• Director General Office

Key Takeaways From The U.N. Panel’s Report That Raises Alarm, Says Time Running Out To Limit The Global Warming

According to the United Nations panel on climate change, the world is likely to hit 1.5 degree Celsius warming limit within 20 years. Here are some of the major highlights from the report New Delhi: The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned the world on Monday (August 9) that global warming is dangerously close to being out of control and humans are to be blamed for it. In its report titled ‘Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’, IPCC, of which India is one of the 195 members, said that scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system. It flagged that some of the changes such as continued sea-level rise are irreversible over thousands of years. Here are 10 key takeaways from the IPCC’s Climate Change 2021 report: The report says that human activities are the main drivers of unprecedented changes happening to the climate. “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, oceans and land,” it said. The Earth is becoming warmer sooner and the global rise in temperature is about to hit 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040, a decade earlier than projected previously, the report flagged. If emissions aren’t slashed in the next few years, this will happen even earlier, it added. The report further said that the past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850. The average rate of sea-level rise has nearly tripled in the past century. It has increased from 1.3 millimeters per year in 1901-1971 to 3.7 millimeters per year between 2006-2018, the report stated. It added that this rise will affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them. Hot extremes (including heatwaves) have become more frequent and more intense across most land regions since the 1950s, while cold extremes (including cold waves) have become less frequent and less severe, the report has highlighted. It added that once-in-10-year and once-in-50-year events of extreme heat, heavy rain and droughts will become more frequent and intense. The report said that as a consequence of the temperature rise going past 1.5 degrees Celsius, extreme weather events are likely to be of larger magnitude, increased frequency, new locations, different timing, new combinations i.e. two or more extreme events occurring together, heatwave and drought for example. Cities are hotspots of global warming because these trap heat and there’s a lack of cooling areas like water and vegetation. The report has also flagged that India may face damaging impacts of climate crisis including a glacial retreat in the Himalayas, compounding effects of sea-level rise and intense tropical cyclones leading to flooding, an erratic monsoon, and intense heat stress. The Indian Ocean, which includes the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, has warmed faster than the global average, according to the IPCC. The oceans factsheet of the panel released on Monday indicates that sea surface temperature over the Indian ocean is likely to increase by about 1 degrees Celsius when there is 1.5 degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius global warming. At 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming, heavy precipitation and associated flooding are projected to intensify and be more frequent in most regions in Africa and Asia, the report said. Drastic and rapid cuts in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases only can limit climate change, the IPCC report has said. It added, “Nations have to agree to do this. Even if by some miracle nations agree, when they meet in Glasgow later this year, on immediate, and drastic cuts it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilize although benefits for air quality would come quickly.” Commenting on the findings of the IPCC report, Sunita Narain, Director General of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi based non-governmental think thank working on environmental issues said, There are no ‘maybes’ anymore – the threat is real; dangers are imminent, and the future is catastrophic. This message from the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms what we already know and can see in the world around us – from wildfires because of extreme heat and moisture loss; to devastating floods because of extreme rain events; and tropical cyclones because of the changing temperatures between the sea and land surface. The future is here, and it should worry us enormously. Indeed, this report, coming as it is from the normally conventional and conformist world of buttoned-up scientists, should scare us into action—real and meaningful. We can no longer lose time in prevarication or in finding new excuses not to act—including empty promises of net zero by 2050.

• Director General Office

UN sounds ‘code red’ warning on climate change

he impact of climate change is currently visible across many parts of the world – flooding in Europe, widespread fires in the Americas and unseasonal rain in many regions. Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, released yesterday. Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years. But there is still time to limit climate change, IPCC experts say. Strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases could quickly make air quality better, and in 20 to 30 years global temperatures could stabilise. ‘Code red for humanity’ The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Working Group's report was nothing less than "a code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable". He noted that the internationally-agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels of global heating was "perilously close. We are at imminent risk of hitting 1.5 degrees in the near term. The only way to prevent exceeding this threshold, is by urgently stepping up our efforts, and persuing the most ambitious path. The UN chief in a detailed reaction to the report, said that solutions were clear. "Inclusive and green economies, prosperity, cleaner air and better health are possible for all, if we respond to this crisis with solidarity and courage", he said. He added that ahead of the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in November, all nations – especially the advanced G20 economies – needed to join the net zero emissions coaltion, and reinforce their promises on slowing down and reversing global heating, "with credible, concrete, and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" that lay out detailed steps. Human handiwork The report, prepared by 234 scientists from 66 countries, highlights that human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years. In 2019, atmospheric CO2 concentrations were higher than at any time in at least 2 million years, and concentrations of methane and nitrous oxide were higher than at any time in the last 800,000 years. Global surface temperature has increased faster since 1970 than in any other 50-year period over a least the last 2,000 years. For example, temperatures during the most recent decade (2011–2020) exceed those of the most recent multi-century warm period, around 6,500 years ago, the report indicates. Meanwhile, global mean sea level has risen faster since 1900, than over any preceding century in at least the last 3,000 years. The document shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1 deg C of warming between 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5deg C of heating. Time is running out The IPCC scientists warn global warming of 2deg C will be exceeded during the 21st century. Unless rapid and deep reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades, achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement “will be beyond reach”. The assessment is based on improved data on historical warming, as well as progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused emissions. “It has been clear for decades that the Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair, Valérie Masson-Delmotte. “Yet the new report also reflects major advances in the science of attribution – understanding the role of climate change in intensifying specific weather and climate events”. Extreme changes The experts reveal that human activities affect all major climate system components, with some responding over decades and others over centuries. Scientists also point out that evidence of observed changes in extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones, and their attribution to human influence, has strengthened. They add that many changes in the climate system become larger in direct relation to increasing global warming. This includes increases in the frequency and intensity of heat extremes, marine heatwaves, and heavy precipitation; agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions; the proportion of intense tropical cyclones; as well as reductions in Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost. Where does India stand? According to CSE director general Sunita Narain, “Technically, India is the third highest annual polluter of CO2 in the world (fourth if you take EU-27 as a group). But the scale of our contribution is so insignificant that it cannot be compared. Between 1870 and 2019, India’s share of the global CO2 budget was just 3 per cent. While China emits some 10 Gt/CO2 and the US 5 Gt/CO2, India emits some 2.6 Gt/CO2 annually. And even if you take India’s business-as-usual scenario, we will still emit less than what the US emits today, or one-third of China at 2030. But this is not to say that India must not act. In fact, it is in our best interest to take steps to combat climate change – at speed and at scale. Firstly, we are already seeing the worst impacts of climate change hit our people – from extreme rain, cloud bursts, floods and temperature rise. Secondly, we can act because we have tremendous opportunity to reinvent the way we do things – from the way we practice mobility in our cities and the way we build houses with thermal comfort to the way we provide access to affordable energy to the poor in the country. For us, action on climate change comes out of self-interest and co-benefits – reducing local air pollution and in this way also cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions. And, I have to say this clearly, we are not walking the talk on this. The Indian government is sanguine about doing more than other countries in terms of comparable action to reduce CO2 emissions. But the fact is we have no measurable targets to reduce emissions, and this is why we are doing well – our NDC is to reduce not absolute emissions but the emission intensity of our economy. In this way, we cannot and must not boast of our climate change action. We can only say we are doing as little as we need in terms of our responsibility or contribution to CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, which demands very little from us. In these climate-risked times, when science has a tough and uncompromised message, this is just not good enough. The fact is that climate change demands effective global leadership. And one thing that we also know from our pathetic track-record in delivering vaccines to all in the world is that global leadership is at its lowest point in human history—at least in our lifetime. Climate change is yet one more global crisis that needs a global response – we cannot win this without cooperation of all and this needs climate justice for all. But as with the war we are losing to the virus and the variants, climate change is also a great leveler – today not only the poor are hit by extreme weather events but also the rich. So, we need to act. And act fast and together. Science has spoken. Now action must follow.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Covid effect on Kolkata roads: Two-wheeler sales may be highest in 5 years

KOLKATA: Two-wheeler sales in Kolkata this year are likely to be the highest in the last five years. By July-end, it had already crossed the 10,000 mark. And, if the current rate of registration continues, it will surpass 20,000 by the end of this year, said transport department officers. The average annual sale of two-wheelers is 15,000+. However, in the last three years, the sale has crossed 17,000 in the city. Car sales in the city are also poised to overtake last year’s figure. The Public Vehicles Department, which is the regional transport authority (RTA) for the city, had 10,634 two-wheelers registered by July-end. In 2020, 17,459 were registered. Since the real sale of personalised vehicles picks up from August-end and continues till January, they are hopeful that two-wheeler registrations will cross 20,000. The highest registration of two-wheelers had been 19,409 in 2019. Congratulations! You have successfully cast your vote image - 2021-08-09T065256.936 The car registration figure in Kolkata is poised to surpass that of 2020. By July-end, 7,219 cars were registered compared to 8,843 in 2020. “This spurt in registration of new two-wheelers and cars, however, defies logic. The economy is in doldrums and petrol price is hovering around Rs 103-Rs 104 a litre,” said a transport department official. “This is largely the effect of pandemic-related restrictions. The pandemic fears are pushing people towards using personal vehicles more,” said transport expert Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The decline in registration of passenger vehicles is also significant. Only 153 light passenger vehicles (16-seater) were registered compared to the average 3,000 in pre-pandemic times. Similarly, just 17 medium passenger vehicles (mini-buses) were registered against 80 in pre-pandemic years, and only one omni-bus was registered. In the luxury cab sector, which includes app cabs, the decline is sharp as well. Only 87 of them were registered compared to an average of 3,000 in a pre-pandemic year. “This spate of personal vehicle purchases can aggravate congestion and toxic air pollution further. Steps need to be taken to scale up deployment of well-integrated and safe modern bus systems, and reformed Metro and tram services with improved last-mile connectivity. This needs to be supported by targeted and time-bound implementation of electrification of vehicle fleets. In fact, two-wheelers can be mandated for targeted electrification for a quicker makeover to zero emission,” Roychowdhury said.

• Director General Office

Making trade work for climate

The world cannot dodge the question of global trade and consumption anymore Should India oppose the European Union’s (EU’s) plan for a carbon border tax — duty on imported goods like aluminium, steel, cement, and electricity from countries with less stringent greenhouse gas standards? The answer is both “yes” and “no”. Let me explain the complexity, as global trade is critically linked to GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. The EU’s move is purported to pressure other countries to impose similar taxation and thereby reduce emissions. But the question is if this plan, which reeks of protectionism in an increasingly inequitable world, will take us towards a more cooperative world required to combat climate change. In the early 1990s, when world leaders came together to discuss and then sign the Framework Convention on Climate Change, they recognised ecological globalisation. It was understood that the emissions would add to the warming of the planet and inevitably lead to catastrophic weather changes that knew no borders. It was understood that carbon dioxide was a long-lived gas — it lasts over centuries in the atmosphere. And therefore, what was emitted, say, in the 1780s — at the start of the industrial revolution — was still in the atmosphere and would “force” the temperatures to rise. I am repeating this well-known fact to reiterate that ecological globalisation require countries to act together and to act differentially — equity was understood to be at the core of the climate change conundrum. It was not a moral question but an imperative. If rich countries emitted in the past, poor countries for their development would emit in the future. But this was also the time when the world was busy signing free-trade agreements — stitching the economies together so that global trade would be unfettered and flourish. The reason for this furious activity — expressly opposed by many in the developing world, including India — was that the already rich world was finding the cost of production too high there. It would be cheaper for its industries to set up shop in parts of the world, like in China, where labour was cheap, labour conditions were weak, and environmental safeguards could be ignored. It worked. Reduced the cost of production enabled consumption and economic growth in the rich countries. In the three decades since then, the world has changed dramatically. Today, China is the biggest exporter; it has overtaken all other countries, including the US. With economic meltdown in several countries as a result of the pandemic, its share in global trade is only increasing. It is then no surprise that China is also the world’s biggest GHG emitter — it emitted 10.35 giga-tonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide in 2020 as compared to 5 Gt by the next top polluter, the US. In this way the rich parts of the world also “exported” their emissions to the balance sheet of “other” countries — called embedded emissions — and continued to consume goods at cheaper rates. In 2015, an individual in the US consumed 50 per cent more goods and services than in 1990. The real tragedy is that rich countries did not reduce their emissions. So even as manufacturing moved to “other” countries, their emissions, driven by the consumption of goods and electricity, continued to rise. At the same time, the emerging world — China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and all the “other” world exporters — saw their emissions rise. This is why we are on the edge of the climate precipice today. The EU wants to fix this through its carbon border tax. But it is ham-handed at best — deeply divisive and flawed. The fact is that the erstwhile proponents of free trade have changed colours; protectionism is on the rise as they want to manufacture domestically, and the EU is no different. But today, it’s a different world. The former naysayers are vested in this system. They believe growth happens when they manufacture cheap and export to the world. So, how can this system be reformed through this one clumsy action? It will only add to the distrust between the old and the new producers of goods, and emissions. Then, it is also a fact that the border tax will add to the revenue of the EU — the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that at $44 per tonne, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) income, as it is called, will rise by $2.5 billion in the EU and fall by $5.9 billion for the exporting countries. It will further the inequity; and it won’t go far enough to change the production-consumption pattern and reduce emissions. The world cannot dodge the question of global trade and consumption anymore. It needs a carbon tax — enough to disincentivise consumption and to make production systems climate-friendly. But the monies collected from this tax, including the EU carbon border tax, should be spent in countries worst impacted by climate change. If climate change is a global problem, so must be its resolution. The EU carbon border tax is neither here nor there in the way ahead.

• Director General Office

Making trade work for climate

The world cannot dodge the question of global trade and consumption anymore Should India oppose the European Union’s (EU’s) plan for a carbon border tax — duty on imported goods like aluminium, steel, cement, and electricity from countries with less stringent greenhouse gas standards? The answer is both “yes” and “no”. Let me explain the complexity, as global trade is critically linked to GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. The EU’s move is purported to pressure other countries to impose similar taxation and thereby reduce emissions. But the question is if this plan, which reeks of protectionism in an increasingly inequitable world, will take us towards a more cooperative world required to combat climate change. In the early 1990s, when world leaders came together to discuss and then sign the Framework Convention on Climate Change, they recognised ecological globalisation. It was understood that the emissions would add to the warming of the planet and inevitably lead to catastrophic weather changes that knew no borders. It was understood that carbon dioxide was a long-lived gas — it lasts over centuries in the atmosphere. And therefore, what was emitted, say, in the 1780s — at the start of the industrial revolution — was still in the atmosphere and would “force” the temperatures to rise. I am repeating this well-known fact to reiterate that ecological globalisation require countries to act together and to act differentially — equity was understood to be at the core of the climate change conundrum. It was not a moral question but an imperative. If rich countries emitted in the past, poor countries for their development would emit in the future. But this was also the time when the world was busy signing free-trade agreements — stitching the economies together so that global trade would be unfettered and flourish. The reason for this furious activity — expressly opposed by many in the developing world, including India — was that the already rich world was finding the cost of production too high there. It would be cheaper for its industries to set up shop in parts of the world, like in China, where labour was cheap, labour conditions were weak, and environmental safeguards could be ignored. It worked. Reduced the cost of production enabled consumption and economic growth in the rich countries. In the three decades since then, the world has changed dramatically. Today, China is the biggest exporter; it has overtaken all other countries, including the US. With economic meltdown in several countries as a result of the pandemic, its share in global trade is only increasing. It is then no surprise that China is also the world’s biggest GHG emitter — it emitted 10.35 giga-tonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide in 2020 as compared to 5 Gt by the next top polluter, the US. In this way the rich parts of the world also “exported” their emissions to the balance sheet of “other” countries — called embedded emissions — and continued to consume goods at cheaper rates. In 2015, an individual in the US consumed 50 per cent more goods and services than in 1990. The real tragedy is that rich countries did not reduce their emissions. So even as manufacturing moved to “other” countries, their emissions, driven by the consumption of goods and electricity, continued to rise. At the same time, the emerging world — China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and all the “other” world exporters — saw their emissions rise. This is why we are on the edge of the climate precipice today. The EU wants to fix this through its carbon border tax. But it is ham-handed at best — deeply divisive and flawed. The fact is that the erstwhile proponents of free trade have changed colours; protectionism is on the rise as they want to manufacture domestically, and the EU is no different. But today, it’s a different world. The former naysayers are vested in this system. They believe growth happens when they manufacture cheap and export to the world. So, how can this system be reformed through this one clumsy action? It will only add to the distrust between the old and the new producers of goods, and emissions. Then, it is also a fact that the border tax will add to the revenue of the EU — the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that at $44 per tonne, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) income, as it is called, will rise by $2.5 billion in the EU and fall by $5.9 billion for the exporting countries. It will further the inequity; and it won’t go far enough to change the production-consumption pattern and reduce emissions. The world cannot dodge the question of global trade and consumption anymore. It needs a carbon tax — enough to disincentivise consumption and to make production systems climate-friendly. But the monies collected from this tax, including the EU carbon border tax, should be spent in countries worst impacted by climate change. If climate change is a global problem, so must be its resolution. The EU carbon border tax is neither here nor there in the way ahead.

• Down To Earth

UP-दिल्ली और हरियाणा समेत कई राज्यों में घट रहा है वन घनत्व

नई दिल्ली [संजीव गुप्ता]। सरकारी स्तर पर हरित क्षेत्र बढ़ाने के दावे भले कितने किए जाते रहे हों, लेकिन बहुत बार पौधारोपण कागजों में ही कर दिया जाता है। शायद इसीलिए झारखंड, पंजाब, हरियाणा, मध्य प्रदेश, उत्तर प्रदेश और छत्तीसगढ़ समेत 14 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में वन घनत्व घट रहा है। इसी वजह से इन राज्यों के वन क्षेत्र में कार्बन अवशोषण क्षमता भी घट रही है। हालांकि, दिल्ली, बिहार, उत्तराखंड, जम्मू-कश्मीर एवं हिमाचल में कार्बन सोखने की क्षमता में पहले के मुकाबले इजाफा दर्ज किया गया है।यह जानकारी सामने आई है सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट (सीएसई) की हालिया रिपोर्ट 'स्टेट आफ इंडियाज एन्वायरमेंट 2021 : इन फिगर' से। यह रिपोर्ट बताती है कि भारतीय वन लकड़ी एवं गैर लकड़ी वन उत्पाद के रूप में पारिस्थितिक सेवाएं देते हैं। कई बड़े राज्यों में ये सेवाएं घट रही हैं जो इस बात का प्रमाण है कि संसाधनों का अत्यधिक दोहन हो रहा है। वर्ष 2015-16 के मुकाबले वर्ष 2016-17 और वर्ष 2017-18 में खासतौर पर यह कमी स्पष्ट रूप से देखने को मिली है।

• Sustainable Food Systems

Maharashtra FDA finds Dabur, Patanjali, Zandu, Saffola, Himalaya and others have substandard honey

DA found out that there was adulteration of sugars like mannose, maltose, maltotriose in honey of many reputed brands. It was also found that the natural components of honey have been artificially altered. Mumbai: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration on Monday said that the department had launched a statewide campaign to check the quality of honey. Maharashtra FDA claims that the department took 86 samples from producers, sellers and distributors of various honey producing companies for analysis. FDA seized 3480.25 kg stock of honey worth Rs 36.19 lakh because of the adulteration found by FDA. As per FDA, analysis of sugar based on NMR test of honey samples revealed adulteration of sugars like mannose, maltose, maltotriose in honey of many reputed brands. At the end of the analysis, it was also found that the natural components of honey have been artificially altered. The possibility of adverse effects on human health by consuming this type of honey cannot be ruled out. Out of these 86 samples, reports of 52 honey samples are out. In these reports it is shown that the sample of brands like Zandu, Dabur, Patanjali, Saffola, Uttarakhand Honey, Baidyanath, Dilive, Apis Himalaya, Hamdard Natural blossom, Shri Shri Tatva Baidyanath, Twigs, Twenty Four Mantra Organic, Madhupushp, Madhuban, Loose, Phondaghat, Reliance Healthy Life, Under the Mango Tree, Rasana, Organic Certified Honey, Himalaya, were found of substandard quality. FDA further added that further legal action is being taken against sellers, distributors and producers/manufacturers under the Food Safety and Standards Act in cases of substandard food articles. Before this, in December last year, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) conducted NMR test and found that brands like Dabur, Patanjali, Zandu, Apis Himalaya failed the test.

• Down To Earth

கிராமப்புறங்களில் நிகழ்ந்த 53% கொரோனா மரணங்கள்; வசதிகளின்றி தவிக்கும் மக்கள்; விழிக்குமா இந்தியா?

கொரோனா இரண்டாவது அலையின் தாக்கம் சற்றே தணிந்துள்ளது, அவ்வளவுதான். மற்றபடி கொரோனாவின் கோரப்பிடியில் இருந்து நாம் முழுவதுமாக வெளியே வந்துவிடவில்லை. அதிலும் சரியான மருத்துவக் கட்டமைப்பு இல்லாமல் இந்திய கிராமங்களில் வாழ்கின்ற மக்கள் கொரோனா உட்பட பல நோய்களால் படும்பாடு வார்த்தைகளில் விவரிக்க இயலாது. இதற்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டாக மகாராஷ்டிராவில் உள்ள நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டத்தைச் சொல்லலாம். வடக்கு மகாராஷ்டிராவில் உள்ள நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டம் பழங்குடி மக்கள் வசிக்கும் மிகவும் பின்தங்கிய ஒரு மாவட்டம். கொரோனாவின் இரண்டாவது அலை உச்சத்தில் இருந்தபோது மகாராஷ்டிரா மாநிலத்திலேயே இந்த மாவட்டத்தில்தான் கொரோனா இறப்பு எண்ணிக்கை அதிகமாக இருந்திருக்கிறது என்கிறது `இந்தியா ஸ்பெண்ட்' செய்தி நிறுவனம். Corona test -Represenational Image Corona test -Represenational Image கறுப்புத் தோல் உடையவர்களுக்கு பல்ஸ்ஆக்ஸிமீட்டர் தவறான மதிப்பீட்டைக் காட்டுமா? Also Read கறுப்புத் தோல் உடையவர்களுக்கு பல்ஸ்ஆக்ஸிமீட்டர் தவறான மதிப்பீட்டைக் காட்டுமா? இந்த மாவட்டத்தின் உள்ளடங்கிய கிராமப்பகுதிகளில் உள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில் தற்போது கொரோனா பரிசோதனைக்கான ரேப்பிட் டெஸ்டிங் கிட்கள் எதுவும் கிடையாது. அதுமட்டுமல்லாமல் கொரோனா இரண்டாவது அலையின் தாக்கம் சற்று ஓய்ந்துள்ளதால் அங்குள்ள கோவிட் கேர் மையங்களும் மூடப்பட்டுவிட்டன. இவை எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் மேலாக கொரோனா தவிர வேறு எந்தவோர் அவசர சிகிச்சைக்காகவும் ஆக்சிஜன் தேவைப்பட்டால்கூட அப்பகுதியில் வசிப்பவர்கள் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்காக மைல் கணக்கில் பயணம் செய்ய வேண்டியிருக்கிறது. கடந்த மே மாதம் கொரோனா பெருந்தொற்று உச்சத்தில் இருந்தபோது ஏற்பட்ட மரணங்களில் 53% மரணங்கள் கிராமப்புறங்களில் நிகழ்ந்துள்ளன என்று அறிவியல் மற்றும் சுற்றுச்சூழலுக்கான மையம் (Centre for Science and Environment) தெரிவித்துள்ளது. மிகக் குறிப்பாகக் கிராமப்புறங்களில் உள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார மையங்களில் போதுமான கட்டமைப்பு வசதிகள் இல்லை என்பதையே மேற்சொன்ன புள்ளிவிவரம் நமக்கு உணர்த்துகிறது. கொரோனாவின் மூன்றாவது அலை மெள்ள மெள்ள மேலெழும்பிக்கொண்டிருக்கும் இந்தக் காலகட்டத்தில் கிராமப்புற சுகாதாரக் கட்டமைப்புகள் எவ்விதத்தில் அமைந்துள்ளன என்பதைக் கண்டறிவதற்காக, நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டத்தின் கிராமப் பகுதிகளுக்கு `இந்தியா ஸ்பெண்ட்' பயணம் மேற்கொண்டது. மகாராஷ்டிராவின் நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டத்தின் கிராமப்புற சுகாதாரக் கட்டமைப்புகள் கொரோனா பெருந்தொற்றை எதிர்கொள்வதற்கு எவ்விதத்திலும் தயாராக இருக்கவில்லை. காலாவதியான ஊசிகள் மற்றும் மாத்திரை, மருந்துகளே அங்குள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களின் மருந்தகங்களில் இருக்கின்றன. கொரோனா பெருந்தொற்றைத் தவிர வழக்கமான அவசர சிகிச்சைகளுக்குத் தேவையான வசதிகளைக்கூட அங்குள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்கள் கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை. A health worker administers the vaccine A health worker administers the vaccine AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A `தடுப்பூசி போடுவதில் தாமதம்; இந்தியாவின் ஜிடிபி குறையும்!' - எச்சரிக்கும் IMF Also Read `தடுப்பூசி போடுவதில் தாமதம்; இந்தியாவின் ஜிடிபி குறையும்!' - எச்சரிக்கும் IMF இங்குள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில் கொரோனாவைக் கண்டறிய உதவும் ரேபிட் டெஸ்டிங் பரிசோதனையைச் செய்யும் வசதிகள் இல்லை. அதுமட்டுமல்லாமல் கொரோனா பெருந்தொற்றுப் பரவலின் ஆரம்பக்காலத்தில் மாவட்ட நிர்வாகம் அங்கு கோவிட் கேர் சென்டர்களை ஏற்படுத்தியது. ஆனால், தற்போது அவற்றில் பெரும்பாலானவை மூடப்பட்டுவிட்டன. எனவே, ஏதேனும் ஒரு கொரோனா நோயாளிக்கு ஆக்சிஜன் தேவைப்பட்டால் அவர் அந்த மாவட்டத்தின் தாலுகா மருத்துவமனைக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்லப்பட வேண்டும். ஆனால், சரியான சாலை வசதிகள் இல்லாத அக்கிராமங்களில் உள்ள சுகாதார நிலையங்களில், ஆம்புலன்ஸ் சேவையும் சரியாக இருப்பதில்லை. கொரோனா படுத்தும் பாடு ஒருபுறம் என்றால், இங்குள்ள மக்கள் பாம்புக்கடியாலும் அதிக அளவில் பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றனர். கடந்த மழைக்காலத்தின்போது நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டத்தின் சம்பிபடா என்ற கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்த கலுபாய் வல்வி என்பவரை பாம்பு கடித்திருக்கிறது. ஆனால், அவரின் கணவர் அவரை பக்கத்திலுள்ள ஜங்தி என்கிற கிராமத்திலுள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையத்துக்கு அழைத்துச் செல்லவில்லை. அதற்குப் பதிலாக 2,000 ரூபாய்க்கு டாக்ஸி ஒன்றை வாடகைக்கு அமர்த்தி இரண்டு மணி நேரம் பயணம் செய்து மோல்கி என்ற ஊரில் இருக்கும் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் சேர்த்திருக்கிறார். அதற்குச் சில மாதங்களுக்கு முன்பு அவரின் மகளும் பாம்பு கடிக்கு ஆளாக இதேபோலவே அருகிலிருக்கும் ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையத்தைத் தவிர்த்து அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் சேர்த்திருக்கிறார். நல்வாய்ப்பாக இருவரது உயிருமே காப்பாற்றப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. Snake bites Snake bites Pixabay மழைக்காலத்தின்போது நந்துர்பார் மாவட்டத்தின் கிராமப்புறப் பகுதிகளில் வாழ்கின்ற மக்கள் பாம்புக்கடியால் பாதிக்கப்படுவது இயல்பான ஒன்று எனவும், தன் ஆறு பிள்ளைகளின் பாதுகாப்பு குறித்துதான் மிகவும் கவலை அடைவதாகவும் கலுபாய் வல்வி கூறுகிறார். ``ஜங்தி ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையத்தில் எந்தவிதமான அடிப்படை வசதிகளும் இல்லை. குறிப்பாக, இரவு நேரத்தில் பணியாற்றுவதற்கும் அங்கு யாரும் இல்லை. இத்தனைக்கும் இரண்டு மாதங்களுக்கு முன்புதான் இந்த ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையம் புதிய கட்டடத்துக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. ஆனால், தண்ணீர், மின்சாரம் என்று எந்தவொரு வசதியும் இல்லாமல் பெயருக்கு மட்டுமே அது இருக்கிறது. அதனால்தான் பாம்புக்கடியால் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட என் மனைவியையும் மகளையும் இங்கு கொண்டு சேர்க்காமல் மோல்கியில் உள்ள அரசு மருத்துவமனைக்குக் கொண்டு சென்றேன்” என்று வருத்தம் மேலிடப் பேசுகிறார் கலுபாய் வல்வியின் கணவர் நிம்ஜி. நந்துர்பர் மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள மன்ட்வி என்கிற மற்றுமொரு கிராமத்திலும் பாம்புக்கடியால் பாதிக்கப்படும் மக்களின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகம். அப்படி பாம்புக்கடியால் பாதிக்கப்படுபவர்களை அங்கிருந்து 10 கிலோமீட்டர் தொலைவிலுள்ள தட்கான் கிராமப்புற மருத்துவமனைக்கோ, 60 கிலோமீட்டர் தொலைவிலுள்ள நந்துர்பர் சிவில் மருத்துவமனைக்கோ அழைத்துச் செல்லுமாறு அங்குள்ள ஆரம்பசுகாதார நிலையமே பரிந்துரைத்துவிடுகிறது என்பதுதான் வேதனையான செய்தியே. பாம்புக்கடியால் மக்கள் பாதிக்கப்படுவது என்பது இவர்கள் சந்திக்கும் அபாயங்களில் ஒன்றுதான். இங்குள்ள பெண்களுக்கு மகப்பேறும் அத்துணை பாதுகாப்பாக இருப்பதில்லை. Pregnant women Pregnant women கொரோனா 3-ம் அலை... பயப்படத் தேவையில்லை... நம்பிக்கை தரும் ஆய்வுகள்! Also Read கொரோனா 3-ம் அலை... பயப்படத் தேவையில்லை... நம்பிக்கை தரும் ஆய்வுகள்! இங்குள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில் சரியான மருத்துவ வசதிகள் இல்லாததால் வீட்டிலேயே பெண்களுக்குப் பாதுகாப்பற்ற பிரசவம் நடக்கிறது. இந்தியாவில் உள்ள ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களைச் சென்றடைய பெரும்பாலான இந்திய மக்கள் சராசரியாக 8 கிலோமீட்டர் வரை நடக்கின்றனர். அதிலும் மலைப்பகுதிகளில் வசிக்கும் மக்கள் இந்த 8 கிலோமீட்டரின் பல மடங்கு தூரம் வரை நடந்தே ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களுக்குச் செல்கின்றனர். ஆனால், இதில் மிகவும் துயரமான செய்தி என்னவென்றால் நாடு முழுக்க வெறும் 24,000 ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்கள் மட்டுமே இருக்கின்றன என்று பொது சுகாதாரம் சார்ந்து பணியாற்றும் ஆரோக்கிய சேனா என்கிற அமைப்பின் தேசியத் தலைவர் அபிஜித் வைத்யா கூறியிருக்கிறார்.

• Director General Office

Plastic Waste Management in COVID-19: A Review

Abstract—The corporeal attributes of plastics like durability, low density, tensile strength and minimal cost, makes them useful in various sectors. Regardless of their degree of operation and utilization, plastics deteriorate the environment and thus its disposal has gained critical attention. In addition to the already existing challenges, the COVID-19 scenario has made conditions worse. This paper provides an overview of different plastic disposal policies and discusses the readjustments of these policies amidst the COVID -19 pandemic along with their potential environmental implications. This paper has also emphasized the issue of plastic waste management policies, sustainable and green plastic solutions and development of dynamic and responsive waste management system which is followed by recycling of the plastic waste. Advances in technologies and systems for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of recyclable plastics are creating new opportunities for recycling, and with the combined actions of the public, industry and governments it may be possible to divert the majority of plastic waste from landfills to recycling over the nextdecades The pandemic of 2020 has only made matters worse: the use of plastic —particularly single-use and disposable—has increased manifold,” said Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).[4]

• Industrial Pollution

Odisha & Telangana pollution control boards ranked best in transparency index: Study

Odisha & Telangana pollution control boards ranked best in transparency index: Study Now allow to copy contents, please see the details at https://affairscloud.com/pollution-control-boards-of-odisha-telangana-ranked-1st-in-transparency-cse-report/

• Environment Education

As Enviro Education Tries To Keep Up With the Times, Govt Plans Stay Unclear

At present, Indian schools teach environment as an infused subject – i.e. it isn’t standalone but is ’embedded’ in all subjects. Several organisations are working to inculcate ideas about the environment and sustainable living among children. But the question remains: how far can these efforts go without the right policy? Arnav Lihantu (15) and his family have been segregating waste in their household for a year now. A year ago, Lihantu took an online audit called ‘Audit@Home’, under the Green Schools Programme (GSP) by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. Through questions like “how much water is used every day”, “what happens to the food leftovers”, “is waste segregated into wet and dry”, “are there any leakages in the house”, etc., Lihantu learnt to make sense of how his household processed its waste – and then learnt to improve. Before the pandemic, Lihantu was one of many students taking the GSP audit at the Pinegrove School, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Groups of students, guided by their teachers, surveyed the school’s use of natural resources and waste – and in return, the schools received suggestions to improve their current standing to become greener. “After the first round of GSP audit in 2019, students started separating waste at the source,” Virendra Chauhan, a science teacher at the school, said. “The colour-coded dustbins for wet and dry waste were there earlier as well, but the support staff had to segregate the waste all over again. After GSP, it was not required.” When the follow-ups became harder due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the audit was modified for students to take at home. Involving children to find solutions, instead of just talking to them about the problems, leads to greater interest, involvement and understanding, programmes like the GSP have shown. In another example, Teach for Green, an NGO in New Delhi, uses the DIY approach to promote sustainable lifestyles among children. One of its recent activities was to teach schoolgoers to make solar lamps. “Merely donating a solar lamp would not succeed – if it breaks down, they wouldn’t know how to fix it,” cofounder Ajay Kumar said. So in a three-day workshop, the Teach for Green team familiarises students with the basics of circuits and then guides them each towards a self-built lamp. The organisation primarily works with government schools in North India. But during the pandemic, when school visits and in-person workshops weren’t feasible, the NGO held online workshops for students to make paper bags, bird feeders and planters using waste items, continuing its work of ‘solving by creating’. A plastic planter made during one of Teach for Green’s workshops. Photo: Teach for Green PIN IT Members of these organisations say it’s important to catch people young to have a better chance of inculcating sustainable living practices and choices. But this doesn’t mean it’s too late for the children’s parents. For example, the Akshar Foundation in Guwahati teaches underprivileged children – but instead of monetary fees, the foundation’s school asks for the plastic waste from the students’ homes, and teaches them how to recycle it. But then if waste plastic is the fee, wouldn’t it encourage family members to buy more plastic items to be able to pay the fee? “No – we accept any amount of plastic that is consumed at homes” – high or low. “There’s no benchmark. We ask for waste plastic to be submitted to the school so that they don’t burn it back home to dispose of it,” Akshar cofounder Mazin Mukhtar said. “We teach them to reuse it.” In addition, the school’s classrooms have mud walls and bamboo roofs. And in these classrooms, the students learn to make eco-bricks out of waste plastic that are then used to build other items in the school, such as fences for the gardens. There’s also an animal shelter the students maintain. The Mumbai-based for-profit social enterprise Upcycler’s Lab makes flash cards and board games on environmental themes, using wooden dice and recycled paper. Games like ‘Sea Samurais’ and ‘Waste Warriors’ gamify the process of learning about the environment and why it’s important that we protect it. ‘My Eco Alphabet’ by Upcycler’s Lab. Photo: Upcycler’s Lab PIN IT “When the environment is usually taught to young children, it’s loaded with scientific information with a little fun element to it,” Upcycler founder Amishi Parasampuria said. She believes it’s important to introduce children to topics on sustainability early on. Such initiatives are helping spread an environmental sensibility among children, but they also remain niche attempts. Institutional education policies could give them the leg-up to have more widespread impact. At present, students in schools are taught about the environment as an infused subject – that is, environmental education isn’t a standalone subject but appears contextually in all subjects, as a part of an integrated curriculum. Before India adopted the infusion approach, the Uttarakhand Seva Nidhi Environmental Education Centre (USNEEC), Almora, was teaching children about the environment and ecological balance using the village as their laboratory. Since 1992, students in Almora have been taken on field trips for their lessons. “The students were introduced to the quality and the quantity of natural resources available in the village – how much water is available v. how much is needed, how people and the forest depend on each other for fodder and fuelwood, how to identify the species of natural resources, etc.,” Ganga Prasad Pande, an active member of USNEEC, said. After the trip, each student had to document their observations in a workbook. It was a practical and holistic way of teaching them,” Pande said. This exercise happened in addition to regular school hours. The Uttarakhand state government adopted this idea for experiential learning in 2000, using it to augment a subject it had, called “agriculture and craft”. A sheet from a workbook for a class 6 student. Image: USNEEC PIN IT And then, in 2016, Uttarakhand adopted the National Council for Education Research and Training’s infusion approach, in which the environment ceased to be a separate subject. “In chemistry, you study that fertilisers will boost crop production, and in biology you may study that fertilisers are not good for plants,” USNEEC chairman Lalid Pande said. “When you infuse ‘environment’ instead of teaching it separately, the students can get conflicting messages.” “The intention behind an integrated approach for environment education was to embed it within a child-centric and constructivist way of learning, and to not burden students with more subjects …, say, on human rights or disaster management,” Anita Rampal, a professor and former dean of the faculty of education, Delhi University, said. “Thus, at the primary level, though environmental studies integrates science, social studies and environment education, the primary textbooks in language and mathematics also consciously aim at dissolving the existing rigid boundaries within subjects to promote interconnected learning,” she added. This said, according to her, viewing environmental education as a means to a pithy end – like jobs in the green sector – could only diminish the importance of what teachers are trying to do. “If a student wants, she can choose to learn an environment-specific subject at the higher secondary level. What [we must] ensure is that these subjects are creatively developed and actually offered to students to choose from,” Rampal said. The non-governmental Centre for Environment Education Himalaya (CEE-H) and the intergovernmental Commonwealth of Learning, for example, have been offering a ‘green teacher diploma’ course to impart knowledge and skills to teachers to deal with environmental concepts in the classroom and to develop low-cost outdoor activities. Santosh Gaonkar, headmaster of Poira School, Maye Bicholim, Goa, won the National Award for Teachers in 2018 – and is a ‘green teacher diploma’ holder. “It was an extremely beneficial programme,” he said. “They took us outdoors and showed us how we can engage with children; they shared activity planning guides to help us curate interactive activities for students.” “Initiatives like these run on government cooperation and require funding, which we have been seeing very little or nothing of since 2014,” said Abdhesh Gangwar, programme director at CEE-H. It also doesn’t bode well that the new National Education Policy 2020 doesn’t include “environment education” under the relevant section (#4). It only says “curricular integration of essential subjects like environmental awareness will be done, curricular and pedagogical initiatives for environmental education will be done, and knowledge on India will include the environment.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Rain in excess, but Delhi yet to get any good air day this year

NEW DELHI: While Delhi may have recorded five days that were categorised as ‘good’ according to the Air Quality Index in 2020, this year, despite the lockdown and regular showers, the city is yet to record such a day. Delhi may have received more than 500mm of rainfall in July, 2.4 times the normal for the month, but that didn’t clean the air enough for it to be ‘good’. Track the pollution level in your city A ‘good’ air AQI is 50 or below. The lowest rating recorded so far in the current monsoon season is 57, which is classified as 'satisfactory'. Experts said that other sources of local emissions, as well as gaseous pollutants such as CO, O3 and NO2 could be playing a key role even when the rain settled down the PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants. Rain In Excess, But Capital Yet To Get Any Good Air Day This Year Last year, Delhi recorded five ‘good’ air quality days: one in March during the Covid lockdown, and four in August during the monsoon period.

• Down To Earth

Parties must include clean air in their poll manifestos, say anti-pollution activists

Air quality data reported across six of the nine non-attainment cities in Punjab suggests that particulate matter (PM10) concentrations were beyond safe limits on more than 50 per cent of the days in the first half of 2021. Reacting to the SAD-BSP’s 13-point agenda for the 2022 polls, members of an anti-pollution NGO have urged all political parties to feature time-bound plans to tackle air pollution and public health issues prominently in their manifestos. A group of organisations, think tanks, civil society groups have joined hands to form ‘Clean Air Punjab’. The aim of this collective is to work alongside the state authorities to help achieve clean air by ensuring all the non-attainment cities across Punjab implement the ‘Clean Air Action Plan’, said an office-bearer of the NGO. The collective has expressed its displeasure with the Akali Dal–BSP manifesto, which was released on Tuesday as it failed to address the issue of deteriorating air quality in the state. Air quality data reported across six of the nine non-attainment cities in Punjab suggests that particulate matter (PM10) concentrations were beyond safe limits on more than 50 per cent of the days in the first half of 2021. The state also recorded 41,090 deaths due to air pollution in 2019, accounting for almost 19 per cent of all deaths, revealed a study by Down to Earth and Centre for Science and Environment titled ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’. Samita Kaur, citizen activist from Innovative Farmers Group Punjab, said that despite facing its worst health crisis due to air pollution, the authorities were still not ready to accept it. “The air quality in the state has been worsening to an extent where air pollution has now become a major killer. Even during the second wave of Covid-19 lockdown, when most industries were shut, Punjab’s air quality was still a serious matter of concern,” she said, adding that the states green regions like Fazilka and Rupnagar had an air quality index (AQI) of 113 and 129 respectively, which are well beyond safe standards. We need to accept that our state is in a health emergency and there is an immediate need for an intervention and promoting actions to reduce the prevalent severe air pollution. Hence, as members of Clean Air Punjab, we want to strongly urge all political parties to make air pollution management a priority in their election manifestos and to specify time-bound measures to protect public health from the harmful impacts of air pollution,” she stated.

• Down To Earth

Air pollution can't be ignored in poll manifestos: Clean Air Punjab

Chandigarh, Aug 4: Even as the season for poll manifestos seem to have begun in Punjab with the Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party releasing its initial 13-point election agenda, members of 'Clean Air Punjab', which is a network of citizens and civil society Punjab also recorded 41,090 deaths due to air pollution in 2019, accounting for nearly 19 per cent of all deaths, said a Down to Earth and Centre for Science and Environment annual study titled 'State of India's Environment 2021'.->-> View it--> https://www.newkerala.com/news/2021/110717.htm

• Sustainable Mobility

How accessible and connected is our national capital – Delhi for its residents? Not very much, says new CSE study

Unplanned, low-income areas in Delhi have very limited access to affordable and efficient public transport services. Planned and richer areas are comparatively better connected, but are still not up to the mark. If all settlements of Delhi – planned and unplanned — are not equally well connected with public transport services and are not made accessible, the capital will fail to implement fully its sustainable, low-emission forms of travel (like walking, cycling or public transport). As per the estimates of the draft Delhi Master Plan 2041 (MPD 2041), the city’s population will be 27-30 million by 2014, and 50 per cent of this increase will happen due to migration. By then, Delhi would generate 46.2 million motorised trips daily. “If such a massive load of daily motorised travel trips are not shifted to public transport to achieve the MPD 2041 target of modal split of 80:20 in favour of public and shared transport, Delhi will remain locked in pollution and carbon trap,” says CSE executive director Anumita Roychowdhury. “This requires immediate improvement in neighbourhood scale accessibility to bus and metro services and minimisation of interchanges. The expectation of MPD 2041 that 50 per cent of Delhi’s population will be within the influence zone of mass transit by 2041 and mixed-use development will encourage shift towards public transport, can be fulfilled only if neighbourhood-level design and infrastructure improve for safe and efficient access,” she adds. Study methodology This CSE study is a ground-level assessment of infrastructure for accessibility in 16 settlements in the southern part of Delhi that include neighbourhoods of varying economic status. This assessment has a special focus on the vulnerable urban poor. The settlements have been selected based on the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 (MPD21) classification of settlements that are technically classified as “planned” and “unplanned”. These diverse settlements include unauthorised colonies that have been subsequently regularised such as Tughlakabad Extension, Tigri Extension, Govindpuri, Kalkaji, Khanpur, Pooth Kalan and Khirki Extension; resettlement colonies like Garhi and Zamrudpur in East of Kailash; and slum clusters like Jawaharlal Nehru Camp in Kalkaji. There are also villages that have become part of the urban system like Shahpur Jat and Tughlakabad village. This assessment also includes planned settlements with neigbourhoods of higher income groups including East of Kailash, Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash and Chittaranjan Park. While it is challenging to quantify the differences in absolute terms, indicators have been derived from national policies, guidelines, service-level benchmarks, the Ease of Living Index of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and a few global indexes related to liveability and accessibility – the aim was to broadly assess the qualitative differences between settlements. This is a rapid diagnostic study of equity of access, ease and affordability of movement and what determines access in different settlements. “These indicators bring out the relative differences in local conditions related to transport, mobility patterns and connectivity, status of infrastructure and services, accessibility, and the increase in interchanges due to poor connectivity that has a bearing on journey costs,” says Anannya Das, deputy programme manager with the sustainable mobility programme at CSE. Key findings of the study Quite predictably, the planned settlements and higher income neighbourhoods perform better on most criteria compared to unplanned settlements dominated by the poor. But even planned colonies fall short of the benchmark for accessibility as provided in guidelines and standards and are deficient in public transport-oriented design. This is inciting dependence on personal vehicles in these neighbourhoods. Unplanned colonies, on the other hand, are hugely burdened with legacy problems as they have grown incrementally and without any planning support. They are already very densely built with hugely constrained infrastructure. There is barely any space left to manoeuvre as all vacant and open spaces have ceased to exist. The indicative and relative benchmarking bring out the variance as follows: Comparison of locational advantages and disadvantages of settlements shows that planned settlements are 2.8 times better placed than unplanned settlements. Planned areas have, on an average, 1.6 times more road space and 1.4 times more open qualitative spaces. On the criteria of ‘interface between settlement and the city’, planned settlements are about 1.3 times better connected than low-income unplanned settlements. Again, within the low-income settlements, planned low-income settlements have relatively better chances of being located strategically in relation to a major economic hub and important locations within a city. In unplanned low-income settlements, inter-modal transfer requirement increases the waiting time for a mode by 1.1–1.6 times. Most importantly, this increases the cost of the journey. In fact, the monthly cost of transport increases by 1.5–3.5 times. On the criterion ‘quality and affordability of access to public transport services’, planned areas have 1.5 times better access to the connecting and boarding points of public transport systems like Metro stations and pick-up and drop-off stops of buses, than unplanned areas. Planned formal public transport network is more accessible in planned settlements. Low-income unplanned colonies depend on informal and shared IPT like Grameen Sewa to access other systems and services. This adds to the cost as well as the hardships faced by these settlements as these systems do not necessarily penetrate deep due to infrastructure limitations. These modes also have huge route restrictions. On the criterion of how people move and access services and amenities inside settlement clusters, most of the settlements do not have adequate amenities and services like schools, markets, ATMs, convenience stores, pharmacies, etc. within the neighbourhood. As densely built unplanned settlements have limited land availability, and the quality of infrastructure does not comply with applicable design standards, people are forced to depend on mobility services to access several services beyond the neighbourhood. This increases (motorised) transportation requirements as the services are not within walkable distances. In fact, planned areas have 1.3 times better intra-neighbourhood accessibility than unplanned areas. On the criterion of ‘status of accessibility infrastructure within neighbourhoods’, all areas fall short of meeting the requirements of infrastructure for all street activities for safe access and connectivity. Unplanned areas are impacted more. Higher-income planned settlements have about 1.8 time more infrastructure than unplanned settlements. Streets of high-income areas are 1.7 times more walkable, IPT penetration in these areas is 1.9 times higher, and the sense of safety is 1.7 times higher. Next steps A different policy approach for retrofitting change to improve access and services will be needed in settlements. Even though several policies have emerged that have bearing on equitable urban planning including National Habitat Standards, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, Service-level Benchmarks at the Central level and Delhi Master Plan integrating several sustainability criteria, the framework for implementation is weak. This requires policy focus on local area improvement to make accessibility across settlements – both unplanned and unplanned — more efficient and affordable. Frame guidelines and mandate for improving streets and access infrastructure in both planned and unplanned low-income settlements: Need settlement-wise and neighbourhood-wise plans for improving accessibility and connectivity. Work towards a city-wide deployment of integrated and affordable public transport services that deeply penetrate and connect neighbourhoods efficiently. Integrate housing programmes with transport connectivity and accessibility requirements. Initiate data-driven action for targeted improvement in all settlements and for tracking data on geo-spatial attributes of settlements and from surveys on layouts, built-up areas, availability of open spaces, street and circulation networks, encroachments, mobility patterns, and level of public transport services. Encourage state governments and municipal corporations to create dedicated funds and institutional arrangement for local area improvements and infrastructure augmentation in the settlements.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Need viable alternatives to stubble burning’

Govt. must step up eff orts to help farmers move away from toxic practice: experts With the Lok Sabha passing a Bill to formalise the Commission for Air Quality Management for National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas on Wednesday, experts said the government has to now speed up implementation of alternatives to stubble burning. The Centre, facing flak earlier this year from farmers protesting against the farm laws, had committed to removing a clause in the Air Commission Bill that would penalise farmers for burning stubble, an important contributor to noxious air quality. The current text of the Bill does away with this clause. Anumita Roychowdhury, head of Clean Air Programme at the Centre for Science and Environment, said it is unfair to fine farmers without giving them viable alternatives. Three solutions “If just by penalising farmers, stubble burning could be stopped, we should have been able to end it by now. We have evidence that in areas where alternatives are implemented, fire incidents have come down,” she said, The government should instead focus on alternative solutions to burning, she said. “There are three main solutions to stubble burning: in-situ treatment of stubble, ex-situ treatment, and changing cropping pattern. The last one being the deeper and more fundamental solution. For in-situ management, the government is currently giving equipment to farmers to mix the stubble back into the soil, so that they do not have to burn it, but everyone is not getting these machines. The government should ensure their availability to everyone. Similarly, in ex-situ management, some companies have started collecting stubble for their use, but we need more action on this front,” she said. Ms. Roychowdhury said farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, need support for adoption of in-situ strategies, to mulch the straw into the soil and not burn it. “Penalty without access to solutions does not work.” Polash Mukerjee, Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group, said farmers burn stubble as other methods are expensive and they have less time before the next sowing season. “Imposing a fine is not going to work in our socio-economic conditions for curbing stubble burning. We need to focus on alternative solutions,” he said. But he said that the current development is bad in terms of deterrence to burn stubble. “Already there is economic distress and now there is no deterrence, so the farm fires could go up during this year’s harvest season,” he said.