• Down To Earth

World Environment Day : पर्यावरण संरक्षण में तेलंगाना नंबर-1, राजस्थान फिसड्डी, जानिए अन्य राज्यों का हाल

World Environment Day: विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस पर्यावरण की सुरक्षा और संरक्षण हेतु पूरे विश्व में मनाया जाता है। इस दिवस को मनाने की घोषणा संयुक्त राष्ट्र ने पर्यावरण के प्रति वैश्विक स्तर पर राजनीतिक और सामाजिक जागृति लाने हेतु वर्ष 1972 में की थी। इस अवसर जानते हैं हमारे देश में क्या है पर्यावरण संरक्षण हाल। World Environment Day: 5 जून को पूरी दुनिया में विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस मनाया जाता है। इस दिन कई कार्यक्रम आयोजित होते हैं, जिसमें पर्यावरण संरक्षण का महत्व बताया जाता है, पर्यावरण को सुरक्षित रखने के लिए नए संकल्प लिए जाते हैं। पर्यावरण दिवस के मौके पर भारत में पर्यावरण के लिए काम करने वाली संस्था सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CSE) ने अपनी वार्षिक रिपोर्ट प्रकाशित की है। “स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज एनवायरमेंट इन फिगर्स 2023” के नाम से प्रकाशित इस रिपोर्ट में पर्यावरण संरक्षण के लिए किए जा रहे कामों के आधार पर राज्यों की रैकिंग की गई है। 29 राज्यों की इस रैकिंग में तेलंगाना सबसे ऊपर जबकि राजस्थान सबसे नीचे है। आइए जानते हैं क्या है इस रैकिंग के मायने- पर्यावरण संरक्षण में तेलंगाना सबसे आगे सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CSE) की वार्षिक रिपोर्ट “स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज एनवायरमेंट इन फिगर्स तेलंगाना ने 10 अंकों में से 7.213 अंक हासिल कर 70 प्रतिशत से अधिक स्कोर किया है। सीएसई की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, राज्य ने वन आवरण में अच्छी प्रगति की है। साथ ही म्यूनिसिपल वेस्ट ट्रीटमेंट के मामले में शीर्ष राज्यों में शामिल है। गुजरात दूसरे, गोवा तीसरे, महाराष्ट्र चौथे स्थान पर सीएसई की रिपोर्ट में तेलंगाना के बाद दूसरे स्थान पर गुजरात, तीसरे स्थान पर गोवा, चौथे स्थान पर महाराष्ट्र और पांचवे स्थान पर हरियाणा है। रिपोर्ट में दावा किया गया है कि तेलंगाना में पर्यावरण संरक्षण के क्षेत्र में सबसे बहेतर काम हुआ है। राजस्थान सबसे फिसड्डी, बिहार-बंगाल भी बुरी स्थिति में सीएसई की रिपोर्ट में सबसे कम स्कोर करने वाला राज्य राजस्थान है, राजस्थान को महज 2.757 अंक ही मिले हैं। राजस्थान 30 प्रतिशत से कम स्कोर करने वाला एकमात्र राज्य है। राजस्थान के अलावा नागालैंड, बिहार और पश्चिम बंगाल निचले पायदान पर रहने वाले राज्यों में शामिल हैं। इन 7 मानकों के आधार पर तय की गई रैकिंग रिपोर्ट में देश के सभी 29 राज्यों को पर्यावरण की कसौटी पर परखने के लिए 7 संकेतकों का इस्तेमाल किया गया है। इन संकेतकों में वन आवरण में परिवर्तन, म्यूनिसिपल सोलिड वेस्ट ट्रीटमेंट का उपचार, उपचारित सीवेज, अक्षय ऊर्जा ग्रिड में बदलाव, प्रदूषित नदी के स्ट्रेच में सुधार/बदलाव, भूजल निकासी का चरण और उपयोग में नहीं जल निकायों को शामिल किया गया है।

• Down To Earth

CSE marks World Environment Day with release of its annual compendium of data, The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures

Data is a great explainer. It tells the story at a glance and backs it up with evidence. The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures is our attempt to use the best available data points to tell you the story of India’s environmental performance: where it has faltered, where it has managed to move towards a sustainable existence, and where, if any, are the gaps in data,” said Sunita Narain, director general Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), while releasing CSE and Down To Earth’s latest e-publication, The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures on the eve of the World Environment Day. “In this year’s report, we have – for the first time – analysed and ranked the performance of India’s states on four key parametres. The report makes sense of the state of affairs using data that otherwise remains cold statistics. As they say, what we can measure, we can fix. The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures does precisely that by quantifying the problems and indicating where they are,” said Richard Mahapatra, managing editor, Down To Earth. On the state of the states In terms of overall environmental performance, the report has ranked Telangana at the top for its progress in increasing its forest cover and in municipal waste treatment. However, the state has performed below average in parametres such as “share of waterbodies not in use”, “stage of groundwater extraction” and “change in number of polluted river stretches”. Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra follow Telangana, in that order. The bottom rung is occupied by Rajasthan, Nagaland and Bihar. The bottom-ranked 10 states include six from the northeast, including Assam. In agriculture, Madhya Pradesh takes the top slot for the highest share of net value added, and its jump in foodgrain production. However, almost half the crop area in the state remains un-insured. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh feature on the second, third and fourth spots. The bottom is populated by Delhi, Goa and Meghalaya, among others. Delhi leads in public health – it has allocated the highest share of its budget to health and boasts of a robust network of healthcare facilities. It, however, has a low immunisation rate. Sikkim, Goa and Mizoram follow Delhi. Madhya Pradesh, which is at the bottom, has a high incidence of maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate. Chhattisgarh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh also range in the bottom half. In public infrastructure and human development, Gujarat leads the rankings – it makes the cut for its performance in providing employment and tap water connections. The state, however, ranks comparatively low in sex ratio and has a high proportion of rural households using unclean cooking fuels. Jharkhand occupies the bottom spot, and is preceded by Nagaland, Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh. Says Mahapatra: “Three key things emerge out of this ranking of states. One, we have found that in each theme, even the top-ranked states are struggling in some of the crucial indicators. Two, none of the states perform well across all four themes that are critical for sustainable development. And three, small states like Goa and Sikkim seem to be performing well.” Some key findings in other areas On illegal use of plastic: In July 2022, when India banned single-use plastics, the Central Pollution Control Board had rolled out a mobile application called SUP-CPCB that allows citizens to complain about illegal plastic sale and use. “A dismal redressal rate” has meant a declining number of complaints. On management of municipal solid waste: In 2020-21, India generated over 160,000 tonne of municipal solid waste a day – 32 per cent of this remained accounted for. This unaccounted waste usually ends up choking drains or is burnt illegally. On the brighter side, the countries waste treatment and monitoring improved. On air pollution and health: The average life expectancy of an Indian is likely to have shortened by four years and 11 months due to air pollution in 2020. People in rural areas are likely to have been the worst hit, with their average life expectancy cut short by five years and two months. The life expectancy of their urban counterparts are nine months longer. On climate disasters and extreme weather: In 2022, India experienced extreme weather events on 314 of the 365 days – leading to a loss of over 3,026 lives and damage to 1.96 million hectare of crop area. While heatwaves were common in the first part of 2022, hailstorms became the predominant extreme weather phenomena in 2023. On internal displacement and migration: In 2022, the world saw over 60 million newly displaced people due to the Ukraine war and the La Nina weather phenomenon. In India, climate-induced disasters accounted for almost 100 per cent of the 2.51 million new displacements. Where is the data sourced from? What is the methodology of analysis? Says Kiran Pandey, programme director, environment resources unit, CSE and one of the lead analysts behind this report: “We have sourced all the data from government and official documents and sources. For ranking the states, we have looked at 32 indicators under four themes for 29 states. The report’s first chapter clearly lays down the methodology used.” Rajit Sengupta, associate editor, Down To Earth and another lead analyst and author of the report, adds: “We identified and compiled the data, and then standardised the numbers to make them comparable. Differential weightages were assigned to the indicators, and the final scores and rankings were computed thereafter.” (A CSE Report) Report- Pratyusha Mukherjee Where is the data sourced from? What is the methodology of analysis? Says Kiran Pandey, programme director, environment resources unit, CSE and one of the lead analysts behind this report: “We have sourced all the data from government and official documents and sources. For ranking the states, we have looked at 32 indicators under four themes for 29 states. The report’s first chapter clearly lays down the methodology used.” Rajit Sengupta, associate editor, Down To Earth and another lead analyst and author of the report, adds: “We identified and compiled the data, and then standardised the numbers to make them comparable. Differential weightages were assigned to the indicators, and the final scores and rankings were computed thereafter.”

• Down To Earth

Nagaland falters on key environmental indicators

Nagaland was ranked in the lower rung in assessment of 29 states across based on four themes - environment, agriculture, public health, and public infrastructure & human development, informed a report released on the eve of World Environment Day. The report-annual compendium of data, ‘The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures’ released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on June 4 highlighted Nagaland’s poor performance on environment, agriculture, public infrastructure and human development indicators. Out of a total score of 10, on environmental performance, Nagaland scored 3.4, the 28th rank out 29 states assessed. Nagaland performance on agriculture was also at the bottom 23rd out of 29 states with 3.587 score. On public infrastructure and human development, the score was 4.161 in the 28th rank. However, on public health, Nagaland was ranked 9th in the top with a score of 5.183. In terms of overall environmental performance, the report ranked Telangana at the top for its progress in increasing its forest cover and in municipal waste treatment. The bottom rung was occupied by Rajasthan, Nagaland and Bihar while the bottom-ranked 10 states include six from the North-East, including Assam. Some of the indicators that drag down Nagaland’s score were change in the total forest cover as well as indicator concerning actual sewage quantity treated as percentage of total sewage generated in 2020 and existence of 0.5 million tonnes of legacy waste yet to be ‘remediated.’ Key outcomes Releasing report, Sunita Narain, Director General, CSE noted that it makes “sense of the state of affairs using data that otherwise remains cold statistics, adding: “As they say, what we can measure, we can fix.” “In Figures is our attempt to use the best available data points to tell you the story of India’s environmental performance: where it has faltered, where it has managed to move towards a sustainable existence, and where, if any, are the gaps in data,” she pointed out. “Three key things emerge out of this ranking of states,” maintained Richard Mahapatra, managing editor, Down To Earth. First, in each theme, even the top-ranked states are struggling in some of the crucial indicators. Further, none of the states perform well across all four themes critical for sustainable development. And thirdly, small states like Goa and Sikkim seem to be performing well. Meanwhile, in July 2022, when India banned single-use plastics, the Central Pollution Control Board had rolled out a mobile application called SUP-CPCB that allows citizens to complain about illegal plastic sale and use. “A dismal redressal rate” meant a declining number of complaints, the report noted. On management of municipal solid waste, it stated that while India generated over 160,000 tonne of municipal solid waste a day in 2020-21, 32% of this remained accounted for. “This unaccounted waste usually ends up choking drains or is burnt illegally. On the brighter side, the countries waste treatment and monitoring improved,” it added. On air pollution and health, it estimated that the average life expectancy of an Indian is likely to have shortened by four years and 11 months due to air pollution in 2020. “People in rural areas are likely to have been the worst hit, with their average life expectancy cut short by five years and two months. The life expectancy of their urban counterparts are nine months longer,” it added. On climate disasters and extreme weather, in 2022, India experienced extreme weather events on 314 of the 365 days – leading to a loss of over 3,026 lives and damage to 1.96 million hectare of crop area, the report further said. While heatwaves were common in the first part of 2022, hailstorms became the predominant extreme weather phenomena in 2023, it said. Climate-induced disasters accounted for almost 100% of the 2.51 million new displacements in India, it added. Meanwhile, Kiran Pandey, programme director, environment resources unit, CSE and one of the lead analysts behind the report also observed that the centre have sourced all the data from government and official documents and sources. For ranking the states, 32 indicators under four themes for 29 states were analysed. “We identified and compiled the data, and then standardised the numbers to make them comparable. Differential weightages were assigned to the indicators, and the final scores and rankings were computed thereafter,” added Rajit Sengupta, associate editor, Down To Earth and another lead analyst and author of the report.

• Down To Earth

World Environment Day: यूपी में बहती हैं 36 नदियां, ऑक्सीजन लेवल सबका 'लो', सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित है गंगा

देश भर में कुल 603 नदियों में सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित 36 नदियां यूपी की हैं। इनमें आक्सीजन लेवल सबसे कम पाया गया है, इसमें भी पवित्र गंगा नदी का बीओडी सबसे खराब पाया गया है। विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस पर आइए जानते हैं विस्तार से। World Environment Day: सनातन संस्कृति और परंपरा की वाहक रही गंगा नदी इन दिनों सर्वाधिक प्रदूषण का शिकार है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की वार्षिक रिपोर्ट में इस बात का खुलासा किया गया है कि गंगा में सर्वाधिक 49 स्थलों पर बीओडी स्वीकार्य सीमा से अधिक पाया गया है। बीओडी के आधार पर गंगा सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित नदी है। देश में कुल 603 नदियां हैं और आपको यह जानकर हैरानी होगी कि करीब 46 फीसदी नदियां प्रदूषण की चपेट में हैं। गंगा समेत देश की प्रमुख नदियां सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित बनी हुई हैं। महाराष्ट्र और मध्यप्रदेश में सर्वाधिक नदियां प्रदूषित हैं, तो यूपी और पंजाब ऐसे राज्य हैं, जहां सबसे अधिक नदी स्थलों में जैविक ऑक्सीजन मांग (बीओडी) का घातक प्रदूषण बना हुआ है। सबसे अधिक यूपी की नदियां प्रदूषित पर्यावरण दिवस के मौके पर जारी स्टेट ऑफ एनवायरमेंट (एसओई) रिपोर्ट 2023 में यह खुलासा किया गया है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक देश के 30 राज्यों में कुल 279 (46 %) नदियां प्रदूषित हैं, हालांकि, 2018 के मुकाबले मामूली सुधार 2022 में देखा गया है। 2018 में 31 राज्यों में 323 नदियां प्रदूषित थीं। देश की 279 या 46 % प्रदूषित नदियों में सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित नदियां महाराष्ट्र (55) में हैं जबकि इसके बाद मध्य प्रदेश में 19 नदियां प्रदूषित हैं। वहीं, बिहार में 18 और केरल में 18 नदियां प्रदूषित हैं। उत्तर प्रदेश में 17 और कर्नाटक में 17 नदियां जबकि राजस्थान में 14 और गुजरात में 13, मणिपुर में 13, पश्चिम बंगाल में 13 नदियां प्रदूषित हैं। उत्तर प्रदेश में कुल 36 नदियां प्रवाहित होती है जिसमें 17 नदियों की हालत चिंताजनक है। बीओडी की खराब स्थिति वाला राज्य यूपी कई राज्यों के प्रदूषित नदी स्थलों पर जैविक ऑक्सीजन मांग (बीओडी) अपने सामान्य मानक से 10 गुना अधिक तक मौजूद है। एक लीटर में बीओडी की सामान्य मात्रा 3 मिलीग्राम होती है। यदि बीओडी इस सामान्य मानक से अधिक है तो इसका आशय हुआ कि पानी न सिर्फ प्रदूषित है बल्कि पानी में मौजूद ऑक्सीजन तत्व में कमी आ रही है। साथ ही पानी में मौजूद सूक्ष्मजीवों को कार्बनिक पदार्थों को समाप्त करने के लिए अतिरिक्त ऑक्सीजन की जरूरत पड़ रही है। 18 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में कुल 109 नदी प्रदूषण निगरानी स्थल ऐसे हैं जहां बीओडी सामान्य मानक 3 मिलीग्राम प्रति लीटर की स्वीकार्य सीमा से 10 गुना अधिक 30 मिलीग्राम प्रति लीटर तक पाया गया। गंगा सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित देश में कुल 1920 निगरानी स्थल हैं। इनमें 43 % यानी 817 नदी प्रदूषण निगरानी स्थल ऐसे हैं जिसमें 2019 से 2021 के बीच नदी के पानी की गुणवत्ता नहाने लायक नहीं था। देश की कुल 279 प्रदूषित नदियो में गंगा समेत कुल 33 नदियां ऐसी हैं जहां 10 या उससे ज्यादा स्थानों पर बीओडी स्वीकार्य सीमा से अधिक पाया गया है। गंगा में 49 स्थलों पर जबकि यमुना में 35 स्थल, गोदावरी में 31 स्थल, घग्गर में 27 स्थल, गोमती में 20 स्थल, कावेरी में 15 स्थल, दामोदर में 12 स्थल, कृष्णा में 12 स्थल, भवानी में 11 स्थल, हिंडन में 11 स्थल, सतलुज में 11 स्थल और मूसी में 10 या उससे अधिक स्थलों पर नदियों में बीओडी स्तर स्वीकार्य सीमा से अधिक पाया गया है। नमामि गंगे की यह है हकीकत नदियों में बीओडी प्रदूषण के मामले में सबसे खराब स्थिति उत्तर प्रदेश की है। जहां कुल 20 निगरानी स्टेशन केंद्र ऐसे हैं, जहां पर बीओडी 30 मिलीग्राम प्रति लीटर से अधिक पाया गया है। दूसरे स्थान पर पंजाब है जहां 19 निगरानी स्टेशन केंद्र पर बीओडी 30 मिलीग्राम प्रति लीटर से अधिक है। गुजरात में 10 और तमिलनाडु में 10 निगरानी केंद्र ऐसे हैं जहां बीओडी स्वीकार्य मानक से 10 गुना तक अधिक है। हरियाणा में नदियों के 7 निगरानी केंद्रों और दिल्ली के 5 निगरानी केंद्रों पर पाया गया कि बीओडी 30 मिलीग्राम प्रति लीटर से अधिक है।

• Down To Earth

CSE marks World Environment Day with release of its annual compendium of data, The State of India’s Environment 2023

June 4-5, 2023: “Data is a great explainer. It tells the story at a glance and backs it up with evidence. The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures is our attempt to use the best available data points to tell you the story of India’s environmental performance: where it has faltered, where it has managed to move towards a sustainable existence, and where, if any, are the gaps in data,” said Sunita Narain, director general Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), while releasing CSE and Down To Earth’s latest e-publication, The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures on the eve of the World Environment Day. “In this year’s report, we have – for the first time – analysed and ranked the performance of India’s states on four key parametres. The report makes sense of the state of affairs using data that otherwise remains cold statistics. As they say, what we can measure, we can fix. The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures does precisely that by quantifying the problems and indicating where they are,” said Richard Mahapatra, managing editor, Down To Earth. On the state of the states In terms of overall environmental performance, the report has ranked Telangana at the top for its progress in increasing its forest cover and in municipal waste treatment. However, the state has performed below average in parametres such as "share of waterbodies not in use", "stage of groundwater extraction" and "change in number of polluted river stretches". Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra follow Telangana, in that order. The bottom rung is occupied by Rajasthan, Nagaland and Bihar. The bottom-ranked 10 states include six from the northeast, including Assam. In agriculture, Madhya Pradesh takes the top slot for the highest share of net value added, and its jump in foodgrain production. However, almost half the crop area in the state remains un-insured. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh feature on the second, third and fourth spots. The bottom is populated by Delhi, Goa and Meghalaya, among others. Delhi leads in public health – it has allocated the highest share of its budget to health and boasts of a robust network of healthcare facilities. It, however, has a low immunisation rate. Sikkim, Goa and Mizoram follow Delhi. Madhya Pradesh, which is at the bottom, has a high incidence of maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate. Chhattisgarh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh also range in the bottom half. In public infrastructure and human development, Gujarat leads the rankings – it makes the cut for its performance in providing employment and tap water connections. The state, however, ranks comparatively low in sex ratio and has a high proportion of rural households using unclean cooking fuels. Jharkhand occupies the bottom spot, and is preceded by Nagaland, Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh. Says Mahapatra: “Three key things emerge out of this ranking of states. One, we have found that in each theme, even the top-ranked states are struggling in some of the crucial indicators. Two, none of the states perform well across all four themes that are critical for sustainable development. And three, small states like Goa and Sikkim seem to be performing well.” Some key findings in other areas : On illegal use of plastic: In July 2022, when India banned single-use plastics, the Central Pollution Control Board had rolled out a mobile application called SUP-CPCB that allows citizens to complain about illegal plastic sale and use. “A dismal redressal rate” has meant a declining number of complaints. On management of municipal solid waste: In 2020-21, India generated over 160,000 tonne of municipal solid waste a day – 32 per cent of this remained accounted for. This unaccounted waste usually ends up choking drains or is burnt illegally. On the brighter side, the countries waste treatment and monitoring improved. On air pollution and health: The average life expectancy of an Indian is likely to have shortened by four years and 11 months due to air pollution in 2020. People in rural areas are likely to have been the worst hit, with their average life expectancy cut short by five years and two months. The life expectancy of their urban counterparts are nine months longer. On climate disasters and extreme weather: In 2022, India experienced extreme weather events on 314 of the 365 days – leading to a loss of over 3,026 lives and damage to 1.96 million hectare of crop area. While heatwaves were common in the first part of 2022, hailstorms became the predominant extreme weather phenomena in 2023. On internal displacement and migration: In 2022, the world saw over 60 million newly displaced people due to the Ukraine war and the La Nina weather phenomenon. In India, climate-induced disasters accounted for almost 100 per cent of the 2.51 million new displacements. Where is the data sourced from? What is the methodology of Amitabh analysis? Says Kiran Pandey, programme director, environment resources unit, CSE and one of the lead analysts behind this report: “We have sourced all the data from government and official documents and sources. For ranking the states, we have looked at 32 indicators under four themes for 29 states. The report’s first chapter clearly lays down the methodology used.” Rajit Sengupta, associate editor, Down To Earth and another lead analyst and author of the report, adds: “We identified and compiled the data, and then standardised the numbers to make them comparable. Differential weightages were assigned to the indicators, and the final scores and rankings were computed thereafter.”

• Down To Earth

World Environment Day: UP में रोजाना 62 % कूड़ा बिखर जाता है सड़कों पर

World Environment Day: नाचता मोर जितना सुंदर दिखता है, उसके पंाव उतने ही गंदे होते हैं। स्वच्छ भारत मिशन की हकीकत भी कुछ ऐसी है जिस पर अरबों रुपया खर्च किया जा चुका है। सीएसई के ताजा एनवायरमेंट रिपोर्ट में अपने सर्वेक्षण और अध्ययन के आधार पर खुलासा किया है कि यूपी में हर दिन निकलने वाले कचरे में 62 % कूड़े की गणना नहीं की जाती है। जबकि हिमालयी राज्यों में उत्तराखंड के पास अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट का कोई हिसाब नहीं है तो जम्मू-कश्मीर में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 1436.23 टन कचरे में 36.89 % कचरा अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट होता है। यूपी में रोजाना 14710 टन नगरीय कूड़ा उत्तर प्रदेश में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 14710 टन नगरीय ठोस अपशिष्ट में 62.47 % कचरा गणना से बाहर होता है। अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट का मतलब है कि ऐसा कूड़ा जिसका कोई हिसाब-किताब नहीं रखा जाता है, यह कूड़ा लैंडफिल साइट तक नहीं पहुंच रहा है और जहां-तहां सडक़ों-नालियों में जाम है। नई दिल्ली स्थित थिंकटैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवाॉयरमेंट की एसओई इन फिगर्स 2023 रिपोर्ट में इसका खुलासा किया गया है। नार्थ ईस्ट भी कूड़ा फैलाने में अव्बल हैं अकेले उत्तर प्रदेश कूड़ा बिखेरने वाला राज्य नहीं है बल्कि ऐसा करने वाले राज्यों की संख्या दस है। सर्वाधिक अनअकाउंटेड वेस्ट (गणना से बाहर अपशिष्ट) वाले 10 राज्यों में से छह उत्तर पूर्व में हैं। इनमें असम (96.55 %), पश्चिम बंगाल (93.66 %), अरुणाचल प्रदेश (88.37 %), नागालैंड (60.82 %), मणिपुर (32.59 %) और त्रिपुरा (32.03 %) शामिल हैं। उत्तराखंड के पास हिसाब ही नहीं हिमालयी राज्यों में उत्तराखंड के पास अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट का कोई हिसाब नहीं है तो जम्मू-कश्मीर में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 1436.23 टन कचरे में 36.89 % कचरा अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट बनता है। अगर राष्ट्रीय राजधानी दिल्ली की बात करें तो प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 10990 टन कचरे में 2.40 % कचरा लैंडफिल में न पहुंचकर सडक़ों और नाला-नालियों में चला जाता है। दिल्ली के आस-पास के राज्यों में भी अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट पैदा होता है। मसलन हरियाणा में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 5352 टन कचरे में 1.13 फीसदी कचरा अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट होता है, जबकि पंजाब में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 4,338 टन कचरे में 1.37 फीसदी और राजस्थान में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 6897 टन कचरे में 8.77 % अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट होता है। एसओई इन फिगर्स 2023 रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक मध्य प्रदेश में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 8022.5 टन कचरे में 9.81 % अनकांउटेड वेस्ट होता है जबकि महाराष्ट्र में प्रतिदिन निकलने वाले 22632 टन कचरे में 27.49 % अनकाउंटेड वेस्ट होता है।

• Down To Earth

Telangana ranks first in environmental protection, forest cover: KTR lauds efforts

There is just another reason to smile and celebrate as Telangana now ranks top among the Indian states in protecting the environment, particularly forest cover There is just another reason to smile and celebrate as Telangana now ranks top among the Indian states in protecting the environment, particularly forest cover. Encomiums for this achievement came from the Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao. In his tweet, he said that in the latest book released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the eve of world environmental day, Telangana stood as clear number one among all Indian states. “Kudos to the visionary leadership of CM KCR Garu and his brainchild ‘Haritha Haaram’,” he said. States were ranked by the CSE based on the marks they achieved on a scale of 1-10. Telangana topped with 7.213, followed by Gujarat with 6.593. While sibling state Andhra Pradesh secured a sixth position with a score of 5.567, Rajasthan stood last among 29 states with a score of 2.757. Six northeastern states also scored less and stood in the last just above Rajasthan. Telangana is the only state that scored more than 70 percent. Telangana was recognised for its achievement in improving forest cover which has multiple benefits; it remained top of municipal waste management. The report however felt that the state still has to do more in the areas (indicators) of share of water bodies not in use, stage of groundwater extraction and change in the number of polluted river stretches.

• Down To Earth

Telangana number one in increasing forest cover, says CSE report

The report has Telangana as the only State that scored more than 7 out of 10 in the category of increasing forest cover In yet another national recognition for Telangana’s efforts towards environmental protection, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in its ‘The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures’ report has ranked the State first in the country for increasing forest cover. In terms of municipal waste treatment too, Telangana was ranked among the top States. The report, released on the eve of World Environment Day, has Telangana as the only State that scored more than 7 out of 10 in the category of increasing forest cover. While, Telangana scored 7.21, Gujarat and Goa secured the second and third ranks with 6.5 and 6.3 points respectively. Telangana also leads in increase of percentage in total forest cover in the 2021 assessment compared to the 2019 assessment. Apart from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are the top three States in this regard. IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao, reacting to the report, attributed the ranking to the effective implementation of ‘Haritha Haram’, a brainchild of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. This year, the Haritha Haram programme will be launched on June 19. A total of 19.29 crore saplings are targeted to be planted this year. Towards this, 30.29 crore plants are to be made available in 14,864 nurseries.

• Down To Earth

Telangana ranks top on environmental performance in CSE' s annual ranking: Minister

Delhi-based CSE, a prominent public interest research and advocacy organisation, released its annual compendium of data 'State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures' on Sunday. The report offers a wealth of statistics on the state of climate and extreme weather, health, food and nutrition, migration and displacement, agriculture, energy, waste, water and biodiversity. A press release from Telangana Minister K T Rama Rao said the progress achieved in increasing forest cover and in municipal waste treatment were considered for the ranking. Besides, Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao's brainchild 'Haritha Haaram' afforestation scheme and other environmental-friendly programmes secured this rare honour, the minister added. On the occasion, Rama Rao recalled the state government's pioneering initiatives which led to remarkable increase in the green cover in both rural and urban areas, the social benefits and national, international recognitions achieved because of them. He said about 273 crore saplings were planted in the last nine years across Telangana leading to an increase in the forest cover in the state from 19,854 square kilometres in 2015-16 to 26,969

• Down To Earth

Environmental Performance: TS tops CSE's annual rankings

Telangana is on top of the list of states which have balanced environment policies according to a report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Reacting to this, Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao on Sunday said it was a recognition of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's commitment towards the environment. He said this shows how comprehensive and balanced environmental policies of the BRS government were. They aim at providing an environment-friendly state to the future generations. The CSE has considered many environmental initiatives undertaken by Telangana state such as afforestation and municipal waste management and has given Telangana the top spot, he said. KTR said the state government had taken up the Haritaharam programme with the aim of restoring the depleted forests for the future generations and increasing the green cover in the state from 22 per cent to 33 per cent and it had yielded positive results. The government planted around 273 crore saplings in the last nine years. The forest area in the state which was 19,854 square kms in 2015-16 increased to 26,969 square kms by 2023.

• Down To Earth

As Telangana tops CSE report in environment performance, know where other South states stand

CSE's 'The State of India’s Environment 2023: In Figures' report analyses performance of Indian states based on four parameters. Telangana has been ranked as the top state in terms of overall environmental performance by the definitive ‘The State of India’s Environment 2023 In Figures’ report. The report was released by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth magazine on Sunday, 4 June, on the eve of World Environment Day. While Telangana was positioned first on the environment parameter, the states were also ranked for their performance in sectors such as agriculture, public health, and infrastructure. Telangana tops in environment The report ranked Telangana at the top for its progress in increasing its forest cover and in municipal waste treatment. Across 29 States, only Telangana scored above seven out of 10 in increasing forest cover. While Telangana scored 7.21, Gujarat and Goa secured the second and third ranks with 6.5 and 6.3 points respectively. Bihar, Nagaland and Rajasthan were at the bottom in terms of environmental performance. The bottom-ranked 10 states also included six from the northeast, including Assam. Among the rest of Southern states, Andhra Pradesh finished at sixth place, Kerala at eighth, Karnataka at 18th and Tamil Nadu at 21st.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

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

The analysis noted that ground-level ozone remains a problem at night as well. 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 the station at Sri Aurobindo Marg, which exceeded the standard on 65 days, and the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range and Mandir Marg which exceeded the standard on 60 days each. Ozone is produced when oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide, from vehicular emissions and those from industries and power plants, react in the presence of sunlight. With sunlight being key to the formation of ozone, it is found to have a wider spatial spread in hot and sunny weather conditions, particularly in April and May, according to the analysis. Fewer instances of heatwaves in Delhi-NCR this summer have meant that the geographical spread of ground-level ozone pollution has been the lowest in March and April this year when compared to data over the past five years, from 2019 onwards. An “average of around 10 stations have exceeded the standard daily this summer, which is 33 percent lower” compared to previous summers from 2019 onwards, according to the analysis. However, ozone levels exceeded the eight-hour standard for longer this summer—an average of 4.9 hours this summer, having increased from 4.6 hours last summer, and decreased from 5.1 hours in the summer of 2021. High ozone levels can aggravate respiratory issues like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. With ozone being a highly reactive gas, it can also inflame the airways and make the lungs susceptible to infection, the analysis mentioned. The impact of ozone on health means that the National Ambient Air Quality Standard has been set for hourly and eight-hourly exposures to ozone, in contrast to standards for pollutants like particulate matter, where standards are set for daily and annual average exposures. The analysis noted that ground-level ozone remains a problem at night as well. “Ground-level ozone should ideally become negligible in the night air but Delhi-NCR has been witnessing a rare phenomenon where ozone levels remain elevated hours after sunset. This was found to be very widespread during the lockdowns of the 2020 summer and it continues to linger this summer as well. This May night-time ozone was noted on 28 days with 3 stations on average reporting it every night,” it explained. Similarly, cold and foggy conditions in the winter can inhibit the formation of ground-level ozone, but ozone levels were found to exceed the standard at multiple stations on 26 days in January this year, according to the analysis, making it a problem that persists all year round.

• Down To Earth

World Environment Day: Telangana Takes Top Spot In Environmental Performance, Minister KTR Lauds Efforts

KTR said that in the latest book released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the eve of World Environment Day, Telangana stood as the clear number one among all Indian states. Telangana has achieved a remarkable feat in terms of overall environmental performance, securing the top position among all Indian states, according to the recently released annual compendium of data by the renowned non-profit organization Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The compendium, titled 'State of India's Environment 2023,' was unveiled on the occasion of World Environment Day, garnering praise from various quarters. Telangana Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao lauded the people of the state for this recognition and emphasized that Telangana has become a role model for the entire country. In a tweet, KTR stated, "Great news for Telangana. On the eve of World Environment Day, the latest book released by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that Telangana state stands as the clear Number One among all Indian states. Kudos to the visionary leadership of CM KCR Garu and his brainchild 'Haritha Haaram'." The comprehensive report offers a wealth of statistics on various environmental aspects, including climate and extreme weather, health, food and nutrition, migration and displacement, agriculture, energy, waste, water, and biodiversity. According to the rankings provided by CSE in their annual compendium, Telangana secured the top position with an impressive score of 7.213 out of 10. Following closely behind was Gujarat, attaining a score of 6.593. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh secured the sixth position with a score of 5.567. On the other hand, Rajasthan found itself in the last position among the 29 states, scoring 2.757. It is worth noting that Telangana was the only state to score more than 70 percent, highlighting its exceptional environmental performance compared to other states. Telangana's efforts in improving forest cover and implementing effective municipal waste management strategies have received recognition and played a significant role in its top ranking in environmental protection. These achievements offer numerous benefits, including biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and enhanced ecosystem services. The recognition of Telangana's environmental performance is a testament to the state's commitment to sustainable development and underscores the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding the environment. The success achieved by Telangana serves as an inspiration for other states in India to prioritize environmental conservation and adopt similar initiatives for a greener future.

• Down To Earth

Telangana tops in environmental performance in CSE's annual ranking

The report offers a wealth of statistics on the state of climate and extreme weather, health, food and nutrition, migration and displacement, agriculture, energy, waste, water and biodiversity On the eve of World Environment Day, non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released its annual compendium of data in which Telangana was ranked in the top in terms of overall environmental performance. Delhi-based CSE, a prominent public interest research and advocacy organisation, released its annual compendium of data 'State of India's Environment 2023: In Figures' on Sunday. The report offers a wealth of statistics on the state of climate and extreme weather, health, food and nutrition, migration and displacement, agriculture, energy, waste, water and biodiversity. A press release from Telangana Minister K T Rama Rao said the progress achieved in increasing forest cover and in municipal waste treatment were considered for the ranking. Besides, Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao's brainchild 'Haritha Haaram' afforestation scheme and other environmental-friendly programmes secured this rare honour, the minister added. On the occasion, Rama Rao recalled the state government's pioneering initiatives which led to remarkable increase in the green cover in both rural and urban areas, the social benefits and national, international recognitions achieved because of them. He said about 273 crore saplings were planted in the last nine years across Telangana leading to an increase in the forest cover in the state from 19,854 square kilometres in 2015-16 to 26,969 square kilometres in 2023. A remarkable 24.06 per cent of geographical area in the state is covered with forests.

• Director General Office

Green crusader Manoj Misra dies, Jairam Ramesh hails his contribution

Renowned environmental activist and former Indian Forest Service officer Manoj Misra breathed his last at 12.40 pm on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of battles fought to safeguard precious forests and rivers. He was 68. Misra, who tested positive for COVID-19 on April 8, was undergoing treatment since April 10. The conservation community, including members of the Indian Forest Service fraternity, mourned his passing and hailed his tireless efforts to safeguard forests and rivers. Born in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Misra's early life was shaped by his love for nature and the environment. He pursued his education from Pant Nagar University in Uttarakhand and later at Allahabad University. In 1979, he joined the Indian Forest Service, joining the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He served in various capacities in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh before opting for voluntary retirement in 2001. In 2007, he founded the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, a movement dedicated to the revival of the river. While pollution in the Yamuna had become a national concern in 1994, it was Misra's leadership that brought the river into the spotlight. Known for his humility, Misra actively fought against deforestation, illegal mining and pollution using legal avenues to protect natural resources. His legal battles to save forests and rivers gained widespread recognition. Misra fought numerous legal battles to protect the Yamuna and its floodplains, taking a stand against the construction of a metro depot (2007), a Millennium Bus depot (2011), dumping of construction debris (2012), covering of stormwater drains (2013), pollution of the Hindon river (2014), construction of an elevated road without environmental study (2015) and a cultural festival organised by the Art of Living (March 2016). The efforts of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, spearheaded by Misra, led to the National Green Tribunal calling for the phased rejuvenation of the river in 2015. Until his hospitalisation, Misra continued to fight for the preservation of the Yamuna and its floodplains. In April, he wrote to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, seeking action against an illegal cricket ground and academy operating on the floodplains near the DND flyway. Misra's relentless efforts to protect the river and its floodplains have had a profound impact. According to Sudha, a member of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, "Had it not been for sir (Misra), the floodplain that we are seeing today in Delhi would not exist. Concrete infrastructure, including helipads and five-star hotels, would have come up on the site." Misra's passing leaves a void in the environmental conservation movement as he was regarded as a one-man army in the fight to safeguard the Yamuna river. His dedication and unwavering commitment to the cause serves as an inspiration to all who strive for a greener and more sustainable future, she added. His death came as a large number of people gathered along the Yamuna riverbank to form a human chain under a citizen-centric initiative to save the river from pollution. Under the 'Yamuna Sansad' initiative, people formed human chains at many places to demand the revival of the river overburdened by sewage and industrial waste. As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from environmentalists, colleagues and admirers, acknowledging the significant contributions Misra made throughout his life. "His unwavering determination to protect the environment and his instrumental role in preserving the Yamuna river and its floodplains will be remembered as a lasting legacy. He took me under his fold. He was like my father. I am saddened that he could not see a 'nirmal' Yamuna during his lifetime," said Bhim Singh, a member of the South Asia Network on Rivers, Dams and People -- an informal network working on issues related to rivers, communities and large-scale water infrastructure such as dams. Congress leader and former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed sadness at Misra's death and said, "Deeply distressed to learn of the passing away of Manoj Misra, an indefatigable environmentalist. He was particularly passionate about the protection of rivers and spent much of his time on the revival of the Yamuna. "He helped me in the drafting the first set of rules for River Regulation Zone, much along the lines of the Coastal Regulation Zone rules. Sadly, we still dont have enforceable RRZ rules." said Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, who heads the the National Green Tribunal's high-level committee set up recently to monitor works to rejuvenate the Yamuna. He expressed his shock and pain at Misra's "untimely demise". "He remained a warrior for the cause of the environment and a son of the river Yamuna, consistently striving for her revival. His passing away leaves us bereft of a valuable fellow traveler on the path of rejuvenating the Yamuna," Saxena said on Twitter. Environmentalist Sunita Narain said on Twitter, "What sad news. Remarkable fighter for rivers and all things right. Huge loss. This world environment day will be much poorer without Manoj." World Environment Day, which is observed on June 5, encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

• Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

2024 तक पूरा होगा रिसाइकिल का लक्ष्य? रोजाना नालों मेंगिरता है 242 टन प्लास्टिक

देश की राजधानी दिल्ली मेंरोजाना एक हजार सेज्यादा प्लास्टिक कचरा डंप किया जा रहा है। जिसमेंसे 22 प्रतिशत को नालों या लैंडफिल साइट पर फेंका जाता है। ताजा आंकड़ों के अनुसार दिल्ली सेरोज 1,100 टन (टीपीडी) प्लास्टिक कचरा निकलता है। लेकिन केवल 870 टीपीडी का रिसाइकिल या प्रबंधन किया जाता है। बचेहुए 22 प्रतिशत या 242 टीपीडी को नालों और लैंडफिल साइट पर फेंक दिया जाता हैजो बहकर यमुना मेंआ जातेह दिल्ली का लक्ष्य 2024 तक शत-प्रतिशत कूड़े का रिसाइकिल या प्रबंधन करके इस अंतर को कम करनेका है। इसपर विशेषज्ञों का कहना हैकि राजधानी को इसके लिए कड़ी मेहनत करनेकी जरूरत है। खासतौर सेतब जब 19 सिंगल यूज प्लास्टिक पर प्रतिबंध लगानेमेंसफलता हासिल नहीं हो पाई है। नेशनल ग्रीन ट्रिब्यूनल (एनजीटी) की ठोस अपशिष्ट निगरानी समिति के साथ 25 अप्रैल को एक बैठक के दौरान नगर निगमों द्वारा साझा किए गए डेटा सेपता चलता हैकि दिल्ली का वर्तमान प्लास्टिक कचरा उत्पादन आंकड़ा 1,113.25 टीपीडी है। जिसमेंसे 871.25 टीपीडी का निस्तारण किया जा रहा है। इसमें 242 टीपीडी का अंतर है, जिस पर तुरंत ध्यान देनेकी जरूरत है, एजेंसियों नेइस अंतर को पाटनेके लिए जून 2024 की समयसीमा तय की है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंडएं एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) मेंम्यूनिसिपल सॉलिड वेस्ट सेक्टर के प्रोग्राम डायरेक्टर अतिन बिस्वास कहतेहैंकि कचरेको अलग-अलग (सेग्रेगेशन) करना किसी भी शहर के लिए अपनेकचरेकी समस्या को हल करनेका आधार है। बिस्वास नेकहा, 'वर्तमान में, 78% प्लास्टिक को रिसाइकिल करनेका आंकड़ा भी काफी ज्यादा लगता है, क्योंकि दिल्ली अन्य शहरों की तरह अपनेकचरेको अलग नहीं कर रहा है। कचरेको प्रभावी ढंग सेअलग किया जा सकता है। जब तक हम स्रोत पर कचरेको अलग-अलग नहीं कर लेतेतब तक जून 2024 तक इस लक्ष्य को हासिल करनेकी संभावना बेहद कम लगती है।' दिल्ली अपनेसिंगल यूज प्लास्टिक (एसयूपी) के लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करनेमेंपीछे रह गई है। 12 अगस्त, 2021 को जारी प्लास्टिक अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन नियम, 2021 के तहत दिल्ली और देश भर के अन्य राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों मेंएक साथ 1 जुलाई, 2022 से 19 एसयूपी वस्तुओं पर प्रतिबंध लगा दिया गया था। हालांकि, सूची मेंशामिल कई आइटम अब भी दिल्ली के बाजारों मेंमिल जातेहैं। एनजीओ इंडियन पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल एसोसिएशन (आईपीसीए) के संस्थापक और निदेशक आशीष जैन नेकहा कि प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण पर कार्रवाई की तत्काल जरूरत है।