husband decided to move back, and the couple started working on half-stitched garments in their home. Impact on health IIHS’s Singh says that climate change and increasing weather variability have impacted diets, food security, incomes and the ability of households to spend on education or health. For 40-year-old Mehrun Nisha, earning ₹800 every month means compromising on her health. She picks up whatever work comes her way—assembling plastic garlands, sewing the corners of a dupatta, cutting threads from shorts and palazzos. Nisha suffers from inflamed joints, thyroid and high blood pressure. Sitting at a stretch is a task for her. But she has no choice. “I have used a walker for the past four years. If I have to make ₹50 per day, I have to sit at a stretch and complete the work, which is a challenge. My waist starts aching." In Ahmedabad’s Vatva locality, Hetalben supplements her home-based work with domestic work in households. Hetalben, her husband and mother-in-law earn a living sticking stones on blouses. The income from this occupation, however, is a paltry ₹1,500 a month. Asked if she faces any health challenges, she looks up amused for a few seconds. “Everything hurts—eyes, waist, arms. This work requires you to engage all parts of your body." Each piece fetches between ₹1 and ₹10, depending on the intricacy of the work. Reports show that workers suffer from posture problems; poor lighting conditions, which lead to eye problems, and joint pains. The myriad health challenges that climate change has imposed on women also include mental distress. “Mental health challenges related to climate change are increasing, caused by increasing temperatures, trauma from extreme weather events, loss of livelihoods and culture," says the report ‘Climate Change is a Health Crisis — Health Messages from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability’. A short distance from Hetalben’s home, Kanku Cheilaji, 52, and Meena Thakur, 27, are separated by a generation. The mother-daughter-in-law duo work tirelessly to bring in additional income of around ₹1,200 for the family. Before the pandemic, the two managed to make ₹2,500 a month. With her focus unwavering as she cuts a handkerchief from cloth, Thakur says her hands ache from holding scissors for many hours. But more than that, she constantly worries about her mother-in-law, who suffers from high blood pressure. “In the summers, the heat worsens her condition. I always keep lime water ready. She is on medicines but it is becoming more difficult for her to work in this heat. Our income went down to around ₹800 during peak summer because we could not work," says Thakur. Unsung and uncounted Shalini Sinha, urban Asia lead and home-based work sector specialist at the women-focused non-profit WIEGO, observed that the contribution by home-based women workers goes unnoticed. “One of the primary characteristics of home-based work is the invisibility of women’s work and contributions in labour statistics, policy and social schemes. The pandemic has left home-based workers more vulnerable than ever," she says. “A study conducted by WIEGO in four sectors, including street vendors, domestic workers, waste pickers and home-based workers, showed that the last category was the most affected and slowest to recover. The climate crisis has added another layer of vulnerability to this," adds Sinha. The 2019 India Exclusion Report had documented that workers took risks for product quality and to meet market demands. Their work was also not “recognized" and considered an extension of “natural, unpaid work". The way forward Sinha emphasized that it was important to note that climate change does not impact men and women alike. “Mitigation strategies need to include the workers’ perspectives. Many local coping strategies are scalable. When it comes to mitigating the climate crisis, protecting and promoting informal livelihoods should be a key strategy," says Sinha. Veena Bhardwaj, programme coordinator at the non-profit Mahila Housing Trust, Delhi, says governments should adopt innovative strategies to improve workers’ living conditions and help them improve their productivity. “When we introduced solar reflective paints at around 300 homes of informal workers in Delhi, they said there was a difference in their productivity. They said they saw a dip in their electricity bill. Also, incomes had doubled in some cases," she says. For some workers, focussing on the small wins matters. Banu says she is relieved that mildly increasing the level of her house this year has kept gutter water from flowing in during heavy rains. “Last year, I didn’t even have this asbestos roof," she says with an ironic smile. The writer is an independent journalist

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

印度推「電動兩輪」革命 90秒產一台！

書心語 2023年8月23日 週三 上午8:24 鼓勵電動車發展，新興國家像是印尼、印度政府，相繼推出減免優惠，雖然印尼最近舉辦的國際車展，幾乎被電動車佔據，但大多數民眾持觀望態度，認為除了大陸品牌，其他還是很貴；至於全球最大兩輪車市場的印度，也大舉轉型電動，當地兩輪電動車商，如今每90秒就可生產一台，銷售數字更在三年內，從月銷百台飆升到上萬，根本不需要外銷！ 艷陽高照的大晴天，印度首都新德里的交通，一如往常地壅塞，引發大量噪音，以及最被詬病的嚴重空汙。 但看看當地招牌的人力車，已經電動化，騎在路上無聲又無廢氣，全因為政府有補助加上在地生產，讓各類型的兩輪電動車，在印度越來越受歡迎。 CNN記者：「這波轉型藉由小型汽車、小型機車、打檔車和這樣的人力車帶動。」 一眼望去，行駛在路上的兩輪車數量，明顯超越四輪；再以數字來看，去年共賣出1500多萬台，已經成為全球最大的兩輪車市場之一。 兩輪電動車公司Ather Energy共同創辦人兼執行長 梅塔(Tarun Mehta)：「印度的環境是，汽油用量最大的是兩輪，碳排放量最大的也是兩輪。」 這間電動二輪車新創，是在2013年成立，目前設在邦加羅爾郊區的工廠，專門就用來生產電動摩托車。 兩輪電動車公司Ather Energy科技長 傑因(Swapnil Jain)：「每90秒做出一台機車。」 CNN記者：「這只是當今在印度，至少10家兩輪電動車製造商的其中一家。」 滿滿準備出貨的新車佔據整間工廠，他們的銷量從2020年的月銷兩百台，到目前一個月可賣超過1萬5千台，且靠著內需就足夠，根本不用外銷。 麥肯錫公司合夥人 吉貝爾(Brajesh Chhibber)：「我們估計整體兩輪市場，會在2030年達到約2500萬台，當中賣出的60%到70%會是電動版本。」 儘管跟傳統燃油機車相比，必須花多三成的錢才能買到電動機車，但印度消費者仍趨之若鶩；專家也認同，一旦將印度的交通工具全面電動化，勢必能為環境帶來改變。 自然環境的研究與宣導中心執行董事 周德里(Anumita Roychowdhury)：「如果我們能將兩者結合，也就是電動車轉型和電力脫碳，真的會成為雙贏，並取得無數環境與健康方面的好處。」 力推電動車轉型的，還有東南亞的印尼，在一年一度的最大車展上，就能看出端倪。 展場上幾乎全被電動車佔據，消費者不僅能看還能觸摸、仔細打量，而在當局祭出稅收減免政策下，已經推動印尼四月電動車銷量成長，車展上也有亮眼業績。 MG Motor行銷總監：「我們剛突破1萬台電動車銷售，儘管只是車展總銷量的1%，但足以顯示電動車轉型速度之快，且活力充沛。」 當地經濟部長期盼，為期十天的車展能帶動銷量突破2萬6千台電動車，也就是印尼去年的銷售數字；但相較於政府官員興致高昂，民眾大都持觀望態度。 顧客：「現在這價格是負擔不起的，中國大陸品牌或許可以，但其他還是太貴。」 尤其在印尼，一台最便宜的燃油車，售價不到9000美元，合台幣約28萬出頭。 顧客：「必須先抓住民眾對電動車的興趣，然後起步價應該要便宜六成，例如一台車價格範圍在4萬到6萬美元，就該變成1.9萬到2.6萬美元。」 另外，充電設施是否充足也引發質疑，不過當局訂下目標，要在2030年前生產60萬台電動車，這比印尼在今年上半年的銷售數字，高出100多倍。 越南同樣野心勃勃，這間有越南首富力挺的電動車品牌Vinfast，上周二，在美國那斯達克股票交易所掛牌，激勵當天股價狂飆250%，市值上衝超過850億美元，超越美國汽車龍頭福特和通用。 VinFast執行長 黎氏秋水：「能達成公司在美國掛牌上市的里程碑，我們都感到非常激動，這將為我們打開未來迎向資本的大道，因此今天非常開心。」 自去年以來，VinFast交車近3000輛車到北美市場，董事長更直言，視特斯拉為主要競爭對手；但隨著特斯拉和中國大陸大打價格戰，美國電動車庫存大增，加上買氣減緩，電動車市場正持續承壓。

• Director General Office

Decentralised transformation

As the nation recently celebrated its 76th year of Independence, it is time to take stock of the role that the environment movement has played in shaping policies and the practice of development. The movement has three distinct tracks where we can record its mark on history. One, where environmental action has played a role in defining developmental strategy for natural resource management. Two, where action has opposed developmental projects and from this contestation a consensus has emerged in terms of action. Three, where the environment movement has pushed and prodded changes in policies when it comes to pollution and human health. The “nature” of the movement is complex. In the last 75 years, it has remained divided on the practice of environmentalism as development and as conservation. This schism was visible even at the birth of the movement in the 1970s. In 1973, the country launched Project Tiger—a programme to identify land for sanctuaries for the flagship species based on the western concept of conservation. At roughly the same time, women in the high Himalayas launched the Chipko movement, where they resisted the axe of woodcutters. Their movement was not about conservation; they needed the trees for survival and so, wanted the right to cut them and grow them. This difference has played out in our policies that vacillate between extraction and conservation of natural resources. In all this, the rights of communities have not been realised. Project Tiger reached its low point in 2004 when Rajasthan’s Sariska national park lost all its tigers to poachers. The Tiger Task Force then set up the agenda for reform, which included strengthening protection of the reserves and relocation of villages from the core areas. Tiger numbers in the wild have stabilised since. However, questions remain if local communities are benefitting from this conservation effort? Similarly, the Chipko movement inspired the country for forest conservation and afforestation. By the 1980s, the Forest Conservation Act was enacted, which decreed that forest land could not be diverted without the permission of the Centre. This law has worked to stem the tide of forest diversion to some extent but has led to alienation of communities from the forests they protected. Today the question is how forests will be grown and then cut and then grown again so that India can move towards a wood-based economy and in ways that benefit local people. In the 1980s, the project to build a dam on the river Narmada became a flashpoint for “destructive” development. This came after the 1983 decision to stop the Silent Valley hydroelectric project in sub-tropical forests of Kerala to protect the region's rich biodiversity. In the case of the Narmada project, the issues were also about the loss of forests and rehabilitation of displaced villages. This movement has been much revered and reviled, but it raised issues of how to find balance between environment and development in policy and then, most importantly, in practice. These 1980s high-profile projects led to the setting up of the paraphernalia of environmental impact appraisal and clearance in the decade of the 1990s. But this balancing act is still a work in progress. It was the drought of the late 1980s that prompted our colleague and environmentalist Anil Agarwal to look at reinventing the water management paradigm. The book, Dying Wisdom, documented the technological ingenuity of traditional water management in different ecosystems. It brought to the fore the idea of decentralised and community-based water conservation, which then led to the change in policy towards regeneration of waterbodies to improve livelihoods and to capture rain where it falls. The industrial disaster in December 1984, when gas leaked from Union Carbide’s factory in Bhopal and instantly killed thousands, led to improvement in legislations for combating industrial accidents and, to an extent, improved preparedness of companies. But we have not provided justice to those who still suffer from health problems and lack livelihoods. In the 1990s, the fight for the right to clean air began in Delhi. This battle has led to improvements in the quality of fuel and technology—Delhi leapfrogged to cleaner compressed natural gas. But as vehicles on the road and combustion of dirty fuel continued to increase, air pollution grew enormously. The good news is that today, there is widespread anguish against pollution and its impacts on health. The bad news is we are not doing enough to reinvent mobility systems; to stop the use of dirty fuels for industry, power or for cooking. There are other events that must be noted in the environmental history diary. However, the most important gain of India’s environmental movement is the voice it has given to its citizens. This is the soul of the movement. Environmentalism is about deepening democracy, not techno-fix. DTE The writer is the Director-General of CSE and editor of DownTo Earth. Views expressed are personal

• Down To Earth

Of Heat, Floods And Lives On The Edge

"ahmedabad: people like us do not have a job where we can afford to take paid leaves,” remarks 40-year-old urmila srivastava drily. srivastava, a resident of ahmedabad's rakhial locality, pauses to catch her breath as she looks up from her sewing machine in her tiny, dimly lit home. her husband sells plasticware and their three children, aged 20, 18, and 17, are studying. though it is difficult to work in the cramped space, a part of which also serves as her bathroom, she reminds herself that the rent of ₹4,000 is all that the family can afford.“my priority is to educate my children,” says srivastava, and the number of days that she does not switch on her sewing machine are few. but the rising mercury has been distressing.“during the summer, i feel restless and my head reels. the heat is unbearable. i cannot sit for long and work during such heat. i have to take frequent breaks. sometimes, i also get a fever and feel nauseous. i then have to bear more medical expenses.”about 13 km away, 37-year-old tarannum banu endures the same suffering, spending sleepless nights as the delivery date of her third child nears.a home-based garment worker, banu was in her eighth month of pregnancy when this reporter met her in july, and still scrambling to make ends meet for her family of four. the pregnancy, mounting living costs, as well as a medical emergency that translated into loss of two months' work, have left the family in debt.as banu tried to pick up more work sewing salwar kurta sets, the heat in may slowed her down, with the asbestos roof over her home turning it into an oven.“the room heats up so severely that it becomes unbearable for me to sit here. i sometimes work till midnight in the summer as i cannot work during the day. i also have a thyroid problem, which makes me feel exhausted,” says banu sitting on the floor, her legs stretched out.the tribulations faced by srivastava and banu are a familiar script playing out in the homes of millions of home-based women workers across india. while these largely invisible workers are critical to the supply chain and the economy, multiple studies have shown that the climate crisis has a direct impact on them, with little being done to address their issues. this year, for instance, severe heatwaves swept across india, with temperatures crossing 45 degrees celsius in some parts of the country, affecting the livelihoods of millions of home-based workers.the report, 'state of india's environment in figures, 2023,' released in june by the delhi-based think-tank centre for science and environment and environmental magazine down to earth, showed that india witnessed extreme weather events on 84 of the 120 days in the first four months of this year, across all the states and union territories (ut). last year, this was spread across 27 states and uts for over 89 days. the intergovernmental panel on climate change (ipcc) had earlier warned that india may face irreversible damage from climate change.another 2023 study, conducted by scientists from india, thailand, france, australia, denmark, germany, kenya, the netherlands, the us and the uk, documented that large parts of south asian countries had witnessed heat levels crossing the 'dangerous' mark of 41 degrees celsius. most parts of india will witness an increase in the heatwave duration by 12-18 days by 2060, according to an india meteorological department (imd) report, 'heat and cold waves in india-processes and predictability,' released in april.productivity hithome-based garment work involves a variety of subcontracted work -cutting out handkerchiefs, cutting threads from the edges of handkerchiefs, sewing kurtis, sticking stonework onto garments, sewing buttons, and sewing the edges of dupattas. workers are paid by the piece. the workers this writer spoke to had an average income ranging between ₹800 and ₹5,000. most typically have to depend on subcontractors, and are not assured of steady work.interactions with the home-based female garment workers-over a dozen of them in the sundarbans (west bengal), delhi and ahmedabad-revealed the impact of climate change on their livelihoods. both extreme heat and untimely rains had affected the productivity of workers, which led to a sharp decline in their incomes. almost all the interviewees said they suffered distress induced by heat-headaches, fever, restlessness, nausea, and dehydration in the summer.switching on the fan interferes with threadwork, so they typically work with fans off. most women work where they cook, amid the heat in their small housing units. the workers say their income levels dipped by 50% in the summer months. this was in addition to the setbacks they suffered during the covid-19 pandemic, and the lockdowns it induced.chandni singh, a senior researcher at the bengaluru-based indian institute for human settlements (iihs), noted that pregnant and lactating women who work indoors are doubly vulnerable to extreme heat.“home-based workers are impacted by the increase in outdoor and indoor temperatures. this is particularly serious for indoor small industries, which themselves generate heat. home-based weavers, cooks, people who work in small home-based jobs like making agarbattis, sorting tendu leaves, tailoring, cooking etc., are among those affected,” says singh.a 2022 paper, 'indoor heat measurement data from low-income households in rural and urban south asia,' showed that rising temperatures caused distress around the world.“india, bangladesh and pakistan are projected to be severely affected by changes in weather patterns. besides the direct impact on health, this could lead to an overall decrease in per capita consumption expenditure and gross domestic product,” the paper states.according to the draft action plan on climate change, delhi may suffer a loss of ₹2.75 trillion by 2050 due to the climate crisis. the heat aside, the national capital region has been battling a flood-like situation, with the water level crossing the danger mark during monsoon.in july, as delhi was inundated amid heavy rainfall, reshma's work cutting threads from jeans, which fetched her around ₹2,500 for a month, came to a halt. reshma's husband ekes out a living as a rickshaw driver. around the same time, one of her sons, aged three, contracted pneumonia.“we stopped receiving supplies of garments and thread. our income immediately dipped. it became difficult for us to sustain the family. my son had pneumonia around the same time. we admitted him to a government hospital,” says reshma.anisha sheikh, home-coordinator at the self-employed women's association (sewa), a trade union, observed that climate change has thrown up a set of practical challenges that women workers have to deal with on an everyday basis.“while the intensifying heat brings down productivity during summers, the changing pattern of rains means workers find it difficult to plan for the monsoon months. most workers stay in low-lying areas in the city, which get flooded. raw material and electric sewing machines get damaged and the women workers have to bear the cost,” says sheikh.“for those who are engaged in stonework, the glue becomes so thin during the summer months that it becomes difficult to stick the stones on garments.”every year, rainfall wreaks just as much havoc, if not more, over 1,500 km away, in west bengal's south 24 parganas. kashmira, a garment worker, says she has gotten used to losing her livelihood during the frequent cyclones that hit her home in the sundarbans.“there is no electricity for days when cyclones hit our villages. the water level rises, flooding our homes. how will we work during those days?” she wonders.an imd report observed that the sundarbans is the cyclone capital of the country. when cyclone amphan raced through the region in may 2020, the tin roof of kashmira's mud house was blown away, and her house almost collapsed. at that time, she did not do any work; her husband worked as a tailor in kolkata's metiabruz area. in 2021, cyclones yaas and jawad raced through the sundarbans again. a year and a half back, her husband decided to move back, and the couple started working on half-stitched garments in their home.impact on healthiihs's singh says that climate change and increasing weather variability have impacted diets, food security, incomes and the ability of households to spend on education or health.for 40-year-old mehrun nisha, earning ₹800 every month means compromising on her health. she picks up whatever work comes her way-assembling plastic garlands, sewing the corners of a dupatta, cutting threads from shorts and palazzos.nisha suffers from inflamed joints, thyroid and high blood pressure. sitting at a stretch is a task for her. but she has no choice.“i have used a walker for the past four years. if i have to make ₹50 per day, i have to sit at a stretch and complete the work, which is a challenge. my waist starts aching.”in ahmedabad's vatva locality, hetalben supplements her home-based work with domestic work in households. hetalben, her husband and mother-in-law earn a living sticking stones on blouses. the income from this occupation, however, is a paltry ₹1,500 a month. asked if she faces any health challenges, she looks up amused for a few seconds.“everything hurts-eyes, waist, arms. this work requires you to engage all parts of your body.” each piece fetches between ₹1 and ₹10, depending on the intricacy of the work. reports show that workers suffer from posture problems; poor lighting conditions, which lead to eye problems, and joint pains.the myriad health challenges that climate change has imposed on women also include mental distress.“mental health challenges related to climate change are increasing, caused by increasing temperatures, trauma from extreme weather events, loss of livelihoods and culture,” says the report 'climate change is a health crisis - health messages from the ipcc sixth assessment report on climate impacts, adaptation and vulnerability'.a short distance from hetalben's home, kanku cheilaji, 52, and meena thakur, 27, are separated by a generation. the mother-daughter-in-law duo work tirelessly to bring in additional income of around ₹1,200 for the family. before the pandemic, the two managed to make ₹2,500 a month.with her focus unwavering as she cuts a handkerchief from cloth, thakur says her hands ache from holding scissors for many hours. but more than that, she constantly worries about her mother-in-law, who suffers from high blood pressure.“in the summers, the heat worsens her condition. i always keep lime water ready. she is on medicines but it is becoming more difficult for her to work in this heat. our income went down to around ₹800 during peak summer because we could not work,” says thakur.unsung and uncountedshalini sinha, urban asia lead and home-based work sector specialist at the women-focused non-profit wiego, observed that the contribution by home-based women workers goes unnoticed.“one of the primary characteristics of home-based work is the invisibility of women's work and contributions in labour statistics, policy and social schemes. the pandemic has left home-based workers more vulnerable than ever,” she says.“a study conducted by wiego in four sectors, including street vendors, domestic workers, waste pickers and home-based workers, showed that the last category was the most affected and slowest to recover. the climate crisis has added another layer of vulnerability to this,” adds sinha.the 2019 india exclusion report had documented that workers took risks for product quality and to meet market demands. their work was also not“recognized” and considered an extension of“natural, unpaid work”.the way forwardsinha emphasized that it was important to note that climate change does not impact men and women alike.“mitigation strategies need to include the workers' perspectives. many local coping strategies are scalable. when it comes to mitigating the climate crisis, protecting and promoting informal livelihoods should be a key strategy,” says sinha.veena bhardwaj, programme coordinator at the non-profit mahila housing trust, delhi, says governments should adopt innovative strategies to improve workers' living conditions and help them improve their productivity.“when we introduced solar reflective paints at around 300 homes of informal workers in delhi, they said there was a difference in their productivity. they said they saw a dip in their electricity bill. also, incomes had doubled in some cases,” she says.for some workers, focussing on the small wins matters. banu says she is relieved that mildly increasing the level of her house this year has kept gutter water from flowing in during heavy rains.“last year, i didn't even have this asbestos roof,” she says with an ironic smile.the writer is an independent journalist

• Director General Office

Explained | What is World Water Week?

What is World Water Week? • World Water Week is the leading conference on global water issues, held every year since 1991. • World Water Week is held the last week of August every year and was initially part of Stockholm Water Festival, which celebrated that the Swedish capital had managed to reach its goal of having some of the cleanest water in the world. • The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is the organiser of World Water Week and curates all the content. • A non-profit event, co-created with leading organisations, World Water Week attracts a diverse mix of participants from many professional backgrounds. Highlights of 2023 World Water Week • This is an annual gathering of thousands of organisations and individuals, which include government experts, UN officials, scientists and academics, who come together to rethink how water is being managed. • These meetings are related to the overall theme of the 2023 World Water Week, under the banner, ‘Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-wise World’. • President of the General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi has proposed five solutions to the water crisis. It includes building a water cooperation platform among all 193 UN Member States (the representatives that sit in the General Assembly), and the creation of a UN-wide water strategy, headed by a UN Special Envoy on Water. • These ideas were part of the outcome of the UN Water Conference held in New York in March 2023. World Water Week is being framed as a continuation of what was agreed in March and could be a kickstart to some of the promised commitments, the so-called Water Action Agenda. • The Stockholm Water Prize, which is described as the Nobel Prize of water, will be presented on August 23. It will be awarded in the same hall as the iconic Nobel Prize awards. The Prize is awarded by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. • Andrea Rinaldo is named Stockholm Water Prize Laureate 2023 for groundbreaking work with a major impact on several academic fields, including hydrology, hydrogeomorphology and epidemiology. Stockholm Water Prize • The Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious water award. • The Stockholm Water Prize is often described as the “Nobel Prize of water” and is characterized by a similar selection process. Since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize has been awarded to people and organisations for extraordinary water-related achievements. • The Prize is awarded by SIWI in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and presented by H.M King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who is the official patron of the Prize. • The winner of the Stockholm Water Prize is announced every year, usually in March in conjunction with World Water Day. • A royal prize ceremony is held as part of World Water Week in August, where the Laureate plays an important role Stockholm Water Prize • The Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious water award. • The Stockholm Water Prize is often described as the “Nobel Prize of water” and is characterized by a similar selection process. Since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize has been awarded to people and organisations for extraordinary water-related achievements. • The Prize is awarded by SIWI in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and presented by H.M King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who is the official patron of the Prize. • The winner of the Stockholm Water Prize is announced every year, usually in March in conjunction with World Water Day. • A royal prize ceremony is held as part of World Water Week in August, where the Laureate plays an important role Stockholm Water Prize Laureates from India 2015: Rajendra Singh for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need. 2009: Bindeshwar Pathak, the Founder of the Sulabh International, for his wide ranging work in the sanitation field to improve public health, advance social progress, and improve human rights in India and other countries. 2005: Centre for Science and Environment, under the directorship of Sunita Narain work, for its many publications, research and advocacy helped create new thinking on how traditional systems of water management, which use rainwater endowment, once rejuvenated could become the starting point for the removal of rural poverty in many part of the world. 1993: Madhav Atmaram Chitale has played a major role in getting India’s decision makers and strategic planners to think of water as a resource whose quality and availability need to be safeguarded.

• DTE - Web

Air pollution by PM2.5 linked to rise in antibiotic resistance globally: Analysis

Globally, a 10 per cent increase in annual PM2.5 could lead to a 1.1 per cent increase in aggregate antibiotic resistance and 43,654 premature deaths, the paper published in Lancet Planetary Health found. Photo: iStock A recent study has found links between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and antibiotic resistance. Africa and Asia could face the largest increase in antibiotic resistance, the study published in journal Lancet Planetary Health said. The study presented the first global estimates of antibiotic resistance and burden of premature deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance resulting from PM2.5 pollution. Significant correlations between PM2.5 and antibiotic resistance were consistent globally in most antibiotic-resistant bacteria and correlations have strengthened over time. Read more: Are antibiotic resistant bacteria the new global epidemic? Air pollution is considered to be the world’s largest environmental health threat, accounting for seven million deaths around the world every year, according to the United Nations. Globally, a 10 per cent increase in annual PM2.5 could lead to a 1.1 per cent increase in aggregate antibiotic resistance and 43,654 premature deaths, the paper found. Saudi Arabia would have a three per cent increase in antibiotic resistance if PM 2.5 increases by 10 per cent, Niger would see a 2.9 per cent increase, United Arab Emirates a 2.6 per cent increase, Pakistan a 2.6 per cent increase, Nigeria a 2.5 per cent increase, India a 2.5 per cent increase, Cameroon a 2.2 per cent increase, Bahrain a 2.2 per cent increase and China a 2.1 per cent increase. China and India could be the countries where changes in PM2.5 have the largest effect on premature deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance due to their large populations. It is important to understand all pathways adding up to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), said Rajeshwari Sinha, programme manager, sustainable food systems programme, Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment. “This study adds to the growing evidence base and throws more light on a new route of AMR spread through the air. It has relevance for all areas where air pollution is higher,” she said. Antibiotic resistance resulting from PM2.5 caused an estimated 480,000 premature deaths in 2018 and 18.19 million years of life lost (YLL) worldwide in 2018, the paper found. This corresponded with an annual welfare loss of $395 billion due to premature deaths, said the study. “The five microgramme per cubic metre (μg/m3) target of concentration of PM2.5 in the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), if reached in 2050, was estimated to reduce antibiotic resistance by 16.8 per cent and avoid 23.4 per cent of premature deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance, equivalent to a saving of $640 billion,” according to the study led by Zhenchao Zhou, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, China. The analysis took data on multiple potential predictors like air pollution, antibiotic use, health expenditure and economics were collected in 116 countries from 2000 to 2018 to estimate the effect of PM2.5 on antibiotic resistance. Read more: Collaboration, policy, regulatory changes needed to fight antimicrobial resistance: Report BENEFIT TO GLOBAL HEALTH The researchers analysed a set of scenarios until 2050. In a baseline scenario in which no policies were applied to control air pollution, antibiotic resistance increased by 17 per cent and annual deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance increased by 56.4 per cent by 2050 globally, the study cautioned. In the same baseline scenario, the most substantial increase in premature mortality attributable to antibiotic resistance was seen in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas moderate decreases in premature mortality were seen in east Asia and southeast Asia. The number of deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance derived from PM2.5 could increase to 840,000 in 2050 in the baseline scenario, the Lancet analysis predicted. In other scenarios, such as increasing current health expenditures, controlling PM2.5, improving drinking-water services and reducing antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance could be substantially reduced. Compared with the baseline scenario, the welfare policy for controlling PM2.5 to 5 μg/m3 could decrease global antibiotic resistance by 16.8 per cent and prevent deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance by approximately 23.4 per cent by 2050. This would correspond to an annual welfare of $640 billion benefited from reduced premature deaths. In the third multivariate scenario, global antibiotic resistance could be decreased by 50 per cent and deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance could be reduced by 54.5 per cent by 2050 compared with the baseline scenario. Experts at a webinar conducted by CSE in July 2023 highlighted how the burden of antibiotic resistance is increasing and existing antibiotics are becoming ineffective. Most antibiotics developed over the last decade are not novel enough and insufficient to treat multi-drug resistant bacteria. A study published in Nature journal, May 17, 2023 by Bijay Halder & et al found that during 2018-2021, India witnessed the highest levels of human-induced air pollution. The period saw a surge in air pollution owing to the development of transportation, industrial power plants, green space dynamics and unplanned urbanisation in the country, noted the study. Read more: Indoor air pollution can slow down brain development in infants: Study WHO ambient air quality database 2022 provided clear evidence of the damage that air pollution inflicts on human health at even lower concentrations than previously recognised. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations. Moreover, reducing the levels of key air pollutants will also contribute to slowing climate change. Pollutants for which new guidelines for annual mean values have been set are PM2.5, with a guideline value half the previous one; PM10, which is decreased by 25 per cent and for nitrogen dioxide, which is four times lower than the previous guideline. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/air-pollution-by-pm2-5-linked-to-rise-in-antibiotic-resistance-globally-analysis-91206

• Industrial Pollution

देश के सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित क्षेत्रों के प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड नहीं कर रहे फंड का पूरा इस्तेमाल: रिपोर्ट

एक हालिया रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि प्रदूषित सिंधु-गंगा के मैदान में 10 राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के पास कम खर्च के चलते हर साल वित्तिय अधिशेष (फायनेंशियल सरप्लस) होता है। कार्यबल और बुनियादी ढांचे को मजबूत करने की बजाय इस फंड का इस्तेमाल फिक्सड डिपोजिट में निवेश करने के लिए किया जाता है। सरकारी अनुदान न के बराबर होने के कारण, बोर्ड औद्योगिक इकाइयों से लिए जाने वाले सहमति शुल्क (कंसेंट फी) और एफडी पर मिलने वाले ब्याज पर काफी ज्यादा निर्भर करते हैं। इस वजह से प्रभावी ढंग से काम करने की उनकी क्षमता में रुकावटें आई हैं। विशेषज्ञ भारत में प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों की प्रशासनिक, वित्तीय और तकनीकी क्षमता में सुधार के लिए उनके कामकाज के तरीके में बदलाव की बात कह रहे हैं। सेंटर फॉर पॉलिसी रिसर्च (सीपीआर) की हालिया रिपोर्ट से पता चलता है कि गंभीर वायु प्रदूषण का सामना करने वाले सिंधु-गंगा के मैदान में 10 राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के पास हर साल धन की अधिकता यानी वित्तिय अधिशेष होता है। यह कुछ पिछली रिपोर्टों और व्यापक धारणा के विपरीत है, जिसमें कहा गया था कि राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के पास वित्त और उनके प्रबंधन से संबंधित चुनौतियां हैं, जिसके कारण उनकी सेवाएं या कामकाज पर असर पड़ता है। दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक, सीपीआर ने सूचना के अधिकार अधिनियम के तहत इकट्ठा की गई जानकारी और विभिन्न राज्यों के नियामक कर्मचारियों के साक्षात्कार से मिली जानकारी का इस्तेमाल करके राज्य प्रदूषण बोर्डों के वित्तीय हालत का अध्ययन किया है। जिन 10 प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों की समीक्षा की गई वे पंजाब, हरियाणा, दिल्ली, राजस्थान, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, छत्तीसगढ़, उत्तराखंड, झारखंड और पश्चिम बंगाल से हैं। सीपीआर रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, ज्यादातर प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के पास तीन वित्तीय वर्षों (2018 से 2021 तक) में अधिशेष फंड था। इसी पर रिपोर्ट आधारित थी। इसमें पाया गया कि कई बोर्डों ने पूरी राशि खर्च नहीं की थी और अधिशेष को बैंक फिक्सड डिपॉजिट में निवेश किया गया था। अनुसंधान टीम ने बोर्डों के द्वारा हर साल मिलने वाले ब्याज आय पर डेटा का इस्तेमाल करके प्रत्येक बोर्ड द्वारा निवेश की गई धनराशि का अनुमान लगाया। ये आंकड़े उन्हें अपनी आरटीआई के जवाब में मिले थे। हर वित्तीय वर्ष के लिए एक मानक ब्याज दर का इस्तेमाल किया गया था, जिसके आधार पर निवेश की गई अनुमानित मूल राशि का हिसाब-किताब लगाया गया था। अध्ययन में पाया गया कि वित्तीय वर्ष 2020-21 के दौरान अनुमानित निवेश 29 अरब रुपये था। सांकेतिक अनुमान के अनुसार, पश्चिम बंगाल 7.7 अरब रुपये की जमा राशि के साथ सूची में सबसे ऊपर है, जबकि झारखंड में 23.5 करोड़ रुपये का निवेश करके लिस्ट में सबसे नीचे है। अन्य राज्यों के प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों ने भी वित्तीय वर्ष 2020-21 के दौरान अधिशेष धनराशि को बैंक सावधि जमा में निवेश किया। अध्ययन के अनुमान के अनुसार, हरियाणा ने अनुमानित रूप से 6.08 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, राजस्थान ने 5.74 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, दिल्ली ने 3.75 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, पंजाब ने 2.15 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, उत्तराखंड ने 1.73 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, छत्तीसगढ़ ने 1 अरब रुपये का निवेश किया, बिहार ने 630 करोड़ रुपये का निवेश किया और उत्तर प्रदेश ने 540 करोड़ रुपये का निवेश किया। पहले ऐसी रिपोर्टें आई थी जिनमें कहा गया था कि वित्तीय संसाधनों की कमी और अकुशल वित्तीय प्रबंधन राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के कामकाज पर असर डाल रहा है। ये न सिर्फ हवा की गुणवत्ता में सुधार करने बल्कि पानी और अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन की उनकी अन्य जिम्मेदारियों में असफल होने के प्रमुख कारणों में से एक हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, सेंटर फॉर क्रॉनिक डिजीज कंट्रोल के 2020 के एक अध्ययन में नेशनल एम्बिएंट एयर क्वालिटी मानकों के सामने आने वाली बाधाओं में से एक के रूप में वित्तीय बाधाओं का हवाला दिया गया था। अध्ययन में कहा गया है, “अपर्याप्त फंडिंग की वजह से कर्मचारियों की संख्या काफी कम है और इसके चलते वायु प्रदूषण नियंत्रण के मामलों की कम जांच और उन पर कम ध्यान दिया जाता है”। रिपोर्ट में जिन लोगों से बातचीत की गई थी, उनमें से ज्यादातर ने अपनी दैनिक जिम्मेदारियों को पूरा करने और प्रशिक्षित कर्मचारियों को नियुक्त करने के लिए पैसे की कमी को एक चुनौती के रूप में भी माना था। नई दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की 2009 की एक अन्य रिपोर्ट में इन बोर्डों के वित्तीय संसाधनों में बढ़ोतरी और सुधार की सिफारिश की गई थी। इसमें कहा गया था कि कुछ मामलों में, कर्मचारियों ने अपने साक्षात्कार में वित्तीय बाधाओं और बजटीय प्रतिबंधों को कर्मचारियों की कमी का कारण बताया है। रिपोर्ट में सिफारिश की गई थी, “बोर्डों में कर्मचारियों और वित्तीय संसाधनों को बढ़ाने और सुधारने के लिए एक बहुआयामी दृष्टिकोण की जरूरत है।” फंड का कम इस्तेमाल बैंक में किए गए फिक्सड डिपोजिट से मिलने वाले ब्याज ने प्रदूषण नियामक बोर्डों को सकारात्मक बैलेंस शीट बनाए रखने में मदद की है, जिसका मतलब है अधिक संपत्ति, कम देनदारियां और इसलिए बेहतर मूल्य। सीपीआर रिपोर्ट से पता चलता है कि बोर्ड की तरफ से कम पैसा खर्च किया गया था। साल 2018-19 से 2020-21 तक तीन वित्तीय वर्षों के दौरान दस बोर्डों में औसत फंड उपयोग दर 48% थी। अध्ययन के तीन सालों में फंड की औसत उपयोग दर पंजाब में सबसे अधिक 71% थी, जबकि उत्तराखंड में यह सबसे कम 25% थी। रिपोर्ट में उल्लेख किया गया है कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में, जो अक्सर खराब वायु प्रदूषण से जूझती रहती है, फंड का इस्तेमाल सिर्फ 35% था। रिपोर्ट बताती है कि फंड का कम इस्तेमाल इन संस्थानों के भीतर वार्षिक आय और व्यय की सटीक भविष्यवाणी करने और उसके अनुसार व्यय योजना बनाने में वित्तीय विशेषज्ञता की कमी का तरफ इशारा करता है। जहां एक ओर फंड का सही ढंग से प्रबंधन नहीं किया जाता है, वहीं दूसरी ओर, बोर्ड को कर्मचारियों की कमी और प्रदूषण निगरानी और प्रयोगशाला परीक्षण के लिए अपर्याप्त बुनियादी ढांचे का सामना करना पड़ता है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि कम खर्च के बावजूद, इन तीन वित्तीय वर्षों के दौरान कर्मचारियों के वेतन और भत्ते आधे से अधिक खर्च में शामिल थे। कई राज्यों में बुनियादी ढांचे की अपर्याप्त स्थिति के बावजूद, इन वर्षों के दौरान लैब टेस्ट सुविधाओं सहित नए बुनियादी ढांचे पर खर्च का हिस्सा 11% तक कम था। रिपोर्ट में फिर कहा गया कि रिसर्च, डेवलपमेंट और अध्ययन पर खर्च उनके कुल व्यय का सिर्फ 2% था। उद्योग पर निर्भर राजस्व मॉडल सीपीआर रिपोर्ट में उल्लेख किया गया है कि प्रदूषण बोर्डों के लिए, अधिशेष फंड निवेश पर मिलने वाले ब्याज के साथ औद्योगिक इकाइयों से लिया जाने वाला सहमति शुल्क (कंसेंट फी) मुख्य राजस्व स्रोत हैं। पहले, प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के पास जल उपकर जैसे कई राजस्व स्रोत थे, लेकिन माल और सेवा कर (जीएसटी) शुरू होने के बाद इस राजस्व स्रोत को बंद कर दिया गया था। बोर्डों को सरकार की तरफ से मिलने वाला अनुदान भी न के बराबर है। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, अध्ययन किए गए तीन वित्तीय वर्षों के दौरान 10 बोर्डों की कुल आय का औसतन 53% उन उद्योगों से लिए गए सहमति शुल्क से आया है, जिन्हें राज्य में अपनी इकाइयां स्थापित करने और संचालित करने की अनुमति दी गई थी। इन सालों के दौरान उनकी आय का अन्य 23% फिक्सड डिपॉजिट, बचत खातों और एडवांस में किए गए निवेश से मिलने वाले ब्याज से आया है। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, इन दो घटकों यानी सहमति शुल्क और ब्याज से मिलने वाली आय ने बोर्ड के कुल राजस्व में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया है। लेकिन प्रभावी ढंग से विनियमित करने की उनकी क्षमता को कम कर दिया है। इसे और समझाते हुए, रिपोर्ट के सह-लेखक और सीपीआर फेलो भार्गव कृष्णा ने मोंगाबे इंडिया को बताया कि क्योंकि अधिशेष फंड के निवेश से बोर्ड को हर साल अपने राजस्व का लगभग एक-चौथाई कमाने में मदद मिलती है, बोर्ड कर्मचारियों की भर्ती और अन्य जरूरी बुनियादी ढांचे जैसे तकनीकी प्रयोगशालाओं आदि पर खर्च बढ़ाकर इस पैसे को हाथ से निकलने नहीं देना चाहता है। वर्तमान में भले ही इन सबकी कितनी ही जरूरत क्यों न हो। भार्गव ने कहा कि इस सबके चलते, इसके कामकाज पर खासा असर पड़ा रहा है। क्योंकि बोर्डों के पास पर्याप्त तकनीकी ग्राउंड स्टाफ नहीं है, इसलिए उन्होंने औद्योगिक संयंत्रों और कारखानों के जरूरी आवधिक निरीक्षण जैसे कार्यों को तीसरे पक्ष के लेखा परीक्षकों को सौंप दिया है। लेकिन बोर्ड के पास यह जांचने के लिए कोई आंतरिक तंत्र नहीं है कि क्या ये ऑडिट सटीक हैं, जमीनी हकीकत को दर्शाते हैं और औद्योगिक इकाइयां पर्यावरण मानकों का अनुपालन कर रही हैं या नहीं। उन्होंने 2013 में गुजरात में किए गए एक अध्ययन का हवाला दिया, जिसमें सबूत दिया गया था कि तीसरे पक्ष के ऑडिटरों की कार्यप्रणाली या फिर कारखाने के मालिकों द्वारा नियुक्त अधिकारियों के हितों के टकराव का एक स्पष्ट मामला था। उनकी रिपोर्टें हमेशा सटीक नहीं होती हैं और उनके काम की बहुत कम निगरानी होती है। उनके अनुसार, समाधान सरल है: सरकार को इन बोर्डों को ठीक-ठाक पैसा मुहैया कराना चाहिए ताकि वे अपनी कमाई के सीमित स्रोत पर निर्भर न रहें। उनके उचित प्रशासनिक और तकनीकी कर्मचारियों और नियामक बुनियादी ढांचे को बनाए रखने के लिए यह पैसा पर्याप्त होना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा, “हमारी रिपोर्ट से पता चलता है कि अध्ययन किए गए तीन वित्तीय वर्षों के दौरान इन 10 संबंधित बोर्डों की राज्य सरकारों की ओर से मिलने वाला सहायता अनुदान सिर्फ 4% था। चूंकि इसके पास सीमित आय स्रोत हैं, इसलिए नियामक निकायों के लिए रिक्त पदों को भरने और अपनी तकनीकी विशेषज्ञता में सुधार पर ज्यादा खर्च नहीं करने की आदत बन गई है।” सीपीआर रिपोर्ट में यह भी उल्लेख किया गया है कि टीम ने जिन उत्तरदाताओं से बात की थी, उनके अनुसार, 2019 में एनजीटी के आदेश ने, बोर्डों को पर्यावरणीय मुआवजा लगाने की अनुमति देते हुए, जीएसटी में जल उपकर को शामिल करने पर होने वाली राजस्व के नुकसान की भरपाई के लिए एक रास्ता सुझाया था। लेकिन जन विश्वास विधेयक में वायु अधिनियम (एयर एक्ट) और पर्यावरण संरक्षण अधिनियम में प्रस्तावित संशोधन , जो मौजूदा समय में भारतीय संसद में लंबित है, नियामक व्यवस्था में महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव का प्रस्ताव करता है। इसमें पर्यावरणीय मुआवज़ा लगाने समेत कई निर्णयात्मक शक्तियां केंद्र सरकार द्वारा नियुक्त समिति के हाथों में दी जाएंगी। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस स्तर पर यह स्पष्ट नहीं है कि मौजूदा नियामक व्यवस्था और राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों की भूमिका के लिए इसका क्या मतलब है। नासा के एक्वा उपग्रह द्वारा जनवरी 2013 में ली गई एक तस्वीर में सिंधु-गंगा के मैदान पर धुंध की एक मोटी परत मंडराती नजर आ रही है, देखने में यह किसी नदी जैसी लगती है। फोटो- नासा/विकिमीडिया कॉमन्स पुनर्गठन की जरूरत साल 2017 में गठित 15वें वित्त आयोग के सदस्य अजय नारायण झा ने 2019 में भारत में राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ हवा कार्यक्रम शुरू करने में मदद की थी। उन्होंने मोंगाबे-इंडिया को बताया कि राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों के वित्तीय प्रदर्शन और उनके कामकाज में आने वाली बाधाओं का विश्लेषण करने के मामले में यह समय पर आई रिपोर्ट है। इसका स्वागत किया जाना चाहिए। झा ने कहा, “इस पर चर्चा करते हुए मैं आगे कहूंगा कि हमें राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्डों को दो अलग-अलग कार्यक्षेत्रों में पुनर्गठित करने की जरूरत है। बोर्डों में एक कार्यक्षेत्र को उच्च वैज्ञानिक और तकनीकी मानक स्थापित करने का ध्यान रखना चाहिए। जबकि दूसरों को पर्यावरणीय मानदंडों के निरीक्षण और कानून जैसे नियमों के जरूरी पहलुओं पर ध्यान देना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा, जैसा कि रिपोर्ट में भी बताया गया है, औद्योगिक इकाइयों का निरीक्षण तीसरे पक्ष के लेखा परीक्षक करते हैं। इससे हितों का टकराव पैदा होता है क्योंकि इन्हें फैक्ट्री मालिकों द्वारा खुद से काम पर रखा जाता है। झा ने कहा, “मुझे लगता है, राज्य बोर्डों को खास तौर पर अपने काम पर ध्यान देना चाहिए। यह तभी संभव होगा जब इन एजेंसियों को उचित रूप से मजबूत किया जाएगा।” वह इस बात से सहमत हैं कि बढ़ते वायु और जल प्रदूषण को लेकर बड़ी संख्या में लोगों के बीच चिंताएं बढ़ रही हैं। स्वच्छ हवा और पानी हासिल करने के लिए नियामक ढांचे को मजबूत करने के साथ-साथ वैज्ञानिक मापदंडों को अपडेट करने पर विभिन्न स्तरों पर चर्चा चल रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि भविष्य में इसके सार्थक परिणाम सामने आएंगे। TURNAROUND: Reform Agenda for India's Environmental Regulators January 2009 Report number: CSE 2009Affiliation: Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi Chandra BhushanChandra BhushanNivit Kumar YadavNivit Kumar YadavAnil Kumar RoyAnil Kumar Roy https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310774404_TURNAROUND_Reform_Agenda_for_India's_Environmental_Regulators

• DTE - Web

More oil palm planting in NE will destroy the region: MPs tell PM

The central government has been urged to reconsider plans to increase oil palm planting in the northeastern region by a group of Members of Parliament (MP) citing its adverse effect on the environment of this region. The MPs, led by PradyutBordoloi of the Congress party, stressed the serious environmental and socio-economic risks they pose and the potential negative effects associated with such an extension. They expressed alarm over the potential for serious consequences of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity in the Northeast due to the anticipated oil palm growth. Congress MPs Vincent Pala from Meghalaya, Abdul Khaleque, GauravGogoi from Assam, National People Party’s from Meghalaya Agatha Sangma and Naga People’s Front’sLorho S Pfoze -- all joined Bordoloi in the appeal. Collectively, the MPs sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to thoroughly assess the Northeast oil palm expansion plan. Their statement also emphasised the region's unsuitability for oil palm development due to its climate. Bordoloi said, “The government must think along sustainable lines and in wider consultation with all stakeholders before any irreversible damage is done.” The MPs also argued that the government should focus its efforts on using the peninsula's current cropland for oil palm production in order to prevent the logging of Northeastern forests. The Centre has promoted oil palm farming as a way for India to lessen its dependency on foreign edible oils. Environmentalists, however, raised a warning about the possibly of disastrous environmental effects of such expansion. According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), oil palm farming will cause the loss of 2.5 million hectares of Indian forests by 2030. The study also showed that oil palm plantations don't store as much carbon as forests do, which raises concerns about climate change. The MPs' request serves as a welcome reminder of the critical requirement to carefully consider the environmental and social repercussions before beginning an oil palm expansion in the Northeast. Beyond social and environmental issues, the MPs expressed doubts about the Northeast's ability to economically support oil palm cultivation. They emphasised how the area's significant rainfall and cold temperatures make it unsuitable for such agriculture. "The government must determine whether oil palm development in the Northeast is economically viable. If it isn't, the government shouldn't move forward with the project,” Bordoloi said, while echoing the sentiments of the entire group. The parliamentarians highlight the need for a thorough analysis and well-informed decision-making process that considers the numerous repercussions of the region's oil palm expansion.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

How you can breathe life into Delhi air

NEW DELHI: Celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly manner and avoid firecrackers, walk or use cycles for small distances and use technology to take less congested routes even if they are slightly longer are some of the points listed by Commission for Air Quality Management in national capital region and adjoining areas (CAQM) as part of its revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The commission recently revised GRAP measures which will come into force from October 1 this year. CAQM also revised the citizen's charter, which is a list of voluntary steps that can be taken by public to help in reducing pollution. Experts said apart from restrictive actions imposed under GRAP, public participation is required to control pollution in winter season. Delhi_air_quality During stage I, when air quality is in 'poor' category, people have been asked to plant more trees and celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly manner avoiding firecrackers. They should opt for hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution and not drive end-of-life or 10/15 years old diesel/petrol vehicles. For stage II, when air quality hovers in 'very poor' category, public has been asked to avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass and avoid dust generating construction activities during months of October to January. Similarly, the public has been requested to walk or use cycles for small distances during stage III when AQI touches 'severe' category. During stage IV, when air quality is in 'severe plus' category, children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases have been asked to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "Effective enforcement of emergency measures including voluntary action requires strong public support and awareness regarding the need for restrictive measures during severe smog episodes. The Citizen's Charter is about individual and community action and choices. But people's action will also have to be enabled with adequate steps in advance to scale up efficient waste management systems and public transport options to mitigate the effect of restrictions." Dipankar Saha, former head of Central Pollution Control Board's air laboratory, said, "Apart from action taken by agencies to reduce pollution sector-wise, people should take steps that can help in reducing emissions, especially during winter months when AQI levels are high. The problem of air pollution is for all as it impacts the health of everyone." CAQM in a statement said, "The citizen charter has been amended to enable citizens to actively contribute towards pollution control measures. CAQM urges citizens to follow the charter sincerely towards control and prevention of air pollution in the NCR".

• DTE - Web

Centre’s oil palm expansion plan to hurt NE: MPs shoot off letter to PM

The central government has been urged to reconsider plans to increase oil palm planting in the northeastern region by a group of Members of Parliament (MP) citing its adverse effect on the environment of this region. The MPs, led by Pradyut Bordoloi of the Congress party, stressed the serious environmental and socioeconomic risks posed as well as the potential negative effects associated with such an extension. Powered By VDO.AI The parliamentarians expressed alarm over the potential for serious consequences of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity in the Northeast due to the anticipated oil palm growth. Congress MPs Vincent Pala from Meghalaya, Abdul Khaleque, Gaurav Gogoi from Assam, National People Party’s MP from Meghalaya Agatha Sangma and Naga People’s Front MP from Manipur Lorho S Pfoze — all joined Bordoloi in the appeal. Collectively, the MPs sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to thoroughly assess the Northeast oil palm expansion plan. Their statement also emphasised the region’s unsuitability for oil palm development due to its climate. Bordoloi told IANS, “The government must think along sustainable lines and in wider consultation with all stakeholders before any irreversible damage is done.” The MPs also argued that the government should focus its efforts on using the peninsula’s current cropland for oil palm production in order to prevent the logging of Northeastern forests. The central government has promoted oil palm farming as a way for India to lessen its dependency on foreign edible oils. Environmentalists, however, raised a warning about the possibly of disastrous environmental effects of such expansion. According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment, oil palm farming will cause the loss of 2.5 million hectares of Indian forests by 2030. The study also showed that oil palm plantations don’t store as much carbon as forests do, which raises concerns about climate change. The MPs’ request serves as a welcome reminder of the critical requirement to carefully consider the environmental and social repercussions before beginning an oil palm expansion in the Northeast. Beyond social and environmental issues, the MPs expressed doubts about the Northeast’s ability to economically support oil palm cultivation. They emphasised how the area’s significant rainfall and cold temperatures make it unsuitable for such agriculture. “The government must determine whether oil palm development in the Northeast is economically viable. If it isn’t, the government shouldn’t move forward with the project,” Bordoloi said, expressing the attitude shared by the concerned MPs. The parliamentarians highlight the need for a thorough analysis and well-informed decision-making process that considers the numerous repercussions of the region’s oil palm expansion.

• DTE - Web

MPs from Northeast Stand Against Oil Palm Expansion, Citing Environmental Risks

Highlighting the grave environmental and social hazards posed, the MPs, led by Pradyut Bordoloi from the Congress party, emphasized the potential adverse outcomes linked to such an expansion. Expressing concern, the MPs underscored that the proposed oil palm expansion could lead to the severe consequences of deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity within the Northeast. Joining Bordoloi in the appeal were Congress MPs Vincent Pala (Meghalaya), Abdul Khaleque (Assam), Gaurav Gogoi (Assam), NPP MP Agatha Sangma (Meghalaya), and NPP MP Lorho S Pfoze (Manipur). The MPs collectively submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a comprehensive review of the oil palm expansion blueprint for the Northeast. Their submission also pointed to the climatic inappropriateness of the region for oil palm cultivation. Bordoloi stated, "The government must think along sustainable lines and in wider consultation with all stakeholders before any irreversible damage is done." The MPs further advocated for the government's attention to be diverted towards utilizing existing cropland in the peninsular region for oil palm cultivation, thereby avoiding the destruction of forests in the Northeast. As India seeks to curtail its reliance on imported edible oils, the government has been championing oil palm cultivation. However, environmental advocates have sounded an alarm, highlighting the potentially catastrophic environmental repercussions of such an expansion. The Centre for Science and Environment conducted a study which foresees the loss of 2.5 million hectares of Indian forests by 2030 due to oil palm cultivation. The study also revealed that oil palm plantations store less carbon than forests, thus exacerbating climate change concerns. The plea from the MPs serves as a timely reminder of the indispensable need to meticulously weigh the environmental and social implications before embarking on an oil palm expansion in the Northeast. Beyond environmental and social concerns, the MPs expressed reservations about the economic feasibility of oil palm cultivation in the Northeast. They highlighted the region's unsuitability for such cultivation due to its high rainfall and low temperatures. "The government must assess whether oil palm cultivation is economically viable in the Northeast. If it is not, then the government should not pursue this project," stated Bordoloi, encapsulating the sentiment echoed by the concerned MPs. This collective appeal underlines the necessity for a comprehensive assessment and a well-informed decision-making process that takes into account the multifaceted implications of oil palm expansion in the region.

• Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

Vision 2047: Scientific landfills, AI, bioeconomy will change how India manages solid waste

India's population is expected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2047. This will have a direct impact on its waste generation. So, how do we reduce municipal solid waste and lower the burden on landfills? As told to Preeti Verma Lal, by Dr Richa Singh We are generating around 160,000 tonnes of waste every day, out of which around 50 percent is either getting landfilled or remains unattended, uncollected and unidentified. By 2031, the municipal solid waste (MSW) is projected to reach 165 million tonnes and jump to 436 million tonnes by 2050. If MSW continues to be dumped without treatment, by the time independent India turns 100, it will need 3,40,000 cubic meter of landfill space every day (1,240 hectare per year). Considering the Government projected waste generation, the requirement of land for setting up landfill for 20 years (considering 10-meter-high waste pile) could be as high as 66,000 hectares of precious land, which India cannot afford to waste. India's population is expected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2047 and 1.67 billion by 2050. This will have a direct impact on its waste generation. So, how do we reduce MSW and lower the burden on landfills? The waste management scenario in India is expected to transition significantly from now to 2047, and there will be a need for more inclusive approach and innovative solutions to address the challenges of waste generation and disposal. No more indiscriminate dumping of mixed waste: Perhaps the major culprit in causing the environmental and health hazards associated with waste management is mixed waste dumping in unscientifically constructed and operated landfills typically referred to as “dumpsites” in India. The scientific landfill sites shall be selected based on the regulatory norms stipulated under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and are suitable for waste which is non-compostable, non-recyclable, non-recoverable and non-treatable. Locational criteria for siting a landfill site according to the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 mandates a minimum distance of 200 metres from lakes and ponds, 100 metres from rivers, 500 metres from habitation, etc. In addition, a landfill site shall not be constructed in flood plains, critical habitat area, coastal regulation zone, wetlands, unstable zone such as landslide prone areas, fault zones, etc. Cost-effective and inclusive methods of waste management: Waste conversion technologies, including a wide array of biological, chemical, mechanical and thermal technologies capable of converting MSW into useful products like compost and energy such as steam, electricity, natural gas and diesel/ ethanol, will contribute in managing huge quantities of waste generated in the country thereby minimizing the burden on the landfills. Besides, it will be critical to adopt socially inclusive methods of waste management which can be done by integrating the informal sector in the city’s solid waste management chain. One classic example of integration of informal waste pickers is showcased by SWaCH, a cooperative of around 4,500 women waste pickers involved in providing door-to-door waste collection service to around 9 lakh properties in Pune City - thereby saving Rs 90 crore annually and enhancing the recycling rates of the city. Shift to a circular economy model of development: The circular economy is becoming increasingly mainstream, and this is likely to have a major impact on waste management in India. Businesses and consumers will have to reduce their waste footprint, and there will be a growing demand for sustainable waste management solutions. Growth of the bioeconomy: The bioeconomy will grow rapidly in India, providing new opportunities for the recycling and reuse of organic waste. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. This sector is expected to have a major impact on waste management in India, as it will provide new opportunities for the recycling and reuse of organic waste. For instance, the generation of Bio-CNG from biodegradable (wet) waste is gaining momentum these days and several policy initiatives including GOBARDhan scheme by the Ministry Jal Shakti, National Biogas Mission by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, government of India, are acting as catalyst for promoting the technology. This sector could be a game-changer for India’s future waste management scenario considering the fact that a huge amount of agro-residue waste and biodegradable household waste is generated in India. Currently, Indore, the cleanest city of India, is converting 550 tonnes of its biodegradable waste into 17,000 kg of bio-CNG every day. By 2047, there should be many more cities following the Indore model of waste management. Use of AI in waste management sector: Drones and other new technologies will be used to monitor waste collection and disposal, optimize waste routing, and identify recyclable materials. This will help to improve the efficiency of waste management systems. Dr Richa Singh Dr Richa Singh Dr Richa Singh is currently working with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, as a programme manager in the solid waste management and circular economy team. She is heading the global programme and zero waste initiatives and helping 19 African and Asian countries with research, advocacy and capacity building. She holds a doctorate from IIT Bombay in environmental engineering. She has also been the recipient of DST Inspire fellowship and 2019 ISWA-SWIS scholarship on landfill management and landfill mining jointly organized by the University of Texas at Arlington, USA, and International Solid Waste Management Association (ISWA). As told to Preeti Verma Lal