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Farm stubble fires of Punjab-Haryana-Delhi have increased in numbers, intensity: Centre for Science and Environment

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has issued an early winter pollution alert and stated that farm stubble fires of Punjab-Haryana-Delhi have increased in numbers and intensity. Delhi’s seasonal winter PM2.5 average improved during the pandemic, but it stagnated post-pandemic. As Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) brace for the upcoming winter, it remains to be seen if the seasonal average of PM2.5 during winter -- that had improved during the pandemic but had stagnated post-pandemic -- will further bend or increase. This winter season is also starting from a much cleaner benchmark due to rains in September and October. The Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Urban Lab has released its winter pollution assessment – the objective, says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, has been “to understand the trend and the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region. Farm stubble fires of Punjab-Haryana-Delhi are increasing both in numbers and intensity. Last year registered the highest instances of farm stubble fire in the last seven years -- 2021 October-November saw a 10 per cent jump in observed fire count by MODIS and 5 per cent increase by VIIRS compared to 2020 October-November. Similarly, the total fire radiative power from these fires was 13 per cent and 7 per cent higher compared to the 2020 fires as observed by MODIS and VIIRS respectively.

Air pollution for July-September quarter at second lowest in five years in Delhi: Centre for Science and Environment

There were 45 rainy days in July, August, and September this year compared to just 39 rainy days in the same period last year. These six extra rainy days helped keep the seasonal average low despite total rainfall this monsoon having been just one-third of the previous monsoon Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution average for the July-August-September quarter this year stood at 37 micrograms per cubic metre, only marginally higher than the five-year low of 36 micrograms per cubic metre recorded during 2020, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment. Pollution levels in the July-August-September quarter were preceded by one of the most polluted summers this year, unlike in 2020 when the trimester followed the cleanest ever summer (March-May) due to extraordinary conditions created because of hard pandemic lockdowns, the green think tank said. “Therefore, it is important to understand what aided in cleaning up the Delhi air. Looking at the rainfall data it becomes evident that distribution of rainfall has a relatively higher impact on seasonal air quality than the absolute quantity of rainfall,” it said. There have been 45 rainy days in July, August, and September this year as compared to just 39 rainy days in the quarter last year. “These six extra rainy days helped keep the seasonal average low despite total rainfall this monsoon having been just one-third of the previous monsoon,” the CSE said. These additional rainy days also pushed the regular start of bad air quality days further down the month of October, it said. The PM2.5 average for the quarter stood at 38 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021, 41 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019 and 43 micrograms per cubic metre in 2018. The CSE had on Thursday said the average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (1 October to 1 February) used to hover around 180-190 micrograms per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 micrograms per cubic metre since then, it said. However, the seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 micrograms per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 micrograms per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green think tank noted. What is PM2.5? PM2.5 means Particulate Matter 2.5. There are particles in the air that are two and one-half microns or less in width. Microns are a unit of distance like inches and meters, but so tiny that an inch can fit around 25,000 microns. Particles in this size range can reach deep inside our respiratory tract, to the lungs. How does PM2.5 affect health? Exposure to such fine particles can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. This can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Delhi PM2.5 pollution in winters has dipped 20 pc compared to pre-pandemic period: CSE

The average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period, according to a new report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday. It also said Diwali this year is being observed early in the season "which means the warmer and windier conditions will help dilute the pollution that is staple of Diwali night celebrations". However, concentrated stubble burning due to prolonged rains (in September end and October) may compound the problem. The assessment captured seven successive winters and pre-winter trends, starting from January 1, 2015 in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). It is based on real time data available from the 81 operational air quality monitoring stations in the region.

दिल्ली में कोरोना काल से पहले के मुकाबले 20 प्रतिशत कम हुआ प्रदूषण: रिपोर्ट

सीएसई की रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि इस इस साल भी सर्दियों के सीजन की शुरुआ... https://www.aajtak.in/india/delhi/story/delhi-pollution-in-winters-has-dipped-20-percent-compared-to-pre-pandemic-period-says-cse-1560308-2022-10-20

Improvement in air pollution during pandemic has stagnated: CSE

Air quality likely to turn ‘very poor’ tomorrow Delhi’s average PM2.5 (a major pollutant) level during winter had improved during the pandemic, however, it has stagnated post the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment. Actions taken by authorities this winter will determine if the curve will bend or rise further, it said. The analysis has been done for annual and seasonal trends in PM2.5 from January 1, 2015 to October 17, 2022. Winter is considered from October 1 to February 28. “Overall, long-term data show that improvement made in reducing pollution levels during the winter season has stagnated in the last three years. Smog episodes are again starting to get longer, posing dire threat to public health not just in Delhi but whole of the NCR,” as per the analysis. Delhi’s seasonal air quality for winter used to hover around 180-190 µg/m 3 before the pandemic but had come down to 150-160 µg/m 3 for the last three winters. Despite the improvement, the seasonal average is still over 150% – above the 24-hour standard and almost four times the annual standard, the CSE said. A worry The analysis also noted that air pollution on the night of Deepavali still continues to be a worry. “PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) last year stood at 747 µg/m 3, 22% higher than that on 2020 Diwali night. The levels on 2021 Diwali night were 4.5 times the average night-time levels recorded in the week preceding Diwali,” the analysis read. “This early winter alert is a wake-up call for more stringent pre-emptive and preventive measures to avert the smog episodes that cause excessive exposure and health risk during winter. The enforcement of GRAP needs to be equally stringent with zero tolerance across Delhi-NCR. This requires preparedness in all departments concerned,” said CSE executive director of research and advocacy Anumita Roychowdhury. Meanwhile, the air quality of Delhi worsened slightly and continued to be in the “poor” category on Thursday. It is likely to be “very poor” on Saturday and Sunday, according to a forecast by the Central government’s Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi.

Delhi has had its cleanest start to winter in years, shows report

New Delhi The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday released an analysis of winter pollution in Delhi since 2015, finding that this October has had the cleanest start to the winter season with respect to PM 2.5 presence since the data was compiled. For the purpose of the study, CSE analysed PM 2.5 concentration for the period starting January 1, 2015 to October, 17, 2022, with winter being defined as the period between October 1 and February 28 in any given year. The analysis used real-time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR, covering 81 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across the region. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at CSE, said this clean start to the winter has largely been due to extended rainfall. “If we analysed the air quality index (AQI) only based on PM 2.5 concentration, then there were a total of five good air days in the first two weeks of October this year. However, the PM 2.5 concentration has quickly risen since then and has already touched ‘poor’ levels, crossing the 90 micrograms per cubic metre concentration,” Roychowdhury said. The CSE analysis also showed that the last three winter seasons in Delhi had a marked improvement compared to the winters between 2015 and 2018 -- the winter seasons of 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 averaged a PM 2.5 concentration of 150-160 micrograms per cubic metre, while it was around 180-190 micrograms in the winters from 2015-2018, the analysis said.. The winter PM 2.5 average for 2021-22 was found to be 10-30% lower on average when compared to the winter of 2020-21. Ghaziabad registered a 30% improvement -- the highest among NCR cities – followed by Greater Noida (28%), Noida (23%), Faridabad (16%), Delhi (12% and Gurugram (11%). These levels, however, are still 2.5 times the national 24-hour standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metres.

India’s IT Sector Could be Vibrant, Dynamic Incubator for Innovation and R&D for Shared, Connected, and Electric Mobility Revolution: Amitabh Kant

The world’s finest IT sector of India could be a very vibrant and dynamic incubator for innovation and R&D for the shared, connected and electric mobility revolution which is going to happen in India, said Amitabh Kant, the present G20 Sherpa of India and former Chief Executive Officer of Niti Aayog. The world’s finest IT sector of India could be a very vibrant and dynamic incubator for innovation and R&D for the shared, connected and electric mobility revolution which is going to happen in India, said Amitabh Kant, the present G20 Sherpa of India and former Chief Executive Officer of Niti Aayog. The stakeholder consultation was organised by CUTS International and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) to discuss the need for “A just transition approach for developing a green economy – a case of electric mobility”, in New Delhi recently. With India aiming to be free from fossil-fuel imports by 2047, the main focus of its energy plans should be on green hydrogen owing to the favourable climatic conditions for manufacturing, he further added. The consultation was based on the ongoing project between CUTS and FES - Exploring the potential of Last Mile Transportation as an enabler for Green Jobs which looks into the potential and impact of decarbonisation of last-mile connectivity on the local economy and livelihood opportunities, from a ‘just transition’ point of view. Speaking on plans for driving electric vehicle (EV) adoption, Mr. Kant added, “India is essentially a market of about 75 percent of two wheelers (2Ws) and three wheelers (3Ws). Therefore, our policy should be that we should first ensure that 100 percent of 2Ws and 3Ws become absolutely green.” Further, he felt that the next 5 decades are crucial for the country and green mobility will play a huge role when it comes to India’s strategy of “becoming the first nation in the world to industrialise with carbonising.” Adding to the discussion, Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS, spoke about the issues with the EV industry in India including skyrocketing demand for raw materials to make batteries, inadequate growth of charging infrastructure in the country, massive number and limited speed of e-rickshaws leading to traffic congestions and finally the subjectivity in the concept of just transition. Also, given the context of just transition, he further added that the automotive industry relies heavily on SMEs for providing engine components, but with the e-mobility revolution, “How are we going to ensure that SMEs do not get affected adversely?” Addressing the event, Ulrich Storck, Country Director, FES, highlighted the need for a just transition- “FES firmly believes that a just and inclusive transition can only be achieved by bringing wide range of interest groups such as worker organisations, environmental, youth and feminist groups into the discussion.” Sucharita Bhattacharjee, Policy Analyst and Deputy Head, CUTS Calcutta Resource Centre made a brief presentation on the findings of the ongoing project with a focus on decarbonisation of the last mile connectivity in a 'just' manner, to set the context for the panel discussion that followed the Inaugural session. Speaking at the panel discussion session, Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said that transition funding, protectionists measures for workers’ retirement planning, sharing of resources from one sector to other are the crucial components of the framework we would need in order to facilitate a Just Transition in the mobility sector. Conscious thinking and intense engagement with the government and other stakeholders including the climate groups, private players and trade unions will be required to prepare this strategic roadmap. She also pointed out that more than the environmental concerns; public health issues are compelling us to adopt measures without any further delays, to counter vehicular emission induced air pollution in several places including the national capital. Other participants of the panel discussion session included Gautam Mody, General Secretary, New Trade Union Initiative and Siddhartha Goel, Senior Policy Advisor, International Institute for Sustainable Development who emphasised on developing a just society beyond the boundary of getting out of coal and into renewables & economic impact of a green energy transition on states heavily relying on fossil fuel taxation respectively. Mody highlighted the exit of auto majors like General Motors and Ford from India, which are planning for going completely electric within few years and don’t see India as an EV manufacturing hub and don’t want to bear the complete cost of transition. He raised the issues of unjust relocation of people/ communities and ecological damages in the process of development of solar parks, and absence of tripartite dialogues between government, industry and trade unions which are critical for ensuring the rights of workers. He also spoke of the importance of a framework for dialogue between environment groups and trade unions; and the facilitating role of government in establishing such frameworks. Goel remarked on the subsidy structure in India which is 7 times higher for fossil fuels than clean energy, of which the larger share goes to solar and wind leaving a little for electric mobility. In global climate finance as well, most of the financing goes to renewable energy and only 10 percent is spent on public transport. So there’s a need to ensure a judicial financing in this case. The panelists further discussed skill development which has remained as another area of concern with limited financing for reskilling of the workforce. A mutual consent was formed to act timely on developing partnership and synergies across sectors, to re-build the narratives of different stakeholder groups to ensure evidence based informed decision-making process. It was also discussed that the economics must be sound for any alternative to work in favor of the transition we are talking about. Amongst various fiscal measures, rationalization of taxes, adopting taxing the bad and funding the good approach, implementing the ‘polluter pays’ principle will be crucial in achieving this transition. Panelists also addressed questions from the audience like how the global contexts like war, energy disruption and the recession that is likely to hit soon will also influence the pace of this transition. They concluded that we would need a comprehensive national policy considering all the key sectors associated with the energy transition and integrating issues like environmental justice, equity and employment generation.

Fire Crackers Ban: क्या दिल्ली में मन सकेगी बिना पटाखों वाली दिवाली? देखिए माहौल देखकर क्या कह रहे हैं एक्सपर्ट

विशेष संवाददाता, नई दिल्लीः राजधानी में पटाखों रहित दिवाली मनाने के लिए काफी पहले से तैयारियां शुरू कर दी गई हैं। इसके बावजूद पुलिस जिस तरह से विभिन्न जगहों पर पटाखों की खेप पकड़ रही है, एक्सपर्ट संभावना जता रहे हैं कि यह दिवाली भी पटाखा रहित नहीं होगी। पटाखे राजधानी में दुकानों के अलावा आम लोगों तक भी पहुंच चुके हैं। पटाखे जल भी रहे हैं। ग्रेट इंडियन फेस्टिवल के दौरान boAt, Lenovo, Samsung, HP, और कई अन्य जैसे शीर्ष ब्रांडों से नए लॉन्चिंग इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स और एक्सेसरीज़ पर शानदार बचत। ​मानसिकता में बदलाव जरूरी एक्सपर्ट के अनुसार, पटाखों के बैन को प्रभावी बनाने के लिए सबसे पहले लोगों की मानसिकता में बदलाव जरूरी है। इसके लिए कदम उठाने और जागरूकता अभियान बड़े स्तर पर चलाना होगा। इस साल ऐसी गतिविधियां अब तक नहीं दिखी हैं। कई बाजारों में लोग पटाखे ढूंढ रहे हैं। व्यापारी बता रहे हैं कि लोग उनके पास पटाखों की मांग कर रहे हैं। वह अधिक कीमतें चुकाने को तैयार हैं। कई लोग बाहर से भी पटाखे खरीद कर ला रहे हैं। सीएसई की अनुमिता राय चौधरी के अनुसार, पटाखों रहित दिवाली के लिए पर्याप्त बैन करने के साथ लोगों को उनसे हो रहे नुकसान के बारे में बताना जरूरी है। ग्रीनपीस के कैंपेनर अविनाश चंचल के अनुसार, पटाखे जल रहे हैं और राजधानी में ही पकड़े जा रहे हैं। ऐसे में यह साफ है कि पटाखों की डिमांड बनी हुई है। अब पटाखे कितने जलेंगे, इसके लिए दिवाली का इंतजार करना पड़ेगा। लोगों को विकल्प देना भी जरूरी है। साथ ही नियम एक जैसे बनें, सरकारी जश्न, पार्टियों, शादियों में भी पटाखों पर कार्रवाई हो। ​पटाखों पर कब क्या हुआ, कहां करें शिकायत राजधानी में पटाखों पर 2017 में पहली बार सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने बैन लगाया। 2018 में सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने पटाखों पर पूरे देश में बैन लगाया। सिर्फ ग्रीन पटाखों को अनुमति दी गई। 2019 में रात 8 से 10 बजे के बीच राजधानी में ग्रीन पटाखों को जलाने की छूट दी गई। वहीं 2020, 2021 और 2022 से राजधानी में पटाखे पूरी तरह बैन हैं। इसके बावजूद दो साल से राजधानी में दिवाली की रात काफी पटाखे जलते हैं। DPCC के अनुसार, यहां करें शिकायत पुलिस की तुरंत सहायता के लिए 112 पर कॉल करें पटाखों की जानकारी शेयर करने के लिए 1090 पर कॉल करें ​दिवाली के बाद अगले दिन क्या रहा प्रदूषण 2021 - 462 (4 नवंबर) 2020 - 435 (15 नवंबर) 2019 - 368 (28 अक्टूबर) 2018 - 390 (8 नवंबर) 2017 - 403 (20 अक्टूबर) 2016 - 445 (31 अक्टूबर) 2015 - 360 (12 नवंबर) ​किन-किन राज्यों में पटाखे प्रतिबंधित हैं दिल्ली में पूरी तरह पटाखों पर रोक है हरियाणा में, एनसीआर के 14 जिलों में पटाखों की बिक्री और जलाने पर रोक रहेगी। यह रोक दिवाली के अलावा गुरुपर्व, क्रिसमस और नए साल पर भी होगी। अन्य जिलों में रात आठ से दस बजे के बीच ग्रीन पटाखे लोग जला सकेंगे। राजस्थान में एनसीआर छोड़कर दिवाली पर रात आठ से दस बजे तक ग्रीन पटाखे जला सकेंगे। क्रिसमस और नववर्ष पर भी लोग रात 11.55 बजे से 12.30 बजे तक, गुरुपर्व पर रात आठ से दस बजे तक, छठ पर सुबह 6 से आठ बजे तक ग्रीन पटाखे जला सकेंगे। उत्तर प्रदेश के एनसीआर जिलों में पटाखों पर बैन लगाया गया है मध्य प्रदेश में जिन शहरों का एक्यूआई 200 के नीचे है, वहां दिवाली पर दो घंटे ग्रीन पटाखे जलेंगे पंजाब में दिवाली और गुरुपर्व पर लोग रात 8 से 10 बजे तक ग्रीन पटाखे जला सकेंगे महाराष्ट्र में लोगों से पटाखे न जलाने की अपील की गई है छत्तीसगढ़ में दिवाली पर रात 8 से 10 और छठ पर सुबह 6 से आठ बजे के बीच ग्रीन पटाखे छोड़ सकेंगे पश्चिम बंगाल में कालीपूजा, दिवाली और अन्य त्योहारों पर पटाखों पर रोक है

लोगों को साफ हवा में सांस लेने दें', SC ने दिल्ली में पटाखे बैन के खिलाफ याचिका को किया खारिज, जल्द सुनवाई की थी मांग

इससे पहले दिन में, दिल्ली हाई कोर्ट ने दिल्ली प्रदूषण नियंत्रण समिति (DPCC) के सभी तरह के पटाखों की बिक्री और इस्तेमाल पर पूरी तरह प्रतिबंध को चुनौती देने वाली एक याचिका पर विचार करने से इनकार कर दिया था

PM2.5 pollution down by 20% in Delhi

The average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period, according to a new report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday. It also said Diwali this year is being celebrated early in the season "which means the warmer and windier conditions will help dilute the pollution that is a staple of Diwali night celebrations". However, concentrated stubble burning due to prolonged rains (in September end and October) may compound the problem. The assessment captured seven successive winters and pre-winter trends, starting from January 1, 2015 in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). It is based on real time data available from 81 operational air quality monitoring stations in the region. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (October 1 to February 28) used to hover around 180-190 microgram per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 microgram per cubic metre since then, the report said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the CSE, said the objective of the report is to understand the trend and "the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region". The seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 microgram per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 microgram per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green thinktank noted. It said peak pollution showed a similar trend as the seasonal average. "Peak pollution (worst 24-hour average) used to cross 800 microgram per cubic metre at individual stations pre-pandemic. It has been hovering in the 700-800 microgram per cubic metre range during the last three winters," the report said. The CSE, however, said the peak pollution numbers did not project the actual level as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had capped it at 1,000 microgram per cubic metre in 2016-17, greatly compromising its assessment. Researchers said the winter of 2021-22 was less polluted as compared to 2020-21 for most NCR cities. Ghaziabad registered a 30 per cent improvement, the highest among all major cities, but its PM2.5 level was still about 2.5 times the 24-hour standard. "Greater Noida (28 per cent), Noida (23 per cent) and Faridabad (16 per cent) also registered improvement in excess of Delhi (12 per cent)," the report said. Gurugram, with 11 per cent improvement, was the worst performer among the core NCR cities. In absolute concentration terms, Faridabad, with an average of 159 microgram per cubic metre, was the most polluted city of the NCR last winter. Unlike the previous two years, smoke from farm stubble fires has not overwhelmed the air quality of the region yet and rains in early October have also kept the air relatively clean. Also, previous years' data shows that Diwali night can add 300-600 microgram per cubic metre of PM2.5 to Delhi-NCR's air if the business-as-usual scenario continues.

PM2.5 pollution in Delhi during July-Sept quarter 2nd lowest in 5 years: CSE

Delhis PM2.5 pollution average for the July-August-September quarter this year stood at 37 microgram per cubic metre, only marginally higher than the five-year low of 36 microgram per cubic metre recorded during 2020, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Pollution levels in the July-August-September quarter were preceded by one of the most polluted summers this year, unlike in 2020 when the trimester followed the cleanest ever summer (March-May) due to extraordinary conditions created because of hard pandemic lockdowns, the green think tank said. “Therefore, it is important to understand what aided in cleaning up the Delhi air. Looking at the rainfall data it becomes evident that distribution of rainfall has a relatively higher impact on seasonal air quality than the absolute quantity of rainfall,” it said. There have been 45 rainy days in July, August and September this year as compared to just 39 rainy days in the quarter last year. Advertisement Choco-pie Ad “These six extra rainy days helped keep the seasonal average low despite total rainfall this monsoon having been just one-third of the previous monsoon,” the CSE said. These additional rainy days also pushed the regular start of bad air quality days further down the month of October, it said. The PM2.5 average for the quarter stood at 38 microgram per cubic metre in 2021, 41 microgram per cubic metre in 2019 and 43 microgram per cubic metre in 2018. The CSE had on Thursday said the average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (October 1 to February 28) used to hover around 180-190 microgram per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 microgram per cubic metre since then, it said. However, the seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 microgram per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 microgram per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green think tank noted.

Ripe for a green economy

Why do you patrol the forest near your village every day for the past 30 years? Why does it matter so much? - I ask a group of women, who look at me with amazement for posing the question. I am in Kodalpali, a village in Nayagarh district of Odisha, and can see dense, verdant forests for miles. The village is remote and would be classified as poor on economic criteria. It has rudimentary toilets, no piped water supply and the only school has been closed because of a bizarre policy of "rationisation", which means that its less than 25 students now have to trek over 3 kilometres to the next village for education. But in this village, and the neighbouring ones, women have been zealously protecting their forests for the past three decades. Every day, without fail, a group of four women takes the responsibility to walk and to ensure that nobody fells trees. They fight with intruders; they confiscate their axes and bicycles. They tell me, without batting an eyelid, that they demand a fine before returning the confiscated goods. The wealth of the forests, as far as the eye can see, tells you that their protection is indeed working. In this tribal district, there are as many as 217 villages protecting an almost contiguous forest block of 60,000 ha. In 60 of these villages, it is primarily women who form the forest protection committees and take turns to patrol. Over the years, with the help of Vasundhara — an amazing and committed non-profit working on tribal rights — they have formed a federation of village protection committees at the block and district levels. Here the executives — mostly women — meet every month to sort out inter-village conflicts and other issues. The octogenarian Shashi Pradhan, or Shashi mausi, as she is known, is the original tree-patrolling party. She tells me that the forests are key to their survival, plain and simple. They provide for all their needs — from firewood to building material to tubers and medicinal plants. Her younger colleague, Kuntala Nayak, jumps in to say that even during the two horrendous years of COVID-19, they did not need any outside help, and nobody in the village fell ill. "It is our source of life and so we protect it," they say. Their forest usage rules apply to all — fuelwood is to be collected only on Sundays; green trees are not be felled; no grazing during the monsoon; and collection of minor forest produce, like bamboo, kendu (or tendu leaves used in beedi manufacture), is to be done only by the village households, not by outsiders. This grand experiment has now entered a new phase. In November 2021, after years of struggle, 24 villages have been granted community forest rights. This is a provision of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, under which villages can get the right to patches of government forests that they were traditionally using, for exclusive use of resources and protection. As per the data of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, community rights have been granted over some 4.5 million ha of forestland, which would be an impressive 8 per cent of land under the forest cover in government control, except for one crucial catch. The ministry counts in this all community rights, including rights granted to use of waterbodies or minor forest produce and not only forestland rights. In the current case, the title is for management of forestland, and has been granted jointly to two villages — Kodalpali and Sinduria. The title letter demarcates roughly 300 hectares for management. The villages now have the right to collect, process, use and sell minor forest produce. This also includes the right to value addition, storage and transportation of products within and outside village boundaries. This is a clear game changer. It would mean that these villages can now move to the next stage of protection, where the green wealth could form the basis of green jobs and a green economy. The villages now need a plan for the management of this tree-diverse area so that they can profit not just from timber, but also from all the other richness that the forest wealth provides. Experience shows that trees survive when village communities are involved — or given control, as in Kodalpali's case — in forest management. Only then can we move towards a wood-based economy. In our climate-risked times, this is where the real opportunity is. We know that the world has to increase green cover, which will add to the sequestration of carbon dioxide. Nature-based solutions are the new buzzword. But as the women of Kodalpali, Sinduria and the neighbouring villages say, the forests are their home and they can build the economy of the future — not just for themselves but for the world. (Writer is Director General of CSE and editor of Down To Earth, an environmentalist who pushes for changes in policies, practices and mindsets; Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/)

Delhi PM2.5 Pollution In Winters Has Dipped 20% Compared To Pre-Pandemic Period: Report

In absolute concentration terms, Faridabad, with an average of 159 microgram per cubic metre, was the most polluted city of the NCR last winter. The report also highlighted that a different station in Delhi recorded peak pollution every winter over the last years. The average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period, according to a new report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday. The assessment captured seven successive winters and pre-winter trends, starting from January 1, 2015 in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). It is based on real time data available from the 81 operational air quality monitoring stations in the region. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (October 1 to February 28) used to hover around 180-190 microgram per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 microgram per cubic metre since then, the report said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the CSE, said the objective of the report is to understand the trend and "the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region". The seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 microgram per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 microgram per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green thinktank noted. It said peak pollution showed a similar trend as the seasonal average. "Peak pollution (worst 24-hour average) used to cross 800 microgram per cubic metre at individual stations pre-pandemic. It has been hovering in the 700-800 microgram per cubic metre range during the last three winters," the report said. The CSE, however, said the peak pollution numbers did not project the actual level as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had capped it at 1,000 microgram per cubic metre in 2016-17, greatly compromising the assessment of peak pollution level. Researchers said the winter of 2021-22 was less polluted as compared to 2020-21 for most NCR cities. Ghaziabad registered a 30 per cent improvement, the highest among all major cities, but its PM2.5 level was still about 2.5 times the 24-hour standard, they said. "Greater Noida (28 per cent), Noida (23 per cent) and Faridabad (16 per cent) also registered improvement in excess of Delhi (12 per cent)," the report said.

Diwali, more fire smog may return, says early winter pollution warning

With the air quality deteriorating in the National Capital Region (NCR), an early winter pollution warning issued by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) has warned that conditions are maturing for a severe smog episode beginning on Diwali night. . The festival is falling relatively early this year when the days are still warm, and the prevailing winds can help reduce pollution during the day. Farm fires are also relatively rare, and still affect air quality. However, CSE’s analysis based on previous years’ data suggests that the Diwali night could add 300-600 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 to Delhi’s air if business continues as normal. Just a day earlier, the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) had also warned of the onset of bad air days for Delhi from October 22, following which there was an increase in pollutants. With a 50 per cent drop in the number of fires so far this season, the impact of stubble burning on air quality remains minimal, CSE says, adding that “low numbers mean there is a possibility of widespread burning in the coming few days”. Is”. According to the researchers, there is a “high” chance that field stubble fires will increase significantly in the days following Diwali and continue after the festival. He said the delay in the start of the burning season in the past has led to the concentration of burning activities, which intensified the smoke fall in the area. However, it remains to be seen what happens this year. longer, more intense smog episodes One of the most worrying trends to emerge from the analysis is the increase in duration as well as the intensity of haze episodes over the years. According to Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a smog episode is declared when PM2.5 levels remain in the “severe” category for three consecutive days. The analysis showed that there were three separate smog episodes lasting a total of 20 smog days during the winter of 2021, higher than the winter of 2020 which had 14 smog days, and even the winter of 2019. In which there were 19 smog days. It said, “Most smog days were observed in the winter of 2018, when four episodes of smog were recorded with a total of 31 smog days.”

PM2.5 Pollution In Delhi During July-Sept Quarter 2nd Lowest In 5 Years: CSE

The PM2.5 average for the quarter stood at 38 microgram per cubic metre in 2021, 41 microgram per cubic metre in 2019 and 43 microgram per cubic metre in 2018. elhi's PM2.5 pollution average for the July-August-September quarter this year stood at 37 microgram per cubic metre, only marginally higher than the five-year low of 36 microgram per cubic metre recorded during 2020, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Pollution levels in the July-August-September quarter were preceded by one of the most polluted summers this year, unlike in 2020 when the trimester followed the cleanest ever summer (March-May) due to extraordinary conditions created because of hard pandemic lockdowns, the green think tank said. "Therefore, it is important to understand what aided in cleaning up the Delhi air. Looking at the rainfall data it becomes evident that distribution of rainfall has a relatively higher impact on seasonal air quality than the absolute quantity of rainfall," it said. There have been 45 rainy days in July, August and September this year as compared to just 39 rainy days in the quarter last year. "These six extra rainy days helped keep the seasonal average low despite total rainfall this monsoon having been just one-third of the previous monsoon," the CSE said. These additional rainy days also pushed the regular start of bad air quality days further down the month of October, it said. The PM2.5 average for the quarter stood at 38 microgram per cubic metre in 2021, 41 microgram per cubic metre in 2019 and 43 microgram per cubic metre in 2018. The CSE had on Thursday said the average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (October 1 to February 28) used to hover around 180-190 microgram per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 microgram per cubic metre since then, it said. However, the seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 microgram per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 microgram per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green think tank noted.

PM2.5 pollution in Delhi during July-Sept quarter, 2nd lowest in 5 yrs: CSE

Delhi's PM2.5 pollution average for the July-August-September quarter this year stood at 37 microgram per cubic metre, only marginally higher than 5-year low of 36 microgram per cubic metre in 2020 Delhi's PM2.5 pollution average for the July-August-September quarter this year stood at 37 microgram per cubic metre, only marginally higher than the five-year low of 36 microgram per cubic metre recorded during 2020, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Pollution levels in the July-August-September quarter were preceded by one of the most polluted summers this year, unlike in 2020 when the trimester followed the cleanest ever summer (March-May) due to extraordinary conditions created because of hard pandemic lockdowns, the green think tank said. "Therefore, it is important to understand what aided in cleaning up the Delhi air. Looking at the rainfall data it becomes evident that distribution of rainfall has a relatively higher impact on seasonal air quality than the absolute quantity of rainfall," it said. There have been 45 rainy days in July, August and September this year as compared to just 39 rainy days in the quarter last year. "These six extra rainy days helped keep the seasonal average low despite total rainfall this monsoon having been just one-third of the previous monsoon," the CSE said. These additional rainy days also pushed the regular start of bad air quality days further down the month of October, it said. The PM2.5 average for the quarter stood at 38 microgram per cubic metre in 2021, 41 microgram per cubic metre in 2019 and 43 microgram per cubic metre in 2018. The CSE had on Thursday said the average PM2.5 pollution in Delhi in the winter season has declined by about 20 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic period. The PM2.5 concentration for winter (October 1 to February 28) used to hover around 180-190 microgram per cubic metre before the pandemic. It has come down to 150-160 microgram per cubic metre since then, it said. However, the seasonal average is still over 150 per cent above the 24-hour standard (60 microgram per cubic metre) and almost four times the annual standard (40 microgram per cubic metre) despite the improvement, the green think tank noted.