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Extreme Weather in 2025 Raises Alarm Over Kenya’s Climate Readiness

Kenya is heading into a year of heightened climate uncertainty after experiencing one of its warmest years on record in 2025. The latest climate assessment by the Kenya Meteorological Department paints a concerning picture: rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and escalating risks to food security, public health, and livelihoods. The trends observed are not isolated anomalies but part of a long-term shift driven by climate change, with serious implications for the country’s future. A steady rise in temperatures Data shows that Kenya’s climate has been warming consistently over the past few decades. Since 1991, average temperatures have increased at a rate of about 0.22°C per decade, with the pace of warming accelerating after 2005. In 2025, the country recorded its seventh warmest year in 36 years, underlining the persistence of this upward trend. Temperatures remained above average throughout the year, including during typically cooler months. Early in the year, temperatures were already 0–1°C above normal, climbing further in subsequent months. Even the June–August season, usually marked by cooler weather, saw temperatures rise significantly above average. The situation peaked in December, which emerged as the hottest month of the year, with several regions experiencing intense heat. Such prolonged warming is altering seasonal cycles and increasing stress on ecosystems, water resources, and human populations. Erratic rainfall and agricultural stress Alongside rising temperatures, rainfall patterns in 2025 were highly uneven. While some regions, particularly the western and central highlands, received above-normal rainfall, large parts of the country—especially arid and semi-arid areas—faced drier-than-usual conditions. This imbalance had severe consequences for agriculture, a sector that underpins Kenya’s economy and food security. Staple crops such as maize and beans recorded production declines ranging between 21 and 35 per cent. Factors such as drought, pest infestations, high input costs, and unreliable rainfall compounded these losses. Flooding in certain regions further damaged crops and reduced yields, while pests and water shortages hit horticultural production, including tomatoes. Although some gains were seen in irrigated farming and drought-resistant crops like sorghum, these were not enough to offset broader losses. The result has been reduced food availability, shrinking reserves, and increased dependence on markets—leaving vulnerable communities exposed to price shocks. Rising health and environmental risks The impacts of extreme weather extended beyond agriculture, affecting public health and the environment. Kenya experienced multiple climate extremes in 2025, including heatwaves, cold spells, heavy rainfall events, and strong coastal winds. Flooding led to water contamination and displacement, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera. At the same time, prolonged dry conditions contributed to malnutrition and weakened water security. Climate-sensitive diseases like visceral leishmaniasis also became more widespread. Environmental pressures are also mounting. Increased heat and dryness raise the likelihood of forest fires and biodiversity loss, particularly in already fragile ecosystems. In pastoral regions, shrinking water availability is intensifying competition over resources, sometimes leading to conflict between communities and wildlife. A risky outlook for 2026 Looking ahead, forecasts for 2026 suggest that the challenges are far from over. The country is expected to experience above-average temperatures combined with uneven rainfall distribution. Some regions may see heavy rains, raising the risk of floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage, while others may continue to face drought conditions. There is also a 58–61 per cent probability of El Niño conditions developing later in the year, which could further intensify weather extremes. These conditions are likely to disrupt agriculture, strain water systems, and increase the frequency of disasters. Already, parts of western Kenya have experienced deadly floods, highlighting the urgency of preparedness and response measures. Urgent need for adaptation and investment To address these mounting challenges, significant investment is required. Estimates suggest that Kenya will need substantial financial resources in 2026 to support food aid, water infrastructure, healthcare, livestock systems, and agricultural inputs. Experts emphasise the importance of strengthening early warning systems, improving climate services, and investing in resilient infrastructure. In wetter regions, better flood management and disease monitoring are crucial, while in drier areas, strategies such as water harvesting, drought-resistant crops, and diversified livelihoods are essential. The broader message is clear: climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality reshaping Kenya’s economy and society. Without timely and sustained action, the risks—from food insecurity to health crises—are likely to intensify. As the country moves into an uncertain climatic future, building resilience will be key to safeguarding both people and ecosystems. References: https://meteo.go.ke/documents/3009/State_of_the_Climate_Report_2025.pdf https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/kenya-faces-hotter-riskier-year-after-one-of-its-warmest-years-in-2025

Uttar Pradesh Approves Water Reuse Policy: Infra Boom Expected, Hurdles Loom

Uttar Pradesh has approved its Safe Reuse of Treated Water Policy, 2026. It aims for 50% treated wastewater reuse by 2030, reaching 100% by 2035, targeting sectors like agriculture and industry. The policy, supported by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), seeks to boost water security and economic growth in India's water sector. However, it faces common challenges, including regulatory fragmentation, funding issues for local governments, and operational difficulties seen in other states. Uttar Pradesh Approves Ambitious Treated Water Reuse Policy Uttar Pradesh's cabinet has approved the Safe Reuse of Treated Water Policy, 2026. The policy sets phased targets: 50% treated wastewater reuse by 2030, aiming for 100% by 2032 in areas with sewage treatment plants (STPs). Regions without STPs will target 30% reuse by 2030, rising to 100% by 2045. Supported by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), this policy treats wastewater as a resource, aiming to ease pressure on freshwater and reduce groundwater extraction for agriculture, industry, and construction. Infrastructure Growth Expected The policy's goals are expected to drive significant growth in India's water and wastewater treatment market, projected to reach USD 5.17 billion by 2031. The broader wastewater treatment sector could hit USD 19.4 billion by 2034. UP's policy, combined with national programs like Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange, contributes to an estimated USD 35 billion opportunity in the treated used water sector by 2047. This investment could create over one lakh new jobs by 2047, particularly in operations and maintenance for STPs and related infrastructure. Companies like Va Tech Wabag Ltd., Enviro Infra Engineers Ltd., and Indian Hume Pipe Company Ltd. are set to gain. State Policies and National Challenges Many Indian states are also focusing on water reuse. Gujarat aims for 100% reuse by 2030, Maharashtra mandates industrial use, Tamil Nadu promotes it for industry and green projects, and Haryana prioritizes it for industry. However, national implementation faces significant challenges. Currently, only about 28% of India's sewage is treated, with just 3% reused. This shows a large gap between policy goals and actual practice. Experts cite issues like policy fragmentation (only 11 states have dedicated reuse policies), unclear standards, poor coordination between agencies, and funding problems for local governments. UP's policy success will depend on overcoming these common obstacles. Operational and Financial Hurdles Despite its forward-thinking nature, UP's policy faces execution risks. A key challenge is India's fragmented water management system, where multiple agencies share responsibility, often leading to poor coordination and enforcement. Local governments, especially in smaller cities, struggle with funding and the lack of clear pricing for treated water, which can make projects unviable. The large capital investment needed for infrastructure, estimated at USD 18-27 billion nationally by 2047, is another significant barrier. Public acceptance and the lack of standard quality rules for reused water could also slow adoption. The state's phased plan will require strong political commitment and project management to overcome these operational and financial difficulties, which have challenged other states. Outlook: Sector Growth Continues India's water sector is growing steadily due to urbanization, industrialization, and a greater focus on sustainability. Government funding, like the ₹35,189 crore allocated for water infrastructure in the 2025-26 budget, shows strong policy backing. Analysts expect further market expansion. If UP's policy overcomes its challenges, it could become a key model for investment and innovation in water management nationwide. Demand for advanced, efficient water solutions is expected to increase, creating opportunities for technology and infrastructure firms.

India Sets 60% Non-Fossil Fuel Power Target for 2035

Avantika Goswami from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) remarked on India's leadership amid backtracking from developed countries. She noted, "The signal from India shows that Global South leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real," illustrating the importance of the developing world in tackling climate change. India has announced an ambitious goal to achieve 60% of its installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by the year 2035. This commitment is part of the country's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of its obligations under the Paris Agreement, which calls for a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels and enhanced energy efficiency measures. During a press briefing following a Cabinet meeting, Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence in meeting these targets, stating, "We will easily achieve these goals… (with) the speed with which we are expanding our non-fossil sources." In addition to the 60% target for non-fossil power, the updated NDC outlines a plan to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 47% compared to 2005 levels. Furthermore, India aims to increase its carbon sink to between 3.5 billion and 4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, strengthening its commitment to tackling climate change. India's updated NDC is set to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of the global effort to combat climate issues. The obligation to update NDCs is a requirement for signatories of the Paris Agreement, and in 2025, countries are expected to present their voluntary actions detailing how they intend to transition their economies. In a recent meeting in Belem, Brazil, at the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP), Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav reiterated that India would announce its NDC by the end of the year. Notably, as of December 31, 2025, India and Argentina were the only two G-20 countries that had yet to unveil a 2035 NDC. As reported, 128 countries covering approximately 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions had submitted new NDCs by that date, showcasing a worldwide commitment to climate action. Many of these parties included Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, alongside several G-20 members. Under its current NDC, communicated to the United Nations in August 2022, India had set a target of obtaining 50% of its installed electric capacity from non-fossil sources, reducing emissions intensity per unit of GDP by 44%, and increasing its carbon sink to at least 2.5 billion tonnes to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030. At present, about 52% of India's installed electric capacity comes from non-fossil sources, a milestone achieved before the deadline. However, only around 25% of the total power generated is from these non-fossil sources, which include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and nuclear energy. According to official estimates, India reported an emissions intensity reduction of 36% from 2005 to 2020. A significant carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent was achieved between 2005 and 2019. Nevertheless, forest and tree cover in India accounted for approximately 24.6% of the country's geographical area in 2021, an increase from the 21% noted in 2005, but still below the national objective of 33%. In shaping its NDC for the period from 2031 to 2035, the Indian government has taken into account the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) and principles of 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities' (CBDR-RC). The aim is to align national realities with development priorities, energy security, and the urgent need for increased climate action. The GST, initiated in 2021, reviews the collective global progress toward limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It concluded that many nations are currently not on track to meet this critical target. Some independent analysts have indicated that while India appears likely to achieve its NDC targets for 2030, it may not be sufficient to maintain the global temperature increase within the desired range. Vaibhav Chaturvedi, a senior fellow at the Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), highlighted that India's commitment to these targets contrasts sharply with a perceived rollback of climate policies in developed nations. He stated, "It demonstrates a strong resolve to address transmission and land availability constraints faced by the renewables sector." Avantika Goswami from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) remarked on India's leadership amid backtracking from developed countries. She noted, "The signal from India shows that Global South leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real," illustrating the importance of the developing world in tackling climate change.

देश में 9 महीने में एक्सट्रीम वेदर से 3,238 मौतें: MP में जानलेवा मौसम के दिन सबसे ज्यादा, UP-राजस्थान में फसलें सुरक्षित रहीं

देश में 9 महीने में एक्सट्रीम वेदर से 3,238 मौतें: MP में जानलेवा मौसम के दिन सबसे ज्यादा, UP-राजस्थान में फसलें सुरक्षित रहीं

India updates Paris pledge with tougher 2035 climate targets on emissions, clean energy

“India’s new targets represent a commitment to climate multilateralism,” said Avantika Goswami, programme manager for climate change at the Centre for Science and Environment. To halve its emissions intensity and have more than half of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources within nine years “shows that India is pulling more than its weight given its minimal historical contribution to emissions,” she said. “At a time when developed countries are backtracking on ambition, deepening their fossil fuel entrenchment, and dragging the world towards military conflict, the signal from India shows that Global South leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real.”

The Economics of the Daily Commute

Congestion as an Economic Variable: The survey also takes a scattered view of road congestion rather than treating it through a consolidated lens. Several studies, including the one by the Centre for Science and Environment, cite external empirical research to reveal that traffic congestion in Delhi, for example, results in a loss of income of INR 7,200 to INR 19,600 for unskilled workers, INR 8,300 to INR 23,800 for skilled workers, and INR 9,000 to INR 25,900 for highly skilled workers. The Institute for Social and Economic Change, on the other hand, estimates that late arrivals due to congestion cost Bengaluru 7.07 lakh lost productive hours in 2018, with a corresponding loss of INR 7 billion. Similarly, a 2018 estimate by Uber and the Boston Consulting Group puts the annual cost of congestion in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata at around US$22 billion.

Delhi’s ‘1st green budget’focuses on air pollution,Yamuna

Chief minister Rekha Gupta presented Delhi’s “first green budget” on Tuesday — earmarking Rs 22,236 crore or 21.4% of the total allocation — to address a plethora of environmental concerns, including air and water pollution, plaguing the city. “We are making Delhi a courtyard of greenery, not a concrete jungle. Every policy of this budget has been viewed through a green lens.Every policy incorporates environmental concerns, every scheme reflects nature, and every decision takes into account the welfare of future generations. This budget represents a historic shift in the approach of governance, where a balance has been struck between development and the protection of Mother Earth,” the CM said. get a total of Rs 2,392 crore for end-to-end recarpeting and redevelopment of roads to make them free of dust. Money will also be spent on strengthening public transport with a focus on electric mobility. The allocation to the environment and forest department has been increased by 62.7% — from Rs 505 crore in 2025-26 to Rs 822 crore in 2026-27. To ramp up Delhi’s green cover, Gupta said 35 lakh trees of native species like peepal, mango and neem — all ‘oxygen givers’ — will be planted in the next four years. Besides, Rs 130 crore has been allocated for forest development, Rs 44 crore for wildlife protection and Rs 25 crore for Delhi Parks and Garden Societies. An amount of Rs 200 crore has been kept for rejuvenation of the Yamuna and other water bodies. Solar panels will be used to cover drains so that no garbage can be dumped and energy is generated. A total of 1,500 tonnes of cow dung produced daily in the city will be processed for energy generation so that the dung does not enter the river through the drains. Gupta announced a carbon monetisation scheme and earmarked Rs 2 crore for Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to revamp its ‘war-room’, mobile app and real-time tracking mechanism. To reduce dust pollution, Rs 1,392 crore has been allotted for end-to-end recarpeting and redevelopment of 750-km roads under PWD. Similarly, Rs 1,000 crore has been set aside for developing MCD roads. Besides, Rs 504 crore has been allocated for deployment of water sprinklers integrated with anti-smog guns, mechanical road sweeping machines and water tankers. The city’s waste-processing capacity is set to increase from 7,000 metric tonnes to 15,000 metric tonnes owing to a proposed expansion of waste-to-energy plants at Narela, Okhla, Ghazipur and Tehkhand, the CM said. To deal with vehicular pollution, Delhi govt has set a target of rolling out 12,000 electric buses by 2029. It has earmarked Rs 200 crore for Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, including the setting up of charging infrastructure. With an aim of reducing traffic congestion, Rs 575 crore will be spent on completing eight pending flyovers and underpasses. The budget also has a provision for the expansion of Delhi Metro (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/dmrc) and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with allocation of Rs 2,885 crore and Rs 568 crore, respectively. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) of Centre for Science and Environment, said the budget delivers mixed signals. “Commendable investments in clean transit, charging infrastructure, and EV purchase-and-scrap schemes are undermined by contradictory spending on car-centric flyovers and underpasses that ignore last-mile transit accessibility. Furthermore, pollution efforts remain fixated on emergency dust control measures, while the EV Policy 2.0 lacks definitive zero-emission targets. Finally, while expanding waste processing and generation of gas hold potential, it must be strictly driven by 100% segregation at source. Scaling up incineration of unsegregated waste needs to be prevented to control toxic air emissions,” said Roychowdhury.

Delhi unveils ₹22,236 crore “green budget” to tackle pollution

Chief minister Rekha Gupta presented Delhi’s “first green budget” on Tuesday — earmarking ₹22,236 crore or 21.4 per cent of the total allocation — to address a plethora of environmental concerns, including air and water pollution, plaguing the city. “We are making Delhi a courtyard of greenery, not a concrete jungle. Every policy of this budget has been viewed through a green lens. Every policy incorporates environmental concerns, every scheme reflects nature, and every decision takes into account the welfare of future generations. This budget represents a historic shift in the approach of governance, where a balance has been struck between development and the protection of Mother Earth,” the CM said. PWD and MCD will get a total of ₹2,392 crore for end-to-end recarpeting and redevelopment of roads to make them free of dust. Money will also be spent on strengthening public transport with a focus on electric mobility. The allocation to the environment and forest department has been increased by 62.7 per cent — from ₹505 crore in 2025-26 to ₹822 crore in 2026-27. To ramp up Delhi’s green cover, Gupta said 35 lakh trees of native species like peepal, mango and neem — all ‘oxygen givers’ — will be planted in the next four years. Besides, ₹130 crore has been allocated for forest development, ₹ 44 crore for wildlife protection and ₹25 crore for Delhi Parks and Garden Societies. An amount of ₹200 crore has been kept for rejuvenation of the Yamuna and other water bodies. Solar panels will be used to cover drains so that no garbage can be dumped and energy is generated. A total of 1,500 tonnes of cow dung produced daily in the city will be processed for energy generation so that the dung does not enter the river through the drains. Gupta announced a carbon monetisation scheme and earmarked ₹2 crore for Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to revamp its ‘war-room’, mobile app and real-time tracking mechanism. To reduce dust pollution, ₹1,392 crore has been allotted for end-to-end recarpeting and redevelopment of 750-km roads under PWD. Similarly, ₹1,000 crore has been set aside for developing MCD roads. Besides, ₹504 crore has been allocated for deployment of water sprinklers integrated with anti-smog guns, mechanical road sweeping machines and water tankers. The city’s waste-processing capacity is set to increase from 7,000 metric tonnes to 15,000 metric tonnes owing to a proposed expansion of waste-to-energy plants at Narela, Okhla, Ghazipur and Tehkhand, the CM said. To deal with vehicular pollution, Delhi govt has set a target of rolling out 12,000 electric buses by 2029. It has earmarked ₹200 crore for Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, including the expansion of the charging infrastructure. With an aim of reducing traffic congestion, ₹575 crore will be spent on completing eight pending flyovers and underpasses. The budget also has a provision for the expansion of Delhi Metro and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with allocations of ₹2,885 crore and ₹568 crore, respectively. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) of Centre for Science and Environment, said the budget delivers mixed signals. “Commendable investments in clean transit, charging infrastructure and EV purchase-and-scrap schemes are undermined by contradictory spending on car-centric flyovers and underpasses that ignore last-mile transit accessibility. Furthermore, pollution efforts remain fixated on emergency dust control measures, while the EV Policy 2.0 lacks definitive zero-emission targets. Finally, while expanding waste processing and generation of gas hold potential, it must strictly be driven by 100 per cent segregation at source,” she said.

India raises clean-energy ambition with 60% non-fossil fuel power goal by 2035

“At a time when developed countries are backtracking on ambition, deepening their fossil fuel entrenchment, and dragging the world towards military conflict, the signal from India shows that Global South (developing country) leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real,” Avantika Goswami, of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an influential think tank, said in a statement. Updating its climate goals, India has pledged that by 2035, 60% of its installed electric capacity will comprise of non-fossil sources. It also aims to reduce by 47% the intensity of emissions per unit of GDP from 2005 level and to increase its carbon sink to 3.5 billion tonnes - 4 billion tonnes. These targets make up its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which are to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “We will easily achieve these goals… (with) the speed with which we are expanding our non-fossil sources,” Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a briefing on Wednesday following a Cabinet meeting. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, India was required to issue an updated NDC in 2025, which spells out its voluntary actions towards transitioning away from fossil fuel and improving energy-efficiency measures. At the 30th edition of the Conference of Parties in Belem, Brazil, in November last year, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that India would announce the NDC by the “year-end. The Conference of Parties, or CoP, is a body of nations that convenes annually to discuss climate issues and transition their economies away from fossil fuel. India and Argentina were the only two G-20 countries that had not announced a 2035 NDC as of December 31, 2025. A total of 128 parties, representing about 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions, had submitted new NDCs by that date. These included 21 Small Island Developing States, 19 Least Developed Countries, and 18 G-20 members. Current commitments India’s current NDC, officially conveyed to the United Nations in August 2022, commits to the following by 2030: having 50% of its installed electric power from non-fossil sources; reducing the intensity of emissions per unit of GDP by 44%; and increasing its carbon sink to at least 2.5 billion tonnes to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Currently, about 52% of India’s installed electric capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources — a target achieved well before the deadline — though only about 25% of the power generated is non-fossil. These sources include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and nuclear power. As of 2019, say official estimates, India has achieved an emissions intensity of 36% from 2005-2020. A carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent had already been created from 2005 to 2019. However, forest and tree cover accounts for about 24.6% of India’s geographical area as of 2021, which is higher than the 21% in 2005, but still less than the national policy goal of 33%. “In shaping India’s NDC for 2031-2035, the government has considered the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST), principle of Common but differentiated responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and equity with a view to harmonize national realities, developmental priorities, energy security and the need for greater ambition in climate action, in line with the purpose and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement,” the Environment Ministry said in a statement. Initiated in 2021, the GST assesses the world’s collective progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, concluding that nations are not on track. Several independent analysts have suggested that while India may meet its 2030 NDC targets, it isn’t enough to keep the globe on a 1.5C pathway. Independent analysts said India was picking up the slack for developed countries. India’s NDC target had come amid a “rollback of climate policies” and “unilateral trade measures” by developed, rich countries, Vaibhav Chaturvedi, senior fellow, Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), told The Hindu. “It demonstrates a strong resolve to address transmission and land availability constraints faced by the renewables sector. The 47% emissions intensity target shows that energy security and prices cannot be taken for granted.” “At a time when developed countries are backtracking on ambition, deepening their fossil fuel entrenchment, and dragging the world towards military conflict, the signal from India shows that Global South (developing country) leadership on climate ambition is concrete and real,” Avantika Goswami, of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an influential think tank, said in a statement.

संसद में हिमाचल: गंगा संरक्षण पर सरकार का फोकस, 17.68 करोड़ खर्च

गंगा के जीर्णोद्धार में युवाओं और छात्रों की भागीदारी बढ़ाने के लिए विभिन्न विश्वविद्यालयों, कॉलेजों, प्रशिक्षण संस्थानों और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के साथ साझेदारी की गई है। संसद में गंगा नदी के संरक्षण और स्वच्छता को लेकर केंद्र सरकार की पहल की जानकारी साझा की गई। केंद्रीय जल शक्ति राज्य मंत्री राज भूषण चौधरी ने राज्यसभा सांसद इंदु बाला गोस्वामी को बताया कि नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा के तहत “गंगा प्रहरी” कैडर का गठन किया गया है, जिसका उद्देश्य स्थानीय समुदाय और युवाओं को गंगा संरक्षण से जोड़ना है। उन्होंने कहा कि इस पहल के जरिए आम लोगों को गंगा की स्वच्छता और संरक्षण के प्रति जागरूक किया जा रहा है और उनकी सक्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जा रही है। पिछले तीन वर्षों में विभिन्न जागरूकता अभियानों पर कुल 17.68 करोड़ रुपये खर्च किए गए हैं। मंत्री ने बताया कि मिशन के अंतर्गत गंगा तटों पर “गंगा उत्सव”, “स्वच्छता पखवाड़ा”, “घाट पर योग”, “विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस” और अन्य स्वच्छता अभियान नियमित रूप से आयोजित किए जा रहे हैं, ताकि जनभागीदारी को मजबूत किया जा सके। इसके अलावा, नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा ने सीमा सुरक्षा बल के साथ समन्वय कर देवप्रयाग से गंगासागर तक ऑल वुमन रिवर राफ्टिंग अभियान भी आयोजित किया, जो महिला सशक्तिकरण और पर्यावरण जागरूकता का अनूठा उदाहरण है। गंगा के जीर्णोद्धार में युवाओं और छात्रों की भागीदारी बढ़ाने के लिए विभिन्न विश्वविद्यालयों, कॉलेजों, प्रशिक्षण संस्थानों और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के साथ साझेदारी की गई है। सरकार ने यह भी बताया कि गंगा से जुड़े स्थानीय मुद्दों के समाधान के लिए देश के उन 139 जिलों में “जिला गंगा समितियों” का गठन किया गया है, जहां से गंगा नदी गुजरती है। इस पहल का उद्देश्य गंगा को स्वच्छ, अविरल और संरक्षित बनाना है, जिसमें सरकार के साथ-साथ आम जनता की भागीदारी को भी अहम माना जा रहा

'Ganga Prahari' cadre formed to boost public participation in river conservation: Jal Shakti MoS

Dharamshala/New Delhi, Mar 24 (UNI) union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, informed the Rajya Sabha that a dedicated “Ganga Prahari” cadre has been constituted under the National Mission for Clean Ganga to engage local communities and youth in the conservation and cleanliness of the Ganga River. Responding to a query by Rajya Sabha MP Indu Bala Goswami, the Minister said the initiative aims to create awareness among the masses and ensure their active participation in protecting the river. He stated that several awareness campaigns have been conducted under the mission, with a total expenditure of ₹17.68 crore over the past three years. Choudhary further informed the House that various outreach programmes, including “Ganga Utsav,” “Swachhta Pakhwada,” “Ghat Par Yog,” celebrations on World Environment Day, and cleanliness drives, have been organised along the riverbanks to strengthen community involvement. Highlighting special initiatives, he said the NMCG, in coordination with the Border Security Force, organised an all-women river rafting expedition from Devprayag to Ganga Sagar to promote awareness about river conservation. The minister also noted that partnerships have been initiated with universities, colleges, training institutions, and the Centre for Science and Environment to involve students and youth in rejuvenation efforts. To address local issues effectively, district-level Ganga Committees have been constituted in 139 districts through which the river flows, he added.

गंगा नदी के संरक्षण और स्वच्छता के लिए गंगा प्रहरी कैडर गठित: राज भूषण चौधरी

केंद्रीय जल शक्ति राज्य मंत्री राज भूषण चौधरी ने बताया कि गंगा नदी के संरक्षण और स्वच्छता के लिए स्थानीय समुदाय और युवा वर्ग को जोड़ने के लिए नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा के अन्तर्गत गंगा प्रहरी कैडर गठित किया गया है। इस कैडर का मुख्य उद्देश्य आम जन मानस को गंगा नदी के संरक्षण और स्वच्छता के लिए जागरूक किया जाना है ताकि इस मिशन में उनकी सक्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जा सके। केंद्रीय मंत्री चौधरी ने यह जानकारी राज्यसभा सांसद इंदु बाला गोस्वामी को उनके पूछे गए सवाल के जवाब में सदन में दी है। केंद्रीय मंत्री चौधरी ने बताया कि इस इस मिशन के अन्तर्गत विभिन्न जागरूकता अभियान चलाये गए हैं और पिछले तीन सालों में इन जागरूकता अभियानों पर कुल 17.68 करोड़ रूपये खर्च किये गए हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा के तत्वावधान में गंगा नदी के संरक्षण और स्वच्छता के लिए स्थानीय समुदाय और युवा वर्ग को जोड़ने के लिए गंगा नदी के तटों पर गंगा उत्सव, स्वच्छता पखवाड़ा, घाट पर योग, विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस और स्वच्छता अभियान आयोजित किये गए हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि इस उदेश्य के लिए नेशनल मिशन फॉर क्लीन गंगा ने सीमा सुरक्षा बल के साथ समवन्य कर देवप्रयाग से गंगा सागर तक आल वीमेन रीवर राफ्टिंग का आयोजन किया। उन्होंने बताया कि इस मिशन ने गंगा नदी के जीर्णोद्धार में बच्चों और छात्रों को जोड़ने के लिए विभिन्न विश्विद्यालयों, कॉलेजों, प्रशिक्षण संस्थानों और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के साथ भागीदारी शुरू की है। गंगा नदी के जीर्णोद्धार में स्थानीय मुद्दों को प्रभावी ढंग से निपटाने के लिए देश के उन 139 जिलों में जिला गंगा समितियों का गठन किया गया हैं जहां से गंगा नदी गुजरती है।

Gurgaon records cleanest air in five months, AQIturns ‘satisfactory’

GURGAON: The city recorded its cleanest day in 162 days on Friday, with the air quality index (AQI) dropping to 98 and entering the ‘satisfactory’ category for the first time since Oct 9 last year, when the AQI stood at 69. The day started with AQI at 115, in the ‘moderate’ category, but favourable weather conditions helped disperse the pollutants and bring the air quality up by the evening. Station-wise data showed variation across the city. NISE Gwal Pahari recorded an AQI of 67 and Vikas Sadan logged 92, both in the ‘satisfactory’ range, while Sector 51 recorded an AQI of 135 in the ‘moderate’ category. The improvement comes after a prolonged winter spell marked by sustained high pollution levels. The lowest air quality in these months was recorded on Jan 20, when the AQI touched 394. AQI began deteriorating after the first week of Oct. By Oct 21, PM2.5 levels surged to 370, pushing the city into the ‘very poor’ category. In Nov, the condition worsened further and AQI remained above 250 on most days of the month. On Nov 2 and Nov 11, pollution peaked for the month with AQIs of 357 and 378, respectively. The trend continued through Dec, with AQI largely above 260 and multiple spikes pushing the air in the ‘severe’ category, including an AQI of 322 on Dec 13, 345 on Dec 15 and 364 on Dec 23. Jan emerged as the most polluted month of the season, with several consecutive days recording AQI levels above 350 and multiple peaks in the 370–390 range. Feb brought only marginal improvement, with air quality largely oscillating between the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, barring a brief dip to 148 on Feb 19. March saw fluctuating conditions before easing in the latter half of the month. The city recorded several days with AQI above 300 — 322 on March 7, 307 on March 10, 304 on March 11 and 301 on March 12 — before readings dropped to 129 on March 16 and 154 on March 19, setting the stage for Thursday’s sharper improvement. Officials attributed the drop in pollution levels to recent rainfall and gusty winds that helped flush out accumulated pollutants from the air. Experts, however, cautioned against viewing the improvement as a long-term shift. “This improvement is largely driven by favourable meteorological conditions such as rain and strong winds, which help disperse pollutants,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment. “Unless emission sources are consistently controlled, air quality is likely to deteriorate again once weather conditions turn stagnant,” she added.

Now is an Opportune Time to Promote Alternate Fertilisers

In this regard, a recent study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows that inefficient use of fertilisers is resulting to low nitrogen and organic carbon respectively in 64% and 48.5% of soils tested. Thus, the existing fertiliser policy needs to be revamped as it is not only promoting indiscriminate use of highly import dependent chemical fertilisers with mounting fiscal burden but also leading to unsustainable agricultural practices adversely impacting soil health and productivity. India’s urgent need for promoting alternate fertilisers for domestic self-sufficiency has come to the forefront with the ongoing geopolitical conflicts in West Asia and the resultant supply disruptions. Moreover, global fertiliser supplies came under pressure and prices rose by about 14% in 2025 due to the changing trade policies and restrictions of major trading countries. India, being heavily dependent on imports for raw materials and feedstock for chemical fertiliser production, is exposed to the high risks of global supply disruptions and price volatilities, apart from the loss of precious foreign exchange. Such a scenario provides an opportunity for the government to reorient fertiliser policy to scale-up and promote production and use of alternate fertilisers like organic and bio-fertilisers towards achieving domestic self-reliance in fertiliser production in the country. Dire need In addition to the substantial dependency on import, the existing fertiliser policy is aiding in indiscriminate and excessive use of chemical fertilisers with subsidies. Fertiliser subsidies rose sharply since 2019-20 onwards stood at Rs.1.86 lakh crore in 2025-26 as per the Revised Estimate, which is more than double compared to Rs.0.8 lakh crore in 2019-20. It is important to note in this context is that the fertiliser subsidy, intended for farmers for enhancing agricultural production, is still given to fertiliser industry instead of directly giving to farmers. In addition, the continuous and excessive use of chemical fertilisers has also been resulting to serious negative externalities such as reduced soil productivity due to accumulation of chemicals and pollution of soil and water, severe deficiency of soil organic carbon and micronutrients. In this regard, a recent study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows that inefficient use of fertilisers is resulting to low nitrogen and organic carbon respectively in 64% and 48.5% of soils tested. Thus, the existing fertiliser policy needs to be revamped as it is not only promoting indiscriminate use of highly import dependent chemical fertilisers with mounting fiscal burden but also leading to unsustainable agricultural practices adversely impacting soil health and productivity. Challenges and way forward To reduce excessive chemical fertiliser use and promote balanced use of organic and chemical fertilisers, various policy measures were initiated with schemes such as soil health card (SHC) scheme in 2015 and the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) in 2023. In addition, schemes to promote organic and natural farming such as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, are also introduced. However, the extent of their success in reducing chemical fertiliser use appears to be very limited so far. While the first step, testing of soils appears to be picking up with about 116 lakh soil samples collected and about 97.6 lakh SHCs generated in 2025-26, but progress in shifting to optimal and judicious use of chemical and alternate non-chemical fertilisers appears to be slow. Major reasons for such limited progress in using organic and bio-fertilisers include limited rise in production, issues with quality control, low preference from farmers, lack of awareness, relatively cumbersome in application compared to chemical fertilisers, etc. Production of organic fertilisers has not yet picked up momentum and remains slow and erratic. Total production of organic fertilisers in the country has in fact declined to 80 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 from about 127 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 according to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. In order to effectively reduce chemical fertilisers, the first and foremost requirement is the adequate availability of alternate organic and bio-fertilisers at affordable prices. Production of such alternate fertilisers needs to be scaled up by providing adequate support and level playing field for the manufacturers of organic and bio-fertilisers. Another major challenge is ensuring quality with increasing instances of failed quality tests with inferior quality and spurious bio and organic fertiliser products. Further. Deterioration of quality is apparently increasing over the period. The extent of spurious bio-fertiliser samples failing the quality tests increased from 1% in 2013-14 to 44% in 2019-20 according to a study of CSE. In addition, there is limited availability of testing facilities with only 8 states having government-owned notified testing laboratories. It is also essential to create widespread awareness among farmers about the harmful long-term impacts of excessive chemical fertiliser application on soil and the need to adopt optimal and balanced application for chemical and non-chemical fertilisers for ensuring sustainable soil health and crop productivity. In addition to the subsidised prices, chemical fertilisers are preferred for their easy availability, handling and usage especially compared to organic fertilisers. Towards this, there is a need to promote innovation in devising methods for easy handling and use of organic fertilisers. Hence, for successful adoption of alternate fertilisers, it is vital to create awareness among farmers about the benefits and importance of using non-chemical fertilisers and need for reducing use of chemical fertilisers. Thus, to shift successfully away from import dependent burdensome chemical fertilisers and achieving self-sufficiency in domestic fertiliser production, there is a need to reorient the existing fertiliser policy to scale-up production and use of organic and bio-fertilisers with requisite strategies. This will provide adequate support & level playing field for manufactures, ensure quality and create awareness among farmers.