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Down To Earth

Wildlife crimes on the rise, fund allocation on decline

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Even when poaching and other threats to wildlife remain rampant, the Centre has eaten into the funds released under three of its flagship schemes for wildlife conservation, an analysis from the State of India's Environment 2022 has said. On the one hand, as many as 2,639 leopards and 579 tigers were killed in last 15 years; on the other, the funding for three of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) schemes for wildlife conservation has shown decline ranging between 16-47 per cent, the 'State of India's Environment 2022' released by the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) on March 1 has found out. Funding for development of wildlife habitat, being implemented in 34 states and UTs, went down from Rs 165 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 124 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 87 crore in 2020-21. Similarly, funding for Project Tiger -- implemented in 19 states with tiger ranges -- went down from Rs 323.2 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 281.8 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 194.5 crore in 2020-21. Even the Project Elephant -- being implemented in 22 states -- saw similar slashing of funds from Rs 29.1 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 28 crore in 2019-2020 to Rs 24 crore in 2020-21. The 'State of India's Environment 2022' report also stated that there has been a 78 per cent increase in the number of environmental crimes in the country between 2019 and 2020. At the same time, the courts are disposing of cases at a rate much lower than that of new cases recorded, leading to pile ups and delays. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh accounted for 90 per cent of the environmental crimes. Human wildlife conflict Another cause of worry for the wildlife lovers is the increasing instances of human-elephant conflicts that have continued to remain high year after year. As per data from the MoEF&CC from 2014-15 till 2020-2021 (till August 9, 2021), 696 elephants were killed in those seven years. Although the number of human deaths is far more than elephants, the cause of worry about elephants is more for obvious reasons that there are roughly 3,000 elephants left in the wild in India. There are 30 elephant reserves across India encompassing 55,000 sq kms area. But 80 per cent of the elephants are outside the protected areas. Elephants, the national heritage animal, are large mammals and need long areas, they need to cross from one habitat to another. "With most of the elephants outside the elephant reserves, they come in contact with human beings and that gives rise to the human-elephant conflict cases," said an official from the Ministry. According to the last count in 2017, there were 29,964 elephants in India. The human-elephant conflict had 83 elephant deaths while 418 deaths in 2014-15; followed by 113 elephants deaths and 469 human deaths in 2015-16; 94 elephant deaths with 516 human casualties in 2016-17 and 105 elephants were killed while 516 humans lost their life in 2017-18. Similarly, in 2018-19, as many as 115 elephants died while it was 457 humans who paid for within the humans in 2019-2020, it was merely 99 elephant deaths as against 585 humans. And last was 87 elephant deaths followed by 359 human deaths. Budget 2022-23 shows higher allocation The budget announcements this year, however, painted a little different picture. The MoEF&CC received a total of Rs 3,030.00 crore in the budget 2022-23 compared to Rs 2,869.9 crore in 2021-22 and much higher than Rs 2,630.2 crore in 2013-14. The Ministry received Rs 300 crore for 2022-23, increased from Rs 220 crore in 2021-22 for tiger conservation. The allocation is higher from Rs 195 crore in 2020-21, which, in turn was higher from Rs 175 crore in 2014-15. (Nivedita Khandekar can be reached at nivedita.k@ians.in) --IANS niv/dpb

Down To Earth

Wildlife crimes on the rise, fund allocation on decline

New Delhi, Mar 6 (IANS): Even when poaching and other threats to wildlife remain rampant, the Centre has eaten into the funds released under three of its flagship schemes for wildlife conservation, an analysis from the State of India's Environment 2022 has said. On the one hand, as many as 2,639 leopards and 579 tigers were killed in last 15 years; on the other, the funding for three of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) schemes for wildlife conservation has shown decline ranging between 16-47 per cent, the 'State of India's Environment 2022' released by the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) on March 1 has found out. Funding for development of wildlife habitat, being implemented in 34 states and UTs, went down from Rs 165 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 124 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 87 crore in 2020-21. Similarly, funding for Project Tiger -- implemented in 19 states with tiger ranges -- went down from Rs 323.2 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 281.8 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 194.5 crore in 2020-21. Even the Project Elephant -- being implemented in 22 states -- saw similar slashing of funds from Rs 29.1 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 28 crore in 2019-2020 to Rs 24 crore in 2020-21. The 'State of India's Environment 2022' report also stated that there has been a 78 per cent increase in the number of environmental crimes in the country between 2019 and 2020. At the same time, the courts are disposing of cases at a rate much lower than that of new cases recorded, leading to pile ups and delays. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh accounted for 90 per cent of the environmental crimes. Human wildlife conflict Another cause of worry for the wildlife lovers is the increasing instances of human-elephant conflicts that have continued to remain high year after year. As per data from the MoEF&CC from 2014-15 till 2020-2021 (till August 9, 2021), 696 elephants were killed in those seven years. Although the number of human deaths is far more than elephants, the cause of worry about elephants is more for obvious reasons that there are roughly 3,000 elephants left in the wild in India. There are 30 elephant reserves across India encompassing 55,000 sq kms area. But 80 per cent of the elephants are outside the protected areas. Elephants, the national heritage animal, are large mammals and need long areas, they need to cross from one habitat to another. "With most of the elephants outside the elephant reserves, they come in contact with human beings and that gives rise to the human-elephant conflict cases," said an official from the Ministry. According to the last count in 2017, there were 29,964 elephants in India. The human-elephant conflict had 83 elephant deaths while 418 deaths in 2014-15; followed by 113 elephants deaths and 469 human deaths in 2015-16; 94 elephant deaths with 516 human casualties in 2016-17 and 105 elephants were killed while 516 humans lost their life in 2017-18. Similarly, in 2018-19, as many as 115 elephants died while it was 457 humans who paid for within the humans in 2019-2020, it was merely 99 elephant deaths as against 585 humans. And last was 87 elephant deaths followed by 359 human deaths. Budget 2022-23 shows higher allocation The budget announcements this year, however, painted a little different picture. The MoEF&CC received a total of Rs 3,030.00 crore in the budget 2022-23 compared to Rs 2,869.9 crore in 2021-22 and much higher than Rs 2,630.2 crore in 2013-14. The Ministry received Rs 300 crore for 2022-23, increased from Rs 220 crore in 2021-22 for tiger conservation. The allocation is higher from Rs 195 crore in 2020-21, which, in turn was higher from Rs 175 crore in 2014-15.

Down To Earth

Karnataka lags behind Tamil Nadu and Kerala in tackling hunger

MYSURU: India has set herself the target of eradicating hunger and malnutrition by 2030, in addition to increasing use of clean and affordable energy. All the states have been tasked with working towards the realisation of these objectives, referred to collectively as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment, which released the Annual State of India’s Environment 2022 report, has found that, while Karnataka is faring well in pushing clean and affordable energy initiatives, it is lagging considerably behind its neighbours Tamil Nadu and Kerala in tackling hunger and malnutrition. Karnataka brings up the rear of the table that lists states against the ‘zero hunger’ indicator, assessing steps taken to end hunger. Against 100, Karnataka scored a mere 53 out of 100. Among other categories, the indicator looks at efforts taken to feed all sections of the population, particularly the children, besides looking into efforts made to promote agriculture, support extended to small-scale farmers, access to land, et al. Karnataka has slotted in 10th when it comes to its performance in steps taken towards eradication of poverty, with a score of 68, standing sixth in its ability to offer quality education and gender equality. Although the state comes in 11th when it comes to supplying clean water and sanitation, it has scored an impressive 85 out of 100 on that count. Karnataka has come in 12th in the category that ranks states on steps taken to reduce socio-economic inequality. The state has achieved the same rank in the ‘life on the land’ category, wherein initiatives undertaken to promote more sustainable techniques aimed at the use of terrestrial ecosystem, preservation of forests, halting and reversing land degradation, among others. DC Nanjunda, associate professor at the Centre for Social Exclusion, University of Mysore, said, “Sustainable development appears to have found more favour in Tamil Nadu and Kerala than in Karnataka. Inequality in income is particularly high in Karnataka, as is deprivation. The infrastructure for healthcare and education is very good in both the states. As far back as the 1980s and 90s, the Kerala model of development was a talking point.” Programme director for environment resources’ unit at the Centre for Science and Environment, Kiran Pandey said that Karnataka had achieved an overall rank of sixth in its preparedness to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030. However, the state’s poor performance in seven key areas, particularly those concerned with pushing socio-economic growth, remains a matter of concern, she said. “Karnataka has also fared poorly when it comes to protecting forests, preventing desertification of land, and protecting biodiversity,” Pandey said.

Down To Earth

M’laya bests others in reducing income inequalities

AGARTALA, March 5: In the initiative towards reducing income inequalities and inequalities-of-outcome, Meghalaya took the top slot followed by Tripura in the country by ensuring access to equal opportunities and promoting social, economic and political inclusion of all irrespective of age, sex disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic condition, according to a the State of Environment Report 2022 of Centre for Science and Environment report. All Northeastern states except Sikkim were found to perform poorly in the development of sustainable cities and communities while all states of the region excluding Tripura achieved better than national standards in integrating climate change measures, disaster risk mitigation and sustainable natural resource management, the report underlined. According to the report, Tripura has bagged the top-most position among Northeastern states for its initiatives to eradicate poverty, not only in monetary terms but also by increasing basic resources and services to the communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters. The report has analysed that in no-poverty indicators of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Tripura’s performance in a number of parameters was best in the region and fourth in the country after Tamil Nadu, Goa and Kerala. Such parameters include the coverage of health insurance schemes, employment under MGNREGA on demand, receiving social protection benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matu Vandana Yojana and households living in kutcha houses. However, Tripura was placed below the national average alongside Meghalaya and Assam in the zero-hunger index that aims to evaluate the measures for ending all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure people especially children have sufficient and nutritious food. It involves promoting sustainable agriculture, small farming and equal access to land, technology and market and also focuses on doubling agricultural productivity by maintaining the genetic diversity of seeds, plants, farmed animals and adaptation of climate-resilient agriculture, the report explained. Although performing poorly in many other economic indicators, Tripura secured the top slot in the country with respect to the responsible consumption index. The parameters included per capita fossil fuel consumption, use of nitrogenous fertiliser, generation of hazardous waste and plastic waste and treatment of bio-medical waste. In the North East, Tripura was followed by Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim. The ranking looked at the progress made by the state in promoting resource efficiency, green economics and sustainable infrastructure. The assessment also focused on reducing degradation, pollution and minimising waste by efficient management of shared natural resources, the report said. The CSE report found all Northeastern states except Mizoram was below the national average in good health and wellbeing index. Other than Manipur and Sikkim, all other states of the region including Meghalaya were below the national average in quality education. Mizoram and Nagaland scored above the national average in clean water and sanitation, Assam scored 98 in affordable and clean energy along with Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur. (UNI)

Down To Earth

Environment: India is Identifying and Defining Forests Wrongly, Say Experts

Contrary to the claims made in the official report about increased forest cover in India, experts revealed that data was manipulated to create a different picture than reality. Amid increasing challenges of climate change, it may surprise many that India is manipulating data to show increasing forest cover and misrepresenting what forest in the real sense should be. Experts have questioned it and raised the issue of how the forest should be defined. Contrary to the official reports of increasing forest cover in the country, MD Madhusudan, Obaid Siddiqi Chair in the History and Culture of Science at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, said, "While the India State of Forest Report (ISFR 2021) says forest cover has increased, a study of the Forest Survey of India maps shows otherwise." While speaking at the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) four-day national conclave, the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2022, Madhusudan said this was a question of erroneous identification, categorisation and definition. "Tea estates, coconut plantations and housing colonies in cities have been classified as forests -- even desert areas have been classified as open forests. There are no technical constraints in classifying forests – we have the technical capacity to differentiate between different kinds of forests and plantations. I believe it has been an active choice to call coconuts and tea plantations forests.". He elaborates further, "In 2001, efforts were made to ensure accuracy of data, but the opposite happened – due to the definition used, forest cover was shown to rise steeply, while there was no change or negative change in the forest cover on the ground!" According to Madhusudan, forests are a living landscape, and natural forests are incomparable to any plantation for biodiversity. "If you cut down a forest and grow tea, it can't be called deforestation anymore because it was forest earlier and is forest later. We have lost the vocabulary to describe this change – this is why it is essential that these categories be differentiated." He stressed that forests are public resources, and tea by an individual or a private firm cannot be termed forest cover. The assessment of Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, focused on investigating why the India State of Forest Report 2021 does not explain what is happening to this huge tract of forest land – equal in size to the state of Uttar Pradesh. As per Narain, "There are states where over 30-50% of the land classified as forests is 'missing' from the government's assessment. Madhya Pradesh, for instance, has 'lost' nearly three million ha. This is the real story of forest loss in our country – and it should worry us enormously." Narain said, "The definition of 'forest area' outside recorded forests includes non-forest plantations. As the definition of a forest includes any hectare of land with a tree cover of 10% or more, these areas would include plantations of all kinds, ranging from coconut to even tea. In fact, between the assessment 2019 and 2021, India's forest cover has grown by a mere 0.2%, and most of this 'growth' has been in 'open forests' (with a canopy cover of 10-40%), on lands outside recorded forest areas." She says that "the urgent agenda today is to reinvent forest management for the future; so that we build a wood-based future, but still protect the ecologically fragile areas." Earlier, Narain said that "huge areas of forests under the control of the forest department are 'missing' and unaccounted for -- possibly degraded to the point that they are not even classified as scrubs. In fact, one can say that the forest cover is growing in spite of the government, not because of it." She said this is the difference between what is 'recorded' as forest area and the actual forest cover that exists on that recorded area. As per the ISFR 2021, the recorded forest area is 77.53 million ha (hectare). But the forest cover on these lands is said to be 51.66 million ha. This means as much as 34% of the area classified as forests – 25.87 million ha -- is missing in the assessment! The India State of Forest Report 2021 does not explain what is happening to this huge tract of forest land – equal in size to the state of Uttar Pradesh." According to her analysis, there are states where over 30-50% of the land classified as forests is 'missing' from the government's assessment. Madhya Pradesh, for instance, has 'lost' nearly three million ha. Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2022, as the conclave is called, is an annual event. This year, it has brought together about 70 journalists from across the country to discuss some of India's critical environmental challenges. The dialogue was inaugurated on March 1 by the Union minister for environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav, who also released CSE and Down To Earth magazine's Annual State of India's Environment 2022 report on the occasion.

Down To Earth

What is Delhi’s Air pollution challenge? Sunita Narain and Anumita Roychowdhury explain

The number of days with good air quality in Delhi has increased while the number of days with poor to extremely severe air quality has decreased Delhi’s fight for clean air started in the 1990s. Numerous reforms have been initiated over the years including shifting to cleaner fuels and enhanced fuel efficiency norms. But as winters approach, Delhi’s air quality takes a dip. What are the reasons? According to the Center of Science and Environment’s Sunita Narain and Anumita Roychowdhury, Delhi’s captive air pollution from vehicles, industry, construction activities, etc are already very high. When Punjab and Haryana farmers start burning rice stubble in the beginning of the winter season, the smoke from their fields add to the captive pollution of Delhi. This increases air pollution in Delhi taking it beyond the severe level. But there have been substantial gains that have been made since the air pollution reforms began. The number of days with good air quality in Delhi has increased while the number of days with poor to extremely severe air quality has decreased. Currently, Delhi enjoys nearly 151 days of good air quality up from about 81 six years ago. But Delhi’s air quality needs to improve substantially to meet the health standards. 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.

Down To Earth

India 'Missing' 25.87 Million Hectares Of Forests: Here's What CSE Analysis Said

India is "missing" 25.87 million hectares of forests, a new analysis of Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) said. The total area combined together would be equivalent to the state of Uttar Pradesh. This is a result of the difference between recorded forest and the forest cover as per official data, according to the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) analysis. This analysis had its basis on the India State of Forest Report 2021 (ISFR2021) that was published some weeks back. What the analysis said? "The State of the Forest Report does not explain what is the state of this forest land that India is 'missing' - as massive as 25.87 million Ha. This is the difference between what is 'recorded' as forest area and the actual forest cover on that recorded area. The recorded forest area is 77.53 million Ha but the forest cover on these lands is 51.66 million Ha. Which clearly means that as much as 34 per cent of the area classified as forests is missing in the assessment," said CSE Director General Sunita Narain. forests Deccan Herald Off the record, she said that a very senior forest official told her that 11 million Ha is accounted for, including 3 million Ha is encroached, 1 million Ha is inside villages and 2 million Ha is diverted. "But all this does not figure in the report," she added. "Of the total RFA, as much as 51.66 million Ha is forest cover (15.7% of India's geographical area), which leaves out 25.87 million Ha unexplained," she went on to say when she addressed the annual media conclave, Anil Agrawal Dialogue 2022. forests Deccan Herald Before 2015 forest boundaries were not digitised and there was a chance for such a miscalculation. But now the Forest Department has exact digital coordinates of the forest land. This established the fact that 28% of the forest cover in India lies on lands outside the department's control. "This missing 25.87 million ha - must be regenerated. While it is great that forests are growing outside because people are planting trees, even plantations on their lands, it is time to talk about what is happening inside the lands held by the forest department and classified as forests," she continued.

Down To Earth

Global food system, food practices account for 21-37 per cent of world's annual greenhouse gas emissions

A new report suggests that the food practices of 7.8 billion people account for 21-37 per cent of the greenhouse gases emitted every year in the world due to all human activities. It means our food systems (the complete process ranging from food production and consumption to its distribution and disposal) emit more than transportation (14 per cent of global GHG emissions) and energy use in buildings (16 per cent), and almost as much as the industry (21 per cent) and electricity production (25 per cent). In fact, in a scenario where emissions from all other sources are halted, emissions from the global food system alone will contribute enough GHGs to heat up the planet above the 1.5°C target. These statistics and projections feature in the latest Annual State of India's Environment report, released at the 2022 Anil Agarwal Dialogue, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)'s annual media conclave, by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. These statistics, put together recently by a group of researchers from the UK and the US, may come as a surprise to many who think of plants as carbon sinks. Vibha Varshney, associate editor, 'Down To Earth', said: "While it is true that plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, they also release large amounts of the gas when decomposing. Food systems also contribute to emissions through other direct and indirect ways. For example, cutting trees to make way for farms and pasture removes a major carbon sink. Operation of farm machinery using fossil fuels, or manufacture of agrochemicals and fertilisers too emit GHGs." "So what is the world doing about it? The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health, a gathering of 37 scientists from 16 nations, has set global targets for food systems that are environmentally sustainable and benefit human health. The commission has proposed a Planetary Health Diet that could reduce urban emissions by 60 per cent in 10 years," she added. The CSE-'Down To Earth' report refers to a September 2020 assessment by UNEP which says reducing land-use change and conversion of natural habitat alone could lower emissions by 4.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e). Varshney added: "A dramatic transformation of dietary practices is recommended to decarbonise the food sector. But it is easier said than done. The pathways to achieve that goal are not as clear as they are for, say, the generation of electricity. Carbon emissions are integral to the biological system. Besides, one cannot stop eating." "There are also financial considerations at play. The most affordable of the EAT-Lancet Commission's 'planetary health diet' exceeds the household per capita income of 1.58 billion people," says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth. Additionally, business interests that have played a role in shaping modern industrial food can make the transition difficult as well. There are also fears that this focus on plant-based diets might prompt other emitters to shirk responsibility and put the onus of reducing emissions on the individual. Says the Annual State of India's Environment report: "The 26th Conference of Parties... in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021 saw discussions on lowering the agriculture sector's contribution to global warming. It remains to be seen how this affects food systems."

Down To Earth

आंकड़ों में बढ़कर जमीन पर घट रहा दिल्ली-यूपी समेत देश के कई राज्यों का वन क्षेत्र

नई दिल्ली/ अलवार, राज्य ब्यूरो। पढ़-सुनकर हैरानी भले ही हो, लेकिन सच यही है आंकड़ों में बढ़कर जमीन पर देश का वन क्षेत्र लगतार घट रहा है। आलम यह है कि 34 प्रतिशत वन क्षेत्र गायब हो चुका है, जबकि इसकी किसी को सुध ही नहीं है। राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर 34 प्रतिशत के इस आंकड़े में उत्तर प्रदेश, दिल्ली, झारखंड, छत्तीसगढ़, उत्तराखंड, हिमाचल प्रदेश, चंडीगढ़, पंजाब और हरियाणा सहित कमोबेश सभी राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों का हिस्सा शामिल है। यह जानकारी नीमली (अलवर) स्थित अनिल अग्रवाल पर्यावरण प्रशिक्षण संस्थान मेें चल रहे 'महामारी और जलवायु परिवर्तन की दोहरी चुनौती' विषयक चार दिवसीय कांक्लेव के तीसरे दिन सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट (सीएसई) के एक प्रेजेंटेशन में सामने आई। यह प्रेजेंटेशन भी बृहस्पतिवार को सीएसई की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने स्वयं दिया। प्रेजेंटेशन का आधार इंडिया स्टेट आफ फारेस्ट रिपोर्ट 2021 ही है। इस प्रेजेंटेशन के मुताबिक भारत का कुल भौगोलिक क्षेत्रफल 32.874 करोड़ हेक्टेयर है। इसमें से 23.5 प्रतिशत यानी 7.753 करोड़ हेक्टेयर जमीन को देश का कुल वन क्षेत्र बताया गया है। इसमें भी 4.422 करोड़ हेक्टेयर क्षेत्र आरक्षित वन, 2.122 करोड़ हेक्टेयर संरक्षित वन जबकि 1.207 अवर्गित वन क्षेत्र है। लेकिन आंकड़ों से अलग हकीकत यह है कि 5.166 करोड़ हेक्टेयर जमीन पर तो वन क्षेत्र है मगर बाकी 2.587 करोड़ हेक्टेयर क्षेत्र में कोई वन ही नहीं है। प्रेजेंटेशन के मुताबिक इंडिया स्टेट आफ फारेस्ट रिपोर्ट 2021 में साफ तौर 5.166 करोड़ हेक्टेयर यानी कुल वन क्षेत्र की 66 प्रतिशत जमीन पर ही वन आवरण बताया गया है। शेष 2.587 यानी 34 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र की स्क्रब अर्थात झाड़ियों में भी वर्गीकृत नहीं किया गया है। हैरत की बात यह भी कि 2019 और 2021 के बीच देश के वन क्षेत्र में सिर्फ 0.2 प्रतिशत यानी 1.6 लाख हेक्टेयर की ही वृद्धि हुई है जबकि घोशित वन क्षेत्र से बाहर की जमीन पर महज 0.76 प्रतिशत का इजाफा हुआ है। सुनीता नारायण (महानिदेशक, सीएसई) के मुताबिक,देश में वन क्षेत्र साल दर साल कम हो रहा है। हैदराबाद स्थित राष्ट्रीय रिमोट सेंसिंग एजेंसी द्वारा करीब चार दशक पहले सैटेलाइट तस्वीरों के माध्यम से एक रिपोर्ट तैयार कर 1975 से 1982 के दौरान हर साल 13 लाख हेक्टेयर वन क्षेत्र कम होने की बात कही थी। इसके बाद वृद्धि का आंकड़ा तो साझा किया जाता है लेकिन कम होते वन क्षेत्र का नहीं। लेकिन इंडिया स्टेट आफ फारेस्ट रिपोर्ट 2021 में केवल 5.166 करोड़ हेक्टेयर यानी कुल वन क्षेत्र की 66 प्रतिशत जमीन पर ही वन आवरण बताकर शेष 2.587 यानी 34 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र पर सवालिया निशान लगा दिया गया है। निश्चित तौर पर यह क्षेत्र अतिक्रमण या अवैध कब्जों की जद में है।

Down To Earth

State ranks 7th in 'Sustainable Dev Goal 3': Centre's report

OLKATA: West Bengal is showing the path to other states when it comes to sustainable development goals. According to the State of India's Environment Report 2022 collated by the Centre for Science and Environment, Bengal has done exceedingly well in four key sectors. Bengal has performed admirably well in Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Well Being), ranking seventh with a score of 76, which is above the national average of 74. The state's performance in SDG 3 has been distinguishably better compared to the past two years, with scores of 70 and 66 in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Bengal also bagged the crown in Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) by scoring 98 and ranking second among all states. Similarly, in Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), Bengal has ranked seventh with a score of 82. The state now has time till 2030 to realise all its Sustainable Development Goals. While the state has improved its ranking to 11th from 13th in 2020, it has done way better in 2019 when it ranked eighth. The State of India's Environment Report was released by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav at Rajasthan's Alwar on Tuesday. These rankings are based on the performance of 28 states in 15 Sustainable Development Goals. CSE director-general Sunita Narain said: "In the last two years, the world has seen disruption at a scale not seen before." Narain added: "Both Covid-19 and climate change are the result of our 'dystopian' relationship with nature. We can call this the revenge of nature."

Down To Earth

Most lives lost to lightning in 2021: IMD chief

Alwar (Rajasthan): There has been a marked increase in lightning and thunderstorms in the year 2021 and they have become deadlier too. Sharing the details of casualties arising out of extreme weather events in 2021, director general of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said out of 1,750 deaths occurring due to different extreme weather events, lightning accounted for 45% casualties corresponding to 787, far above than the casualties caused by cyclonic storms (172), which is otherwise considered more dreadful. Deaths due to flood, heavy rain and landslide accounted for 43% (759) casualties. Lightning events causing deaths have mostly been reported from the eastern part of the country — Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. Mohapatra was addressing journalists in a symposium organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on the topic Code Red on Climate: What Science Is Telling Us, here on Wednesday. “Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have been the worst-hit states in terms of casualties due to extreme weather events,” he said. Jharkhand, which has remained a thunder hotspot for several years, had all the casualties due to extreme weather events linked to lightning while Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal had the biggest chunk of casualties linked to lightning. Akshit Sangomla of CSE said lightning and thunderstorm-related events are among the most under-reported category of extreme weather events. Throwing light on the possible reasons for increasing extreme weather events, particularly lightning and sudden rainfall, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, Roxy Mathew Koll, linked it to marine heat wave. Koll, who has been pioneering research in marine heatwaves, said though the field in terms of research is new, it had huge potential to impact extreme weather events. “Marie heatwaves are a known phenomena of the Bay of Bengal but this year, western Indian Ocean experienced four-fold and northern Bay of Bengal two-three fold rise in numer of marine heatwaves,” he said. Koll linked marine heatwaves to sudden rise in moisture-laden warm winds which often results in heavy rainfall and thunder. “Chances are there that the marine heatwaves have triggered thunder close to Bay of Bengal and neighouring Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and MP,” he said. The marine heatwaves, most of which is recorded through satellite imagery, have pointed that the average sea surface temperature, which is around 27-28 degrees Celsius, have often touched 30-31 degrees Celsius. “One buoy deployed at the Bay of Bengal captured temperature as high as 34 degrees Celsius, indicating that the oceans are acting as the heat sink of global warming and eventually resulting in extreme weather conditions in the coastal regions and neighbourhood,” Koll said. IMD also pointed to other anomalies in weather events recorded last year. Mohapatra said 2021 was the 5th warmest year on record since 1901. “The mean annual average temperature increased by 0.44 degrees Celsius and we have noticed that the mean temperature in most parts of the country has increased,” he said, adding that the anomalies could be directly linked to climate change.

Water Programme

Delhi: जलायशों के गायब होने के मामले में NHRC ने लिया संज्ञान, दिल्ली सरकार और DDA को जारी किया नोटिस

राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग (NHRC) ने यह भी पाया है कि 23 अप्रैल 2019 को आर्द्रभूमि के संरक्षण और प्रबंधन के लिए दिल्ली में मुख्य सचिव की अध्यक्षता में आर्द्रभूमि प्राधिकरण का गठन किया गया था. राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग (NHRC) ने दिल्ली में संबंधित विभागों के अधिकारियों के कथित लापरवाही मामले में स्वत: संज्ञान लिया है. कथित तौर पर अनियोजित विकास और लापरवाही की वजह ले दिल्ली (Delhi) में जल निकायों के गायब होने के मामले पर NHRC ने एक मीडिया रिपोर्ट का स्वत: संज्ञान लिया है. NHRC ने इस मामले में दिल्ली सरकार के मुख्य सचिव और दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण के उपाध्यक्ष को नोटिस जारी किया है. सभी से 6 हफ्ते के भीतर मामले में विस्तृत रिपोर्ट तलब की गई है. राष्ट्रीय मानव अधिकार आयोग का कहना है कि मीडिया रिपोर्ट (Media Reports) में उठाया गया मुद्दा चिंता का विषय है. आयोग का कहना है कि पर्यावरण (Environment) के ऐसे महत्वपूर्ण घटकों की सुरक्षा के लिए कानून और दिशानिर्देश मौजूद हैं. NHRC का कहना है कि अधिकारियों द्वारा कथित लापरवाही मानवाधिकारों का उल्लंघन है. उन्होंने कहा कि जल निकाय और आर्द्रभूमि जल विज्ञान चक्र का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा हैं, जो समृद्ध जैव विविधता और पारिस्थितिक तंत्र जैसे जल भंडारण, जल शोधन, बाढ़ नियंत्रण, कटाव नियंत्रण और सेवाओं की एक विस्तृत श्रृंखला प्रदान करते है. साथ ही माइक्रॉक्लाइमेट विनियमन आदि का समर्थन करते हैं. ये शहरी बाढ़ (Flood) को कम करने में भी मदद करता है. राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग का संज्ञान राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग ने यह भी पाया है कि 23 अप्रैल 2019 को आर्द्रभूमि के संरक्षण और प्रबंधन के लिए दिल्ली में मुख्य सचिव की अध्यक्षता में आर्द्रभूमि प्राधिकरण का गठन किया गया था. 3 मार्च 2022 को जारी मीडिया रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक ये जल निकाय, जो इस क्षेत्र में पारिस्थितिक संतुलन बनाए रखने में एक प्रमुख भूमिका निभाते हैं, या तो कंक्रीट पर अतिक्रमण कर लिया गया है या सीवेज से प्रदूषित कर दिया गया है. दिल्ली में कथित तौर पर विभिन्न प्राधिकरणों से संबंधित 1,043 जल निकायों की पहचान की गई है. आधिकारिक आंकड़ों के मुताबिक उनमें से 169 का या तो उल्लंघन किया गया है या उन्हें नष्ट कर दिया गया है. 1997 के बाद घटी जलाशयों की संख्या मीडिया रिपोर्ट में खिचड़ीपुर क्षेत्र में एक जलाशय का उदाहरण दिया गया है. हालांकि इस जलाशय को सालों से आधिकारिक रिकॉर्ड में शामिल किया गया है, लेकिन इसे अभी तक पुनः प्राप्त या फिर से जीवंत भी नहीं किया गया है. मीडिया रिपोर्ट्स के मुताबिक इन 169 अतिक्रमित जलाशयों में से कुल 103 दिल्ली विकास प्राधिकरण के थे. जब कि DDA के पास कथित तौर पर 836 जल निकाय हैं,जो सबसे ज्यादा शहर में हैं. राजस्व विभाग के दायरे में कुल 131 जलाशय हैं. इसके अलावा, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के हवाले से मीडिया रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि 1997 के एक सर्वेक्षण के मुताबिक दिल्ली में 1,000 जलाशय थे, लेकिन फिलहाल 700 से भी कम रह गए हैं.

Down To Earth

Tripura tops in responsible consumption in SDG index

Agartala: Tripura topped in responsible consumption and production index in the country towards sustainable development goals (SDG), while it topped among northeastern states in no-poverty index, according to the findings of the State of India’s Environment 2022 study released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to the report, Tripura scored 99 in terms of per capita fossil fuel consumption, use of nitrogenous fertiliser, generation of hazardous waste and plastic waste and treatment of bio-medical waste followed by Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim of the region but above the national average. The ranking looked at the progress made by the state in promoting resource efficiency, green economics and sustainable infrastructure. The assessment also focused on reducing degradation, pollution and minimising waste by efficient management of shared natural resources, it explained. Tripura also topped among the NE states for the initiative of eradicating poverty — not only in monetary terms but in all forms and dimensions by 2030, which involved increasing basic resources and services and supporting communities affected by the conflict and climate-related disaster.

Down To Earth

IMD: Average temperature rising across seasons since 1991

The temperature rising trend is more evenly pronounced during monsoon (June to September) and post-monsoon (October to December) seasons. New Delhi: Average temperatures across seasons have seen a sharp upward trend in the country since 1991, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The trend is in comparison to the average surface air temperature baseline recorded between 1981 and 2010. “The excess heat is increasing the moisture holding capacity of atmosphere during these seasons, leading to a spike in heavy and extremely heavy rainfall events,” M Mohapatra, director general of IMD, said on Wednesday. The temperature rising trend is more evenly pronounced during monsoon (June to September) and post-monsoon (October to December) seasons. “There is also a rising trend in both minimum and maximum temperatures, but the rise is significant in case of the latter,” according to IMD data shared by Mohapatra during the Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2022, organised by the Centre for Science and Environment. “There is a rise of 0.26 degree C in average minimum temperatures over the country 1901 onwards, but a rise of 0.99 degree C in average maximum temperatures over the same period,” the data suggest. Heat waves associated with abnormally high temperatures over certain areas, which could also be fatal to both humans and animals, are also on a rise across the country, while there is a declining trend in the occurrence of cold waves. “With global warming, we are seeing a significant rising trend in heat waves over west central India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and some parts of eastern India like Jharkhand, Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal and parts of Uttar Pradesh,” Mohapatra said during a session on climate change. “There is a decreasing trend of cold wave occurrences over northwest India, Indo Gangetic plains and a rising trend of cold waves over some parts of Peninsular India. Variability in weather patterns is also increasing,” he added. Rainfall in the winter season has gone down gradually but no overall trend as such has been witnessed during the monsoon months in the past few decades. “In day-to-day variation, heavy rainfall days are increasing,” he said. Rainstorm events associated with floods are also increasing. “Our data shows the frequency of floods and droughts, especially the aerial extent of drought, is showing a rising trend,” he added. Mohapatra said though the frequency of cyclones has not increased globally, the number of severe cyclones is going up. “In India, too, there is an increase in frequency of extremely severe cyclonic storms over Arabian Sea but no such trend is seen over Bay of Bengal,” he said. Landfall of category 3, 4 and 5 cyclones (118 kmph to over 200 kmph wind speed) has increased globally while there is a downward trend in the speed of cyclones crossing a coast (low translation speed). “More cyclones form over Bay of Bengal, which is also seeing a decrease in translation speed. This can have a more damaging impact on the coast because if the intensity is not high the cyclone moves slowly,” Mohapatra said, adding that the life span of Arabian Sea cyclones is increasing and so is the accumulated cyclone energy over the north Indian Ocean. At least half of the world’s population lives in regions vulnerable to the climate crisis, which has become complex, with several interacting factors likely to increase food prices, reduce household incomes, and lead to malnutrition and climate-related deaths, especially in tropical regions, according the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest report that was released on Monday. “South Asia, including India, is among the most vulnerable, with the Ganga basin likely to face severe water shortage by 2050, Mumbai at high risk from flooding and sea-level rise, and Ahmedabad at danger from the so-called urban heat island effect,” the report has warned. Deaths related to circulatory, respiratory, diabetic and infectious diseases, as well as infant mortality are on the rise in Asia with high temperatures, the Asia factsheet of the report said. A spike in heavy rain events and temperature will increase the risk of diarrheal diseases, dengue fever and malaria in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. More frequent hot days and intense heat-waves will also increase heat-related deaths in Asia, it added. Experts, meanwhile, pointed at the need for an immediate, integrated, and transformational climate action to reduce the risks. “During the last two years, Covid-19 was a deterrent in terms of climate action and adaptation across the globe and in India. Now, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could be another diversion that slows down climate action. South Asia, particularly India, is highly vulnerable to climate change, and we need immediate, integrated, and transformational climate action to reduce the risks since our adaptive capacity is now pushed beyond its limits,” said Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. “We will need a transformational climate action that cuts across sectors and regions to reduce huge economic losses and damage to lives and biodiversity. A transformational climate action would require political will and administrative implementation at all levels, from panchayats, districts to state and national levels,” Koll added.

Down To Earth

Maharashtra, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh suffered most from extreme weather in 2021: IMD chief

Maharashtra, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh suffered the most from extreme weather events last year, India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Wednesday. He also said that heavy rainfall and flood-related incidents last year had claimed over 750 lives across the country, with Maharashtra recording the highest number of fatalities, followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Nearly 350 deaths took place in Maharashtra, most due to floods and heavy rains. The others were related to incidents of lightning, thunderstorms and cyclonic storms, data shared by Mohapatra at the virtual national conclave 'Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2022' showed. In Odisha, which had close to 250 deaths, most were due to lightning and thunderstorms, it stated. Mohapatra also said that the largest number of districts affected from extreme weather events were in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. The director general of meteorology was speaking on the second day of the conclave, which was organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who released the 'State of India's Environment 2022' report. Speaking at a session on extreme weather events and climate change, Akshit Sangomla, a senior journalist with Down To Earth, pointed out that 2021 was a very significant year and a year of extremes. "It was one of the seven warmest years ever recorded. India ranked third in the world in experiencing climate change disasters. And, lightning and thunderstorms accounted for the maximum number of climate-change related deaths," he said. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sixth assessment report, the earth's average surface temperature rise will cross 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years, and two degrees Celsius by the middle of the century, if there is no drastic reduction in green house gas (GHG) emissions. A P Dimri, professor of environmental sciences at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, echoed the dire warnings. "Glaciers are depleting and increasing the flow of rivers in north India. The northern sides of the country will receive more rain compared to the eastern side. Cloudburst is becoming common, and we have found that in case of a cloudburst along the foothills of the Himalayas, the precipitation goes up by 14 per cent," he said. Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, focused on the relatively lesser known phenomenon of marine heat waves. Ads by According to him, the Indian Ocean is the fastest warming ocean basins in the world, and this will have serious impacts on the South Asian region. Marine heat waves are leading to a decline in phytoplankton populations, and affecting the ocean fisheries. Delhi weather: Temperature settles at 25.3Delhi weather: Temperature settles at 25.3 "About 93 per cent of the heat from global warming goes into the oceans. Warm waters are an energy source for cyclones - the frequency, intensity, rapidity and duration increases with rising temperatures. "The Indian Ocean, our research shows, will become conducive to cyclones as warming rises. Marine heatwaves also lead to marine habitat destruction due to coral bleaching, seagrass destruction and loss of kelp forests, affecting the fisheries sector adversely," said Mathew Koll.

Down To Earth

Maharashtra, MP, Odisha suffered most from extreme weather in 2021: IMD chief at CSE event

Marine heat waves are leading to a decline in phytoplankton populations, and affecting the ocean fisheries. Maharashtra, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh suffered the most from extreme weather events last year, India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Wednesday. He also said that heavy rainfall and flood-related incidents last year had claimed over 750 lives across the country, with Maharashtra recording the highest number of fatalities, followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Nearly 350 deaths took place in Maharashtra, most due to floods and heavy rains. The others were related to incidents of lightning, thunderstorms and cyclonic storms, data shared by Mohapatra at the virtual national conclave ‘Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2022’ showed. In Odisha, which had close to 250 deaths, most were due to lightning and thunderstorms, it stated. Mohapatra also said that the largest number of districts affected from extreme weather events were in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. The director general of meteorology was speaking on the second day of the conclave, which was organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who released the ‘State of India’s Environment 2022’ report. Speaking at a session on extreme weather events and climate change, Akshit Sangomla, a senior journalist with Down To Earth, pointed out that 2021 was a very significant year and a year of extremes. “It was one of the seven warmest years ever recorded. India ranked third in the world in experiencing climate change disasters. And, lightning and thunderstorms accounted for the maximum number of climate-change related deaths,” he said. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sixth assessment report, the earth’s average surface temperature rise will cross 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years, and two degrees Celsius by the middle of the century, if there is no drastic reduction in green house gas (GHG) emissions. A P Dimri, professor of environmental sciences at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, echoed the dire warnings. “Glaciers are depleting and increasing the flow of rivers in north India. The northern sides of the country will receive more rain compared to the eastern side. Cloudburst is becoming common, and we have found that in case of a cloudburst along the foothills of the Himalayas, the precipitation goes up by 14 per cent,” he said. Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, focused on the relatively lesser known phenomenon of marine heat waves. According to him, the Indian Ocean is the fastest warming ocean basins in the world, and this will have serious impacts on the South Asian region. Marine heat waves are leading to a decline in phytoplankton populations, and affecting the ocean fisheries. “About 93 per cent of the heat from global warming goes into the oceans. Warm waters are an energy source for cyclones – the frequency, intensity, rapidity and duration increases with rising temperatures. “The Indian Ocean, our research shows, will become conducive to cyclones as warming rises. Marine heatwaves also lead to marine habitat destruction due to coral bleaching, seagrass destruction and loss of kelp forests, affecting the fisheries sector adversely,” said Mathew Koll.