The residents of Delhi witness severe air pollution, especially during the winter months, leading to serious health concerns. There are several reasons behind the poor air quality, including excessive use of private vehicles, stubble burning and firecrackers bursting. However, the intensity of the pollution can be reduced by following the instructions of the governments and the Supreme Court.
The Queen of the Hills is once again battered and devastated by heavy rains that took away several human lives and led to massive destruction. The rain that started in the 3rd October night far overwhelmed the ‘exceptionally heavy rainfall’ warning by the Indian Meteorology Department issued just before 12 hrs. This concentrated downpour of six hours destroyed the Dudhiabridge over Balason river that links Siliguri to a tourist town- Mirik and disrupted all the national and state highways. Darjeeling, as much as its beauty and salubrious climate has also been a victim of several natural disasters in the past. The available records show that massive landslides occurred in 1899, 1934, 1950, 1968, 1975, 1980, 1991 and more recently in 2011 and 2015. The 1968 flood that also occurred during 2-5 October recorded a rainfall of 465 mm and killed over a thousand people and swept the British India Government built Anderson bridge of 1933 over Teesta linking Darjeeling to Kalimpong and the plain and of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. The State of Environment Report, 1991 published by Centre for Science and Environment stated that during 1902-1978 alone, there were nine cloud burst occurrences in Teesta Valley with equivalent daily rain fall rate that varied from 310 mm in Sept 1902 and 4032 mm in May 1972.
Rain and strong winds turned saviours for Delhi on Friday, sparing residents the usual post-Dussehra spike in air pollution that follows effigy burning celebrations marking the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival. After days of moderate pollution and hazy skies, the weather provided a much-needed respite for the national capital’s residents. The city’s air quality improved on Friday, reaching the ‘satisfactory’ category and ending a 21-day streak of moderate AQI readings above 100. Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 88 at 4pm, an improvement from 123 at the same time on Thursday – marking the lowest post-Dussehra AQI since 2022, when it was recorded at 79 on October 6. Comparing past years, the post-Dussehra air quality in Delhi has often worsened dramatically. In 2022, the AQI was 155 on Dussehra (October 12) before climbing to 224 the next day. In 2023, the city saw an AQI of 220 on Dussehra (October 25), which spiked further to 243 the following day. The highest post-Dussehra AQI recorded in recent years was in 2020, when it soared to 353 on October 26, entering the ‘very poor’ category. Experts attributed the relief on Friday to a combination of meteorological factors. “Winter is yet to arrive and we had rain in the first half of the day, followed by scattered spells even in the evening. We also had consistent winds of 15km/hour in the evening, which did not let pollutants accumulate,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet Meteorology. The capital has seen similar relief before. In 2022, strong winds of 20-30 km/hour throughout the day helped disperse pollutants, bringing the AQI down from 211 on Dussehra to 79 the following day. Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s (DPCC) real-time data also showed short, marginal spikes in the PM 2.5 levels at most continuous ambient air quality stations (CAAQMS) between 9-10pm, before improving once again. At Anand Vihar for instance, the hourly PM 2.5 levels shot up from 68 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) at 8pm to 96µg/m³ at 9pm, before dipping to 80µg/m³ at 10pm and further improving to 41µg/m³ by 11pm. At Punjabi Bagh, another busy residential area, the peak daily PM 2.5 value was recorded at 121µg/m³ at 10pm, but it dipped to 95µg/m³ by 11pm and to 81µg/m³ by midnight. At RK Puram, the peak was 88µg/m³ at 10pm. At Ashok Vihar in north Delhi, the peak was recorded at 10pm, at 141µg/m³, DPCC data showed. Experts said burning of effigies and firecrackers leads to a sharp spike in PM 2.5 levels, while PM 10 generally spikes in the city due to increased dust upliftment. In India, the safe one-hour PM 2.5 standard is 60µg/m³, meaning the Delhi’s peaks were around 2 to 2.5 times the safe limit on Thursday night. By contrast, during Diwali, when meteorological conditions are typically less favourable and multiple firecrackers are ignited simultaneously, these peaks can rise to as much as 30 times the safe standard. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy, said the early timing of Dussehra this year has certainly helped, unlike in previous years when the festival fell in the last week of October. The last time it occurred this early was in 2017, on September 30. “Meteorological conditions have helped. Even if it had not rained, we would not have seen a major spike as temperatures are high and we still have decent winds. But a combination of rain, winds and high temperatures all played its role,” Roychowdhury said, underscoring the importance of weather factors from October through December in influencing the city’s air quality. Delhi mainly saw partially cloudy skies on Friday, with no rain. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said a strong western disturbance will begin to influence northwest India from October 4 till October 8, with light showers to commence over Delhi from October 5. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is likely in the city on October 6 and 7, it said.
The Arabian Sea has become increasingly favorable for cyclones due to changing climatic and oceanic conditions. According to a 2017 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) the annual mean temperature of India has increased by about 1.2℃ since 1901. Cyclone Shakti was classified as a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) by the IMD. It formed over the eastcentral Arabian Sea with wind speeds expected reaching 130-145 km/h. The cyclone serves as a representative example for studying the physical processes of tropical cyclone development, including oceanic heat content, Coriolis force, and atmospheric instability. Such cyclones are part of the tropical storm system in the North Indian Ocean Basin. Cyclone Shakti Naming The naming of Cyclone Shakti follows the guidelines of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones. The name “Shakti,” proposed by Sri Lanka, symbolizes power and resilience. Names are selected from lists contributed by 13 member countries, including India, Bangladesh, Oman, and Myanmar. The purpose of naming cyclones is to facilitate better communication and public awareness during weather forecasting and disaster management. Cyclone Shakti Formation Cyclone Shakti formed through a process typical of tropical cyclone development. Warm ocean waters above 27°C provided latent heat, fueling convection. Rising moist air created low pressure at the surface, while the Coriolis effect caused rotation, forming a cyclonic system. In the upper troposphere, outflow maintained the system’s structure. The low vertical wind shear over the Arabian Sea in October 2025 allowed the cyclone to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm. Factors Affecting Cyclone Formation in Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea has become increasingly favorable for cyclones due to changing climatic and oceanic conditions. According to a 2017 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) the annual mean temperature of India has increased by about 1.2℃ since 1901. This warming has enhanced the frequency of intense cyclones. Additionally, reduced vertical wind shear and increased moisture transport from the equatorial region have supported cyclone formation near India’s west coast. Classification of Cyclones in India The IMD classifies cyclones based on their wind speeds and pressure levels. Cyclone Shakti falls under the “Severe Cyclonic Storm” category with sustained wind speeds between 118 and 165 km/h. The classification helps in understanding cyclone intensity and potential damage levels. Such categorization also aligns with the international Saffir-Simpson Scale, though the Indian scale has region-specific terminology for the North Indian Ocean basin.
Near Bhalswa landfill in Delhi, Seema grips a large white sack on her shoulder, scanning the shrinking edges of the dump where she once gathered plastic and metal to sustain her family. “They chase us away as if we are the ones polluting, not picking up waste,” said the 52-year-old. For decades, Ms. Seema collected over 50 kg of recyclables daily; today, she barely gathers 20 kg. As Delhi struggles to cope with rising waste, its 1.5 lakh waste pickers recycle an estimated 2,000 tonnes of paper, plastic, metals, and glass every day, diverting nearly a third of the city’s waste from three overfilled landfills. According to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), of the 11,300 tonnes of unsorted waste generated daily, 7,000 are sent to four waste-to-energy plants. The rest is salvaged mostly by informal workers like Ms. Seema. Yet, despite their contribution, waste pickers remain excluded from the formal recycling economy. A new report by Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group titled ‘Including the Informal Recycling Sector in Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastics’ calls for their urgent integration. “Start-ups and enterprises in the plastic waste sector still rely on waste pickers’ networks and skills, but they remain invisible as stakeholders. The machines cannot efficiently do the segregation work,” said Abhishek Singh, Chintan’s research lead. ‘Treated like thieves’ For generations, waste pickers have collected recyclables from households, streets, dhalaos (garbage points) and landfills, selling them to small aggregators. However, access has sharply declined over the last two decades. “We are not allowed inside anymore and are treated like thieves. The contractor brings people from another State but won’t hire us, especially women,” said Ms. Seema. As private concessionaires have taken over waste handling, many workers have been forced to return to the low-paying factory jobs they once left. “Domestic and factory workers turned to waste picking because it gave them flexibility,” said Mou Sengupta of the Centre for Science and Environment. Women, who form the backbone of the sector, have been hit the hardest. “They are considered less productive and lose jobs first. Elderly workers, too, are sidelined,” Ms. Sengupta noted. Waste pickers often work without protective gear or social security. Chintan’s report estimates their life expectancy in India at just 39 years, far below the national average. Akbar, 37, a waste picker from Seemapuri, said he sometimes pays the police to allow him to continue using his rickshaw. “I segregate waste in my one-room home where my children also sleep. If we had a centre, our problems would ease,” he said. Both Ms. Seema and Mr. Akbar are unaware of the Centre’s National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, meant to integrate waste pickers into the formal solid waste management system by providing material sorting facilities. As of September 20, only 42,127 workers had been validated through e-KYC. The scheme promises ID cards, Ayushman Bharat coverage, PPE kits, skill training, and support for dry waste collection centres. Fighting for space For some, collective action has brought stability. Jharna Khatun, 33, vice president of Safai Sena, began collecting waste at 15. “We lived at the mercy of dealers who decided what to pay us. We could never bypass them,” she recalled. Today, at the NDMC-Chintan Micro Material Recovery Facility, where Ms. Khatun works, she sells directly at market price, earning ₹15,000 a month. “This is what all of us deserve,” she said, adding that she also runs camps to register waste pickers under NAMASTE. Currently, Chintan runs nine such facilities in Delhi, with women comprising about 80% of the workforce. “We are looked down upon as poor and dirty. I want to give my children a better life and break this cycle. I don’t want to work under any authority that decides for us. What we need is space and recognition, not neglect,” she asserts.
Air pollution in Delhi has been a problem for years now. For years, the air quality of the capital of India has been just deteriorating to worse and worse. It has gotten to a place where Delhi has gotten a permanent position, and in 2024, a 24-hour AQI reached 491, which is classified as “severe plus” and was one of the worst air quality of the season. However, the Delhi government, with a 17-point plan, seems to be trying to take some measures that would help address this problem. What Is The Delhi Govt. Planning? The Delhi government recently announced a 17‑point Winter 2025 Air Pollution Control Action Plan, reviewed by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Delhi has long been fighting worsening levels of pollution for quite a while now, especially during the late autumn–winter months. This has been due to the festival season, particularly that of Diwali, Dussehra, Navratri, post‑Diwali fireworks, crop residue burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, dust from roads and construction, and stagnant atmospheric conditions combine to trap pollutants in the air. In recent winters, some reports have even temporarily placed Delhi at the top of “world’s most polluted cities,” showing how severe this crisis is. Sirsa said, “We have taken several steps, including developing EV infrastructure, improving waste management, ensuring pothole-free roadsand installing anti-smog guns on high-rises. We will also conduct trials for artificial rain. We are hopeful these measures will positively impact air quality.” One of the methods that the Delhi government plans to employ is using cloud seeding to wash down particulate matter. Another is that of using water sprinklers round the year, only stopping during the monsoon season. As per the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025, “Mega deployment of up to 1000 water sprinklers and 140 anti-smog guns across Delhi throughout the year—except monsoon season.” There will also be “Deployment of up to 200 MRS and other road sweeping and water sprinkling machines coupled with 20 dump vehicles, 70 electric litter pickers and 38 water tankers to fight against dust.” According to reports, around 219 mist sprayers have been installed in 13 pollution hotspots, and 174 anti‑smog guns are being mounted on high-rise buildings. Focus on vehicular pollution is another point, where “ANPR Cameras equipped with digital display screens to be installed at Delhi’s border entry points to identify End of Life Vehicles.” Road checks are also being intensified, with an NDTV report claiming that by August, nearly 5.95 lakh challans had been issued for vehicles lacking valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificates. The plan further includes large-scale plantation drives, around 61 lakh saplings as per a Moneycontrol report, stricter monitoring of construction and demolition waste processing, and dust control in public works. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director for research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, also spoke about where the government needs to be spending its resources. She said, “Investments must be repurposed to cut emissions from vehicles, industry, waste burning and solid fuels, which dominate in winter. Source apportionment studies show that the contribution of dust reduces in winter, while combustion sources increase. Priority action must reflect this and ensure year-round efforts.” Activist Bhavreen Kandhari also added that simply relying on cloud seeding, anti-smog guns, or token plantation drives is not enough. She said, “What the city needs is systemic change: a city built for people, not cars, with safe footpaths, bus priority lanes and clean public transport, instead of endless flyovers; real waste management through segregation and composting, not more waste-to-energy plants choking neighbourhoods; and protection of the Ridge and mature trees, not token plantations.” She added, “Delhi must enforce strict compliance on vehicles, construction and industry, with zero tolerance for corruption and loopholes. Only by tackling pollution at its source, with uncompromising enforcement, can Delhi move from cosmetic fixes to clean, breathable air.”
Delhi has breathed its cleanest air in nearly a decade through the first nine months of 2025, barring the unusual respite during the Covid lockdowns. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows the city’s air quality index (AQI) between January and September has been better than in any comparable period since at least 2018, offering rare respite in a city where million are accustomed to toxic skies nearly throughout the year. “The improving trend in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR continues and for the period between January–September this year, Delhi registers its best-ever average AQI during the eight years from 2018 to 2025, excluding 2020,” CAQM said in a statement. Delhi’s average AQI for January to September 2025 stood at 164, according to CPCB. This is an improvement from 178 in 2024 and 167 in 2023, and significantly better than 193 in 2018. Only the Covid-hit year of 2020, when lockdowns brought life and emissions to a halt, recorded a lower figure of 144. CAQM officials clarified that comparisons are made from 2018 onward, as data from 2016 and 2017 contained some inconsistencies and missing values. The Covid year of 2020 was also excluded, they said, because its numbers reflected an extraordinary halt in activity rather than sustainable gains. The monsoon season further boosted Delhi’s score. Between July and September, the city logged an average AQI of 91 -- its cleanest since 2018 (again excluding 2020), CAQM said in the statement. By contrast, monsoon averages were 103 in 2023, 95 in 2022, and 109 in 2018. With a little help from weather Meteorology, experts pointed out, has played a defining role in this year’s clean run. Unlike past winters when Delhi’s air often turns poisonous, January 2025 saw unusually high minimum and maximum temperatures. Warmer air helps disperse pollutants rather than trapping them near the ground. “The summer this year was not as intense, with no heatwaves recorded,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment. “Additionally, we experienced frequent and intense spells of rain during the monsoon, which regularly washed away pollutants. Meteorological factors were definitely responsible for better air quality. How much the pollution level bounces back in the winter months is very important this year.” The result: the Capital recorded no “severe” or “severe-plus” air days till September this year. In comparison, there were three such days each in 2024 and 2023, six in 2021, and seven in 2019. This year has also brought the highest number of “satisfactory” days – 75 – since 2018, apart from the exceptional 95 days during 2020. That is a marked improvement over 66 such days in 2024 and just 53 in 2018. Pollution levels of PM2.5 and PM10 – tiny particles that lodge deep in the lungs – were also at their lowest from January to September 2025, compared with the same period in the last seven years (except 2020). Delhi’s gains, while significant, remain fragile. Historically, the Capital’s air turns dire as the year closes, when cooler weather, crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, and festive firecrackers combine into a lethal haze. For now, though, residents enjoy a rare window to breathe easy.
AMSTERDAM — That air pollution is a primary antagonist to pulmonary health has been known for a long time, but the true extent of its detrimental effects may reach far beyond the lungs. Air pollutants infiltrate the bloodstream, damage multiple organ systems, and contribute significantly to global mortality. Pulmonary experts and epidemiologists at European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2025 discussed the well-documented dangers of outdoor air pollution and the often-overlooked hazards lurking within our own homes, from traditional cooking fuels to everyday cleaning products. Air pollution is a multi-faceted global health crisis that demands immediate and comprehensive action, Kristie Ebi, PhD, an environmental epidemiologist and professor of global health and environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle, said at the Congress. “The literature has expanded significantly over the last several years, moving beyond impacts directly on the pulmonary system,” she said. She explained that fine particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, is capable of crossing the lung-blood barrier, therefore entering the bloodstream and affecting a wide array of organ systems. This systemic invasion transforms what was once considered a purely respiratory issue into a cardiovascular, neurological, and systemic threat, she said. According to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, air pollution is the second leading risk factor for illness and death, and the most vulnerable to it are children and older adults. Low-income countries, such as South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, also bear the biggest burden. The sources of air pollution are varied and geographically diverse. In regions like East and South Asia, coal combustion remains a significant contributor. In other parts of the world, oil, gas, and biofuels are the primary culprits. In addition, a growing body of research, triggered by the increase of climate-driven wildfires, has shown that fire-related particulate matter is especially concerning. “Fire-related particulate matter is much more toxic than regular PM2.5,” Ebi said. For instance, in one study, researchers found that underestimating this specific risk could be off by as much as 93%. The Hidden Dangers in Indian Kitchens While outdoor pollution sources, such as traffic and industry often dominate public discourse, a significant portion of the global population is exposed to dangerously high levels of pollution within their own homes. Naresh Chandra Gupta, PhD, a professor at the University School of Environment Management in Delhi, India, presented a study on the effects of biomass fuel use in India, where around 41% of the population relies on biomass for cooking and heating, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, according to the India’s Centre for Science and Environment. The traditional cookstoves, or chulhas, used in these homes are notoriously inefficient, converting a large portion of the fuel into smoke rather than heat, Gupta explained. This smoke contains a toxic cocktail of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1), black carbon (soot), hydrocarbons, and harmful gases like carbon monoxide, which have been associated with a wide range of disease, including respiratory infections and cancers. According to the World Health Organization, household air pollution alone was responsible for 3.8 million deaths, or 7.7% of the global mortality in 2018.
Delhi is experiencing its cleanest air stretch in almost ten years, according to official data, with air quality from January to September 2025 showing marked improvement compared to previous years—except during the extraordinary Covid lockdown period. Figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reveal that the Capital’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the first nine months of this year has been the best since 2018, offering residents rare relief from the toxic skies that typically blanket the city. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), while presenting the data on Wednesday, attributed the cleaner air to a combination of favourable weather conditions and ongoing regulatory measures. “The improving trend in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR continues and for the period between January–September this year, Delhi registers its best-ever average AQI during the eight years from 2018 to 2025, excluding 2020,” CAQM said in its statement. Numbers Show a Clear Shift Between January and September 2025, Delhi’s average AQI stood at 164—an improvement over 178 in 2024, 167 in 2023, and 193 in 2018. Only the pandemic year of 2020, when restrictions led to a sharp drop in emissions, recorded a lower level at 144. Officials noted that data from 2016 and 2017 were excluded due to inconsistencies, while 2020 was left out since its numbers reflected an “extraordinary halt in activity” rather than long-term progress. The Capital also logged its cleanest monsoon quarter in years. From July to September 2025, Delhi’s average AQI was 91—the lowest since 2018 (excluding 2020). By comparison, the figure stood at 103 in 2023, 95 in 2022, and 109 in 2018. Weather Gave Delhi a Breather Meteorologists say the weather played a decisive role in this year’s cleaner air. Unlike previous winters, January 2025 was marked by relatively high minimum and maximum temperatures, which helped disperse pollutants instead of trapping them close to the ground. “The summer this year was not as intense, with no heatwaves recorded,” explained Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment to media. “Additionally, we experienced frequent and intense spells of rain during the monsoon, which regularly washed away pollutants. Meteorological factors were definitely responsible for better air quality. How much the pollution level bounces back in the winter months is very important this year.” Thanks to these conditions, Delhi recorded no ‘severe’ or ‘severe-plus’ air days till September—compared to three such days each in 2024 and 2023, six in 2021, and seven in 2019. The city also registered its highest number of “satisfactory” days—75—since 2018, barring the exceptional 95 days recorded in 2020. In comparison, there were only 66 such days in 2024 and 53 in 2018. Fragile Gains Ahead of Winter Levels of PM2.5 and PM10, the harmful fine particles linked to severe respiratory illnesses, were also at their lowest in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period over the past seven years (again, with 2020 as the exception). Yet experts warn that these gains remain precarious. Historically, Delhi’s air quality plunges toward the end of the year, as colder weather traps pollutants, stubble burning in neighbouring states intensifies, and festive fireworks worsen the haze. For now, however, Delhiites are experiencing something rare—a sustained spell of cleaner air.
The Union environment ministry has proposed to exempt from obtaining prior environmental clearance standalone cement grinding units which do not have captive power plants and transport raw materials and finished products either through the railways or electric vehicles. In a draft notification dated September 26, the ministry has said standalone grinding units which do not undertake calcination and clinkerisation have lower carbon emissions, generate less waste and utilise less energy due to absence of high temperature processes, as compared to cement plants. In addition, transportation of raw materials and finished products via trains and e-vehicles further reduces the release of pollutants. Despite this and “the fact that such projects do not require Public Consultation and detailed EIA report”, standalone grinding units are “subjected to a similar regulatory and monitoring regime, resulting in disproportionate compliance obligations,” the draft notification has said. The ministry’s expert appraisal committee has recommended that such units can be considered for exemption from the requirement of prior environmental clearance. The committee observed that the exemption will encourage green logistics and environmental governance, the draft notification said. Standalone cement grinding units are classified as Category ‘B’ projects and are further categorised into categories B1 and B2 based on the mode of transportation. Units where more than 90% of the total transportation of raw materials and finished products (inward and outward combined) is carried out through railways, are categorised as B2. Though experts agreed that the transportation in such units reduces the potential of pollution, they recommended strict rules on how these grinding units function and store their raw material. Cement production is mainly associated with CO2 emissions and air pollution, especially particulate matter, along with other pollutants such as SO2, NOx, and volatile organic compounds “In a cement grinding unit, clinker comes from an integrated unit, while fly ash, gypsum, and slaked lime come from other places, all of which is used to make cement. These raw materials are stored and taken for grinding. It is also important to check if conveyor belts are closed or open. Besides, grinding belts should also be fit with pollution-control equipment. There should be an SOP or strict rules on how these grinding units should function and store their raw material,” said Nivit Yadav, programme director, industrial pollution unit at the Centre for Science and Environment.
राजधानी दिल्ली, जो अक्सर जहरीली हवा और धुंध की चादर में लिपटी रहती है, ने 2025 के पहले नौ महीनों में एक नया इतिहास रच दिया है। कोविड लॉकडाउन के असाधारण समय को छोड़ दें, तो राजधानी की हवा इस साल जनवरी से सितंबर तक पिछले एक दशक में सबसे साफ रही है। सेंट्रल पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़े बताते हैं कि दिल्ली का वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) इस बार 2018 के बाद से किसी भी साल के मुकाबले सबसे बेहतर रहा है। मौसम की मेहरबानी और नीतियों का कमाल वायु गुणवत्ता प्रबंधन आयोग (CAQM) ने बुधवार को इस सुखद खबर को साझा किया। आयोग के मुताबिक, '2018 से 2025 तक के आठ सालों में, 2020 को छोड़कर, दिल्ली का औसत AQI इस साल जनवरी से सितंबर तक सबसे शानदार रहा है।' इस दौरान दिल्ली का औसत AQI 164 रहा, जो 2024 के 178 और 2023 के 167 से बेहतर है। 2018 में यह आंकड़ा 193 था, जबकि कोविड से प्रभावित 2020 में यह 144 तक गिर गया था, जब लॉकडाउन ने प्रदूषण को थाम लिया था। CAQM ने साफ किया कि 2016 और 2017 के आंकड़ों में कुछ खामियां थीं, इसलिए तुलना 2018 से की गई है। 2020 को भी अलग रखा गया, क्योंकि उस साल की उपलब्धि असामान्य परिस्थितियों का नतीजा थी, न कि दीर्घकालिक प्रयासों का। मानसून ने बिखेरी ताजगी मानसून ने इस साल दिल्ली की हवा को और चमकाया। जुलाई से सितंबर के बीच, शहर का औसत AQI 91 रहा, जो 2018 के बाद सबसे साफ मॉनसून सीजन है (2020 को छोड़कर)। तुलना करें तो 2023 में यह 103, 2022 में 95 और 2018 में 109 था। बारिश ने प्रदूषकों को धोया और दिल्लीवासियों को राहत की सांस दी। मौसम ने दिया साथ, प्रदूषण हुआ कम विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि मौसम ने इस बार दिल्ली की हवा को साफ करने में बड़ी भूमिका निभाई। जनवरी 2025 में असामान्य रूप से गर्म तापमान ने प्रदूषकों को जमीन के पास जमा होने से रोका। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी ने बताया, 'इस साल गर्मी ज्यादा तीखी नहीं थी और न ही लू चली। मानसून में बार-बार हुई तेज बारिश ने प्रदूषकों को साफ किया। हालांकि, सर्दियों में प्रदूषण का स्तर कितना बढ़ता है, यह देखना अहम होगा।' इसकी के चलते इस साल सितंबर तक दिल्ली में एक भी गंभीर या अति गंभीर AQI वाला दिन नहीं देखा गया। पिछले सालों में 2024 और 2023 में तीन-तीन ऐसे दिन थे, 2021 में छह और 2019 में सात। साथ ही,इस साल AQI 75 यानी संतोषजनक वाले दिन दर्ज किए गए, जो 2018 के बाद सबसे ज्यादा हैं (2020 के 95 को छोड़कर)। PM2.5 और PM10 में भी राहत हवा में मौजूद छोटे-छोटे कण PM2.5 और PM10 जो फेफड़ों के लिए खतरनाक होते हैं, भी इस साल जनवरी से सितंबर तक पिछले सात सालों की तुलना में सबसे कम रहे (2020 को छोड़कर)। यह दिल्ली के लिए एक बड़ी जीत है।
राजधानी दिल्ली, जो अक्सर जहरीली हवा और धुंध की चादर में लिपटी रहती है, ने 2025 के पहले नौ महीनों में एक नया इतिहास रच दिया है। कोविड लॉकडाउन के असाधारण समय को छोड़ दें, तो राजधानी की हवा इस साल जनवरी से सितंबर तक पिछले एक दशक में सबसे साफ रही है। सेंट्रल पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़े बताते हैं कि दिल्ली का वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) इस बार 2018 के बाद से किसी भी साल के मुकाबले सबसे बेहतर रहा है।
तकनीकी प्रगति ने मानव जीवन को अभूतपूर्व सुविधाएँ प्रदान की हैं।स्मार्टफोन, लैपटॉप, टेलीविजन जैसे उपकरणों ने हमारे काम, संचार और मनोरंजन के तरीकों को क्रांतिकारी रूप से बदल दिया है। लेकिन इस डिजिटल युग की चमक के पीछे एक गहरा संकट छिपा है—इलेक्ट्रॉनिक कचरा (ई-वेस्ट)। यह न केवल पर्यावरण के लिए घातक है, बल्कि मानव स्वास्थ्य और सामाजिक-आर्थिक ढाँचे के लिए भी गंभीर खतरा बन चुका है। तेजी से बढ़ता ई-वेस्ट और इसका अनियंत्रित निपटान 21वीं सदी की सबसे जटिल वैश्विक चुनौतियों में से एक है। ई-वेस्ट में पुराने मोबाइल, कंप्यूटर, बैटरी, रेफ्रिजरेटर जैसे बेकार इलेक्ट्रॉनिक उपकरण शामिल हैं। संयुक्त राष्ट्र की ग्लोबल ई-वेस्ट मॉनिटर 2024 की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 2022 में वैश्विक स्तर पर 62 मिलियन टन ई-वेस्ट उत्पन्न हुआ, जो 2010 की तुलना में 82% अधिक है और 2026 तक इसके 74 मिलियन टन तक पहुँचने का अनुमान है। भारत, जो इस सूची में चौथे स्थान पर है, ने 2022 में 3.2 मिलियन टन ई-वेस्ट पैदा किया। चिंताजनक बात यह है कि वैश्विक स्तर पर केवल 22.3% ई-वेस्ट ही औपचारिक रूप से रीसाइकिल होता है, बाकी अनौपचारिक क्षेत्रों या लैंडफिल में चला जाता है। ई-वेस्ट की सबसे बड़ी चुनौती इसके जहरीले तत्वों—सीसा, पारा, कैडमियम, आर्सेनिक और लिथियम(The silent cost of modern lifestylesToxic elements—lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lithium)—में निहित है। विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन के अनुसार, इनके संपर्क से साँस की बीमारियाँ, कैंसर, त्वचा रोग और तंत्रिका तंत्र की समस्याएँ हो सकती हैं। खुले में जलाए जाने पर ई-वेस्ट जहरीली गैसें जैसे डाइऑक्सिन और फ्यूरान उत्सर्जित करता है, जो वायु प्रदूषण को बढ़ाता है। भारत में दिल्ली, मुंबई, बेंगलुरु जैसे शहरों में अनौपचारिक रीसाइक्लिंग क्षेत्र में हजारों श्रमिक बिना सुरक्षा उपायों के इस कचरे को संभालते हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, भारत में 95% ई-वेस्ट अनौपचारिक क्षेत्र द्वारा संसाधित होता है, जिससे पर्यावरण और श्रमिकों के स्वास्थ्य को गंभीर नुकसान होता है। इस संकट की जड़ हमारी उपभोक्ता संस्कृति में भी है। हर साल नए स्मार्टफोन और गैजेट्स की लॉन्चिंग पुराने उपकरणों को तेजी से बेकार कर देती है। ग्लोबल ई-वेस्ट मॉनिटर के अनुसार, औसतन हर 2-3 साल में लोग स्मार्टफोन बदलते हैं। कंपनियाँ “प्लांड ऑब्सोलेंस” की रणनीति अपनाती हैं, जिससे उत्पाद कम टिकाऊ बनते हैं, और उपभोक्ता बार-बार नया सामान खरीदते हैं। भारत में 2024 में 150 मिलियन से अधिक स्मार्टफोन की बिक्री का अनुमान है, जिससे ई-वेस्ट का ढेर तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। यह न केवल पर्यावरणीय संसाधनों पर दबाव डालता है, बल्कि दुर्लभ धातुओं जैसे कोबाल्ट और लिथियम की माँग को भी बढ़ाता है। ई-वेस्ट का प्रभाव पर्यावरण तक सीमित नहीं है; यह सामाजिक और आर्थिक असमानताओं को भी गहरा करता है।भारत में अनौपचारिक रीसाइक्लिंग क्षेत्र में काम करने वाले ज्यादातर लोग गरीब और हाशिए पर रहने वाले समुदायों से हैं, जो निम्न मजदूरी में जोखिम भरी परिस्थितियों में काम करते हैं। ई-वेस्ट से निकलने वाले जहरीले तत्व—सीसा, पारा, कैडमियम—भूजल और मिट्टी को दूषित करते हैं, जिससे खाद्य शृंखला और मानव स्वास्थ्य खतरे में पड़ते हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, दिल्ली के सीलमपुर और मुंडका जैसे क्षेत्रों में अनियंत्रित रीसाइक्लिंग के कारण मिट्टी और पानी में भारी धातुओं की मात्रा खतरनाक स्तर पर पहुँच चुकी है। यह न केवल स्थानीय समुदायों, बल्कि भावी पीढ़ियों के लिए भी गंभीर संकट है। इस चुनौती से निपटने के लिए तत्काल और समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी हैं।सबसे पहले, औपचारिक रीसाइक्लिंग प्रणाली को मजबूत करना होगा। भारत में ई-वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट नियम, 2016 के तहत उत्पादकों की जिम्मेदारी को लागू किया गया है, जो कंपनियों को अपने उत्पादों के जीवनचक्र के अंत में निपटान की जिम्मेदारी सौंपता है। लेकिन इन नियमों का कार्यान्वयन कमजोर है। सरकार को आधुनिक रीसाइक्लिंग संयंत्रों को प्रोत्साहन देना चाहिए और अनौपचारिक क्षेत्र को औपचारिक प्रणाली में एकीकृत करना चाहिए। यूरोपीय संघ, जहाँ 65% ई-वेस्ट औपचारिक रूप से एकत्र होता है, इसका बेहतरीन उदाहरण है। भारत को ऐसी ही प्रभावी प्रणाली विकसित करनी होगी। दूसरा, उपभोक्ता व्यवहार में बदलाव लाना अनिवार्य है। “रिपेयर एंड रीयूज़” की संस्कृति को बढ़ावा देना होगा। जापान और दक्षिण कोरिया जैसे देशों में लोग पुराने उपकरणों की मरम्मत को प्राथमिकता देते हैं। भारत में भी स्थानीय स्तर पर मरम्मत केंद्र स्थापित किए जा सकते हैं, जो न केवल ई-वेस्ट को कम करेंगे, बल्कि स्थानीय रोजगार के अवसर भी बढ़ाएँगे। तीसरा, जनजागरूकता अभियान महत्वपूर्ण हैं। स्कूलों, कॉलेजों और समुदायों में ई-वेस्ट के खतरों और इसके सुरक्षित निपटान के बारे में जागरूकता फैलानी होगी। कई देशों में “ई-वेस्ट ड्रॉप-ऑफ पॉइंट्स” स्थापित हैं, जहाँ लोग पुराने उपकरण जमा कर सकते हैं। भारत में बेंगलुरु जैसे शहरों में कुछ निजी संगठनों ने ऐसी पहल शुरू की है, लेकिन इसे राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर लागू करना जरूरी है। चौथा, तकनीकी नवाचार को बढ़ावा देना होगा। ई-वेस्ट से सोना, चाँदी और ताँबा जैसी मूल्यवान धातुएँ निकालने के लिए नई तकनीकों का विकास संभव है। उदाहरण के लिए, 1 टन स्मार्टफोनों से 300 ग्राम सोना निकाला जा सकता है। यह न केवल आर्थिक लाभ देगा, बल्कि प्राकृतिक संसाधनों पर दबाव भी कम करेगा। ई-वेस्ट का यह अंधेरा पक्ष हमें सिखाता है कि तकनीकी प्रगति की कीमत पर्यावरण और मानव स्वास्थ्य पर नहीं पड़नी चाहिए। यह संकट एक अवसर भी है—टिकाऊ भविष्य के लिए नवाचार और जिम्मेदारी को अपनाने का। सरकार, उद्योग और नागरिकों के सामूहिक प्रयासों से हम इस चुनौती पर काबू पा सकते हैं। यह समय है कि हम डिजिटल युग की चमक को वास्तव में सार्थक बनाएँ और ई-वेस्ट के खिलाफ यह लड़ाई पर्यावरण, समाज और आने वाली पीढ़ियों की भलाई के लिए जीतें।
Sunita Narain, environmentalist and director general of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), was also among the Indian invitees but could not make it due to “health issues.” Two Indian journalists attended the event as media delegates. Last Friday, Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) after being accused of instigating the protests demanding statehood for Ladakh, which turned violent, leading to four deaths in police firing in Leh on September 24. The NSA empowers governments to act pre-emptively against individuals seen as a threat to public order or national security. And yet, as recently as last year, key offices of the Government were reaching out to the acclaimed education reformer, climate activist and technology innovator for guidance — from topics as diverse as water conservation, clean energy, tourism and even pashmina. Official records show Wanghuk was also the Centre’s go-to man to headline its flagship events in Ladakh, such as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and World Heritage Week. So much so, that in April 2022, BJP’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde, then Education minister of Maharashtra, publicly thanked Wangchuk for “working together towards betterment of our Nation, specially welfare of our students”. Wangchuk was a member of the Maharashtra International Education Board from 2018 when he was appointed by the Devendra Fadnavis government. While Wangchuk’s recent visit to Islamabad was cited by Ladakh DGP Dr SD Singh Jamwal to justify “a big question mark” on the activist’s “credibility,” he was not the only Indian expert to attend the Breathe Pakistan climate event organised by the Dawn group in February. Harjeet Singh, founding director of Noida-based Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, was the other Indian delegate at the two-day event. Among the others who attended were World Bank’s global director for climate change Valerie Hickey; UNEP’s senior regional advisor Aban Marker Kabraji; and, UNICEF South Asia Climate Change and Energy Advisor and Carbon Finance Specialist Rakshya R Thapa, among others. Sunita Narain, environmentalist and director general of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), was also among the Indian invitees but could not make it due to “health issues.” Two Indian journalists attended the event as media delegates.
Alliance for Science-Ethiopia, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India, Down To Earth magazine, and Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), Kenya jointly released the 2025 annual report on the state of environment and development in Africa, at a communicator’s and media person’s briefing in Addis Ababa Professor Kassahun Tesfaye, Director General, Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Government of Ethiopia; Nigussu Lema, Deputy Director General, Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority; Dr Rita Bissoonauth, UNESCO-Director of Addis Ababa Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA and Representative in Ethiopia; and Sunita Narain, Director General, CSE were the chief guests at the inaugural session. The report ssys the year 2024 was the warmest year on record for Africa. To add to this, almost the entire ocean area around the continent has been reeling under marine heat waves – says the annual report on the State of Africa’s Environment. “The period between 2021 and 2025 has been the most devastating five-year stretch in terms of human toll from weather, climate and water-related disasters”: adds the report. Researched on and published by New Delhi (India)-based fortnightly Down To Earth and the research and advocacy body Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), based on investigative reportage by African journalists from across the continent, the State of Africa’s Environment 2025 covers subjects ranging from adaptation, carbon markets and climate debt, to migration, food security, water and health. The report was released at a communicator’s and journalist’s briefing organised jointly by CSE and its partners in Africa, the Alliance for Science-Ethiopia and the Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), Kenya. The report presents a set of thoroughly researched and analysed data. Climate-induced migration, for instance, is a matter of concern. By 2050, says the report, up to 5 per cent of Africa’s population of some two billion people could be forced to be on the move due to climate change. “Africa, in fact, would have the highest rate of displacement or migration due to impacts of climate change,” says the report. Food insecurity is looming. Climate change, combined with land degradation, is causing an 18 per cent decline in agricultural production. In fact, the report points out that cocoa production in West and Central Africa (which produces 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa) would be severely hit. If the world warms up to 2oC, it would put 50 per cent of the continent’s population at risk of undernourishment. In terms of health, the report points out that the global burden of cholera has shifted to Africa – there was a 125 per cent increase in cases in 2023 compared to the previous year. There was a 14 per cent rise in malaria transmissions as well in the same year. Speaking at the launch of the report, Professor Kassahun Tesfaye, Director General, Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Government of Ethiopia, said: “The data in this report, while alarming, also points the way forward. It shows that our greatest liability – our natural resources and land – is our most powerful asset to build a sustainable bioeconomy. The solution lies in not simply trying to mitigate a crisis we did not create, but in pioneering a new model of development altogether – that model is the African bioeconomy.” Explaining what he meant by ‘bioeconomy’, Professor Kassahun said: “This is an economic system that uses renewable biological resources to produce food, materials and energy. It is a circular economy where waste is not an endpoint but a new beginning. It is an economy that is inherently sustainable, regenerative and tailored to our continent’s strengths.” In her address, CSE Director General Sunita Narain said: “Change is taking shape in Africa. Across the continent, countries are adopting policy measures and crafting programmes to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Starting from rolling out a national strategy to become net-zero in carbon emissions to adopting indigenous knowledge to fight impacts such as drought and extreme weather events, every African nation now has some adaptation programmes to showcase. Addressing the assembled audience, UNESCO’s Dr Rita Bissoonauth said: “This report from CSE is more than a scientific assessment. It is a moral compass. It comes at a pivotal moment. Africa is on the frontline of a climate emergency it did not create. Estimated average direct economic losses are to the tune of US $1.18 billion per year in northern Africa and US $1.25 billion per year in sub-Saharan Africa. The message of the 2025 State of Africa’s Environment report is clear – the current trajectory is not sustainable.” Highlighting the steps taken by Ethiopia, Nigussu Lema, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority, said: “Ethiopia’s climate adaptation efforts focus on strengthening climate resilience through its National Adaptation Plan (NAP-ETH), which integrates adaptation into its development strategies.” The communicator’s and journalist’s briefing will continue till September 19, 2025, and will cover three subjects – conflicts, migration and climate change; agriculture, food security and climate change; and adaptation. About 20 journalists from across Africa are participating.
September 30, 2025 – India's recycling sector faces a critical fiscal crisis: the government currently collects ₹30,900 crore from formal recycling but loses ₹65,300 crore annually to informality-driven tax leakages double the revenue collected. By 2035, under status quo, collections may reach ₹86.7K crore but losses could escalate to ₹1.82 lakh crore, resulting in a net negative of ₹86.7K crore. According to the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) 2025 report titled "Relax the Tax" (https://www.cseindia.org/relax-the-tax-12819), two targeted GST reforms could flip this loss into a net positive of ₹1.82 lakh crore through full formalization with a 12% rate transforming India's ₹5 lakh crore recycling economy. The Compliance Paradox: Legitimate Businesses Pay for Others' Fraud "You pay your taxes, you check the documents, and still a notice arrives years later," one Delhi recycler says. "How do you plan expansion with that risk?" In a workshop on the outskirts of Jaipur, a young entrepreneur runs a modest paper recycling unit with ten employees. Every ton of wastepaper he processes reduces landfill load and saves trees. But when asked why he hasn't scaled further, his answer is blunt: "The tax rules make my business risky." This is a story shared by many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India's recycling sector. Whether in plastics, metals, paper, or e-waste, entrepreneurs say they follow GST rules yet are penalized when upstream dealers vanish or fail to deposit tax. For a small business, one disputed notice can wipe out working capital. Recyclers follow all the formal processes: sourcing from GST-registered suppliers, maintaining e-way bills, and making payments through official channels. Still, when upstream suppliers fail to remit GST, the last visible recycler becomes liable, facing penalties, interest, and unexpected tax reversals. Even relatively small infractions can freeze working capital for months, stalling expansion and discouraging reinvestment in infrastructure. "We follow the rules, pay our dues, and still end up paying for fraud committed by others in the supply chain," says one recycler in Delhi. In some cases, companies have reported ITC reversals that turn ₹1 crore worth of tax credits into a ₹2.5 crore liability after penalties and interest are applied. Where the 'Tax Pipe' Leaks: The Informality Crisis The CSE report confirms this reality: informality dominates the very chains these entrepreneurs depend on approximately 95% in paper & glass, 80% in plastics, 90% in e-waste, and 65% in metals. These are precisely the streams where tax leakages occur. With scrap taxed at 18%, the same as many finished goods, that spread makes paper-only trades attractive higher up the chain, and pushes compliance risk toward the last visible, solvent entity the recycler. The result is volatile working capital, higher risk premia, and delayed approvals. Much of India's plastic and other scrap originates in the unorganized chain: ragpickers → small dealers → medium aggregators → big dealer. GST typically enters only at the last leg, when a major dealer invoices a recycler. With scrap taxed at 18%, fake invoicing and paper-only trades become attractive. The Two-Reform Solution Industry and policy experts point to two levers that, together or separately, could change the investment equation: 1. Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) for Scrap Make the recycler, not the middleman, pay GST directly to government, cutting out fake invoices. Liability shifts to the documented buyer the recycler who pays GST directly to the exchequer. This starves "paper-only" dealer chains and anchors collection where there is audit trail. 2. Lower GST Rate on Scrap (approximately 1%) Keeps finished goods at 18% but removes the arbitrage that drives fraud. Shrinking that spread reduces the payoff from fake billing without touching tax at value-add. Bringing down the GST rate on plastics, metals, paper, and e-waste to around 1% would make recycling financially viable, enabling entrepreneurs to invest in better technology, scale their operations, and reduce dependence on informal channels. Some representations also flag exemption for scrap as an option, though this is considered controversial. The Fiscal Revolution: CSE's Scenario Modeling CSE's scenario modeling finds that every reform pathway flips losses into gains. The strongest case full formalization with a 12% rate yields an estimated net positive of ₹1.82 lakh crore. The fiscal stakes are material. CSE estimates that today formal recycling brings in ₹30,900 crore of GST, while leakages tied to informality are ₹65,300 crore. On a status-quo path to 2035, collections rise to ₹86,700 crore but losses escalate to ₹1.73 lakh crore net negative ₹86,700 crore. What Steadier Cash Unlocks A clearer line of sight on tax and credits typically lowers underwriting friction for: • Plastics: Higher-throughput hot-wash, NIR sorting and de-odor units that lift resin quality • Paper: Pulping and fiber-recovery upgrades to meet recycled-content targets • Metals: Compact shears/shredders, sensor-based sorting to improve yield and alloy integrity Ask lenders why projects for hot-wash and NIR sorting lines (plastics), fiber-recovery upgrades (paper) or compact shredders with alloy sorting (metals) often stall, and the answer is the same cash flows look unpredictable when legitimate buyers can be hit with legacy liabilities for someone else's non-compliance. Beyond Revenue: Green Jobs and Economic Impact The benefits of GST reform go beyond individual businesses. A formalized recycling sector could generate tens of thousands of green jobs across collection, processing, and logistics. Municipalities would see improved waste segregation, less landfill burden, and more efficient material recovery. This, in turn, could stimulate local economies and enhance the viability of sustainable business models. According to industry estimates, these reforms could create up to 1 million jobs within the recycling sector over the next decade, particularly in sectors like plastic sorting, metal recovery, and paper recycling. Moreover, a strengthened recycling sector contributes directly to India's climate goals. By keeping plastics, metals, and paper in circulation, recyclers reduce the demand for virgin materials, lower carbon emissions, and foster a circular economy that can scale nationally. The CSE Roadmap: Beyond Tax Reform Beyond the headline rate, CSE flags operational frictions that keep cash uneven: C2B flows left out of the net, misclassification, refund friction, and rate mismatches that strand credits. The report also recommends: • Linking GST benefits to verified EPR flows: Ensuring that tax benefits track real material movement, not just paper trails • Establishing Common Facility Centers (CFCs): So MSME recyclers can upgrade quality and compliance • City-level transition plans: To map informal chains and create formalization pathways • Worker recognition and social protection: For ragpickers and waste collectors The Wider Impact Smarter GST rules don't just ease compliance for recyclers; they make India's green economy more resilient. With stable cash flows, recyclers can scale plastic sorting, fiber recovery in paper mills, and safe e-waste dismantling. Cities benefit from reduced landfill load, and workers gain recognition and protection as the system formalizes. When scrap is trapped in informal chains, cities face overflowing landfills, while ragpickers get squeezed on price. When GST flows are predictable, formal recyclers can invest in better processing, creating safer jobs and cleaner neighborhoods. Industry Call to Action India's recycling industry, represented by leading associations, is urging policymakers to consider these reforms as part of India's broader green economy strategy. The recommendations from the CSE report provide a clear roadmap for: • Implementing RCM for scrap materials to ensure tax collection at the point of accountability • Reducing GST rates on scrap to eliminate arbitrage opportunities that fuel fraud • Establishing infrastructure support through CFCs for MSME recyclers • Integrating EPR compliance with GST incentives The Bottom Line Smarter GST rules can help India recover more, waste less, and bring the green economy into the mainstream. Prevention is better than punishment. Collect tax where accountability is strongest, narrow the spread that invites fraud, and build a system where compliance pays. Recycling is a capex story hiding inside a tax story. Stabilize cash, and projects move from pilot to plant. With RCM and a lower scrap rate, plus practical enablers like EPR-GST alignment and CFCs, India can crowd in private capital led by plastics and paper, with metals in the mix without diluting tax at the point of value creation. The time has come for policymakers to recognize recycling as a strategic sector for India's green economy. Implementing reforms such as RCM, lower rates, and targeted exemptions can unlock billions in economic value, create green jobs, and accelerate the country's transition to a sustainable, circular economy. REFERENCE: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Report: "Relax the Tax" (2025) Full report available at: https://www.cseindia.org/relax-the-tax-12819 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)