• Down To Earth

Minimum temperature in city above normal on over 40% of days

During the monsoon months of June to September 2025, the minimum temperature in Bengaluru remained above normal on more than 40% of the days. Out of the 121 days, 52 days recorded this anomaly, while eight days had temperatures lower than normal. This has been highlighted in an assessment of extreme weather events conducted this year by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based NGO. Experts say the rise in temperature during the monsoon is particularly concerning, as it disrupts the core dynamics of the monsoon system. This can trigger erratic and extreme weather events — from floods to droughts — while threatening agriculture, food security, and public health. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the first 12 days in November have been warmer than normal for Bengaluru. However, the latter part of the month is likely to see cooler, cloudy days as the North East Monsoon becomes more active. The CSE assessment has also found that Karnataka has witnessed an increase in the number of days with extreme weather events in the first nine months of this year (January to September). The number of days with extreme weather events in Karnataka during 2022 was 83; in 2023, only 47 days with extreme weather events were recorded; in 2024, as many as 96 such days were recorded, and in 2025, this has gone up to 120. Karnataka experienced extreme weather events on 120 of the 273 days (nearly 44 per cent of the days from January 1 to September 30). They claimed at least 117 lives, affected 62,586 hectares of crop area, killed over 944 animals, and damaged 3,849 houses. The number of days with extreme weather events in Karnataka was second-highest in the South Peninsular region in India after Kerala (147 days). In April this year, Karnataka had 17 extreme event days, and in July, 29 extreme event days were recorded. In the first nine months of this year, the state also had at least 28 days of lightning and storms, leading to the loss of 54 lives and 106 days with heavy rain, flood, and landslides, leading to the loss of 63 lives.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Our air, their privilege: Delhi’s choking reality

The air is free but why is it such a privilege to breathe?’ read one of the several placards at a protest in New Delhi last week, as residents vented anger over the capital’s worsening air. For years, Delhi’s toxic smog has been a familiar dark cloud — but reports indicating that the government was manipulating data to hide the true extent of the crisis, combined with a recent photo showing two air purifiers flanking the prime minister, seem to have snapped public patience. That image captured the deep divide between those who could afford 'Made in China' air purifiers and sealed offices, and the millions who cannot. Reports that water sprinklers were being used around air quality monitors to suppress readings — and that several stations had been shut down altogether — brought citizens to the streets. The government forced the organisers to call off the protest at the last minute. Those who turned up at India Gate were taken into custody and left 50 km away at the Haryana border. Delhi Aam Aadmi Party president Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters: “As soon as pollution increases, the government shuts down AQI monitoring stations. Wherever AQI is found to be high, spraying of water is being done… the fraud is happening openly... the intention is not to reduce pollution but to show lower figures”. On 10 November, the AQI was in the ‘very poor’ category in 26 of the 38 monitoring stations in the national capital. Bawana reported an AQI at 366, Jahangirpuri 348, Chandni Chowk 410, Burari 430 — and at Anand Vihar, despite three trucks spraying jets of water outside the monitoring system set up by the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI read 400. In Delhi-NCR, studies show automobile emissions account for 47 per cent of PM 2.5 emission during the winter — contradicting the Delhi government narrative that blames Punjab’s stubble burning. According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025, of the world’s 100 most polluted cities, 93 are in India. Children growing up in Delhi are likely to lose up to ten years of life expectancy due to toxic air. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reports that only 12 per cent of Indian cities have monitoring stations capable of tracking all six key pollutants. Of the CPCB’s 966 operational stations across 419 cities, many are manual and fail to meet the minimum requirement of 104 monitoring days annually. “A large number of India’s 252 cities have already crossed critically polluted levels,” warns Anumita Roychowdhury, CSE’s deputy director-general. “The government must declare a national emergency and treat air pollution as a war-level crisis.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi’s Toxic Air Is Destroying Kids’ Futures. The Alarming Truth Politicians Don’t Want You to Know!

Delhi’s children are waking up to skies the colour of ash, but the real danger lurks in the invisible toxins they inhale every day. Experts warn that the city’s hazardous air pollution threatens an entire generation: kids in Delhi are not just at risk of dying earlier, they’re facing lower intelligence, chronic sickness, and poor academic performance, simply by breathing. Scientific research reveals a chilling pattern. Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) dramatically increases risks of premature death among children, causing fatal illnesses like pneumonia and lower respiratory infections. If you were born in Delhi five years ago, you’ve already spent 826 days breathing air that is “poor” or worse, almost half of your life spent gasping for clean oxygen. For 81 of those days, the air was deemed “severe,” meaning toxic. Back in 2019, the Centre for Science and Environment reported, “Air pollution has become a national emergency, killing one lakh children under five every year in India.” For 81 of those days, the air was deemed “severe,” meaning toxic. Back in 2019, the Centre for Science and Environment reported, “Air pollution has become a national emergency, killing one lakh children under five every year in India.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

दिल्ली में प्रदूषण का कहर: कम उम्र में मौत और मंदबुद्धि रहने का खतरा

दिल्ली में प्रदूषण का स्तर इतना खराब हो चुका है कि यहां के बच्चे आसमान का रंग 'राख' जैसा देखकर जाग रहे हैं। उनकी क्रेयॉन बॉक्स में भले ही 'स्काई ब्लू' रंग हो, लेकिन उन्हें यह नहीं पता कि नीला आसमान कैसा दिखता है। दिल्ली-एनसीआर में, बच्चे केवल बड़े नहीं हो रहे हैं वे सांस लेने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। जिस हवा से उन्हें जीना, सीखना और खेलना चाहिए, वही हवा उनका जीवन छोटा कर रही है। विशेषज्ञों ने निष्कर्ष निकाला है कि दिल्ली में पैदा हुए और रह रहे Gen Alpha (1990 के दशक के अंत और 2010 के शुरुआती वर्षों में जन्मे युवा) के बच्चे, केवल सांस लेने के कारण, जल्दी मर सकते हैं, कम बुद्धिमान हो सकते हैं, अधिक बीमार पड़ सकते हैं और स्कूल में खराब प्रदर्शन कर सकते हैं। आइए जानते हैं कैसे। ये वे गंभीर चेतावनियाँ हैं जो डॉक्टर 2017 से लगातार दे रहे हैं और इंडिया टुडे उन्हें निरंतर रिपोर्ट कर रहा है: 1. कम उम्र में मृत्यु वैज्ञानिक प्रमाण लंबे समय से दिखाते रहे हैं कि सूक्ष्म कण पदार्थ (PM 2.5) के संपर्क में रहने से बच्चों में समय से पहले मौत का खतरा बढ़ जाता है, खासकर निचले श्वसन संक्रमण और निमोनिया से। दक्षिण एशिया और उप-सहारा अफ्रीका में किए गए मेटा-विश्लेषण इस बात की पुष्टि करते हैं कि शिशु और पाँच साल से कम उम्र के बच्चों की मृत्यु दर सीधे परिवेशी वायु प्रदूषण से जुड़ी हुई है। चौंकाने वाला आंकड़ा: अगर आप पाँच साल पहले दिल्ली में पैदा हुए थे, तो आपने पहले ही 826 दिन 'खराब' या उससे भी बदतर हवा में बिता दिए हैं जो आपके जीवन का लगभग आधा हिस्सा है। इनमें से 81 दिन तो हवा की गुणवत्ता 'अति गंभीर' थी। CSE की चेतावनी (2019): सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट ने 2019 में ही चेतावनी दी थी कि "वायु प्रदूषण एक राष्ट्रीय आपातकाल बन गया है, जो भारत में हर साल पाँच साल से कम उम्र के एक लाख बच्चों को मार रहा है।" डॉक्टर वास्तविक समय में रुके हुए फेफड़े, सूजन वाले वायुमार्ग, निमोनिया के उच्च जोखिम और समय से पहले मौत के रूप में इसे देख रहे हैं। हर साल हम कहते हैं, "कुछ करना चाहिए।" और हर सर्दी में, हम कुछ नहीं करते। 2. कम बुद्धिमान अब यह स्पष्ट प्रमाण है कि गंदी हवा मस्तिष्क के विकास को नुकसान पहुँचाती है। बचपन में PM 2.5 और NO2 के दीर्घकालिक संपर्क को मस्तिष्क में संरचनात्मक परिवर्तनों और मापने योग्य संज्ञानात्मक गिरावट से जोड़ा गया है। यहाँ तक कि जन्म से पहले का प्रदूषण भी बाद में IQ स्कोर और मेमोरी फंक्शन को कम कर सकता है। नवीनतम शोध (2024): इंडिया टुडे द्वारा कवर किए गए 2024 के एक अमेरिकी अध्ययन में पाया गया कि लंबे समय तक प्रदूषित हवा के संपर्क में रहने से बच्चों की सीखने की क्षमता, याददाश्त और ध्यान केंद्रित करने की अवधि बाधित हो सकती है। यूनिसेफ की चेतावनी (2017): 2017 में यूनिसेफ ने चेतावनी दी थी कि "1.7 करोड़ बच्चे उन क्षेत्रों में रहते हैं जहाँ वायु प्रदूषण वैश्विक सीमा से छह गुना अधिक है, जिससे उनके मस्तिष्क के विकास पर खतरा हो सकता है।" हम जानते थे कि धुंध हमारे बच्चों की क्षमता को खा रही है। फिर भी हमने उन्हें इसे साँस लेने दिया। 3. अधिक बीमार चिकित्सा अनुसंधान ने दिखाया है कि PM 2.5 में प्रत्येक 10μg/m 3 की वृद्धि के साथ बच्चों में अस्थमा, ब्रोंकाइटिस और निमोनिया के लिए अस्पताल के दौरे में महत्वपूर्ण वृद्धि होती है। चूँकि बच्चे तेजी से साँस लेते हैं और उनके वायुमार्ग छोटे होते हैं, प्रदूषक अधिक गहराई तक प्रवेश करते हैं और अधिक सूजन पैदा करते हैं। अस्पतालों का हाल: दिल्ली के अस्पताल बाल चिकित्सा संकट वार्ड में बदल गए हैं। प्रतीक्षा कक्ष खाँसते हुए बच्चों से भरे रहते हैं, जो धुंध में साँस लेने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। डॉक्टर की राय (2019): डॉ. विवेक नांगिया ने 2019 में कहा था, "बच्चों पर अब 5-7 दिन की दवाओं का असर नहीं हो रहा है। अब न्यूनतम दो सप्ताह के कोर्स की आवश्यकता है। एक साल तक के बच्चे श्वसन समस्याओं के साथ आ रहे हैं।" ताज़ा अपडेट (2025): AIIMS के डॉक्टरों ने रिपोर्ट किया है कि जब भी हवा की गुणवत्ता गिरती है, श्वसन मामलों में 15-20 प्रतिशत की वृद्धि होती है। हम एक ऐसी पीढ़ी पाल रहे हैं जिसकी सर्दी की पहली याद इन्हेलर की आवाज़ है, न कि कोहरा। 4. स्कूल में खराब प्रदर्शन बड़े पैमाने के अध्ययनों में पाया गया है कि दीर्घकालिक वायु प्रदूषण जोखिम से स्कूल के टेस्ट स्कोर और संज्ञानात्मक प्रदर्शन में कमी आती है। यहाँ तक कि परीक्षा के दिनों में PM 2.5 में थोड़ी सी वृद्धि भी छात्र के प्रदर्शन में मापने योग्य गिरावट से जुड़ी होती है। शिक्षकों का अनुभव: पूर्वी दिल्ली की एक शिक्षिका ने बताया कि उनके आधे छात्र सुबह की प्रार्थना खाँसते हुए शुरू करते हैं। एक बच्चा गुणन कैसे सीख सकता है जब वह अपनी साँसें गिन रहा हो? गुरुग्राम, नोएडा, लखनऊ, कानपुर सभी जगह 'बहुत खराब से गंभीर' AQI स्तर की रिपोर्ट आ रही है। इस साल, दुनिया के 15 सबसे प्रदूषित शहरों में से 10 भारत में थे। यह दिल्ली का संकट नहीं है। यह एक राष्ट्रीय आपातकाल है, जिसका केंद्र हमारे खेल के मैदान हैं। प्रदूषण पर बहानों से नहीं चलेगा काम लगभग एक दशक से, डॉक्टर, वैज्ञानिक और माता-पिता कार्रवाई की गुहार लगा रहे हैं। इसके बजाय, हमने इस धुंध को 'सामान्य' बना दिया है। हमने अपने बच्चों को सिखाया है कि यह "बस धुंध का मौसम है।" स्वच्छ हवा विलासिता नहीं है। यह एक मौलिक अधिकार है।

• Climate Change and Green Economy

Developing countries risk missing fruits on new green economy: CSE

CENTRE for Science and Environment (CSE) says developing countries risk missing out on a green economy unless they make economic resilience and green industrialisation central to their climate agenda. Speaking recently before the COP30 commenced. CSE reports focussed on three strategic fronts of the green transition: agriculture and forest commodities, critical minerals, and clean technology and manufacturing The report says while countries of the Global South hold huge reserves of raw commodities and resources, their share of the value generated from these sectors, the countries remains miniscule The series offers a Southern perspective on how the Global South can participate and stay afloat in the new, green economy. The report calls for a new global order where green industrialisation and localisation and equity will replace the old model of extraction and dependency In a report released from New Delhi, India before the COP30 in Belem, Brazil, the report gives the insight of how developing countries are likely to be left behind in the race towards a new, green economy. The report describes the likely development as the emerging threat amidst a turbulent geopolitical landscape in which climate ambition is struggling to stay afloat. Towards a new green world as the CSE paper series is called was released on the eve of COP30. It calls for centering economic resilience, value addition and green industrialisation in the climate agenda for developing countries. Releasing the series, CSE director general Sunita Narain said: “Inclusive and affordable development is critical for economic resilience and will help combat climate change.” She added that: “Countries need an economic stake in the green transition, which requires domestic manufacturing and job creation. For this, we must also reset global trade and finance rules for localisation and value addition. There is an opportunity to rethink these rules so that distributed local-led production systems can become the basis of green industrialisation,” Focusing on three strategic fronts of the green transition focusing on agriculture and forest commodities, critical minerals, and clean technology and manufacturing, the series presents a Southern perspective on how the Global South can participate and stay afloat in the new, green economy. Across commodities, minerals and manufacturing, developing countries face a common dilemma: they supply the world’s resources but capture too little of the value. From raw cocoa and copper to lithium and solar cells, the green transition is repeating old patterns of extraction and dependence. CSE Programme Manager Avantika Goswami said: “The global green transition risks reproducing old inequities under a new climate-friendly banner, unless the Global South is empowered to capture greater value, diversify its economies, and shape the governance of emerging green industries.’’ She said there is a need to reinvent the climate agenda for the Global South. Calling for decarbonisation without economic resilience is no longer viable. On Agriculture and forest commodities, the paper states that developing countries are trapped in a low-value export cycle as they sell raw agricultural and forest commodities, and end up with almost nothing.. For instance, Ivory Coast and Ghana produce over 50 per cent of the world’s cocoa beans; but, they account for a mere 6.2 per cent of the total export revenue from value added products like chocolate and cocoa powder. In contrast, manufacturers and retailers located in Global North countries capture almost 80 to 90 per cent of the total profit margin of a chocolate bar. The paper argues that “a shift from raw exports to processing and diversification is critical. Under segment two on critical minerals, the paper states that the Global South holds most of the world’s reserves of critical minerals crucial for energy transition; but it captures little of the value generated from refining and manufacturing. These countries remain exposed to commodity price volatility, balance of payments instability, and geopolitical risk. Taking the cases of three countries, Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the paper has analysed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of their critical minerals policies and strategic plans and offers a list of principles for paving the way forward through centering equity and justice for the Global South in the climate-trade-development nexus. Under stage three or the final segment on clean technology manufaructing,the report says the Global clean tech manufacturing is concentrated in China, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). Developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia together account for less than 5 (five) percent of production value. Meanwhile, the Global South faces a dual challenge of de-carbonising while industrialising to meet the demands of a growing economy. Structural asymmetries persist: developing nations assemble goods but import value-heavy inputs. The paper explores how countries can pursue green industrialisation by building clean-tech manufacturing capacity amid China’s dominance, limited domestic capacities, and unequal participation in global trade. Using case studies from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, it outlines key takeaways from country experiences in the clean technology sector, calling for renewed industrial policy, South-South cooperation, and global rule reform to build resilient economies. The three papers present preliminary pathways for how developing countries can capture more value, earn more revenue and emerge as strong players in the new green economy for combating climate change. Dr Narain says: “The future green economy must not mirror the inequalities of the old one. The Global South needs not just a greener world but a fairer one, with economic resilience at its core, in hand with climate action.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

‘Cloud seeding is just cosmetic’

Amid the ongoing debate over air quality data manipulation, Delhi once again lies shrouded in toxic smog as winter sets in. With citizens, environmentalists, and political leaders taking to the streets to demand their fundamental right to clean air, questions arise: can pollution data really be tampered with, and are temporary fixes, such as anti-smog guns, mist sprays, and artificial rain, enough to clear the city’s foul air? In conversation with MUSKAN BHATIA of The Statesman, Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), explains why credible data is essential and why long-term, multi-sector action is the only real solution. Over the past two decades, she has led major policy campaigns on air pollution – especially vehicular emissions – and helped design clean air action plans in Indian and African cities, including the pioneering Right to Clean Air campaign. Edited excerpts: Q. In a recent interview, it was mentioned that air quality data can be manipulated by using water sprinklers around monitoring stations. What makes you say that? A: Claims about the potential manipulation of air quality data through water sprinkling near monitoring stations have been reported in the media and are worrying. The key question, however, is whether such actions can actually alter the readings. As of now, we have not conducted any independent assessment to determine the extent to which water sprinkling near monitoring stations might influence air quality data. It is an aspect that certainly needs examination. That is why we have emphasized the importance of regular audits of air quality monitoring stations – to ensure that proper monitoring protocols are followed and to identify any external factors or activities around the stations that could affect the readings. Q. There were reports of missing air quality data on the night of Diwali . If data manipulation or gaps do occur, why is it important to address them? A: When such large investments are made in real-time air quality monitoring systems, it is crucial to ensure that protocols are strictly followed so the data remain reliable, credible and continuous. There should be no missing information – monitoring stations must operate to deliver authentic, validated data at all times. Accurate data is essential not only for policy decisions but also for informing the public so that people can take appropriate precautions when pollution levels rise. Q. Do you think the current Winter Action Plan is effective enough to tackle Delhi’s toxic air? If not, why? A: Our position is clear – Delhi’s air pollution problem can only be solved through year-round and sector-specific action. Consistent efforts across the year help build the infrastructure, systems, and services needed to cut emissions at the source. In contrast, the Winter Action Plan is more of an emergency response, activated only when pollution spikes due to seasonal changes. These measures are temporary by design and cannot bring sustained improvement in air quality. Q. When you talk about t temporary measures, does that also include action against stubble burning in Delhi and neighbouring states? A: Stubble burning is an episodic issue, but it is different from the temporary emergency measures we refer to – such as using smog guns, sprinkling water to control dust, halting construction for a few days, or restricting truck entry into Delhi. Crop burning happens only during a short period when farmers switch from one crop to another. To address that, we need systemic, long-term solutions – not short-term fixes. This includes providing farmers with machines to mix crop residue into the soil instead of burning it, and developing infrastructure to convert stubble into materials or biofuels for industry. That way, the residue becomes an economic resource rather than waste, giving farmers a real incentive not to burn it. The solutions are already known – the challenge now is how quickly we can scale them up to eliminate stubble burning altogether. Q. While CAQM highlights its field inspections and penalties against farmers, do you think this focus shifts the attention away from other more significant sources of pollution in Delhi? A: We must not confuse the two issues. Tackling stubble burning requires its own set of in-situ and ex-situ strategies. In-situ measures involve providing farmers with subsidized machines to mix crop residue into the soil instead of burning it. Ex-situ solutions mean collecting stubble and converting it into biomass pellets, bio-CNG, or other fuels that industries can use. These strategies must be implemented properly – but they should not be mixed up with the broader pollution control measures needed for other sectors. Crop burning is a seasonal issue, whereas Delhi’s air pollution persists year-round due to vehicles, industries, power plants, construction, and waste burning. Since vehicles are now the top contributor, Delhi must push for an ambitious zero-emission electric vehicle programme, expand public transport, and create better walking and cycling infrastr ucture to reduce dependence on private vehicles. Similarly, to stop waste burning , municipalities must ensure 100 per cent waste collection, segregation, and remediation of legacy dumpsites. All this demands continuous, year-round investment in infrastructure and systems to control emissions from every source – not just seasonal ones like stubble burning. Q. What is your take on artificial cloud seeding – the solution that the Delhi government is exploring to curb the city’s air pollution crisis? A: That is only a temporary and a cosmetic measure with no effective durable impact. It is also very expensive. Moreover, there is no guarantee it will even work – artificial rain requires several specific conditions to align. And even if those conditions are met and rainfall does occur, the relief will be short-lived. After the initial washout effect that lasts a few hours or at most in a couple of days, pollution levels will rise again. So why should we spend such a huge amount of money on a stopgap measure that offers no lasting impact? Q. How does Delhi’s air pollution problem compare with that of a historically polluted city like Beijing? What lessons can Delhi learn from it? A: To begin with, it is not that Delhi has not made efforts to tackle its pollution problem. The city has already shut down all its coal-based power plants. Polluting fuels such as coal, pet coke, furnace oil, and tyre oil have been banned in industries across the city, which have largely transitioned to cleaner natural gas. On the transport front, both public and commercial vehicles have shifted from diesel to CNG. The city has also begun electrifying its vehicle fleet and enforcing Bharat Stage VI emission standards. These are no small achievements. Thanks to such measures, Delhi’s long-term pollution trend is, in fact, on a decline. However, despite this progress, pollution levels remain alarmingly high. Delhi still needs another 60 per cent reduction in pollution to meet the clean air standard. To bring about the kind of drastic improvement seen in Beijing and other global cities, Delhi will have to act with far greater scale, speed, and strictness – and across all pollution-causing sectors, not just a select few. Like Beijing, Delhi also cannot fight this battle alone. Air pollution does not respect state boundaries. For Delhi’s efforts to yield real results, similar measures must be implemented across the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. Beijing gained only after extending stringent anti-pollution actions beyond the city to 26 surrounding provinces. That kind of coordinated, regional approach is exactly what Delhi now needs.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Capital continues to breathe ‘toxic’ air

The average AQI of the city keeps fluctuating every day, but the situation at 13 of its pollution hotspots remains severe. Delhi woke up to another morning of heavy smog on Friday, with the city’s air quality staying in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI stood at 387 at 4 pm, showing a slight improvement from Thursday’s 404, which fell under ‘severe’. Since Diwali, the Capital has been oscillating between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality levels. Capital continues to breathe ‘toxic’ air Pollution hotspots remain choked even as average AQI fluctuates article_Author Sneha Richhariya Tribune News Service New Delhi, Updated At : 04:45 AM Nov 15, 2025 IST fb twitter whatsapp Follow us 0 Follow us Connect with us 1 Connect with us featured-imgfeatured-img An anti-smog gun sprays water to curb air pollution in New Delhi on Friday. Mukesh Aggarwal Advertisement The average AQI of the city keeps fluctuating every day, but the situation at 13 of its pollution hotspots remains severe. Delhi woke up to another morning of heavy smog on Friday, with the city’s air quality staying in the ‘very poor’ category. Advertisement According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI stood at 387 at 4 pm, showing a slight improvement from Thursday’s 404, which fell under ‘severe’. Since Diwali, the Capital has been oscillating between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality levels. Advertisement On Wednesday, the AQI had touched 418. While the city-level index continues to shift daily, data from the designated hotspots shows no improvement. Identified in 2018 by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and the CPCB, these 13 hotspots include Rohini, Vivek Vihar, RK Puram, Narela, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Dwarka, Ashok Vihar, Bawana and Anand Vihar. They continue to register some of the highest pollution levels in Delhi. A review of their daily readings shows AQI levels consistently staying above 400 in most of these locations, even on days when the city average dips. Capital continues to breathe ‘toxic’ air Pollution hotspots remain choked even as average AQI fluctuates article_Author Sneha Richhariya Tribune News Service New Delhi, Updated At : 04:45 AM Nov 15, 2025 IST fb twitter whatsapp Follow us 0 Follow us Connect with us 1 Connect with us featured-imgfeatured-img An anti-smog gun sprays water to curb air pollution in New Delhi on Friday. Mukesh Aggarwal Advertisement The average AQI of the city keeps fluctuating every day, but the situation at 13 of its pollution hotspots remains severe. Delhi woke up to another morning of heavy smog on Friday, with the city’s air quality staying in the ‘very poor’ category. Advertisement According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI stood at 387 at 4 pm, showing a slight improvement from Thursday’s 404, which fell under ‘severe’. Since Diwali, the Capital has been oscillating between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality levels. Advertisement On Wednesday, the AQI had touched 418. While the city-level index continues to shift daily, data from the designated hotspots shows no improvement. Advertisement Identified in 2018 by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and the CPCB, these 13 hotspots include Rohini, Vivek Vihar, RK Puram, Narela, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Dwarka, Ashok Vihar, Bawana and Anand Vihar. They continue to register some of the highest pollution levels in Delhi. A review of their daily readings shows AQI levels consistently staying above 400 in most of these locations, even on days when the city average dips. Read More Flowers Delhi My university fees not paid for 2 months, Karisma Kapoor's daughter tells Delhi HC' View More right-arrow Advertisement While average AQI on Friday stayed at 387, it was 428 at Bawana, 414 in Mundka and Rohini, 410 in Vivek Vihar and 432 in Wazirpur. Early this month, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa chaired a high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with the Environment Secretary, DPCC, Divisional Commissioners (MCD) and senior officials from other departments. The Minister reviewed the progress of on-ground enforcement teams and directed officials to accelerate anti-pollution drives across all 13 hotspots. He directed on-ground teams to ensure strict enforcement of anti-pollution measures, including pothole repairs, paving of roads, water sprinkling to mitigate dust, proper disposal of industrial waste and prevention of open burning. However, localised emissions from waste burning, industrial clusters, construction activities and high vehicular movement continue to keep pollution levels elevated in these zones. Long-term analysis reinforces this trend. An assessment of annual PM2.5 concentrations at these hotspots shows that 11 of the 13 locations recorded higher average levels in 2024 compared to 2023. Data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) also points to the emergence of new high-pollution clusters. Shadipur, Nehru Nagar, Siri Fort, Alipur, ITO and Patparganj are among 11 additional areas that have consistently recorded elevated PM2.5 concentrations, signalling the spread of pollution beyond traditionally recognised hotspots.

• Director General Office

गोरखपुर में पर्यावरण संरक्षण के अभियान को विचारों का खाद-पानी दे गईं डॉ.सुनीता नरायण, बोलीं- हर छोटे‑छोटे कदम से होते हैं बड़े बदलाव

गोरखपुर एनवायरन्मेंटल एक्शन ग्रुप के स्वर्ण जयंती समारोह के पहले दिन शनिवार को मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एनवायरन्मेंट की महानिदेशक पर्यावरणविद् पद्मश्री डा. सुनीता नरायण ने शिरकत की। समूह की पांच दशकों की पर्यावरणीय उपलब्धियों को सराहते हुए उन्होंने अपने संबोधन में कहा कि हर छोटे‑छोटे कदम से ही बड़े बदलाव की शुरुआत होती है। गोरखपुर की इस हरियाली को आगे बढ़ाते रहना हम सभी की जिम्मेदारी है। मीडियाकर्मियों से बातचीत के दौरान डाॅ. सुनीता नरायण ने कहा कि दिल्ली की तुलना में गोरखपुर बहुत साफ-सुथरा है। इसे हमें ऐसे ही बनाए रखना होगा। इसके लिए उन्होंने कचरा निस्तारण की व्यवस्था प्राथमिक स्तर पर व्यवस्थित करने पर जोर दिया। बताया कि एक अध्ययन के मुताबिक गोरखपुर के लोग 60 प्रतिशत गीला कचरा पैदा करते हैं। ऐसे में शुरू से ही इसका उचित प्रबंधन किया जाए, तो कूडा निस्तारण चुनौती नहीं बनेगा। घरों में ही गीला और सूखा कचरा अलग किया जाए। गीले कचरे का उपयोग बायो सीएनजी या खाद निर्माण में हो।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

How Delhi is caught in a poisonous loop

NEW DELHI: The capital's overall air quality index (AQI) fluctuates from day to day, but for its 13 pollution hotspots, the story rarely changes — thick smog and dangerously high pollution levels showing little sign of relief. An analysis of annual PM2.5 concentrations at these hotspots shows that 11 of them recorded a rise in average PM2.5 levels last year compared to 2023. All 13 had levels higher than the annual standard till Oct 31 in 2025, according to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Anand Vihar, one of the hotspots, recorded an average level of 124 µg/m³ in 2022, rising to 126 in 2023 and further to 136 the next year. It has already hit 95 by Oct 31, this year, which is more than two times the national annual standard. Both Wazirpur and Bawana have recorded PM2.5 levels of 94µg/m³ in 2025. With an average level of 102µg/m³ this year, Jahangirpuri is currently the most polluted area in the city. The figure dipped from 127 in 2022 to 123 in 2023 before going up to 129 the next year. In comparison to 2023, two hotspots, RK Puram and Dwarka Sector 8, recorded lower levels of PM2.5 in 2024. The remaining 11 hotspots witnessed a rise in annual concentration in 2024 as opposed to a year before. Of all the hotspots, Okhla Phase-2 has had the lowest PM2.5 level in 2025 so far — 72µg/m³. However, it is still 1.8 times higher than the annual national standard. Since Nov and Dec are the most polluted months in Delhi, the annual PM2.5 concentration is likely to rise further by the year-end. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, "In 2018, Supreme Court directed the implementation of ‘pollution hotspot plans' — hyperlocal action across different neighbourhoods to reduce high exposure to pollutants. Air-quality analysis showed that while the overall ambient concentration of PM2.5 in the city was much higher than the national ambient air quality standards, the levels in some locations were higher than even the city's average." A systematic approach is required to reduce pollution in these hotspots, she added. Activist Bhavreen Kandhari said the hotspots remain polluted because local sources of pollution are unchecked throughout the year. Seasonal smog makes things worse, he added. "Inter-departmental coordination and cooperation are essential. Traffic police, municipal agencies, industry and pollution control boards must act in sync to clean up dumps, implement and enforce standards, control dust and maintain continuous monitoring. When the departments pull in the same direction, the number of hotspots will finally begin to fall," said Kandhari.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Concerns raised over ‘micro-management’ of air quality data

As smog blankets the national capital, Delhiites continue to complain of burning eyes, scratchy throats and breathing difficulties. The toxic haze has once again brought attention to the accuracy of the city’s official air quality data. Media reports have pointed out glaring inconsistencies and questionable practices near several monitoring stations, raising doubts about the credibility of pollution readings. Last month, an online survey of 14,978 residents revealed that 87 per cent have little or no trust in the AQI data released by the government. While 62 per cent said they had no trust and 25 per cent reported low trust, only 13 per cent expressed average or higher trust, reflecting a credibility gap in official air quality monitoring. Amid these concerns, allegations that the authorities might be “micro-managing” pollution readings by spraying water near monitoring stations have sparked debate about whether such actions could distort air quality data. Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, however, defended the practice. “How would we suppress the dust? It’s natural- through sprinkling. It is being done throughout the city, including around stations. We are successfully able to control pollution,” he said. But experts warn that such measures, if done excessively near monitors, can be misleading. Dr Mohan P George, Consultant for Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and former Additional Director at the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, explains that India’s AQI is based on the concentration of pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and lead. “At least three parameters are required to calculate AQI,” he said. “Usually, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 are used. The data from continuous analysers is converted into an index value ranging from 0 to 500 - from ‘good’ to ‘severe,’ with corresponding colour codes and public advisories.” The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) operates Delhi’s Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), which automatically transmit real-time data every few minutes. There are currently 39 such stations across the city.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

As new hotspots emerge, capital finds its hands—and lungs—full

New Delhi: Shadipur, Nehru Nagar, Siri Fort, Alipur, ITO and Patparganj are among 11 emerging hotspots that have been recording high PM2.5 levels in the city, according to an analysis by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In 2018, Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and Central Pollution Control Board identified 13 hotspots in the city: Rohini, Vivek Vihar, RK Puram, Narela, Punjabi Bagh, Okhla, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Dwarka, Ashok Vihar, Bawana and Anand Vihar. The new locations have been recording higher or the same levels of PM2.5 as the old hotspots. For instance, Shadipur had PM2.5 levels of 117 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, which increased to 127µg/m³ the next year. In 2025, till Oct 31, the figure was 81µg/m³. Nehru Nagar in Lajpat Nagar had annual PM2.5 concentrations of 120 and 121µg/m³ micrograms in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Siri Fort saw the figure rising from 96µg/m³ in 2023 to 111µg/m³ in 2024. The new hotspots also include Mandir Marg, MDC national stadium, North Campus-DU, Burari Crossing and Mathura Road. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Research and Advocacy, CSE, said, "The old hotspots were identified and plans made to tackle local pollution sources, including unpaved and poor road conditions, open burning of waste and traffic congestion. These original hotspots continue to show a mixed air quality trend. In the meantime, the newer hotspots have proliferated, indicating a rapid spatial spread of polluting activities in the city." She added that city-wide stringent measures should be taken to reduce emissions from all key pollution sources. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "With the help of Delhi Police, we have identified 62 new pollution hotspots. We are regularly monitoring these areas and action is being taken to reduce pollution from varied sources. It is a continuous process to identify and act against pollution in different parts of the city." Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of the think tank EnviroCatalysts, said it is easy to understand the reason behind the sources of pollution in some of these emerging hotspots, be it emissions from industries or the transport sector. "However, the reading in some stations may be compromised due to the presence of dense tree canopies or tall buildings in the vicinity. Such stations may record higher or lower levels of pollution. It is necessary to conduct an audit of all monitoring stations," said Dahiya.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

From health crisis to economic pulldown : The cost of pollution

Delhi's air quality has plunged into toxic territory once again, triggering Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3). Construction activities have been halted, truck movements restricted, and daily business operations across the National Capital Region (NCR) severely disrupted. What was once viewed as a seasonal civic nuisance has evolved into a full-blown economic shock, impacting productivity, projects, and profits. A senior business journalist highlighted the escalating crisis, noting that pollution-related deaths and disabilities cost the Indian economy nearly 9.5% of GDP in 2023—equivalent to a staggering $339 billion. What is GRAP 3. Graded Response Action Plan – Stage 3 is the third level of a four-stage emergency action plan activated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) when air quality turns “severe”. It consists of four escalating stages, each triggered by worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. Under this, a wide range of construction and demolition activities are completely banned, except for critical national projects such as railways, metro rail, airports, hospitals, and sanitation initiatives. This halt aims to reduce dust and particulate matter, major contributors to winter smog in Delhi. An estimated 1.7 million lives were prematurely lost to toxic air that year, with Delhi alone accounting for 15% of pollution-linked deaths. The economic toll extends far beyond the capital. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh lost close to 2% of their GDP to air pollution in 2019, a figure likely higher today. In Delhi, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) estimated a Rs 2,500 crore blow to the local economy late last year under GRAP-4 measures, representing a 20% drop in business activity. Daily footfalls plummeted, weddings and events were postponed, and supply chains faltered. A separate study revealed that air pollution inflicted Rs 7 lakh crore in losses on Indian businesses over just four months—nearly 43% of the impact seen during COVID-19 lockdowns. "Air pollution is not just killing people; it's hurting profits and productivity," the journalist emphasized, warning that India's growth momentum could be dampened if ignored. Education takes a hit as schools shift online or close. Tutoring centers in East Delhi lose Rs 5,000 per student monthly. Parents juggle work and childcare, with one mother reporting her child's asthma attacks costing Rs 20,000 in medical bills during a single GRAP episode. Logistics companies like Delhivery reroute fleets, adding 200 km detours to avoid NCR bans. Fuel costs surge 15%, delays erode customer trust. "E-commerce peaks during Diwali, but pollution curfews kill last-mile delivery," a operations head complained. Labor unions demand pollution bonuses. Construction workers exposed to dust seek hazard pay, with one union filing petitions for Rs 500 daily allowances during bans. A noted environmentalist argued that the true costs are understated in GDP calculations. "When someone is hospitalized and pays bills, it actually adds to GDP growth," he pointed out, critiquing the perverse incentives. He stressed that premature deaths and illnesses impose unaccounted burdens on individuals and families, potentially exceeding quantified business losses. Businesses, he added, cannot function without healthy workers—productivity suffers when employees fall ill or are encouraged to flee Delhi during winter months, a luxury few can afford. A senior office bearer at the Centre for Science and Environment, delved into industrial impacts. In the NCR, industries are barred from using coal, forcing a shift to costlier alternatives like natural gas or biomass. Compliance with mounting regulations demands in-house environmental teams and reporting, inflating operational expenses. Workers in small and medium-scale industries face year-round exposure without adequate pollution controls, he noted, underscoring how pollution raises costs for businesses and end-users alike while hindering the transition to a greener economy. Another office bearer of the of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), described how pollution curbs under GRAP have become an annual inevitability, baked into business planning. Construction halts, wholesale disruptions, and logistics snarls hit sectors hard. Businesses are adapting by factoring in these risks, but short-term resistance persists due to immediate cost hikes. He warned that in the long term, costs may rise further without action, calling for solutions to mitigate recurring shocks. An economist observed that companies are beginning to incorporate environmental risks into project valuations and net present value estimates—though not uniformly. She pointed out that a decade ago, these hazards weren't priced in as much, citing examples like the NHPC hydropower project's massive losses from an Uttarakhand landslide. Delays, cost overruns, and non-compliance evade full penalties, while ESG reporting and risk disclosures remain inconsistent. She advocated for better integration of climate risks into financial statements to help investors price them accurately. On the policy front, environmentalists seriously criticized a 25-year failure to address Delhi's winter smog, even as Parliament sessions expose lawmakers to the hazard. They expressed concern about a complete lack of vision at the highest levels, urging integration of natural resource accounting into national budgets to reflect true losses in GDP. They also highlighted enforcement gaps: delayed SOx emission norms for thermal power plants, unreliable online monitoring data, and overburdened regulators struggling with thousands of small industries. They proposed innovative solutions like centralized boilers, drone monitoring, and common effluent treatment plants to ease compliance burdens. The economists and industrial experts outlined fiscal implications, including rising healthcare costs, productivity losses, and natural resource depletion that strain state economies. They argued that policymakers must compensate for private-sector output shortfalls through increased spending, noting indirect GDP hits from reduced life expectancy, agricultural damage, and tourism declines. They urged India Inc. to petition the Prime Minister for effective implementation of initiatives like Swachh Bharat, while criticizing recent relaxations on flue gas desulphurization for power plants. The consensus was clear: pollution is both an environmental and economic emergency. One key policy shift, panelists suggested, lies in streamlining compliances and boosting regulator capacity through technology. "Clean air must be seen not as compliance but as competitiveness," was the summary. With numbers underscoring the crisis, India cannot decouple its economic ambitions from environmental realities. The opportunity—for businesses and policymakers alike—is to prioritize resilience now, before the cyclical drag becomes irreversible.

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गोरखपुर में जुटेंगे देशभर के टॉप एनवायरनमेंट एक्सपर्ट्स:दो दिनों तक चलेगा GEAG का स्वर्ण जयंती सेलिब्रेशन, ग्रीन जर्नी पर होगी चर्चा

गोरखपुर में 15-16 नवम्बर को गोरखपुर एन्वायरन्मेंटल एक्शन ग्रुप (GEAG) अपने 50 साल पूरे होने पर स्वर्ण जयंती सेलिब्रेशन आयोजित करेगा। दो दिनों तक चलने वाले यह इवेंट देशभर के प्रमुख एनवायरनमेंटल एक्सपर्ट्स, पॉलिसी मेकर्स, साइंटिस्ट्स और किसानों को जोड़ने वाला प्लेटफॉर्म होगा। कीनोट एड्रेस पद्मश्री डॉ. सुनीता नारायण, डायरेक्टर, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट देंगी, जबकि क्लोजिंग सेशन में ‘वॉटरमैन ऑफ इंडिया’ और मैगसेसे अवॉर्ड विजेता श्री राजेन्द्र सिंह मुख्य उद्बोधन देंगे। दरअसल, GEAG की शुरुआत 1975 में गोरखपुर यूनिवर्सिटी की इकोलॉजी लैब में प्रो. राजेन्द्र सहाय की लीडरशिप में हुई थी। छात्रों, युवाओं और रिसर्च स्कॉलर्स ने मिलकर इसे एक ग्रासरूट्स एनवायरनमेंट मूवमेंट के रूप में शुरू किया। इसका उद्देश्य लोगों में एनवायरनमेंट अवेयरनेस बढ़ाना और युवाओं को सस्टेनेबल डेवलपमेंट की दिशा में प्रेरित करना रहा। सस्टेनेबल फार्मिंग से किसानों को मिला फायदा संस्था ने ईस्टर्न यूपी के छोटे और सीमांत किसानों को ऑर्गेनिक और सस्टेनेबल फार्मिंग के लिए ट्रेनिंग दी। बायो-फर्टिलाइज़र और बायो-पेस्टिसाइड के प्रयोग से खेती की कॉस्ट कम हुई और प्रोडक्शन बढ़ा। हजारों किसान ट्रेनर बने और यह मॉडल आज नेशनल लेवल पर मान्यता प्राप्त कर चुका है। GEAG ने फ्लड, वाटर लॉगिंग और वाटर मैनेजमेंट जैसे मुद्दों पर रिसर्च किया और 50 से ज्यादा वेटलैंड्स को रिस्टोर किया। संस्था ने नेशनल और स्टेट गवर्नमेंट्स के साथ मिलकर सॉल्यूशंस विकसित किए और जल संरक्षण में मॉडल पेश किया। क्लाइमेट चेंज पर इंटरनेशनल पहचान संस्था ने 2004 में एशिया लेवल की इंटरनेशनल रिपोर्ट में को-ऑथर के तौर पर योगदान दिया। अर्बन क्लाइमेट एडॉप्शन और पेरी-अर्बन एरिया की स्ट्रैटेजी डेवलपमेंट में GEAG की भूमिका सराही गई। 2013 में यूनाइटेड नेशंस ने पोलैंड में GEAG को ‘लाइटहाउस अवॉर्ड’ से सम्मानित किया। कॉफी टेबल बुक लॉन्च के साथ 50 साल की ग्रीन जर्नी सेलिब्रेशन के दौरान संस्था की 50 वर्षों की ग्रीन जर्नी पर आधारित ‘कॉफी टेबल बुक’ लॉन्च की जाएगी। इवेंट में डॉ. सैम जोसेफ, बीज बचाओ अभियान के को-फाउंडर बीजू नेगी, पद्मश्री डॉ. आरसी चौधरी, IIT रुड़की के प्रो. अनिल गुप्ता, द एशिया फाउंडेशन की डायरेक्टर डॉ. नंदिता बरुआ और एग्रीकल्चर पॉलिसी एक्सपर्ट डॉ. देवेंद्र शर्मा समेत कई नेशनल एक्सपर्ट्स शामिल होंगे।

• Director General Office

Sunita Narain: వార్షిక వాతావరణ ప్రహసనాలు

శీతవేళ ఆగమిస్తోంది. ఏటా ఈ తరుణంలో ప్రభుత్వాల ప్రతినిధులు, పౌర సమాజ క్రియాశీలురు, పర్యావరణ వైజ్ఞానికులు, పారిశ్రామిక, వ్యాపార సంస్థల సీఈఓలు వాతావరణ మార్పుపై చర్చలకు సమావేశమవుతారు. ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితి ఆధ్వర్యంలో జరిగే ఈ సమావేశం ఈ ఏడాది బెలెమ్‌ (అమెజాన్‌ వర్షారణ్యం అంచున ఉన్న బ్రెజీలియన్‌ నగరం)లో జరుగుతోంది. సరిగ్గా ఇదే రోజులలో ఢిల్లీ, దాని చుట్టుపక్కల ప్రాంతాలలో గాలి ధూళి దూసరమయిపోతుంది. ఊపిరి పీల్చుకోవడం ఢిల్లీ వాసులకు మహాకష్టంగా ఉంటుంది. ఈ ఏడాది వాతావరణ మార్పు సంబంధిత మార్పులు ఎప్పటిలానే మహా ఆందోళనకరంగా ఉన్నాయి. మనిషిపై ప్రకృతి పగ సాధిస్తున్నట్టుగా వాతావరణ పోకడలు ఉంటున్నాయి. హరిత గృహ వాయు ఉద్గారాలు ఘోరంగా పెరిగిపోతున్నాయి. వచ్చే దశకం (2030లు) తొలి సంవత్సరాలలోనే భూతాపం పెరుగుదల పరిమితి 1.5 డిగ్రీల సెల్సియస్‌ను ప్రపంచం ఖాయంగా ఉల్లంఘించనున్నదని రోజురోజుకీ మరింతగా విదితమవుతోంది. ఇది వినాశనకరమైన పరిణామం, సందేహం లేదు. భూ ఉష్ణోగ్రతలు 1.2 డిగ్రీల సెల్సియస్‌ పెరిగితేనే ఈ విశాల అవని ఎల్లెడలా భయంకరమైన ప్రాకృతిక విపత్తులకు లోనవుతుంది కదా. వాతావరణ మార్పు వైపరీత్యాల తాకిడి మన దైనందిన జీవితాలపై ఎంత తీవ్రంగా ఉంటుందో మరి చెప్పనవసరం లేదు. వాతావరణ మార్పును నివారించే, లేదూ నియంత్రించే లక్ష్యంతో ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితి నిర్వహిస్తోన్న వార్షిక శిఖరాగ్ర సదస్సులు ముంచుకొస్తోన్న వాతావరణ ముప్పునకు ప్రభుత్వాలను జవాబుదారీగా చేయడంలో విఫలమవుతున్నాయి. చర్చలు నిరర్ధకమవుతున్నాయి. శీత రుతువు రాకడతో ఉత్తర భారతావనిలో గాలివేగం తగ్గుతుంది. చల్లని గాలులు దట్టంగా వీస్తూ భూమిని అదే పనిగా స్పృశిస్తుంటాయి. కాలుష్యం మన కళ్ల ఎదుట కరాళ నృత్యం చేస్తుంది. మన నయనేంద్రియాలు ఎర్రబారుతాయి. మన ఊపిరితిత్తులు ఊపిరి పీల్చుకోలేకపోతాయి. కొద్ది నెలల పాటు కాలుష్యం, కాలుష్య కారక ఘటనలు మీడియా పతాక శీర్షికలవుతాయి. ప్రజలకు దాపురించిన వాతావరణ వెతలకు రాజకీయవేత్తలు పరస్పరం నిందించుకుంటారు. సమస్య నిమ్మళిస్తుందా? లేదు. శాసన నిర్మాతలు శ్రద్ధ చూపుతారా? లేనే లేదు. అయినా రాజకీయ పక్షాలు వాతావరణ వైపరీత్యాలపై వాదోపవాదాలు చేస్తుంటాయి. తమ శ్రేయస్సుకు మేలు చేయని ఈ వ్యర్థ ప్రలాపాలను సగటు పౌరులు జుగుప్సా భావంతో వింటూంటారు. శీతాకాలంతో పాటు కాలుష్యమూ వీడిపోతుందా? పోదు. అది మరింతగా తీవ్రమవుతుంది. ఏటేటా ఇదే కథ. ఈ ఏడాది ఈ పాత కథకు ముగింపు పలకాలని ఢిల్లీ ప్రభుత్వం నిర్ణయించుకున్నది. ఎలా? కృత్రిమ వర్షాలు కురిపించడం ద్వారా! అందరూ అబ్బురపడుతూ ఆకాశం వర్షించబోయే అమృత ధారల కోసం ఆశావహ దృక్కులతో ఎదురుచూశారు. అయితే ఢిల్లీ సర్కార్‌కు దైవశక్తులు లేవని అంతిమంగా ప్రతి ఒక్కరికీ విదితమయింది. అయితేనేం, ఆ అట్టహాస వైఫల్యం, ఢిల్లీ సర్కార్‌ ప్రజల బాధలను ఉపేక్షించలేదని చెప్పేందుకు పనికివచ్చింది మరి. బెలెమ్‌లో ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితి వార్షిక వాతావరణ సదస్సూ, ఢిల్లీలో వార్షిక వాయు కాలుష్య బెడదను నివారించేందుకు ‘కృత్రిమ వర్ష’ ప్రయోగం రెండూ సమస్యను పరిష్కరించేందుకు సరిపోని, నిబద్ధత లేని చర్యలను ప్రదర్శించేందుకు మాత్రమే తోడ్పడుతున్నాయి. ఈ ప్రహసనప్రాయ కార్యాచరణల గురించే నేను నిజంగా ఆందోళన చెందుతున్నాను. ఐక్యరాజ్యసమితి ఏటా నిర్వహిస్తున్న కాప్‌ (కాన్ఫరెన్స్‌ ఆప్‌ పార్టీస్‌) శిఖరాగ్ర సదస్సులో దేశ దేశాల ప్రతినిధులు, నిపుణులు వాతావరణ మార్పును నిరోధించే చర్యల పురోగతి ఏ స్థాయిలో ఉన్నదీ సమీక్షించి, తీసుకోవల్సిన తదుపరి చర్యల గురించి చర్చించి నిర్ణయాలు తీసుకుంటారు. సరే, స్థిరమైన అభివృద్ధికి దోహదపడే విధంగా వాతావరణ మార్పులకు అనుగుణంగా అన్ని దేశాల సామర్థ్యాన్ని పెంచడమనేది ప్రస్తుతం బెలెమ్‌లో జరుగుతున్న కాప్‌ 30 అజెండా ప్రధాన లక్ష్యంగా ఉన్నది. వాతావరణ మార్పుల నెదుర్కొనేందుకు అభివృద్ధి చెందుతున్న దేశాలకు అందుతున్న ఆర్థిక సహాయం రుణాలు, ఈక్విటీల రూపేణా ఉంటోంది. అయితే ఇవి పేద దేశాల రుణ భారాన్ని మరింతగా పెంచడమే కాని అసలు లక్ష్య సాధనకు తోడ్పడడం లేదు. ఈ ఏడాది వాతావరణ మార్పు వైపరీత్యాలకు నష్టపోయిన అనేక దేశాలు అందుకున్న అంతర్జాతీయ ఆర్థిక సహాయం కంటే తమ రుణాలపై చెల్లించిన వడ్డీల మొత్తమూ అధికంగా ఉన్నది. అసలే వాతావరణ విపత్తులకు కుదేలయిపోయిన ఈ దేశాలు అభివృద్ధి సాధనకు అవసరమైన ఆర్థిక వనరులు కొరవడి అన్ని విధాల కృశించి పోతున్నాయి. ఈ పరిస్థితుల్లో హరిత గృహ వాయు ఉద్గారాల తగ్గింపునకు తోడ్పడే వాతావరణ చర్య (క్లైమేట్‌ యాక్షన్‌)కు అవి సమర్థంగా ఎలా పూనుకోగలుగుతాయి? చెప్పవచ్చినదేమిటంటే నిర్దేశించుకున్న లక్ష్యాలను సాధించడంలో చిత్తశుద్ధి కొరవడి, ప్రయోజనరహితంగా సాగుతున్న వార్షిక వాతావరణ సదస్సులకు స్వస్తి చెప్పాలి. ఢిల్లీలో ఏడాది పొడుగునా కాలుష్యాన్ని తగ్గించేందుకు ఒక కార్యాచరణ పథకం ఉన్నది. అయితే దాన్ని అమలుపరచడం లేదు. మాటలే కాని, చేతలు లేనప్పుడు జరిగే మేలు ఏమిటి? ప్రభుత్వాల క్రియారాహిత్యాన్ని కప్పిపుచ్చేందుకు మాత్రమే చర్చలు, సమావేశాలు తోడ్పడుతున్నాయి. నిర్దేశించుకున్న లక్ష్యాల సాధనకు దోహదం చేసే కార్యాచరణలకే తొలి, మలి, తుది, నిరంతర ప్రాధాన్యమివ్వాలి. అవును, మనం సదా లక్ష్య సాధక కార్యచరణలో ఉండాలి. అది మాత్రమే ముఖ్యం. అంతేగాని చేతలకు దిగకుండా మాటలకు పరిమితమైతే సమస్య నుంచి ఎలా బయటపడగలుగుతాము? అసలు సమస్య నుంచి బయటపడేందుకు మాట్లాడే అర్హతను సైతం కోల్పోతాము సుమా!

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Best of Both Sides | Government has capacity to clean Delhi’s air. It needs the will to make changes and regulate

Dangerously high levels of air pollution keep Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) locked in a state of health emergency. When citizens gasp for breath, only ineffectual emergency measures are offered as the magic remedy during winter. It is time to challenge this obsession with short-term measures like road sweeping, water sprinkling and bans on construction, old vehicles and waste-burning. This stokes the rhetoric but does not clean up the air. Incremental and temporary measures cannot win the battle against pollution. Unless deep sectoral reforms cut emissions from vehicles, industry, power plants, waste streams, solid fuels in households and dust sources together, Delhi cannot achieve more than 60 per cent reduction in its annual PM2.5 levels to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The challenge is to de-link the pollution curve from the urban and industrial growth in this region. This requires systemic changes to bridge the gaps in action and also upscale action across the Indo-Gangetic Plain to reduce the influence of transboundary movement of pollution. It is important to acknowledge that there are no quick-fix solutions. Even in the past, Delhi could bend its pollution curve only with consistent targeting of dirty diesel in transport and coal in power plants and industries that required massive restructuring of the energy systems and natural gas-based infrastructure development. When winter action plans are flagged annually, there are barely ever any sector-wise report cards on the progress against the sectoral targets. It is not highlighted how the requirements of the comprehensive round-the-year action plans are integrated with the regulatory targets and the resource provisions to match the scale of implementation. Delhi cannot shy away from addressing the systemic solutions. To curb vehicular pollution, which accounts for nearly half of all local pollution sources during winter, Delhi requires a vehicle segment-wise mandate for zero emissions electric vehicle uptake and disincentives for internal combustion engines with enablers. Even this will not suffice unless Delhi meets its Master Plan target of meeting 80 per cent of its travel demand with integrated public transport systems. For example, increasing the number of electric buses without improving service and ridership cannot help. Huge funds are being diverted towards car-centric road infrastructure, including flyovers and wide roads that lock in car congestion and pollution. This funding requires repurposing to align with transit-oriented development with walkable and cyclable neighbourhoods and effective pricing of roads and parking spaces for vehicles. Similarly, to curb industrial emissions that also rank high during winter, address the bottlenecks to implementation of the approved clean fuels with a favourable pricing policy and promote electrification of industrial processes wherever technically feasible. Small-scale units need more innovative solutions while ensuring inventory and accounting of their energy mix and processes. Also curb industrial waste burning and fugitive emissions from industrial material storage and crushers. share-btnShare this article Even though coal-based power generation has stopped in Delhi, the electricity demand is still largely met through power sourced from coal-based plants outside the city. This requires increased sourcing of clean power while cleaning up power generation across the region. Waste will continue to burn if the municipal bodies do not collect and segregate 100 per cent of household waste. Delhi requires massive expansion in waste processing capacity, including composting and compressed biogas generation to feed the CNG network, while phasing out mixed-feed-based waste-to-energy systems. While remediating legacy waste, ensure 80 per cent of the fresh waste is processed and diverted from landfills.

• Climate Change and Green Economy

Wuppertal Lunch: Global Mutirão vs. Geopolitical Crisis?

Off Target – The 2025 UNEP Emissions Gap Report highlights the global failure to meet climate goals. Current policies are not sufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C, which could lead to significant health, ecosystem, and economic consequences. COP30, hosted by Brazil's newly elected and climate-ambitious presidency, offers a chance to reset. In the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions, Brazil is promoting the Global Mutirão, a collaborative initiative focused on implementation guided by the first global stocktake. The next weeks will reveal whether countries are inspired by the Global Mutirão to take meaningful action and keep climate goals within reach. Brazil, like many low- and middle-income nations, is confronted with the challenge of balancing short-term fossil-fueled growth with long-term climate commitments. This unique position has the potential to facilitate collaboration and promote progress at COP30. The Wuppertal Institute and Table.Briefings are on site in Belém and follow the negotiations closely – and will host a discussion on the conference outcomes enriched by the first analyses. Join us for a panel discussion with the following participants on 4 December: Wolfgang Obergassel, Co-Head of the Global Climate Governance Research Unit at the Wuppertal Institute Max Schulze-Steinen, Researcher in the Global Climate Governance Research Unit at the Wuppertal Institute Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager Climate Change at the Centre for Science and Environment Anna Pérez Català, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) Bernhard Pötter, Team Lead Climate.Table Registration is possible via the link below. Participants will receive an email confirmation with information on participation after registration. Participation in the Wuppertal Lunch is free of charge.