Centre for Science and Environment masthead Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Donate

Cse In News

Cse In News

CSE to introduce ‘First Run’ to encourage cleaner power statations

As part of its initiatives to build an ecosystem of incentives and deterrence measures, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has developed a new concept called ‘First Run.’ Experts believe that the initiative would encourage cleaner power stations to work on a priority basis. “This could act as a catalyst to drive the coalfired power sector to meet the 2022 emission standard deadlines as a matter of urgency,” said a release issued by the CSE. A webinar to discuss and debate this issue will be held on October 21, between 4pm to 5pm. The panel of experts include Bibek Debroy, chairperson of the Prime Minister's Economic Council, Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, secretary, Union ministry of power, Gurdeep Singh, chairperson and MD, NTPC Ltd, Anil Sardana, MD and CEO, Adani Transmission Ltd, and Nivit K Yadav, programme director, Industrial Pollution, CSE. The session will be anchored and moderated by CSE director general Sunita Narain. Key stakeholders representing regulatory agencies, civil society organisations, power plants and academia are also being invited to participate. “Coal-based power is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting industries. In 2015, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change introduced stricter environmental standards for this sector under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The deadline for meeting these norms is 2022 — but with just two years to go, most plants do not seem to have taken adequate action nor made significant progress towards meeting them,” said a release from the CSE.

Smog returns to Indian capital as agriculture fires start

The Indian capital’s air quality levels plunged to “very poor” on Friday and a smoggy haze settled over the city, days after the state government initiated stricter measures to fight chronic air pollution. The Air Quality Index in New Delhi rose past 270, according to SAFAR, India’s main environment monitoring agency, after agricultural fires in neighbouring states sent smoke billowing across the city. The World Health Organization deems anything above 25 as unsafe. The national capital, one of the world’s most polluted cities, enjoyed a respite from air pollution up until September in part thanks to a virus lockdown. But with industrial activities resuming and cars back on the roads — along with the onset of cooler weather and less wind — air quality in the city has once again fallen to unhealthy levels. October is also the time of year when farmers in neighbouring regions, including the states of Haryana and Punjab, set fire to their post-harvest fields to clear them, despite there being a ban on it. That smoke travels to New Delhi, leading to a surge in pollution levels in the city of more than 20 million people and exacerbating what is already a public health crisis. Health experts say high air pollution levels over a prolonged period have compromised the disease resistance of people living in New Delhi, making them more susceptible to the coronavirus. Over the years, the pollution crisis in New Delhi has piled public pressure on the government to tackle the root causes. Authorities have often introduced a system that restricts many private vehicles from taking to the roads for two weeks. It has also ordered firefighters to sprinkle water from high-rise buildings to settle the dust, tried to snuff out garbage fires and ordered builders to cover construction sites to stop dust from enveloping the area. But the problem continues to persist. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the New Delhi-based group Centre for Science and Environment and an air pollution expert, said that ensuring millions of farmers across multiple Indian states have timely access to the microbial solution will remain a challenge. Roychowdhury also said India needs to have a certain preparedness in the health care sector because the upcoming winter season and toxic air will exacerbate respiratory problems in people. “Our health care system will also have to respond adequately,” she said

CPCB divides Delhi into 4 zones to focus better on anti-pollution war

A majority of Delhi’s 13 bad air hot spots saw a spike in PM2.5 levels in February this year, as compared to the same period in 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board said on Friday, even as they announced that the city would be divided city into four zones to allow more focussed and specifically tailored anti-pollution efforts. In nine of the 13 pollution hot spots, PM 2.5 (particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometres) levels in February increased compared to the same period last year. The levels of PM10 (particulate matter with diameter less than 10 micrometres) were higher in six hot spots that month, as compared to last year, CPCB data showed. Keeping this mind, as well as the rising pollution levels in Delhi and rest of the National Capital Region, senior officials of the anti-pollution body said the city will be categorised into four quadrants—clean, moderate, polluted and critical. This cluster approach — a part of CPCB’s winter emergency plan — will help agencies monitor areas and pass on information to enforcement teams to focus action, the officials said, adding the division was made based on pollution levels recorded in each area. Speaking about the February spike in PM levels recorded this year, Prashant Gargava, CPCB member secretary, said it was observed that while all resources were focused on controlling the pollution spike in the winter months, especially in December and January when plunge in air quality is most severe, this effort was not consistent. Gargava said this was possibly due to lax on-ground monitoring after the peak winter months. Dwarka saw PM 2.5 levels spike by 44%, while the surge was between 11-14% in Mundka, Narela and Rohini. Six areas, including Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, saw PM10 levels rise between 1-17%. “We have directed state governments to ensure their enforcement teams are also constantly monitoring the ground situation till February-end. Long-term plans are necessary and we will require the cooperation of all agencies as well as the people of Delhi to curb the levels this year,” Gargava said. In response, Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai said that the government has been working around the year to control pollution levels. “Apart from improving enforcement on the ground, our government has come up with long-term policies, which will help keep pollution levels in check through the year. Our initiatives such as the tree transplantation policy, electric vehicle policy, etc., will go a long way to help bring down pollution levels in the city,” Rai said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), agreed that consistent enforcement is needed to ensure good air quality in Delhi, especially in the 13 hot spots where the pollution levels are higher. “The action needs to be consistent and not just focused during winter months. Compared to January, February is generally warmer with more favourable weather conditions so with stricter action there can be a lot of reduction in the levels,” Roychowdhury.

Years of Poor Urban Planning Contributed to Hyderabad’s Flash Floods

Hyderabad: While Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has touted Hyderabad as a ‘global city’, the capital was hit by flash floods earlier this week and has remained cut off from the rest of the world after major roads were washed away. Experts have attributed this turn of events to poor urban planning, a woeful drainage system and the pitiable condition of the Musi river, multiple streams and water-storage tanks, as a result of unplanned urbanisation. Most parts of Hyderabad lost power and internet connectivity for two days following the floods. The state government has already estimated the losses to amount to Rs 5,000 crore. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, chief minister KCR sought immediate relief of Rs 1,350 crore from the Centre. Although official figures aren’t yet available, reports suggest the floods have already claimed more than 50 lives in the state as well as have left thousands homeless (as on October 16 morning). Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), said in a tweet on October 14 that a boundary wall (of some sort) had also collapsed in the Mohammedia Hills part of the city, killing nine people and injuring several others, many critically so. Urban flooding Some parts of the city reportedly received 32 cm of rain in 24 hours – the highest in a century. According to unofficial accounts, multiple teams of the National Disaster Response Force and army personnel have set out by boats to evacuate stranded people. The last time the city saw serious flooding was in August 2000, with rainfall of 24 cm in a single day, claiming 15 lives. In 1908, the River Musi was in deluge, subjecting leading to as many as 15,000 deaths. This calamity prompted the government to rope in veteran irrigation expert Mokshagundam Viseswarayya for a study on flood mitigation. Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were built to act as flood control centres as a result of the expert’s recommendations. But one of his vital recommendations – a modern drainage system – still remains a dream. According to K.J. Ramesh, former director general, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), urban flooding occurs due to the incapacity of the city to handle rainwater during extreme rainfall events. Speaking to The Wire, Ramesh underlined the need to build climate-resilient infrastructure in cities on a priority basis, as a deterrent against disasters of this kind. Hyderabad is endowed with a system of catchments. Its western edges are in the Godavari river basin (from Kukatpalli, Ramachandrapuram to Gachibowli) while its eastern part is in the Krishnaa river basin. The Deccan region as a whole has a chaotic drainage pattern – water does not flow in a single direction, as the slope moves in multiple directions. In a 2016 report, the Centre for Science and Environment estimated that in the last 12 years, Hyderabad has lost 3,245 hectares of wetlands. The report further said that urban water bodies have been a victim of unplanned urbanisation, facing serious threats such as encroachments, disposal of sewage and groundwater decline. Musi’s fury The Telangana Rashtra Samithi government headed by KCR established the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation and gave it Rs 1,665 crore in 2017, with the express objective of cleansing the river of encroachments and effluents. But the mission failed to move forward, though the corporation has paid Rs 3.15 crore in salaries annually nonetheless. A survey undertaken by the corporation revealed that the river that criss-crosses the city is cluttered with 12,000 encroachments in the form of structures of varying sizes. The decision to remove such encroachments is in limbo for want of permission from the government. The government’s ‘lopsided’ priorities have been blamed for the nightmares the city is currently passing through. C. Ramachandraiah, a professor at the Hyderabad-based Centre for Economic and Social Studies, told The Wire that the TRS government in the last six years of rule only focused on flyovers and bridges, and actively made way for rapid urban development with a scant regard for flood mitigation plans in the city. The course of the Musi river has been narrowed at many places in the city because of encroachments. Its path has to be straightened by removing high-rise buildings that came up on the river bunds to make way for free flow of waters. The government should prepare itself to relocate and rehabilitate the dwellers residing on the river bunds, Ramachandraiah said. Nalas (streams) and drainage channels are getting choked with construction debris, and domestic and industrial waste, causing flooding, he added. Who is to blame? Everyone is complicit in making public life miserable in Hyderabad, says civil society member Raka Sudhakar. Governments in the past and present have been choosing nalas as ideal places for implementing housing schemes for the urban poor. The erstwhile Congress government proposed to build houses under the Rajiv Griha Kalpa along the course of nalas, and the present TRS government too has planned two BHK flats at the same places, Sudhakar pointed out. People making a living on encroachments on tanks and nalas in the city are estimated to be between seven and ten lakh. That over 1,000 colonies were effected by the recent floods points to the volume of encroachments. No party, apparently, can afford to antagonise such a large number of people before elections for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation scheduled in November. Corporate hospitals and even luxury hotels have been allowed to come up on nalas, with impunity. Necklace Road was built on nine channels that bring sewage water into the Hussain Sagar lake from different parts of the city, but these channels are reportedly now narrow as a result of road building. During floods, waters flow in the opposite direction, thereby flooding vulnerable areas for want of an outlet at the mouth of the lake. The authorities reportedly narrowed the outlets with meshes so as to prevent garbage and other waste from entering the water body. Telangana State Pradesh Congress Committee (TSPCC) president N. Uttamkumar Reddy and BJP Union minister of state for home G. Kishen Reddy held the TRS regime squarely responsible for the city’s plight. Kishen Reddy said the KCR government turned a blind eye to its own agenda of the Musi Riverfront Development Project. TRS’s urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao, in turn, taunted the Union minister, asking why he failed to bring sufficient funds from the Centre for city development. And so, the blame game goes on till the upcoming municipal elections.

A Covid-19 twist in Delhi’s fight against bad air?

A study based on real-time pollution data during the Covid-19 lockdown this April helped Delhi get its baseline pollution levels -- the minimum pollution when major polluting sources are shut. Now, with most restrictions removed in a phased manner, the pandemic may be causing deterioration of air pollution in the Capital. Experts say that while the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted activities, it has resulted in fewer people using public transport, leading to more use of personal vehicles. More vehicles on road means more emissions, which, coupled with poor dispersal due to slow wind speed, leads to higher ambient air pollution levels. Air quality in Delhi and neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram was recorded in the “very poor” category on Thursday. According to the data by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the ridership in the past fortnight has been 78% of the number of people who took the Metro during same period last year due to Covid restrictions. Even though ridership is rising, a Metro spokesperson said that it would take some months before the passenger level reaches pre-Covid levels. Similarly, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has recorded a dip in daily bus ridership. Transport minister Kailash Gahlot had said last week that there was about 54% dip in ridership due to Covid restrictions which allows filling only half of the seats. While several people are working from homes, traffic on Delhi roads is rising. Data from Google’s community mobility trends shows traffic on Delhi roads was just 30% less than the pre-Covid period baseline of January 3 to February 6, this year. In August, this dip was 67%, and in April 80%. As only limited public transport was available, Delhi also witnessed a spike in vehicle sales after Covid unlock guidelines were implemented from June 8. According to Society for Automobile Manufacturing (SIAM), Delhi, has seen an increase of about 16% in sale of new passenger vehicles -- cars and two-wheelers – as compared to same period last year. The overall vehicles sales increase in August in India was 14.6%. SIAM is yet to release data for September. Anumita Roychowdhury of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the Covid pandemic has thrown new challenges for air pollution management. “We cannot intensify public transport as Covid restrictions will remain. We may need to reinforce work from home option to prevent unnecessary travel to cope with rise in winter pollution,” she said.

Punjab farm fires up 3-fold from last year

Satellite images of the first two weeks of October have revealed a near threefold increase in stubble fires in Punjab this year compared with the same period last year. Experts said multiple factors, including timing of seeding, harvesting, variety of paddy and crop rotation, needed to be studied to determine the reasons behind the increase in the early fire count this year. After analysing the VIIRS satellite images, Pawan Gupta, senior scientist of earth sciences at Universities Space Research Association of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, said, “From October 1 to 14 this year, 2,909 fires were observed in Punjab against 847 last year. However, Haryana made a marginal improvement as 804 fires were observed in the first two weeks of October while 947 fires were seen during the same period in 2019.” Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at Centre for Science and Environment, said, “We need to investigate the reasons for early burning this year and see how it is linked with the timings of sowing and harvesting this year; and what impact this would have on the intensity of burning during late October and early November.”

Dealing with a deluge: On Hyderabad floods

A deep monsoon depression over the west central Bay of Bengal, which weakened as it moved over Telangana, resulted in downpours over several districts in the State, severely affecting the city of Hyderabad as well. On October 13, the monthly average rainfall of Hyderabad for October (103.6 mm according to Skymet) was surpassed on a single day when 192 mm of rain fell. According to the India Meteorological Department, this is the highest rainfall for October recorded in Telangana’s capital since 1903. Such a high intensity downpour in a short span is bound to affect a densely populated urban area, and Hyderabad was no exception. At least 24 people were killed and several localities submerged and isolated following incessant rains and the overflowing of the city’s lakes. Other districts were badly affected too: roads damaged and irrigation tanks breached. The monsoon storm that never became a cyclone, has managed to cross the east (Andhra Pradesh) and west coasts (north Karnataka and Maharashtra) of India. This is rare and a rain-related disaster event that is difficult to plan for. Floods and deluges, like any other disaster, disproportionately affect the poor. Disaster management agencies have managed to limit the impact of the disaster as many of those marooned in submerged areas and flooded houses were rescued. But the extent of the damage and the turmoil show a lack of preparation and disaster mitigation, a problem that plagues most urban centres in the country Much of the damage was due to the overflowing of lakes — in particular, the Hussain Sagar Lake in the middle of the city and the breaching of storm water drains. Construction over lake beds and encroachments of drainage channels have been identified as problems that have exacerbated flooding and inundation in the city in the past (the deluge in August 2000, for example). But the little that has been done to unblock existing storm drains over the last decade has not been enough to handle the requirements of the city, which still depends upon an antiquated sewerage and drainage system. Hyderabad urgently needs to expand and remodel its drainage system. Besides lakes and canals, wetlands and watersheds play a vital role in absorbing excess rainfall, but regrettably, rapid urbanisation in the twin cities has resulted in the loss of a large portion of the wetlands. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment in 2016 revealed that 3,245 hectares of water bodies were lost in Hyderabad between 1989 and 2001. In the long term, the effects of flooding due to deluges can only be mitigated if urban planners take into account the hydro-geology of cities and ensure that construction, development and land occupation do not take place in a way that reduces the area of wetlands.

Disaster Resilient Sustainable Development Path Alone Can Save Hyd – Prof K Nageshwar

Political blame game has begun with Hyderabad continuing to face flood induced crisis. But, the fact is that unplanned growth of city due to haphazard urbanization over the decades is responsible for this pathetic plight. Hyderabad witnessed floods at least five times in the last two decades. The development paradigm needs to be revisited to save Hyderabad from future flooding. There is no dearth of studies for the sustainable development of the city. According to Census 2011 there are now more than 300 cities in India, of which some 50 host more than a million people. Natural growth of city population coupled with migration from villages has led to the phenomenal rise in city population. The population of Hyderabad city has increased from about 58 lakhs in 1991 to 76 lakh in 2001 and further to 96 lakh in 2011. It is estimated to grow to 1.9 crore by 2041. But, the urban development is not keeping pace with the rising population. This is resulting in severe damage to urban ecosystem in Hyderabad. The sensitive balance between development and environment is seriously undermined making Hyderabad vulnerable to such man-made disasters. Centre for Science and Environment study of 2016 revealed that 3,245 hectares of water bodies were lost in Hyderabad between 1989 and 2001. Estimates also reveal that the extent of water bodies in Hyderabad declined from 5949 hectares to 4764 hectares between 2001 and 2015. The Telanagana environment report 2015 by Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) revealed significant erosion in the forest cover, that act as a natural obstruction to run off water. Meanwhile, the agricultural lands around Hyderabad that acted as a means of natural absorption of excess rain water have been converted to non-agricultural use, especially real estate. The study of urbanisation in Hyderabad by Jawarharlal Nehru University reveal that in the undivided Medak district alone, over 66,000 hectares of agricultural land has been converted to non-agricultural uses. Urban planning should take into account the hydro-geology of city and ensure that construction, development and land occupation do not take place in a way that reduces the area of wetlands. Permeable soil surfaces are being replaced by impermeable concrete floors due to rapid urbanisation. Instead of investing only in flyovers and other mega constructions alone, government must invest heavily in green infrastructures like lakes, floodplains or parks and forests which absorb storm water, reduce runoff volume and speed, thus, reducing flood risk. Thus, disaster resilient sustainable development path alone can save Hyderabad from future flooding. — By Prof K Nageshwar

Doctors warn of Delhi Covid spike as pollution levels rise & temperature begins to drop

New Delhi: With the national capital recording the season’s worst Air Quality Index (AQI) Tuesday, concerns about the impact of rising pollution and dipping temperatures on the coronavirus pandemic are persistently increasing. Several studies, conducted over the course of the pandemic, have pointed out that Covid-19 deaths occur due to long-term exposure to ‘urban air pollution’. ThePrint spoke to several doctors and experts, who said that rising pollution will possibly lead to an increase in coronavirus cases as respiratory infections are at the heart of Covid-19. Doctors said that while they are expecting testing numbers to increase as more people get pre-emptive Covid-19 tests done, the focus should be on appropriate Covid-19 behaviour. As of Wednesday, Delhi recorded a total of 3,14,224 cases with 5,854 deaths and 2,86,880 recoveries. Delhi’s rising pollution According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the “very poor” category Tuesday, with the AQI being 304. This happened for the first time this season. In the preceding days, the AQI average remained in the “poor” category. The AQI on Monday was at 261, while on Sunday it was at 216 and 221 on Saturday. On Wednesday, the AQI returned to the “poor” category at 279. Environmentalists said that while the Delhi government has come up with plans to combat pollution, a comprehensive blueprint is necessary. “At this time of the year hospital admissions and respiratory illnesses anyway increase due to the rising pollution levels,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment. “This year we have the double burden of Covid with pollution. Delhi residents’ lungs are compromised due to prolonged exposure to pollution, which is worrisome,” she added. Urban pollution and severe Covid outcomes’ Concerns also stem from various studies that have been conducted during the pandemic linking pollution exposure to critical Covid-19 outcomes. A study by Emory University published in the journal Innovation in September said, “Long term exposure to urban air pollutants, especially NO2, may enhance population susceptibility to severe Covid-19 death outcomes.” The same study also found that “reduction in urban air pollution exposures would have avoided over 14,000 deaths among those who tested positive for the virus as of July 17, 2020”. Another study by Harvard University in April found that “an increase of only 1 μg/m3 in PM2.5 is associated with an 8 per cent increase in the Covid-19 death rate”. Closer home, a study in Delhi conducted by the Radiology Department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital found that years of exposure to bad air has caused structural changes to lungs of Delhi-NCR residents, making them more susceptible to respiratory illnesses than residents in Bengal, Bihar or Odisha.

Delhi Air Pollution: आज से GRAP की ग्रिप में दिल्ली-एनसीआर, जनरेटर समेत इन चीजों पर लगा बैन

नई दिल्ली, जेएनएन। पंजाब और हरियाणा में पराली जलाए जाने के चलते दिल्ली-एनसीआर में वायु प्रदूषण का स्तर खराब श्रेणी में पहुंच गया है। वहीं, पर्यावरण संरक्षण एवं प्रदूषण नियंत्रण प्राधिकरण (ईपीसीए) ने वायु प्रदूषण पर लगाम लगाने के लिए पूरी तरह से कमर कस ली है। बृहस्पतिवार से कई तरह के बदलाव देखने को मिलेंगे। दिल्ली में आज से डीजल जेनरेटर पर रोक दिल्ली-एनसीआर में लगातार जहरीली हो रही हवा के मद्देनजर बृहस्पतिवार से ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (ग्रेप) लागू कर दिया है। GRAP अगले साल 15 मार्च तक प्रभावी रहेगा। इसके चार अलग-अलग चरणों में वायु प्रदूषण की विभिन्न परिस्थितियों से निपटने के प्रावधान हैं। ईपीसीए की तरफ से दिल्ली, हरियाणा, उत्तर प्रदेश और राजस्थान को साफ कह दिया गया है कि कोरोना महामारी को देखते हुए इस बार ग्रेप के क्रियान्वयन में कोई ढिलाई बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी। ईपीसीए की सदस्य सुनीता नारायण कहना है कि कि दिल्ली के साथ-साथ एनसीआर के शहरी क्षेत्रों में भी डीजल जेनरेटर चलाने पर पाबंदी रहेगी। इनमें गुरुग्राम, फरीदाबाद, सोनीपत, पानीपत, बहादुरगढ़, गाजियाबाद, नोएडा और ग्रेटर नोएडा शामिल हैं। वहीं, ईपीसीए अध्यक्ष भूरेलाल ने कहा है कि प्लास्टिक, रबड़ और प्रतिबंधित ईंधन का किसी कीमत पर इस्तेमाल नहीं करने दिया जाएगा। रात्रि गश्त के लिए भी टीमों का गठन किया जा चुका है। नियमित निरीक्षण चल रहा है और कार्रवाई भी की जा रही है। कई औद्योगिक इकाइयों ने स्वच्छ ईंधन यानी पीएनजी (पाइप्ड नेचुरल गैस)का इस्तेमाल करना शुरू कर दिया है। जिन इकाइयों में अब भी प्रदूषण फैलाने वाले ईंधन का इस्तेमाल हो रहा है, उन्हें सील किया जाएगा। वायु प्रदूषण में एक बड़ा हिस्सा कूड़ा जलने से है, वहीं, जहां संभव हो सड़कों और गलियों में मशीनों के जरिए दिन और रात में झाड़ू लगाने की व्यवस्था की जाए। सड़कों पर पानी का छिड़काव किया जाए और धूल से होने वाले प्रदूषण को रोकने के लिए संभव कदम उठाए जाएं।

जेनरेटर के इस्तेमाल के लिए आवासीय समितियों को कोई छूट नहीं दी जाएगी : ईपीसीए

उच्चतम न्यायालय की तरफ से नियुक्त प्रदूषण निगरानी प्राधिकरण ने गुरुवार को स्पष्ट कर दिया कि दिल्ली-एनसीआर में वह बिजली के जेनरेटर के इस्तेमाल के लिए आवश्यक सेवाओं को छोड़कर किसी को भी छूट नहीं देगा। इसने लोगों से कहा है कि अगर उनके आवासीय क्षेत्रों में बिजली की कटौती होती है तो अपनी राज्य सरकारों से सवाल करें। दिल्ली सरकार ने गुरुवार से क्रमिक प्रतिक्रिया कार्य योजना (जीआरएपी) अधिसूचित की है। जीआरएपी के तहत पर्यावरण प्रदूषण (निवारण एवं नियंत्रण) प्राधिकरण (ईपीसीए) वायु प्रदूषण रोधी कड़े उपाय लागू करता है जिसमें दिल्ली और इसके आसपास के शहरों में बिजली के जेनरेटर के इस्तेमाल को भी प्रतिबंधित किया जाता है। ईपीसीए के अध्यक्ष भूरेलाल ने कहा कि राज्य सरकारों ने हमसे कहा है कि वे प्रतिदिन 23.5 घंटे बिजली की आपूर्ति करते हैं। अगर बिजली कटती है तो उनसे सवाल पूछिए। हमने उनकी रिपोर्ट देखी है। आवश्यक सेवाओं को छोड़कर किसी के लिए भी छूट नहीं है। दिल्ली-एनसीआर में बैक-अप के लिए जेनसेट पर निर्भर करने वाली सैकड़ों आवासीय सोसायटी इस निर्णय से प्रभावित होंगी। ऐसी सोसायटी भी हैं जो पूरी तरह जेनसेट पर निर्भर हैं क्योंकि वहां अब भी बिजली का कनेक्शन नहीं है। ईपीसीए की सदस्य और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड इन्वायरमेंट की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा कि ईपीसीए केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड की अनुशंसाओं का पालन कर रहा है। उन्होंने कहा कि कोई छूट नहीं है। सीपीसीबी अनुशंसा करता है। दिल्ली की आम आदमी पार्टी की सरकार ने अगले आदेश तक डीजल जेनसेट के इस्तेमाल पर बुधवार को पाबंदी लगा दी ताकि खराब हो रही वायु गुणवता को नियंत्रित किया जा सके। आपातकालीन सेवाओं के लिए जेनसेट के इस्तेमाल पर पाबंदी नहीं है। Download Amar Ujala App for Breaking News in Hindi & Live Updates. https://www.amarujala.com/channels/downloads?tm_source=text_share

प्रदूषण का स्तर बढ़ने के साथ डॉक्टरों ने दिल्ली में कोविड के बढ़ने की चेतावनी दी

नई दिल्ली: राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में मंगलवार को इस साल की सबसे खराब वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (एक्यूआई) रिकॉर्ड की गई. प्रदूषण और तापमान के गिराने के प्रभावों के कारण कोरोनोवायरस महामारी को लेकर चिंताएं लगातार बढ़ रही हैं. महामारी के दौरान किए गए कई अध्ययनों से पता चलता है कि कोविड-19 से मौत शहरी वायु प्रदूषण के दीर्घकालिक जोखिम के कारण होती है. दिप्रिंट ने कई डॉक्टरों और विशेषज्ञों से बात की, जिन्होंने कहा कि बढ़ते प्रदूषण से कोरोनोवायरस के मामलों में वृद्धि होगी, क्योंकि सांस से सम्बंधित संक्रमण कोविड-19 के केंद्र में हैं. डॉक्टरों ने कहा कि वे टेस्ट बढ़ाने की उम्मीद कर रहे हैं, ताकि अधिक से अधिक लोगों का जल्दी से कोविड-19 परीक्षण किए जाएं और उनके इलाज पर ध्यान दिया जा सके. बुधवार तक, दिल्ली में 5,854 मौतों और 2,86,880 रिकवरी के साथ कुल 3,14,224 मामले दर्ज किए गए हैं. दिल्ली का बढ़ता प्रदूषण केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के अनुसार, दिल्ली की वायु गुणवत्ता मंगलवार को ‘बहुत खराब’ श्रेणी में पहुंच गई, जिसमें एक्यूआई 304 है. यह इस सीजन में पहली बार हुआ है. पूर्ववर्ती दिनों में एक्यूआई औसत ‘खराब’ श्रेणी में रही. सोमवार को एक्यूआई 261 पर था, जबकि रविवार को यह 216 और शनिवार को 221 पर था. बुधवार को, एक्यूआई 279 पर ‘ख़राब’ श्रेणी में लौट आया. पर्यावरणविदों ने कहा कि दिल्ली सरकार प्रदूषण से निपटने की योजना लेकर आई है, लेकिन इसके लिए व्यापक खाका तैयार करना आवश्यक है. सेंटर फ़ॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी ने कहा, ‘साल के इस समय में अस्पताल में श्वसन(सांस से संबंधित) संबंधी बीमारियां बढ़ते प्रदूषण स्तर के कारण बढ़ती हैं.’ इस साल हमारे पास प्रदूषण के साथ कोविड का दोहरा बोझ है. उन्होंने कहा कि प्रदूषण के लंबे समय तक संपर्क में रहने के कारण दिल्ली वासियों के फेफड़े कमजोर हो जाते हैं, जो चिंताजनक है.

Blauer Himmel verschwindet, Umweltverschmutzung kehrt in die indische Hauptstadt zurück

Bald nachdem Indien im März dieses Jahres eine Abriegelung erzwungen hatte, um die Ausbreitung von COVID-19 einzudämmen und die industrielle Tätigkeit zu stoppen, waren die Bewohner der Hauptstadt Delhi begeistert, zum ersten Mal seit mehreren Jahrzehnten wieder klaren blauen Himmel und funkelnde Sterne zu sehen. Mit dem Wintereinbruch, der mit einem Temperaturrückgang einhergeht, sowie der Wiederaufnahme der industriellen Tätigkeit und dem Abbrennen von Stoppelfeldern durch Bauern in den Nachbarstaaten ist die Luftqualität in der Stadt in der vergangenen Woche erneut auf ein schlechtes Niveau gesunken. Der Luftqualitätsindex der Stadt blieb auch am fünften Tag in Folge am Sonntag in der “schlechten” Zone, was die Experten dazu veranlasste, langfristige Pläne und die Durchsetzung von Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Problems zu fordern. “Lösungen sind alle bekannt und sind auch Teil des längerfristigen Aktionsplans [zur Lösung des Problems]. Die Herausforderung liegt jedoch in der Skalierbarkeit und Stringenz der Durchsetzung der Maßnahmen”, sagte Anumita Roychowdhury, Luftverschmutzungsexpertin und Exekutivdirektorin des in Neu-Delhi ansässigen Zentrums für Wissenschaft und Umwelt, gegenüber der Agentur Anadolu

Blue skies gone, pollution returns to Indian capital

Soon after India enforced a lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19 this March, halting industrial activity, residents in the national capital territory of Delhi were thrilled to see clear blue skies and twinkling stars for the first time in several decades. Now with the onset of winter, coming with a drop in temperature, coupled with the resumption of industrial activity and stubble burning by farmers in neighboring states, the air quality in the city has once again fallen to poor levels over the past week. The city’s air quality index continued to remain in the “poor “zone on the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, leading the experts to demand long-term plans and enforcement of measures to tackle the problem. “Solutions are all known and are also part of the longer-term action plan [to solve the problem]. The challenge, however, lies in the scalability and stringency of enforcement of the measures,” Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert and executive director at the New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment, told Anadolu Agency. She said some of the measures can be implemented in the short run as an emergency response to control winter pollution. Roychowdhury said their analysis “this year shows that after the blue-sky experience during the [coronavirus] pandemic linked to lockdown phases and the monsoon months, pollution levels have started to rise again due to the opening up of the economy.” Tanushree Ganguly, program associate at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water in New Delhi, said there has been an increase in particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentrations in the city of Delhi since the start of September. “Since Sept. 27 the daily average PM2.5 concentration in Delhi has consistently exceeded the national 24-hour standard of 60 ug/m3 [micrograms of gaseous pollutant per cubic meter of ambient air]. While the rise in PM levels coincides with crop fire incidences in Punjab and Haryana, estimates by urban emissions suggest that the contribution of open fires to Delhi's PM 2.5 concentration is less than 10% at present,” said the expert. Officials with anti-smog guns The government of Delhi has already announced several measures, including deputing officials with anti-smog guns to fight the pollution in the Indian capital. “Dust management and increased vigilance are measures in the right direction but the government needs to look at more long-term solutions like augmenting public and non-motorized transit infrastructure in the city,” said Tanushree. She added that in the long run, the government needs to explore ideas like congestion pricing to restrict the usage of private vehicles in the city. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ravindra Khaiwal, a faculty member of Environment Health, at north India based Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research said low air quality index is partly because of meteorological conditions and local emissions. “The atmospheric boundary layer starts decreasing post-monsoon season due to colder conditions, which builds pollution close to the ground depending on wind speed (ventilation coefficient). Further regional emissions such as crop residue burning also add to poor air quality,” he said. A study conducted by Council on Energy Environment and Water found that mission from transport followed by industries, power plants (outside Delhi), stubble burring, industries, road and construction dust are the primary contributors to Delhi's pollution. “We should avoid blaming each other and work in coordination with various stakeholders to avoid high air pollution episodes we may face in the coming few weeks. The issue of crop residue burning needs to be addressed through multiple sustainable approaches and by engaging farmers,” said Khaiwal. With the air pollution levels starting to worsen in the capital, many residents are thinking of shifting to another place to spend winter months. “As soon as the winter sets in, this becomes a discussion in our family whether we should shift to another city for winter months. Shockingly, the government has failed to bring an end to this problem, so many people die because of the pollution,” said Prashant Kumar, a Delhi resident. Pollution related deaths A study entitled State of Global Air 2019 had found that in 2017, pollution contributed to over 1.2 million deaths in India. Earlier this month, officials said recently representatives of five northern states met to combat air pollution. The central government has allotted a fund of 17 billion rupees ($231 million) to the states to manage stubble in the fields and discourage farmers from burning it. “Currently, 80% subsidy to cooperatives and 50% subsidy to individuals to procure machinery to manage stubble is being provided to curb pollution” Indian Environment Minister, Prakash Javadekar to a meeting, called to discuss air pollution on Oct. 1. In January 2019, his ministry had launched a National Clean Air Program (NCAP) to tackle the issue comprehensively with a target to achieve 20 to 30% reduction in pollution level by 2024. He said that the Delhi government has been directed to take more action on the 13 hotspots to reduce air pollution. Roychowdhury said that the city of Delhi requires adequate municipal infrastructure for waste segregation, safe disposal and recycling so that open burning of waste can be fully prevented. She also asked for upgrading the transport infrastructure. According to pulmonologist Dr. Digambar Behera, the air pollution along with COVID-19 complicate things, as the pandemic cases continue rising in the country. India has so far reported over 7.17 million COVID-19 infections with more than 109,000 deaths.