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Most Indian soils low in nitrogen and organic carbon: Study

New Delhi: India’s soils are increasingly deficient in essential nutrients, threatening the foundation of sustainable agriculture, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The Delhi-based think tank’s report, released on Tuesday, draws on the government’s Soil Health Card (SHC) data and points to alarming gaps in soil fertility and carbon storage capacity. The study found that 64 per cent of soil samples across the country were low in nitrogen, while 48.5 per cent showed deficiencies in organic carbon—two crucial indicators of soil productivity and resilience. Despite years of heavy fertiliser use, these inputs have not improved soil quality. “Data indicates that applying nitrogen-based fertilisers to the soil does not lead to any corresponding improvement in soil nitrogen levels,” the report stated. It also noted that there was “no improvement in soil organic carbon due to use of total (NPK) fertiliser.”

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s Sustainable Food Systems report highlights India’s soil health

The report finds severe nutrient deficiencies in Indian soils based on the Soil Health Card Scheme data. Key Findings Soil nutrient deficiencies: Nitrogen: 64% of samples tested 'low' for Nitrogen (N). Organic Carbon (SOC) Deficit: 48.5% of samples tested 'low' for SOC, a crucial indicator for soil structure and microbial abundance. Over 43% of districts at 'very high' climate risk also showed low SOC levels. Micronutrient Shortages: 55.4% of samples tested 'low' for Boron, and 35% for Zinc. High Urea Consumption: Fertilizer consumption is heavily skewed towards urea, which is about 68 per cent of total fertilizer consumption in 2023-24. Implications of soil nutrient deficiencies Threat to crop productivity, food security, farmer’s income and sustainable agriculture. Reduced capacity for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Recommendations Expand Current Soil Monitoring under SHC to include physical (texture, compaction) and biological (microbial activity) indicators. Reform fertiliser subsidy policy to incentivise balanced and efficient use. Use biochar to improve fertility, moisture retention, and carbon storage. Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme, 2015 Implemented by: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Purpose: To assess soil fertility and provide nutrient-based recommendations to farmers. Measures 12 Chemical Indicators: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur (Macronutrients); Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron (Micronutrients) ; and pH, Electrical Conductivity and Organic Carbon. Soil Health Card scheme has been merged in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Cafeteria scheme as one of its components under ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ from the year 2022-23.

Delhi govt’s Rs 3.2 crore cloud-seeding experiment fails, experts call it costly, unsustainable

New Delhi: Despite high hopes and a hefty budget, Delhi government's much-publicised cloud-seeding experiment has failed to bring significant rainfall, leaving experts questioning the efficacy of the initiative. The Delhi government’s cloud seeding trials, conducted on Tuesday, have been described as a “hugely expensive, temporary and unsustainable” measure to tackle the capital’s toxic pollution, according to experts cited by the Times of India. Even if artificial rain briefly reduces pollutants, they warn, pollution levels rebound within a day or two. Under a memorandum of understanding between the Delhi environment department and IIT-Kanpur, over Rs 3.2 crore has been allocated for five cloud-seeding trials — roughly Rs 64 lakh per trial. Three trials conducted in north Delhi failed to produce any major rainfall. Meanwhile, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has continued to hover in the ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ range. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, noted that substantial rainfall has yet to be recorded after cloud seeding. “Even if the rains wash out the pollutants, the pollution will bounce back quickly. The impact lasts from hours to a couple of days,” TOI quoted her as saying. Roychowdhury added that the initiative is not sustainable and cannot be repeated throughout the winter. She emphasised that investments should focus on reducing emissions at the source for long-term improvements in air quality and public health. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of the think tank EnviroCatalysts, said that improving air quality requires tackling sector-specific emissions from transport, power, and construction. He added that no real impact can be achieved without addressing these sources. "Cosmetic measures may create short-term visibility benefits but are not sustainable solutions. The focus should instead be on coordinated action across states and agencies through an airshed-based approach that targets the actual sources of pollution," TOI quoted him as saying. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari pointed out that Delhi’s atmosphere already had enough moisture due to a western disturbance, which naturally brings rain. “Under such circumstances, cloud seeding adds little scientific value; it becomes a costly experiment chasing what nature is already prepared to deliver. Clean air will not come from artificial rain, but from sustained reductions in emissions, dust control, and responsible policy," Kandhari added. While cloud seeding may seem futuristic, experts stress that Delhi’s true challenge is on the ground, not in the sky. With increasing construction dust, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution, the city’s air quality cannot be improved through one-off measures. Sustainable progress, they say, depends on strict enforcement of pollution control norms, coordinated regional action, and long-term policy initiatives. facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonwhatsapp sharing buttonlinkedin sharing buttonemail sharing buttonprint sharing button

Rs 1.9 Crore, 3 Cloud Seeding Trials, But Still No Rain in Delhi

Despite spending nearly Rs 1.9 crore and carrying out three rounds of cloud seeding to trigger artificial rain, Delhi’s skies remained stubbornly dry on Tuesday, offering little respite from toxic air. The Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, conducted two cloud seeding trials throughout the day on Tuesday, hoping to induce rainfall and curb the worsening pollution levels. However, officials later confirmed that no rainfall occurred due to insufficient cloud moisture. IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal explained that the moisture content in the clouds was far below the required level for successful seeding. “We did not get a lot of cloud moisture. Given the low moisture content (around 15%) the possibility of rain was very low. So, we did not achieve success from that perspective,” Agrawal said. While the absence of rain was disappointing, Agrawal noted that the experiment yielded valuable data for future operations. “Data shows a reduction of 6-10% in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. This indicates that even with low moisture, seeding can still have some impact. It’s useful data for planning future trials,” he said. The two more sorties which were scheduled for today have been cancelled, according to IIT Kanpur. Meanwhile, experts have raised concerns about the temporary nature of such measures. “If you are trying to do artificial rain, the rebound effect is going to be very quick. Global evidence suggests pollution can return within hours or a couple of days,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). She emphasised the need for long-term solutions. “What we really require is massive energy transition, zero-emission vehicles, electrification of industrial processes, and access to clean energy across all sectors,” she said. As per the MoU between the Delhi Environment Department and IIT Kanpur, the total budget for cloud seeding is ₹3.2 crore for five trials, with each trial costing around ₹64 lakh. Despite these efforts, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ category on Wednesday morning.

Delhi's cloud-seeding trials failed to induce artificial rain; here's why

Delhi’s ambitious cloud-seeding trials have failed to yield the desired results, with the experiment unable to induce artificial rain in the national capital amid worsening air pollution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that no rainfall was recorded following the exercise. The Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, conducted the trials across several locations, including Burari, north Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, and Badli. The total budget for cloud seeding stands at over ₹3.2 crore for five trials — meaning each trial costs around ₹64 lakh. Three trials have been completed so far, all without success in inducing rainfall. Officials said the moisture content predicted by the IMD and other agencies remained low, at around 10–15%, far below the threshold required for cloud seeding. October 28 was overcast and cloudy, but humidity in the clouds remained inadequate. A minimum of 50–60% humidity is generally needed for the process, according to studies. “The moisture content (of clouds) remained low at 10–15%, which is not an ideal condition for cloud seeding,” an IIT-Kanpur report stated. Cloud seeding relies heavily on meteorological conditions such as wind speed and the presence of rain-bearing clouds — both of which are usually absent during Delhi’s dry winter months. “There hasn’t been any rain so far. So, in that sense, it was not completely successful. But, unfortunately, the clouds that are present today do not have very high moisture content. I am told it was only up to 15–20%. So, the possibility of causing rain with such low moisture content is not very high. But this trial has given more confidence to our team that we can continue conducting them,” IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agarwal told NDTV. The Delhi government, however, defended the exercise, saying it had contributed to a reduction in particulate matter (PM) levels in trial areas despite unfavourable weather. “Before cloud seeding, the PM 2.5 level was 221, 230, and 229 in Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh, and Burari, respectively, which reduced to 207, 206, and 203, respectively, after the first seeding. Similarly, PM 10 level was 207, 206, 209, which got reduced to 177, 163, 177 at Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh, and Burari, respectively,” the report said. Experts have called the experiment a short-term measure, noting that while it may temporarily reduce pollution, it does little to address the root causes of Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment, told TOI: “The city has not yet recorded any substantial rainfall after cloud seeding. Even if the rains wash out the pollutants, the pollution will bounce back quickly. The impact lasts from hours to a couple of days.” She added that a lasting improvement in air quality requires targeting actual emission reductions from ground-level sources.

How India can rethink agriculture, protect farmers from climate change

Farmers, producers of the food we eat, are the first victims of climate change as their crops are lost to floods, droughts, pest attacks and unseasonal cold and heat. This comes even as agriculture and livestock remain among the main sources of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Experts say it calls for a need to rethink the current paradigm of agriculture, as at its core lies food—essential for survival—nutrition and livelihood. The big question, therefore, is how to make food systems sustainable while ensuring that farm livelihoods, nutrition and the environment are not compromised. This is even more critical because the prevailing agricultural system neither protects farmers from climate risks nor provides the nutrition and health benefits that food should. “While we discuss a lot about the contribution of fossil fuels to emissions and climate change, we do not talk enough about the other elephant in the room: agriculture and the food we eat,” said Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Narain expressed the thoughts at the National Conclave on Sustainable Food Systems, held in Nimli, Alwar, from October 27 to 29. The event also saw the launch of the report ‘Sustainable Food Systems: An Agenda for Climate-Risked Times’.

Delhi cloud seeding faces criticism, experts skeptical of results

Delhi's ambitious cloud seeding project is facing mounting criticism from environmental experts who have labelled the technique a "hugely expensive, temporary and unsustainable" measure to combat the capital's toxic pollution, even as scientists behind the initiative report curious marginal improvements in air quality. Reports show that Delhi's recent cloud-seeding trials failed to produce significant rainfall because of unsuitable atmospheric conditions, leading experts to express skepticism about its use as an effective solution to the city's winter pollution crisis. Cloud seeding cannot create clouds and requires specific meteorological factors to be present to work. The scientific endeavour, executed by IIT Kanpur, has conducted three trials to date, one on October 23 and two on October 28, with none producing significant rainfall in the capital.The latest attempts involved two aircraft sorties dispersing a tested mixture of flares over areas including Khekra, Burari and Mayur Vihar. Despite these efforts, the city saw no measurable rainfall. IIT Kanpur stated that neighbouring areas received only trace amounts - 0.1 mm in Noida and 0.2 mm in Greater Noida - data it attributed to a private weather application.Authorities identified a key culprit for the lack of rain: insufficient moisture. An IIT Kanpur statement confirmed that humidity levels within the targeted clouds ranged from a mere 10% to 20%, far below the ideal conditions required for successful seeding. Criticism is also mounting in the wake of the fact that cost per sortie is exorbitant and not commensurate with desired results.The project's substantial cost is now under intense scrutiny. According to the MoU between the Delhi environment department and IIT Kanpur, the budget for cloud seeding is over Rs 3.2 crore for five trials, translating to approximately Rs 64 lakh per sortie. With Delhi's air quality index (AQI) continuing to hover in the 'very poor' to 'poor' range, experts are questioning the value of this temporary intervention. Experts are skeptical about the success of the trial or similar actions in future noting that there are several reasons why intended results may not be achieved. Contending seeding cannot be done on all clouds and that the intensity of pollution is so big to mitigate the impact in a big way , while questioning science behind winter cloud seeding in general.

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, state in a section of media that even if rain were to wash out pollutants, the impact would be fleeting. "The pollution will bounce back quickly. The impact lasts from hours to a couple of days," she said, stressing that the initiative cannot be done regularly for the entire winter season and that investments should instead target actual emission reduction from ground sources.Some experts also argued that conducting cloud seeding during such natural weather phenomena would be pointless. He also raised concerns about potential liability if damaging rain coincided with seeding operations.The biggest pollution paradox remains that there is marginal drop in AQI levels amid failed rains



Why Experts Call Delhi's Rs 3.2-Crore Cloud Seeding A Costly, Unsustainable Gimmick Against Pollution

Delhi’s cloud seeding experiment seen as a desperate bid to wash away the national capital’s smog has drawn sharp criticism from environmental experts, who have dismissed it as a “hugely expensive, temporary, and unsustainable” measure that offers no lasting relief. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Delhi Environment Department and IIT-Kanpur, the project carries a budget of Rs 3.2 crore for five trials, each trial costing nearly Rs 64 lakh. Of the three trials conducted so far in north Delhi, none have produced significant rainfall. Meanwhile, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to remain in the ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ range. Experts decode why Delhi’s Rs 3.2 crore experiment fell flat Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The city has not yet recorded any substantial rainfall after cloud seeding. Even if the rains wash out the pollutants, the pollution will bounce back quickly. The impact lasts from hours to a couple of days.” Labeling the initiative as unsustainable, she added, “It cannot be done regularly for the entire winter season. Such investments need to target actual emission reduction from sources on the ground for sustained air quality improvement to protect public health.” Experts argue that the very foundation of the project is flawed due to Delhi’s dry winter conditions. Dr. Shahzad Gani, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, explained that natural rainfall in winter is rare unless influenced by a western disturbance. “If it rains due to a western disturbance, there is no point in carrying out cloud seeding. And if an intense spell of rain occurs simultaneously during the cloud seeding process, causing very heavy rain and damage to life and property — even if it is actually unrelated to cloud seeding — who will take responsibility for it?” He further questioned the government’s fascination with quick-fix technologies. “Why do we adopt silver-bullet technologies like smog towers, smog guns, and cloud seeding? There is a need to systematically reduce emissions from different sources.” Echoing similar concerns, Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst at EnviroCatalysts, said that unless Delhi tackles emissions from transport, power, and construction sectors, no meaningful improvement is possible. “Cosmetic measures may create short-term visibility benefits but are not sustainable solutions. The focus should instead be on coordinated action across states and agencies through an airshed-based approach that targets the actual sources of pollution,” he said. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari also questioned the timing of the experiment. She pointed out that cloud seeding only works when the atmosphere is moisture-deficient and precipitation conditions are marginal. “The skies were already rich with moisture, and a western disturbance was forecast to bring natural rain. Under such circumstances, cloud seeding adds little scientific value; it becomes a costly experiment chasing what nature is already prepared to deliver. Clean air will not come from artificial rain, but from sustained reductions in emissions, dust control, and responsible policy,” said Kandhari.

इंद्रदेव भी नहीं मेहरबान! क्या पानी बरसाने के चक्कर में दिल्ली सरकार ने डुबा दिए करोड़ों रुपये?

दिल्ली सरकार द्वारा प्रदूषण से निपटने के लिए किए गए क्लाउड सीडिंग ट्रायल्स पर अब सवाल उठने लगे हैं. मंगलवार को हुए प्रयोग के बाद पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञों ने इसे 'बेहद महंगा, अस्थायी और अस्थिर उपाय' बताया है. उनका कहना है कि कृत्रिम बारिश से कुछ समय के लिए धूल और प्रदूषित कण नीचे बैठ जाते हैं, लेकिन एक या दो दिन में हवा फिर जहरीली हो जाती है. दिल्ली सरकार और आईआईटी कानपुर के बीच हुए एमओयू के अनुसार, पांच ट्रायल्स के लिए करीब 3.2 करोड़ रुपये का बजट तय किया गया है. यानी एक ट्रायल पर लगभग 64 लाख रुपये की लागत. अब तक उत्तर दिल्ली में तीन ट्रायल्स किए गए हैं, लेकिन किसी से भी बड़ी बारिश नहीं हुई. राजधानी का एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (AQI) बीते कुछ दिनों से 'बहुत खराब' से 'खराब' श्रेणी में बना हुआ है. 'बारिश से प्रदूषण घटता जरूर है, लेकिन असर कुछ घंटों का'- CSE सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की कार्यकारी निदेशक (रिसर्च एंड एडवोकेसी) अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने कहा कि शहर में क्लाउड सीडिंग के बाद कोई ठोस बारिश दर्ज नहीं हुई. अगर बारिश होती भी है और प्रदूषण कुछ समय के लिए घटता है, तो यह असर कुछ घंटों या दो दिनों से ज्यादा नहीं रहता.” उन्होंने कहा कि ऐसे निवेशों का उद्देश्य जमीनी स्तर पर उत्सर्जन कम करना होना चाहिए, ताकि हवा की गुणवत्ता में स्थायी सुधार किया जा सके और जनस्वास्थ्य की रक्षा हो सके.

Delhi to Conduct First Cloud Seeding Trial Today: Check Time, Process, and What to Expect

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that the initiative will proceed once visibility improves in Kanpur, where the designated aircraft is currently stationed. Weather to Decide the Fate of the Trial Manjinder Singh Sirsa explained that the flight operation is entirely dependent on weather clearance in Kanpur. "Regarding cloud seeding, as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi," the minister said. He added, "Right now, the visibility in Kanpur is 2000 metres. Visibility of 5000 metres is being awaited there. Visibility is low in Delhi too. We hope that this will be possible by 12.30-1 pm. Then it will take off from there, do cloud seeding here and return." Understanding Cloud Seeding Technology Cloud seeding is a scientific method used to enhance rainfall by dispersing certain substances like silver iodide and dry ice into the clouds. These particles encourage condensation and precipitation, helping trigger artificial rain. The formula being used in Delhi's trial has been developed by IIT Kanpur and consists of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt. This technique can be deployed through aircraft, rockets, or ground-based equipment. Why Delhi Is Turning to Artificial Rain Delhi continues to struggle with hazardous levels of air pollution. The government hopes that artificial rain will help temporarily reduce particulate matter and improve air quality. The city has consistently ranked as India's most polluted megacity, recording an average PM2.5 concentration of 175 micrograms per cubic metre during the 2024-25 winter season, as per the Centre for Science and Environment.

Strengthening EPR with deposit return system for waste management

A 2022 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that India recycles about 12% of its plastic waste. Media reports sometimes cite higher figures, mostly referring to PET bottles, which have a high resale value compared to other plastics. Less discussed is that about 40 per cent of plastic packaging is non-recyclable and has no market value, such as multi-layered packaging (MLP) used for snacks and food. Since they have no resale value, they are mostly littered, burnt, or dumped. Even high-value plastics face challenges outside urban areas, where collection systems are patchy or non-existent. This leaves India with two problems in plastic waste management: even valuable plastics can be difficult to collect, and low-value ones are rarely collected.

Delhi may conduct first cloud seeding today: Know all about it

Delhi may witness its first cloud seeding operation today if weather conditions align, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the city’s worsening air pollution and improve air quality amid persistent smog. The aircraft designated for the task is stationed in Kanpur and the operation depends on visibility improving there. “as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi,” Sirsa said. He added that visibility in Kanpur is currently 2,000 metres, but 5,000 metres is required for the plane to take off. The flight is expected between 12:30 pm and 1 pm, weather permitting. What is cloud seeding? Cloud seeding is a scientific process that involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide, dry ice or rock salt into clouds to stimulate rainfall. The method can help improve air quality, reduce fog and alleviate water scarcity. The formulation for Delhi’s cloud seeding trial has been developed by IIT Kanpur and includes silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt and rock salt. Why Delhi is resorting to artificial rain Delhi’s air pollution remains one of the worst in the world. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reported that during the 2024–25 winter, Delhi was India’s most polluted megacity, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 175 micrograms per cubic metre. A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that pollution is reducing Delhiites’ life expectancy by 11.9 years compared to WHO standards.

भारत की मिट्टी बीमार है! नाइट्रोजन और कार्बन की भारी कमी, खतरे में खेती और आने वाली पीढियों की थाली

भारत को कृषि प्रधान देश कहा जाता है. किसान को अन्नदाता. और मिट्टी को मां. लेकिन इस मां की सेहत आज बुरी तरह बिगडी हुई है. नई स्टडी बताती है कि भारत की मिट्टी में नाइट्रोजन और ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन की भारी कमी हो चुकी है. ये वो पोषक तत्व हैं जिनसे उपज और मिट्टी की जीवन शक्ति तय होती है. दिल्ली की संस्था सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट ने यह स्टडी सरकार के मिट्टी जांच डेटा के आधार पर की है. नतीजे चौंकाने वाले हैं. 64 प्रतिशत मिट्टी में नाइट्रोजन की कमी. लगभग 48.5 प्रतिशत मिट्टी में ऑर्गेनिक कार्बन कम. ऐसे में खेती तो खतरे में है ही, जलवायु परिवर्तन से लडने की क्षमता भी खत्म हो रही है. अगर मिट्टी में जान नहीं रही तो हमारी प्लेट में अनाज कैसे पहुंचेगा? यह सवाल अब सरकार, वैज्ञानिकों और किसानों सभी के सामने खडा है. उर्वरकों की ज्यादा खुराक, पर मिट्टी फिर भी कुपोषित स्टडी बताती है कि मिट्टी में नाइट्रोजन डालते रहो, लेकिन नतीजा फीका. जितना खाद डालते हैं, उतना फायदा नहीं हो रहा. खासकर केमिकल NPK खाद का असर मिट्टी की सेहत पर उलटा पड रहा है. खेती में कमाई के दबाव में किसान ज्यादा उत्पादन के लिए खाद डालता है. लेकिन मिट्टी की जैविक शक्ति लगातार गिरती जा रही है. मिट्टी मानो कह रही हो: ‘तुम मुझे जहर खिला रहे हो, भोजन नहीं‘.

Explainer: भारत की मिट्टी में कम हैं नाइट्रोजन और ऑर्गेनिक कॉर्बन, जानें इस स्टडी ने क्यों उड़ाए होश

CSE की नई स्टडी के मुताबिक भारत की 64% मिट्टी में नाइट्रोजन और 48.5% में ऑर्गेनिक कॉर्बन की कमी है। नाइट्रोजन खाद डालने के बावजूद मिट्टी की सेहत में सुधार नहीं हो रहा। यह स्थिति खेती, उत्पादकता और जलवायु परिवर्तन के लिए खतरनाक है। भारत पूरी दुनिया में अपनी उर्वरा भूमि के लिए जाना जाता है जहां तमाम तरह की फसलें और पेड़-पौधे लहलहाते रहते हैं। हालांकि एक नई स्टडी में पता चला है कि अपने वतन की मिट्टी की सेहत खराब हो रही है। इस स्टडी के मुताबिक, हमारी मिट्टी में नाइट्रोजन और ऑर्गेनिक कॉर्बन जैसे जरूरी तत्वों की भारी कमी है। यह ख़बर किसानों, खेती और जलवायु परिवर्तन के लिए चिंता की बात है। आइए आसान भाषा में समझते हैं कि स्टडी क्या कहती है और क्यों मिट्टी में इन पोषक तत्वों की कमी ने लोगों के होश उड़ा दिए हैं। स्टडी क्या है और किसने की? दिल्ली स्थित थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने यह रिपोर्ट तैयार की है। यह सरकारी सॉइल हेल्थ कार्ड (मिट्टी स्वास्थ्य कार्ड) के आंकड़ों पर आधारित है। बता दें कि सॉइल हेल्थ कार्ड योजना 2015 में शुरू हुई थी। इसमें मिट्टी के 12 रासायनिक गुणों की जांच होती है और किसानों को खाद के इस्तेमाल की सलाह दी जाती है। 2023 से 2025 के बीच मिट्टी के लगभग 1.3 करोड़ नमूने जांचे गए। रिपोर्ट का शीर्षक है 'सस्टेनेबल फूड सिस्टम्स: एन एजेंडा फॉर क्लाइमेट-रिस्क्ड टाइम्स' और इसे राजस्थान के निमली में अनिल अग्रवाल एनवायरनमेंट ट्रेनिंग इंस्टीट्यूट (AAETI) में आयोजित नेशनल कॉन्क्लेव ऑन सस्टेनेबल फूड सिस्टम्स में जारी किया गया है।

Delhi's First Cloud Seeding Trial Today: When And How It Will Be Done

The Delhi government may conduct its first cloud seeding today if weather conditions are favourable, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said. The operation depends upon weather conditions in Kanpur as the aircraft designated for it is currently stationed there, the minister added. "Regarding cloud seeding, as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi. Right now, the visibility in Kanpur is 2000 metres. Visibility of 5000 metres is being awaited there. Visibility is low in Delhi too. We hope that this will be possible by 12.30-1 pm. Then it will take off from there, do cloud seeding here and return", Mr Sirsa said. What Is Cloud Seeding Cloud seeding is the process of adding special substances like silver iodide and dry ice to clouds to make it rain or snow in areas experiencing water scarcity, less snowfall, or to reduce hail and clear fog. It can be done using airplanes, rockets, or machines on the ground. The formulation, developed by IIT Kanpur, includes silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt. Why Delhi Is Pushing For Artificial Rain The national capital is infamous for its air pollution problem. The city mostly experiences high levels of pollution throughout the year. In a bid to provide 'clean air' to its citizens, the Delhi government has been considering cloud seeding or artificial rain for months. Delhi remained India's most polluted megacity by a wide margin during the 2024-25 winter, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 175 micrograms per cubic metre, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment. The air pollution in the city is reducing citizens' life expectancy by an average of 11.9 years compared to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guidelines, according to a report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Delhi stood at 306 as of 8 am on today, classified as the 'very poor' category. As of 8 am, the AQI in Anand Vihar was 321, RK Puram was 320, Siri Fort was 350, Bawana was 336, Burari Crossing was 326, Dwarka Sector 8 was 316, Mundka was 324, Narela was 303 and Punjabi Bagh was 323. The Delhi government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to carry out five cloud seeding trials, all of which are planned in northwest Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier granted permission to IIT Kanpur to conduct the trials any time between October 1 and November 30. The Delhi Cabinet on May 7 had approved a proposal to conduct five cloud seeding trials at a total cost of Rs 3.21 crore. However, the exercise has faced multiple postponements due to unfavourable weather and monsoon conditions, including deadlines set for May-end, early June, August, September and, most recently, the second week of October.