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PM Modi calls for 'one earth, many efforts' to make environment better

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Lifestyle for the Environment Movement', a global initiative, and asserted that its vision is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laun­ched the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Mov­ement’, a global initiative, and asserted its vision is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. Those who live such a lifestyle are called “pro-planet people,” he said in a video address, and added that "Mission LiFE' borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Giving the slogan of "one earth, many efforts", he said India is ready to lend its support to actions to make environment better and improve global wellness. With the launch coinciding with World Environment Day, Modi said our planet's challenges are well-known, and the need of the hour is human-centric, collective efforts and robust actions that further sustainable development. He added: “Our commitment to reach 40 per cent of installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources has been achieved, nine years ahead of schedule. We have achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, five months ahead of the November 2022 target. This is a major accomplishment given that blending was hardly 1.5 per cent in 2013-14 and 5 per cent in 2019-20.” Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh said the country has adopted a five-point agenda, which includes meeting its 50 per cent of its energy demand every year, which is 500 Gw, from renewable resources by 2030. CSE report Twenty-five glacial lakes and water bodies in India, China, and Nepal have recorded over 40 per cent rise in water spread areas since 2009, posing a threat to five Indian states and two UTs, a new report stated. According to the report by the Centre for Science and Environment, over a third of India’s coastline saw some degree of erosion between 1990 and 2018. West Bengal is the worst hit with over 60 per cent of its shoreline under erosion.

World Environment Day: 68% of India’s plastic waste unaccounted for

Only 12 per cent of plastic waste generated in 2019-20 was recycled and 20 per cent was burnt, says CSE study Climate change is for real and incremental efforts won’t work. It is time for some transformation action, said Down To Earth editor Sunita Narain as she released the 7th edition of the “State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures”, as a precursor to June 5 – World Environment Day. The World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. The day is marked to call for action by governments, private organisations, civil society as well as individuals to protect the environment. “Data is about measurement and the better we measure, the better we will get at management — this is what we know and this is why we put together this dataset each year,” said Narain while inaugurating the book online from Stockholm where she has gone to attend the Stockholm climate change conference. Data helps us make sense of the changes we see in our world; it helps us understand what needs to be done, she added. “Most of the data that the report carries is based on official government statistics that are available in the public domain. We simply analyse it and present it with a researcher’s rigour and a journalist’s insight,” said Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth. Also read: Is plastic pollution our Waterloo moment? Look around, there’s more On solid waste management, the report says that in 2019-20, India generated 3.5 million tonne of plastic waste. Only 12 per cent of this was recycled, and 20 per cent was burnt, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The remaining 68 per cent remains unaccounted for, which means it is in the environment (land and water) or in dumpsites. Our hazardous waste generation went up by 5 per cent between 2019-20 and 2020-21, while our e-waste generation increased by 32 per cent between 2018-19 and 2019-20. Emphasising the need to cut down air pollution, the report says reducing air pollution to meet the World Health Organization’s standards would add 2.2 years to global life expectancy. In India, the life expectancy will go up by 5.9 years if the country meets the WHO levels of PM2.5. And, we aren’t eating healthy food anymore. More than 1.7 million Indians die due to diseases attributable to unhealthy diet. The diet of an Indian, on an average, lacks in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains, the report says.

रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम में हिमाचल के तीन स्कूल सम्मानित, सोलन जिला का सर्वश्रेष्ठ प्रदर्शन

हिमाचल प्रदेश के तीन स्कूलों को अपने परिसरों को पर्यावरण के अनुकूल बनाने के लिए ग्रीन स्कूल पुरस्कारों से नवाजा गया है। पर्यावरण के क्षेत्र में कार्य करने वाली सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) के ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम (जीएसपी) के तहत स्कूलों की पर्यावरण व्यवस्था के आधार पर अलग-अलग वर्ग में तीन स्कूलों को सम्मानित किया गया। विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस के उपलक्ष्य पर रविवार को शिमला के गेयटी थियेटर में अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव पर्यावरण विज्ञान व प्रौद्योगिकी विभाग प्रबोध सक्सेना ने ये पुरस्कार प्रदान किए। पिछले तीन सालों से लगातार पर्यावरण के अनुकूल माहौल बनाए रखने के लिए सोलन को राज्य का सर्वश्रेष्ठ जिला घोषित किया गया। पर्यावरण के तय मानकों पर सोलन जिला के स्कूलों ने सर्वश्रेष्ठ प्रदर्शन किया है। शिवालिक वैली पब्लिक स्कूल सोलन, राजकीय वरिष्ठ माध्यमिक विद्यालय नैनीधार (सिरमौर) और सरकारी हाई स्कूल डुघा (हमीरपुर) को 2021-22 की मुख्यमंत्री रॉलिंग ट्राफियां प्रदान की गईं। ये अवार्ड हर साल सीएसई और हिमाचल प्रदेश विज्ञान प्रौद्योगिकी और पर्यावरण परिषद (हिमकॉस्ट) के सहयोग से दिए जाते हैं। दोनों मिलकर राज्य में पर्यावरण-शिक्षा को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए लगभग एक दशक से साथ काम कर रहे हैं। ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम का उददेश्य सभी को पर्यावरण के महत्व को समझाना है। सीएसई का ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम (जीएसपी) एक ऐसी पहल है, जो स्कूलों, उनके स्टूडेंट्स और शिक्षकों को स्कूल-परिसरों के अंदर पर्यावरण के अनुकूल माहौल बनाने और उसे बचाए रखने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करता है। सीएसई की इस पहल में हिमाचल प्रदेश की भागीदारी 2012 से लगातार बढ़ती गई है। वर्ष 2012 में इसमें 44 स्कूल शामिल थे, जिनकी संख्या आज 699 है। 2019-20 में हिमाचल प्रदेश ने जीएसपी के ऑडिट प्रदर्शन में महत्वपूर्ण बढ़त दर्ज की थी। जहां तक पंजीकरण का सवाल है, जीएसपी ऑडिट-2019 में 557 स्कूलों ने पंजीकरण कराया था, जो 2018 के 367 स्कूलों की तुलना में 65 फीसदी ज्यादा था। कुल 557 पंजीकरणों में से, 156 स्कूलों ने 2019 में ऑडिट पूरा किया और प्रस्तुत किया। इनमें से, 15 स्कूलों को ऑडिट में ‘ग्रीन’ का दर्जा दिया गया था, जो 2018 में केवल चार स्कूलों को मिला था। हर साल की तरह, इस साल भी जीएसपी कार्यशालाएं आयोजित की गईं, जिनमें 110 टीचरों ने भाग लिया। उल्लेखनीय है कि जीएसपी-सीएम रॉलिंग ट्रॉफी की स्थापना 2017 में की गई थी जिसका उद्देश्य उन स्कूलों का सम्मान करना था, जिन्होेंने स्टूडेंट्स को पर्यावरण-प्रबंधक बनाकर उसकी बेहतरी के लिए चेतना जगाने के लिए जीएसपी-ऑडिट में भागीदारी की थी। तब से 14 स्कूल और दो जिलों (सोलन को लगातार दो सालों तक ट्रॉफी मिली) ने जीएसपी-एचपी मुख्यमंत्री ट्रॉफी हासिल की हैै। 2018-19 में खुद मुख्यमंत्री जयराम ठाकुर ने मंडी में हुए कार्यक्रम में जीतने वाले स्कूलों को ट्रॉफी दी थी। 2019-20 में चार स्कूलों को प्रमाणपत्र दिया गया था और सोलन को एक बार फिर सर्वश्रेष्ठ जिले का पुरस्कार मिला था। 2021-22 के लिए तीन स्कूलों और एक जिले को रॉलिंग ट्रॉफी अवार्ड के लिए चुना गया था। हिन्दुस्थान समाचार/उज्जवल/सुनील

Sunita Narain gets a mention at Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee party

Delhi-based environmentalist Sunita Narain got a special mention by Britain's Prince William in his tribute to Queen Elizabeth II during celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee in London marking 70 years of the 96-year-old monarch's reign. In his speech during a grand Jubilee Party at the Palace on a 360-degree stage outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday night, William focussed his message on the environment as he spoke adoringly of his grandmother. He described the concert venue, which witnessed performances by leading artists such as the group Queen and Sir Elton John, as an IMAX screen."As I watch those extraordinary images, it does make me think of all the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists that have gone before," said William. Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sunita-narain-gets-a-mention-at-queen-elizabeth-iis-jubilee-party/articleshow/92024656.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Nod to environmentalist Sunita Narain at Queen's Jubilee Party

LONDON: Delhi-based environmentalist Sunita Narain got a special mention by Britain's Prince William in his tribute to Queen Elizabeth II during celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee in London marking 70 years of the 96-year-old monarch's reign. In his speech during a grand Jubilee Party at the Palace on a 360-degree stage outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday night, William focussed his message on the environment as he spoke adoringly of his grandmother. He described the concert venue, which witnessed performances by leading artists such as the group Queen and Sir Elton John, as an IMAX screen. As I watch those extraordinary images, it does make me think of all the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists that have gone before", said William. "I think of Rachel Carson from America, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, Sunita Narain from India and so many others. While no one's grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century. In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs", he said. William's address was followed by his father, Prince Charles, who paid tribute to his mother's "lifetime of selfless service" and opened in his usual way of addressing her as "mummy". "Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother", said Charles, her son and heir to the throne. "Your Majesty, you have been with us in our difficult times. And you bring us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy and happiness. Maybe this year, it really is coming home. You have met us and talked with us. You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us, for these 70 years. You pledged to serve your whole life – you continue to deliver", he said. The Queen did not attend Saturday's concert, but participated in a pre-recorded comic sketch with Paddington Bear to open the concert. In it, she is seen sharing a chaotic English cream tea at Buckingham Palace with the world-famous fictional bear gulping down tea straight from the teapot and accidentally spraying cream at the royal footman. The cartoon character then reveals that he always carries an emergency stash of his favourite treat, a marmalade sandwich, and offers it to the Queen. Smiling and laughing, the Queen opens her own handbag to show her own sandwich, saying: "I keep mine in here". The star-studded concert saw 22,000 people fill The Mall leading up to the palace to enjoy performances from an array of music artists, as well as appearances from the stars of stage and screen, and the sporting world. There were songs from Sir Elton John, George Ezra, Craig David, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, while Sir Rod Stewart's performance of 'Sweet Caroline' had all the royals swaying in their seats. There was also a run through of British and Commonwealth sporting achievements by actor and rapper Doc Brown and the show was closed by Diana Ross, with her first live performance in the UK in 15 years. The final day of the Jubilee celebrations on Sunday will end with a huge pageant near Buckingham Palace. The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a carnival procession up The Mall featuring giant puppets and celebrities, will depict key moments from the Queen's seven decades on the throne. It includes a Bollywood-themed Wedding Party segment, created by South Asian arts group Nutkhut. It will include a six-meter-high four-tiered cake inspired from the royal wedding of the Queen with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, with each tier representing the Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees of the monarch's reign. The Wedding Party will be performed in an elaborate style by 250 performers of all ages, from London, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester, Southampton and Newcastle. Nutkhut says the spirit of the Commonwealth will flow through its specially designed Platinum Jubilee sari, a key feature of the performance and composed of sustainable organic fabric. Thousands of street parties are also being held across the UK in what is being called the Big Jubilee Lunch.

Jubilee nod for green activist

Sunita Narain had no idea she would be picked out for special mention by Prince William in his speech to a global audience Indian environmental campaigner Sunita Narain had no idea she would be picked out for special mention by Prince William in his speech to a global audience at the Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday night. During the event, which focused in part on green issues, William said: “I’m so proud that my grandfather and my father have been part of those efforts. And I’m in awe of people like the great Sir David Attenborough, who look at the beauty and power of our Earth and then work to celebrate and preserve it.” Advertisement He added: “I think of Rachel Carson from America, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, Sunita Narain from India and so many others.” During the concert, film footage and electronic wizardry allowed the façade of Buckingham Palace to be shown covered in a forest of greenery. Speaking from her home in Delhi, Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment, said: “I was very surprised to see my name mentioned; but am honoured and indeed overwhelmed to be put in the company of the greats. This is a recognition of our work on the imperative of environmental issues in our world and in particular climate justice to be the foundation of future action.” “India’s key priority remains managing to balance environment and development, which is getting much more urgent and challenging as climate change impacts take a toll of people and their lives,” she added. William’s commendation, she acknowledged, “will give us the courage to keep working”. Narain, 61, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, was named in Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in 2016. She appeared alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2016 documentary Before The Flood and talked about the impact of climate change on the monsoon in India and how it affects farmers. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Calcutta University in 2009. Of the others mentioned by the prince, Rachel Carson was an American biologist whose 1962 book, Silent Spring, became one of the most influential works in the modern environmental movement. By imagining a world without birds, it provided the impetus for tighter control of pesticides, including DDT. Kenya’s Wangari Muta Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner, environmentalist and human rights activist, died in 2011 at the age of 71. A mother of three, she devoted her life to promoting the environment and democracy, and also frequently expressed concern about poverty in Africa.

Prince William's cheeky quip about the Queen's age in 'King worthy' speech at Platinum Jubilee concert

Both Prince William and Prince Charles took to the stage at the BBC Party at the Palace Platinum Jubilee celebrations - much to the delight of royal fans Prince William made a heartwarming speech at the BBC Party at the Palace to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last night, with a cheeky joke about the Her Majesty's age. Prince William began his speech by talking about how "proud" he is of his father and grandfather, then went on to discuss the Queen for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations 2022. Twitter users reacted with delight, calling the speech "heartfelt" and "King worthy". In other royal news, Prince William and Kate Middleton send Lilibet birthday wishes - with royal fans praising their 'classy' response. Skip advert Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is known for having a strong bond with the Queen, so we're sure she would have taken his jovial jibe about her age in good humor. Skip advert The Duke took to the stage at last night's BBC Party at the Palace to give a speech on the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen's 70-year-reign and paid tribute to both his father and his grandparents.

हिमाचल के तीन स्कूलों को हरित पुरस्कार, सोलन जिला का सर्वश्रेष्ठ प्रदर्शन

हिमाचल प्रदेश के तीन स्कूलों को अपने परिसरों को पर्यावरण के अनुकूल बनाने के लिए ग्रीन स्कूल पुरस्कारों से नवाजा गया है। पर्यावरण के क्षेत्र में कार्य करने वाली सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) के ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम (जीएसपी) के तहत स्कूलों की पर्यावरण व्यवस्था के आधार पर अलग-अलग वर्ग में तीन स्कूलों को सम्मानित किया गया। विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस के उपलक्ष्य पर रविवार को शिमला के गेयटी थियेटर में अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव पर्यावरण विज्ञान व प्रौद्योगिकी विभाग प्रबोध सक्सेना ने ये पुरस्कार प्रदान किए। पिछले तीन सालों से लगातार पर्यावरण के अनुकूल माहौल बनाए रखने के लिए सोलन को राज्य का सर्वश्रेष्ठ जिला घोषित किया गया। पर्यावरण के तय मानकों पर सोलन जिला के स्कूलों ने सर्वश्रेष्ठ प्रदर्शन किया है। शिवालिक वैली पब्लिक स्कूल सोलन, राजकीय वरिष्ठ माध्यमिक विद्यालय नैनीधार (सिरमौर) और सरकारी हाई स्कूल डुघा (हमीरपुर) को 2021-22 की मुख्यमंत्री रॉलिंग ट्राफियां प्रदान की गईं। ये अवार्ड हर साल सीएसई और हिमाचल प्रदेश विज्ञान प्रौद्योगिकी और पर्यावरण परिषद (हिमकॉस्ट) के सहयोग से दिए जाते हैं। दोनों मिलकर राज्य में पर्यावरण-शिक्षा को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए लगभग एक दशक से साथ काम कर रहे हैं। ग्रीन स्कूल कार्यक्रम का उददेश्य सभी को पर्यावरण के महत्व को समझाना है। सीएसई का ग्रीन स्कूल प्रोग्राम (जीएसपी) एक ऐसी पहल है, जो स्कूलों, उनके स्टूडेंट्स और शिक्षकों को स्कूल-परिसरों के अंदर पर्यावरण के अनुकूल माहौल बनाने और उसे बचाए रखने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करता है। सीएसई की इस पहल में हिमाचल प्रदेश की भागीदारी 2012 से लगातार बढ़ती गई है। वर्ष 2012 में इसमें 44 स्कूल शामिल थे, जिनकी संख्या आज 699 है। 2019-20 में हिमाचल प्रदेश ने जीएसपी के ऑडिट प्रदर्शन में महत्वपूर्ण बढ़त दर्ज की थी। जहां तक पंजीकरण का सवाल है, जीएसपी ऑडिट-2019 में 557 स्कूलों ने पंजीकरण कराया था, जो 2018 के 367 स्कूलों की तुलना में 65 फीसदी ज्यादा था। कुल 557 पंजीकरणों में से, 156 स्कूलों ने 2019 में ऑडिट पूरा किया और प्रस्तुत किया। इनमें से, 15 स्कूलों को ऑडिट में ‘ग्रीन’ का दर्जा दिया गया था, जो 2018 में केवल चार स्कूलों को मिला था। हर साल की तरह, इस साल भी जीएसपी कार्यशालाएं आयोजित की गईं, जिनमें 110 टीचरों ने भाग लिया। उल्लेखनीय है कि जीएसपी-सीएम रॉलिंग ट्रॉफी की स्थापना 2017 में की गई थी जिसका उद्देश्य उन स्कूलों का सम्मान करना था, जिन्होेंने स्टूडेंट्स को पर्यावरण-प्रबंधक बनाकर उसकी बेहतरी के लिए चेतना जगाने के लिए जीएसपी-ऑडिट में भागीदारी की थी। तब से 14 स्कूल और दो जिलों (सोलन को लगातार दो सालों तक ट्रॉफी मिली) ने जीएसपी-एचपी मुख्यमंत्री ट्रॉफी हासिल की हैै। 2018-19 में खुद मुख्यमंत्री जयराम ठाकुर ने मंडी में हुए कार्यक्रम में जीतने वाले स्कूलों को ट्रॉफी दी थी। 2019-20 में चार स्कूलों को प्रमाणपत्र दिया गया था और सोलन को एक बार फिर सर्वश्रेष्ठ जिले का पुरस्कार मिला था। 2021-22 के लिए तीन स्कूलों और एक जिले को रॉलिंग ट्रॉफी अवार्ड के लिए चुना गया था।

Country's rivers are becoming poisonous, toxic metals found in 117 rivers

The water-spreading areas of 25 glacial lakes and reservoirs in India, China and Nepal have registered an increase of over 40 percent since 2009, posing a serious threat to five Indian states and two Union Territories. A report has given information in this regard. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report, the seven states and Union Territories that are at risk include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. However, this is not just a matter of increasing water spread. The data given in a report titled 'State of India's Environment 2022: These Figures' tells a worrying story. It said that between 1990 and 2018, more than a third of India's coastline has seen some degree of erosion. West Bengal is the worst hit, with more than 60 percent of its coastline being affected due to land erosion. The report states that the increase in the frequency of cyclones and rise in sea level and anthropogenic activities, such as the construction of ports, mining on the beach and construction of dams are some of the reasons for coastal erosion. Referring to government data, the report pointed out that three out of every four river-monitoring centres in India recorded deadly levels of heavy toxic metals — lead, iron, nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium and copper. In the monitoring station spread over 117 rivers and tributaries, high levels of two or more toxic metals have been reported. Out of the 33 monitoring centres of river Ganga, 10 have high pollution levels. The report said that 45 to 64 per cent of India's forest cover is expected to become a climate hotspot by 2030. By the year 2050, almost the entire forest area of the country is expected to become a climate hotspot.

Environmental Concern: ‘J&K under threat as rising water spread since 2009’

The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh are under serious threat following rising in water spread areas as 25 glacial lakes and water bodies in India and China have recorded over 40 per cent increase since 2009. This crucial disclosure comes after renowned environmental watchdog, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) gave a detailed presentation wherein it mentioned that twenty-five glacial lakes and water bodies in India, China and Nepal have recorded over 40 per cent rise in their water spread areas since 2009, posing a grave threat to five Indian states and two Union territories. According to the report by CSE, the seven states and UTs which are under threat are Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar and Ladakh. However, it is not just the rise in water spread that is concerning. The data published in the report ‘State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures’ tell a worrying tale. It said that over a third of India’s coastline witnessed some degree of erosion between 1990 and 2018. West Bengal is the worst hit with over 60 per cent of its shoreline under erosion. An increase in the frequency of cyclones and rise in the sea level, and anthropogenic activities such as the construction of harbours, beach mining and building of dams are some of the reasons for coastal erosion, it said. Citing government data, the report said three out of every four river-monitoring stations in India have recorded alarming levels of heavy toxic metals—lead, iron, nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium and copper. In one-fourth of the monitoring stations, spread across 117 rivers and tributaries, high levels of two or more toxic metals have been reported. Of the 33 monitoring stations in the Ganga river, contaminant levels in 10 are high. The report said 45 to 64 per cent of India’s forest cover is likely to become climate hotspots by 2030. By 2050, almost the entire forest cover of the country is likely to become a climate hotspot. “The severity, in terms of damage due to climate change, is set to increase in 2085,” the CSE report stated. A climate hotspot refers to an area that is likely to face severe impacts of climate change. The report revealed that India recycled 12 per cent and burnt 20 per cent of the 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste it generated in 2019-20. There is no information on the remaining 68 per cent of plastic waste, which most likely would have ended up in dumpsites and landfills, it stated.

`It poses great risk to villages and tourist infrastructure’: New study reveals 65 proglacial lakes can burst anytime in J&K

Srinagar: Glacial lakes have shown an alarming increase in Jammu and Kashmir, posing a threat to the downstream communities. According to the latest report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), twenty-five glacial lakes and water bodies in India, China, and Nepal have recorded over 40 percent rise in their water spread areas since 2009, posing a grave threat to five Indian states and two Union territories. The seven states and Union Territories which are under threat are Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh. Senior Assistant Professor, Coordinator Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir Dr. Irfan Rashid told The Kashmir Monitor that there are around 18 thousand glacial lakes in the Third Pole region. “The credible satellite data-based observations indicate the formation of new proglacial lakes and expansion of already existing ones in the region. Glacier modeling studies indicate this will pose an increased risk to downstream communities and infrastructure downstream,” he said. Rashid noted that glaciers have a snout from which water releases and pours into these water formations called pro-glacial lakes. “These lakes have been showing a constant increase. The water volume will continue to increase since the lakes are still developing.” For Jammu and Kashmir, 332 proglacial lakes have been identified out of which around 65 are potentially dangerous. Similarly, some of the lakes categorized as potentially dangerous lakes in the Indian Himalayas include proglacial lakes associated with Drang Drung, and Dulung glaciers in Zanskar, Samudra Tapu, and Gepang Gath in Himachal, South Lhonak, and Shako Cho in Sikkim, Gya, Rumbak and Lato glaciers in Leh, two lakes upstream of Chirsar and Brahmsar in the upper stretch of Vishav, Rashid explained. “The pro-glacial lakes formed can burst due to three reasons. The sediments and boulders in them have a less bearing capacity which can lead to a lake outburst. The second reason is that the lakes are in the process of expansion. Since we lie in seismic zone 5, there are high chances of its burst with the occurrence of a high-intensity earthquake,” he said. He emphasized that extreme precipitation like cloudbursts can also lead to lake bursts. “J&K and Ladakh have shown an increase in the frequency of cloud bursts in recent years. Therefore, it poses a great risk to the villages or tourist infrastructure in the vicinity of the lakes,” he said. Dr. Irfan explained in light of the changing climate, they cannot stop the glaciers from melting per se. “Glacial lake expansion would continue by the end of this century and this could also increase the frequency of glacial lake outbursts. However, environmentally friendly measures can be taken. Non-conventional sources including the use of solar-powered or CNG vehicles should be promoted by the policymakers in Eco-fragile Himalayas,” Rashid said. He said the footfall of tourists in the ecologically fragile zones can be streamlined by scientifically assessing the carrying capacity. “Energy requirements should be fulfilled by alternate sources rather than fossil fuel.”

कचरे की समस्या से निपटने के लिए लोगों को जागरूक किया जाए, जुर्माना लगाया जाए : अतिन बिस्वास

शहरों के साथ ही पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में भी कचरा प्रबंधन एक चुनौती बनता जा रहा है जिससे स्वास्थ्य के लिए गंभीर खतरा पैदा हो रहा है। पेश हैं इस संबंध में विज्ञान और पर्यावरण केंद्र में ठोस अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन इकाई के निदेशक अतिन बिस्वास से भाषा के पांच सवाल और उनके जवाब… सवाल: पर्वतीय क्षेत्रों में बढ़ रहे पर्यटन के साथ जगह-जगह कूड़े के ढेर भी बढ़ रहे हैं। यह पर्वतीय पर्यावरण के लिए कितनी बड़ी चुनौती है और इससे निपटने के लिए सरकारों को क्या करना चाहिए। जवाब: कूड़ा फेंकने की जगह औपचारिक या अनौपचारिक हो सकती है। यह तथ्य है कि पूर्वोत्तर और उत्तर भारत के पहाड़ी इलाकों में कूड़ा फेंकने (डंपसाइट) की अनौपचारिक संख्या अधिक है। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के 2019 के आंकड़ों के अनुसार पहाड़ी राज्यों में औपचारिक तौर पर कूड़ा फेंकने की 232 जगह हैं। इसमें उत्तराखंड में 42, हिमाचल प्रदेश में 27, जम्मू और कश्मीर में नौ, त्रिपुरा में 17, मणिपुर में 21, अरुणाचल प्रदेश में 31, असम में 76, सिक्किम में दो, मिजोरम में एक और मेघालय में छह स्थान हैं…अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन के संबंध में स्थानीय प्रशासन के पास समावेशी दृष्टिकोण का अभाव है जो ग्रामीण या शहरी स्थानीय निकायों द्वारा एक स्थायी अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन प्रणाली स्थापित करने के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है। उत्तराखंड सरकार के पर्यटन विभाग के आंकड़ों के अनुसार चार धाम यात्रा के लिए आने वाले यात्री अपनी यात्रा के दौरान काफी कूड़ा फैलाते हैं। इसलिए स्थानीय प्रशासन को मुख्य स्थानों पर जागरूकता फैलाने के साथ ही कूड़ा फेंकने वालों पर भारी जुर्माना लगाना चाहिए। इस पहल में उचित प्रबंधन और वैज्ञानिक निपटान के लिए हॉटस्पॉट से संचित कचरे का संग्रह भी शामिल होना चाहिए। सवाल: आपके अनुसार वर्तमान समय में कचरा निस्तारण की आधुनिक तकनीकी की उपलब्धता होने के बावजूद ऐसी क्या कमी है कि कचरे का प्रबंधन ठीक तरह से नहीं हो पा रहा है। जवाब: स्थानीय प्रशासन का कचरा प्रबंधन को लेकर मूल दृष्टिकोण ‘सेवा’ उन्मुख है, जो अकसर इसके ‘प्रबंधन’ के उद्देश्य को घटा देता है। ‘प्रबंधन’ शब्द का अर्थ है विभिन्न अपशिष्ट अंशों का प्रसंस्करण, उपचार, पुनर्प्राप्ति और पुनर्चक्रण। स्रोत स्थल पर जो कचरा इकट्ठा किया जाता है, वह पर्याप्त पृथक्करण के अभाव में, एक ‘मिश्रित’ कचरा होता है, जो न केवल प्रबंधन को मुश्किल बनाता है, बल्कि इसका अधिकांश हिस्सा लैंडफिल स्थल/ कचरा स्थल पर समाप्त हो जाता है। आमतौर पर इस तरह के अंश धूल, नाली की गाद आदि होते हैं। इसलिए अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन ऐसी कोई चुनौती नहीं है, जिसे प्रौद्योगिकी के होने या न होने से जोड़ा जा सकता है। स्वच्छ भारत मिशन 2.0 स्थानीय निकायों को यह सुनिश्चित करने का आदेश देता है कि वे 2026 के अंत तक कूड़े के लैंडफिल पर पहुंचने से पहले उसे 80 प्रतिशत तक प्रसंस्करित करें। इस कार्यक्रम के तहत पांच वर्षों (2021-2026) के लिए 1.4 लाख करोड़ के वित्तीय हस्तांतरण की भी प्रतिबद्धता जताई गई है। सवाल: शहरों में और पहाड़ी राज्यों में कूड़े के प्रबंधन में किस तरह की समस्याएं हैं? जवाब: पूर्वोत्तर, उत्तर भारत, लेह और लद्दाख समेत 11 पहाड़ी राज्यों में 493 शहरी स्थानीय निकाय हैं। इनमें से तकरीबन 80 प्रतिशत नगर पंचायत हैं जो अर्ध शहरी स्थानीय निकायों के तौर पर काम करती हैं। कई कारणों से इन संस्थाओं के पास व्यवस्थित अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन की व्यवस्था नहीं है। साथ ही, केंद्रीकृत अपशिष्ट प्रसंस्करण और उपचार सुविधाओं के लिए स्थलाकृतिक कारणों से घर-घर जाकर कूड़ा जमा करना चुनौतीपूर्ण है। पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों के शहरों के लिए सबसे अच्छा तरीका ‘विकेंद्रीकृत प्रणालियों’ को अपनाना और लागू करना है, ताकि उत्पन्न जैव-निम्नीकरणीय कचरे को सूक्ष्म खाद सुविधाओं में उपचारित किया जा सके और गैर जैव-निम्नीकरणीय कचरे को द्वितीय पृथक्करण के लिए सप्ताह में दो बार इकट्ठा किया जा सके। राज्य या जिला प्रशासन कचरे की मात्रा को देखते हुए ब्लॉक स्तर पर एक केंद्र बना सकते हैं, ताकि बड़ी मात्रा में प्रसंस्करण के लिए भेजे जाने से पहले इसमें बड़ी तादाद में कूड़ा जमा हो सके। सवाल : पहाड़ों के अलावा छोटे शहरों में प्रतिदिन बढ़ती जनसंख्या के साथ कचरे की मात्रा भी बढ़ रही है। इसे नियंत्रित करने के लिए स्थानीय व प्रशासनिक स्तर पर क्या-क्या कार्य किए जा रहे हैं? जवाब: शहरी भारत में हर रोज 1,40,000 मीट्रिक टन कचरा पैदा हो रहा है और इसकी रफ्तार तेजी से बढ़ रही है। विश्व बैंक के अध्ययन के मुताबिक वर्तमान समय में प्रति व्यक्ति हिसाब से हर दिन 450 ग्राम कूड़ा पैदा होता है, जिसके अगले 15-20 साल में बढ़कर हर दिन 800 ग्राम प्रति व्यक्ति होने का अनुमान है। दस हजार हेक्टेयर से ज्यादा जमीन कचरे के पहाड़ के नीचे दब गई है, जिसे अब पुन: हासिल करने की कोशिश की जा रही है। तकरीबन 1300 मिलियन टन पुराना कचरा देश के 3,159 कूड़ाघरों में पड़ा हुआ है जिससे अगले पांच साल में देश को एक लाख करोड़ रुपये का नुकसान हो सकता है। यह भारत में बीते कुछ दशकों में कचरे के कुप्रबंधन का नतीजा है। इस स्थिति में बदलाव कठिन नहीं है, इसके लिए सिर्फ नीतिगत स्तर पर सुधार और स्थानीय प्रशासन के रवैये में बदलाव की जरूरत है। अनौपचारिक कचरा बीनने वालों और निजी कंपनियों के लिए समान अवसर मुहैया कराने के साथ कचरा प्रबंधन को ‘सेवा’ से ‘व्यापार मॉडल’ में बदलने के लिए टिकाऊ अभ्यास पर ध्यान केंद्रित करने की जरूरत है। विशेष रूप से छोटी आबादी वाले शहरों के लिए हमें जल्द से जल्द विकेंद्रीकृत प्रणाली को बढ़ावा देने के लिए व्यापक नीति की भी आवश्यकता है। सवाल: दिल्ली और उससे जुड़े नगरीय संकुल में कचरा निपटान की समस्या के मुख्य कारण एवं कचरा प्रबंधन के उपाय क्या हो सकते हैं। जवाब: दिल्ली और इससे जुड़े नगरीय संकुलों में कचरा निपटान से जुड़ी समस्यायों में बिना किसी उपचार के कचरे को यहां-वहां अंधाधुंध फेंकना शामिल है। दिल्ली में उत्पन्न होने वाले कुल कचरे का लगभग 50 से 60 प्रतिशत (11,400 टन प्रति दिन) निपटान तीन प्रमुख कचरा स्थलों- गाजीपुर, ओखला और भलस्वा में किया जाता है, जो अपरिवर्तनीय स्वास्थ्य और पर्यावरणीय चुनौतियों का कारण बन रहा है। नतीजतन, दिल्ली में उत्पन्न कचरे का एक महत्वपूर्ण अंश अनुपयोगी हो जाता है और कचरा स्थलों पर समाप्त हो जाता है। ऊर्जा एवं संसाधन संस्थान (टेरी) द्वारा 2018 में किए गए अध्ययन के मुताबिक, नगरपालिका के ठोस कचरे के अपघटन को मीथेन का तीसरा प्रमुख मानवजनित स्रोत माना जाता है, और यह कुल मानवजनित मीथेन उत्सर्जन में लगभग 11 प्रतिशत योगदान देता है। दिल्ली में कचरे की समस्या को प्रभावी ढंग से प्रबंधित करने और ग्रीनहाउस उत्सर्जन को कम करने के उपायों में स्रोत पृथक्करण एक महत्वपूर्ण कारक है जिसे सभी हितधारकों और सुशासन की भागीदारी से प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। भाषा फाल्गुनी नेत्रपालनेत्रपालनेत्रपाल

Heat wave, extreme weather killed 350 people in Maharashtra in 2021, highest in India

Maharashtra suffered the most deaths due to extreme weather events in 2021, a state-wise analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said in its recently released report "State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures". Released to mark the World Environment Day, June 5, the report said, Of the over 1,700 people who lost their lives to extreme weather events (lightning and thunderstorms, cyclones, floods, heavy rains and landslides) in India in 2021, 350 were from Maharashtra. Odisha followed with 223 casualties; and in Madhya Pradesh, 191 lives were lost.

CSE report on India paints grim picture; Arunachal a climate hotspot

Twenty-five glacial lakes and water bodies in India, China and Nepal have recorded over 40 percent rise in their water spread areas since 2009, posing a grave threat to five Indian states and two union territories, a new report stated. According to the report by the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), the seven states and union territories which are under threat are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. The report said that 45 to 64 percent of India’s forest cover is likely to become climate hotspots by 2030. By 2050, almost the entire forest cover of the country is likely to become a climate hotspot.

India's SDG preparedness ranking continues to decline: Report – Down To Earth Magazine

Country faces major challenges in achieving 11 of 17 Sustainable Development Goals India is not placed well to achieve the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and its preparedness has worsened over the years in comparison with other countries, a new report showed. India’s rank in the global Sustainable Development Report, 2022 has slipped for the third consecutive year. The country continues to face major challenges in achieving 11 of the 17 SDGs, which has pushed down its global ranking on SDG preparedness. The progress in around 10 of these goals is similar to those in 2021. These include SDG 2 on ending hunger, SDG 3 on good health and well being and SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation. But ensuring decent work (SDG 8) has become more challenging, the report showed. Progress on sustainable development goals Source: Sustainable development report, 2022 by SDSN In the 2022 Global Index of SDGs, the country ranked 121 out of the 163 countries. It had ranked 117 in 2020 and 120 in 2021. With eight years left to meet the global goals on sustainable development, the country is off-track, the trends indicated. Since 2015, the report has been tracking and ranking the performance of 163 UN member states on SDGs. It is published by a group of independent experts at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). SDGs are not mentioned in the latest central or federal budget documents of India, pointed out the report based on a survey conducted in February 2022. India is on track to achieving SDG 13 on climate action, the report mentioned. But another report presented a grim picture. Preparedness to deal with climate impacts is essential to deal with climate crisis, but the country has been facing major challenges in this area, flagged The State of India’s Environment in Figures, 2022 released June 2, 2022. The report was based of the trends revealed in NITI Aayog’s index on SDGs. The seventh edition of CSE and DTE publication was released online by Sunita Narain, director-general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and editor of Down to Earth. India’s performance on climate action — (SDG) 13 — has slipped from 2019-2020. In 2020, the country’s overall national score on SDG 13 was 54 (out of 100) — a significant dip from 60 in 2019. This decline in India’s overall performance is primarily due to eight states — Bihar, Telangana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand — whose scores have dipped under SDG 13 in the two years. Overall SDG rank in 2020 SDG 13 Score (out of 100) in 2020 SDG 13 Score (out of 100) in 2019 Change in SDG 13 score Bihar 16 16 43 -27 Telangana 6 43 66 -23 Rajasthan 13 49 60 -11 Karnataka 3 62 71 -9 Uttar Pradesh 13 39 48 -9 Andhra Pradesh 3 63 70 -7 Punjab 7 51 57 -6 Jharkhand 15 25 27 -2 Telangana, the state which is among the top overall performers (rank six) in the country, has seen a dip in its score for climate action by 23 points. It is second after Bihar, whose SDG 13 performance worsened the most (by 27 points). Besides this, the performance of 27 states / Union territories remained off-track in SDG 13, according to the CSE report. Climate action failure is the most severe global risk in the short term and will also have the most severe impact over the next decade, the global risks report of the World Economic Forum alerted in January 2022. We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together. Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition. Down To Earth is a product of our commitment to make changes in the way we manage our environment, protect health and secure livelihoods and economic security for all. We believe strongly that we can and must do things differently. Our aim is to bring you news, perspectives and knowledge to prepare you to change the world. We believe information is a powerful driver for the new tomorrow. © Copyright Down To Earth 2022. All rights reserved.