Indore’s tragedy is not an isolated incident. According to a report by Down to Earth published by the Centre for Science and Environment, from January 2025 to January 7, 2026, at least 34 people died and 5,500 people fell ill across 26 cities, includ...
Trishant Dev, Deputy Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Duty exemptions for lithium-ion cell manufacturing and solar glass inputs frame India’s energy transition within a broader push for industrial competitiveness and resilient supply chains, supporting domestic production of critical inputs and access to key minerals. Sehr Raheja, Programme Officer, CSE The Budget’s focus on critical minerals—through duty exemptions and Rare Earth Corridors—signals growing emphasis on supply chain security and domestic value addition, both critical for green industrialisation and the energy transition.
Noted environmentalist Sunita Narain says ancient Indian traditions of water harvesting, food diversity, and agriculture are required in present times to address contemporary environmental challenges. Narain, who was delivering the keynote address at IHC Samanvay at India Habitat Centre on Friday, spoke at length about India’s ecological traditions, restraint, reverence for nature and ethical responsibilities that accompany development. “Why in these very troubled times that we are living in, it's so important for us to rethink the way we are doing development. What do we know about the knowledge, what do we know about the way we are moving ahead and how is it that we can learn both from the extraordinary traditions that we've had but more importantly we have to learn from the principles that drove those traditions,” Narain said.
Noted environmentalist Sunita Narain says ancient Indian traditions of water harvesting, food diversity, and agriculture are required in present ...
Sunita Narain, a distinguished environmentalist, advocates for the revival of ancient Indian traditions like water harvesting and food diversity to address current environmental issues. Speaking at the IHC Samanvay at the India Habitat Centre, Narain emphasized the need to redefine development by drawing from India's ecological past. Narain criticized the superficial celebration of traditions through rituals, such as religious dips in polluted rivers and excessive fireworks during festivals. She called for a rational approach, stressing that genuine culture evolves from principles of humanity and rationality. Highlighting historical water management practices, Narain noted how colonial influences disrupted localized systems, leading to environmental degradation. She urged the return to cooperative, community-driven traditions to ensure sustainable water management and environmental stewardship.
The keynote address was delivered by Sunita Narain, eminent environmental thinker and author, in a keynote titled “Walking Lightly on the Planet Learning from Ecological Traditions to Build a Sustainable Future”. Drawing from India’s ecological traditions, she spoke of restraint, reverence for nature, and the ethical responsibilities that accompany development. Her address underscored the urgency of re-engaging with inherited knowledge systems to address contemporary environmental challenges. Addressing the audience, Sunita Narain said, “To understand India’s traditions of water conservation, we must first understand the language through which this knowledge was shaped and transmitted. Ecological wisdom in India is embedded in words, practices, and collective memory, and revisiting these traditions has become essential in an era of deepening water scarcity.”
इंडिया हैबिटैट सेंटर में आईएचसी समन्वय 2026 का शुभारंभ हुआ, जिसके साथ तीन दिवसीय इस महोत्सव की शुरुआत हुई। यह उत्सव 8 फ़रवरी 2026 तक चलेगा। उद्घाटन कार्यक्रम ने इस वर्ष के संस्करण की वैचारिक दिशा तय की, जिसका केंद्र भारत के प्राकृतिक परिदृश्यों और उसकी सांस्कृतिक व साहित्यिक परंपराओं के बीच के गहरे और सतत संबंध पर है। पर्वत, वन, नदियाँ, मरुस्थल और समुद्र यहाँ केवल भौगोलिक संरचनाएँ नहीं हैं, बल्कि स्मृतियों, आस्थाओं और सृजनात्मक अभिव्यक्तियों के जीवंत भंडार हैं। सदियों से साहित्य, लोककथाएँ, संगीत और मौखिक परंपराएँ उस पारिस्थितिक चेतना को आगे बढ़ाती आई हैं, जो प्रत्यक्ष जीवन अनुभवों से उपजी हैं. मुख्य वक्तव्य प्रख्यात पर्यावरण विचारक एवं लेखिका सुनीता नारायण ने प्रस्तुत किया। उनका संबोधन “वाकिंग लाइटली ऑन द प्लेनेट : लर्निंग फ्रॉम इकोलॉजिकल ट्रेडिशन टू बिल्ड अ सस्टेनएबल फ्यूचर” विषय पर केंद्रित था। भारत की पारंपरिक पारिस्थितिक परंपराओं का संदर्भ लेते हुए उन्होंने संयम, प्रकृति के प्रति सम्मान और विकास के साथ जुड़ी नैतिक जिम्मेदारियों पर विस्तार से प्रकाश डाला। उनके संबोधन ने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि वर्तमान पर्यावरणीय चुनौतियों का सामना करने के लिए हमें अपने विरासत में मिले ज्ञान तंत्रों से दोबारा जुड़ने की तत्काल आवश्यकता है। दर्शकों को संबोधित करते हुए सुनीता नारायण ने कहा,“भारत की जल संरक्षण परंपराओं को समझने के लिए सबसे पहले उस भाषा को समझना आवश्यक है, जिसके माध्यम से यह ज्ञान गढ़ा गया और पीढ़ी-दर-पीढ़ी आगे बढ़ा। भारत की पारिस्थितिक समझ शब्दों, व्यवहारों और सामूहिक स्मृति में निहित है, और बढ़ते जल संकट के इस दौर में इन परंपराओं की पुनःसमीक्षा अत्यंत आवश्यक हो गई है।” उद्घाटन अवसर पर संबोधित करते हुए इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर के निदेशक प्रो. (डॉ.) के. जी. सुरेश ने कहा, “समन्वय मात्र एक साहित्य उत्सव नहीं है, बल्कि यह उस गहरे संबंध की याद दिलाता है जो भूमि और भाषा के बीच विद्यमान है। हमारी संस्कृति उसी मिट्टी से उपजती है जिसमें हम जीवन जीते हैं, और हमारा सामूहिक भविष्य इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि हम इस साझा विरासत को कितनी समझदारी, संवेदनशीलता और उत्तरदायित्व के साथ अगली पीढ़ियों तक पहुँचाते हैं।” इंडिया हैबिटैट सेंटर की ओर से, हैबिटैट वर्ल्ड, इंडिया हैबिटैट सेंटर की क्रिएटिव हेड–प्रोग्राम्स विद्युं सिंह ने कहा,“2011 में आरंभ किया गया ‘आईएचसी समन्वय : भारतीय भाषाओं का जलसा’ एक विशिष्ट राष्ट्रीय मंच है, जो विभिन्न भाषायी परंपराओं से जुड़े लेखकों, विद्वानों, अनुवादकों, संगीतकारों और प्रस्तुति कलाकारों को एक साथ लाता है। भाषा की समझ को केवल लिखित और मौखिक अभिव्यक्ति तक सीमित न रखते हुए, यह महोत्सव दृश्य, संगीतात्मक और परफॉर्मेटिव रूपों को भी महत्वपूर्ण सांस्कृतिक अभिव्यक्तियों के रूप में सामने लाता रहा है।” उद्घाटन कार्यक्रम में पूर्व रंग भी प्रस्तुत किया गया, जो अजीत सिंह पलावत और इप्शिता चक्रवर्ती की एक सशक्त प्रस्तुति थी। इसके पश्चात पुलिकली का मंचन हुआ—केरल की पारंपरिक लोक प्रस्तुति—जो प्रकृति से गहराई से जुड़े सामुदायिक जीवन से अपनी ऊर्जा और जीवंतता ग्रहण करती है। तीन दिनों तक चलने वाले आईएचसी समन्वय 2026 के दौरान साहित्य, पारिस्थितिकी, सार्वजनिक नीति और परफॉर्मिंग आर्ट्स के क्षेत्र की अग्रणी आवाज़ों से सजी विभिन्न सत्र प्रस्तुत किए जाएंगे। प्रतिभागियों में भारत के प्रमुख वन्यजीव संरक्षणकर्ताओं में से एक विवेक मेनन, लेखिका और साहित्यिक क्यूरेटर नमिता गोखले, लेखक एवं पूर्व राजनयिक नवतेज सरना, इतिहासकार और बेस्टसेलिंग लेखक विलियम डैलरिम्पल, स्वदेशी ज्ञान परंपराओं से प्रेरित रचनाओं के लिए जानी जाने वाली कवयित्री और उपन्यासकार मामंग दाई, हिमालय पर अपने लेखन के लिए प्रसिद्ध स्टीफन ऑल्टर, तथा मलयालम लेखक और सहायक वन संरक्षक जोशिल शामिल हैं। कार्यक्रम में इसके अतिरिक्त अनेक विद्वान और विशेषज्ञ भी भाग लेंगे, जिनमें भारतीय खाद्य संस्कृतियों के प्रख्यात अध्येता प्रो. पुष्पेश पंत, जल शासन और जलवायु नीति की विशेषज्ञ मेधा बिष्ट, वरिष्ठ आयुर्वेद चिकित्सक एवं शोधकर्ता हेमलता एन. पोट्टी, वन-आधारित समाजों पर कार्य करने वाली समाजशास्त्री रेखा एम. शांगप्लियांग, तथा पारंपरिक पारिस्थितिक ज्ञान के विशेषज्ञ योगेश वी. गोखले प्रमुख हैं। महोत्सव की समृद्धि को और बढ़ाते हुए संगीत और नृत्य की विशेष प्रस्तुतियाँ भी शामिल हैं। इनमें संगीत और कविता के सेतु के रूप में पहचाने जाने वाले गायक-विद्वान मदन गोपाल सिंह, मोहिनीअट्टम की अग्रणी कलाकार जया प्रभा मेनन, डॉ. भूपेन हज़ारिका की विरासत को आगे बढ़ाने वाले गायक-गीतकार मयुख हज़ारिका, मंगणियार लोकसंगीत के संवाहक बारमेर बॉयज़, तथा केरल की दो सौ वर्ष पुरानी अनुष्ठान परंपरा के संरक्षक पुलिकली कलाकार समूह की प्रस्तुतियाँ महोत्सव को और अधिक जीवंत बनाती हैं। यह संस्करण पुरस्कार-विजेता पर्यावरण फ़िल्मकार माइक पांडे की असाधारण रचनात्मक यात्रा के 50 वर्षों का उत्सव है। भारत में संरक्षण फ़िल्म निर्माण के अग्रदूत के रूप में, उनकी सशक्त दृश्य कथाओं ने पर्यावरणीय चेतना को गहराई दी है और वैश्विक स्तर पर वन्यजीव संरक्षण आंदोलनों को प्रेरित किया है।इस संस्करण का समापन माइक पांडे के साथ एक विशेष संवाद से होगा, जिसके पश्चात उनकी अग्रणी और प्रेरणादायी यात्रा को समर्पित एक विशिष्ट ऑडियो-विज़ुअल प्रस्तुति प्रस्तुत की जाएगी। आगामी दिनों में संवादों और प्रस्तुतियों की श्रृंखला के माध्यम से, आईएचसी समन्वय 2026 दर्शकों को संस्कृति, पारिस्थितिकी और पर्यावरणीय संरक्षण के प्रति हमारी साझा ज़िम्मेदारी पर प्रकाश डालेगा।
Hospitals in Delhi-NCR have reported a 35% increase in respiratory illnesses this month. Children are now becoming especially concerned about “smog-induced asthma,” with most schools being forced to stop practicing outside during most of the month. “We are beyond a seasonal consideration.” “This is not a seasonal issue, it’s a chronic public health crisis,” said Dr. Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “As long as we do not turn entirely to clean energy for transportation and heating, the people of North India will lose years of their average life expectancy.” Despite a variety of government efforts and the delivery of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air quality in the Indo-Gangetic Plain is still in the "danger zone". Ghaziabad has the highest average PM_(2.5) concentration among all Indian cities for January 2026, as revealed in the latest monthly report by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) tracker. The "Gas Chamber" Stats The graph really isn't a reassuring face for the nationals of NCR. Though WHO advises 24 hour mean PM_(2.5) concentration of only 15 ug/m3, this was not the case in the top cities which exceeded it by nearly ten-fold. Delhi the traditional face of Indian pollution recorded an average AQI that was consistently three times higher than the national limit of safety 60 ug/m3. AQIs exceeded 450 in two distinct pockets of Anand Vihar and Bawana on some days of January, bringing them into the “Severe Plus” range. Why is the Air Still Toxic? They attribute the ongoing pollution to a combination of meteorological factors and uncontrolled local emissions: Temperature Inversion: Low wind speeds and cold air trapped pollutants near the ground, stopping them from dispersing. Dirt Roads & Construction: Massive infrastructure projects in Ghaziabad and Hapur have resulted in heavy accumulation of road dust. Biomass Burning: Though stubble burning is now stopped, during winter months use of coal and firewood continues to account for a hefty chunk of PM_(2.5) The Health Crisis Hospitals in Delhi-NCR have reported a 35% increase in respiratory illnesses this month. Children are now becoming especially concerned about “smog-induced asthma,” with most schools being forced to stop practicing outside during most of the month. “We are beyond a seasonal consideration.” “This is not a seasonal issue, it’s a chronic public health crisis,” said Dr. Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “As long as we do not turn entirely to clean energy for transportation and heating, the people of North India will lose years of their average life expectancy.”
कलक्ट्रेट में शुक्रवार को मथुरा-वृंदावन में कार्बन उत्सर्जन कम करने के उपायों पर चर्चा की गई। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट और आईसीसीटी के विशेषज्ञों ने बताया कि बड़े शहरों में 50 प्रतिशत से अधिक प्रदूषण का कारण वाहन हैं। इसी को देखते हुए मथुरा-वृंदावन में लो- एमिशन जोन लागू करने की तैयारी है, जिससे प्रदूषण फैलाने वाले वाहनों का प्रवेश सीमित होगा। धर्मनगरी मथुरा-वृंदावन की तस्वीर बदलने के लिए एक साल से काम कर रहे राहगीरी फाउंडेशन के साथ विभिन्न स्टेक होल्डर्स की कार्यशाला में मंथन किया गया। वर्ष 20230 तक हेरिटेज सिटी बनाने की दिशा में कई कदम उठाने के निर्णय लिए गए। शहर की संकरी सड़कों में 9 मीटर की जगह 7 मीटर की ई-बसें चलेंगी। बाहर से आने वाले श्रद्धालुओं को ई-कार्ट और ई-वाहनों से भ्रमण कराया जाएगा। कलक्ट्रेट में शुक्रवार को मथुरा-वृंदावन में कार्बन उत्सर्जन कम करने के उपायों पर चर्चा की गई। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट और आईसीसीटी के विशेषज्ञों ने बताया कि बड़े शहरों में 50 प्रतिशत से अधिक प्रदूषण का कारण वाहन हैं। इसी को देखते हुए मथुरा-वृंदावन में लो- एमिशन जोन लागू करने की तैयारी है, जिससे प्रदूषण फैलाने वाले वाहनों का प्रवेश सीमित होगा। उन्होंने बताया कि वर्तमान में मंदिरों और घाटों के आसपास अव्यवस्थित पार्किंग और निजी वाहनों की अधिक संख्या के कारण श्रद्धालुओं को काफी कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ता है। ऐसे में हेरिटेज सिटी के रूप में विकसित करने के लिए इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों को बढ़ावा देने के लिए सार्वजनिक चार्जिंग स्टेशन बनाने की जरूरत है, जिससे बाहर से आने वाले श्रद्धालु ई-वाहनों से भ्रमण कर सकें। नगरायुक्त जग प्रवेश ने बताया कि कार्यशाला में विभिन्न कंपनियों ने अपने प्रेजेंटेशन दिए। वाहनों से होने वाले प्रदूषण को कम करने के लिए शहर में डीजल-पेट्रोल के वाहनों के संचालन को हतोत्साहित करने और पर्यटकों के वाहनों को बाहरी पार्किंगों में खड़ा करवाने के बाद उन्हें मथुरा व वृंदावन में ई-वाहनों से ही भ्रमण की सुविधा उपलब्ध कराने का प्रयास है। धार्मिक बस सर्किट में चलेंगे ई-वाहन नगरायुक्त ने बताया कि लोकल पब्लिक ट्रांसपोर्ट के लिए पहले चरण में 20 ई-बसें रेलवे स्टेशन, बस स्टैंड व अन्य स्थानों पर संचालित करने का विचार है। श्रद्धालुओं को होटल व धर्मशालाओं से मंदिरों तक लाने-ले जाने के लिए ई-बसों और ई-रिक्शा का संचालन किया जाएगा। इसके अलावा ई-रिक्शा व ई-आटो को भी इसके लिए नियमित और रूटवार तैयार किया गया है। 50 और ई-बसों की शासन से डिमांड जिलाधिकारी चंद्र प्रकाश सिंह ने बताया कि वर्तमान में 50 ई-बसों का संचालन वृंदावन, बरसाना, गोवर्धन आदि में किया जा रहा है। शासन से 50 और ई-बसों की डिमांड की जाएगी, ताकि वाहनों से होने वाले प्रदूषण को कम किया जा सके। कार्बन उत्सर्जन कम होगा और हरियालीदार रास्ते होंगे। धर्मनगरी में पूरी तरह ई-वाहनों के संचालन के लिए चार्जिंग स्टेशनों को बनाया जाएगा। जिलाधिकारी ने कहा कि श्रद्धालु यहां सुकून और भक्ति की भावना लेकर आते हैं, लेकिन भीड़ और प्रदूषण उनके अनुभव को प्रभावित करता है। जीएमजेड से यह स्थिति बदलेगी। वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक श्लोक कुमार ने कहा कि ट्रैफिक प्रबंधन और सख्त निगरानी से श्रद्धालुओं की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित की जाएगी। कार्यशाला में जिला प्रशासन, नगर निगम, पुलिस विभाग और शहरी परिवहन विशेषज्ञों ने मथुरा–वृंदावन को स्वच्छ, सुविधाजनक और जाम-मुक्त बनाने की कार्ययोजना पर चर्चा की।
What's happening? News 18 reported on rising vegetable prices on January 1, assigning blame to recent cold snaps and to previous heat waves in Bengaluru. The region has experienced plummeting temperatures this winter with little rainfall. It comes about a year after the area saw record-breaking heat. Along with annual flooding, this extreme weather pattern has led to low food supplies and higher prices. Why are rising vegetable prices concerning? Rising grocery prices can be an indicator of a country's overall economy. In January, India's inflation rate rose to 1.33%, up from 0.71% in November, per Business Standard. Grocery price spikes also reflect broader problems in the supply chain. Extreme weather plays an important role. While India's rainy season has always produced floods, widespread devastation is a more recent trend. As extreme weather events worsen due to rising temperatures caused by human-caused pollution, consumers worldwide are likely to see higher vegetable prices. Camino's hemp-derived gummies naturally support balance and recovery without disrupting your routine, so you can enjoy reliable, consistent dosing without guesswork or habit-forming ingredients. Flavors like sparkling pear for social events and tropical-burst for recovery deliver a sophisticated, elevated taste experience — and orchard peach for balance offers everyday support for managing stress while staying clear-headed and elevated. India is a major produce exporter and is the world's top producer of fruit. Primary vegetable exports include onions and tomatoes, common grocery items that have recently risen in price in the country. Among India's top trade partners are the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. What's being done about rising vegetable prices due to extreme weather? Farmers can use certain techniques to protect their fields and crops from extreme weather, such as flooding. Planting in raised beds and using drainage ditches can help avoid waterlogging. But wider action needs to be taken to ensure food supplies are protected. India saw nearly 3,000 deaths due to extreme weather in 2024, according to a Centre for Science and Environment report shared by PreventionWeb, and 80,000 homes were destroyed. The country has also seen an 85% increase in rainfall since 2012, per the World Bank Group. The nation is responding with a plethora of policies to build climate resiliency, including the use of new technology, from flood forecasting models to early warning systems.
The school was awarded the National Green School Award for its outstanding contribution towards environmental protection and sustainable development. The award was presented during a national-level ceremony organised by the Government of India at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The award was received by Principal Gian Jyot. This recognition is conferred under the Environment Education Programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and is jointly implemented by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, and the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. JS Bedi, Chairman, Gian Jyoti Group, said students are introduced to environmental protection, recycling, water and energy conservation and eco-friendly practices from an early age.
Meanwhile, the ‘2025 Africa State of the Environment Report’, launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last September by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, says Africa could have the highest rate of displacement due to the impacts of climate change. Experts are urging the government to adopt seawater desalination technology to bolster national water security and mitigate climate-induced migration and resource conflicts. AgriConsult animal scientist and rangeland specialist Axel Rothauge says Namibia has a long coastal line where seawater can be desalinated and used for agricultural purposes. This would reduce the need for farmers to migrate from one area to another in search of grazing and water. Rothauge says part of the Namibian Desert can be turned into an agricultural area using desalinated seawater. “This is possible technically and economically. This should be a priority,” he says. Rothauge says some countries have already ventured into water desalination, such as Israel, Chile and Australia. “We can learn and copy from these countries,” he says. Rothauge says desalinating seawater can be done at a farm level, because big desalination plants are expensive. Namibia should consider different types of desalination technology suitable for small-scale for individual farmers or farmers’ cooperatives. “We need start-up funds to inform ourselves of the available technology in the world, but this is not done in southern Africa. We need to do it here,” he suggests. Meanwhile, the ‘2025 Africa State of the Environment Report’, launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last September by the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, says Africa could have the highest rate of displacement due to the impacts of climate change. It says between 2012 and 2025, nearly 222 million people in Africa were affected by weather, climate and water-related disasters, and that by 2050, up to 5% of the continent’s population of around two billion people could be on the move due to the negative impacts of climate change. Ahmed Bugra, the Africa Union Commission’s senior legal adviser on climate and human mobility says there is a link between the impacts of climate change, conflicts and migration. He says people are forced to leave their homes in search of water, grazing areas and other natural resources, as well as jobs. “There is a connection between climate change and conflicts. This is not just an environmental problem, but also an economic and social problem,” Bugra says. In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
Introduction In 2025, India experienced extreme weather events on 99% of the days from January to September, resulting in over 4,000 deaths, with heavy rains, floods and landslides accounting for the majority of these fatalities ( Down to Earth, 2025 ). The recent floods in Punjab have affected nearly 20 lakh people with more than 3 lakh individuals displaced from their homes. The latest cloudburst incident in Uttarakhand , which triggered landslides and floods, has been reported to have caused significant damage to the infrastructure and agriculture of the region, with losses reaching millions. Hazards, especially natural ones, are the major drivers of disasters, resulting in human displacement and economic losses. Not all hazards and corresponding disasters are the same. Hazards such as Cyclones can be forecasted and prepared for, while others, such as drought, develop slowly and their disastrous nature is often revealed much later than their onset, and usually too late to mitigate against. Other hazards, such as earthquakes, strike with little to no warning, and the only way to mitigate against them is to learn from the impacts of past events. According to Global Assessment Report ( GAR ) on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, in the last 25 years, over 10,000 natural hazards and disasters have been recorded globally, costing trillions of dollars to the global economy and affecting nearly half the world’s population. The disastrous Yangtze River Flood in China in 1931, the Great Bhola Cyclone in Bangladesh in 1970, the Bhuj Earthquake in India in 2001, and the recent Wildfires in the USA have made a significant mark in history for the damage they caused. India, with a landmass of over 3.2 million km², has nearly two-thirds of its states and union territories prone to disasters, as a significant portion of the country’s land and coastline is highly vulnerable ( NDMA AR2021-22 ). Although India has recently risen to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, its per capita GDP remains below 3,000 USD, making the country particularly vulnerable to the severe economic impacts of natural hazards. Another side of disasters is large-scale human displacement, often forcing vulnerable populations into cycles of poverty and migration. Post-2008, India has emerged as one of the top countries globally in terms of internal displacement caused by natural hazards as per the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre ( IDMC ). This raises an urgent question: how prepared is India to protect both its economy and its people from disasters caused by natural hazards? What does the data on loss and damage say? We analysed the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) data for India (Figure 1). According to EM-DAT, between 2000 and 2024, India reported nearly 400 disasters caused by natural hazards, resulting in an estimated total damage of over USD 162 billion, which affected millions and led to permanent or temporary displacement (EM-DAT). Floods are the most frequent and destructive disaster in India and occur every year. They have affected more than 370 million people, caused over 35,000 deaths, and resulted in damages exceeding 100 billion USD. The floods of 2014 and 2020 were the costliest, each causing damage exceeding 30 billion USD (EM-DAT). Storms, mostly reported in the Bay of Bengal, are the second most frequent hazards in India. They occurred in all years except 2004, affecting over 73 million people. Although common, storms caused only about half the economic damage of floods and resulted in fewer deaths, mainly due to better forecasting and preventive measures taken by the government . Moreover, over the last six years, there has been a 400% increase in lightning incidents associated with storms. Extreme temperatures, though less economically devastating, have had a high mortality rate of over 40 percent compared with the number of people affected. Droughts, on the other hand, have impacted the most to over 680 million yet have caused relatively fewer deaths and lower direct economic damage (EM-DAT). Figure 1: Overview of hazards and corresponding disaster trends in India from 2000 to 2024 (Source: EM-DAT). The disaster risks are further intensifying due to climate change. Rising sea levels, frequent high-intensity storms, extreme temperatures, and erratic rainfall patterns are increasing both the intensity and frequency of natural hazards in India, causing more destruction. A study by Picciariello, A., et al. (2021) stated that climate change could reduce India’s GDP by 2.6% if the increase in the global temperature remains below 2°C, while any increase of up to 4°C can decline the economy by up to 13.4% by the year 2100. Lower-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately at the forefront of the disaster, with many engaged in agriculture or odd jobs, directly impacting their daily lives, forcing them to migrate and causing a significant impact on their livelihoods. Disaster Displacement According to IDMC , between 2008 and 2024, floods and storms were the two major drivers of displacement in India, displacing over 45 million and 15 million people, respectively. The EM-DAT records reveal a different pattern when comparing damages to displacement. While the cost of damages due to floods and storms has steadily increased, the number of people displaced has fluctuated over the years. The cost of damage increased primarily due to rapid urban growth and economic development, as concentrated assets in cities mean that even moderate floods can cause substantial financial losses. Urbanisation plays a dual role: it amplifies damages due to the presence of more “damageable” infrastructure, and on the other hand, it also reduces the displacement by enabling relatively resilient housing, faster disaster response, and better services, although informal settlements remain highly vulnerable (Hussainzad, E. A., & Gou, Z..,2024) . Furthermore, 50% of India’s public infrastructure remains unprepared for disaster management, stemming from unplanned urbanisation, a changing climate, and development in high-risk zones. Assurances through insurance and innovative financing With rising damages, financial protection becomes essential, as only 5% of damages in India are covered by insurance for natural hazards, compared to 40% in the USA . Disaster risk insurance now plays a crucial role in mitigating disaster risks by safeguarding assets and livelihoods in a changing climate. India’s National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which acts as a supplement to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), financially supports relief, response, and rehabilitation of the damages due to natural hazards. However, since this is a post-disaster fund rather than an insurance, it can take a significant amount of time to reach beneficiaries, which can impact timely recovery. Considering the imminent rise in frequency and intensity of natural hazards and the corresponding potential for disaster and damage, financing disaster-related insurance can become a key to a faster recovery. According to the report “Leading the Path to Insurance for All” published by the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), only one in two and two in five are covered for life insurance and health insurance, respectively. Therefore, considering the scale on which people in India take up life and health insurance, the willingness to invest in insurance against disaster damage looks doubtful. Nevertheless, there are several cases where insurance solutions have played a crucial role in recovery in other parts of the world, which can also be implemented in India. The community-based flood management and insurance in Bangladesh was initiated to protect vulnerable populations by linking it with microfinance initiatives to enhance its accessibility. In the Caribbean, a similar insurance scheme that pools the finances and shares risks across regions can prevent any single community from bearing the entire burden of a disaster, especially for low-income households. At the same time, insurance can encourage damage reduction by linking insurance premiums to risk mitigation measures, such as elevated housing or adhering to rules for flood-risk zones. Parametric Insurance, which provides pre-specified payouts in case of an extreme event in a short duration of time, without much administrative hassle. Nagaland , which has initiated such insurance, can serve as a good model for other Indian states to introduce similar insurance. Another example is the National Flood Insurance Program ( NFIP ) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USA. NFIP is a partnership between the federal government, private insurance companies, lending institutions, and state and local officials, which is designed to provide affordable insurance to the communities and businesses in flood-prone areas. It not only offers direct coverage but also incentivises communities to adopt floodplain management regulations in exchange for access to insurance. While NFIP has faced challenges such as underpricing risk and mounting debts after large disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey, it has nonetheless provided a critical financial safety net to millions of households. From rapidly urbanising areas to the increasing cost of damages, safeguards for critical infrastructure to reduce economic losses for public infrastructure also require innovative financing mechanisms to alleviate the burden on governments. Instruments like Catastrophic Bonds, a type of debt instrument, can be used to transfer catastrophic risks to capital markets. This can enable the government to receive prompt payouts in the event of extreme events, thereby reducing the burden on the exchequer to release funds. Final thoughts In the technologically advanced 21st century, some nations have advanced resources, such as Early Warning Systems (EWS), weather forecasting tools, and robust financial mechanisms, that play a crucial role in forecasting and assessing hazards. However, in an era of exacerbating disaster risk, predicting hazards is only the first step; translating predictions into timely action that saves lives, reduces displacement, limits economic losses, and boosts post-disaster recovery remains the true challenge. For India, the path forward requires a decisive shift from ex-post financing to ex-ante financing, which integrates risk reduction into planning, budgeting, and development. This means strengthening early warning systems, building and updating robust disaster action plans at state and district levels, and investing in public awareness and community mobilisation to ensure that alerts translate into effective local responses. Resilience also depends on reducing the structural drivers of vulnerability. Investing in flood-control infrastructure, improving river-basin management, preventing settlements in high-risk floodplains, and expanding and maintaining urban drainage systems can help mitigate the impact of recurring floods. At the same time, policies must strengthen agricultural resilience by promoting the adoption of flood-resistant crops and encouraging community-based water management practices. To protect vulnerable populations, social protection measures, such as the broader rollout of disaster-risk insurance, crop insurance, and emergency food distribution systems, are crucial for fast recovery and in mitigating the long-term socio-economic consequences. Although India does not have a dedicated national insurance framework for disasters caused by natural hazards, the government already has several insurance initiatives in place. These include: (1) the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, introduced in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which provided comprehensive personal accident insurance for healthcare workers; (2) the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, launched in 2016 and now the world’s largest technology-enabled crop insurance programme by number of insured farmers, offering protection against crop losses, including those due to disasters caused by natural hazards; and (3) low-cost insurance programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, which offers personal accident coverage, and (4) the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojana, which provides life insurance in similar situations. The National Disaster Management Agency is putting extensive efforts to integrate these schemes, streamline disaster-related payouts, and create a consistent, forward-looking system to insure against the impacts of natural hazards. Despite this, there is still no statutory or executive mandate requiring comparable coverage for people affected by floods, earthquakes, or other catastrophes, leaving large segments of the population without protection. At the same time, India has begun to see the gradual emergence of parametric insurance as a complementary tool for disaster risk financing. Unlike traditional indemnity-based products, parametric covers offer swift, predefined payouts triggered by measurable parameters, such as wind speed, precipitation, or earthquake magnitude, thereby reducing delays and administrative burdens associated with claims. Globally, parametric insurance models have been successful in enhancing financial resilience. Some prominent examples include the Coastal Zone Management Trust , Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) , Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) , and the Australia Parametric Cyclone Cover . As these models mature, they hold the potential to supplement existing government schemes and expand the financial resilience of communities affected by natural catastrophes. Although several case studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of parametric insurance in limited regions of India (e.g., Nagaland ), scaling these models nationwide remains challenging due to diverse climatic patterns, disaster risks, and varying levels of market readiness. A pragmatic way forward could be to develop a hybrid insurance framework that integrates the extensive outreach and administrative capacity of existing Pradhan Mantri schemes with index-based parametric products tailored to specific risks. This way, the speed and transparency of parametric triggers could be combined with the scale and subsidy mechanism of government programs, allowing wider adoption of insurance against disasters caused by natural hazards. Another promising approach is to leverage India’s extensive network of microfinance institutions and Self Help Groups (SHGs). India has one of the world’s largest grassroot coverage of SHGs, with over 12 million such groups and more than 500 million Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) bank accounts. Notably, over 66.76% of PMJDY account holders have accident insurance and 31% with life insurance indicating relatively high penetration of low-cost social security insurance. However, despite this wide outreach and strong community presence of SHGs, there is almost no systematic insurance coverage for disasters caused by natural hazards losses. By designing simple and affordable disaster risk insurance products which can be delivered through SHGs by linking enrollment and premium collection via PMJDY accounts of the members. This can create a community based insurance model which can increase the penetration of the disaster risk insurance, significantly reduce risk, enhance trust, improve affordability, and over the time build a culture of risk protection that encourages households to insure themselves for other insurance products. Formulating and implementing policies or financial schemes can be a significant challenge in India due to complex socio-economic and political dynamics. These factors present both challenges and opportunities as the country navigates its current stage of development. One path leads to a future of a growing number of disasters, where millions are forced from their homes each year, and development gains are repeatedly wiped out. The other path demands bold action: to integrate disaster risk reduction and financial protection into the National Level Programme, thereby intertwining them with the very fabric of national development. Choosing the latter is not optional – it is the only way to secure a future where resilience becomes the foundation of prosperity.
Gurgaon: Diesel generator (DG) sets have emerged as the single largest local pollution source in the city, but Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) admitted it doesn't even have data on how many of these machines are fitted with mandatory emission-control devices. Under directions of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), only those DG sets that are equipped with retrofitted emission-control devices (RECDs) or dual-fuel kits are allowed to operate in NCR. North Gurgaon alone has 1,676 DG sets, while south Gurgaon has 2,241, according to a 2023 HSPCB survey. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the organised sector in NCR adds about 1.2 lakh DG sets every year, while another 30,000 to 40,000 are bought annually by the unorganised sector. Under current norms, DG sets between 19 kW and 125 kW must operate on dual fuel, while those from 125 kW to 800 kW require both dual-fuel systems and emission-control devices. Units above 800 kW must install either system but are restricted to two hours of operation during GRAP. Fifteen-year-old DG sets are no longer permitted in NCR.HSPCB officials said a large number of generators in the city are rented, second-hand or unregistered, making ownership and compliance difficult to track. In the absence of a central registry, routine verification of emission-control installations was nearly impossible. "Many DG sets are mobile or hired temporarily for construction sites, events, or commercial establishments. Without proper registration details, identifying and inspecting each unit becomes a challenge," an HSPCB official said. To plug the gap, the board plans to deploy a flying squad. "It will inspect and carry out surveys on DG sets," HSPCB regional officer Akansha Tanwar said. The exercise will map operating generators and check whether they are fitted with approved emission-control devices. New generators are also subject to tighter manufacturing standards. For instance, particulate emission limits for DG sets up to 19 kW were reduced from 0.3 g/kW-hr to 0.03 g/kW-hr. Experts said reducing dependence on DG sets ultimately hinges on fixing grid reliability. Executive director (research and advocacy) at Centre for Science and Environment Anumita Roy Chowdhury said, "Unless power supply stabilises and infrastructure improves, housing societies, commercial buildings and industries will continue falling back on diesel generators, locking NCR into a cycle of avoidable pollution." CAQM ordered on June 28, 2023, that retrofitting be completed by Sept 30, 2023 failing which diesel generators would not be permitted to operate anywhere in NCR, including for essential services. DG sets above 19 kilowatts are allowed to run only if fitted with emission-control devices or dual-fuel systems, a rule that applies even when GRAP is not in force. "By far, major residential, commercial and industrial pockets in NCR have access to PNG infrastructure and supply. Even where dedicated supply is not feasible, gas availability through cascades and cylinders is a convenient option," CAQM said in its order. Certified agencies are currently available for RECDs in the 125–500 kW range, with certification for 500–800 kW expected to follow. CAQM also acknowledged industry concerns over cost, noting that for smaller DG sets, retrofitting expenses can be nearly equal to the price of a new machine. Despite this, DG sets remain widely used in Gurgaon due to frequent localised power outages. In many townships and condominiums, generators kick in when sanctioned load falls short of actual demand, leading to breakdowns and routine reliance on backup power. Studies show the scale of emissions in NCR is massive. DG sets together release 24,000-46,000 tonnes of PM10, 24,600–41,600 tonnes of PM2.5, and 13,700-23,100 tonnes of black carbon every year, apart from nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide running into millions of tonnes annually.
दिल्ली-एनसीआर के वायु प्रदूषण को इस बार आम बजट में पर्याप्त तवज्जो नहीं मिली है। पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि वायु प्रदूषण जैसे गंभीर संकट पर कोई ठोस और अलग प्रावधान नजर नहीं आता। इसे सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य के मोर्चे पर बड़ी चूक माना जा रहा है और इसी वजह से चिंता बढ़ी है। क्या कहते हैं एक्सपर्ट्स? सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (CSE) की एग्जीक्यूटिव डायरेक्टर अनुमिता रायचौधरी ने कहा कि बजट आवंटन में कमी से सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य संकट की चिंताएं और बढ़ेंगी। एनसीएपी 2.0 का दायरा बढ़ने की उम्मीद है, लेकिन बजट में वृद्धि न होने और 16वें वित्त आयोग से अतिरिक्त अनुदान की अनिश्चितता से योजनाओं पर असर पड़ सकता है। उनका कहना है कि इस बजट में ज्यादा फोकस इंडस्ट्रियों और एनर्जी सेक्टर पर दिखा है।
Delhi has utilised only 14% of the funds so far — Rs 14.1 crore of Rs 99.77 crore — released under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) since 2019 even as the neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), such as Ghaziabad and Meerut, have spent more than 80% of their funds. This city wise data was provided by Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday. The disclosure came a day after the Union Budget was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with an allocation of Rs 1,091 crore under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s “Control of Pollution” scheme for 2026-27. Notably, the budget allocation under one scheme does not represent the entirety of pollution-related funding in Delhi-NCR, which is spread across multiple programmes and institutions. What is NCAP? Launched in January 2019, the NCAP is the Centre’s framework for improving air quality in 130 cities. It sets city-specific targets for reducing particulate matter pollution, with an overall goal of achieving up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels, or meeting national standards, by 2025-26. The programme is not implemented through a single funding source. Funds have been released based on performance, with large cities or the million-plus cities such as Delhi receiving grants through the Finance Commission, and smaller cities funded directly by the Environment Ministry. The programme also relies on coordination across multiple ministries, with a nationwide action plan linked to schemes run by departments handling transport, energy, urban development, industry and agriculture. According to Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment, “A convergence approach is needed… This means clearly identifying and augmenting financial allocations across multiple ministries.”