• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi Second-Most Polluted North Indian City. First Is...

After Ghaziabad and Delhi, the next seven most polluted northern cities are those in the NCR region - Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur, an analysis said. New Delhi: Ghaziabad was the most polluted city among 60 north Indian cities last winter, followed by Delhi, according to a latest air quality analysis. According to the "All India Winter Air Quality Analysis" carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (from October 15 to February 28). The analysis contains a detailed assessment of all the regions -- north, south, east, west, central and northeast. It said the most polluted city in the northern region was Ghaziabad with a particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) average of 178 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3), followed by Delhi that had a winter average of 170 ug/m3. The next seven spots are all occupied by neighbouring NCR cities -- Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur, it said. The CSE, however, observed that the north Indian cities have, on an average, recorded 11 per cent lower PM2.5 level last winter, but the improvement in the sub-region of Delhi-NCR was just about eight per cent. "Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution. The peak pollution rose significantly from the baseline among the cities in the south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite the overall fall in the winter average," it said. In the northern region, Srinagar was found to be the cleanest city with Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan among the cities with a relatively lower winter average. In the eastern region, the most polluted city was Siwan in Bihar while in the west, it was Ankleshwar in Gujarat. In the central region, Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh was the most polluted city while in south, Kalaburgi in Karnataka and Hyderabad in Telangana were found to be the most polluted cities. The most polluted city in the northeastern region was Guwahati in Assam with a winter average PM2.5 of 81 ug/m3.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi Second-Most Polluted North Indian City. First Is…

New Delhi: Ghaziabad was the most polluted city among 60 north Indian cities last winter, followed by Delhi, according to a latest air quality analysis. According to the “All India Winter Air Quality Analysis” carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (from October 15 to February 28). The analysis contains a detailed assessment of all the regions — north, south, east, west, central and northeast. It said the most polluted city in the northern region was Ghaziabad with a particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) average of 178 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3), followed by Delhi that had a winter average of 170 ug/m3. The next seven spots are all occupied by neighbouring NCR cities — Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur, it said. The CSE, however, observed that the north Indian cities have, on an average, recorded 11 per cent lower PM2.5 level last winter, but the improvement in the sub-region of Delhi-NCR was just about eight per cent. “Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution. The peak pollution rose significantly from the baseline among the cities in the south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite the overall fall in the winter average,” it said. In the northern region, Srinagar was found to be the cleanest city with Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan among the cities with a relatively lower winter average. In the eastern region, the most polluted city was Siwan in Bihar while in the west, it was Ankleshwar in Gujarat. In the central region, Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh was the most polluted city while in south, Kalaburgi in Karnataka and Hyderabad in Telangana were found to be the most polluted cities. The most polluted city in the northeastern region was Guwahati in Assam with a winter average PM2.5 of 81 ug/m3. The analysis was done for the 2021-22 winter air quality tracker initiative of the CSE’s Urban Data Analytics Lab. “Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region. It is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale. “This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution — vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management — to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. She said while the regions are battling to meet the national ambient air quality standards, winter conditions are aggravating the problem further. “Even though the pandemic conditions have arrested the overall trend in most regions, there is still a mixed trend. Despite having a relatively lower annual average pollution levels, the peak pollution during winter can spike. This indicates the influence of cool and calm winter conditions and also the regional influence,” Ms Roychowdhury said. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE, said as the availability of real-time air quality data has improved in several regions with the expansion of air quality monitoring systems, it has become possible to assess the regional differences and the unique regional trends. This air quality tracker initiative has helped benchmark the winter air quality for peer-to-peer comparison within each region and inter-regional differences, the CSE said. The analysis is based on publicly available granular real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal, Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The data is captured from 326 official stations under the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) spread across 161 cities in 26 states and Union territories, it said.

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7 NCR Cities In Most Polluted Cities List In North India, Delhi At Second Spot: Report

Ghaziabad and Delhi are followed by Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut, and Hapur, in terms of polluted cities in North India during winters. New Delhi has been named the second-most polluted city in North India during the last winters according to a latest air quality analysis. Ghaziabad was named the most polluted. The analysis - "All India Winter Air Quality Analysis" - was carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The findings in the report showed that particulate pollution stayed elevated during the winter of 2021-22 (from October 15 to February 28). It analysed six regions - north, south, east, west, central and northeast - of India. Delhi's average pollution level during the winters was 170 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3), whereas that of Ghaziabad was 178 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3). Delhi-NCR witnesses the highest pollution levels in North India as the next seven polluted cities are all from nearby NCR areas. Ghaziabad and Delhi are followed by Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur. "Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution. The peak pollution rose significantly from the baseline among the cities in the south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite the overall fall in the winter average," the CSE report was quoted in a PTI article. Srinagar was the cleanest city in North India. Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan had relatively less pollution levels. Here Are The Most Polluted Cities As Per CSE (Region Wise) North - Ghaziabad East - Siwan, Bihar West - Ankleshwar, Gujarat Central - Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh South - Kalaburgi, Karnataka and Hyderabad, Telangana North-East - Guwahati, Assam "Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region. It is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale. "This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution -- vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management -- to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE to PTI.

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pollution in ghaziabad: उत्तर भारत में गाजियाबाद रहा सबसे प्रदूषित शहर, दूसरे नंबर पर दिल्ली- ghaziabad most polluted city in north india delhi at second

नई दिल्लीः वायु गुणवत्ता पर किए गए ताजा विश्लेषण में सामने आया है कि पिछली सर्दी के दौरान उत्तर भारत के 60 शहरों में से गाजियाबाद सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित रहा। अध्ययन के अनुसार गाजियाबाद के बाद दिल्ली सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित नगर के तौर पर सूची में शामिल किया गया। ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट’ (सीएसई) द्वारा किए गए आल इंडिया विंटर क्वालिटी एनालिसिस के अनुसार 2021-2022 की सर्दियों के दौरान (15 अक्टूबर से 28 फरवरी तक) सभी क्षेत्रों में हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों द्वारा प्रदूषण में वृद्धि हुई और बरकरार रही। विश्लेषण में देश के उत्तरी, दक्षिणी, पूर्वी, मध्य और पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र का विस्तृत अध्ययन किया गया। अध्ययन में सामने आया कि उत्तर भारत में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित शहर गाजियाबाद रहा, जहां हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों पीएम 2.5 की मात्रा औसतन 178 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति गहन मीटर थी। इसके बाद दिल्ली में इन कणों की मात्रा 170 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर दर्ज की गई।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

pollution in ghaziabad: उत्तर भारत में गाजियाबाद रहा सबसे प्रदूषित शहर, दूसरे नंबर पर दिल्ली- ghaziabad most polluted city in north india delhi at second

नई दिल्लीः वायु गुणवत्ता पर किए गए ताजा विश्लेषण में सामने आया है कि पिछली सर्दी के दौरान उत्तर भारत के 60 शहरों में से गाजियाबाद सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित रहा। अध्ययन के अनुसार गाजियाबाद के बाद दिल्ली सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित नगर के तौर पर सूची में शामिल किया गया। ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट’ (सीएसई) द्वारा किए गए आल इंडिया विंटर क्वालिटी एनालिसिस के अनुसार 2021-2022 की सर्दियों के दौरान (15 अक्टूबर से 28 फरवरी तक) सभी क्षेत्रों में हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों द्वारा प्रदूषण में वृद्धि हुई और बरकरार रही। विश्लेषण में देश के उत्तरी, दक्षिणी, पूर्वी, मध्य और पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र का विस्तृत अध्ययन किया गया। अध्ययन में सामने आया कि उत्तर भारत में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित शहर गाजियाबाद रहा, जहां हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों पीएम 2.5 की मात्रा औसतन 178 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति गहन मीटर थी। इसके बाद दिल्ली में इन कणों की मात्रा 170 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर दर्ज की गई।

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सर्दियों में उत्तर भारत में सबसे प्रदूषित रहे गाजियाबाद-दिल्ली

नई दिल्ली: सीएसई द्वारा कराए गए सर्वे के अनुसार 2021-22 की सर्दियों में सभी क्षेत्रों में प्रदूषण ने उछाल दर्ज की। सर्वे में सभी क्षेत्रों, पूर्व, पश्चिम, उत्तर, दक्षिण, मध्य और पूर्वोत्तर को शामिल किया गया। मौसम विभाग द्वारा जारी हाल ही में जारी एक रिपोर्ट में खुलासा हुआ है कि सर्दियों में उत्तर भारत में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित शहर गाजियाबाद रहा है जबकि दूसरे स्थान पर दिल्ली रहा है। विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र (सीएसई) द्वारा कराए गए ऑल इंडिया विंटर एयर क्वालिटी एनालिसिस के अनुसार 2021-22 की सर्दियों (15 अक्तूबर से 28 फरवरी तक) में सभी क्षेत्रों में प्रदूषण ने उछाल दर्ज की। सर्वे में सभी क्षेत्रों, पूर्व, पश्चिम, उत्तर, दक्षिण, मध्य और पूर्वोत्तर को शामिल किया गया। इसके अनुसार, उत्तर क्षेत्र में सबसे प्रदूषित शहर गाजियाबाद रहा जबकि दूसरे स्थान पर दिल्ली रहा। अगले सात स्पॉट एनसीआर के सभी पड़ोसी शहरों ने ले लिए। इनमें फरीदाबाद, मानेसर, बागपत, नोएडा, गुरुग्राम, मेरठ और हापुड़ हैं। इस क्षेत्र में सबसे साफ शहर श्रीनगर रहा जबकि हरियाणा का पलवल, पंजाब का भटिंडा और राजस्थान के अलवर में अपेक्षाकृत कम सर्दी रही। सूरज के तल्ख होते तेवरों के बीच बुधवार को दिल्ली का अधिकतम तापमान 35 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक पहुंच गया, जो कि सीजन का अब तक का सबसे गर्म दिन रहा। सूरज की अधिक तपिश के बीच दिनभर 25 से लेकर 35 किमी प्रतिघंटा की रफ्तार से हवाएं रिकॉर्ड की गई। मौसम विभाग का पूर्वानुमान है कि पूरा सप्ताह मौसम साफ रहेगा व आने वाले दिनों में तपिश बढ़ेगी। मौसम विभाग के मुताबिक, अधिकतम तापमान सामान्य से चार अधिक व न्यूनतम तापमान सामान्य से पांच अधिक 20.5 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक दर्ज किया गया। दिनभर धूप खिली रही और 25 से लेकर 35 किमी प्रतिघंटे की रफ्तार से हवाएं रिकॉर्ड की गई। हवा में नमी का स्तर 32 से लेकर 88 फीसदी तक दर्ज किया गया। मौसम विभाग का पूर्वानुमान है कि पूरे सप्ताह मौसम साफ बना रहेगा और धूप की तपिश तेज होगी। अगले 24 घंटे में अधिकतम तापमान 34 व न्यूनतम तापमान 19 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक दर्ज किया जा सकता है। विभाग के मुताबिक, मौसम साफ होने की वजह से पारा 34 से लेकर 35 डिग्री सेल्सियस बना रहेगा। पूरे सप्ताह हवा की रफ्तार हल्की रहेगी।

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Ghaziabad Pollution: बीती सर्दी में उत्तर भारत का सबसे प्रदूषित शहर रहा गाजियाबाद, दिल्ली दूसरे नंबर पर

नई दिल्लीः वायु गुणवत्ता पर किए गए ताजा विश्लेषण में सामने आया है कि पिछली सर्दी के दौरान उत्तर भारत के 60 शहरों में से गाजियाबाद सर्वाधिक प्रदूषित रहा। अध्ययन के अनुसार गाजियाबाद के बाद दिल्ली सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित नगर के तौर पर सूची में शामिल किया गया। ‘सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट’ (सीएसई) द्वारा किए गए आल इंडिया विंटर क्वालिटी एनालिसिस के अनुसार 2021-2022 की सर्दियों के दौरान (15 अक्टूबर से 28 फरवरी तक) सभी क्षेत्रों में हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों द्वारा प्रदूषण में वृद्धि हुई और बरकरार रही। विश्लेषण में देश के उत्तरी, दक्षिणी, पूर्वी, मध्य और पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र का विस्तृत अध्ययन किया गया। अध्ययन में सामने आया कि उत्तर भारत में सबसे ज्यादा प्रदूषित शहर गाजियाबाद रहा, जहां हवा में सूक्ष्म कणों पीएम 2.5 की मात्रा औसतन 178 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति गहन मीटर थी। इसके बाद दिल्ली में इन कणों की मात्रा 170 माइक्रोग्राम प्रति घन मीटर दर्ज की गई।

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Bihar, Delhi-NCR top pollution charts, air quality major crisis: CSE

New Delhi, March 16: The particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (October 15 to February 28) with the PM2.5 winter average of the eastern region was over three times This alarming observation was found in a detailed, all-India winter air quality analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and released on Wednesday. Even though the overall regional averages of PM2.5 levels were lower than the -> View it--> https://www.newkerala.com/news/2022/40015.htm

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Winter Pollution Levels in Most Parts of India Headed North, Small Towns Too Turning Toxic: CSE

The smog episode showed a record spike in several areas across the country this winter, said the Center for Environmental Science (CSE) in a recent all-India winter air quality analysis, raising alarm for a deeper air pollution crisis. Although air quality was 12 percent cleaner this winter compared to the year before based on an average of 136 cities that had valid PM2.5 daily concentration data, pollution levels peaked “alarmingly high”, especially in the northern and eastern plains. , the report is highlighted. In terms of peak 24-hour PM 2.5 levels, cities in northern India show the highest daily pollution, even greater 2020-21. In the northern region, Delhi-NCR remains the most polluted sub-region with the worst days almost five times worse than average. Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Manesar found their place among the 10 most polluted cities, with Ghaziabad as the worst performer. Small towns become pollution hot spots Siwan in Bihar tops the list of most-polluted cities in India this winter with a seasonal average of 187 ug/m3. As many as 13 cities in Bihar are shown in the 25 cities with the highest pollution levels in winter. Delhi-NCR has 11 cities on the list, and Hisar in Haryana is the only city in the top 25 outside the Bihar and NCR sub-regions. “It’s important to note that big cities aren’t the most polluted in any area-it’s the smaller and future cities that are becoming pollution hot spots. This is even more evident in the daily peak season pollution data,” said Avikal Somvanshi , program manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE, highlighted that in addition to their respective clean air action plans, cities need to scale up their efforts to control pollution. from all sources across urban and rural landscapes. Analysis based on real-time data (every 15 minutes) recorded by the Central Pollution Control Agency (CPCB) from 326 official stations spread to 161 cities in 26 states and union territories for the winter season from October 15, 2021, to February 28. 2022. Ghaziabad, Delhi shows the worst air quality in the north Of the total 60 cities analyzed in the northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, Ghaziabad is the most polluted, followed by Delhi. The next eight points are all occupied by neighboring NCR cities: Faridabad, Manesar, Bagpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut, and Hapur. Hisar is the most polluted city in the north outside the NCR. Worse air quality in Bihar: Siwan most polluted In terms of regional winter average PM2.5, the eastern plains, especially Bihar, are severe such as Delhi-NCR. However, the nails were relatively mild. In the east, the Bihar sub-region remains the most polluted, with six cities from the country presenting the 10 most polluted cities this winter. Of the total 28 monitoring stations that are spread to cities in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, Siwan in Bihar emerged as the most polluted, and Durgapur in West Bengal. Patna and Kolkata are other cities that have poor air quality. The people of Brajrajnagar in Odisha and Siliguri in West Bengal breathe widely and both cities record the lowest winter averages in the area. “Obviously, the challenge of winter pollution is not limited to one specific region; it is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action on a national scale. Although the pandemic situation has captured common trends in most regions, there are still mixed trends,” said Anumita Roychowdhury. , executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. “There is a need for more rapid reform and action in key pollution sectors – vehicles, industry, power generation and waste management – to bend the annual air pollution curve with its daily spike.” The air is cleaner in southern India According to the CSE, the southern region declared the lowest regional PM2.5 average this winter but also registered a nearly 24 per cent increase in regional average peak pollution compared to the previous season. The area includes 35 cities spread over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Industrial cities, Gummidipoondi in Tamil Nadu and Gadag in Karnataka, also appeared in the 10 worst cities for peak pollution (24 -hour value). The most polluted cities in the area are Kalaburagi and Hyderabad. Western Region Of the total 15 cities spread in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Ankleshwar found the most pollution, followed by Vapi and Kalyan. Aurangabad and Nandesari recorded the lowest winter averages in the area, with Chandrapur and Solapur. Central area The area includes 17 cities spread over Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The most polluted cities in the area are Singrauli followed by Katni, Jabalpur, and Bhopal. The north-eastern region Of the total six cities in the Northeast, Guwahati found the most pollution in the area, followed by Agartala. Aizawl and Shillong record the lowest winter averages in the area mostly due to geographical location and topography. According to the CSE, different trends in pollution levels across regions are influenced by local geo-climatic conditions, meteorology and pollution intensity, but emerging trends generally point to a national air quality crisis. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Live Updates of the Ukrainian-Russian War here.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Winter Pollution Levels in Most Parts of India Headed North, Small Towns Too Turning Toxic: CSE

Smog episodes showed a record spike in several regions across the country this winter, said the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in its latest all-India winter air quality analysis, raising alarm over the deepening air pollution crisis. Though the air quality was 12 per cent cleaner this winter compared to the previous year based on an average of 136 cities that had valid daily PM2.5 concentration data, the peak pollution levels were “alarmingly high”, especially in the northern and eastern plains, the report highlighted. In terms of peak 24-hour PM 2.5 levels, north Indian cities showed the highest daily pollution, surpassing even the 2020-21 magnitude. In the northern region, Delhi-NCR remained the most-polluted sub-region with its worst days being almost five times worse than average. Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Manesar found their place among the top 10 most polluted cities, with Ghaziabad as the worst performer. Smaller cities turning into pollution hotspots Siwan in Bihar topped the list of most-polluted cities in India this winter with a seasonal average of 187 ug/m3. As many as 13 cities of Bihar featured in the top 25 cities with the highest pollution levels in winter. Delhi-NCR had 11 cities in the list, and Hisar in Haryana was the only city in the top 25 outside the sub-regions of Bihar and NCR. “It is important to note that megacities are not the most polluted in any of the regions — it is the smaller and upcoming cities that are becoming pollution hotspots. This is even more evident in the winter peak daily pollution data,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE, highlighting that apart from the respective clean air action plans, cities will have to scale up their efforts to control pollution from all sources across the urban and rural landscape. The analysis is based on the real-time (every 15 minutes) data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from 326 official stations spread across 161 cities in 26 states and union territories for the winter period starting October 15, 2021, to February 28, 2022. Ghaziabad, Delhi show worst air quality in the north Out of the total 60 cities analysed in the northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, Ghaziabad was the worst-polluted, followed by Delhi. The next eight spots were all occupied by neighbouring NCR cities: Faridabad, Manesar, Bagpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut, and Hapur. Hisar was the most polluted city in the north outside of NCR. Air quality worsens over Bihar: Siwan is most-polluted In terms of the regional winter average of PM2.5, the eastern plains, mainly Bihar, fared as bad as Delhi-NCR. However, the spikes were relatively milder. Within the east, the Bihar sub-region remained the most polluted, with six towns from the state featuring in the top 10 most-polluted cities this winter. Out of the total 28 monitoring stations spread across cities in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, Siwan in Bihar emerged as the most-polluted, along with Durgapur in West Bengal. Patna and Kolkata were other cities that fared poorly in air quality. The people of Brajrajnagar in Odisha and Siliguri in West Bengal took a sigh of relief with both cities recording the lowest winter average in the region. “Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to one specific region; it is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a nationwide scale. Even though the pandemic conditions have arrested the overall trend in most regions, there is still a mixed trend,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. “There is a need for quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution – vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management – to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes.” Cleaner air in southern India According to the CSE, the southern region recorded the lowest regional PM2.5 average this winter but it also registered an almost 24 per cent increase in regional average peak pollution compared to the previous winter. The region includes 35 cities spread across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Industrial towns, Gummidipoondi in Tamil Nadu and Gadag in Karnataka, also appeared in the worst 10 cities for peak pollution (24-hr value). The most polluted cities in the region were Kalaburagi and Hyderabad. ADVERTISEMENT Western region Out of the total 15 cities spread across Gujarat and Maharashtra, Ankleshwar was found to be most-polluted, followed by Vapi and Kalyan. Aurangabad and Nandesari recorded the lowest winter average in the region, along with Chandrapur and Solapur. Central region The region included 17 cities spread across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The most-polluted city in the region was Singrauli followed by Katni, Jabalpur, and Bhopal. North-eastern region Out of the total six cities in the Northeast, Guwahati was found to be the most polluted in the region, followed by Agartala. Aizawl and Shillong recorded the lowest winter average in the region mostly because of geographical location and topography. According to the CSE, the widely divergent trends in pollution levels across regions is strongly influenced by local geo-climatic conditions, meteorology and the intensity of pollution, but the overall emerging trend points towards a national air quality crisis. Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and Ukraine-Russia War Live Updates here

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Bihar, Delhi-NCR top pollution charts, air quality major crisis: CSE

The particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 The particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (October 15 to February 28) with the PM2.5 winter average of the eastern region was over three times the average of the cities in southern India and 22 per cent more polluted than north Indian cities. This alarming observation was found in a detailed, all-India winter air quality analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and released on Wednesday. Even though the overall regional averages of PM2.5 levels were lower than the previous winter in most regions, the winter smog episodes recorded severe spikes in several regions. Peak pollution was alarmingly high and synchronised, despite large distances within the regions - especially in the northern and eastern plains, the analysis said. The analysis has been done for the 2021-22 winter air quality tracker initiative of CSE's Urban Data Analytics Lab. "Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region; it is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale. This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution - vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes," CSE's Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury said. "As availability of real time air quality data has improved in several regions with expansion of the air quality monitoring systems, it has become possible to assess the regional differences and the unique regional trends. This can help to inform the regional clean air action," said CSE's programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, Avikal Somvanshi. This air quality tracker initiative has helped to benchmark the winter air quality for peer-to-peer comparison within each region and inter-regional differences. The analysis is based on publicly available granular real time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board's official online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The data is captured from 326 official stations under the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) spread across 161 cities in 26 states and Union Territories. As per the analysis, the regional profile of winter pollution showed the eastern region is as polluted as Delhi-NCR. The winter average of PM2.5 in eastern plains that also include the newly monitored 19 cities and towns of Bihar, was the same as that of Delhi-NCR. Six Bihar towns feature in the top 10 most polluted cities this winter, with Siwan and Munger at the top. In the northern plains, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Faridabad, and Manesar are third, fifth, seventh and tenth in the list. Even though the seasonal average in smaller cities of Bihar rivals the mega-cities of NCR, their peak pollution during smog episodes are comparatively milder, it said. The NCR cities have experienced the most severe daily (24-hr average) PM2.5 levels with Ghaziabad being the worst hit. Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Greater Noida, and Gurugram are among the worst that saw peak pollution (24-hr average) this winter. The PM2.5 winter average of the eastern region is over three times the average of the cities in southern India and 22 per cent more polluted than north Indian cities. Within the east, the Bihar sub-region is the most polluted. From the peak 24-hr PM2.5 level perspective, north Indian cities have recorded the highest daily pollution levels on an average. Within the north, Delhi-NCR remains the most polluted sub-region with their worst days being almost five times the average. Somvanshi said: "It is important to note that mega cities are not the most polluted in any of the regions -- it is the smaller and upcoming cities that are becoming pollution hotspots. This is even more evident in the winter peak daily pollution data." --IANS

• Director General Office

At the crossroads

The ongoing energy conundrum has put the world in a position from where it can choose between fossil fuels and greener alternatives Climate change is the result of our demand for energy, we know. Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas, are the reason the world is today on the edge of a precipice. The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reiterates that the impacts of a warming planet will be catastrophic. The fact is, not just our world but even the energy market is on a boil — fuel prices skyrocketed even before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. The question is if this hike in prices will accelerate the move to a greener, cleaner energy future? Or will the governments backtrack and re-invest in the still-reliable fossil fuel energy system? In other words, will this price turbulence give the energy business of the past a new lease of life? Europe, and Germany in particular, is at the centre of this conundrum. It has invested in renewable energy, but has also relied on the import of natural gas — a cleaner-than-coal fossil fuel — to meet its electricity needs. Roughly 40 per cent of this natural gas comes from Russia. Now the war has jeopardised this supply. Germany has stopped certification of the already built Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which would have transported gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia. It is walking a tightrope on its existing gas contracts from Russia. German chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a statement on March 7, saying that his country and Europe as a whole were dependent on Russia to meet energy needs for heating, mobility and electricity, and so they could not sever these ties in the short term. But it is also a fact that Europe is under pressure from Ukraine and the United States to do more. On the same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country was looking to coordinate with European allies on the possibility of banning the import of oil from Russia. This not only spooked the markets, spiking oil prices to over USD 139 (more than Rs 10,000) a barrel (nearly 159 litres), but is also an indication of things to come as the war escalates. So now, energy security is at the core of policy — as much as, if not more than, climate change. Germany has decided to invest in building two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals so that it can diversify its supply. In this process, Europe has become the new destination for US natural gas companies. On the other hand, Europe is looking at its investment in renewables — wind and solar — as the "energy of freedom", giving this clean source an added emphasis. The question is if this disruption in the oil markets will derail the move towards energy transition or speed it up? It is the same in the United Kingdom, which has set itself up as a climate leader with aggressive reduction targets. But now, ironically, its Committee on Climate Change has cleared the decks to expand oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. The UK is not as dependent on Russia for its energy supply, but it's household energy prices are set to double in April. Its energy regulator has lifted the price cap, which on the back of increased oil and gas prices, will add to the household bills. Also Read - A place in the sun So, the UK is worried about the energy poverty of its people and the anger it will lead to. Therefore, at this moment, the government, which preached that the developing world should shun coal because of climate change, has decided to re-invest in its own fossil fuel industry. Will efforts to combat climate change then become a casualty of this energy war? Oil and gas prices have been seeing a high, partly because of the two years of COVID-19, when the world saw degrowth like never before. As a result, demand for energy fell; there was under-investment; and new capacity was not added. But then, as the lockdowns were lifted and countries returned to business as usual, energy demand soared. And this led to price hikes. The war has just added fuel to this fire. But what it has done is build a convenient narrative that the energy transition — pushed as it is because of the urgency to combat climate change — was unplanned and unfeasible; that it has led to large-scale disruptions and will not work. Instead, what is needed is to plan for a transition that is pragmatic and balanced. This, then, is the logic for the resurgence of the conventional energy business. There is a difference, of course. This argument is combined with new language of the need to abate emissions from fossil fuels, including the need to invest in methane reduction; carbon capture technologies so that the emissions from refineries can be pumped back into the ground; and in hydrogen as the next-generation fuel. In this way, the current energy crisis could lead us back to the fossil fuel business, which has been indicted for years for adding emissions to the atmosphere and for jeopardising life on earth as we know it. It seems that we have not learnt the lessons on the impact of burning fossil fuels as yet. And this, at a time when the world is running out of time and carbon space, is indeed something that should worry us enormously. DTE The writer is the Director-General of CSE and editor of DownToEarth. Views expressed are personal

• Down To Earth

Modi Govt Slashes Wildlife Habitat Funding by 47% in 3 Years: Report

The funds allocated for Project Tiger and Project Elephant were cut by 40% and 16% respectively from 2018-19 to 2020-21. Patna: Contrary to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s much-hyped wildlife conservation efforts, the funding for the ministry of environment, forest and climate change’s development of wildlife habitat in 34 states and Union Territories has been reduced by 47% from 2018-19 to 2020-21. According to Down to Earth’s ‘State of India’s Environment 2022’ report, released by the Centre for Science and Environment earlier this month, the funding was reduced from Rs 165 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 124.5 crore in 2019-20 and further to Rs 87.6 crore by 2020-21. There is a clear sign of a reduction in funds allocated for wildlife conservation schemes despite poaching remaining a rampant and big challenge. The funds allocated for Project Tiger, implemented in 19 states, were reduced by around 40% from Rs 323.2 crore in 2018-19, to Rs 281.8 crore in 2019-20 and further Rs 194.5 crore in 2020-21, according to the report—579 tigers were killed from 2005 to 2021 with 31 in 2020 and another 50 in 2021. The figures on the killing of leopards are the most shocking with 2,639 killed in 15 years from 2005 to 2021, the report stated. Leopard hunting reportedly increased in the last two years with 170 killed in 2020 and another 173 in 2021. The funding for Project Elephant, in 22 states, was cut as well by 16% from Rs 29.1 crore in 2018-19, Rs 28 crore in 2019-20 and finally to Rs 24 crore in 2020-21—about 696 elephants were killed from 2014-15 to 2020-21. The report also mentioned an alarming increase of 78% in the number of environmental crimes in 2019-20 with courts disposing of such cases at a rate much lower than the increase in such incidents. A whopping 61,767 environment-related offences under the violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, the Environment (Protection) Act, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and other such laws were registered in 2020. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh account for 90% of environmental crimes. Poaching and smuggling of wildlife body parts pose a serious threat to conservation efforts. The report mentioned that globally, legal wildlife trade has increased more than five-fold in value in the last 14 years and is estimated to be worth $107 billion in 2019—5-12 times the value of illegal wildlife trade. Since 1975, international trade in many wild species has been regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a multilateral treaty with 183 signatories that provides a mechanism to regulate the legal trade of about 36,000 species of animals and plants.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Ghaziabad, Delhi top polluted north Indian cities in winter: CSE

New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) Ghaziabad was the most polluted city among 60 north Indian cities last winter, followed by Delhi, according to a latest air quality analysis. According to the “All India Winter Air Quality Analysis” carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (from October 15 to February 28). The analysis contains a detailed assessment of all the regions — north, south, east, west, central and northeast. It said the most polluted city in the northern region was Ghaziabad with a particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) average of 178 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3), followed by Delhi that had a winter average of 170 ug/m3. The next seven spots are all occupied by neighbouring NCR cities — Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur, it said. VDO.AI The CSE, however, observed that the north Indian cities have, on an average, recorded 11 per cent lower PM2.5 level last winter, but the improvement in the sub-region of Delhi-NCR was just about eight per cent. “Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution. The peak pollution rose significantly from the baseline among the cities in the south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite the overall fall in the winter average,” it said. In the northern region, Srinagar was found to be the cleanest city with Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan among the cities with a relatively lower winter average. In the eastern region, the most polluted city was Siwan in Bihar while in the west, it was Ankleshwar in Gujarat. In the central region, Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh was the most polluted city while in south, Kalaburgi in Karnataka and Hyderabad in Telangana were found to be the most polluted cities. The most polluted city in the northeastern region was Guwahati in Assam with a winter average PM2.5 of 81 ug/m3. The analysis was done for the 2021-22 winter air quality tracker initiative of the CSE’s Urban Data Analytics Lab. “Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region. It is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale. “This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution — vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management — to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. She said while the regions are battling to meet the national ambient air quality standards, winter conditions are aggravating the problem further. “Even though the pandemic conditions have arrested the overall trend in most regions, there is still a mixed trend. Despite having a relatively lower annual average pollution levels, the peak pollution during winter can spike. This indicates the influence of cool and calm winter conditions and also the regional influence,” Roychowdhury said. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE, said as the availability of real-time air quality data has improved in several regions with the expansion of air quality monitoring systems, it has become possible to assess the regional differences and the unique regional trends. This air quality tracker initiative has helped benchmark the winter air quality for peer-to-peer comparison within each region and inter-regional differences, the CSE said. The analysis is based on publicly available granular real-time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal, Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The data is captured from 326 official stations under the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) spread across 161 cities in 26 states and Union territories, it said. PTI AG RC

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Bihar, Delhi-NCR top pollution charts, air quality major crisis: CSE

The particulate pollution spiked and stayed elevated with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (October 15 to February 28) with the PM2.5 winter average of the eastern region was over three times the average of the cities in southern India and 22 per cent more polluted than north Indian cities. This alarming observation was found in a detailed, all-India winter air quality analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and released on Wednesday. Even though the overall regional averages of PM2.5 levels were lower than the previous winter in most regions, the winter smog episodes recorded severe spikes in several regions. Peak pollution was alarmingly high and synchronised, despite large distances within the regions – especially in the northern and eastern plains, the analysis said. The analysis has been done for the 2021-22 winter air quality tracker initiative of CSE’s Urban Data Analytics Lab. “Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region; it is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale. This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution – vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes,” CSE’s Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury said. “As availability of real time air quality data has improved in several regions with expansion of the air quality monitoring systems, it has become possible to assess the regional differences and the unique regional trends. This can help to inform the regional clean air action,” said CSE’s programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, Avikal Somvanshi. This air quality tracker initiative has helped to benchmark the winter air quality for peer-to-peer comparison within each region and inter-regional differences. The analysis is based on publicly available granular real time data (15-minute averages) from the Central Pollution Control Board’s official online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. The data is captured from 326 official stations under the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) spread across 161 cities in 26 states and Union Territories. As per the analysis, the regional profile of winter pollution showed the eastern region is as polluted as Delhi-NCR. The winter average of PM2.5 in eastern plains that also include the newly monitored 19 cities and towns of Bihar, was the same as that of Delhi-NCR. Six Bihar towns feature in the top 10 most polluted cities this winter, with Siwan and Munger at the top. In the northern plains, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Faridabad, and Manesar are third, fifth, seventh and tenth in the list. Even though the seasonal average in smaller cities of Bihar rivals the mega-cities of NCR, their peak pollution during smog episodes are comparatively milder, it said. The NCR cities have experienced the most severe daily (24-hr average) PM2.5 levels with Ghaziabad being the worst hit. Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Greater Noida, and Gurugram are among the worst that saw peak pollution (24-hr average) this winter. The PM2.5 winter average of the eastern region is over three times the average of the cities in southern India and 22 per cent more polluted than north Indian cities. Within the east, the Bihar sub-region is the most polluted. From the peak 24-hr PM2.5 level perspective, north Indian cities have recorded the highest daily pollution levels on an average. Within the north, Delhi-NCR remains the most polluted sub-region with their worst days being almost five times the average. Somvanshi said: “It is important to note that mega cities are not the most polluted in any of the regions — it is the smaller and upcoming cities that are becoming pollution hotspots. This is even more evident in the winter peak daily pollution data.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Winter pollution in eastern India as bad as Delhi-NCR: CSE report

The average concentration of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the cities of eastern India was the same as that in the cities of Delhi-NCR in the winter of 2021-22, according to a new report. Parsed regionally, eastern India was over three times as polluted as southern India and 22 per cent more polluted than northern India from October 15, 2021 to February 28, 2022, the analysis showed. The report was published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based non-profit. The analysis was based on real-time data from 326 official stations across 161 cities in 26 states and union territories, displayed on the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) official online portal. North India is notorious for its winter air pollution, caused mostly by stubble burning between crop cycles. Air quality in Bihar was particularly unhealthy, with six of its cities featuring in the top 10 most-polluted cities this winter, the analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based non-profit, showed. Siwan in Bihar topped the list this winter, with a seasonal average of 187 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3). A trend that emerged from the analysis was that the smaller cities of Bihar were more polluted during the study period than the big cities in Delhi-NCR. The results of the study demonstrated how the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution such as vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management are required “to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes”, she added. Hisar in northern Haryana was the only city in the top 25 outside the sub-regions of Bihar and NCR, according to the report. Top 25 most-polluted cities Mega cities are not the most polluted in any of the regions and the smaller and upcoming cities are becoming pollution hotspots, said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Data Analytics Lab, CSE. “This is even more evident in the winter peak daily pollution data.” Air pollution was, however, more severe in NCR. The research paper noted: NCR cities completely dominated the list of most polluted cities, with significantly worse 24-hour averages compared to the rest of the country. Ghaziabad witnessed the worst peak (24-hour average) among all the cities this winter, with a PM2.5 level of 647 ug/m3 (almost 11 times the Indian standard of 60 ug/m3). The winter of 2021-22 was less polluted than the preceding one, the researchers observed. “Air quality on an average was 12 per cent cleaner this winter compared to the previous winter, based on an average of 136 cities that have valid daily PM2.5 concentration data for over 75 per cent of days of both winters (15 October to 28 February),” the report stated. Cities in north India, on an average, have recorded 11 per cent lower PM2.5 level this winter, according to the analysis. “But the improvement in Delhi NCR was smaller — just about 8 per cent.” Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution, the report added.