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National Law University Odisha To Host LL.M. Conclave 2026 In Hybrid Mode On March 8

The National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in the year 2009 under The National Law University Orissa Act, 2008 (Act 4 of 2008) passed by the Odisha State Legislature and commenced its academic activities in the academic year 2009-10. Within a short span of time, NLUO has made its mark as a university engaged in imparting socially relevant education. NLUO is ideally placed to learn from other law schools both in terms of their strengths and drawbacks. Drawing from these experiences, it has embarked upon a well-structured course of action to achieve levels of excellence. Students at NLUO are trained by a group of experienced, dynamic, young and most significantly committed teachers. The curriculum development and framing process offers academic flexibility and promotes an environment which allows exchange of intellectual thought process. The amicable environment hones not just the students' intelligence, but also their emotional quotient. The level of academic rigour has ensured that our most of our alumni excel in their profession. Beyond academics, NLUO promotes leadership skills and the wholesome life experience of our students by encouraging them to take part in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities like literary, debating, cultural, entrepreneurial and recreational activities. About Competitive Examinations Guidance Committee (CEGC) The CEGC is a student-run committee that aims to nurture and culture an atmosphere for competitive exams in NLUO. With a large amount of law graduates being inclined to write competitive examinations, we aim to help and guide these aspirants so that they can achieve their future goals. To be a pioneering force in guiding and preparing students to achieve success in competitive examinations thereby enabling them to become leaders and change-makers in their chosen fields. The Competitive Examinations Guidance Committee of the National Law University Odisha (CEGC) is dedicated to providing guidance and support to students aspiring for various competitive examinations within India and abroad with special emphasis on careers pertaining to law. Our mission is to nurture a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and holistic development, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in their chosen careers. LL.M. Conclave 2026 The LL.M. Conclave 2026, organized by the Competitive Examinations Guidance Committee at National Law University Odisha, is a student-oriented event aimed at guiding law students interested in pursuing an LL.M. in India or abroad. The conclave will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both offline and online participation. The event will feature speakers from different legal fields who will share their experiences about LL.M. studies, career choices, and application processes. It aims to help students understand the opportunities and challenges involved in pursuing postgraduate legal education. The conclave is intended to provide practical guidance and help students make more informed decisions about their academic and professional future. Rules And Details Of The Conclave Event Details:• Event Date: March 8, 2026• Event Timings: 11:00 AM onwards• Mode: Hybrid (Offline for NLUO participants & Online for non-NLUO participants)• Venue: Seminar Hall, National Law University Odisha• Online Platform: Google Meet (for non-NLUO participants) Speakers The LL.M. Conclave 2026 will feature speakers from diverse professional backgrounds including litigation, corporate practice, academia, and policy research. The speakers will share their experiences regarding LL.M. studies, career paths, and opportunities after postgraduate legal education. Speakers include: • Dr. Tanwi Shams - Assistant Professor of Law, NLUO, LL.M., Intellectual Property & Technology Law, National University of Singapore (2016) · Ms. Sanskruti Samal - Advocate, Supreme Court of India, LL.M., Commercial Law, University of Cambridge (2023) · Ms. Shinjini Mitra- Fellow, NLSIU, LL.M., Competition Law, King's College London (2023) · Mr. Kushagra Goyal- Senior Research Associate, Centre for Science and Environment, LL.M., Global Environment & Climate Change Law, The University of Edinburgh (2024) · Ms. Archita Mohapatra- Senior Associate, Trilegal, LL.M., Labour Law & Employment Relations, Tilburg University (2023) · Ms. Sneha Rath- Former Trainee, Private Client Practice, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, LL.M. (Financial Laws and Regulations), London School of Economics Eligibility:• Open for all.

अब इंसानों से नहीं डर रहे बाघ, लैंटाना झाड़ियों ने बदला शिकार का खेल; CSE रिपोर्ट में बड़ा खुलासा

देश के राष्ट्रीय पशु बाघ के व्यवहार में चिंताजनक बदलाव आ रहा है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की "स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज एनवायरनमेंट 2026" रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इकोसिस्टम के खराब होने और इंसानी दखल के कारण बाघ अब इंसानों और जानवरों को तेजी से निशाना बना रहे हैं। यह रिपोर्ट बुधवार को नीमली में "अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग 2026" के दौरान जारी की गई। इंसानों पर शिकार के बढ़ते मामले रिपोर्ट के आंकड़े चिंताजनक हैं। जनवरी से जून 2025 के बीच, भारत में बाघों के हमलों में 43 लोगों की मौत हुई। एक्सपर्ट इसे "चिंताजनक" मानते हैं क्योंकि बाघ आमतौर पर इंसानों पर तभी हमला करते हैं जब उन्हें मजबूर किया जाता है (बुढ़ापे या चोट के कारण)। लेकिन अब, बाघों में इंसानों का डर खत्म हो रहा है।

सीएसई और डाउन टू अर्थ ने जारी की 2026 ‘स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज़ एनवायरनमेंट’ रिपोर्ट, जलवायु संकट को बताया ‘नो रिटर्न पॉइंट’ के करीब

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) और उसकी प्रमुख पत्रिका डाउन टू अर्थ ने वर्ष 2026 की ‘स्टेट ऑफ इंडियाज़ एनवायरनमेंट (SOE)’ रिपोर्ट जारी की। इस अवसर पर आयोजित अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग 2026 में देशभर के 70 पत्रकारों और 20 से अधिक विषय विशेषज्ञों ने हिस्सा लिया और भारत के सामने खड़े पर्यावरणीय संकटों पर गहन चर्चा की। CSE की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा, “जलवायु संकट अब उस बिंदु पर पहुंच रहा है, जहां से वापसी मुश्किल है। पिछले तीन वर्षों के औसत को देखें तो दुनिया पहली बार 1.5 डिग्री सेल्सियस तापमान वृद्धि की सीमा पार कर चुकी है। यह संकेत है कि हम सुरक्षित सीमा को तोड़ रहे हैं।”

अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग 2026 में बेगूसराय के युवा पत्रकार प्रेम कुमार को मिला राष्ट्रीय मंच

राजस्थान के अलवर जिले के निमली में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CSE) द्वारा आयोजित प्रतिष्ठित अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग 2026 में बेगूसराय के युवा पत्रकार प्रेम कुमार को विशेष रूप से आमंत्रित किया गया है। यह चार दिवसीय कार्यक्रम 24 फरवरी से 28 फरवरी 2026 तक आयोजित होगा, जिसमें देशभर से 100 से अधिक चुनिंदा पत्रकार भाग लेंगे। बेगूसराय के लाल का राष्ट्रीय मंच पर डंका मंझौल निवासी प्रेम कुमार ने पत्रकारिता की पढ़ाई पटना विश्वविद्यालय के प्रतिष्ठित दरभंगा हाउस परिसर से की है। शिक्षा पूर्ण करने के बाद उन्होंने पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में सशक्त पहचान बनाई। वर्तमान में वे डीडी न्यूज़ और पीटीआई जैसी देश की अग्रणी और विश्वसनीय मीडिया संस्थाओं के लिए कार्यरत हैं। राजधानी से लेकर बिहार तक उनकी रिपोर्टिंग ने अपनी अलग छाप छोड़ी है। पर्यावरण और सामाजिक मुद्दों पर गहरी समझ व निरंतर मेहनत के बल पर उन्हें इस राष्ट्रीय संवाद में स्थान मिला है। क्या है अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग CSE भारत की अग्रणी पर्यावरण शोध एवं वकालत संस्था है। अनिल अग्रवाल डायलॉग, CSE के संस्थापक स्वर्गीय अनिल अग्रवाल की स्मृति में आयोजित किया जाता है। इस मंच पर पर्यावरण, जलवायु परिवर्तन, टिकाऊ विकास और प्राकृतिक संसाधनों से जुड़े अहम विषयों पर पत्रकारों, विशेषज्ञों और नीति-निर्माताओं के बीच गहन विमर्श होता है। बेगूसराय के छोटे से कस्बे मंझौल से निकलकर राष्ट्रीय स्तर के इस प्रतिष्ठित आयोजन में आमंत्रण मिलना अपने आप में बड़ी उपलब्धि है। प्रेम कुमार की सफलता से क्षेत्र में हर्ष का माहौल है। स्थानीय पत्रकारों, बुद्धिजीवियों और युवाओं ने उन्हें बधाई देते हुए कहा कि वे बेगूसराय का गौरव बढ़ा रहे हैं। यह उपलब्धि उन युवाओं के लिए प्रेरणा है, जो छोटे शहरों और कस्बों से निकलकर राष्ट्रीय पटल पर अपनी पहचान बनाना चाहते हैं।

India’s Winter Is Rewriting Its Script: The Vanishing Chill of February and a Climate in Flux

As the winter season officially draws to a close on February 28, data reveals an unprecedented anomaly: for the first time in five years, the month of February has passed without a single cold wave or cold day being recorded anywhere in the country. According to a detailed analysis by Down To Earth (DTE), this February has been a “silent” month on the weather front, a dramatic departure from recent trends where February often delivered the season’s final, fierce punch of cold .

Supreme Court Directs Centre to Identify Coal Units for Delhi-NCR Phase-Out

Coal and Air Pollution A recent Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) study revealed that thermal power plants in the region are responsible for emitting 16 times more air pollution than stubble burning. According to a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report published in November 2023, the air pollution in Delhi-NCR is being worsened by intransigence of thermal power plants, most of which are not complying with emission control norms. "Delhi and NCR cannot meet the clean air benchmark and protect public health if the continuous sources of pollution like thermal power plants remain high emitters. These plants have not been able to meet the standards and are at varying stages of progress simply because the target dates for compliance are shifting continually,” Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, CSE, stated in the news release published by CSE. The Supreme Court on February 23 directed the ministries of environment and petroleum & natural gas to submit a joint proposal to identify and shift all coal-based industries out of the Delhi-National Capital Region, including identification of viable alternative fuel sources, according to The Economic Times. The governments of Delhi's neighbouring states, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, were asked by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to publish public notices soliciting feedback and objections from interested parties, including coal-based industries, regarding the proposed phase-out. Such notices will be regarded as having been issued in accordance with the court's authority, it stated. The bench order stated that the proposal should first identify industries and determine what alternative fuel sources can be provided from them. According to an interim arrangement, Haryana, Delhi and other authorities concerned will examine the feasibility, logistics, location and operational modalities of such industries pending a final decision, the court said, while noting a proposal from the Commission for Air Quality Management that no new coal-based thermal power plant will be allowed within 300 km of the national capital. The court further directed the NCT of Delhi to file a detailed 'action taken' plan to operationalise those measures. The court is expected to examine the issue of vehicular air pollution on March 12. In January, the top court had directed the commission to convene a meeting of experts to identify major causes of the worsening air quality in the capital. In addition, the apex court had asked the commission to prepare a report on the causes of pollution based on the deliberations at the meeting. Air Quality Levels Remain Poor The matter pertains to Delhi’s ongoing air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recording poor average of past 24 hours air quality levels at 239 on February 24 at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The deteriorating air quality comes despite recent forecasts from the India Meteorological Department that predicted generally clear skies and rising daytime temperatures, which can sometimes help disperse airborne pollutants. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), evening and night-times mist acts to trap emissions close to the surface. IMD also predicted surface winds of 15–25 kilometres per hour on February 25 and 26 but experts cautioned that these speeds are likely insufficient to clear the stagnating pollution quickly. The daily maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to hover between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius, while minimums range from 12.4 to 13.6 degrees Celsius over the next week. Coal and Air Pollution A recent Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) study revealed that thermal power plants in the region are responsible for emitting 16 times more air pollution than stubble burning. According to a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report published in November 2023, the air pollution in Delhi-NCR is being worsened by intransigence of thermal power plants, most of which are not complying with emission control norms. "Delhi and NCR cannot meet the clean air benchmark and protect public health if the continuous sources of pollution like thermal power plants remain high emitters. These plants have not been able to meet the standards and are at varying stages of progress simply because the target dates for compliance are shifting continually,” Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, CSE, stated in the news release published by CSE.

Gurgaon to enforce two-stage checks of demolition waste before construction and occupancy

Delhi-NCR is being pushed into a system where every kilogram of construction and demolition (C&D) waste must be traceable. From April 1, anyone undertaking construction, renovation or demolition on plots of 200 sq metres or more in Gurgaon will be required to show exactly where their waste went, according to the new directions issued by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Demolition waste — in the biggest shift — will have to be accounted for twice, once before construction begins and once again before a building is allowed to be occupied. The long-running practice of off-loading debris onto roadsides, vacant plots or forest edges will no longer slip through the cracks. Builders and homeowners will have to declare, at the plan-approval stage, how much debris they expect to generate. A Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) official said, "If demolition is part of their project, they will be required to take the waste to an authorised C&D collection or processing facility and produce a formal receipt. This receipt will become a core document not only for starting construction but also for obtaining completion and occupation certificates. A structure may be finished, but unless this paperwork is in order, it cannot legally be occupied." These requirements place significant responsibility on govt agencies as well. To make compliance realistic, CAQM directed Gurgaon's civic and planning bodies to ensure there is at least one authorised C&D waste collection point within every 5km by 5km grid of the city. This means MCG and other development authorities must identify locations, notify them and put in place the infrastructure needed for regular collection, storage and processing. The presence of a designated drop-off facility in every grid effectively removes the excuses that historically justified dumping waste in open spaces. The directions also reshape the role of municipal bodies. They will now be responsible for ensuring that debris is transported and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. This involves verifying transport routes, preventing trucks from diverting loads to unauthorised spots and making sure that waste actually reaches the notified facilities. "Construction and demolition dust is a year-round source of particulate pollution in cities like Gurgaon, but enforcement has been weak because responsibility is fragmented," executive director at Centre for Science and Environment Anumita Roychowdhury said, adding, "Linking waste disposal to building approvals and completion certificates is important because it creates a clear compliance trail and makes local authorities accountable, not just builders." To strengthen oversight across the NCR, the directions call for a digital tracking system built jointly by the govts of Haryana and Delhi. This system will feature geo-tagged waste-collection points and GPS-tracked vehicles carrying debris. Every trip will leave a digital trail, from the plot it originated on to the facility where it was dropped. Missing waste, route deviations or unexplained gaps in the chain can then be flagged in real time, making it difficult for anyone to dispose of debris stealthily. For a city where construction debris for years accumulated along highways, drains and the Aravali foothills, the responsibility to close these loopholes now falls squarely on civic systems. Regulation and enforcement will largely rest with HSPCB, which will be expected to monitor whether waste-collection points and processing facilities are functional, whether they are meeting environmental norms for dust suppression and run-off control and whether they are receiving and processing debris as per the rules. "We will also have the authority to act against illegal dumping, including issuing notices and imposing environmental compensation. In addition, C&D processing plants will fall under our inspection regime, requiring them to comply with air and water pollution standards," the HSPCB official said.

30 Communicators Attend Five-Day Virtual Workshop on the Linkages Between Business and Climate Change in India

Simrin Sirur of Mongabay carried on this theme on the last day of the workshop, explaining green credit rules and how a journalist could investigate them, and how greenwashing could be exposed. That was followed by a detailed presentation by Parth Kumar of the New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment on the actual challenges being faced by steel, cement, chemicals and thermal power sectors in controlling their GHG emissions. As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt across India, with climate-related natural disasters costing the economy an estimated US$12 billion in 2025, and an increasing number of studies highlighting key industries such as agriculture are incredibly vulnerable to climate shocks, it is clear that ‘business as usual’ no longer applies for the country’s private sector. Internews’ Earth Journalism Network’s (EJN) Business and Climate Media Initiative (BCMI) project introduced 30 communicators from across India to the interfaces between business and climate during the five-day virtual workshop held from December 8 to 12, 2025. “We have received repeated requests from communicators covering environment-related issues for support to improve their understanding of how businesses and industries are influencing climate change and are being impacted by it,” said Joydeep Gupta, EJN’s India Program Lead. “Experts took the conversation beyond numbers to the responsibilities industries have to keep their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in check, the extent to which they are carrying out these responsibilities and the world of new businesses profiting from the transition to a cleaner economy,” he said. The sessions—that lasted two hours a day—were opened by Vaibhav Chaturvedi from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a think tank based in New Delhi. He outlined the current state of greenhouse emissions in India, with a focus on emissions from specific industry sectors such as power generation, transportation, steel, cement and chemicals. He also spoke about the impacts of climate change on India’s gross domestic product, as the country struggles to cope with more frequent and severe droughts, floods, storms, landslides and rising seas. Neha Malhotra from the consultancy firm Nangia Anderson described in detail the mandatory climate commitments of businesses and industries in India, and the kinds of responses that are being seen. This led on to issues around the governance of India’s environment, social and governance (ESG) policy and the impending Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting framework of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. There were frank discussions on the extent to which these mandates were being followed and by whom, as well as how the media could track the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of industries too small to fall under the mandatory requirements framework. The energy transition is not just a matter of compliance for industries—it is also a huge business opportunity, especially in renewable energy, clean transportation and associated businesses. A recent CEEW study highlighted how the green transition could attract US$4.1 trillion investment by 2047 and create 48 million jobs. With this in mind, on the second day of the workshop, Jaideep Saraswat of the New Delhi-based think tank Vasudha Foundation spoke about the prospects of renewable energy and clean mobility businesses, and also about the challenges facing them, including access to finance and raw materials. This was followed by Sanjay Vashisht, head of Climate Action Network South Asia, who presented on the challenge of finding and mining the rare earths necessary for solar panels, wind turbines and batteries. One of the big problems in the move to a greener private sector is finance. This problem has only worsened with the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement, which has meant the US government has stopped paying what it had promised to various climate funds and to developing countries. This has also led to some large investors turning away from energy and mobility transition projects. Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s former chief negotiator at global climate talks and now with CEEW, explained the history of these negotiations on the third day of the workshop. This led to an hour-long discussion among participants—moderated by EJN’s Gupta—on financing for mitigation, the lack of financing for adaptation to climate change impacts and how this can be highlighted through media reports. Carbon markets are emerging as the most promising solution to the lack of finance. While these markets are already proliferating in India, very few journalists even know what carbon markets are, let alone how to track the integrity of individual market transactions. Saurabh Trivedi of the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis bridged this gap on the fourth day of the workshop, with a detailed primer on what carbon markets are, the kinds of markets being followed in India, their history, whether they are mandatory or voluntary and the new markets being planned. He also explained the working of green bonds, debt-for-nature-swaps and other fixed income debt instruments in place in India. Almost all of this was new to most workshop participants, and requests to explain various facets of the presentation in more detail went on for over an hour. Simrin Sirur of Mongabay carried on this theme on the last day of the workshop, explaining green credit rules and how a journalist could investigate them, and how greenwashing could be exposed. That was followed by a detailed presentation by Parth Kumar of the New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment on the actual challenges being faced by steel, cement, chemicals and thermal power sectors in controlling their GHG emissions. And with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) making up a huge part of India’s private sector—with 33% of India’s GDP generated by these companies—Kumar then explained the specific problems being faced by MSMEs in controlling their emissions, especially the lack of financing and knowhow. The extent to which his message resonated among workshop participants was seen later, when many journalists submitted story ideas about the problems and prospects of GHG emission control by MSMEs.

द‍िल्‍ली-एनसीआर से लाखों लोग जाएंगे बाहर? सीजेआई सूर्यकांत के सामने आया 300 क‍िलोमीटर वाला कौन सा प्रस्‍ताव...

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, NCR में हजारों की संख्या में ऐसी इकाइयां हैं जो अभी भी कोयले या अवैध ईंधन का उपयोग कर रही हैं. यदि सुप्रीम कोर्ट के प्रस्ताव के तहत 300 किलोमीटर के दायरे से इन उद्योगों को हटाया या बदला जाता है, तो इससे न केवल बड़े पैमाने पर विस्थापन होगा, बल्कि लाखों कामगारों की आजीविका और स्थानीय सप्लाई चेन पर भी गहरा असर पड़ेगा. सीजेआई सूर्यकांत के सामने ऐसा प्रस्‍ताव पेश क‍िया गया है, जो अगर लागू हो गया तो द‍िल्‍ली-एनसीआर से हजारों फैक्‍टर‍ियां 300 क‍िलोमीटर दूर भेज दी जाएंगी. अगर ऐसा हुआ तो उनमें काम कर रहे 6 से 7 लाख लोगों पर भी असर होगा. दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण के जानलेवा स्तर से निपटने के लिए अब एक बेहद सख्त और बड़ा कदम उठाने की तैयारी शुरू हो गई है. सुप्रीम कोर्ट में सोमवार को एक ऐसा प्रस्ताव पेश किया गया, जो अगर लागू हुआ तो कोयले से चलने वाली सारी फैक्‍टर‍ियां द‍िल्‍ली-एनसीआर से बाहर कर दी जाएंगी. इतना ही नहीं, 300 क‍िलोमीटर के दायरे में कोई थर्मल पावर प्‍लांट नहीं होगा. अगर ऐसा हुआ तो इनमें काम कर रहे लाखों लोगों को वहां जाना होगा. सीजेआई सूर्यकांत की पीठ ने इस प्रस्ताव पर केंद्र सरकार के मंत्रालयों से जवाब मांगा है, जिससे साफ संकेत मिल रहे हैं कि प्रदूषण फैलाने वाली फैक्ट्रियों के दिन अब लदने वाले हैं. 300 किलोमीटर का दायरा और थर्मल पावर प्लांट पर रोक एयर क्‍वाल‍िटी मैनेजमेंट कमीशन की ओर से सुझाए गए उपायों पर सुनवाई करते हुए सीजेआई सूर्यकांत की अध्यक्षता वाली पीठ ने कई कड़े निर्देश दिए हैंः कोर्ट ने पर्यावरण मंत्रालय, पेट्रोलियम मंत्रालय और विद्युत मंत्रालय से उस सुझाव पर जवाब मांगा है, जिसमें कहा गया है कि दिल्ली के 300 किलोमीटर के दायरे में अब कोई भी नया कोयला आधारित थर्मल पावर प्लांट नहीं लगाया जाना चाहिए. उत्तर प्रदेश, हरियाणा और राजस्थान सरकार को निर्देश दिया गया है कि वे सार्वजनिक नोटिस जारी कर कोयला आधारित उद्योगों से उनके सुझाव और आपत्तियां मांगें. इन राज्यों को एक एक्‍शन टेकन प्‍लान भी जमा करना होगा. कोयले की जगह कौन सा विकल्प? अदालत ने केवल फैक्ट्रियों को हटाने की ही बात नहीं की है, बल्कि उनके भविष्य पर भी विचार करने को कहा है. सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने मंत्रालयों से एक ज्‍वाइंट प्रपोजल मांगा है. एनसीआर के उन उद्योगों की पहचान करना जो पूरी तरह कोयले पर निर्भर हैं. यह तय करना कि इन उद्योगों को कोयले के विकल्प के रूप में कौन सा अल्‍टरनेट‍िव फ्यूल दिया जा सकता है. धूल और वाहनों पर भी चलेगा हंटर कोयले के अलावा, सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने निर्माण कार्यों से उड़ने वाली धूल और वाहनों से होने वाले प्रदूषण पर भी सख्त रुख अपनाया है. 12 मार्च को होने वाली अगली सुनवाई में अदालत वाहनों से होने वाले वायु प्रदूषण के मुद्दे की विस्तार से जांच करेगी.कोर्ट ने दिल्ली सरकार को निर्देश दिया है कि वह CAQM द्वारा सुझाए गए दीर्घकालिक समाधानों को लागू करने के लिए एक ठोस एक्शन प्लान पेश करे. सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने सभी पक्षों को अपनी रिपोर्ट और प्रस्ताव जमा करने के लिए 12 मार्च तक का समय दिया है. यदि यह प्रस्ताव मंजूर हो जाता है, तो दिल्ली से 300 किलोमीटर दूर तक के औद्योगिक इलाके पूरी तरह बदल जाएंगे और कोयले का धुआं छोड़ने वाली फैक्ट्रियों को अपना बोरिया-बिस्तर समेटना होगा. क‍ितनी फैक्‍टर‍ियां और क‍ितने कामगार विभिन्न औद्योगिक रिपोर्टों और आर्थिक सर्वेक्षणों के अनुसार, दिल्ली में लगभग 25,000 से 30,000 ऐसी फैक्ट्रियां हैं जो इंडस्‍ट्र‍ियल इलाकों में चल रही हैं. जबक‍ि अनधिकृत क्षेत्रों में यह संख्या लाखों में हो सकती है. अकेले दिल्ली-NCR के कोयला आधारित और प्रदूषणकारी उद्योगों में करीब 5 से 7 लाख श्रमिक प्रत्यक्ष रूप से जुड़े हैं. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, NCR में हजारों की संख्या में ऐसी इकाइयां हैं जो अभी भी कोयले या अवैध ईंधन का उपयोग कर रही हैं. यदि सुप्रीम कोर्ट के प्रस्ताव के तहत 300 किलोमीटर के दायरे से इन उद्योगों को हटाया या बदला जाता है, तो इससे न केवल बड़े पैमाने पर विस्थापन होगा, बल्कि लाखों कामगारों की आजीविका और स्थानीय सप्लाई चेन पर भी गहरा असर पड़ेगा.

In Kashmir, It Is April In February As Cascading Cost Of Warmest Winter Worries Experts

An unusually hot February has alarmed Kashmir. On Saturday, mercury shot up to over 21 degrees Celsius, 10 notches above the average temperature, shattering the previous record high of 20.6 degrees set on February 24, 2016. The temperature being experienced nowadays is what Kashmir would witness in April, when spring would be in full bloom, while mornings and evenings would still carry a touch of wintry air. The atypical weather comes as the region grapples with a staggering over 55 per cent precipitation deficit during the peak winter. The spike is seen as an extraordinary deviation for late winter months as people started giving up pherans and woollens. "This heat is something unusual. We have stopped lighting hamaam or heaters. There is no requirement for these things as nights too are getting warmer," said 65-year-old Ali Mohammad of Srinagar. Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif described the surge as part of a broader and intensifying warm spell triggered by the lack of Western Disturbance that can usher wet spell in the region. "Kashmir is presently witnessing temperatures that are strikingly similar to what is normally recorded in mid-April," he said. Experts warn that sustained high temperatures following the precipitation deficit could spur early snowmelt in the higher reaches of the Himalayan region, raising fears of cascading impact on the environment. Climate scientist Prof Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo noted the Kashmir Valley has experienced a pronounced warming trend in the last five to six years. "Reduced snowfall and warmer spring temperatures are triggering earlier melting of seasonal snowpacks and glaciers, thereby disrupting the natural timing and availability of meltwater that sustains rivers, springs, and groundwater recharge systems. These changes are already contributing to declining snow accumulation, reduced streamflows and increasing water stress in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir,” he told ETV Bharat. The western rivers, including the Jhelum, Chenab and its tributaries, rely on snowpack accumulation. While rapid melting is expected to trigger a short-term rise in water levels, increasing the risk of flooding, it is expected to potentially trigger lower discharge during the summer, when farms need irrigation. If the pattern persists, Romshoo said, it could likely diminish long-term water availability and increase vulnerability to water shortages, threatening both ecological sustainability and adversely affecting various socio-economic sectors in the region. Irfan Rashid of the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, warns that streams and rivers may have more water in early spring but could experience reduced flows in spring and summer, when water demand peaks, affecting irrigated farming, especially rice cultivation, which is a staple food of the Valley. "Such extreme snow loss will expose glacier ice earlier to solar radiation, increasing ice melt, glacier thinning and long-term degradation," he said. "Warmer conditions may also trigger permafrost thaw across the Himalaya, which can destabilise mountain slopes and potentially lead to catastrophic mass movements." This was experienced in Chisoti mountains in J&K's Kishtwar and Dharali in Uttrakhand where large-scale devastation was caused by floods in 2025. In Kishtwar alone, 66 people were devoured by the floods caused by changing weather patterns. According to a report of Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth, extreme weather was recorded on 270 of the 273 days from January to September 2025, up from 255 in 2024. For the agriculture and horticulture sector, which is the mainstay of the region’s economy, the early heat has spurred worries among farmers. Fruits like apples depend on a prolonged cold spell to meet essential chilling requirements. "But warmer winters disrupt flowering cycles, increase pest activity and reduce yields," said an apple grower, Mohammad Abbas of Shopian. Likewise, tourism stakeholders also fear that early heat can shorten the winter sports season in destinations such as Gulmarg while also affecting the snow cover that draws visitors.

Brace yourself for a deluge of GM crops

Down to Earth, the journal dedicated to environmental concerns, pointed out that a Centre for Science and Environment investigation in 2018 had found ‘GM ingredients in 32 per cent of 65 food products in India, 80 per cent of them imported’. Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has finally ended his silence on the Indo-US trade deal. On 17 February, Chouhan — who only last year said India needed to be cautious about allowing the entry of Genetically Modified (GM) crops — declared that Indian farmers had nothing to worry about, their interests were ‘completely protected’ in the ongoing negotiations. He said little on importing soyabean oil from genetically modified soyabeans and DDG (dried distillers’ grains) made from GM maize, both of which find mention in the joint framework to the ‘interim trade agreement’. Down to Earth, the journal dedicated to environmental concerns, pointed out that a Centre for Science and Environment investigation in 2018 had found ‘GM ingredients in 32 per cent of 65 food products in India, 80 per cent of them imported’. Sridhar Krishnaswami, a researcher with the Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA-Kisan Swaraj), fears that “DDGs and soyabean are just a ploy and that our agricultural market is going to be totally opened up”. Why else would the US insist on India removing or relaxing ‘restrictive’ trade practices? GM foods green-signalled in the deal include soyabean oil and DDGs made from GM maize and used for cattle and poultry feed. By doing so, the Modi government ended India’s long-term moratorium on GM food crops. Under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, the import of GM crops was disallowed; an exception was made for BT cotton in 2002. India insisted that approval was required for every GM organism entering the food chain. As late as November 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had made it mandatory to label foods containing one per cent or more GM content insisting that all import consignments had to certify their non-GM status. In 2009, there was public backlash against moves to allow BT brinjal cultivation. This time, public reaction is muted because of lack of clarity and absence of details about the deal being negotiated. Even so, several experts say it is obvious that India has bowed to the pressure of major global seed companies (Bayer-Monsanto, Dupont Pioneer, Syngenta, Dow) and to the US, which is the largest exporter of GM crops in the world. Founder of Gene Campaign Suman Sahai believes the US desperately needed a market for its soyabean and corn, because China, once its top buyer, has dramatically scaled back its purchases. “Trump could not afford to annoy his large political base of soyabean and corn farmers, hence the pressure on us,” says Sahai. GM crops are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce new traits such as resistance to insects and tolerance of herbicides and climate stress. This technology differs from traditional breeding, which mixes genes within a crop’s broader family over several generations. Experts believe India walked into this deal with its eyes closed, overlooking the ‘precautionary principle’ — followed by several countries — that prioritises the environment and health and safety measures while prohibiting the cultivation and entry of GM crops. More importantly, we are overlooking the fact that India is the centre of origin and genetic diversity for several crops. Regulators have repeatedly cited risks related to gene flow, biodiversity loss and long-term ecological impact. Shockingly, civil society has remained largely silent on the alarming repercussions of the side entry of GM food products. Could they have swallowed minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal’s assurances to the contrary? India produces around 13.05 million tonnes of soya bean and approximately 42 million tonnes of corn, 20 per cent of which is used to make fuel-grade ethanol. Self-sufficient in its corn output, India imports soya oil for cooking because it lacks the processing infrastructure for edible oil.

Why policy makers should look at Chennai’s autorickshaws for the future of last-mile delivery

Large delivery vans are increasingly impractical in many parts of Chennai. Parking is scarce, fuel is expensive, and traffic is unpredictable. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, transport alone can make up 30–35% of logistics costs in Indian cities—mostly because of inefficient movement within cities. Chennai is often called the automobile capital of India—and for good reason. In 2024, the city produced nearly 30% of India’s automobiles and 35% of its auto components. A strong mix of global manufacturers, suppliers, ports, and highways has made Chennai a key manufacturing and logistics hub. As Tamil Nadu pushes to become a global manufacturing powerhouse, the next big challenge isn’t just factories or highways. It’s how goods move within the city. Urban goods transport remains slow, costly, polluting, and poorly adapted to Chennai’s dense streets. Logistics is growing – but the last mile is lagging Chennai’s logistics sector is expanding fast. By September 2025, Grade-A warehousing space grew 135% year-on-year to 4.1 million sq. ft, driven by automobiles, engineering, and port-led trade. The Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy 2023 aims to connect ports, roads, railways, and freight corridors into one efficient system. The upcoming Multimodal Logistics Park at Mappedu is expected to strengthen this network further. But these big infrastructure projects largely ignore a crucial problem: how goods actually reach shops, workshops, and customers inside the city. MSMEs bear the brunt Tamil Nadu has over 4.5 lakh registered MSMEs. These small businesses depend on fast, affordable local transport. Instead, they face delays, rising costs, and unreliable deliveries due to traffic congestion and narrow roads. Large delivery vans are increasingly impractical in many parts of Chennai. Parking is scarce, fuel is expensive, and traffic is unpredictable. According to the Centre for Science and Environment, transport alone can make up 30–35% of logistics costs in Indian cities—mostly because of inefficient movement within cities. Solving this problem needs smaller, smarter, and cleaner solutions. Chennai already has one. Autorickshaws: Hiding in plain sight Over 1.2 lakh autorickshaws operate in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. They already navigate narrow streets with ease and form the backbone of urban mobility. If allowed to carry both passengers and light goods, autorickshaws could play a major role in last-mile delivery. These “dual-use” autos could carry small cargo loads (up to 150 kg), which is ideal for most intra-city deliveries. They could carry passengers during peak hours and switch to goods during off-peak times—making better use of vehicles that otherwise sit idle for hours. Integrating dual-use autorickshaws into Chennai’s upcoming City Logistics Plan could create a low-cost, scalable, and locally suited solution for MSMEs. Better incomes, better logistics This model also helps auto drivers. A Civitas Consultancies study found that 7 out of 10 drivers rent their vehicles, while most owners rely on informal debt. Income is unstable, and fare regulation delays make matters worse. Allowing autos to carry goods during low passenger demand could increase daily earnings by 20-30%. Instead of waiting for rides, drivers could deliver goods for nearby shops and businesses. At the same time, logistics companies gain access to a flexible, city-wide delivery network without investing in new vehicles. What needs to change The biggest hurdle is regulation. Updating vehicle approvals to allow higher cargo limits and easing rules that separate passenger and goods vehicles would unlock this model quickly. Small legal changes could create large economic and environmental benefits. A smarter way forward Chennai’s rise as a logistics hub doesn’t have to rely only on bigger trucks and bigger roads. Sometimes, the smartest solution is already on the street. By rethinking the role of autorickshaws, Chennai can build a last-mile logistics system that is efficient, inclusive, and environmentally friendly – turning an everyday vehicle into a quiet but powerful innovation.

TN sets course for emission cuts by 2030

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday announced that Tamil Nadu will formulate State Determined Contributions (SDCs) to establish measurable carbon-reduction targets across departments by 2030, positioning the state on a par with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Inaugurating the two-day Tamil Nadu Climate Summit 4.0 in Chennai, Stalin said future state budgets would integrate climate action and align departmental schemes with emission reduction goals. The summit, organised under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, brought together policymakers, multilateral agencies and subject experts to deliberate on the state’s climate roadmap. During the event, the chief minister launched TN-SHORE (Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy) and distributed revolving fund-based micro-loans of Rs 5 lakh each to the Killai–MGR Nagar and Killai–Kalaignar Nagar Mangrove Protection Groups. Officials said similar assistance would be extended to 32 other mangrove protection groups to bolster coastal livelihoods. He also laid the foundation stone for a Sea Cow (Dugong) Protection Centre at Thanjavur Manora. An MoU was exchanged between the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund to establish a Circular Economy Centre at IIT-M. Separately, the SEBI-registered Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund started its first round of investments. With a target corpus of Rs 1,000 crore and a green shoe option of another Rs 1,000 crore, the fund announced an initial deployment of Rs 70 crore across Kannapiran Polymers, electric mobility operator Oor Cabs and EV charging firm ESYGO. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said the fund would be managed by Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation Ltd. The state has committed Rs 100 crore, with the remaining Rs 900 crore to be mobilised through private finance for green ventures. Centre for Science and Environment Director General Sunita Narain underscored the widening global climate finance gap and called for innovative sub-national financing mechanisms. Stalin added that the summit was conducted sustainably, with 1,100 saplings planted in Krishnagiri to offset its carbon footprint. CM MK Stalin also distributed revolving fund-based micro-loans of Rs 5 lakh each to the Killai–MGR Nagar and Killai–Kalaignar Nagar Mangrove Protection Groups. Similar assistance would be extended to 32 other groups

PM10 stays 2.5 times above safe limit, but Faridabad uses only half of budget to cut pollution

Gurgaon: Faridabad has stayed far from meeting national clean-air standards but half of its anti-pollution budget lies unused. The city utilised Rs 53.2 crore of Rs 107 crore — just under 50% — released to it under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) so far, fresh govt data accessed by TOI shows. While Faridabad had remained a ‘non-attainment city' under NCAP for seven years, the underutilisation has persisted. The city repeatedly failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) even though it has managed to cut its PM10 levels by nearly a third over the past five years. Annual PM10 readings show that the city made some progress, but the improvement remains inconsistent and still far from the NAAQS annual permissible limit of 60 µg/m³. The latest figure — 153 µg/m³ in 2024-25 — marks a 33% reduction from 2020-21 levels (209), but PM10 concentration remains over 2.5 times higher than the national standard. "The city cannot afford to leave half its NCAP funds idle," said Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) analyst Manoj Kumar. Kumar added, "It is important to assess how these funds contributed to reductions in PM10 levels and identify the measures that delivered the most impact. This can help strengthen future implementation by ensuring resources are directed towards interventions that provide long-term improvements in air quality." Faridabad's annual PM10 readings show a gradual but uneven improvement over the past five years. The concentration stood at 229 µg/m³ in 2020-21, dropping to 209 µg/m³ in 2021-22, before rising slightly to 212 µg/m³ in 2022-23. The city recorded a more noticeable improvement thereafter, with the level declining to 190 µg/m³ in 2023-24. An earlier analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that Faridabad achieved only a 17% reduction in PM10 by 2024 when compared to the baseline year (2020-21), as the city did not have continuous PM10 data before that. Much like earlier years, most of the utilised NCAP funds went into dust control measures — including mechanised road sweeping, water sprinklers, black-topping of stretches and pavement of roads. Less than 1% of NCAP money previously went into tackling industrial pollution, CSE found in an RTI-based analysis. Founder and lead analyst at think-tank Envirocatalysts Sunil Dahiya said, "The absence of emission load reduction targets for key contributing sectors within cities and their broader airsheds, coupled with a lack of clearly demarcated accountability, explains why we didn't witness systematic, aggressive air quality improvements. NCAP 2.0 must change this by leveraging available data and tools to empower govts, administrations, and polluting sectors alike to take aggressive emission load reduction at source." A senior Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) official said the focus on dust control was deliberate. "Most industries in Faridabad have already been moved out of NCR. That is why spending is higher on traffic management and preventing dust resuspension. Funds were also used for creating EV charging infrastructure and skill development for officials," the official said. The city also spent part of the allocation on public awareness campaigns and afforestation efforts.Researchers say Faridabad's incremental improvement in PM10 levels is welcome but insufficient — especially considering the scale of pollution sources and the substantial funds still unutilised.

Why Are Models Picking Trash In This Manipur Fashion Show?

Environmental policy expert Sunita Narain from the Centre for Science and Environment has consistently argued that India’s waste crisis is less about how much we generate and more about how poorly we segregate and manage it. Without proper separation at source, recyclable and biodegradable waste mix, reducing recovery and increasing dumping. At the Fashion Tourism Show 2026 in Manipur, designer Robert Naorem halted the runway after noticing litter scattered across the stage. Instead of asking staff to clear it quietly, he stopped the music and, along with nearly 40 models, began picking up the trash in full public view. The show paused. The audience watched. The models cleaned. The act was simple. That simplicity is exactly why it drew attention. In a country where public litter is common, basic civic behaviour often feels unusual enough to go viral. What Exactly Happened According to videos circulated online, Naorem saw plastic waste and paper debris on the runway during the event. Rather than continuing as planned, he interrupted the show. Gloves and garbage bags were brought out. The models joined him in clearing the space before the event resumed. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUyPNqWEojb/ There was no dramatic speech. No slogan. Just visible action. In a setting built around presentation and spectacle, the message was direct: if you use a public space, you are responsible for it. That responsibility does not disappear because the setting is glamorous. The fact that this incident became widely discussed shows how rare visible civic correction is in public events. Cleanups usually happen off-stage, often by sanitation workers who remain invisible. This time, those in the spotlight took on the task. The Waste Numbers Behind The Moment India’s waste problem is large and measurable. Urban India generates approximately 1.60–1.70 lakh tonnes of municipal solid waste every day. On average, an individual produces approximately 0.5 kg of solid waste per day. When multiplied across millions of people, even small acts of careless disposal add up quickly. Treatment levels remain uneven. Estimates suggest that only around 50–55% of municipal solid waste is scientifically processed, while nearly 19–25% in several urban local bodies remains unprocessed. Unprocessed waste often ends up in open dumps, poorly managed landfills, or informal disposal sites. Environmental policy expert Sunita Narain from the Centre for Science and Environment has consistently argued that India’s waste crisis is less about how much we generate and more about how poorly we segregate and manage it. Without proper separation at source, recyclable and biodegradable waste mix, reducing recovery and increasing dumping. The litter on a runway may seem minor. But it sits within this larger structural issue. Public Health And Economic Consequences Improper waste disposal is not just about appearance. Public health research links unmanaged waste to increased risks of diarrhoeal diseases, vector-borne infections, and respiratory exposure, especially in areas near open dumping or informal burning sites. Waste that blocks drains contributes to waterlogging, which in turn creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes. There is also an economic cost. Municipal bodies allocate large portions of their budgets to waste collection, transport, and landfill management. When waste is not segregated or disposed of properly, operational costs increase. Tourism areas and event spaces that appear dirty risk reputational damage. The visible act of picking up trash highlights a basic truth: preventing litter at source is cheaper and safer than cleaning up after systemic neglect. Why Civic Behaviour Breaks Down Littering persists because of both behavioural and structural reasons. Studies in behavioural economics show that people are more likely to litter in areas where waste is already visible. Social norms influence behaviour. If a space appears neglected, individuals assume that standards are low. Behavioural economist Sendhil Mullainathan has explained that people often default to the easiest immediate action. If a bin is far away or absent, dropping waste becomes the convenient choice. Designing systems that make correct disposal easy is essential. Policy recommendations from NITI Aayog also emphasise that infrastructure alone is insufficient. Behavioural nudges, public participation, and consistent messaging are required to change habits. Visible role models can shift perception by signalling that certain behaviour is expected. In this context, a public figure interrupting a show to clean a space functions as a behavioural cue.

Recycling Cultures in India: Studying Electronic and Textile Waste

Kiran Pandey, “India’s E-Waste Surges by 73% in 5 Years,” Down to Earth, 17 December 2024, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/indias-e-waste-surges-by-73-in-5-years. At our home in Delhi’s National Capital Region (NCR) in India, I often wake up in the morning to the calls of street vendors. Many of them are experts in fixing small household items—be it a pressure cooker that needs a quick repair or a kitchen knife that requires a swift sharpening. Their calls are one of the few things in Delhi that remind me of my childhood in Assam, a state in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. The cries of the scrap dealers, locally known as kawadiwalas, in the mornings in an otherwise quiet neighbourhood of the small town of Tinsukia are still distinct in my memory: “Tina, loha, plastic,” they were shouting, asking for recyclable waste such as old newspapers, plastic, or metals.