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Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

46th Edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' highlights connection between fitness and environment

The 46th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, called ‘Pedal for Clean Air’, became a strong rally for both fitness and environmental awareness today as nearly 500 citizens cycled through the streets of New Delhi and thousands more took part from over 10,000 locations across the country. The Central Pollution Control Board, the Centre for Science and Environment, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports collaborate to promote clean air and healthy living. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, this week’s edition featured special participation from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), emphasising that “Clean Air, Fit Body” should be India’s shared goal. At Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, about 500 participants, including athletes, students, and fitness fans, joined the morning cycling rally. The event featured gymnasts Sneha Tariyal, an international medalist at the Asian Championships, and Priyanshu Nath Thakur, a sub-junior national gold medalist, alongside Olympian gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma. CSE Director-General Sunita Narain, present at the event in Delhi, highlighted the strong link between physical fitness and environmental health. “Our air has to be clean, and in the same way our health will improve,” she said. “The Sports Ministry’s and SAI’s Fit India initiatives go hand in hand with cleanliness of the environment. Our lungs will be healthy if the air is clean. Cycling is very essential because it is the biggest mechanism to combat pollution.” Reflecting on her message, 15-year-old gymnast Priyanshu Nath Thakur stated, “We are all looking for fresh air. Cycling keeps our body and mind healthy and strong.” Beyond Delhi, Fit India Sundays on Cycle events took place simultaneously across the country, including locations such as SAI STC Kargil, SAI Lucknow, SAI Rohtak, STC Mastuana Sahib, STC Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), STC Golaghat, NCOE Jagatpur, STC Cuttack, and SAI Guwahati. What began in December 2024 with around 500 participants in Delhi and 1,000 locations across the country has now evolved into a vibrant public movement that attracts over 50,000 people weekly from 6,000 locations. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has involved more than 14.5 lakh citizens across 1.25 lakh locations so far, developing into a nationwide campaign for fitness, sustainability, and social harmony. Olympic gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma provided insights into the development of the movement over the years. “This is a great initiative which is completing close to a year now. So many people have joined us across the length and breadth of the country in all these months, and we must keep expanding it further.” Gymnast Sneha Tariyal highlighted that cycling offers benefits to all, no matter their age or profession. “Old to young, everyone is here to cycle. It keeps you healthy and helps combat pollution. I see cyclists training daily at the IG Stadium where I train and it gives them great physique and strength. Even normal people should cycle, run, and stay fit to inspire others.” The significance of Fit India Sundays on the Cycle was highlighted in the 117th episode of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat. He praised how people from various backgrounds come together every Sunday to promote health, happiness, and unity through fitness. This movement is supported weekly by over 3,500 NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs, which form the core of this citizen-driven fitness initiative, ensuring that thousands across India participate in cycling and health celebrations each Sunday. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, the initiative has evolved into a genuine Jan Andolan for fitness, engaging new groups and communities every week. Participants have ranged from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Doctors, Teachers, Government Employees, Schoolchildren, Members of Parliament/Legislative Assemblies, public representatives, Lawyers, Postmen, Healthcare Workers, Safai Senanis, State Police Forces, to Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs). These diverse groups, representing various professions and generations, have expanded the campaign’s reach across every part of the country, transforming local streets and parks into vibrant hubs of energy and camaraderie.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Fit India Sunday: भारत साइकिलिंग से दे रहा स्वच्छ और स्वस्थ भविष्य का संदेश

फिट इंडिया संडे ऑन साइकिल का 46वां संस्करण, जिसे 'क्लीन एयर के लिए पेडल' नाम दिया गया है, आज फिटनेस और पर्यावरण जागरूकता दोनों के लिए एक शक्तिशाली आह्वान में बदल गया, क्योंकि लगभग 500 नागरिकों ने नई दिल्ली की सड़कों पर साइकिल चलाई और देश भर में 10,000 से अधिक स्थानों से हजारों लोग इसमें शामिल हुए। प्रेस विज्ञप्ति के अनुसार, युवा मामले एवं खेल मंत्रालय द्वारा भारतीय साइक्लिंग महासंघ (सीएफआई), योगासन भारत और माई भारत के सहयोग से आयोजित इस सप्ताह के संस्करण में केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) और विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र (सीएसई) की विशेष भागीदारी रही, जिसमें इस संदेश पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया गया कि "स्वच्छ वायु, स्वस्थ शरीर" भारत का साझा लक्ष्य होना चाहिए। दिल्ली के मेजर ध्यानचंद राष्ट्रीय स्टेडियम में, लगभग 500 प्रतिभागियों ने—जिनमें एथलीट, छात्र और फिटनेस प्रेमी शामिल थे—सुबह की साइकिलिंग रैली में हिस्सा लिया। इस कार्यक्रम में एशियाई चैंपियनशिप की अंतरराष्ट्रीय पदक विजेता जिमनास्ट स्नेहा तारियाल और सब-जूनियर राष्ट्रीय स्वर्ण पदक विजेता प्रियांशु नाथ ठाकुर के साथ-साथ ओलंपियन जिमनास्टिक कोच लखन शर्मा भी शामिल हुए। दिल्ली में आयोजित कार्यक्रम में शामिल हुईं सीएसई की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने शारीरिक फिटनेस और पर्यावरणीय स्वास्थ्य के बीच गहरे संबंध पर ज़ोर दिया। उन्होंने कहा, "हमारी हवा साफ़ होनी चाहिए, और इसी तरह हमारा स्वास्थ्य भी बेहतर होगा।" उन्होंने आगे कहा, "खेल मंत्रालय और साई की फिट इंडिया पहल पर्यावरण की स्वच्छता के साथ-साथ चलती है। अगर हवा साफ़ होगी तो हमारे फेफड़े भी स्वस्थ रहेंगे। साइकिल चलाना बेहद ज़रूरी है क्योंकि प्रदूषण से निपटने का यह सबसे बड़ा ज़रिया है।" उनके संदेश को दोहराते हुए, 15 वर्षीय युवा जिमनास्ट प्रियांशु नाथ ठाकुर ने कहा, "हम सभी ताज़ी हवा की तलाश में हैं। साइकिल चलाने से हमारा तन और मन स्वस्थ और मज़बूत रहता है।" दिल्ली के अलावा, फिट इंडिया संडे ऑन साइकिल कार्यक्रम पूरे देश में एक साथ आयोजित किए गए, जिनमें एसएआई एसटीसी कारगिल, एसएआई लखनऊ, एसएआई रोहतक, एसटीसी मस्तुआना साहिब, एसटीसी राजनांदगांव (छत्तीसगढ़), एसटीसी गोलाघाट, एनसीओई जगतपुर और एसटीसी कटक, और एसएआई गुवाहाटी आदि शामिल थे। दिसंबर 2024 में दिल्ली में लगभग 500 प्रतिभागियों और देश भर में 1,000 स्थानों के साथ शुरू हुआ यह अभियान आज एक जीवंत जन आंदोलन बन गया है जो हर हफ्ते 6,000 स्थानों से 50,000 से ज़्यादा लोगों को एक साथ लाता है। फिट इंडिया संडे ऑन साइकिल पहल अब तक 1.25 लाख स्थानों पर 14.5 लाख से ज़्यादा नागरिकों को जोड़ चुकी है, और फिटनेस, स्थिरता और सामाजिक सद्भाव के लिए एक राष्ट्रव्यापी आंदोलन में तब्दील हो गई है।

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Ixigo's Aloke Bajpai reacts to deteriorating air quality of Delhi; shares GPT-estimated cost to stop stubble burning

Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, Managing Director and Group CEO of Ixigo, on Sunday slammed the inadequate management to tackle air pollution in the national capital, and shared the GPT-5 estimate to prevent stubble burning. Delhi's air quality worsened as weak winds trapped pollutants, raising the overall AQI to 366 in the "very poor" category with three monitoring stations recording readings above 400 in the “severe” category, Central Pollution Control Board data showed. In a post on X, Bajpai remarked, “It’s the same story every year. My throat is sore and my head is groggy. The common man suffers with asthma and bronchitis cases, while those of us with a purifier in every room make social media noise.” He further stated, “This can't be the price we pay collectively on the way to Viksit Bharat. How much capital will it need to give every farmer in Punjab and Haryana a Happy Seeder Machine that helps them plant wheat crops into the rice straw without burning the stubble? A GPT-5 estimate on this is 1000 crores. This, along with a complete ban on farm fires in these two states. We can’t live with this forever, or it may lead to an exodus of talent and companies from this region.” Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR. As the window for the Rabi crop, wheat, is very short after paddy harvest in October-November, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off crop residues. What about cloud seeding? New Delhi's attempt to tackle air pollution through cloud seeding appears to have yielded limited results, as scientists and activists express doubts about the method's effectiveness. Cloud seeding, which involves dispersing particles like silver iodide or salt into clouds from aircraft to induce rainfall that can help wash away pollutants, was carried out by Delhi authorities in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The trials began last week using a Cessna aircraft over selected areas of the capital. A day after the latest trial, levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 particles hit 323, more than 20 times the daily limits set by the World Health Organization. It will likely worsen further through the season. What do environmentalists think of ‘cloud seeding’? Officials said that the initial efforts resulted in minimal rainfall due to insufficient cloud cover, reducing the potential impact of the experiment, as reported by AFP. “This will never ever do the job, it's an illusion,” said Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmental campaigner in Delhi, as reported by AFP. “Only when we clean up sources of air pollution can we control it.” A day after the latest trial, levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 particles hit 323, more than 20 times the daily limits set by the World Health Organization. It will likely worsen further through the season. However, two atmospheric scientists at IIT Delhi called the cloud seeding plan "another gimmick". "It is a textbook case of science misapplied and ethics ignored," Shahzad Gani and Krishna Achutarao said in The Hindu. Mohan George, from the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, said artificial rain was not the answer. “The levels of pollution will come back almost immediately as rain stops,” the scientist told AFP. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. Cloud seeding, a technique developed in the 1940s, has been employed by several countries to induce rainfall, disperse fog, and alleviate drought conditions, though its success has been inconsistent. For instance, China utilised cloud seeding ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in an effort to control weather conditions and ensure clear skies during the event. What is the status of NCR? Neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) also reported "very poor" air quality -- Ghaziabad (351), Gurugram (357), Noida (348) and Greater Noida (340). Faridabad, however, recorded a “poor” AQI of 215. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi, the wind speed dropped below 8 kmph from the northwest direction during the evening and night hours, reducing the dispersion of pollutants.

Climate Change and Green Economy

How to fight climate change without the US: a guide to global action

The Trump administration’s disruption of global trade could affect the climate priorities of developing nations, including India. “Trump 2.0 is wielding a lot of economic weapons to subjugate trade partners and countries around the world,” says Avantika Goswami, a climate-policy researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi. Such pressure can shift the priorities of developing nations away from decarbonizing to, for example, building economic resilience or diversifying their trade partners, she says. When the world’s nations meet for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on 10 November to lock down new commitments to limit dangerous climate change, it will be the first such conference since US President Donald Trump announced in January that his country would, for the second time, exit the landmark Paris climate treaty. rump and his administration have championed fossil fuels, called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and rolled back federal funding and tax breaks for clean energy introduced under former president Joe Biden. The United States is the world’s second biggest greenhouse-gas emitter, accounting for 11% of global emissions. Although US emissions will continue to fall under Trump, they could increase by up to 470 million tonnes annually — more than three times the annual total from the Netherlands — over the next decade compared with what they would have been under Biden policies, according to an analysis led by researchers at Princeton University in New Jersey (J. Jenkins et al. Preprint at Zenodo https://doi.org/qbrm; 2025; see ‘Trump’s climate legacy’). The US exit from the Paris accord will not become official until January 2026. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva explicitly invited Trump to COP30. But the Trump administration is not expected to send any high-level representatives to the meeting, and many say that’s for the best. “Without the US, there’s still a chance the world could come together in Belém,” says Claudio Angelo, the international policy coordinator at Observatório do Clima, a coalition of climate organizations, who is based in Brasília. Whether that happens, and so whether humanity bends the emissions curve sufficiently to escape the most dangerous climate impacts, depends in large part on the actions of other big players. China is the world’s largest greenhouse-gas emitter, accounting for nearly one-third of the global total — and it is also the global leader in renewable energy. India and the European Union come after the United States, at 8% and 6 % of emissions, respectively. Brazil is expected to take on a bigger climate leadership role as host to COP30 and home to the Amazon, a major carbon sink. US states and cities are also pursuing their own clean-energy agendas. COP30, at which countries are expected to agree a round of more-aggressive climate targets, offers a glimpse of these actors’ plans. Will China take the lead on climate? In addition to being the world’s largest emitter, China has driven 90% of the growth in carbon dioxide emissions since 2015, the year the Paris agreement was adopted. But the country also leads the world when it comes to adopting clean energy and producing the equipment needed for the transition to a decarbonized economy, including solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles (see ‘China’s energy explosion’). In September, China’s President Xi Jinping announced plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 7–10% from ‘peak levels’ by 2035. Although some say Beijing’s proposition falls short of expectations, as well as short of what is needed to prevent catastrophic climate change, others argue that it is compatible with the Paris treaty. Whether Washington’s climate U-turn affected China’s targets is hard to tell. Yao Zhe, a Beijing-based researcher at Greenpeace East Asia, suspects that it might have “demotivated” China to set higher targets, by lowering the bar for what was needed to look ambitious. But a more pressing factor, she says, is the country’s slower-than-expected economic growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed policymakers to prioritize the economy over environmental and climate goals. And if the economy rebounds, then emissions could too. That Xi personally announced China’s latest climate targets signals a “very high-level commitment” to tackling climate change, says Belinda Schäpe, a China analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a think tank in Helsinki. And it is actions — not projections — that matter. “Until now, China has a track record of overperforming on most of its climate commitments,” says Hu Min, co-founder of the Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress, a Beijing-based think tank. Trump will weaken climate action — the rest of the US must not follow suit China is unlikely to step straight into the leadership vacuum left by the United States because the countries have different statuses under the Paris agreement, Schäpe says. Developed countries are expected to take the lead in cutting emissions, but China is classed as a developing country under the treaty. Another challenge for China when it comes to leading on climate is that it is still building coal-fired power plants. In 2024, the country was home to more than 90% of the coal-power capacity that broke ground around the world. The plan is to use the new facilities as back-ups for unpredictable renewable power. But analysts warn that the world might find it hard to accept a climate leader that is still expanding its coal programme. China could lead at COP30 by using its influence among developing countries to facilitate negotiations with developed ones, says Kim Vender, who researches China’s environmental governance at the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity in Bochum, Germany. Many predict that China will work with Brazil to secure more money for developing countries’ efforts to mitigate climate-change impacts. Beijing has endorsed a Brazil-led finance programme aimed at preserving tropical forests, set to be launched in Belém. With the US federal government absent, China will have greater influence over global climate governance at COP30, but the world should expect leadership of a different flavour, says Yao. “They cannot expect China to do exactly what the US or other developed countries do.” Brazil’s net-zero potential As host of COP30, Brazil’s role is to serve as a neutral facilitator of negotiations: the government says it will “lead by example” on climate. It has every reason to want to: the country is at risk of severe consequences from climate change, as demonstrated by devastating floods in 2024 that displaced 500,000 and killed 185 people. One area where Brazil is well placed to lead in emissions reduction is by tackling deforestation. Forests act as sinks that remove carbon from the air; their destruction releases carbon and often paves the way for emissions-intensive agriculture. In Brazil, which is home to 60% of the Amazon — the world’s largest tropical rainforest — deforestation and agriculture drive the most emissions of any sector. Deforestation in the Amazon surged under former president Jair Bolsonaro (see ‘Brazil yo-yos on deforestation’) and reversing the trend “is not simple”, says Thelma Krug, coordinator of the scientific council for COP30, who is based in São José dos Campos. In September, Lula announced a US$1-billion investment in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a fund that will pay countries to protect endangered forests. “It would pay for something that has never been recognized: the effort developing countries make to keep parts of their territory intact,” says Krug. At COP30, Lula hopes to secure more contributions to the fund. On other commitments to slash emissions, Brazil could find it harder to lead by example. Its latest targets, announced in November 2024, have been criticized as not ambitious enough. Certain sectors of the Brazilian government still support projects that could drive up emissions, such as a highway cutting through the Amazon and oil drilling at the mouth of the Amazon River. But the country still has great potential for decisive action, says Philip Fearnside, an ecologist at the National Institute for Research in the Amazon in Manaus. He thinks that deforestation is still relatively straightforward to tackle, because it contributes little to Brazil’s economy. Although deforestation supports certain industries, halting it entirely would cause only a small dip in the country’s gross domestic product, according to a 2017 analysis (see go.nature.com/472midv) coordinated by Instituto Escolhas, a sustainability think tank in São Paulo. And Brazil has thousands of kilometres of coastline suitable for wind power and ideal conditions for solar farms. Fearnside describes it as “one of the countries that has the easiest options for actually achieving zero emissions”. An Indigenous woman wearing a red and white spotted dress and red face paint harvests cassava in an orchard in the Amazon rainforest Brazil will invest US$1 billion in a fund to protect tropical forests such as the Amazon.Credit: Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty India motors on climate goals India is charging ahead on its climate commitments under the Paris climate treaty. In June, its government announced that 50% of installed electricity generation capacity now comes from non-fossil-fuel sources — a milestone that was reached five years ahead of the 2030 deadline the nation had set. The achievement is part of broader progress towards the nation’s goal under the Paris agreement, which the US exit seems unlikely to dent. That’s because India will continue with its decarbonization agenda for the sake of its own energy security, says Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, a climate-policy researcher at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi. Self-reliant economic growth has been central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance — and to achieve that, India needs renewables such as wind and solar. Will US science survive Trump 2.0? What’s more, although India tied reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to funding from developed nations, it has made progress on that goal even though much of the cash has not materialized. “Ultimately, every large emerging country has to plan for itself,” says Rashmi. Alongside its expansion in renewables, India is heavily reliant on coal and is still building new capacity. The country, a developing nation under the Paris agreement, has argued that it needs the highly polluting fuel to power its economy and lift the population out of poverty, and that it doesn’t need to give up coal in the short term, given that its per capita emissions, and historic emissions, are low compared with those of developed nations. But, in 2025, a surge in power from renewable sources began to replace coal-powered energy in India. The actions of the US federal government could still disrupt India’s decarbonization efforts. India is expected to submit revised targets at COP30, but whether these will be even more ambitious than its current ones will depend on “global signals”, says Rashmi. The Trump administration’s disruption of global trade could affect the climate priorities of developing nations, including India. “Trump 2.0 is wielding a lot of economic weapons to subjugate trade partners and countries around the world,” says Avantika Goswami, a climate-policy researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi. Such pressure can shift the priorities of developing nations away from decarbonizing to, for example, building economic resilience or diversifying their trade partners, she says.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

46th Edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' highlights connection between fitness and environment

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

India pedals for a cleaner, fitter future: 46th Edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle highlights link between fitness, environment

The 46th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, termed 'Pedal for Clean Air' turned into a powerful call for both fitness and environmental awareness today as almost 500 citizens cycled through the streets of New Delhi and thousands more joined from over 10,000 locations across the country. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, this week's edition saw special participation from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), focusing on the message that "Clean Air, Fit Body" must be India's shared goal, as per a press release. At Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, nearly 500 participants--including athletes, students, and fitness enthusiasts--took part in the morning cycling rally. The event featured gymnasts Sneha Tariyal, international medalist at the Asian Championships, and Priyanshu Nath Thakur, sub-junior national gold medalist, alongside Olympian gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma. CSE Director-General Sunita Narain, who attended the Delhi event, emphasised the profound connection between physical fitness and environmental health. "Our air has to be clean, and in the same way, our health will improve," she said. "The Sports Ministry's and SAI's Fit India initiatives go hand in hand with the cleanliness of the environment. Our lungs will be healthy if the air is clean. Cycling is very essential because it is the biggest mechanism to combat pollution." Echoing her message, young gymnast Priyanshu Nath Thakur, 15, said, "We are all looking for fresh air. Cycling keeps our body and mind healthy and strong," she added. Beyond Delhi, Fit India Sundays on Cycle events were held simultaneously across the nation, including SAI STC Kargil, SAI Lucknow, SAI Rohtak, STC Mastuana Sahib, STC Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), STC Golaghat, NCOE Jagatpur & STC Cuttack, and SAI Guwahati, among others. What began in December 2024 with around 500 participants in Delhi and 1,000 locations nationwide has today become a vibrant public movement that brings together more than 50,000 people every week from 6,000 locations. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has engaged over 14.5 lakh citizens across 1.25 Lakh locations till now, transforming into a nationwide movement for fitness, sustainability, and social harmony. Olympian gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma added perspective on the movement's growth over time. "This is a great initiative which is been completed for close to a year now. So many people have joined us across the length and breadth of the country in all these months, and we must keep expanding it further." Gymnast Sneha Tariyal emphasised how cycling benefits everyone, regardless of age or profession. "Old to young, everyone is here to cycle. It keeps you healthy and helps combat pollution. I see cyclists training daily at the IG Stadium, where I train, and it gives them great physique and strength. Even normal people should cycle, run, and stay fit to inspire others." The growing impact of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was highlighted in the 117th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat, where he appreciated how citizens from all walks of life were uniting every Sunday to celebrate health, joy, and togetherness through fitness. The movement is also championed every week by over 3,500 NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs, which have become the backbone of this citizen-led fitness wave, ensuring that thousands of people across India take part in the celebration of cycling and health every Sunday. Under the guidance of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the initiative has evolved into a true Jan Andolan for fitness, bringing together new groups and communities each week. Participants have included Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Doctors, Teachers, Government Employees, Schoolchildren, Members of Parliament/Members of Legislative Assemblies and public representatives, Lawyers, Postmen, Healthcare Workers, Safai Senanis, State Police Forces, Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs), amongst others. These diverse groups, spanning professions and generations, have helped the campaign reach every nook and corner of the country, turning local streets and parks into spaces of energy and camaraderie. (ANI)

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

46th Edition Of 'Fit India Sundays On Cycle' Highlights Connection Between Fitness And Environment

The Central Pollution Control Board: The 46th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle, called ‘Pedal for Clean Air’, became a strong rally for both fitness and environmental awareness today as nearly 500 citizens cycled through the streets of New Delhi and thousands more took part from over 10,000 locations across the country. The Central Pollution Control Board, the Centre for Science and Environment, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports collaborate to promote clean air and healthy living. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, this week’s edition featured special participation from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), emphasising that “Clean Air, Fit Body” should be India’s shared goal.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

India’s cloud seeding trials seen as ‘costly spectacle’

India’s efforts to combat air pollution by using cloud seeding in its sprawling capital New Delhi appear to have fallen flat, with scientists and activists questioning the effectiveness of the move. Cloud seeding involves spraying particles such as silver iodide and salt into clouds from aircraft to trigger rain, that can wash pollutants from the air. Delhi authorities, working with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, began trials last week using a Cessna aircraft over parts of the city. But officials said the first trials produced very little rainfall because of thin cloud cover. “This will never ever do the job, it’s an illusion,” said Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmental campaigner in Delhi. “Only when we clean up sources of air pollution can we control it.” The government has spent around $364,000 on the trials, according to local media reports. Each winter, thick smog chokes Delhi and its 30 million residents. Cold air traps emissions from farm fires, factories and vehicles. Despite various interventions — such as vehicle restrictions, smog sucking towers, and mist-spraying trucks — the air quality ranks among the worst for a capital in the world. A day after the latest trial, levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 particles hit 323, more than 20 times the daily limits set by the World Health Organization. It will likely worsen further through the season. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. There are also questions about the long-term impact of the chemicals sprayed themselves. While the US Environmental Protection Agency notes “limited” studies suggest silver iodide does not pose an environmental or health risk, it acknowledges the impact of more widespread use is “not known”. ‘Research process’ Environmental activists say even if cloud seeding produces rain, the benefits are short-lived. Climate scientist Daniele Visioni at Cornell University said it was unclear how efficient it was in heavy polluted conditions. “It can’t create rain where there is no moisture in the air, but it just ‘forces’ some of the water to condense in one location rather than another,” he told AFP. “There is only one thing that can sensibly reduce pollution: avoiding the burning of fossil fuels.” Virendra Sachdeva, from Delhi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said it was too early to dismiss the cloud seeding experiment as a “scientific failure”. “It is a part of the research process, and success is not always achieved in the first attempt,” he told reporters. However, two atmospheric scientists at IIT Delhi called the cloud seeding plan “another gimmick”. “It is a textbook case of science misapplied and ethics ignored,” Shahzad Gani and Krishna Achutarao wrote in The Hindu newspaper. Mohan George, from the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, said artificial rain was not the answer. “The levels of pollution will come back almost immediately as rain stops,” the scientist told AFP. When it does work, it will increase precipitation in one area — while potentially decreasing it for another. ‘Costly spectacle’ Cloud seeding, first developed in the 1940s, has been used in various countries to induce rain, clear fog, and reduce drought, but with mixed results. China used it during the 2008 Beijing Olympics in an attempt to control the weather. Gani and Achutarao said Delhi’s pollution causes — unchecked emissions and seasonal crop burning — are well known. So too are the solutions — cleaner fuel, better waste management and stricter enforcement of rules. “Instead of reinforcing these priorities, parts of the scientific ecosystem — researchers, advisors, and institutions — are lending credibility to a costly spectacle that will do little to address the sources of the crisis,” they said. — AFP

Down To Earth

One clean cooking project could generate Rwf27bn from carbon credits

One of Rwanda’s clean cooking programmes that provides improved charcoal stoves is poised to bring in an estimated Rwf27.5 billion by 2026 through the sale of carbon credits, according to officials. The project, which distributed improved charcoal stoves to over 500,000 households, is transforming how Rwandans cook while also creating new financial opportunities from global carbon markets. According to the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), the Clean Cooking Results-based Financing (CC-RBF) subsidy scheme is already yielding results. To date, the program has generated Rwf309 million in its first phase, representing carbon credits earned for the 2021/2022 fiscal year and the verification process for the 2023/2024 period is currently underway. "The project is expected to secure an additional Rwf3.7 billion in the coming year; ultimately, the goal is to reach Rwf27.5 billion by the time the project is fully implemented,” said Philbert Dusenge, the Energy Access and Quality Improvement Project Coordinator at BRD. The project primarily targeted low-income households, providing them with modern, energy-efficient cook stoves that use less charcoal and firewood. These improved stoves drastically reduce the amount of biomass needed for cooking; helping to curb deforestation, improve indoor air quality. "These stoves significantly reduced the amount of biomass, such as firewood and charcoal, required for cooking. This not only curbs deforestation but also improves air quality and public health by reducing smoke inhalation, which is responsible for respiratory diseases in many Rwandan households,” Dusenge explained. The success of the initiative lies in its innovative use of carbon finance, as households adopt clean cooking technologies, they reduce carbon emissions; and those reductions are quantified as carbon credits that can be sold internationally. "One carbon credit represents one tonne of reduced or avoided carbon emissions,” explained Innocent Gatete, Head of Strategic Projects and Implementation at BRD. "As Rwanda positions itself as a leader in the carbon credit market in Africa, the sale of these credits promises to unlock significant financial resources for further expansion of the clean cooking programme.” To ensure transparency and accountability, the programme applies the Standardized Crediting Framework (SCF), a methodology that standardizes how carbon credits are calculated and verified. "Through this system, carbon credits are issued and then purchased by international buyers, such as countries or corporations, looking to offset their emissions,” Dusenge noted. "Each credit under this project is valued at approximately Rwf22,740, and we expect to generate more than 600,000 carbon credits, which will play a crucial role in financing the next phases of Rwanda’s clean cooking initiatives.” According to the State of Africa’s Environment Report by the Centre for Science and Environment, Rwanda ranks among the top five African countries investing in carbon credit projects; alongside Kenya, which has made significant progress in this field. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, carbon credit initiatives have gained momentum. Between 2013 and 2023, about $5.9 billion was invested in carbon projects, primarily focusing on reforestation, sustainable land use, and community-based initiatives like improved cookstoves. By 2029, Rwanda aims to cut the proportion of households that depend on biomass fuels for cooking, such as firewood and charcoal, from 79.9% to 42%. At the same time, the government plans to increase the use of clean cooking technologies, including electric and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) models, from 9% in 2024 to 22% by 2029. To sustain these ambitions, Rwanda is mobilising $6.2 billion in climate finance between 2024 and 2030, as outlined in the newly adopted Climate and Nature Finance Strategy.

Water Programme

Report Slams Yamuna Clean-Up Failure Under AAP

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has criticised the Delhi government for its ineffective efforts to clean the Yamuna River, despite spending over Rs 6,000 crore between 2017 and 2022 on various projects aimed at its rejuvenation. The organisation noted that despite massive financial outlays, the river remains heavily polluted, with little on-ground improvement visible. Notably, during this tenure the Aam Aadmi Party ruled Delhi. The then Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had come to power promising to restore the Yamuna to its natural state. However, most of these promises have failed to translate into real action, remaining largely confined to government documents and project proposals. The report observes that the outcomes of these initiatives have been “deeply unsatisfactory,” with the river’s condition showing negligible improvement despite years of investment. In its latest assessment titled “Yamuna A River Cleanup Agenda,” the CSE asserted that rejuvenating the Yamuna is still possible, but only if the government adopts a renewed strategy and a more effective, accountable approach. The report emphasised that the key challenge lies not in inadequate funding but in poor planning, weak execution, and a lack of meaningful public engagement. CSE’s analysis found that nearly 84 percent of the pollution in the Yamuna within Delhi originates from just two major drains Najafgarh and Shahdara—which continue to discharge untreated wastewater directly into the river. It further highlighted that the much-publicised interceptor drain project, launched with the aim of tackling pollution from these drains, has failed to achieve its objectives. “The interceptor drain scheme has not delivered the expected outcomes, and untreated sewage continues to flow into the river,” the report stated. The CSE report also noted that Delhi currently operates 37 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity to treat more than 80 percent of the city’s sewage. However, the water quality of the Yamuna remains alarmingly poor. The study attributed this continuing pollution in part to the illegal dumping of sewage by tankers into the city’s drains, which aggravates contamination levels and undermines the effectiveness of treatment facilities. To address these persistent issues, CSE recommended a complete revision of the action plans for the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains, calling for the inclusion of practical, enforceable, and outcome-based measures. The report also underscored the importance of introducing robust monitoring mechanisms and ensuring greater accountability across all implementing agencies to guarantee the timely and effective execution of projects. Moreover, CSE urged the Delhi government to involve citizens more actively in the cleanup effort through widespread public awareness campaigns and community participation. “No river cleanup can succeed without the involvement of the people,” the report stated, highlighting the need for civic responsibility and continuous public monitoring. The CSE findings present a stark reminder of the scale of Delhi’s river pollution crisis. Although the Yamuna flows for only 22 kilometers through the national capital a mere two percent of its total basin length—this short stretch contributes more than 80 percent of the total pollution load in the river. The report concludes that while the Yamuna’s revival remains possible, it will require more than just financial investment. A combination of scientific planning, political will, institutional accountability, and active citizen engagement is essential if Delhi is to transform the Yamuna from one of India’s most polluted rivers into a living, thriving waterway once again.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi:November is here, brace yourself for most polluted fortnight; AQI back in ‘very poor’ zone

: Delhi's air quality worsened sharply on Saturday, slipping into the ‘ very poor' category with an overall Air Quality Index (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/delhiair-pollution) (AQI) of 303, compared to 218 recorded a day earlier. Experts warned that respite is unlikely as the city enters its most polluted fortnight of the year. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the period from Nov 1 to 15 has typically been the most polluted in the Capital, with an average AQI of 371 between 2018 and 2023. This phase coincides with peak stubble burning., heavy festival traffic and unfavourable weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground. Last year, Delhi recorded eight ‘severe' air quality da-ys (AQI above 400) in Nov — six of them between Nov 1 and 15. This year, Diwali was celebrated earlier, on Oct 20, but pollution levels are already climbing. Gufran Beig, founder of the System of Air Quali-ty and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and chair professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), said peak stubble burning has been delayed by about a week due to flooding in Punjab. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said the current spike in pollution despite minimal stubble-burning impact points to local and regional pollution sources. "This shows the strong role of vehicular emissions, construction dust and waste burning, " she said. "We need sustained, year-round measures to control these sources, " she added.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

India's cloud seeding trials 'costly spectacle'

India's efforts to combat air pollution by using cloud seeding in its sprawling capital New Delhi appear to have fallen flat, with scientists and activists questioning the effectiveness of the move. Mohan George, from the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, said artificial rain was not the answer.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

India’s cloud seeding trials ‘costly spectacle’

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Fit India's 'Pedal for Clean Air' unites thousands across India

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

46th Edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' highlights connection between fitness and environment

CSE Director-General Sunita Narain, who attended the Delhi event, emphasised the profound connection between physical fitness and environmental health ...

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

46th Edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle focuses on message “Clean Air, Fit Body” must be India’s shared goal

The 46th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle termed ‘Pedal for Clean Air’ turned into a powerful call for both fitness and environmental awareness on Sunday as almost 500 citizens cycled through the streets of New Delhi and thousands more joined from over 10,000 locations across the country. Organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Yogasana Bharat, and MY Bharat, this week’s edition saw special participation from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), focusing on the message that “Clean Air, Fit Body” must be India’s shared goal. At Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, nearly 500 participants–including athletes, students, and fitness enthusiasts–took part in the morning cycling rally. The event featured gymnasts Sneha Tariyal, international medalist at the Asian Championships, and Priyanshu Nath Thakur, sub-junior national gold medalist, alongside Olympian gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma. CSE Director-General Sunita Narain, who joined the Delhi event, underlined the deep connection between fitness and environmental health. “Our air has to be clean, and in the same way our health will improve,” she said. “The Sports Ministry’s and SAI’s Fit India initiatives go hand in hand with cleanliness of the environment. Our lungs will be healthy if the air is clean. Cycling is very essential because it is the biggest mechanism to combat pollution.” Echoing her message, young gymnast Priyanshu Nath Thakur, 15, said, “We are all looking for fresh air. Cycling keeps our body and mind healthy and strong.” Beyond Delhi, Fit India Sundays on Cycle events were held simultaneously across the nation, including SAI STC Kargil, SAI Lucknow, SAI Rohtak, STC Mastuana Sahib, STC Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), STC Golaghat, NCOE Jagatpur & STC Cuttack, and SAI Guwahati, among others. What began in December 2024 with around 500 participants in Delhi and 1,000 locations nationwide has today become a vibrant public movement that brings together more than 50,000 people every week from 6,000 locations. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has engaged over 14.5 lakh citizens across 1.25 Lakh locations till now, transforming into a nationwide movement for fitness, sustainability, and social harmony. Olympian gymnastics coach Lakhan Sharma added perspective on the movement’s growth over time. “This is a great initiative which is completing close to a year now. So many people have joined us across the length and breadth of the country in all these months, and we must keep expanding it further.” Gymnast Sneha Tariyal emphasized how cycling benefits everyone, regardless of age or profession. “Old to young, everyone is here to cycle. It keeps you healthy and helps combat pollution. I see cyclists training daily at the IG Stadium where I train and it gives them great physique and strength. Even normal people should cycle, run, and stay fit to inspire others.” The growing impact of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was highlighted in the 117th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat, where he appreciated how citizens from all walks of life were uniting every Sunday to celebrate health, joy, and togetherness through fitness. The movement is also championed every week by over 3,500 NaMo Fit India Cycling Clubs, which have become the backbone of this citizen-led fitness wave, ensuring that thousands of people across India take part in the celebration of cycling and health every Sunday. Under the guidance of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the initiative has evolved into a true Jan Andolan for fitness, bringing together new groups and communities each week. Participants have included Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Doctors, Teachers, Government Employees, Schoolchildren, Members of Parliament/Member of Legislative Assemblies and public representatives, Lawyers, Postmen, Healthcare Workers, Safai Senanis, State Police Forces, Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) amongst others. These diverse groups, spanning professions and generations, have helped the campaign reach every nook and corner of the country, turning local streets and parks into spaces of energy and camaraderie. (ANI)