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Cse In News

Cse In News

Getting out of fossils

Unless finances are proportionate to the need, the transition to clean energy is a tough proposition, especially in countries where energy affordability is critical Why differentiate between coal and natural gas when both are fossil fuels? I had asked this in my last column because it is a question of climate justice and, most importantly, the feasibility of moving at speed and scale to reduce fossil-fuel emissions responsible for heating up the planet. The fact is, roughly 70 per cent of the world’s population have not contributed to the stock of emissions in the atmosphere but are today highly dependent on coal for energy. Richer countries have made the transition from coal to natural gas, which is somewhat cleaner — it emits roughly half the carbon dioxide emitted by coal, in addition to methane. But given their enormous appetite for energy, these countries’ past and current emissions are high — totally disproportionate to their share of the global carbon budget. Now, the burden of transition to clean energy has been shifted to countries that are least responsible for the stock of emissions and least capable of making the switch. This is not only unjust but also unrealistic. It makes the fight against climate change even more intractable and difficult. of the clean energy transition; instead of being the stick on coal, it must become the carrot for the new infrastructure to be clean and climate-smart. This means focusing on making the cost of finances to the emerging world, which is two-six times higher than that of the developed OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, much lower and more accessible. Second, the global energy transition pathway has to be for all fossil fuels — coal and natural gas. This would not only show that richer countries have exhausted their quota for using natural gas, but also make gas available at affordable costs to emerging countries that face the twin problems of local and global emissions. Let’s be clear, the science of climate change is also the politics of inclusion and responsibility. This is where we must get it right.

Burning bright alright, but will we let the tigers live?

From 40,000 Royal Bengal tigers at the start of 19th century to a mere 1,800 in the ’70s. Reason enough for panic buttons to be hit. Worldwide concern too reached a flashpoint. In 1969, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) general assembly in Delhi heard the assessment by IFS officer KS Sankhala, and called for a moratorium on tiger killings and protection for the species. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi expressed full support to save tigers from extinction and India banned tiger hunting for five years. But the international community was not convinced. WWF planned a massive fund raising campaign. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and others put in a word, and Gandhi set up a task force chaired by Karan Singh, a well-known conservationist and MP. Its report on September 7, 1972, was the blueprint for India’s tiger conservation programme — Project Tiger. Gandhi formally launching it on April 1, 1973, from the Jim Corbett National Park. First conceived for only six years — April 1973 to March 1979 — its objective was to ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India and to preserve, for all times, such areas as part of our national heritage for the benefit, and education of future generations. The Rs 4-crore Project Tiger, including Rs 22 lakh in foreign exchange, started with nine viable tiger reserves representing different ecosystems where the tiger could be protected in perpetuity. These were Manas (Assam),Palamau (Jharkhand), Simlipal (Odisha), Corbett (Uttarakhand), Ranthambore (Rajasthan) Kanha (MP), Melghat (Maharashtra), Bandipur (Karnataka) and Sundarbans (West Bengal), in an area of 9,115 sqkm. This has grown to 53 tiger reserves today and covers an area of over 75,000 sqkm, equivalent to the area of Assam, harbouring a population of 2,967 tigers as per the AITE-2018, spread over 18 tiger-range states. Over the 50 years, the funding has improved to nearly Rs 500 crore today. The turning point in India’s tiger conservation programme came in the 1990s when problems erupted and were managed, but not really solved. This was also a period, like the early 1970s, when international NGOs were pushing policy in the country. download A critical review of Project Tiger, carried out in 1993 by the MoEF, acknowledged the problems. “All in all, Project Tiger faces a new set of problems. It saved the tiger from extinction in the nick of time, but over 20 years it is clear that expanding human population, a new way of life based on alien models, and the resultant effect on natural resources have created fresh problems for the tiger. Militancy and poaching only add fuel to the fire. This is a serious and critical moment in the history of tiger conservation.” In 1994, a parliamentary committee on science, technology, environment, and forests recommended making the programme more meaningful and result oriented. The committee felt this was necessary as the tiger population had registered a decline, poaching assumed menacing proportions and tiger habitats seemed to have shrunk in area. So came another high-powered committee in 1996 headed by JJ Dutta, ex-PCCF of MP. The panel recommended looking beyond identifying corridors. In November 1998, the government and conservationists celebrated the 25th anniversary of Project Tiger, claiming tiger numbers had stabilised and all was well. The celebrations were short-lived as poachers and tiger body parts traders led by Sansarchand wiped out the entire tiger population of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. By 2004, with no tigers left there, Project Tiger was forced to set up a five-member tiger task force (TTF) on April 19, 2005, under Sunita Narain, director, Centre for Science and Environment. This led to formation of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2006 with scientific management and evaluation of tiger reserves. In 2006, the tiger population was estimated at 1,411, much lower than the earlier estimates. This brought about major changes in tiger conservation policy, legislation, and management. Since then the NTCA conducts a national assessment of the ‘status of tigers, co-predators, prey and habitat’ every four years. The stress was now on village relocation from core/critical habitats, and enhanced protection by Special Tiger Protection Force. “Soon, tiger population estimates went up to 1,706 in 2010,” said NTCA officials. “The project is a comment on a long neglect of our environment as well as our new-found, but most welcome concern for saving one of nature’s most magnificent endowments for posterity. But the tiger cannot be preserved in isolation, it is at the apex of a large and complex biotope. Its habitat by human intrusion, commercial forestry, and cattle grazing must first be made inviolate. Forestry practices designed to squeeze the last rupee out of a jungle must be radically reoriented at least within national parks and sanctuaries and predominantly in the tiger reserves. The narrow outlook of the accountant must give way to a wider vision of the recreational, educational and ecological value of totally undisturbed areas of wilderness Indira Gandhi’s message on Project Tiger’s launch on April 1, 1973 The 2014 and 2018 tiger assessments were the most accurate, covering 3,81,400 sqkm of forested habitats. NTCA officials believe this is the world’s largest effort invested in any wildlife survey to date. “A total of 2,461 individual tigers were photo-captured. The overall tiger population in India was estimated at 2,967,” they said. Though Project Tiger’s (now NTCA) model has evolved, tiger conservation has lacked broad-based political support. Experts hope for the better in the next 50 years.

India’s rank slips further on Sustainable Development Goal target

The CSE annual report shows India slipping down the global ranking in meeting Sustainable Development Goals. India has been slipping in the global rank in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the past five years, with the country dropping another place since 2021, according to a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The wide-ranging goals are interlinked, connecting environmental, socio-economic development, while focusing on sustainability. The goals include zero poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being among others. What is the CSE report? The report, entitled ‘State of India’s Environment 2023’, looks at 17 goals adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015 that act as “shared a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Also Read | India likely to miss deadline for 50% of SDG indicators: Lancet study Published annually, the report examines several metrics such as the state of development, effects of climate change, health, decarbonisation, agriculture, biodiversity, and the energy sector. The current issue has flagged the gradual decline in the performance of the country and certain states in meeting the targets set by the SDGs. Where is India standing on its SDGs? India’s rank worldwide has slipped nine places from 116 to 121 since 2017. It now ranks behind most of its neighbours: Bhutan (70), Sri Lanka (76), Nepal (98), and Bangladesh (104). Pakistan is the only other country in the subcontinent that has ranked behind India, at 125. The rollback has been attributed to declining performance on 11 goals, such as zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5) and sustainable communities (SDG 11), the report said. There has also been stagnation in goals pertaining to life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16). Goals on responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13) are on track, it added. How are the states faring? Individual states in India have also performed below average. States that usually fare well in these indices have also slipped in their performance. Kerala, which ranked first, has fallen behind on four goals; Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, which share the second rank, have slipped on four and six goals respectively. Meanwhile, the performance of most states has declined on goals regarding life on land and decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and good-quality education. Life on land has seen the most decline. ALSO READ ‘Nearly every indicator of the U.N. sustainable development goals is off track’: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s report What are the other findings? The report also highlighted two main trends in 2022-2023: a turn back to fossil fuels and reversing the gains made towards transitioning to clean energy due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the impact of climate change with extreme weather events worldwide. Some of the other findings include: At least 2,900 lives have been lost due to extreme weather events that happened between January and October, 2022. Environmental crimes have been on the rise–courts need to hear 245 cases daily to clear the backlog. Air pollution has caused a loss of four years and 11 months in the duration of life with people in rural India losing more years than those who live in cities. Rural India needs 35% more community health centres. India generates 150,000 tonne of municipal waste every day. More than half of it is dumped in landfills. At least 30,000 waterbodies have been encroached on in India. Is there a silver lining? “There is news to cheer. The environment is now mainstream – we are all outraged at how pollution is affecting our health or climate change is devastating our future. But the bad news is that we are not acting at the scale of the devastation that we see around us. We need to take more deliberate steps to reverse the damage,” said Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, in a release during the launch of the annual report. Apart from the grimmer findings, the report also highlights progress in some sectors, including policy changes in waste management sector and recycling. “In industry, we have now identified pathways to decarbonise industrial sectors that are usually difficult to decarbonise. In agriculture, strong evidence is emerging of the efficacy of traditional and regenerative farming methods. On the issue of forests and biodiversity, losses of forests are a dark truth, but at the same time more and more communities are demanding rights over forests – what is more, these rights are being granted,” Ms Narain added.

Outdoor purifiers to help assess Delhi’s pollution load

The three locations have been chosen to monitor different public settings, which include a high footfall commercial spot, an industrial location and one with heavy traffic movement Outdoor air purifiers will soon be installed in Chandni Chowk, Wazirpur and Anand Vihar to assess their impact on ambient air quality, which will be monitored through low-cost sensors, officials said. This will be carried out as a pilot project by IIT-Delhi in collaboration with the central government’s DRIIV (Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation). The three locations have been chosen to monitor different public settings, which include a high footfall commercial spot, an industrial location and one with heavy traffic movement . “We will look to deploy different types of outdoor air quality solutions to see the kind of impact they can have when it comes to reducing localised pollution. We are in talks with the local bodies for final permissions, following which these outdoor air purifiers will be deployed in 7-10 days,” said Amrita Dawn, head, tech liaison, DRIIV. The project has received the approval of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). Two private companies have been roped in to create and deploy sensors on the ground for data collection, officials said. For each air purifying device installed, a sensor to monitor readings in the area will also be installed, with the pilot to be used to assess the reduction in localized PM 2.5 and PM 10. While outdoor air purifiers created by a private company will be installed at Wazirpur and Chandni Chowk, an ionisation-based purifying system created by a second private company will be deployed at a congested traffic intersection in Anand Vihar. “These will not be large structures like anti-smog towers, but smaller air purifying systems that can be installed on the ground without causing any disruption to the movement of pedestrians. Chandni Chowk will give us an estimate of a busy marketplace, Wazirpur will cover industrial pollutants and Anand Vihar has heavy traffic owing to it being an ISBT and railway station,” Dawn added. Five filters will be installed at Wazirpur, one at Anand Vihar, while the number of filters at Chandni Chowk will be assessed following PWD permission, she said. “Since PWD maintains the Chandni Chowk stretch where this is being installed, we have sought the final permission from them. Our sensors will give data on the actual reduction in pollution, which will allow more markets to be covered with similar technology if this is proven successful.” she added. PWD did not comment on HT’s queries on the installation. The technological deployment is part of the project SAMEER (Solutions for Air-pollution Mitigation through Engagement, Engineering and Research), which was launched by DRIIV and IIT Delhi in October, 2022. DRIIV is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. This is not the first time that outdoor air purifiers have been installed in the Capital. In 2018, devices called WAYU (Wind Augmentation and Purification Units) were installed at busy traffic intersections in order to assess efficacy in reducing roadside pollution. The Delhi government and the Central Government have also installed two 20-metre-high anti-smog towers in Connaught Place and Anand Vihar respectively. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says the use of technology, particularly low-cost sensors, has enormous potential if it is utilised correct. “These sensors can generate data while creating a very dense network of monitoring. We are still awaiting the guidelines to standardize data generation for low-cost sensors, but they can still be used for local monitoring and allow policy making.” she said. Sunil Dahiya, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said while numerous air-purifying technologies existed, there have been no global studies to show they are able to impact the ambient air quality to a suitable enough level. “The project is beneficial if these technologies are deployed indoors, for instance inside classrooms or hospitals. Indoor air pollution is an area where there is a large scope for improvement. When we talk of outdoor pollution, even these giant anti-smog towers have proven to be ineffective, based on government findings.” he said.

वाहनों की स्क्रैप पालिसी से कम होगा प्रदूषण

उत्तर प्रदेश में केंद्र सरकार की व्हीकल स्क्रैप पालिसी को पूरी तरह से लागू करने की तैयारी चल रही है। इसे देखते हुए उत्तर प्रदेश की सड़कों पर दौड़ने वाले 15 वर्ष से अधिक पुराने वाहनों को कबाड़ घोषित किया जाएगा। एक अप्रैल 2023 से 15 वर्ष से अधिक पुराने वाहनों को कबाड़ में भेजे जाने की तैयारी है। लिहाजा केंद्र सरकार के सड़क परिवहन मंत्रालय ने ड्राफ्ट नोटिफिकेशन जारी किया है। नया नियम निगमों और परिवहन विभाग की बस एवं अन्य गाड़ियों के लिए भी अनिवार्य होगा। सड़क परिवहन मंत्रालय की मंशा के अनुरूप उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार 15 वर्ष से ऊपर के निजी वाहनों के साथ-साथ विभागों में लगे पुराने वाहनों को भी स्क्रैप में बदलने के लिए प्रोत्साहित कर रही है। सरकार ने यह निर्णय निरंतर बढ़ते प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए लिया है। पर्यावरणीय प्रदूषण को देखते हुए वित्त मंत्री ने आम बजट 2021-22 में पुराने वाहनों को सड़कों से हटाने के लिए ‘स्क्रैप पालिसी’ की घोषणा की थी। ध्यातव्य है कि देश में एक करोड़ से अधिक वाहन ऐसे हैं जो आम वाहनों की तुलना में 10 से 12 गुणा अधिक प्रदूषण फैलाते हैं। स्क्रैप पालिसी से गाड़ियों की वजह से होने वाले प्रदूषण में 25 से 30 प्रतिशत की कमी होगी। सड़क परिवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्रालय का कहना है कि स्क्रैप पालिसी से पर्यावरण को अधिक नुकसान पहुंचाने वाले वाहनों की संख्या में कमी आएगी। अनुमान है कि वाणिज्यिक वाहन, जो कुल वाहन बेड़े का लगभग पांच प्रतिशत हैं, प्रदूषण में लगभग 65-70 प्रतिशत तक का योगदान देते हैं। वर्ष 2000 से पहले निर्मित वाहन कुल बेड़े का एक प्रतिशत हैं, लेकिन कुल वाहनों के प्रदूषण में इनका योगदान लगभग 15 प्रतिशत है। इनकी तुलना यदि आधुनिक वाहनों से करें तो पुराने वाहन 10 से 15 गुना अधिक प्रदूषण उत्सर्जित करते हैं। सार्वजनिक परिवहन को प्रोत्साहन: उल्लेखनीय है कि ‘स्क्रैप पालिसी’ के पीछे सरकार की मंशा निजी वाहनों की बढ़ती संख्या को कम करना और सार्वजनिक परिवहन के अधिक से अधिक उपयोग पर बल देना है। आज स्थिति यह है कि देश में बड़ी संख्या उन लोगों की है जो अपने निजी वाहनों से चलना पसंद करती है। ऐसे लोग ट्रेन या बसों में यात्रा करने से परहेज करते हैं। कुल यात्रियों की तुलना में सार्वजनिक परिवहन के माध्यम से यात्रा करने वालों की संख्या निरंतर कम होती जा रही है। एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार वर्ष 1994 में जहां भारत के सभी बड़े शहरों में 60 से 80 प्रतिशत नागरिक सार्वजनिक परिवहन का उपयोग करते थे, वहीं यह संख्या 2019-20 में घटकर 25-35 प्रतिशत पर पहुंच गई थी। वर्तमान में यह संख्या और कम हुई होगी, क्योंकि कोरोना महामारी के बाद अधिकांश सक्षम लोगों ने निजी वाहन खरीदने को प्राथमिकता दी है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की एक हालिया रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 10 किलोमीटर की यात्रा बस से करने में औसतन एक व्यक्ति द्वारा 0.01 ग्राम पर्टिकुलेंट मैटर (पीएम) उत्सर्जित होता है। जबकि उतनी ही दूरी यदि कार से तय की जाए तो उससे 0.08 ग्राम यानी आठ गुना और दोपहिया वाहन से 0.1 ग्राम यानी दस गुना अधिक पर्टिकुलेंट मैटर उत्सर्जित होता है। डीजल चलित ऑटो रिक्शा भी अत्यधिक प्रदूषण (.46 ग्राम पीएम प्रति 10 किमी) फैलाते हैं। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, एक साल में चंडीगढ़ में एक वाहन द्वारा औसतन 26.46 ग्राम पीएम और 250 ग्राम कार्बन डाइआक्साइड उत्सर्जित किया जाता है, जबकि दिल्ली में यह औसत 9.91 और 120 ग्राम है। चंडीगढ़ में निजी वाहनों के अधिक और सार्वजनिक परिवहन (बस, लोकल ट्रेन) आदि के कम प्रयोग के कारण ऐसा हो रहा है। चूंकि आज अधिकांश लोग निजी वाहन से यात्रा को प्राथमिकता दे रहे हैं, लिहाजा वाहनों की संख्या निरंतर बढ़ रही है। सार्वजनिक वाहन की समुचित व्यवस्था: निजी वाहनों के बढ़ने का सबसे बड़ा कारण सार्वजनिक परिवहन व्यवस्था का ढांचा लुंज-पुंज होने से जुड़ा है। सार्वजनिक परिवहन के नाम पर केवल बसें ही हैं और वह भी अपर्याप्त हैं। बसों के लिए कई बार लंबा इंतजार करना पड़ता है। दिल्ली-एनसीआर में वाहनों की संख्या एक करोड़ से अधिक हो चुकी है। प्रदूषण के बढ़ने के बड़े कारणों में यह शामिल है। नेशनल ग्रीन ट्रिब्यूनल (एनजीटी) अदालत में दिल्ली पाल्यूशन कंट्रोल कमेटी (डीपीसीसी) के अधिकारियों ने बताया था कि दो-पहिया और डीजल गाड़ियां पेट्रोल की गाड़ियों से कहीं अधिक प्रदूषण फैलाती हैं। वायु प्रदूषण में दो-पहिया वाहनों का कुल 30 प्रतिशत तक का योगदान रहता है, जो सबसे ज्यादा हानिकारक गैस फैलाते हैं। इसके लिए केंद्र और राज्य सरकारें स्वयं जिम्मेदार नजर आती हैं। इसलिए जब तक सभी राज्य सरकारें शहरों के लिए समन्वित सार्वजनिक परिवहन प्रणाली को विकसित करने के लिए समुचित योजना तैयार नहीं करेंगी, तब तक शहरों की परिवहन व्यवस्था में सुधार नहीं लाया जा सकता है। केंद्र सरकार ने वर्ष 2021-22 के बजट में जोर देते हुए कहा था कि स्क्रैप पालिसी से प्रदूषण में भारी कमी आएगी। परंतु ऐसा तब होगा जब अधिक से अधिक लोग सार्वजनिक परिवहन का उपयोग करेंगे, लेकिन चिंता की बात यह है कि उसकी व्यवस्था देश में अभी भी अपर्याप्त है। सरकार ‘स्क्रैप पालिसी’ से प्रदूषण की समस्या को कम करना तो चाहती है, परंतु सार्वजनिक परिवहन व्यवस्था को चुस्त-दुरुस्त किए बिना ऐसा होना संभव नहीं है। देश का मध्यम वर्ग अधिकतर सार्वजनिक परिवहन व्यवस्था पर निर्भर रहता है, ऐसे में सरकार को चाहिए कि वह इसका सुचारु रूप से प्रबंधन करे। यहां पर ध्यान देने वाली बात यह भी है कि वर्ष 2014 से 2017 के बीच दो-पहिया वाहनों और कार से चलने वाले यात्रियों की संख्या में हर साल आठ से 10 प्रतिशत की वृद्धि हुई है। वहीं सरकारी बसों की संख्या निरंतर घटती जा रही है। वहीं दूसरी ओर निजी बस मालियों या कंपनियों द्वारा संचालित बसों में अपेक्षाकृत अधिक किराया होने और सुविधाएं कम होने के कारण भी कई लोगों का सार्वजनिक परिवहन सेवाओं से मोहभंग हो रहा है। यदि केंद्र और राज्य सरकारें वास्तव में निजी वाहनों के प्रति लोगों को हतोत्साहित कर सार्वजनिक परिवहन का उपयोग बढ़ाना चाहती हैं तो उसे कई देशों से सीख लेकर अपने यहां सार्वजनिक परिवहन व्यवस्था में सुधार लाना होगा। उल्लेखनीय है कि लग्जमबर्ग विश्व का पहला ऐसा देश है जहां सार्वजनिक परिवहन में यात्रा करना पूरी तरह से नि:शुल्क है। ट्रैफिक जाम कम करने के उद्देश्य से सरकार ने यह निर्णय लिया है। इससे वहां बड़ी संख्या में लोगों को आर्थिक रूप से भी लाभ होगा। भारत भी इस ओर अपने सामर्थ्य के अनुसार कदम बढ़ा सकता है। वैसे भारत की जनसंख्या सभी यूरोपीय देशों से कई गुना अधिक है। इस लिहाज से यहां पर सार्वजनिक परिवहन को सुचारू बनाने के लिए वाहनों का बेड़ा भी बड़ा चाहिए होगा, जिसका भार सरकार पर पड़ेगा। लोक-निजी सहभागिता से सरकार पर पड़ने वाले भार को कम किया जा सकता है। वाणिज्यिक वाहनों को फ्रेट कॉरिडोर की ओर शिफ्ट किया जाना चाहिए। ई-वाहन या बैटरी चालित वाहनों को बढ़ावा देना होगा। इसके लिए निजी निवेश को आकर्षित करने पर भी काम होना चाहिए। इन सभी उपायों से सार्वजनिक परिवहन में सुधार तो होगा ही साथ में जनता का रुझान निजी वाहनों से हट कर सार्वजनिक वाहन की ओर बढ़ेगा। यह सभी उपाय प्रदूषण को कम करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा सकते हैं।

Recycling has gone up in last 5 years, but 67% of e-waste remains unprocessed

Unrecycled e-waste poses a risk to health and the environment; India's e-waste crisis lies in its informal sector. India recycled only 32.9 per cent of the e-waste generated in 2021-2022, data from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change shows. While the figure has gone up from previous years, it indicates that a staggering 10,74,024 tonnes (67%) of e-waste remained unprocessed. Unprocessed e-waste poses a risk to health and the environment as it contains several toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etched chemicals, arsenic and asbestos, which can be hazardous if not disposed of in a scientific manner. If not segregated from other solid waste that finds itself at landfills, these toxic chemicals may leach into the soil and hence pose an environmental risk. Several agencies, including the United Nations, have said that untreated e-waste also ends up in informal industries where children are employed to dismantle electronics. Exposure to chemicals such as lead and mercury can adversely affect children’s growth and development. According to the data provided by the ministry, in 2021-22, of the 16,01,155 tonnes of e-waste generated, 5,27,131 tonnes (32.9 per cent) were recycled. In 2020-21, 26.33 per cent of e-waste was processed, while in 2019-20, the figure stood at 22.07 per cent. It was 21.35 per cent in 2018-19 and 9.79 per cent in 2017-18. The data also shows that in 2021-22, Haryana collected and processed the largest amount of e-waste at 2,45,015.82 tonnes. It is pertinent to note, however, that the data provided by the ministry in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on December 15, 2022, did not include data from all the states and Union Territories. A 2020 report by the Global E-Waste Monitor notes that India has the highest e-waste generation in South Asia. It is also the only country in the region to have laws on the collection and disposal of e-waste. The report states, “Legislation in India has been a driver for the setting up of formal recycling facilities… However, formal recycling capacity remains underutilised, as the large majority of the waste is still handled by the informal sector.” The Centre for Science and Environment has called the informal sector “the backbone of e-waste recycling in India”, as it reportedly handles 90 per cent of the country’s e-waste. A 2020 report by Greene, an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, acknowledges that the “most formidable” challenge to e-waste management is in the informal sector. In its vision for 2030, the report suggests regulating the informal sector through legislation, robust data collection and an online portal for transparency. The government’s new rules in e-waste management will take effect on April 1. These rules restrict the manufacturing of electronic components that contain hazardous substances such as lead and mercury beyond the maximum prescribed concentration. They also provide for the “recognition and registration, skill development, monitoring and ensuring safety and health, of workers involved in dismantling and recycling of e-waste”, the ministry has said. The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, which are set to replace the 2016 rules, make it mandatory for every manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler to register on an online portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board. They also increase from 21 to 106 the number of pieces of electrical and electronic equipment that come under the rule’s ambit.

State of India’s Environment report 2023

The report covers an extensive gamut of subject assessments, ranging from climate change, agriculture and industry to water, plastics, forests and biodiversity. The report presents some dark facts. Over 30,000 waterbodies have been encroached on in the country and India is generating 150,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day more than half of which is either dumped in landfills or remains unattended. The report has found that four years and 11 months is the average duration of life lost to air pollution in India. Rural India is losing more years due to air pollution-related health issues than the urban belt. In fact, rural India needs 35 per cent more community health centres. In rural areas, people’s lives are on average cut short by five years and two months, which is nine months more than the average lifespan lost by urban Indians. Air pollution, in fact, has shortened the lifespan of 43.4 per cent of India’s population by five years. Eight states and UTs saw the average lifespan shortened by five years or more while nine states saw the average lifespan shortened by three to five years, according to the report. Among the states, Delhi saw the maximum plunge 10 years in lifespan in the country. The lowest life span fall, however, was recorded in Ladakh, where the life span was shortened by four months. In Haryana, the average life span reduction was seven years and five months. In Punjab, it was five years and 11 months. The edition also reports that environmental crimes continue unabated, courts need to decide on 245 cases every day to clear the backlog. Between January and October 2022 (304 days), India witnessed extreme weather events on 271 days. These extreme weather events claimed over 2,900 lives. India’s overall global rank in meeting the United Nations-mandated sustainable development goals (SDGs) has also slipped by nine places. In 2022, it stood at the 121st position, behind Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh; Pakistan was lagging close behind at 125. Center for Science and Environment- It is a public interest research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi. CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. Its aim is to raise these concerns, participate in seeking answers and – more importantly – in pushing for answers and transforming these into policy and so, practice. CSE’s efforts are specifically designed to create awareness about problems and propose sustainable solutions. Research at CSE often consists of in-depth learning about an environmental problem and then finding answers in accordance with CSE’s core values. CSE’s tools for awareness raising are periodicals, publications, films/short spots, briefing papers, exhibitions, posters and other products.

Challenging to quantify India’s adaptation finance needs: Govt

India’s adaptation finance needs across economic sectors are substantially challenging to quantify, the government has told the Lok Sabha. Responding to a question by Telugu Desam Party’s MP Galla Jayadev, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey said India’s climate actions have so far largely been financed from domestic sources, including government budgetary support as well as a mix of market mechanisms and fiscal instruments and policy interventions. “However, providing new and additional financial resources as well as the transfer of technology to developing countries to address the global climate change challenge are among the commitments and responsibilities of the developed countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement,” he said. “India’s adaptation finance needs across economic sectors are substantially challenging to quantify,” Choubey replied to Jayadev who had asked whether it is true that it would require almost USD 85 trillion by 2030 to adapt to the requirements of climate change. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded USD 1 trillion from developed countries to adapt to, and mitigate the challenges arising from global warming. India has kept this as a condition for delivering on its climate commitments. Rich countries have repeatedly failed to mobilise USD 100 billion every year, a promise they made in 2009, to help developing countries cope with climate change. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental body consisting of wealthy nations, developed countries mobilised USD 52.5 billion in 2013. After dropping to USD 44.6 billion in 2015, the finance flow has steadily increased. In 2020, the developed countries raised USD 83.3 billion, a jump from USD 80.4 billion in 2019, according to a fact sheet published by the Centre for Science and Environment. The Standing Committee on Finance, UNFCCC, has estimated that resources in the range of USD 6 trillion to USD 11 trillion are required till 2030 to meet the targets set by developing countries in their NDCs and other communications, including the Needs Determination Reports. India will require USD 900 billion over the next 30 years to move away from coal mines and thermal plants without jeopardising the livelihoods of millions who still are employed there, according to a report released by The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology last week. Adaptation is a significant component spelt out in India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) — national plans to limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides an overarching policy framework for climate actions in the country and outlines a number of steps towards the achievement of India’s climate change-related objectives including adaptation. Under the NAPCC, eight missions focus on adaptation in sectors like agriculture, water, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, human health, and forestry. The implementation of these missions is being anchored by nodal ministries concerned through annual budgetary allocations to these programmes and schemes.

सात साल तक कम हो रहा ‘ग्राम्य जीवन’

भारत के संदर्भ में ‘अहा ग्राम्य जीवन’ की अवधारणा बड़ा भ्रम साबित होने लगी है। अब शहरों में रहने वाले लोग सेहतमंद जिंदगी के लिए गांवों की ओर लौटने की बात शायद ही बोल पाएंगे। एक ताजा अध्ययन में बताया गया है कि गांवों में वायु प्रदूषण से जुड़ी बीमारियों की मार शहरों की तुलना में ज्यादा पड़ रही है। वायु प्रदूषण वह संकट है जो एक आम भारतीय के जीवन में औसतन चार साल की कटौती कर रहा है। शहरों की तुलना में गांवों में इसका कुप्रभाव ज्यादा है। ग्रामीणों की जिंदगी औसतन सात साल तक कम हो रही है। स्थिति रही। एक तरफ तो ऊर्जा परिवर्तन को लेकर होने वाले लाभ भी उलटी दिशा में चले और दूसरी तरफ जलवायु परिवर्तन का सीधा पड़ता प्रभाव बड़े खतरे के रूप में दिखा। ये बातें विज्ञान व पर्यावरण केंद्र की निदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने संस्था की पत्रिका डाउन टू अर्थ की पर्यावरण पर सालाना रपट ‘स्टेट आफ इंडियाज एनवायरमेंट 2023’ को जारी करते हुए कहीं। इस रपट में 2020 की आबादी का अध्ययन किया गया है। प्रदूषण पर जारी यह रिपोर्ट वायु प्रदूषण के लगातार बढ़ते खतरे को लेकर चेतावनी है। रपट कहती है कि भारतीय ग्रामीण इलाकों में रहने वाले लोगों में 25.7 फीसद लोगों की उम्र सात साल कम हो गई है। वहीं,हीं 22.5 फीसद लोग 5 से सात साल कम जी रहे हैं। इसके अलावा 26.6 फीसद लोग तीन से पांच साल और 24.4 फीसद लोग एक जल ही जीवन है की बात करें तो यह रपट इसे लेकर भी चिंताजनक आंकड़े पेश करती है। देश में लगभग 30,000 जलाशयों का अतिक्रमण कर लिया गया है। इसके साथ ही भारत में हर दिन डेढ़ लाख टन कचरा बन रहा है जिनमें से आधे या तो निगमों की कचरा पट्टी पर डाल दिए जाते हैं या इधर-उधर फैले रहते हैं। विज्ञान व पर्यावरण केंद्र की शोध निदेशक अनुमिता राय चौधरी का कहना है कि लगभग चार दशकों से शोध के बाद हमारी रपट इस बात का आईना है कि पर्यावरण के मसले पर अभी तक हमने क्या खोया-पाया है। जमीनी शोध की ये रपटें बताती हैं कि अभी तक हमने क्या किया है, क्या नहीं कर सके हैं और वो कौन सी राह है जहां पर हम गलत चल रहे हैं। रपट बताती है कि पर्यावरण से जुड़े अपराध भी लगातार जारी हैं। 2021 में पर्यावरण कानून से जुड़े 64,414 मामले दर्ज किए गए हैं। पुराने मामलों को निपटाने के लिए अदालतों को रोजाना 245 मामलों पर फैसला देना होगा। मौजूदा साल में प्रचंड मौसम भी बड़ा सवाल बना रहा है। भारत में 271 दिन प्रचंड मौसम की श्रेणी में आए। रिपोर्ट का दावा है कि मौसम के उग्र रूप के कारण 2,900 लोगों की जान गई।

Challenging to quantify India's adaptation finance needs: Govt

India's adaptation finance needs across economic sectors are substantially challenging to quantify, the government has told the Lok Sabha. Responding to a question by Telugu Desam Party's MP Galla Jayadev, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey said India's climate actions have so far largely been financed from domestic sources, including government budgetary support as well as a mix of market mechanisms and fiscal instruments and policy interventions. 'However, providing new and additional financial resources as well as the transfer of technology to developing countries to address the global climate change challenge are among the commitments and responsibilities of the developed countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement,'' he said. ''India's adaptation finance needs across economic sectors are substantially challenging to quantify,'' Choubey replied to Jayadev who had asked whether it is true that it would require almost USD 85 trillion by 2030 to adapt to the requirements of climate change. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded USD 1 trillion from developed countries to adapt to, and mitigate the challenges arising from global warming. India has kept this as a condition for delivering on its climate commitments. Rich countries have repeatedly failed to mobilise USD 100 billion every year, a promise they made in 2009, to help developing countries cope with climate change. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental body consisting of wealthy nations, developed countries mobilised USD 52.5 billion in 2013. After dropping to USD 44.6 billion in 2015, the finance flow has steadily increased. In 2020, the developed countries raised USD 83.3 billion, a jump from USD 80.4 billion in 2019, according to a fact sheet published by the Centre for Science and Environment. The Standing Committee on Finance, UNFCCC, has estimated that resources in the range of USD 6 trillion to USD 11 trillion are required till 2030 to meet the targets set by developing countries in their NDCs and other communications, including the Needs Determination Reports. India will require USD 900 billion over the next 30 years to move away from coal mines and thermal plants without jeopardising the livelihoods of millions who still are employed there, according to a report released by The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology last week. Adaptation is a significant component spelt out in India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) -- national plans to limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides an overarching policy framework for climate actions in the country and outlines a number of steps towards the achievement of India's climate change-related objectives including adaptation. Under the NAPCC, eight missions focus on adaptation in sectors like agriculture, water, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, human health, and forestry. The implementation of these missions is being anchored by nodal ministries concerned through annual budgetary allocations to these programmes and schemes.

Impact of air pollution on life expectancy

Editor, The time has come when there must be strict check on pollution otherwise the future generation will blame us for the complacency towards pollution and will not forgive us as the situation has come to a stage which is totally harmful to the health of all living beings. Just compare the data of states: Among the states, Delhi saw the maximum plunge — 10 years — in lifespan in the country. The lowest life span fall, however, was recorded in Ladakh, where the life span was shortened by four months. In Haryana, the average life span reduction was seven years and five months. In Punjab, it was five years and 11 months The average lifespan of an Indian has shortened by four years and 11 months owing to the air pollution, reveals the 2023 State of India’s Environment report. In rural areas, people’s lives are on average cut short by five years and two months, which is nine months more than the average lifespan lost by urban Indians. Air pollution, in fact, has shortened the lifespan of 43.4 per cent of India’s population by five years. The report was released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday is revealing. The CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organisation that is based in New Delhi. Eight states and UTs saw the average lifespan shortened by five years or more while nine states saw the average lifespan shortened by three to five years, according to the CSE Report. The lifespan in Haryana is shortened by 7 years and Punjab 6 years and for that pollution is to blame. Over and above that the average age of an Indian had fallen by 5 years Ujwala yojna had proved very useful in the rural areas and in the same way that the Open Defecation Free (ODF) mission had been successfully implemented. The main source of pollution is from petrol driven vehicles and government is encouraging electrical vehicles and many incentives had been declared to encourage the electric or battery driven vehicles. Goverment had also established many solar plants to minimise pollution. It is to be noted here that finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman ‘s latest budget emphasises on the government commitment to move towards net-zero carbon emission by 2070