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Cse In News

Haritha Haram helps state top green-cover list

HYDERABAD: On the eve of the World Environment Day, ‘Haritha Haram’ programme received laurels, as a report published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), gave Telangana the highest score of 7.21 on a 10-point scale for improving forest cover. It stood on top among 29 states, while Gujarat was second with 6.5 score. The report titled ‘State of India’s Environment 2023’ for this particular category of environment and green cover used criteria like change in forest cover from 2019 to 2021, share of municipal solid waste, total sewage treated etc. Telangana, which leads the ranking, has made good progress in the indicator “change in forest cover” and remains among the top states for municipal waste treatment, the report said. However, the report flagged its efforts in reducing pollution levels in rivers. “It, however, ranks comparatively low in the indicators like share of water bodies not in use, stage of groundwater extraction and change in number of polluted river stretches”. Minister KT Rama Rao took to Twitter to share his wishes. “On the eve of the World Environment Day, the latest book released by CSE, Telangana state stands a clear number one among all Indian states. Kudos to visionary leadership of CM KCR and his brainchild “Haritha Haaram”,” he tweeted.

Punjab lags in public health, environment

Bathinda: In the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) annual ‘State of India’s Environment’ e-publication, Punjab has fared badly on the themes of public health and environment — ranking 25th and 17, respectively, out of 29 states. The ranking has been done on 32 parameters under four themes by sourcing government data. On the environment front, the indicators were of change in forest cover between 2021 and 2019, share of total municipal waste/sewage that gets treated, change in installed grid renewable power, percentage change in number of polluted river stretches from 2022 to 2018, stage of groundwater extraction and percentage of water bodies not in use.

Ensuring a green and lean public transport system for Delhi

In the interplay between emission management and monetary returns, cost-effectiveness is a critical issue in the metric of a transport system On this World Environment Day, we revisit the imperative to balance the rising transportation needs of a growing population in the capital city of Delhi with the mandate to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) vehicular emissions to contain the skyrocketing pollution levels in the city. The instrumental role played by an efficient transport system in the growth of a city is indisputable, as it is one of the key defining features of an agglomeration economy. If the city is taken as a metaphor for life, its transport network is the blood that keeps this life running. In this context, the public transport system in Delhi has frequently come under the scanner. The fact that its residents spend a large part of their daily lives on its congested and polluted roads while commuting between their homes and workplaces does little to assuage this concern. The public transport in the metropolis includes the Delhi Metro, buses, three-wheelers, cycle-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and taxis. Among these, the Delhi Metro, since its inception over 25 years ago, has proved to be one of the most popular and viable means of transport in the city. While easing travel and reducing traffic on the roads, it has also significantly helped curb pollution in the capital. It is estimated that every commuter who chooses the Delhi Metro over an on-road vehicle contributes to an emission reduction of about 100 mg of carbon dioxide for an average trip of 10Km. However, in the complex interplay between emission management and actual monetary returns, cost-effectiveness is a critical issue in the overall efficiency metric of a transport system. And the Delhi Metro has some ground to cover on this metric. Comparisons with other cities show that, for its size, the Delhi Metro carries far fewer riders than almost any other city’s system. According to data collated just before the pandemic, it had a daily rider average of 2.8 million travelling on a 314-km track. Compare this with corresponding figures for other cities—the smaller metro system of 286 km in China’s Shenzhen city was carrying 60 per cent more riders, at 4.5 million. The even smaller metro system of Mexico City, with a track of 226 km, too carried more than 4 million riders daily. And Singapore, with less than two-thirds of Delhi’s track length at that time, at 199 km, accounted for a ridership of 3.1 million, 10 per cent higher than that of Delhi. Despite its efficiency in terms of man and time management, the low passenger-track ratio of the Delhi Metro is, therefore, a puzzle that needs to be solved. One reason could be its relatively high fares, which may be beyond the means of a low-income commuter. A recent Centre for Science and Environment study revealed that among leading Metros across the world, the Delhi Metro remains the second-most unaffordable system in terms of the percentage of income spent for using it. Thus, an unskilled daily-wage labourer in Delhi spends an average of 8 per cent of his income by travelling on a non-AC bus, 14 per cent on an AC bus, and 22 per cent on the Delhi Metro. Such a situation underscores the need for developing other modes of green public travel in the city, and electric vehicles (EVs) are ostensibly stepping in to bridge this gap. With their promise of zero emissions, cleaner production techniques, and use of eco-friendly materials, EVs offer hope of controlling both air and noise pollution. According to the Indian Network on Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), India is the third largest emitter of CO2 in the world. Official data on automobile sales shows that they accounted for 55 per cent of all such vehicles registered in Delhi since January 2023. The bulk of these EVs are two-wheelers, with as many as 1,745 electric two-wheelers having been registered, as of 14 March 2023. And therein lies another puzzle. One of the biggest challenges in the use of e-scooters pertains to their transportation and recharging system. The dockless e-scooters have to be dispatched to and collected from the charging spots using trucks, which will continue to emit CO2. How can we then strike a balance between meeting the increased transportation needs of Delhi while curtailing environmental pollution? The answer may perhaps lie in traversing the middle path, such as the adoption of principles of the Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), announced by Prime Minister Modi at the 2021 Glasgow UN Climate Change Conference. Mission LiFE is based on the concept of ushering in behavioural change, supported by policy measures and infrastructural development. The Government would also do well to prevent cluttering Delhi’s roads with EVs before putting in place a fully functional infrastructure for shifting from fossil to renewable energy sources. Only such a cohesive balance between the use of multiple modes of transport can usher in a green and lean transit system in the national capital.

As Telangana enters 10th year of its formation, report says it tops nation in environment conservation

The report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), released on the eve of World Environment Day, also ranked Telangana at the top in terms of increasing forest cover. Telangana, which is entering the 10th year of its formation this month, received a shot in the arm with a leading environment and policy think-tank Sunday declaring the state as the topper in overall performance when it comes to environment conservation in the country. The ‘State of India’s Environment 2023’ report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), released on the eve of World Environment Day (June 5), ranked Telangana at the top in terms of increasing forest cover. With a score of 7.21, the youngest state in the country also became the only state to score over 7 points out of 10 and is followed by Gujarat with 6.59 points, in ‘the state of the states ranking’ under the environment category. According to the CSE report, Telangana, which leads the ranking, has made good progress in the indicator “change in forest cover” and remains among the top states for “municipal waste treatment.” The report also pointed out areas that need attention. It said, “(Telangana), however, ranks comparatively low in the indicators ‘share of waterbodies not in use’, ‘stage of groundwater extraction’ and ‘change in the number of polluted river stretches’.” Minister for IT, Industries and Municipal Administration KT Rama Rao took to Twitter to share the achievement. “Great news for Telangana. On the eve of world environmental day, the latest book released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Telangana state stands a clear Number One among all Indian states Kudos to the visionary leadership of CM KCR Garu and his brainchild “Haritha Haaram”,” he tweeted.

Telangana tops in environmental performance, KTR hails CSE ranking

Telangana has been ranked at the top in terms of overall environmental performance in the annual report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a prominent public interest research and advocacy organisation. The progress achieved in increasing forest cover and in municipal waste treatment was considered for the ranking. Lauding the ranking, state Minister K.T. Rama Rao said that Telangana, which has been topping national charts in various parameters, proved yet again that it is a role model to the country. He claimed that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s brainchild ‘Haritha Haram’ and other environmentally friendly programmes secured this rare honour. KTR recalled the state government’s pioneering initiatives which led to the remarkable increase in the green cover in both rural and urban areas, the social benefits and national, and international recognition achieved because of them, waste-to-energy programmes and other aspects. He said that the Chief Minister undertook the Haritha Haram programme to reverse the damage caused to the environment in the state. The minister said that the state government implemented the programme, with the cooperation of the people, to increase the green cover from 22 per cent to 33 per cent. KTR said that various organisations have recognised the positive impacts the programme had. About 273 crore of saplings were planted in the last nine years, which led to an increase in the forest cover from 19,854 square km in 2015-16 to 26,969 square km in 2023. A remarkable 24.06 per cent of the geographical area in the state is covered with forests. The minister cited the Forest Survey of India’s report, which stated that the Haritha Haram programme increased the green cover in the state by 7.70 per cent. The Minister said that along with social forestry, parks were developed in both urban and rural areas. KTR said that the green budget is allotted under the Panchayat Raj Act and Municipal Act, which is a first of its kind. Now, he said, about 15,000 nurseries, nearly 19,400 Palle Prakruthi Vanams, and 2,725 large Palle Prakruthi Vanams were developed.

Ground-level ozone highest in New Delhi and South Delhi areas from March to May: CSE

Parts of New Delhi and South Delhi were worst affected this summer by ground-level ozone pollution, an important pollutant in the summer months, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).CSE’s analysis was based on Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data on ozone levels from 58 stations across Delhi-NCR. Of these stations, Nehru Nagar in South Delhi was found to be the most “chronically affected,” having exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 100 µg/m3 for eight hours, on 75 days from March to May this summer. This was followed by

50th World Environment Day: End Plastic Pollution, but are we Doing Enough?

World Environment Day, led by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is being observed in the West African nation of Côte D’Ivoire on Monday this year with the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. The day is observed annually on June 5 since 1973 after the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm made the environment a major issue. It has witnessed remarkable achievements and inspiring stories of environmental stewardship with individuals and organisations making a positive impact and shaping up a more sustainable future from reforestation to clean-up drives. But is it sufficient? Ecosystem restoration is a paradigm shift from the past involving systemic changes. Going by the current global socio, political and economic environment, not much is expected to come out. Regular meetings, conferences and gatherings of schoolchildren worldwide are meaningless if the crises— climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and deforestation are not dealt with systematically with collaborative action by people and nations. Plastic, once celebrated as a revolutionary material, has become a global menace threatening our planet and well-being. Production has skyrocketed reaching 348 million tonnes (MT) in 2017 with over 400 MT produced annually. Shockingly, half of the plastic produced is for single-use purposes, leading to widespread waste and pollution. Microplastics have infiltrated our food chain, water sources, and even air, posing a grave threat to the environment and human health. The seafloor and terrestrial soils have become major accumulation zones for plastic pollution. Half-hearted steps will not help The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has adopted a strategy to combat plastic pollution through a ban on single-use plastic items and extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. The government has encouraged eco-alternative innovation through initiatives like the India Plastic Challenge Hackathon. Two innovative solutions for eco-alternatives were awarded during the Hackathon—a rigid packaging material made from rice stubble and a flexible packaging film made from seaweed, which can be used for wrapping and carry bag use. Maharashtra and Punjab actively promote eco-alternatives to ban single-use plastic items as part of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Mission. Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan have established ‘Bartan Bhandars’ at the village panchayat level, encouraging the use of reusable cutlery instead of disposable options. Self-help groups have also been mobilised in these states to produce cloth bags, and some marketplaces have installed cloth bag vending machines. However, a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report highlights shortcomings in the EPR policy such as a lack of clarity in implementation and the inability to verify recycled content claims. The CSE emphasises the need to consider the entire lifecycle of plastic to address pollution effectively. Despite positive steps, addressing these challenges and ensuring transparency and accountability in waste generation data is crucial. Technological solutions are needed to verify the use of recycled materials. By doing so, India can make significant progress in tackling plastic pollution and creating a cleaner environment. Steps taken by other nations Rwanda implemented a nationwide ban on plastic bags in 2008, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Kenya implemented one of the strictest plastic bag bans globally, significantly reducing their usage and litter. New Zealand has announced a plan to phase out single-use plastics by 2025, aiming for a complete ban. The UK has implemented measures such as banning microbeads and charging for plastic bags with further plans to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to combat plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability. Steps that should be taken asap Given India’s situation and plastic pollution in other nations, what can we do to beat it? Reduce single-use plastic by shifting to reusable alternatives like cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles, and bamboo or metal straws. Carry them all the time, in case, you want to buy something. Extend the provisions of EPR from source to destination—meaning that places where plastic reaches and do not produce at all should be compensated. Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging. Look for alternatives that use eco-friendly materials or packaging made from recycled materials. Encourage and support businesses that prioritise sustainable practices and offer plastic-free alternatives. Educate anyone and everyone around you about the harmful impacts of plastic pollution and the importance of reducing plastic consumption. Reflecting on the World Environment Day theme makes it clear that our collective efforts to combat plastic pollution have the power to shape a brighter and cleaner future. But the journey does not end here. As the world bids farewell to another World Environment Day, the world should continue to raise its voice, inspire change and forge partnerships that transcend borders and generations. The world should dare to dream of a future where oceans sparkle with pristine beauty, wildlife thrives without the threat of entanglement and where every breath is free from the toxic burden of microplastics. On World Environment Day, the world should pledge an unwavering commitment to end plastic pollution. https://www.cseindia.org/content/downloadreports/11509.

Telangana is leading in environmental performance, what are they doing?

Telangana has been ranked as the leading state in terms of overall environmental performance, according to ‘The State of India’s Environment 2023 In Figures’ report published by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth magazine. The report, released on the eve of World Environment Day, highlights Telangana’s significant progress in various sectors. Telangana leading in environmental performance Telangana secured the top position in the environmental parameter, with notable achievements in increasing forest cover and municipal waste treatment. The state was the only one among the 29 states surveyed to score higher than seven out of ten in terms of forest cover expansion, reaching a score of 7.21. Gujarat and Goa followed closely in the ranking, securing the second and third position with scores of 6.5 and 6.3, respectively.

World Environment Day Feature: In The Fight To Save The Environment, AI Emerges As The New AgniAstra

On 4 June, the eve of World Environment Day 2023, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released the 8th annual edition of "The State of India's Environment 2023 : in Figures" Management guru Peter Drucker said it succinctly, decades ago: “If you can't measure it, you can't manage it”, an adage that dovetails with a more modern mantra: “Data is the new oil”. In the global fight to save the planet and arrest the degradation of the environment, there has been a perennial problem: How to accurately assess the dimension of the challenge — be it global warming, rampant pollution, rising sea levels or exploding waste generation.

World Environment Day: धीरे-धीरे ग्रीन हो रही है दिल्ली, इलेक्ट्रिक गाड़ियों का क्रेज बढ़ रहा है क्रेज, देखिए कितने लोग खरीद रहे हैं EV

नई दिल्ली: दिल्ली की सड़कों पर चलने वाली लाखों गाड़ियों से निकलने वाला धुआं पर्यावरण को हर दिन भारी नुकसान पहुंचा रहा है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की स्टडी के मुताबिक, दिल्ली में अलग-अलग वजहों से जो प्रदूषण फैलता है, उनमें गाड़ियों से निकलने वाले धुएं का हिस्सा 17 प्रतिशत से ज्यादा है और इसमें तेजी से बढ़ोतरी हो रही है। पिछले साल 21 से 26 अक्टूबर के बीच तो शहर में पीएम 2.5 का स्तर बढ़ाने में गाड़ियों के धुएं का योगदान 50 प्रतिशत से भी ज्यादा हो गया था। इन हालातों को बदलने के लिए ही दिल्ली सरकार ने अगस्त 2020 में दिल्ली इलेक्ट्रिक वीकल (EV) पॉलिसी लॉन्च की थी। तब से लेकर अप्रैल 2023 तक दिल्ली में 1.17 लाख इलेक्ट्रिक गाड़ियों का रजिस्ट्रेशन हो चुका है। दिल्ली में पिछले साल 62,241 इलेक्ट्रिक गाड़ियां रजिस्टर हुई हैं। इस साल यह संख्या एक लाख के पार पहुंचने की उम्मीद है। इस साल 31 मई तक दिल्ली में रजिस्टर हुई 2,62,604 गाड़ियों में से 12.03 प्रतिशत यानी 31,586 गाड़ियां इलेक्ट्रिक थीं। पिछले साल दिल्ली में रजिस्टर्ड हुई कुल गाड़ियों में से इलेक्ट्रिक वीकल की तादाद 10.26 प्रतिशत ही थी। इन आंकड़ों से साफ है कि दो प्रतिशत से ज्यादा की बढ़ोतरी तो साल के शुरुआती पांच महीनों में ही हो चुकी है। पिछले साल आई क्लाइमेट ट्रेंड्स की स्टडी बताती है कि 2013 से इलेक्ट्रिक गाड़ियों के इस्तेमाल में आ रही बढ़ोतरी के चलते दिल्ली में कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड के उत्सर्जन में 3.83 मिलियन टन की कमी आई है। लेक्ट्रिक गाड़ियों के लिए पूरी दिल्ली में चार्जिंग इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर भी तैयार किया जा रहा है। अब तक पूरे शहर में 4,000 से ज्यादा चार्जिंग पॉइंट्स लगाए जा चुके हैं। दिल्ली सरकार अगले तीन साल में 18,000 चार्जिंग पॉइंट्स लगाने की योजना बना रही है। सरकार का लक्ष्य है कि 2024 के आखिर तक दिल्ली में खरीदी जाने वाली हर चार नई गाड़ियों में से एक इलेक्ट्रिक वीकल हो।

Delhi-NCR hit by summer ozone crisis once again, shows CSE analysis

The region in the grip of a multi-pollutant crisis and ground-level ozone has exceeded standards nearly on all days of March-April, says CSE Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a think tank based in Delhi, on Monday, issued an alert on rising ozone pollution and the multi-pollutant crisis that Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are facing during summer. A recent analysis conducted by the CSE said that ground-level ozone exceedance is reported on nearly all days of summer. The report released on Sunday, the eve of World Environment Day 2023, revealed that while the region continues to face a multi-pollutant crisis, the levels of ozone this summer are lower than in previous years. However, if not addressed, this issue could escalate into a serious public health crisis in the coming years. Over the last five years, it has been noted that ground-level ozone has been an all-season problem but it is exceptionally worse in the months of April and May, said CSE in its report. According to Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at CSE, the focus on particulate pollution has overshadowed the urgent need to address toxic gases. “Inadequate monitoring, limited data, and inappropriate methods of trend analysis have weakened the understanding of this growing public health hazard. Learn from the advanced economies that after controlling particulate pollution have fallen into the grip of rising nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone crisis. India should prevent this trap,” she said. What is ground-level ozone? Ground-level ozone is a highly toxic gas formed by the interaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from vehicles, power plants, factories, and other combustion sources. VOCs can also be emitted from natural sources, such as plants. According to CSE, the complex chemistry of ground-level ozone makes it a challenging pollutant to track and mitigate. These pollutants undergo cyclic reactions in the presence of sunlight, resulting in the formation of ground-level ozone.

Telangana Tops As India’s Greenest State

Telangana has secured the top position among all Indian states in terms of overall environmental performance, as per the recently released "The State of India's Environment 2023 In Figures" report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth magazine. The report was unveiled on June 4, 2023, ahead of World Environment Day. Telangana's commendable progress in increasing forest cover and effectively treating municipal waste were key factors in its top ranking. The report meticulously evaluated 29 states across four domains: environment, agriculture, public health and infrastructure, using a comprehensive set of 32 indicators. Telangana, along with Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat, emerged as the leading states in this evaluation. Telangana's success story lies in its expansion of forest cover, which has seen a significant 7.7 per cent increase, according to the Forest Survey of India. Another achievement for the state is in the area of municipal waste treatment. Through the successful implementation of a bio-mining program, Telangana has efficiently dealt with accumulated waste in municipalities and municipal corporations, ensuring proper sanitation in urban areas. Hyderabad, the state capital, stands out by ranking second in the country for generating 24 megawatts of electricity from waste, further bolstering Telangana's top position in waste management. While Telangana has excelled in environmental performance, the report also sheds light on areas that require improvement. Parameters such as the "share of water bodies not in use". "stage of groundwater extraction", and "change in the number of polluted river stretches" were identified as areas where the state fell below the average performance level. These findings highlight the need for continued efforts in water resource management and pollution control to achieve sustainable development. Telangana's remarkable accomplishments serve as an inspiration and benchmark for other states to follow. They demonstrate that through dedicated efforts and sustainable initiatives, environmental performance can be enhanced, leading to a greener and more sustainable future for all.