DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:59:22 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/environment/absence-of-major-snowfall-triggers-concern-in-jampk-656976.html Srinagar Jan 4 The minimum temperature remained several notches below the freezing point on Sunday in the Valley as cold wave tightened its grip further on Jammu and Kashmir Due to a partially clear night sky night temperatures throughout the Valley remained below the freezing point as the prospects of snowfall evaded the plains with dry cold conditions again affecting these areasSrinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 32 degrees Celsius Gulmarg minus 65 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam minus 4 degrees CelsiusJammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius Katra town 7 degrees Celsius Batote 19 degrees Celsius Banihal minus 09 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah minus 16 degrees CelsiusAbsence of a major snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and the first snowfall of the season in the plains of the Valley is becoming a major cause of concern especially when the 40day long period of intense winter cold called the Chillai Kalan which started on December 21 has so far failed to produce any major snowfall so farThe Chillai Kalan will end on January 30 and the Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir till January 20If a major snowfall does not occur during the Chillai Kalan Jammu and Kashmir is in for very tough times during the hot summer monthsNot only irrigation but the basic human requirement of potable water would be adversely affected in the absence of heavy winter snowfallAll rivers streams springs wells and lakes of Jammu and Kashmir are sustained by perennial water reservoirs situated in the mountainsThese reservoirs get replenished by heavy snowfall during the winter monthsA bitter and dry cold has also become a major concern for people with heart and lung problems Doctors have advised such people not to venture out of their homes before 10 am and that too after wrapping themselves in layers of woollen clothes mufflers and woollen caps IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/absence-of-major-snowfall-triggers-concern-in-jampk-656976.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-recorded-lowest-average-pm10-pm25-concentration-levels-in-2025-centre-656767.html New Delhi Jan 2 In 2025 Delhi recorded its lowest ever average concentration levels of Particulate Matter PM10 and PM25 since in 2018 Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change said on Friday It claimed that the daily average of PM10 in Delhi in 2025 was 198 µgmm3 as compared to 212 in 2024 and 242 in 2018The Ministry in a statement said the daily average of PM25 in Delhi in 2025 was 97 as compared to 105 in 2024 and 114 in 2018The Ministry shared data for eight years and said the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas CAQM since its inception in 2021 through a series of directionsadvisories and orders has initiated various policy measures and field actions towards abatement of air pollution in DelhiNCRThe Ministrys statement coincided with the decision of the CAQM SubCommittee on Friday to revoke restrictions under StageIII of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAPDelhis Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the citys improving air quality reflects persistent groundlevel efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha GuptaDelhis Air Quality Index AQI which stood at 380 on Thursday was recorded at 236 on Friday marking a significant declineMinister Sirsa emphasised that even though GRAP StageIII restrictions have been lifted onground operations will continue with the same rigour and priorityThis is not the time to relax this is the time to double our efforts and consolidate the gains weve made Each small win fuels our motivation to make Delhis air cleaner every single day he addedIn the past year Delhi has advanced new pathways of pollution control from accelerating legacy waste biomining 35 MT per day to expanding cleantech interventions on industrial and transport fronts The unified effort is showing measurable impact Minister Sirsa saidIn the last 24 hours the Environment Department and associated civic agencies have reported a substantial increase in antipollution activities During this period 6596 challans were issued for vehicular emission violations 12000 MT of garbage was removed across city zones and 6261 km of roads were mechanically swept to reduce dust loadThe Minister noted that Delhis fight against pollution is ongoing and determined Each day we are learning adapting and improving The citys progress today inspires us to aim higher tomorrow he saidHe added that under Chief Minister Rekha Guptas leadership Delhis civic work on field has strengthened multifoldPollution control teams have focused on addressing sources directly from ensuring compliance at industrial clusters to deploying smog guns and antismog vehicles at trafficheavy stretches and hotspots Minister Sirsa said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-recorded-lowest-average-pm10-pm25-concentration-levels-in-2025-centre-656767.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ktaka-govt-to-establish-third-largest-biodiversity-park-in-bengaluru-to-be-named-after-basavanna-656794.html Bengaluru Jan 3 Minister for Forests Eshwar Khandre announced that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of a 15339acre Biodiversity Park named after Vishwaguru Basavanna at a cost of Rs 250 crore He made the announcement while addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting late on FridayâBengaluru is known as the Garden City Lalbagh Botanical Garden was established in 1760 across about 240 acres and Cubbon Park was developed in 1870 on 197 acres in the city After Lalbagh and Cubbon Park no large gardens have been established in Bengaluruâ he saidHe said people need lung space as Bengaluru is increasingly turning into a concrete jungle âBengaluru should not become another gas chamber Establishing a large park in the city has been an unfulfilled dream of nature lovers for the past oneandahalf centuriesâ he saidMinister Khandre said that 153 acres of land in Madappanahalli near Yelahanka in the Bengaluru North area under the Karnataka Development Corporation has now been allotted for the projectâAt present eucalyptus and acacia trees are grown there After visiting the site the thought of establishing a Biodiversity Park crossed my mind I made efforts for nearly a year The land was taken back and a detailed project report for developing a Biodiversity Park over 15339 acres was prepared and presented before the Cabinetâ he saidThe total cost of the project is Rs 250 crore of which the Cabinet has approved Rs 50 crore for the first phase âIn this large Biodiversity Park medicinal plants will be grown A bird sanctuary interpretation centre and tree park will also be established For the benefit of children and students various species of trees will be planted and information boards displaying their names and benefits will be installedâ he saidHe said the park has been divided into five zones and it has been decided to utilise CSR funds from various companies with several firms already coming forward âShivaram Karanth Layout is located nearby and the population in this area may soon reach 2 to 25 lakh The park will come up in Bengaluru Urban district After becoming a minister this has been my dream project and I thank the Chief Minister Deputy Chief Minister and my Cabinet colleagues for approving the proposalâ he statedThe project is planned to be completed over three years âIn the first phase works worth Rs 50 crore will be completed The remaining stages will also be taken up simultaneouslyâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ktaka-govt-to-establish-third-largest-biodiversity-park-in-bengaluru-to-be-named-after-basavanna-656794.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-grips-jampk-night-temperatures-below-zero-throughout-valley-656795.html Srinagar Jan 3 Intense cold gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as the minimum temperature dropped below the freezing point throughout the Valley with water taps and water puddles freezing Srinagar city recorded the minimum temperature at minus 15 degrees Celsius Gulmarg minus 65 and Pahalgam minus 52Jammu city recorded 79 degrees Celsius Katra town 66 Batote 42 Banihal 27 and Bhaderwah minus 15 as the nights lowest temperatureWater taps in Srinagar city and other cities and towns in the Valley were frozen in the morning while water puddles on roads and streets froze due to the intense cold sweeping the ValleyCardiologists have cautioned people especially those with heart ailments not to venture out of their homes in the mornings Even during the day such people have been advised to wrap themselves in layers of warm clothesCardiologists said that the incidence of heart attack shoots up by about 20 per cent during the winter months in Kashmir due to increased blood pressure and enhanced blood platelet activityDespite the 40daylong period of harsh winter cold Chillai Kalan which started on December 21 a heavy snowfall has still not occurred in the Valley with the plains yet to witness the seasons first snowfall so farThe weatherman also does not have good news on this front as the weather is expected to remain cloudy cold and generally dry till January 20The Chillai Kalan will end on January 30 and if a major snowfall does not occur by that time then the summer months will be very testing times for the peopleSo far Jammu and Kashmir has faced a 39 per cent rain deficit this winter If the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains do not get replenished by heavy snowfall this winter there would be little water to sustain rivers streams springs lakes and wells during the hot summer months IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-grips-jampk-night-temperatures-below-zero-throughout-valley-656795.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/clear-sky-brings-down-minimum-temperature-in-jampk-cold-wave-intensifies-656675.html Srinagar Jan 2 Due to a clear night sky the minimum temperature dropped throughout Jammu and Kashmir on Friday and the Meteorological MeT Department has forecast cloudy but mostly dry weather for the next 48 hours Srinagar city had one degree Celsius Gulmarg minus 7 and Pahalgam minus 62 degrees as the minimum temperatureJammu city had 6 degrees Celsius Katra town 65 Batote 28 Banihal minus 11 and Bhaderwah minus 28 degrees as the nightâs lowest temperatureThe MeT Department has forecast generally dry weather from January 2 to January 5The 40daylong period of intense winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ started on December 21 and so far this season there has been no snowfall in the plains of the Valley The upper reaches and some tourist spots including Gulmarg Sonamarg witnessed snowfall on New Years Eve much to the delight of touristsEarth scientists say that the absence of heavy snowfall during the 40daylong Chillai Kalan would spell disaster during the summer monthsAsked when snowfall has already occurred in the mountains how could problems arise in the coming summer months the scientist said âIt is very simple When there is a foot of snow on the ground in the plains it is reasonable to expect that the higher reaches could have received five to seven feet of snow When places like Gulmarg and Sonamarg receive less than a foot of snow how can the perennial water reservoirs in the higher reaches get replenishedâLocals have been eagerly looking forward to this seasonâs first snowfall in Srinagar Budgam Ganderbal Anantnag Kulgam Pulwama Shopian Baramulla Bandipora and Kupwara towns Children in these towns and cities are missing all the fun connected with the first snowfall of the seasonFor environmental reasons locals are praying with folded hands for a plentiful snowfall this winter The MeT forecast also suggests dry weather while the Chillai Kalan will end on January 30 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/clear-sky-brings-down-minimum-temperature-in-jampk-cold-wave-intensifies-656675.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 23:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/committed-to-aravali-mountain-range-conservation-haryana-minister-656577.html Chandigarh Jan 1 Haryana Environment Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday said the government is committed to the conservation of the Aravali mountain range With this objective the government is implementing the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project which focuses on addressing major environmental challenges such as desertification land degradation and drought A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement this project by 2030 Expressing gratitude to the Central government he said Haryana is getting the opportunity to host this important event at the IUCN Pavilion is a matter of pride for the state He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi landmark initiatives such as Mission LiFE Lifestyle for Environment and âEk Ped Maa Ke Naamâ have been launched which have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement These initiatives are inspiring people at the global national and local levels to adopt sustainable lifestyles Inspired by the Prime Ministerâs vision and under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini the government has launched innovative initiatives such as Oxy Van Pran Vayu Devta Yojana and Van Mitra Yojana to promote community participation These schemes will prove to be a strong pillar in the direction of Aravali conservation The Forest Minister said a proposal has been prepared to provide an annual honorarium to farmers for the conservation of native tree species such as Jati and Roheda in the southern Haryana regions of Mahendragarh Rewari Narnaul Charkhi Dadri Badhra and Loharu on the lines of the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana This initiative aims to maintain greenery in the Aravali region and directly involve local communities in conservation efforts Rao Narbir Singh said the Aravali mountain range holds immense ecological significance for Haryana It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and is a vital source of biodiversity water security and climate balance The Aravali plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge improvement of air quality mitigation of climate change impacts and supporting livelihoods in arid and semiarid regions He said the Aravali range is globally recognised as a landscape of cultural and historical significance symbolising the deep relationship between humans and nature The Forest Minister said through the Aravali Green Wall Project Haryana is committed to cooperation with all Aravali states including Rajasthan Gujarat and Delhi Projects such as the Gurugram Aravali Biodiversity Park are successful models of ecosystem restoration and have been declared Indiaâs first OECM Other Effective AreaBased Conservation Measure validating IUCNâs global guidelinesRao Narbir Singh said that Haryana welcomes the new definition of the Aravali mountain range given by the Supreme Court He said the government has prepared a proposal to conserve nearly 90 per cent of the Aravali area The government aims to create green employment enhance public participation and strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmentally friendly resource management in the Aravali region IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/committed-to-aravali-mountain-range-conservation-haryana-minister-656577.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-welcomes-the-new-year-with-rain-hailstorm-656483.html Jaipur Jan 1 Rajasthan experienced widespread rain hailstorms dense fog and an intense cold wave on Thursday marking a chilly start to the New Year across the state Intermittent rainfall was reported in several districts including Jaipur Chittorgarh Ajmer Kota and Sikar Chittorgarh received heavy rain for about half an hour around 5 am while Ramgarh Sikar also witnessed intense showersLate Wednesday night hailstorms in Bikaner caused a sharp drop in temperature raising concerns among farmersRain accompanied by strong winds was also recorded in Jodhpur Phalodi Barmer and Bikaner resulting in a decline of 2â3 degrees Celsius in temperaturesAlwar recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius in the state while Bikaner and Jaisalmer recorded a minimum temperature of 96 degrees CelsiusThe Meteorological Department has issued rain alerts for districts in the Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions cold wave and dense fog warnings for most parts of Rajasthan Dense fog severely reduced visibility in Jaipur Jaisalmer Bikaner and SriganganagarJaisalmer remained fogcovered for the second consecutive day while Jaipur appeared shrouded in mist especially in areas like Amer and NahargarhDespite the weather conditions many tourists were seen visiting destinations around Jaipur This first spell of rain of the season is expected to benefit Rabi crops although hailstorms have increased farmers concerns in some regionsOverall the New Year has begun with severe winter conditions across Rajasthan driven by the impact of a Western DisturbanceThe IMD has predicted dense fog in northern and western Rajasthan between January 1 and January 3 affecting visibility during morning hoursA cold wave is also expected in the Shekhawati region from January 2 to January 4During this period minimum temperatures may drop sharply to between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius the Meteorological Department saidJaisalmer received its first winter rain of the season on Wednesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-welcomes-the-new-year-with-rain-hailstorm-656483.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-conditions-prevail-in-rajasthan-light-rain-forecast-for-today-656391.html Jaipur Dec 31 The India Meteorological Department IMD has predicted light rain or drizzle in some areas of Bikaner Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions of Rajasthan on Wednesday A weather alert has been issued for several parts of the state due to the influence of an active Western DisturbanceThe department has also forecast light rainfall in some areas of the Bikaner Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions on ThursdayWeather conditions are expected to turn dry again across the state from January 2 onwardsDense fog is likely to affect parts of northern and western Rajasthan between January 1 and January 3 affecting visibility during morning hoursA cold wave is also expected in the Shekhawati region from January 2 to January 4 During this period minimum temperatures may drop sharply to between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius the Meteorological Department saidMeanwhile Jaisalmer received its first winter rain of the season on Wednesday morning Also light cloud cover prevailed in Jaipur Alwar Dausa and adjoining areas since early morningFog was also reported from Sikar Jaipur Alwar Dausa and Bharatpur on Wednesday morning leading to reduced visibility and causing inconvenience to commuters in several placesLight fog was observed in a few districts of eastern and northern Rajasthan during the last 24 hours However a slight rise in temperatures was recorded as cold winds weakened In Fatehpur Sikar weather conditions changed due to continuous cloud cover The minimum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 64 degrees Celsius around 3 degrees higher than Tuesdays 34 degrees CelsiusAlthough most cities across Rajasthan witnessed sunshine on Tuesday cold conditions persisted and maximum temperatures remained below 30 degrees Celsius Chittorgarh recorded the highest maximum temperature of the day at 29 degrees Celsius followed by Barmer at 282 degrees Jaisalmer at 276 degrees and Jaipur at 24 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-conditions-prevail-in-rajasthan-light-rain-forecast-for-today-656391.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kashmir-hill-stations-receive-first-snowfall-tourists-flock-to-celebrate-new-year-656402.html Srinagar Dec 31 All higher reaches of Kashmir received snowfall in the last 12 hours as the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point on Wednesday everywhere except Gulmarg ski resort Tourists presently in the Valley to celebrate New Years Eve were thrilled to witness snowfall in Gulmarg Sonamarg and Pahalgam tourist resorts Snowfall on New Years Eve gave the perfect setting to this yearâs celebrations as a pristine blanket of white covered the ground in Gulmarg and other places of tourist interestKashmir at this time was thronged by tourists from different parts of the country and many of them said they were seeing the snowfall first time in their livesAll hotels in Srinagar city and Gulmarg are completely sold out as hotels in Sonamarg and Pahalgam are also witnessing some tourist footfall this winterThe minimum temperature rose above the freezing point throughout the Valley due to the nightlong cloud cover except in Gulmarg where the minimum temperature was minus 3 degrees CelsiusSrinagar had 23 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam 18 degrees as the minimum temperatureJammu city had 104 degrees Celsius Katra town 10 Batote 88 Banihal 59 and Bhaderwah 4 degrees as the nightâs lowest temperatureWhile hills received snowfall during the last 12 hours residents of central Kashmir Srinagar and other areas in the Valleyâs plains have so far been disappointed by the absence of this seasonâs first snowfallAsked whether the present snowfall in the mountains would suffice to replenish the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains an earth scientist said curtly âNo once we have two feet of snow accumulation on the ground in the plains it is possible to say that the higher reaches would have received four feet or moreâBut if the snowfall in Gulmarg and Sonamarg is less than a few inches how can we expect that this would replenish our water reservoirs to sustain us in the summer monthsâ he saidThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ started on December 21 and there has been no appreciable rainsnow so far in Jammu and Kashmir If the period of Chillai Kalan passes without a heavy snowfall then horticulture agriculture and the drinking water needs of the people could become a big problem in the summer months IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kashmir-hill-stations-receive-first-snowfall-tourists-flock-to-celebrate-new-year-656402.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-aqi-worsens-delhi-minister-says-govt-making-serious-efforts-to-deal-with-pollution-656438.html New Delhi Dec 31 IANS Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said the government is making serious efforts to address the worsening pollution problem in the national capital while also pointing out that environmental conditions in neighbouring states are significantly affecting the citys air qualitynbspThe capitals air quality deteriorated further on Wednesday slipping into the severe category with the Air Quality Index AQI recorded at 408 Dense fog combined with heavy pollution sharply reduced visibility across large parts of the city adding to commuter woesSpeaking to reporters during an inspection at Janakpuri C2C Block Sood said This pollution is not caused only by current factors or solely by Delhi The environment in neighbouring states also plays a major role in Delhis pollution That is why the Delhi government is in talks with neighbouring statesnbspHe said the government is working on multiple fronts to tackle the crisisnbspEfforts are being made to control dust strengthen public transport and reduce emissions from vehicles etc to reduce the pollution levels Last year apart from the oddeven formula if something had been done maybe today there would not have been such problems in Delhi The previous government did not do anything and now we are dealing with the work they had ignored Sood saidEmphasising that the government is taking concrete action rather than relying on slogans the Minister said We are working day and night to deal with the pollution problem Serious steps have to be taken to reduce the pollution rather than just slogans that the previous government used to makenbspApart from the oddeven formula we are working on a new EV policy efforts are underway to control dust on roads and Phase V of the metro is also being introduced for public transportation All these things will take some time but we are continuously working to find solutions for the pollution problem of DelhiSood also highlighted regular monitoring and inspections being carried out by the governmentnbspEvery week the Delhi Ministers and senior government officials visit around three places to inspect cleanliness and other development works he saidnbspIn the past year I have addressed several issues as an MLA I want to assure the public that whether it is the Municipal Corporation or any other department under the Delhi government we will resolve all problems Passing the responsibility onto others is now a thing of the past We will take responsibility ourselves and work to reduce the difficulties faced by the people of Delhi he addedMeanwhile air quality remained alarming across several parts of the capitalnbspThe persistent foggy conditions coincided with worrying projections from air quality forecasters who warned that pollution levels across the national capital region are likely to worsen further as the year draws to a close https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-aqi-worsens-delhi-minister-says-govt-making-serious-efforts-to-deal-with-pollution-656438.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-records-coldest-day-of-season-as-minimum-temperature-continues-to-drop-across-bengal-656289.html Kolkata Dec 30 Winter has tightened its grip on West Bengal leaving the entire region shivering in bonechilling cold as minimum temperatures continue to plummet On Tuesday the city of Kolkata recorded the coldest day of the season with the minimum temperature plummeting to 126 degrees Celsius 12 degrees below normal A day earlier the minimum temperature was 135 degrees CMoreover the citys maximum temperature was 182 degrees Celsius 72 degrees below normal According to Met officials the unusual drop in the days maximum temperature resulted in biting cold sustained throughout the day According to the official the city of Kolkata has not witnessed this type of winter spell for several yearsThe official said that the temperature will largely remain the same in the coming days with the possibility of the minimum temperature dropping furtherOn Monday the minimum temperature in Purulia dropped to 72 degrees Celsius the lowest in South Bengal The minimum temperature in the hill town of Darjeeling was 44 degrees Celsius Asansol recorded 91 degrees Digha 112 Cooch Behar 136 Sriniketan 73 Kalimpong 10 and Burdwan 9 degrees CelsiusThe minimum nighttime temperatures in Kolkata and other districts of south Bengal will remain largely unchanged for the next two days This means the current cold spell will continue for now After that the minimum temperature may gradually rise by 23 degrees Celsius There is no forecast of a decrease in the intensity of winter before the New Year said the MET officialIn Kolkata the sky will be mostly clear and cloudless ââFog may be present in some areas during morning hours The weather office has said that dry weather will prevail throughout South Bengal for the time being A warning for light to moderate fog has been issued across Bengal This may reduce visibility to 200 metresHowever the Met Office has issued a separate warning with regard to fog in north Bengal Darjeeling Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur districts will experience dense fog in the next few days Visibility may drop to between 199 metres and 50 metres There is also a possibility of light rain and snowfall in Darjeeling from Wednesday to Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-records-coldest-day-of-season-as-minimum-temperature-continues-to-drop-across-bengal-656289.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-transfers-suo-moto-case-on-karedu-land-dispute-to-southern-zone-bench-656294.html New Delhi Dec 30 The National Green Tribunal NGT has granted one more opportunity to villagers of Karedu in Andhra Pradesh to place material on record in support of their plea opposing diversion of agricultural land for industrial use A bench comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh was hearing a complaint filed on the green tribunalâs public grievances portal later registered as an original application suo motu on its own motionThe complaint alleged that over 8348 acres of fertile agricultural land in Karedu village of Ulavapadu mandal Sri Potti Sree Ramulu Nellore district was proposed to be taken over for industrial use by a private solar company threatening the livelihood of nearly 16000 familiesNoting that the applicant did not appear before the NGT and had not placed any supporting material on record the Justice Tyagiled Bench said it was nevertheless not inclined to dismiss the caseIn view of the nature of environmental issues raised we do not consider dismissal in default of the original application to be appropriate the green tribunal observedOne more opportunity may be given to the applicant for appearance and placing the material available with him in support of the averments made in the original application it addedTaking into account that the cause of action arose in Andhra Pradesh the NGT held that the matter would be more appropriately heard by the Southern Zone BenchIn view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual of the cause of action lies within the jurisdiction of the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai we are of the considered view that it will be appropriate if the case is further heard thereâ the order saidAccordingly the Justice Tyagiled Bench directed the registry to list the matter before the Chennai Bench on January 12 2026 after obtaining necessary orders for transfer and to inform the applicant of the date of hearing The NGT also directed that the applicant be asked to appear and place all available material in support of his claims on the next date IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-transfers-suo-moto-case-on-karedu-land-dispute-to-southern-zone-bench-656294.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html ShimlaManali Dec 30 After an extremely wet southwest monsoon in Himachal Pradesh that claimed several lives and damaged infrastructures this winter has been bereft of precipitation since October 9 turning mountains brown due to the lack of a âblanket of snowâ and rains As the New Year dawns a hope of widespread snow and rain has cheered both the tourists and local farmers As per the India Meteorological Department IMD Himachal Pradesh may receive rain and snow on December 31 âLight rain or snow likely at isolated places on December 30 and January 2 with light to moderate rain and snow likely at many places on December 31 and at a few places on January 1 over the stateâ said the IMDâDry weather is likely to prevail during the remaining days of the weekâ it addedMembers of the hospitality industry say the long spell of snowless days has so far spoiled the plans of tourists to holiday in the hills âNow with the IMD predicting snow just ahead of the New Year dawn we expect a good footfall of the holidaymakersâ a Shimlabased hotelier told IANSHe said they were getting so many queries from tourists about the possibility of snow in and around Shimla âWe are asking them to visit hill destinations to enjoy a snowy landscapeâ he addedNarkanda the heart of the apple belt some 65 km from the state capital and the popular tourist resorts Manali and Dalhousie are bereft of snow cover However hills overlooking Manali have plenty of snow âWe are really enjoying basking in the sun for the past many days in Shimla We are desperately awaiting the onset of snow the seasonâs first hereâ Jagdeep Ghuman a tourist from Delhi told IANSExperts at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni in Solan district say traditionally October to December are dry months in the state and longterm observations 19802024 indicate that November receives belownormal rainfall in nearly 682 per cent of the years In subhumid midhill regions nearly 3050 per cent of soil moisture is lost through evaporation a figure likely to increase under the current conditions The recurrence of drought during these months has become common and with nearly 70 per cent of the stateâs area being rainfed the adoption of moistureconservation agronomic practices has become essential they sayInsufficient soil moisture during the dry spell may adversely affect fruit plant saplings by hampering root development restricting nutrient uptake and increasing susceptibility to diseases The experts advised that new plantations of deciduous fruit crops such as apple peach plum apricot persimmon walnut and kiwifruit should be postponed until moisture conditions improveFor a small pea grower Jeet Singh Negi in mountainous Lahaul Valley it has been an almost snowless NovemberDecember âOur fields are totally devoid of snow cover We are worried as winter precipitation ensures water security in these remote villages during summer when we sow the crop of peas and barleyâ he saidIn the state capital around 7000 feet above sea level the minimum temperature on Tuesday was 10 degrees Celsius six degrees above normal Tabo an ancient seat of Buddhist religion and culture in picturesque Spiti Valley was the coldest habitat in the state with bonechilling cold wind of 39 km per hourThe police have been advising the public not to go to high mountains as these places can be risky due to black ice formation early morning where motorists canât see it their tyres canât grip it and their brakes donât work properly on it Keeping in mind to set cash registers ringing several private hoteliers in prominent destinations have hiked room tariffsInformation suggests a room fetching Rs 3000 from October to midDecember is sold off at Rs 8000 a day in most of the hotels in Shimla Kufri Chail Narkanda and Kasauli Also government officials warned to get an advance booking of a hotel or a homestay unit before travelling as most of the hotels in the state capital Shimla Manali Kasauli and Dharamsala have 90 to 98 per cent occupancy till January 4âThe occupancy in most of our properties is close to 80 per cent We are expecting to do good business this weekâ the HPTDC official told IANSHimachal Pradesh has no highend hotels and restaurants in faroff areas The trend of rural homestays that was started in 2008 has been driving tourists to the interiors and they are the best option to stay and enjoy the pristine nature and snowy landscapeThe stateâs economy is highly dependent on tourism besides hydroelectric power and horticultureVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgianscom IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-as-aqi-slips-into-severe-zone-656381.html New Delhi Dec 31 Delhis air quality deteriorated further on Wednesday slipping into the severe category as the Air Quality Index AQI was recorded at 408 Dense fog and heavy pollution sharply reduced visibility across the national capital Several monitoring stations across central and south Delhi recorded very poor air quality levels AQI readings stood at 370 at Mandi House and India Gate 340 at Mathura Road and Sarojini Nagar while Rashtrapati Bhawan and ITO both recorded an AQI of 357Conditions were even worse in several other parts of the city and adjoining areas where air quality entered the severe zoneNoida recorded an AQI of 418 Karol Bagh 408 Rajouri Garden 406 Mundka 472 Patel Nagar 410 Chanakyapuri 405 Vasant Kunj 402 Saket 430 and Vikaspuri 472Lajpat Nagar touched the upper end of the scale with an AQI of 500 while IGI Airport recorded an alarming 512 Patel Nagar was also listed at 406 in another readingThe foggy conditions coincided with worrying projections from air quality forecasters who cautioned that pollution levels in the national capital region are likely to worsen significantly as the year draws to a closeUnder the Air Quality Index classification air quality is categorised as good 0â50 satisfactory 51â100 moderate 101â200 poor 201â300 very poor 301â400 and severe 401â500The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast the persistence of dense fog conditions through Wednesday and urged commuters and travellers to remain cautious while on the roadsLow visibility also disrupted air travel prompting advisories from airlines and airport authoritiesIndiGo warned passengers of possible delays and cancellations at Delhi and several other airports across northern India stating that it was closely monitoring weather conditions and adjusting operations to minimise disruptionAir India too issued a travel advisory and announced advance cancellations of select morning flights that were likely to be affected by fogrelated visibility issuesWeather conditions across north India continue to be influenced by an active Western DisturbanceThe Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog and light rain in parts of Punjab and Chandigarh where rainfall is expected to continue until January 1Several locations across the region reported nearzero visibility amid cold damp and hazardous conditions adding to travel woes and public health concerns IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-as-aqi-slips-into-severe-zone-656381.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-suffers-amid-severe-pollution-dense-fog-656222.html New Delhi Dec 30 A combination of winter chill severe air pollution and dense fog on Tuesday created a dire situation across the DelhiNational Capital Region NCR Authorities have issued an alert for extremely dense fog for two consecutive days while the Air Quality Index AQI has exceeded 450 in several areas raising serious health concerns The situation worsened significantly with visibility dropping to zero in many locations on Monday night This severely disrupted road rail and air traffic causing delays and safety risks for commutersAccording to data from various air quality monitoring stations in Delhi the AQI was recorded at 451 in Anand Vihar 433 in Ashok Vihar 446 in Rohini 449 in Wazirpur and 432 in Chandni Chowk Other areas also reported alarming levels with the AQI reaching 411 at DTU Delhi 410 at Siri Fort 401 at Shadipur 426 at Punjabi Bagh and 421 at Sonia Vihar In Bawana the AQI stood at 368 while Alipur recorded 379 and Vivek Vihar 380All these readings fall under the âvery poorâ category which is considered extremely hazardous to human health The situation remains equally alarming in neighbouring cities of Noida and GhaziabadIn Noida AQI levels were recorded at 433 in Sector1 388 in Sector125 and 372 in Sector62 Ghaziabad reported even worse conditions with the AQI touching 459 in the Vasundhara area Other localities such as Sanjay Nagar Indirapuram and Loni recorded AQI levels of 393 382 and 360 respectively These figures indicate that the entire NCR continues to remain under the grip of severe pollutionThe India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast âextremely dense fogâ during the morning hours of December 30 followed by âdense fogâ till the afternoon The maximum temperature for the day was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius while the minimum dropped to 8 degrees Celsius Humidity levels reached 100 per cent further worsening the foggy conditionsThe IMD has also issued a warning for dense fog on the morning of December 31 However light rain or drizzle is expected on January 1 which may bring some relief from pollution and fog conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-suffers-amid-severe-pollution-dense-fog-656222.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/winged-guests-rosy-starlings-arrive-in-large-numbers-in-tns-thoothukudi-656287.html Chennai Dec 30 Thousands of Rosy Starlings a migratory bird species native to Eastern Europe and Central Asia have arrived in large numbers across Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu turning the skies into a spectacular display of swirling wings The seasonal visitors have spread across wetlands agricultural lands salt pans and even urban neighbourhoods drawing widespread attention from bird enthusiasts and local residentsThe birds have been sighted in large concentrations along the Thamirabarani river basin especially around Perungulam Pattinamarudhur and nearby villagesThis yearâs arrival has been far more prominent than in previous seasons with massive flocks seen moving in coordinated formations across the sky particularly during the late afternoon hoursRK Periyaswamy an avid bird watcher noted that the rosy starlings have taken over several traditional roosting areas forcing smaller local bird species to move away The babul trees surrounding water bodies especially those planted under social forestry programmes have emerged as key resting sites for the birds offering both shelter and safetyEnvironmentalist Rajani UV point out that the abundance of water in the Thamirabarani system this year has played a major role in attracting the birds With tanks and wetlands full the region offers ideal feeding and roosting conditionsThe species is known to feed on insects such as locusts and worms making it an important contributor to natural pest controlAt the same time the sudden surge in bird numbers has caused concern among farmers cultivating minor millets such as cumbu and cholam Many farmers report crop damage as large flocks descend on fields nearing harvestWhile acknowledging the ecological importance of the species cultivators are urging authorities to study the impact and consider measures to protect standing cropsExperts note that rosy starlings have been visiting Tamil Nadu regularly over the past several years with sightings increasing steadily in urban and semiurban landscapes Their growing presence highlights both the ecological richness of the region and the need for balanced conservation strategiesAs the seasonal visitors continue to dominate the skies of Thoothukudi conservationists are calling on the district administration to safeguard key roosting habitats particularly mature trees around water bodies to ensure that the region remains a safe and sustainable haven for these remarkable migratory birds IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/winged-guests-rosy-starlings-arrive-in-large-numbers-in-tns-thoothukudi-656287.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/scs-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-tomorrow-655985.html New Delhi Dec 28 The Supreme Courtâs crucial suo motu hearing on issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills on Monday is likely to address concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile range in the light of the governmentâs commitment As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled âIn Re Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issuesâ on December 29The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid growing concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and the governmentâs repeated assurance to protect itIn a decisive move to curb illegal mining and strengthen ecological protection the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFampCC has directed state governments to impose a âcomplete banâ on granting any new mining leases in the AravallisThe Ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the Aravalli landscape covering the mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat It underscored that the objective is to âpreserve the integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridgeâ and to put an end to unregulated mining activitiesFurther tightening the conservation framework the MoEFCC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE to identify additional areas and zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining must be prohibited over and above the areas already restricted by the CentreIn a related development Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Union Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav raising serious concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli HillsHe claimed that the new definition restricts their classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or moreSharing the letter on the social media platform X on Sunday Ramesh said âHere is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment Forests amp Climate Change asking fourpointed questions on the disastrous redefinition of the AravallisâIn the letter dated December 28 the Congress leader flagged what he described as widespread concerns over the new definition and sought clarity from the minister by posing four specific questions Addressing Minister Yadav he wrote âThere are understandably widespread concerns with the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills that restrict them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more In this connection please permit me to raise four specific questions for your considerationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/scs-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-tomorrow-655985.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hold-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-today-655997.html New Delhi Dec 29 The Supreme Courtâs crucial suo motu hearing on issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills scheduled for Monday is expected to address concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile range in light of the governmentâs commitments As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled âIn Re Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issuesâ on December 29The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid growing concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and the governmentâs repeated assurance to protect itIn a decisive move to curb illegal mining and strengthen ecological protection the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFampCC has directed state governments to impose a âcomplete banâ on granting any new mining leases in the AravallisThe Ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the Aravalli landscape covering the mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat It underscored that the objective is to âpreserve the integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridgeâ and to put an end to unregulated mining activitiesFurther tightening the conservation framework the MoEFCC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education ICFRE to identify additional areas and zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining must be prohibited over and above the areas already restricted by the CentreIn a related development Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Union Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav raising serious concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli HillsHe claimed that the new definition restricts their classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or moreSharing the letter on the social media platform X on Sunday Ramesh said âHere is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment Forests amp Climate Change asking fourpointed questions on the disastrous redefinition of the AravallisâIn the letter dated December 28 the Congress leader flagged what he described as widespread concerns over the new definition and sought clarity from the minister by posing four specific questions Addressing Minister Yadav he wrote âThere are understandably widespread concerns with the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills that restrict them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more In this connection please permit me to raise four specific questions for your considerationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hold-crucial-suo-motu-hearing-on-aravalli-definition-today-655997.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/schools-in-gautam-buddha-nagar-announce-4-day-closure-amid-cold-wave-dense-fog-conditions-656013.html New Delhi Dec 29 Due to dense fog plummeting temperatures and rising pollution levels the district administration of Gautam Buddha Nagar has ordered a fourday closure of all schools in the district As per the directive issued late Sunday night by the office of the District Basic Education Officer DBEO under the instructions of the District Magistrate all recognised schools whether affiliated with CBSE ICSE IB UP Board or any other board will remain closed from December 29 2025 to January 1 2026The order covers classes from nursery up to grade 12The decision was taken considering the health risks posed to children due to extremely cold weather dense fog and poor air qualityHowever the order specifies that teachers staff and administrative personnel of government aided and unaided schools are required to report to school and perform their administrative duties as usualThe administration has instructed that the order must be strictly followedThe latenight issuance of the order caused some confusion on Monday morningSeveral private schools did not receive timely notification resulting in some schools opening and students and staff being informed only after arrivingMany parents raised concerns about the delay saying that had the order been issued earlier children would not have had to travel to school in severe cold and fogIn recent days temperatures across Gautam Buddha Nagar and the broader NCR region have been steadily falling with dense morning fog reducing visibility significantlyAuthorities say the closure is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students during the harsh winter conditionsThe administrations move comes amid growing concerns over air pollution and extreme cold in the region keeping the prioritisation of childrens health and safety in mind amid challenging weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/schools-in-gautam-buddha-nagar-announce-4-day-closure-amid-cold-wave-dense-fog-conditions-656013.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/night-temperature-rises-above-freezing-point-throughout-kashmir-valley-save-gulmarg-656014.html Srinagar Dec 29 Due to heavy nightlong cloud cover night temperatures rose above the freezing point throughout the Kashmir Valley on Monday except the ski resort of Gulmarg weather officials said Met Department officials said the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in the Valley except Gulmarg where it was minus 2 degrees CelsiusSrinagar city logged a minimum of 3 and Pahalgam 02 degrees CelsiusJammu city was at 91 degrees Celsius Katra town at 92 Batote at 73 Banihal at 48 and Bhaderwah at 33 degreesThe Met Department has forecast cloudy weather on Monday and Tuesday On December 31 and January 1 there is a forecast for rainsnow at many places with the middle and higher reaches likely to receive moderate snowfall in the central and northern parts of the Valley during this periodTravellers and transporters have been advised to follow the Traffic Departments and administrative departments advisoriesThe plains of Kashmir Valley are yet to witness this seasonâs first snowfall as the people are eagerly waiting for the sameThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ started on December 21 and will end on January 30All the major snow accumulation traditionally occurs in Kashmir during the Chillai KalanThe perennial water reservoirs high in the mountains get replenished by heavy snowfall during these 40 days and these reservoirs sustain all the rivers streams springs and lakes of JampK during the hot summer monthsA snowless Chillai Kalan would spell disaster in the summer months as both drinking water and irrigation for agriculture would become hard to come byIt is precisely because of this reason that the first snowfall of winter has become an occasion to celebrate in KashmirPeople greet each other on the first snowfall calling it âNau Sheen MubarakâFriends and relatives invite each other to feasts to celebrate the event One of the most relished local dishes on first snowfall is fish cooked with tomatoes radish slices and lotus stems which are called NadruThis heavily spiced dish is so mouthwatering that people often lick their fingers after savouring its taste IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/night-temperature-rises-above-freezing-point-throughout-kashmir-valley-save-gulmarg-656014.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-farmers-seek-extension-of-mettur-water-release-as-samba-crop-faces-delay-656073.html Tiruchy Tamil Nadu Dec 29 Farmers across the Cauvery delta districts have urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend the release of water from the Mettur dam until the end of February citing widespread delays in Samba paddy cultivation caused by adverse weather conditions and crop damage earlier this season Traditionally water from the Mettur reservoir is released on June 12 every year for Kuruvai and Samba cultivation and is mandatorily stopped by the end of JanuaryHowever farmers say the current agricultural cycle has been severely disrupted making the usual schedule unviableAccording to farmersâ representatives at least 175 TMC of water is required every day to sustain the standing Samba cropThis year the total Samba cultivation target stood at around 14 lakh acres Of this Tiruvarur district alone accounts for nearly 360 lakh acres followed by Thanjavur with 326 lakh acres Nagapattinam with 255 lakh acres and Tiruchy with around 150 lakh acres In addition nearly 3 lakh acres have been brought under Thaladi cultivation across the delta region However the northeast monsoon and the impact of Cyclone Michaung caused extensive crop damage forcing farmers to delay land preparation and transplantation As a result the sowing schedule was pushed back significantly leading to a corresponding delay in the water requirement cycle Due to the prolonged rains and delays in assessing crop damage farmers could not begin cultivation on time Naturally the demand for water has also shifted said P Ramasamy a farmer from Tiruvarur district He said that while water is normally released from Mettur on June 12 and stopped by January 28 this yearâs situation is different The samba crop is still in its critical stages Harvesting which usually begins in January may extend till March If the water supply is stopped now tailend regions will be the worst affected he said Farmers have therefore appealed to the state government and the Water Resources Department to extend the water release at least until the end of February stressing that such a move is essential to safeguard standing crops and prevent largescale losses across the delta IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-farmers-seek-extension-of-mettur-water-release-as-samba-crop-faces-delay-656073.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/environment-minister-welcomes-sc-order-on-aravalli-issue-reiterates-govts-commitment-to-save-the-hills--656093.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court order on the Aravalli issue and reiterated that the NDA government was committed to saving the hill rangenbspHours after the threejudge bench of the apex court decided to stay its own order regarding the 100metre height definition of the Aravallis the Union Minister took to his X handle and said that the government was committed to the protection and restoration of the Aravalli rangeI welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range and the formation of a new committee to study issues he said hailing the apex courts decision to review its order and resolve all ambiguities by forming a new expert panelnbspHe added that the government stands committed to extending all assistance sought from the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli rangeAs things stand a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases Bhupender Yadav said further in the postnbspThis comes days after the Centre announced a complete ban on mining in the Aravallis and directed the state governments concerned to impose a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire hill rangenbspIn its order the CJI Surya Kantled bench mulled the constitution of a fresh highpowered expert committee to holistically assess the recommendations of all earlier panels on the definition of the Aravalli rangeThe proposed committee will examine whether regulated mining can be permitted in the 500metre gaps between hills and if so what structural parameters would be required to ensure that ecological continuity is not compromisednbspThe Congress has also welcomed the SCs directives for redefining the Aravallis and stated that the verdict offers a flicker of hope as the 100metre definition would have opened the sprawling green cover in Delhi and adjoining states to abuse and misuse by mining mafiasnbspIt is a rejection of all the arguments that the Minister has been giving in favour of the redefinition party leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X https://dailyworld.in/environment/environment-minister-welcomes-sc-order-on-aravalli-issue-reiterates-govts-commitment-to-save-the-hills--656093.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mumbai Dec 29 Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay and NTPC have successfully completed the drilling of Indias first well for testing the viability of geological carbon dioxide CO2 storage in sedimentary formations such as coal and sandstone the institute said on Monday The collaboration launched under the aegis of NITI Aayog in November 2022 brought together NETRA the RampD wing of NTPC and the Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay in building Indias first geological storage atlas for coalbed methanerich coalfieldsThe atlas provided layerbylayer simulation results with experimentally validated inputs for quantifying the potential for geological CO2 storage in four major coalfieldsThe country achieved its first dedicated well reaching a depth of 1200m in September for potential CO2 storage The drilling site in Pakri Barwadih in the vicinity of a coal mining area in Jharkhands Hazaribagh was completed on November 15Notably a second well drilling was initiated on December 21 Both CO2 injection and plume monitoring using these wells will be implemented the institute saidâAs India stands at the cusp of honouring netzero commitments in line with the Panchamrit climate goals announced by the Prime Minister accelerating indigenous science and technology outcomes for commercialisation of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage CCUS technologies will be crucial to the journey towards Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat commitmentsâ said Dr VK Saraswat Member NITI AayogâWe should also keep a strict watch on subsurface characterisation conservative injection pressure limits robust well design and sealing and continuous monitoring of pressure and seismicityâ added Saraswat also the Chairman Advisory Committee DSTNational Centre of Excellence NCOE in CCUS at IIT BombayGurdeep Singh CMD NTPC called the feat an important step towards decarbonisationProf Shireesh Kedare Director IIT Bombay emphasised the role of translational RampD in architecting the roadmap for Indias energy transition and decarbonisationThe project which marked a shift in research from laboratories to field deployment will provide feasibility and risk assessments for a fullscale CCS development including a detailed storage complex analysis and a commercial development planPreliminary studies indicate high geological CO2 storage potential in the North Karanpura coalfield with the PakriBarwadih block showing potential to inject up to 155 Mt over a 10year injection periodIt may be recalled that in 2017 IIT Bombay and NTPC collaborated to curate Indias first CO2 capture and utilisation facility in the power sector which led to the establishment of the Vindhyachal CCU plant that captures 20 tonnes of CO2 per day and converts it into fuelmethaneIndias CCUS journey is being advanced through a missionmode approach with the Ministry of Power as the nodal agency supported by interministerial collaboration to scale up CCUS technologies across hardtoabate sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-bombay-ntpc-complete-drilling-indias-1st-co2-storage-well-second-underway-656125.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/northeast-monsoon-heading-to-conclusion-in-tn-with-near-normal-rainfall-season-655876.html Chennai Dec 28 The Northeast Monsoon season in Tamil Nadu which typically spans from October to December is nearing its conclusion with the state having received close to its normal rainfall for the season According to the Meteorological Department the monsoon which began in October is now in its final phase with only a few days remaining before it officially withdrawsThis year the Northeast Monsoon brought widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu significantly benefiting the stateThe impact of Cyclone Ditwah played a crucial role in enhancing rainfall particularly across the delta districts and parts of northern Tamil NaduChennai and its surrounding regions also witnessed substantial rainfall spells during the seasonFrom October 1 until now Tamil Nadu and Puducherry together have received about 428 cm of rainfall against the normal seasonal average of 437 cm indicating that the state has almost achieved its expected monsoon rainfallWith two more days remaining in the season meteorologists note that there is still potential for light rainfall activity However a change in wind patterns has begun to influence weather conditions across the regionDue to variations in easterly winds a gradual shift toward drier weather is being observedOn Sunday dry weather is expected to prevail across most parts of Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal though early morning mist or light fog may occur in a few placesAnd on Monday light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated locations in the delta districts and the Karaikal regionThe rest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to experience generally dry conditions with the possibility of early morning mist in isolated pocketsLooking ahead to Tuesday light to moderate rainfall may occur at isolated places over southern Tamil Nadu the delta districts and KaraikalOther parts of the state including northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are likely to remain dryThe Meteorological Department has stated that on December 31 and January 1 light to moderate rainfall may occur at isolated locations over southern Tamil Nadu while northern districts Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to continue experiencing mostly dry weatherAs the Northeast Monsoon draws to a close the focus now shifts to stable winter weather conditions across the state with rainfall activity expected to gradually taper off in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/northeast-monsoon-heading-to-conclusion-in-tn-with-near-normal-rainfall-season-655876.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/water-shortfall-hits-tns-athikadavu-avinashi-project-farmers-raise-concerns-655879.html Chennai Dec 28 The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD has acknowledged that several waterbodies under the AthikadavuAvinashi irrigation project did not receive adequate water this year and assured that priority would be given to these areas during the next monsoon season The flagship project which became operational on August 17 2024 aims to divert surplus water from the Bhavani River to rejuvenate 1045 waterbodies across Coimbatore Tiruppur and Erode districts As part of the project 15 thousand million cubic feet tmcft of water was allocated for distribution this year However farmers in several regions have raised concerns over insufficient water supplyAccording to them many tanks and ponds received only partial inflow leaving agricultural activity severely affected despite the project being operational for more than a year S Appusamy president of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association in Pongupalayam Union said that several waterbodies in the northern parts of Tiruppur district received barely 10 per cent of their capacity âEven after the AthikadavuAvinashi project came into effect many villages continue to face droughtlike conditions Similar problems exist in parts of Coimbatore and Erode districts as well There needs to be a permanent and equitable solutionâ he saidResponding to the concerns a senior WRD official explained that the project is dependent on surplus water from the Bhavani RiverâThis year the southwest monsoon arrived early and the available surplus water was drawn in advance and supplied to the connected waterbodies Nearly 95 per cent of the tanks under the project received waterâ the official saidHowever he admitted that around 5 per cent of the waterbodies could not be fully supplied due to technical issues such as damaged pipelines blockages and malfunctioning Outlet Management Systems OMS âThese issues affected the flow in certain areas and corrective measures are plannedâ the official addedHe also clarified that no further water release is possible for the current year as the allocated quantity has already been exhausted âWe are confident that sufficient surplus water will be available again next year as the Bhavani River has recorded good inflows for the past three consecutive years Priority will be given to waterbodies that received inadequate supply this timeâ the official saidFarmers meanwhile have urged the government to ensure timely maintenance and equitable distribution so that the projectâs full benefits reach all intended regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/water-shortfall-hits-tns-athikadavu-avinashi-project-farmers-raise-concerns-655879.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html New Delhi Dec 28 Indiaâs ambition to become a strong maritime power is no longer just a longterm goal it is clearly visible along its 7500kilometre coastline Ports that were once modest trade gateways are now busy hubs of economic activity handling growing volumes of cargo and supporting Indiaâs push for manufacturing exports and global competitiveness as per India Narrative reportBut as port activity expands a critical question has come to the forefront how can growth continue without harming fragile coastal ecosystems and worsening climate changeIndiaâs answer is increasingly clear Policymakers now see green growth not as an obstacle to development but as the only way to make that development sustainable in the long runPorts handle almost 95 per cent of Indiaâs external trade by volume making them vital to the economy the report saidOver the past decade cargo at major ports has risen sharply from about 581 million tonnes to nearly 855 million tonnes This growth reflects stronger manufacturing and deeper integration with global supply chainsAt the same time ports are major sources of air pollution water contamination and carbon emissions and many are located close to mangroves wetlands coral reefs and densely populated coastal citiesA major shift is already underway The replacement of the colonialera Ports Act of 1908 with the Indian Ports Act 2025 marks a turning point in maritime governanceEnvironmental safeguards are now built directly into the legal framework making sustainability a core requirement rather than a voluntary addon This change is supported by longterm planning that links port growth with climate responsibilityCentral to this approach is the Maritime India Vision 2030 which places sustainability at the heart of portled development It is backed by the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines which set clear and measurable goalsPorts are expected to cut carbon emissions per tonne of cargo by 30 per cent by 2030 electrify a large share of their equipment and source more than 60 per cent of their energy from renewable sourcesThese targets are designed to scale up further toward 2047 showing that green transition is an ongoing process not a onetime effortPorts are also moving toward cleaner daytoday operations Shoretoship power systems allow vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked reducing air pollution in nearby citiesElectrified cranes vehicles and cargohandling equipment lower noise levels cut fuel costs and improve safety for workersThese changes directly benefit local communities that have long faced the environmental impact of port activityWater management and biodiversity protection are also becoming priorities Ports use large amounts of freshwater and generate wastewater and dredged materialNew practices focus on recycling wastewater reducing discharge and reusing dredged material for construction or coastal protectionEfforts to restore mangroves and increase green cover help absorb carbon and protect shorelines from storms and erosion which are becoming more frequent due to climate change IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-bets-on-green-ports-to-power-next-phase-of-maritime-growth-655960.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/fog-strong-winds-forecast-across-tn-over-next-two-days-655859.html Chennai Dec 27 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast largely dry weather conditions across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal over the next two days attributing the change to variations in the easterly wind pattern prevailing over the region While widespread rainfall is not expected the department has cautioned residents about early morning fog slightly lower night temperatures in select areas and strong surface winds along the coastal beltAccording to the IMD light mist or fog may form during the early morning hours in isolated pockets across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and KaraikalThe Weather Department noted that there would be no significant change in minimum temperatures across most parts of the stateHowever in a few interior regions particularly in higher elevations night temperatures may remain 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal until SundaySpecial attention has been drawn to the Nilgiris district and the Kodaikanal hill region in Dindigul district where cold conditions are expected to persistThe IMD has warned that one or two locations in these areas may experience mist or frostlike conditions during latenight or early morning hours which could affect visibility and earlymorning travelIn Chennai and its adjoining suburbs the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy through the day Light rainfall may occur in isolated areas during the early morning hoursThe maximum temperature in the city is likely to hover between 30 and 31 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is expected to be around 23 degrees CelsiusThe Weather Department has also issued a marine advisory for the southern coast of Tamil Nadu the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin Sea regionStrong surface winds ranging from 45 to 55 kmph with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph are likely to prevailFishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea during this period due to rough sea conditionsAuthorities have urged residents fishermen and farmers to remain cautious and to follow official weather bulletins closelyThe IMD stated that continuous monitoring is underway and further updates will be issued if there are significant changes in weather patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/fog-strong-winds-forecast-across-tn-over-next-two-days-655859.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-air-quality-improves-as-overall-aqi-falls-to-poor-category--655733.html New Delhi Dec 26 The national capital witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Friday with the Air Quality Index AQI falling into the âpoorâ category and averaging 292 according to official data The improvement comes after Delhi recorded âsevereâ air quality levels earlier this week with the AQI touching 412 on December 23 Over the past two days a gradual decline in pollution levels has been observed across several parts of the cityData from the Central Pollution Control Boardâs CPCB Sameer mobile application showed that as of 605 am three monitoring stations reported air quality in the âmoderateâ category These included Lodhi RoadIITM with an AQI of 160 Lodhi RoadIMD at 194 and Najafgarh at 188Several other stations recorded AQI levels in the âpoorâ category These included Aya Nagar 212 CRRI Mathura Road 265 Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range 290 Dwarka Sector 8 282 IGI Airport Terminal 3 238 IIT Delhi 231 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 253 and Mandir Marg 222 among othersHowever a number of monitoring stations continued to report âvery poorâ air quality Areas such as Anand Vihar 377 Bawana 363 Jahangirpuri 372 Narela 345 Nehru Nagar 346 Sonia Vihar 353 and Vivek Vihar 361 recorded some of the highest pollution levels in the cityIn view of the recent improvement in air quality the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM lifted the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP StageIV restrictions across the DelhiNational Capital Region NCR on December 24 Officials said that if the improving trend continues further relaxations in pollution control measures could be considered in the coming daysAir quality in the surrounding NCR areas remained mixed In Haryana Bahadurgarh recorded an AQI of 301 placing it in the âvery poorâ category while Gurugramâs overall AQI stood at 270 falling under the âpoorâ range One of Gurugramâs four monitoring stations located in Sector 51 reported âvery poorâ air quality with an AQI of 375 Dharuhera also recorded âpoorâ air quality with an AQI of 279In Uttar Pradesh Ghaziabad registered an overall AQI of 344 with all four monitoring stations reporting âvery poorâ air quality Greater Noida recorded an overall AQI of 362 while Knowledge ParkV reported an AQI of 386 and Knowledge ParkIII recorded 337 Noidaâs overall AQI also remained in the âvery poorâ category at 334Delhis decision to allow only Bharat Stage BS 6 vehicles to enter the national capital had blocked at least 12 million older vehicles registered outside from entering the cityVehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhis toxic air especially in the winter months when cold weather traps smog close to the ground Experts estimate that vehicles account for up to 40 per cent of particulate pollution in the NCR particularly in densely travelled corridors By restricting higheremitting vehicles authorities hope to reduce the pollution load and safeguard public health IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-air-quality-improves-as-overall-aqi-falls-to-poor-category--655733.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-grips-rajasthan-jaipur-remains-under-cloud-cover-655747.html Jaipur Dec 26 A severe cold wave accompanied by chilly winds has tightened its grip over Rajasthan causing a sharp dip in temperatures across the state The Meteorological Department on Friday forecast intensified cold conditions over the next three to four days and issued a yellow alert for 11 districts in northeastern Rajasthan Karauli in eastern Rajasthan recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 36 degrees Celsius while Pali in the western region registered 52 degrees C Other districts also witnessed biting cold with Churu at 64 degrees C Nagaur at 66 degrees C Jalore at 69 degrees C Dausa at 50 degrees C AntaBaran at 52 degrees C and Alwar at 60 degrees CelsiusSeveral parts of the state reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees C intensifying winter conditionsIn Sikar cold winds have significantly increased the chill and despite intermittent sunshine temperatures remained low throughout the morning Jaipur and Nagaur have experienced a sharp drop of nearly 8 degrees Celsius over the past two days adding to the severity of the cold waveThursday night marked the coldest night of the season in several cities In rural areas of Kota dense fog blanketed farmlands on Friday morning with dew freezing on crops raising concerns for agricultureThe cold wave has been most pronounced in the Shekhawati region including Sikar Churu and Jhunjhunu along with Nagaur Alwar Karauli Dholpur and BharatpurFrost formation has begun in rural pockets while mornings and evenings have turned particularly harsh In many rural areas temperatures are hovering around 5 degrees Celsius and cold winds are also suppressing daytime temperaturesDespite clear skies the maximum temperature has struggled to rise with Barmer recording the highest at 284 degrees C on Thursday while Jaipur remained cooler at 24 degrees CThe Meteorological Department has warned of further intensification of the cold wave in the coming days and advised residents to exercise caution especially during early morning and late evening hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-grips-rajasthan-jaipur-remains-under-cloud-cover-655747.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ka-ghajini-suits-arvind-kejriwal-not-l-g-bjp-slams-aap-on-air-pollution-655797.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva on Friday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party AAP for dubbing Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena as Delhi ka Ghajini over air pollution asserting that the character from the film actually suits former Chief Minister Arvind KejriwalnbspThe remarks come days after Delhis Lieutenant Governor wrote a detailed letter to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holding him and his party responsible for the national capitals deteriorating air quality and poor infrastructure In response the AAP launched a poster attack on the LG portraying him as Delhi ka GhajiniSpeaking to IANS Virendra Sachdeva said The LG has written a letter of around 15 pages It is quite shocking for me that in the letter the LG is reminding the Chief Minister of 201718 that pollution is a serious problem However the response at that time was even more shocking as Arvind Kejriwal reportedly said that pollution lasts for only 1520 days and should not be taken so seriouslynbspHe further alleged that Kejriwal had downplayed the issue by claiming that a few media houses and activists would raise the matter for a short period and that people would eventually forget about itThe government led by Arvind Kejriwal which ruled Delhi for 12 years has pushed the city into this miserable condition Why should the BJP government which has been in power for just 10 months be held responsible for their misdeeds Sachdeva addednbspSachdeva said the current government was making sincere efforts to improve the situation after decades of neglectnbspMy government is trying very hard to improve things after 27 years of bad governance We are working on roads infrastructure and several measures to control pollution At least our government is working What they did was loot the national capital and destroy Delhi he saidTaking a swipe at the AAPs poster campaign Sachdeva said the comparison with the character Ghajini was misplacednbspI remember the character of Ghajini very well He forgets everything Even the poster used by AAP has mistakes After losing the election the person who has forgotten Delhi is Arvind Kejriwal So the character of Ghajini suits him not the LG They should at least use a proper picture he saidnbspMeanwhile air quality in the national capital showed marginal improvement on Friday but continued to remain in the poor category A day earlier the opposition AAP had stepped up its attack on Lieutenant Governor Saxena after he wrote to Kejriwal recalling his earlier attempts to raise concerns about pollution when Kejriwal was the Chief MinisterIn the letter Saxena stated that he had flagged the issue of pollution before Kejriwal but his concerns were dismissed According to the LG Kejriwal had said Sir this happens every year The media raises it for 1520 days Activists and the courts make it an issue and then everyone forgets You too should not pay much attention to itnbspReacting sharply the AAP accused the LG of shifting blame instead of addressing the ongoing pollution crisis In a cinematic jibe the party shared an edited image of Saxena on social media platform X on ThursdayThe image showed Saxenas face morphed onto a poster of the Aamir Khanstarrer Ghajini a film whose protagonist suffers from shortterm memory loss The AAP alleged that the LG was forgetting that the BJP is currently in power in Delhi and that fixing the pollution crisis is its responsibilitynbspL Low Quality G Ghajini the AAP post read The edited image also carried tattoos stating Kejriwal is responsible Pollution in 2025 and AQI at 750 further intensifying the political sparring over Delhis worsening air quality https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ka-ghajini-suits-arvind-kejriwal-not-l-g-bjp-slams-aap-on-air-pollution-655797.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-reserves-order-over-declining-yamunas-biodiversity-655664.html New Delhi Dec 25 The National Green Tribunal NGT has reserved its order in a suo motu case concerning the sharp decline of indigenous fish species and the growing dominance of invasive foreign fish in the Yamuna river After hearing final arguments from all sides a Bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel reserved the matter for ordersThe suo motu case stemmed from a May 2024 news report highlighting the findings of a scientific survey that recorded 126 fish species in the Yamuna revealing a decline in native Indian species and an increase in exotic fishIn its survey the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute CIFRI Prayagraj found that pollution altered river flow and habitat degradation have severely impacted fish diversityCIFRIs study revealed that while the Yamuna supports 126 species across its stretch the lowest species richness was recorded at ITO in Delhi described as the most polluted site where dissolved oxygen levels and water flow were nearly zero or below detectable levelsThe study showed a significant decline in iconic native species Mahseer once contributing around 9 per cent of the catch in the late 1990s now accounts for barely 17 per centIndian Major Carps which dominated catches in the 1960s and 1970s have also seen a steep fall across Delhi Mathura and Agra stretches Hilsa fishery the report said has been totally wiped out from the riverine stretch since 2010In contrast exotic species such as common carp Nile tilapia and Thai Mangur were found to dominate large stretches of the river Nile tilapia alone accounted for over 80 per cent of the catch in Delhi Agra and Mathura during certain periods with CIFRI attributing its success to high pollution tolerance and rapid reproductionIn an earlier hearing the NGT had also expressed dissatisfaction with the responses filed by authorities observing that replies lacked effective measures that can be taken to remediate the problemThe green tribunal had also taken note of a separate report by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB which flagged that several stretches of the Yamuna failed to meet water quality criteria even for the propagation of wildlife and fisheriesCPCB data showed noncompliance on parameters such as dissolved oxygen biochemical oxygen demand and total coliform at multiple locations in Haryana Delhi and Uttar PradeshCIFRI in its suggestions to the NGT had recommended strict regulation of illegal fishing gear strategic ranching of native species a ban on ritual release of exotic fish improved public awareness maintenance of environmental flows below barrages and urgent action against industrial and organic pollution IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-reserves-order-over-declining-yamunas-biodiversity-655664.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-act-on-kolathur-water-body-encroachments-cites-hc-order-655678.html Chennai Dec 25 The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP has called upon Chief Minister MK Stalin to fulfil longpending electoral promises made to the people of Kolathur particularly with regard to the removal of encroachments on water bodies in the constituency In a press release issued on Thursday ANS Prasad State Spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu BJP said the issue had acquired renewed urgency following a recent order of the Madras High Court directing authorities to clear encroachments from Vannankulam lake in Kolathur The High Court order came in response to a petition filed by Advocate Devaraj a resident of Kolathur who sought the removal of encroachments on nearly 350 acres of land in the Peravallur area The petition highlighted illegal occupations on Vannankulam lake several ponds and tanks and government poramboke lands which serve as crucial catchment areas during the monsoon A division bench comprising Chief Justice MM Srivatsava and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the Revenue Department the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board and the Greater Chennai Corporation to remove the encroachments on a âwarfootingâ basis The BJP has now urged the Chief Minister to issue clear instructions to these departments to ensure swift and timebound implementation of the courtâs directive The party noted that as both the MLA of Kolathur and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Stalin carries a moral responsibility to personally intervene and resolve the longstanding issue of water body encroachments It is alleged that despite repeated and consistent rulings by various courts mandating the protection and restoration of water bodies successive directives have not been acted upon with seriousness While acknowledging improvements made in Kolathur between 2021 and 2025 in areas such as hospitals playgrounds and bus stands the BJP pointed out that several core promises remain unfulfilled These include the widening of Paper Mills Road from Perambur Church to Retteri Junction a commitment made over 15 years ago The BJP also alleged that many encroachments were carried out during earlier regimes with the involvement of political cadres and recalled Stalinâs 2011 assurance to completely clear encroachments restore ponds and tanks and protect drinking water sources in Kolathur Calling for immediate action the party appealed to the Chief Minister to set an example by enforcing the High Court order without delay and ensuring the full restoration of Kolathurâs water bodies IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-act-on-kolathur-water-body-encroachments-cites-hc-order-655678.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nfrs-tech-driven-measures-save-over-160-elephants-ensure-safer-train-operations--655698.html Guwahati Dec 25 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has been undertaking a series of proactive technologydriven initiatives to prevent wild elephant dashing incidents and ensure safe uninterrupted train operations across its network successfully protecting more than 160 wild elephants during 2025 alone Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said on Thursday that NFRâs sustained efforts have yielded encouraging results with over 160 elephant lives successfully protected during 2025 alone reaffirming the railway zoneâs strong commitment to wildlife conservation A major step in this direction is the deployment of the Intrusion Detection System IDS an advanced Artificial Intelligencebased technology utilising Distributed Acoustic System DAS principles he said The system detects elephant movement near railway tracks and instantly provides realtime alerts to loco pilots and control rooms enabling timely preventive action and enhancing operational safety According to the official the IDS has already been successfully commissioned across key sections of NFR that pass through elephant corridors At present the system is operational in four important sections These sections include 24 km KamakhyaAzaraMirza section under Rangiya Division the 32 km HabaipurLamsakhangPatharkholaLumding section under Lumding Division the 23 km TitabarâMarianiâNakachari section under Tinsukia Division all in Assam and the 52 km MadarihatNagrakata section under Alipurduar Division in West Bengal Together these installations cover 627 km of elephant corridors and 131 km of block sections significantly improving safety in sensitive wildlife zones the NFR CPRO said Building on this success IDS installation works are currently underway across multiple divisions including 92 km in Alipurduar 25 km in Katihar in Bihar 174 km in Rangiya 110 km in Lumding and 12 km in Tinsukia Division According to Sharma upon completion of the works the system will cover all elephant corridors under NFR jurisdiction totalling 1464 km with an overall block section length of 41342 km creating a robust and comprehensive safety network He said that in addition NFR has adopted innovative preventive measures to reduce train elephant interactions The âPlan Beeâ system installed at vulnerable level crossing gates uses amplified honey bee sounds audible up to 400 metres to deter elephants from approaching tracks In coordination with the Forest Department NFR has also enhanced safety through realtime information sharing nighttime speed restrictions in elephant corridors temporary speed curbs based on sightings sensitisation of train crews installation of cautionary signage and vegetation clearance to improve visibility The NFR official said that at the national level Indian Railways has strengthened wildlife protection by deploying an AIenabled Intrusion Detection System IDS using Distributed Acoustic System DAS technology to detect elephants and other wildlife near railway tracks Successfully piloted on Northeast Frontier Railway the system is now being expanded to other parts of the country he said This expansion will cover an additional 981 route kilometres taking the total coverage to 1122 route kilometres across Indian Railways reinforcing its commitment to wildlife conservation and safe train operations It is noteworthy that more than 2000 elephants have been safely protected while crossing railway tracks across NFR since 2017 the CPRO claimed The NFR operates in the Northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar with more than 7362 Track Kilometres TKM in its jurisdiction IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nfrs-tech-driven-measures-save-over-160-elephants-ensure-safer-train-operations--655698.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/dense-morning-fog-likely-across-tn-till-dec-28-light-rain-forecast-for-coastal-northern-regions-655569.html Chennai Dec 25 The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a weather advisory warning that dense morning fog is likely to persist across several parts of Tamil Nadu till December 28 In a statement the India Meteorological Department IMD Chennai said that foggy conditions are expected during the early morning hours over large parts of the state for the next three days potentially affecting visibility and earlyday travelAlongside the fog warning the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at isolated places in coastal areas north Tamil Nadu and parts of Puducherry and Karaikal over the next three days The rainfall is expected to be scattered with one or two locations in these regions likely to receive short spells of precipitation mainly under cloudy conditionsThe weather department attributed the prevailing conditions to seasonal atmospheric changes and moisture accumulation over the Bay of Bengal which are contributing to cloud formation intermittent rainfall and reduced visibility during early morning hoursCommuters especially those travelling during dawn have been advised to exercise caution due to the likelihood of fog affecting road and rail transport In hilly regions particularly the Nilgiris district and the Kodaikanal hills the IMD has warned of a possibility of frost for the next two daysCold night temperatures combined with clear skies are expected to create favourable conditions for frost formation in these elevated areas Residents tourists and farmers in these regions have been advised to take necessary precautions especially to protect crops and livestock from coldrelated damageFor Chennai the weather outlook indicates partly cloudy skies over the next two days The city is also likely to experience morning fog or mist during early hours with light rain possible in a few localitiesWhile no heavy rainfall is anticipated intermittent drizzles could lead to damp conditions in some neighbourhoods Meteorological officials stated that daytime temperatures are expected to remain near normal levels while nighttime temperatures may dip slightly in inland and hilly regionsThe public has been advised to stay updated with official weather bulletins and follow safety guidelines particularly during early morning travel The IMD will continue to closely monitor weather patterns and issue updates if there are any significant changes in forecasts over the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/dense-morning-fog-likely-across-tn-till-dec-28-light-rain-forecast-for-coastal-northern-regions-655569.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-records-coldest-day-of-season-on-christmas-655585.html Kolkata Dec 25 Kolkata recorded the coldest day of the season on Christmas as the minimum temperature dropped below 14 degrees Celsius On Christmas morning the minimum temperature in Kolkata was 137 degrees CelsiusThe Maidan and Alipore areas were shrouded in fog from dawnAs the day progressed city dwellers sporting sweaters and jackets set off for the Alipore Zoological Garden Eco Park Science City Victoria Memorial Indian Museum and other amusement parks across the cityThe Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore said that the minimum temperature may drop by another 2 to 3 degrees in the next two daysAs a result the people of the state will be able to enjoy the winter chill throughout the entire holiday season at the end of the yearThe Met Office previously announced that from Christmas temperatures would drop across the stateThe intensity of the northerly winds would also increase accordingly bringing down the temperature across the stateOn Thursday morning Kolkatas minimum temperature was 137 degrees Celsius 08 degrees below normalOn Wednesday the maximum temperature was 237 degrees Celsius 19 degrees below normal The weather office said that the temperature across South Bengal may drop by another 2 to 3 degrees in the next three daysA series of western disturbances has moved away from north India leading to an increase in the intensity of northerly windsCurrently the weather will remain dry throughout the state However various districts of the state will be enveloped by fog in the morningsOn Thursday the fog will be most intense in Purulia West Burdwan and Birbhum districts in South BengalA yellow alert for dense fog has been issued for these three districts Visibility may drop to 200 to 50 metres in some areas Light to moderate fog will also be present in Kolkata and the remaining districts of South Bengal Fog will also prevail in north BengalOn Thursday a dense fog warning has been issued for Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Alipurduar Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur districtsOn Christmas Day the lowest temperature in South Bengal was recorded in Birbhum districts Sriniketan 85 degrees CelsiusBesides this the mercury dropped to 9 degrees Celsius in Suri 13 degrees Celsius in Barrackpore 10 degrees Celsius in Burdwan 91 degrees Celsius in Bankura 104 degrees Celsius in Asansol 13 degrees Celsius in Diamond Harbour 126 degrees Celsius in Midnapore and 104 degrees Celsius in BerhamporeIn north Bengal the lowest temperature was recorded in Darjeeling 45 degrees CelsiusBesides this the temperature dropped to 8 degrees Celsius in Alipurduar 101 degrees Celsius in Cooch Behar and 105 degrees Celsius in Kalimpong IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-records-coldest-day-of-season-on-christmas-655585.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-congress-criticises-bjp-over-aravalli-range-row-655422.html Jaipur Dec 23 Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra on Tuesday launched a attack on the BJPled governments at the Centre and in the state alleging a wellplanned conspiracy to plunder the Aravalli mountain range Addressing the media at the state Congress headquarters in Jaipur Dotasra claimed that the countryâs natural resources are being âsystematically lootedâ and accused the BJP of completing its plan to open the Aravallis to the mining mafia He alleged that the report submitted by the Central government to the Supreme Court was prepared under pressure and reflected the BJPâs intent to destroy the Aravalli range which he described as the lifeline of RajasthanDotasra warned that nearly 90 per cent of the Aravalli range could be destroyed with vast stretches handed over to mining interests He further alleged that the BJP deliberately appointed leaders from Alwar to key positions to facilitate this agenda citing Bhupender Yadav MP from Alwar being made Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change and Sanjay Sharmaâs appointment as Rajasthanâs Forest MinisterâAn inexperienced person has been given power in the state so that he cannot exercise independent judgment and instead complies with arbitrary decisions taken by the Centreâ Dotasra saidReferring to the BJPâs election manifesto he accused the party of promising a âgreen corridorâ to protect the Aravallis but instead turning the region into an âillegal mining corridorâ Drawing a parallel with the electoral bonds controversy Dotasra claimed that mining leases would now be used to extract donations from mafias and favoured industrialists He pointed out that Rajasthan already has the highest number of mining leases in the country and questioned the attempt to alter the Critical Tiger Habitat CTH area of Sariska which the Supreme Court blockedâThe Supreme Court did not allow that attempt to succeed That conspiracy received a strong slap and now a new conspiracy is underwayâ he saidDotasra expressed concern that in Rajasthan the Chief Minister also holds the Mining and Home portfolios while the Union Environment Minister is also from Rajasthan âAll of them have conspired together BJP leaders are moving towards destroying the Aravalli range which is not just a symbol of faith but also the ecological lifeline of the stateâ he allegedHe also criticised BJP leaders Arun Chaturvedi and Rajendra Rathore for issuing statements on the issue instead of the Mining Minister Dotasra accused Chaturvedi chairman of the Rajasthan Finance Commission of acting like a BJP spokesperson despite heading an autonomous constitutional body âThere should never be political interference in such institutionsâ he saidAccusing the BJP of hypocrisy Dotasra said the party seeks votes in the name of Sanatan Dharma while allowing mining in areas that house historic religious and cultural sites He listed several shrines located in the Aravalli range including Parshuram Mahadev Pali Harshnath Sikar Pandupole Hanuman Temple and Neelkanth Mahadev Alwar Galta and Khole Ke Hanumanji Jaipur Eklingji and Rishabhdev Udaipur Lohargal Jhunjhunu Delwara Achalgarh and KumbhalgarhâThese temples are our centres of faith and worship Destroying their geographical and ecological surroundings is being done purely for moneyâ Dotasra alleged adding that the BJP âuses money to topple governments and seize powerâHe reiterated that Congress would continue to oppose any move that threatens the Aravalli range and demanded full transparency and accountability from both the Central and state governments IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-congress-criticises-bjp-over-aravalli-range-row-655422.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-alert-issued-in-parts-of-rajasthan-temperatures-plunge-655528.html Jaipur Dec 24 A cold wave has gripped parts of Rajasthan as winter conditions intensified following the reactivation of a Western Disturbance Temperatures dropped sharply across several districts with icy winds causing severe chill especially during the night and early morning hours After nearly a week of dry weather snowfall in the Himalayan foothills and a shift in wind patterns have brought freezing winds to the desert plains In many areas night temperatures fell by as much as 7 degrees Celsius significantly increasing the coldThe Meteorological Department has forecast dry weather in the western and southern parts of Rajasthan over the next two days However dense fog and cold winds are expected to continue in the northeastern regions further intensifying the chillFatehpur Sikar recorded a minimum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning nearly 7 degrees Celsius lower than last TuesdaySimilarly Nagaur recorded a minimum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius Dew drops were seen frozen overnight making water droplets on crops trees and barns glow like pearlsFor the past week Fatehpur had experienced sunny days with night temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius However a sudden weather change led to dense fog on Wednesday morning keeping residents indoors until late morningCold northeasterly winds also affected Jaipur where the chill intensified from Tuesday evening onward Fog covered the cityâs outskirts on Wednesday morningThe Meteorological Department has warned that strong cold winds will continue with colder mornings and evenings expected in Jaipur and several other cities over the next 24 hours Meteorologists have issued a weekend alert warning that a change in wind patterns may bring icy northern winds into Rajasthanâs plains Night temperatures in some areas could approach freezing levels marking the onset of a severe cold spell across the stateA cold wave and fog alert has been issued by the IMD for northern and western districts including Jaisalmer Bikaner and Churu IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-alert-issued-in-parts-of-rajasthan-temperatures-plunge-655528.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-forest-dept-restricts-tourist-entry-into-thalakundha-after-frost-draws-large-crowds-655554.html Chennai Dec 24 A sudden rush of tourists to Thalakundha near Udhagamandalam Taluk to witness ground frost has prompted the Forest Department to restrict public access to the area Large crowds have been converging on the frostcovered landscape over the past few days after videos and photographs of the rare winter phenomenon circulated widely on social media raising concerns over visitor safety and ecological disturbance in the NilgirisAccording to Forest Department officials tourism activity in Thalakundha and surrounding areas surged sharply after online posts showed frost carpeting open fields and grassy patchesMany visitors drawn by the spectacle were seen venturing beyond designated routes and entering forest land that falls under the departmentâs jurisdictionOfficials said Thalakundha forms part of the catchment area of the Kamaraj Sagar Dam a zone that is both ecologically sensitive and potentially dangerous for the untrained publicThe sudden influx of tourists they said created risks not only for visitors but also for wildlife that inhabits the regionIn a statement issued the Forest Department cautioned the public against illegally trespassing into the area Officials noted that the terrain is uneven and becomes particularly slippery during frost conditions The catchment also contains several deep and concealed water pockets posing a serious drowning risk to those unfamiliar with the landscapeâThe area has multiple potential hazards that pose risks to tourists People unaware of the terrain can slip sustain injuries or even drown as there are very deep spots within the catchment areaâ a senior official saidHe added that Thalakundha is home to a variety of wildlife species and unregulated human movement could lead to dangerous encountersWarning boards have been installed at strategic locations to alert visitors about restricted entry and potential dangers However officials said repeated violations forced the department to step up enforcementAs a result Forest Department personnel have now been deployed to monitor the area and prevent tourist entry into prohibited zonesOfficials said the restrictions would remain in place until the tourist surge subsides and safety risks are brought under controlThe department has appealed to visitors not to be swayed by viral social media content and to strictly follow forest regulationsTourists have been urged to enjoy winter attractions only in permitted areas of the Nilgiris while ensuring their own safety and avoiding disturbance to fragile ecosystems and wildlife habitats IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-forest-dept-restricts-tourist-entry-into-thalakundha-after-frost-draws-large-crowds-655554.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-registers-continued-gains-in-farm-production-cm-mk-stalin-on-national-farmers-day-655354.html Chennai Dec 23 Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Tuesday that Tamil Nadu continues to record steady gains in agricultural production due to sustained policy initiatives undertaken by the DMK government even as he criticised the BJPled Union government for what he described as âantifarmerâ policies In a statement issued on the occasion of National Farmersâ Day observed on December 23 Stalin extended greetings to farmers describing them as the backbone of society and a global force in the fight against hungerHe said the Dravidian model of governance had placed agriculture at the centre of development planning resulting in tangible improvements in farm output and rural livelihoodsListing key initiatives the Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu was among the few States to present a separate agriculture budget apart from organising agriculture business festivals and exhibitions to link farmers with marketsHe cited the launch of the âUzhavanâ mobile application which provides farmers with realtime information and the Kalaignar AllVillage Integrated Agricultural Development Programme aimed at strengthening rural infrastructureFree electricity connections for farmers were also highlighted as a major support measureâThese consistent efforts of the Dravidian model government have enabled Tamil Nadu to continue achieving growth in agricultural productionâ Stalin said adding that the government remained committed to improving farmersâ incomes and quality of lifeAt the same time he accused the BJPled Union government of neglecting farmer welfare Referring to the alleged weakening of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme he said such actions directly affected agricultural labourers and rural householdsThe Chief Minister announced that protests would be held on Tuesday against what he termed antifarmer decisions of the CentreMeanwhile AIADMK general secretary and leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami also issued a statement marking National Farmersâ DayExtending greetings to farmers he described them as the âproviders of the worldâ whose tireless labour closely tied to soil and nature forms the foundation of the nationâs economy and peopleâs livesPalaniswami said ensuring the welfare safety and future of farmers was essential for the countryâs progressHe called upon all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to improving the lives of farmers and strengthening agriculture which he said remained central to national developmentThe statements from the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK underline how farmer welfare continues to remain a key political and policy focus in Tamil Nadu particularly as the state moves closer to the 2026 Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-registers-continued-gains-in-farm-production-cm-mk-stalin-on-national-farmers-day-655354.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-580-lakh-hectares-655211.html New Delhi Dec 22 The total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased by 811 lakh hectares to 58070 lakh hectares as on December 19 this year compared with the corresponding figure of 57259 lakh hectares in the same period last year data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production which in turn would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in checkThe official figures show that the area under wheat has risen to 30163 lakh hectares from 30034 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area under pulses such as Urd Lentils Masur and Moong has gone up by 372 lakh hectares to 12674 lakh hectares from 12302 lakh hectares during the same period last yearThe area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar bajra and ragi has increased by 061 lakh hectares to 4566 lakh hectares during the current season so far compared to 4505 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous yearThe area under oilseeds such as rapeseed and mustard has increased by 068 lakh hectares to 9333 lakh hectares from 9265 lakh hectares in the same period last yearThe sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas which account for close to 50 per cent of the countryâs farmlandMeanwhile the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA on October 1 this year approved an increase in the minimum support prices MSP for all mandated rabi crops for the 202627 marketing season to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produceThe minimum support prices are announced well ahead of the sowing season as farmers can accordingly draw up their cropping plans to maximise their earningsThe highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs 600 per quintal followed by Lentil Masur at Rs 300 per quintal For rapeseed and mustard gram barley and wheat there is an increase of Rs 250 per quintal Rs 225 per quintal Rs 170 per quintal and Rs 160 per quintal respectivelyThe increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 202627 is in line with the Union Budget 201819 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 15 times the AllIndia weighted average cost of Production The expected margin over the AllIndia weighted average cost of production is 109 per cent for wheat followed by 93 per cent for rapeseed and mustard 89 per cent for lentil 59 per cent for gram 58 per cent for barley and 50 per cent for safflower This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversificationThe cost of production for these crops includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour bullock labourmachine labour rent paid for leased in land expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds fertilizers manures irrigation charges depreciation on implements and farm buildings interest on working capital dieselelectricity for operation of pump sets etc miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour the official statement explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/area-sown-under-rabi-crop-crosses-580-lakh-hectares-655211.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/patna-academic-activities-up-to-class-8-suspended-till-dec-26-due-to-severe-cold-wave-655329.html Patna Dec 23 In view of the extreme cold wave prevailing in Patna the district administration has suspended academic activities up to Class 8 till Friday According to Patna District Magistrate Tyagarajan SM persistently low temperatures pose a serious risk to the health and safety of childrenExercising powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS 2023 the District Magistrate has ordered the suspension of academic activities up to Class 8 in all government and private schools including preschools and Anganwadi centres in Patna districtAs per the order academic activities for classes above standard 8 may be conducted only between 1000 am and 330 pmSchool managements have been directed to reschedule classes accordinglySpecial classes and examinations related to preboard and board exams have been kept exempt from this orderThe directive will remain in force in Patna district from Tuesday to Friday in continuation of the earlier order issued on December 19The maximum temperature of Patna was recorded at 17 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was 10 degrees Celsius on TuesdaySevere cold conditions continued across most districts of Bihar on Tuesday due to dense fog and persistent westerly windsThe minimum temperature dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in six districts triggering cold wavelike conditions in several parts of South BiharAccording to the Meteorological Department minimum temperatures may drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two daysThe continuous westerly winds prevented significant improvement in cold conditionsRajgir in Nalanda district recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 66 degrees CelsiusA sharp drop in temperature was also reported in Gaya where morning visibility fell to just 50 metres severely affecting road and rail trafficDense to moderate fog is likely to prevail during the morning hours for the next two daysHowever the maximum temperature may rise by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius during the daytime as sunlight increasesCurrently minimum temperatures across the state range between 66 and 127 degrees Celsius while maximum temperatures range from 153 to 200 degrees CelsiusThe intense cold and fog have caused significant hardship for children elderly persons and daily wage labourers particularly during morning hoursThe state Health Department has advised people to wear warm clothing avoid outdoor activities during early morning and evening hours and take special care of children and the elderly to protect them from coldrelated illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/patna-academic-activities-up-to-class-8-suspended-till-dec-26-due-to-severe-cold-wave-655329.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/puc-norm-to-stay-even-after-grap-iv-ends-manjinder-singh-sirsa-655330.html New Delhi Dec 23 The Delhi government will continue its No PUC No fuel policy for vehicles even after the GRAPIV restrictions end Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on TuesdaynbspThe government will also allocate Rs 100 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies across the city he saidnbspAddressing a press conference Sirsa said strict enforcement of antiair pollution measures will continue even after the relaxation of GRAPIV and no vehicle without a Pollution Under Control PUC certificate will be allowed to operate in the citynbspnbspHe said inspections revealed that several PUC centres were nonfunctional and 12 centres were found to have defective equipmentnbspThese centres have been suspended and issued notices If anyone is found violating norms strict action will be taken Sirsa saidnbspThe minister said that Delhi has around 1000 water bodies that need to be rejuvenated and the government has proposed allocating Rs 100 crore for the purposenbspHe said four new vehicle emission testing centres have been greenlitnbspPermission has also been granted to open additional commercial vehicle testing facilities Sirsa addednbspAgencies https://dailyworld.in/environment/puc-norm-to-stay-even-after-grap-iv-ends-manjinder-singh-sirsa-655330.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-conditions-grip-parts-of-telangana-655122.html Hyderabad Dec 22 Telangana remained under the grip of cold wave conditions with some places recording the minimum temperature in single digits on Monday Kohir in Sangareddy district was the coldest place with a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius Reddy Palle in Moinabad mandal of Ranga Reddy district was the second coldest place with a minimum temperature of 69 degrees CelsiusOut of 33 districts 17 recorded the lowest temperature of less than 10 degrees CelsiusThe minimum temperature in Sirpur U in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district was 7 degrees Celsius Arili in Adilabad district 83 degrees Nawabpet in Vikarabad district 87 degrees Pothareddipet in Siddipet 95 degrees Damarancha in Medak district 95 degrees and Gandhari in Kamareddy 97 degrees CelsiusThere was a significant drop in night temperatures at many places including the state capital Hyderabad and its suburbsDense fog enveloped a few areas on the outskirts of Hyderabad Ranga Reddy Sanga Reddy Vikarabad Medak Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districtsThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a cold wave alert for seven districtsAccording to the IMD bulletin cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in Adilabad Kumaram Bheem Asifabad Mancherial Nirmal Sangareddy Medak and Kamareddy districtsOrange alert has been issued for these districts which are likely to record a minimum temperature of 510 degrees Celsius till December 26For districts like Hanumakonda Hyderabad Jagtial Jangaon Karimnagar Mahabubabad Medchal Malkajgiri Nizamabad Peddapalle Rajanna Sircilla Ranga Reddy Siddipet Vikarabad Warangal and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri the IMD has issued a yellow alert These districts may see the lowest temperature between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius for the next five daysThe remaining 11 districts are likely to record a minimum temperature of above 15 degrees CelsiusAccording to the IMD bulletin dry weather is very likely to prevail over Telangana over the next two days Minimum temperatures are likely to be below normal by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius at isolated placesHyderabad and its surrounding areas for the next 24 hours will see a partly cloudy sky Fog or misty conditions are very likely to prevail during morning hours Mist or hazy conditions are very likely to prevail during night hours The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 28 degrees Celsius and 13 degrees Celsius respectively the bulletin said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-conditions-grip-parts-of-telangana-655122.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-witnesses-prolonged-dry-spell-of-70-days-655180.html Shimla Dec 22 With the recurrence of winter drought becoming common Himachal Pradesh this year saw the last rainfall on October 9 and has been experiencing a prolonged dry spell of about 70 days This extended dry period has resulted in significant water stress across crops including fruit plants said Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni on Monday University experts have advised measures to help farmers mitigate the impact of drought stress They say rainfall patterns in the state have remained erratic with moderate to irregular distribution Traditionally October to December are dry months and longterm observations 19802024 indicate that November receives belownormal rainfall in nearly 682 per cent of the years In subhumid midhill regions nearly 3050 per cent of soil moisture is lost through evaporation a figure likely to increase under the current conditions The recurrence of drought during these months has become common and with nearly 70 per cent of the stateâs area being rainfed the adoption of moistureconservation agronomic practices has become essential Insufficient soil moisture during the dry spell may adversely affect fruit plant saplings by hampering root development restricting nutrient uptake and increasing susceptibility to diseases The experts advised that new plantations of deciduous fruit crops such as apple peach plum apricot persimmon walnut and kiwifruit should be postponed until moisture conditions improve For plantations already completed lifesaving irrigation should be ensured preferably through drip irrigation systems combined with mulching Farmers have been advised to cover the tree basin area with dry grass or crop residue mulch to conserve soil moisture for a longer period An ideal mulch thickness of five to 10 cm is recommended Mulching not only helps retain moisture but also suppresses weed growth moderates soil temperature and adds organic matter to the soil upon decomposition The advisory further recommends avoiding the digging of tree basins to prevent additional moisture loss Minimal pruning should be undertaken during drought conditions and the application of chemical fertilisers such as nitrogen phosphorus and potassium should be avoided until adequate soil moisture is restored However the application of welldecomposed farmyard manure may be continued to improve soil health Farmers are encouraged to visit fields of farmers practising natural farming or the universityâs research station at Mashobra Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Rohru or any nearby university station to observe natural farming demonstrations Farmers practising natural farming should apply Jeevamrit 1020 per cent as a foliar spray and solid drenching at 15day intervals freshen the Whaapsa line and use mulch to protect crops IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-witnesses-prolonged-dry-spell-of-70-days-655180.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relaxation-in-aravallis-only-019-pc-mining-eligible-union-minister-bhupender-yadav-slams-misinformation-campaign-654993.html New Delhi Dec 21 Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday rejected claims of dilution in protection norms for the Aravalli range asserting that no relaxation has been given and warning against what he termed a deliberate attempt to spread confusion on a longpending and sensitive environmental issue New Delhi Dec 21 Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday categorically rejected claims of dilution in protection norms for the Aravalli range asserting that âno relaxation has been givenâ and warning against what he termed a deliberate attempt to spread confusion on a longpending and sensitive environmental issueAddressing a press conference in Kolkata Yadav said the Aravalli range one of the worldâs oldest mountain systems spans four states â Delhi Rajasthan Haryana and Gujarat â covering 39 districts and an area of around 144 lakh square kilometresâThe matter concerning the Aravalli range has been under judicial scrutiny since 1985 From the very beginning the thrust has been on strict regulation especially of mining activitiesâ he saidThe minister underlined that the Supreme Court has directed all four states to adopt a uniform definition of the Aravalli range to prevent regulatory loopholes This definition he said is based on a 1968 geological study by Richard Murphy and includes a 100metre protection bufferSome youtube channels and certain individuals are misleading people by claiming that the 100metre rule applies only to the top portion of the mountain This is completely falseâ Yadav saidClarifying the provision he added that the protection extends from the base structure of the mountain âEven if the base goes 20 metres underground the 100metre protection applies from that pointâ he explainedYadav stressed that mining is entirely banned in the Aravalli hills of Delhi and the issue remains under the Supreme Courtâs considerationâWe are working in full coordination with the court Any claim that mining has been permitted or relaxed in Delhiâs Aravalli region is incorrectâ he saidHighlighting the scale of protection the minister said that of the total 144 lakh sq km Aravalli region only about 019 per cent area may be eligible for mining under existing legal frameworks while the rest remains fully protectedâThe Aravalli is secure Stop spreading rumoursâ he said sending out a sharp political message amid the growing controversy IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relaxation-in-aravallis-only-019-pc-mining-eligible-union-minister-bhupender-yadav-slams-misinformation-campaign-654993.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relaxation-in-aravallis-only-019-pc-mining-eligible-union-minister-bhupender-yadav-slams-misinformation-campaign-654994.html New Delhi Dec 21 Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday rejected claims of dilution in protection norms for the Aravalli range asserting that no relaxation has been given and warning against what he termed a deliberate attempt to spread confusion on a longpending and sensitive environmental issue New Delhi Dec 21 Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Sunday categorically rejected claims of dilution in protection norms for the Aravalli range asserting that âno relaxation has been givenâ and warning against what he termed a deliberate attempt to spread confusion on a longpending and sensitive environmental issueAddressing a press conference in Kolkata Yadav said the Aravalli range one of the worldâs oldest mountain systems spans four states â Delhi Rajasthan Haryana and Gujarat â covering 39 districts and an area of around 144 lakh square kilometresâThe matter concerning the Aravalli range has been under judicial scrutiny since 1985 From the very beginning the thrust has been on strict regulation especially of mining activitiesâ he saidThe minister underlined that the Supreme Court has directed all four states to adopt a uniform definition of the Aravalli range to prevent regulatory loopholes This definition he said is based on a 1968 geological study by Richard Murphy and includes a 100metre protection bufferSome youtube channels and certain individuals are misleading people by claiming that the 100metre rule applies only to the top portion of the mountain This is completely falseâ Yadav saidClarifying the provision he added that the protection extends from the base structure of the mountain âEven if the base goes 20 metres underground the 100metre protection applies from that pointâ he explainedYadav stressed that mining is entirely banned in the Aravalli hills of Delhi and the issue remains under the Supreme Courtâs considerationâWe are working in full coordination with the court Any claim that mining has been permitted or relaxed in Delhiâs Aravalli region is incorrectâ he saidHighlighting the scale of protection the minister said that of the total 144 lakh sq km Aravalli region only about 019 per cent area may be eligible for mining under existing legal frameworks while the rest remains fully protectedâThe Aravalli is secure Stop spreading rumoursâ he said sending out a sharp political message amid the growing controversy IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relaxation-in-aravallis-only-019-pc-mining-eligible-union-minister-bhupender-yadav-slams-misinformation-campaign-654994.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-bjp-chief-slams-aap-leader-saurabh-bharadwajs-theatrics-over-pollution-655000.html New Delhi Dec 21 Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday condemned Aam Aadmi Party AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj for resorting to theatrics and making frivolous comments on a serious issue like pollution He said that what the people of Delhi are suffering today is the result of the negligence of Arvind Kejriwals governments in Delhi and PunjabBJP leader Sachdeva said that when Bharadwaj was the Health Minister in the Kejriwalled Delhi government the then AAP government endangered the health of the peopleNo work was done on pollution control over 10 years During his tenure as the Health Minister cases of distribution of fake medicines in Delhi government hospitals came to light and Mohalla Clinics turned into centres of scams he addedThe Delhi BJP President said it is regrettable that when they were in power former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and former Minister Bharadwaj failed to manage the causes of pollution and now when they are in the Opposition they are making laughable statementsBJP leader Sachdeva said that by not working while in power and now making frivolous remarks on pollution both Kejriwal and Bharadwaj are tarnishing their own image among the publicIt would be better if Kejriwal and Bharadwaj work seriously and instead of indulging in sarcastic theatrics on pollution let the people of Delhi and the BJPled Delhi government focus on preventing pollutionOn Saturday Delhi Health and Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had launched a scathing attack on Opposition leaders for resorting to petty politics and launching personal and derogatory attacks on Chief Minister Rekha GuptaTalking to reporters he said rather than holding a debate on the performance and work done during CM Guptas tenure the Opposition leaders are resorting to levelling personal charges and making derogatory comments against women leaders through postersHe added that the people of Delhi cannot be misled by such petty politics and baseless allegationsIf the previous governments of Opposition parties had truly worked in the interest of the people of Delhi the situation would have been much better today Unfortunately their priority has been their own political interests not the people Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh saidHe added that using posters for comments targeted at a woman Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is not only unfortunate but also completely condemnableSuch petty and cheap politics against a woman is unacceptable in any democratic system he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-bjp-chief-slams-aap-leader-saurabh-bharadwajs-theatrics-over-pollution-655000.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-directs-pond-demarcation-amid-alarming-groundwater-dip-in-lucknow-655002.html New Delhi Dec 21 The National Green Tribunal NGT has given authorities in Lucknow six weeks to demarcate ponds in the UP capital based on revenue records A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava allowed a joint request made by the Lucknow Development Authority LDA and the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB seeking adjournment to enable them to carry out the demarcation exerciseThe green tribunal directed that the exercise be completed within six weeks and a report be submitted along with an affidavit and listed the matter for further hearing on March 12 2026The bench also comprising Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel was hearing a suo motu case registered following a news report highlighting that in Lucknow the groundwater table has dropped by as much as 160 feet over the past decadeThe media report stated that in areas such as Azad Nagar of Geetapalli groundwater which was available at a depth of 80 feet around ten years ago is now found at nearly 240 feetEarlier the NGT had sought a status report on the implementation of the blockwise groundwater management plan prepared by the Central Ground Water Board CGWB for LucknowIn that hearing the District Magistrate and the Municipal Commissioner of Lucknow had sought time to place on record details of water bodies falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation the extent of encroachments on them and their present conditionThe Central Ground Water Authority had also informed the green tribunal that a National Aquifer Mapping NAQUIM study was conducted in Lucknow district in 2021Based on this study the CGWB prepared blockwise management plans suggesting measures such as artificial recharge water conservation and improved wateruse efficiency to check the further decline of groundwaterIn May 2024 the NGT had taken note of a press report stating that rainwater harvesting schemes of the Municipal Corporation and the Lucknow Development Authority existed only on paper and had failed miserably with most apartments lacking proper facilities to store rainwaterObserving that the news article raised substantial issues under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974 the green tribunal had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and issued notice to the authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-directs-pond-demarcation-amid-alarming-groundwater-dip-in-lucknow-655002.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/explainer-no-threat-no-new-definition-given-for-aravalli-655004.html New Delhi Dec 21 Dismissing alarmist claims the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change on Sunday reiterated that there is no imminent threat to the Aravallis ecology Indiaâs resolve is clear the Aravallis will be safeguarded for present and future generations while balancing conservation with responsible development the Ministry said No new definitionThe Ministry said it is important to note that no new definition has been given for the Aravalli The current debate is linked to a development in the Supreme Court which accepted the recommendations of a Committee formed by the Ministry for protecting the hills and regulating miningThe Committee was constituted on May 9 2024 for a uniform policylevel definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges specifically in the context of regulating mining and to incorporate the views of four state governmentsAccording to the policylevel definition an âAravalli Hillâ is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief and an âAravalli Rangeâ is a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each otherThe Ministry said it is wrong to conclude that mining is permitted in all landforms below the 100metre heightThe Committee was formed during a hearing related to alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills and Mountain Ranges in the MC Mehta versus Union of India and others matterThe Aravalli Hills and Ranges are among Indiaâs oldest geological formations stretching from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan and into Gujarat Historically they have been recognised across 37 districts by state governments with their ecological role noted as a natural barrier against northern desertification and a protector of biodiversity and water rechargeAnxious activistsContrary to alarmist claims that the new development will encourage commercial activities in the range the Ministry said there is no imminent threat to the Aravallisâ ecologyOngoing afforestation ecosensitive zone notifications and strict monitoring of mining and urban activities ensure that the Aravallis continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation it saidThe Committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change pursuant to Supreme Court directions had extensive consultations with state governments during which it emerged that only Rajasthan has a formally established definition for regulating mining in the Aravalli it saidThis definition was based on the 2002 Committee report of the state government relying on the Richard Murphy landform classification which identified all landforms rising 100 metres above local relief as hills and based on that prohibited mining on both the hills and their supporting slopesUnanimous decisionThe Ministry said that during the Committeeâs deliberations all states agreed to adopt the uniform criterion of â100 metres above local reliefâ for regulating mining in the Aravalli region as had been in force in Rajasthan since January 9 2006 while unanimously agreeing to make it more objective and transparentAll landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour encircling hills of height 100 metres or more irrespective of their height and slopes are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining lease the Ministry saidSimilarly the Aravalli range has been explained as all landforms that exist within 500 metres of two adjoining hills of height 100 metres or more All landforms existing within this 500metre zone irrespective of their height and slopes are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining lease It is therefore wrong to conclude that mining is permitted in all landforms below the 100metre heightMaps to curb illegal miningThe Committee also suggested measures to ensure a clear mapverifiable operational definition of âAravalli Hillsâ and âAravalli Rangeâ and a regulatory framework that protects core and inviolate areas restricts new mining and strengthens safeguards and enforcement against illegal miningThe Ministry said that in its final judgment on November 20 2025 the Supreme Court commended the Committeeâs work including the assistance of the Technical Committee and also appreciated its recommendations regarding the prevention of illegal mining and permitting only sustainable mining in the Aravalli Hills and RangesPM Modiâs projectIn June Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the âAravalli Green Wallâ project a special drive aimed at reforesting the Aravalli range one of the biggest forest covers spanning four states â Gujarat Rajasthan Haryana and DelhiAs part of the major drive 1000 permanent nurseries will be set up to revive the countryâs oldest mountain range Technologies such as satellite mapping will also be deployed to facilitate speed and transparency in the projectNotably the Aravalli range is home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves â Ranthambore Sariska RamgarhVishdhari and Mukunda Hills IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/explainer-no-threat-no-new-definition-given-for-aravalli-655004.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-bjp-congress-trade-barbs-over-aravalli-conservation-655068.html Jaipur Dec 22 The BJP and the opposition Congress in Rajasthan traded sharp accusations against each other over the conservation of the Aravallis range While BJP leaders accused former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of spreading misinformation Congress leaders have hit the streets with a silent Satyagraha alleging dilution of environmental safeguardsSenior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore strongly attacked Congress leader Gehlot claiming that the former CM was misleading people to cover up failures during his tenureRathore said the affidavit related to the height and definition of the Aravalli range submitted during the Gehlot government is now being cited by the Supreme CourtRathore also criticised Gehlot for not raising the issue inside the AssemblyGehlot should come to the House and speak The reality is that even the Congress party is not standing with him Rathore saidRathore pointed out that while Gehlot launched the Save Aravalli campaign senior Congress leaders including state president Govind Singh Dotasra Rahul Gandhi Mallikarjun Kharge and Sachin Pilot did not even change their social media profile pictures in supportThis clearly shows that the campaign is nothing but a political drama he saidHe added that only 256 per cent of the total Aravalli region is currently under mining while more than 700 mining leases were issued during the Congress governments tenureNow they are creating a storm in a teacup Rathore remarkedThe BJP leader further stated that the current government has acted decisively against illegal mining shutting down 19741 illegal mines and registering 2828 FIRsRathore cited Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadavs clarification saying the Supreme Courts decision would not harm the Aravalli rangeCourt orders government records and scientific evidence clearly show that the Aravalli was neither in danger earlier nor is it today nor will it be in the future he assertedMeanwhile the Congress launched a protest in Jaipur under the leadership of former minister Pratap Singh KhachariyawasParty workers gathered at Ambedkar Circle carrying placards and raising slogans before beginning a 45minute silent Satyagraha under the statue of Dr BR AmbedkarKhachariyawas accused the government of misleading the Supreme CourtHe alleged that a committee formed by the Union Ministry of Environment colluded with industrial interests and submitted a false report to the Apex CourtThe central government must reverse its decision Otherwise this movement will intensify Khachariyawas warnedDistrict Congress president RR Tiwari MLA Rafiq Khan Pushpendra Bhardwaj Archana Sharma and several party workers participated in the protest IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-bjp-congress-trade-barbs-over-aravalli-conservation-655068.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/dense-fog-in-parts-of-rajasthan-visibility-drops-to-10-metres-655070.html Jaipur Dec 22 Dense fog enveloped several districts across Rajasthan reducing visibility to ten metres in many areas on Monday On the outskirts of Jaipur the visibility was just 10 metres Similar conditions were reported from border districts such as Jaisalmer and Sri GanganagarThe prevailing fog coupled with the impact of an active Western Disturbance over North India led to unusual temperature patterns across the stateWhile minimum night temperatures are rising daytime temperatures have dropped significantly making days colder than nights in several regionsOn Sunday maximum temperatures in many cities fell below 20 degrees CelsiusThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a severe cold warning from Tuesday forecasting a further dip in temperaturesDense fog covered Jaisalmer from early Monday morning intensifying the chill The city remained largely invisible under the fog blanket when viewed from Sonar Fort Over the past 24 hours dense fog affected northeastern Rajasthan including Sri Ganganagar Hanumangarh Alwar Bharatpur Dholpur Karauli and DausaThese areas recorded a sharp fall in daytime temperatures due to persistent fog Sunday turned out to be the coldest day of the season so far in Alwar and Karauli with maximum temperatures recorded at 17 degrees Celsius and 178 degrees Celsius respectivelyFog and mist persisted from morning till late evening in both districts Karauli witnessed a steep drop of 7 degrees Celsius in maximum temperature while Alwar saw a fall of 54 degrees CelsiusOther cities including Dausa Sri Ganganagar Kota Pilani Jaipur Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer recorded a decline of 1 to 7 degrees CelsiusLight fog also persisted throughout the day in Sri Ganganagar Due to prolonged fog cold day conditions were reported in several districtsCloud cover associated with the Western Disturbance has weakened northerly winds leading to a rise in minimum temperatures and reduced morning and evening chill In several cities night temperatures rose by up to 5 degrees Celsius on SundayThe lowest minimum temperatures were recorded at 80 degrees Celsius in Pali and 89 degrees Celsius in SirohiRadheshyam Sharma Director of the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur said the impact of the Western Disturbance would continue through Monday with light cloud cover likely in some regionsFrom December 23 cold northerly winds will strengthen leading to a drop of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures Dense fog is also expected to persist in parts of northeastern and northwestern Rajasthan he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/dense-fog-in-parts-of-rajasthan-visibility-drops-to-10-metres-655070.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-speaker-reviews-air-pollution-hotspots-in-rohini-654872.html New Delhi Dec 20 Delhi Assembly Speaker and Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta on Saturday inspected the air pollution hotspot at Madhuban Chowk Rohini Sector8 Gupta said âAir pollution caused by road dust and unfinished civic works is not an inescapable reality but a preventable governance challenge one that calls for timebound action coordinated administration and firm accountabilityâThe inspection was conducted after recent assessments identified several locations in Rohini as dustpollution hotspots where roads remain dug up untarred or covered with loose soil said a statementIt was observed that vehicular movement on these exposed stretches repeatedly resuspends dust At the same time the suspension of infrastructure works including drainagerelated projects under pollutioncontrol measures has left road surfaces untreated for extended periodsGupta noted that scientific assessments consistently identify road dust as one of the most significant contributors to particulate pollution in Delhi accounting for a substantial share of PM10 and a meaningful portion of PM25 particularly during winter months when stagnant atmospheric conditions aggravate pollution levelsHe observed that the problem is compounded by incomplete restoration after utility works gaps in mechanised sweeping and dustsuppression measures fragmented coordination among civic agencies and trafficinduced resuspension of dust on damaged pavementsTaking note of these findings the Speaker directed immediate and visible remedial measures across identified Rohini hotspotsThese include a timebound dustsuppression mandate through daily mechanised sweeping and regular sprinkling of water or approved dust suppressantsHe emphasised that wherever fullscale work cannot resume due to regulatory restrictions exposed road stretches must be temporarily paved or compacted to prevent dust generationSpecial priority was directed towards school zones and market areas for dustcontrol measures during peak hours The Speaker instructed that weekly joint inspections be conducted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee DPCC Delhi Development Authority DDA Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD and the Traffic Police supported by geotagged reporting and clearly defined compliance timelinesTo address administrative and coordination gaps the Speaker directed the establishment of a Rohini Dust Action Cell under the MLAâs office to ensure coordinated functioning among DDA MCD DPCC and the Traffic PoliceHe emphasised that the absence of a unified maintenance and enforcement mechanism has led to prolonged neglect of exposed road surfaces and that such fragmentation must be corrected through structured interagency coordination and monitoringFor sustained longterm mitigation Gupta emphasised the need to complete walltowall paving or carpeting of all remaining untarred or frequently damaged roads in Rohini IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-speaker-reviews-air-pollution-hotspots-in-rohini-654872.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/airport-authority-warns-of-possible-flight-delays-changes-due-to-dense-fog-654912.html New Delhi Dec 21 The Airport Authority of India AAI has issued an advisory warning of delays and changes in the flight operations due to reduced visibility as dense fog gripped North India on Sunday morning The India Meteorological Department IMD warned of dense to very dense fog further reducing visibility and compounding the impact of pollutionOrange alerts the secondhighest warning level were issued for large parts of Delhi Uttar Pradesh Haryana and Chandigarh cautioning residents and authorities about possible disruptions to road rail and air trafficTaking to X the AAI said Fog conditions in parts of Northern India are affecting visibility and may lead to delays or changes in flight operations at select airports Passengers are advised to check flight updates with their airlines through official channels and allow extra time for airport travel and formalitiesThe Airports Authority of India has deployed passenger assistance teams at affected airports to provide onground support Passenger safety and convenience remain our highest priority it addedIndiGo also issued an advisory regarding the impacted flight schedules due to low visibilityLow visibility and fog over Bangalore and Amritsar has impacted flight schedules Were keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be safely and smoothly the airline said in a statementWe request that you stay updated on your flight status Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support it addedAdditionally air pollution levels in the national capital deteriorated sharply on Sunday edging dangerously close to the severe category as dense smog plunging temperatures and thick fog blanketed large swathes of northern IndiaThe deteriorating air quality coincided with challenging weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/airport-authority-warns-of-possible-flight-delays-changes-due-to-dense-fog-654912.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html New Delhi Dec 21 Indias biogas sector is expected to attract an investment exceeding Rs 5000 crore during the financial year 202627 on the back of rising market demand for gas according to the Indian Biogas Association IBA According to government data 94 compressed biogas CBG plants sold more than 31400 tonnes of CBG during FY 202425 which reflects the growth in the sector and strong market uptake the IBA said in a statementThe IBA expects significant commissioning of new CBG facilities effective and organised supply chains for feedstock and unified and integrated policy frameworks to support the rapid adoption of biogasThere is also ample scope for efficiency improvement and capacity utilisation in the several million smallscale traditional biogas digesters and the country programmes are scaling up support for the various mediumsized plants which offer the benefits of cleaner cooking fuel rural employment and organic manure the statement addedThe relaxed GST regime is going to augur ease of doing business in the CBG ecosystem We anticipate that a reduction of 7 per cent in the applicable GST rate for the CBG sector shall significantly improve project viability and the direct impact would translate into a 45 per cent increase in new investments in the industry over the short to medium term IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia saidIndirectly across the industry value chain the multiplier effect would be much largerâ he addedCBG a renewable green fuel made by purifying and compressing biogas from organic waste like farm waste dung sewage to be identical to Compressed Natural Gas CNG Its a key part of Indias strategy to reduce oil imports manage waste responsibly cut emissions and boost rural economies with government schemes like SATAT promoting its production and use as a clean alternative fuel for vehicles industries and cookingThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNRE currently provides central financial assistance covering 15â20 per cent of a projectâs capital cost Additionally marketing development assistance of Rs 150 per kilogram is offered to promote the offtake of organic fertilisers a key byproduct of biogas plants There are also incentives for pipeline laying to connect plants to the gas grid IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-biogas-sector-likely-to-attract-rs-5-000-crore-investment-in-2026-27-654952.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kashmiris-await-rain-and-snow-as-40-day-long-chillai-kalan-begins-tomorrow-654770.html Srinagar Dec 20 As Kashmiris awaited rain and snow on Saturday as forecast by the Meteorological Department the 40daylong period of intense winter cold called the Chillai Kalan is also set to begin The weather office has forecast rain in the plains and moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of JampK from Saturday nightAuthorities in Baramulla Kupwara and Bandipora districts have issued advisories asking people living in the higher reaches not to move out of their homes during the expected heavy snowfallRain and snow are likely to break the over twomonth long dry spell that has resulted in widespread chest ailments across JampKThe number of pollutants in the air has substantially increased due to an increase in suspended particulate matter SPM caused by the continued dry spellRain and snow will wash away the SPM thereby improving the air quality in the region said pulmonologistsAbsence of snowfall in the ski resort of Gulmarg so far this season has adversely affected the prospects of tourists coming to the ski resort for Christmas and New Year celebrationsDuring the 40daylong period of intense winter cold beginning on December 21 and ending on January 30 traditionally heavy snowfall would replenish the water reservoirs in the higher reachesThis would sustain the various rivers streams and lakes in JampK during the summer months Winter without sufficient snowfall would cause drought during the summer months and for this reason a good snowfall has always been a welcome event in KashmirMost of the local rivers streams springs and lakes are flowing at very low discharge at present due to the extended dry spellAs far as minimum temperatures were concerned Srinagar recorded minus 04 degrees Celsius Pahalgam minus 1 degree and Gulmarg 2 degreesJammu city recorded 93 degrees Celsius Katra the base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine 10 degrees Batote 93 Banihal 38 and Bhaderwah 44 as the minimum temperatures IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kashmiris-await-rain-and-snow-as-40-day-long-chillai-kalan-begins-tomorrow-654770.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ntpc-crosses-855-gw-commercial-capacity-with-addition-of-35958-mw-solar-power-654607.html New Delhi Dec 19 Governmentowned power giant NTPC has announced a commercial capacity addition of 35958 MW through various solar projects of its subsidiaries in Gujarat amp Rajasthan taking the groups total commercial capacity past the 855 GW mark According to an NTPC statement the additional power capacity comprises 24366 MW out of the 1255 MW Khavda 1 Solar PV project in Gujarat of NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd 78 MW out of 245 MW capacity of NTPCâs Nokh Sokar PV project in Rajasthan and another 37925 MW out of 300 MW at Khavda Solar Energy Project under 450 MW Hybrid Tranche V project in GujaratWith this the total installed commercial capacity ofthe NTPC group has reached 85541 MW 85541GWNTPC Ltd is contributing onefourth of Indiaâs power requirements and has an installed capacity of 85 GW with an additional capacity of 3090 GW under construction including 133 GW of renewable energy capacity The company has set a target of 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 strengthening Indiaâs Net Zero goalsWith a diverse portfolio of thermal hydro solar and wind power plants the NTPC is focusing on delivering reliable affordable and sustainable electricity to the nation The company is committed to adopting best practices fostering innovation and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future the statement saidAlong with power generation NTPC has also ventured into various new business areas including emobility battery storage pumped hydro storage wastetoenergy nuclear power and green hydrogen solutionsMeanwhile the NTPC organised its 18th lendersâ meet here highlighting the companyâs operational and financial performance green initiatives growth and diversification plans future capital expenditure and funding requirements The event witnessed participation from representatives of leading banks financial institutions and credit rating agencies from India and abroadNTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh spoke about the evolving energy transition scenarios and the opportunities available for NTPC in this changing landscape Director Finance Jaikumar Srinivasan made a presentation highlighting NTPCâs transformation into an integrated energy conglomerate according to a company statementThe meet also featured an interactive questionandanswer session during which the NTPCâs management addressed queries and observations raised by participants The event was attended by the NTPCâs senior leadership team along with CEOs and CFOs of major group companies IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ntpc-crosses-855-gw-commercial-capacity-with-addition-of-35958-mw-solar-power-654607.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ndmc-chief-keshav-chandra-to-inaugurate-rose-show-tomorrow-654683.html New Delhi Dec 19 NDMC Chairperson Keshav Chandra will inaugurate the Annual Winter Rose Show organised by the civic agency in association with The Rose Society of India at IndiaAfrica Friendship Rose Garden Shanti Path on Saturday an official said The show will display more than 70 varieties of roses in 22 classes and 175 sections of about 1250 exhibits by participants from across the countryPrizes will be awarded to the best exhibits during a distribution ceremony on Sunday said an official statementVisitors can enjoy the show from noon to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday it saidParticipants from various organisations such as NDMC PGI Chandigarh and Indian Agricultural Research Institute IARI commonly known as the Pusa Institute will take part in the show by exhibiting roses in different classesThe main attractions in the show will include different types of roses which include Hybrid Tea Floribunda Miniature Polyantha and other varietiesIn addition to this a painting competition for students of NDMC schools a display of valueadded rose products artistic bouquets garlands and Ikebana arrangements will also form part of the eventThe Winter Rose Show promises to be a visual delight for visitors offering an opportunity to witness a wide range of rose varieties competing in both vases and potsThe event will also provide a refreshing and stressrelieving experience allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty of the rose garden and enjoy the magnificent bloomsThe show will serve as a unique platform for rose lovers to interact exchange experiences and celebrate the beauty colour and fragrance of roses Whether as participants or visitors all attendees are expected to experience a sense of relaxation and joy amidst todayâs fastpaced lifestyle said the statementThe rose celebrated as one of natureâs most beautiful creations is admired worldwide for its endless variety of shapes sizes colours fragrances and foliage It has long been regarded as a symbol of love beauty and elegance IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ndmc-chief-keshav-chandra-to-inaugurate-rose-show-tomorrow-654683.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html New Delhi Dec 19 The Department of Telecommunications DoT in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP on Friday organised a national workshop aimed at accelerating the adoption of circular economy practices in Indiaâs telecom industry The workshop titled Advancing Circular Economy in the Telecom Sector Enabling Policy and Practice brought together policymakers industry executives technology providers academics international organisations and other valuechain stakeholders to discuss ways to make the telecom sector more sustainable resourceefficient and environmentally responsible a Communications Ministry statement saidDiscussions focused on rethinking the telecom supply chain to improve circularity including design for sustainability component reuse and harvesting sustainable procurement and policy interventions required to overcome existing challenges Participants also deliberated on government initiatives supporting circular practices and the role of industry in adopting scalable solutionsA key session examined the use of digital tools to support the transition towards a circular economy Speakers highlighted how digital platforms data tools and emerging technologies such as blockchain artificial intelligence AI and the Internet of Things IoT can enhance traceability improve material recovery and bring greater transparency to extended producer responsibility EPR implementationOfficials and experts also discussed the Central Pollution Control Boardâs perspective on leveraging digital systems for effective monitoring as well as the integration of data analytics to support better decisionmaking across the telecom value chainIn the concluding session participants stressed that Indiaâs telecom sector must move beyond discussions and focus on implementation The need for coordinated ecosystemlevel action was underlined along with the importance of creating an enabling policy framework and strengthening multistakeholder collaborationThe workshop concluded with a call for shared ownership of the transitionâwhere the government provides strategic direction and enabling conditions industry leads innovation and adoption and partners support implementation capacity building and financingâto ensure that circular economy principles are effectively embedded in Indiaâs rapidly expanding telecom sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/dot-undp-hold-national-workshop-to-push-circular-economy-in-telecom-sector-654687.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tripura-stresses-on-rainwater-conservation-for-sustainable-water-security-minister-654468.html Agartala Dec 18 With groundwater levels in Tripura remaining stable the Bharatiya Janata Partyled state government has initiated a series of measures to strengthen rainwater conservation and ensure a sustainable water supply in the coming years State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Thursday The Minister chaired an important executive committee meeting on the Watershed Development Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana at Pragna Bhavan hereHe said that states which are dependent on rainwater must think about what they will do in the coming days and that is why this scheme was launchedTo store rainwater after it falls into the soil we have taken this initiative That is why we construct watersheds check dams ponds plantations etc We have been doing this by spending money and we are almost successful After March Phase 30 will start the Minister addedHe told that states like Haryana Punjab and Rajasthan do not depend on rainwater instead they use groundwater for personal and agricultural purposesHowever they are now facing a water crisis as the groundwater level is decreasing the Minister saidMinister Nath said Tripura is in a safe position as only 97 per cent of groundwater is used in the state while Assam uses 15 per cent and West Bengal uses 52 per cent But we must think about the next generation That is why this Watershed Development Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launchedThrough this executive meeting we are deciding how in the coming days we can store more rainwater and make people selfreliant the Agriculture Minister said adding that he requested the officials to spend the remaining funds by January 15 2026 so that in the next project we can bring more funds for the development of the stateChief Minister Manik Saha said that Zilla Sabhadhipatis of all eight Zilla Parishads were present at the meetingMinister Nath also told that the state government is thinking of creating water bodies beside national highways along with road connectivity childrens parks open gyms and plantations IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tripura-stresses-on-rainwater-conservation-for-sustainable-water-security-minister-654468.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-under-very-poor-air-as-aqi-slips-dense-fog-disrupts-flights-654500.html New Delhi Dec 19 Delhi continued to reel under severe pollution on Friday with air quality deteriorating further and dense fog compounding commuting woes particularly for air travellers The national capitalâs overall Air Quality Index AQI stood at 387 at 6 am remaining firmly in the âvery poorâ category and offering no respite from the prolonged pollution spell gripping the cityThe situation marked a clear decline from Thursday morningâs AQI of 356 underscoring a steady worsening of air quality across Delhi Visuals from several parts of the city including the ITO area showed a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing roads and buildings significantly reducing visibilityAdding to residentsâ difficulties dense fog disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International IGI Airport prompting authorities to implement CAT III operations a lowvisibility protocol that often leads to delays and rescheduling of flightsIn a passenger advisory issued on X Delhi Airport said âDue to prevailing dense fog conditions flight operations are currently being managed under CAT III conditions which has led to disruptions in flight schedules Please rest assured that our staff are actively coordinating with all stakeholders to assist passengers and ensure necessary support across all Terminals For realtime flight updates please reach out to your respective airlines We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understandingâDelhi International Airport Limited DIAL also stated that onground teams were working in close coordination with airlines and other stakeholders to assist travellers across terminals while urging passengers to check their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airportMeanwhile several areas in the national capital recorded alarmingly high AQI levels edging close to or entering the âsevereâ category R K Puram emerged as the most polluted locality with an AQI of 447 followed closely by Anand Vihar Vivek Vihar and Sirifort all recording 442Other pollution hotspots included Dwarka Sector8 429 Nehru Nagar 425 NSIT Dwarka 423 Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range 423 and Okhla Phase2 422 highlighting the widespread nature of the crisisIn response to the worsening air quality the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM has invoked all actions under GRAP StageIV across DelhiNCR These measures include stricter curbs on construction activities industrial operations and vehicular movement aimed at preventing further deteriorationWith high pollution levels prevailing authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor exposure and follow health advisories IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-under-very-poor-air-as-aqi-slips-dense-fog-disrupts-flights-654500.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-braces-for-rain-snow-in-next-48-hours-two-month-dry-spell-likely-to-break-654513.html Srinagar Dec 19 After an extended dry spell of over two months Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get rain and snow during the next 48 hours as the Meteorological MeT Department on Friday forecasted moderate snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in the plains starting late evening on December 20 Mukhtar Ahmad Director of the local MeT Department told IANS that snow in the higher reaches and rain in the plains of the union territory are expected during the night intervening December 20 and December 21 and the same is likely to continue till late afternoon on December 21The officer said some higher reaches in Ganderbal Bandipora and Kupwara districts might receive heavy snowfall particularly on December 21Authorities in Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora and Ganderbal districts have issued advisories asking people living in the higher reaches not to venture out of their homes during snowfallDuring the last two months almost all the water bodies have been flowing at very low discharge as rivers streams springs and lakes have been adversely impacted by the dry spellAn extended dry spell has given rise to chestrelated ailments as a bad cold dry cough and flu have become common complaints at hospitals across the Valley these daysDoctors have advised people especially children and elderly people not to expose themselves to long periods of cold and chilly airThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ starts on December 21 and will end on January 30 During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze as the minimum temperature drops between minus 6 to minus 8 degrees Celsius The day temperature remains below two digits during the Chillai Kalan thereby narrowing the gap between minimum and maximum temperaturesThe minimum temperature was minus 21 degrees Celsius in Srinagar minus 26 in Pahalgam and one in Gulmarg on Friday Jammu city had 99 degrees Celsius Katra 92 Batote 67 Banihal 35 and Bhaderwah 23 degrees as the minimum temperature IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-braces-for-rain-snow-in-next-48-hours-two-month-dry-spell-likely-to-break-654513.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/severe-cold-wave-grips-bihar-imd-issues-alert-for-27-districts-654552.html Patna Dec 19 A severe cold wave has tightened its grip across Bihar with dense fog shrouding mornings and temperatures plunging sharply across the state Even during daylight hours damp conditions are intensifying the chill making the cold persist throughout the day The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a cold wave and cold day alert for 27 districts warning that the next 48 hours will be crucial as cold conditions are expected to intensify furtherIn Patna the maximum temperature dropped by nearly six degrees Celsius within 24 hours The city recorded a maximum of 169 degrees C and a minimum of 140 degrees C with a narrow diurnal variation of just 29 degrees C allowing the cold to linger all day Brief spells of sunshine in some areas failed to provide any significant reliefAccording to the IMD this winter is likely to be colder than last year due to the combined effect of westerly winds high surface moisture and low wind speeds which are also contributing to dense to very dense fog The department has forecast particularly dense fog on December 20 and has urged residents to remain cautiousDistricts expected to be most affected by the cold wave include Sitamarhi East and West Champaran Gopalganj Sheohar Siwan Muzaffarpur Vaishali Samastipur Buxar Bhojpur Patna Nalanda Arwal Rohtas Kaimur Bhabua Aurangabad Gaya Jehanabad Nawada Sheikhpura Darbhanga Begusarai and MadhubaniDense fog has severely reduced road visibility raising serious safety concerns during morning hours Reports from districts such as Gopalganj and Buxar indicate that poor visibility has led to multiple road accidents resulting in several deaths and injuriesIn response district administrations have been placed on high alert Measures including the arrangement of bonfires at public places and enhanced emergency preparedness are being implemented to protect vulnerable populationsThe IMD has advised residents to exercise extreme caution while travelling particularly during early morning hours as cold wave conditions are expected to persist over the next few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/severe-cold-wave-grips-bihar-imd-issues-alert-for-27-districts-654552.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ethanol-blending-in-petrol-reaches-1997-pc-minister-654354.html EthanoNew Delhi Dec 18 More than 1000 crore litres of ethanol have been blended during the Ethanol Supply Year ESY 202425 thereby achieving an average blending of 1924 per cent ethanol in petrol while in October ethanol blending of 1997 per cent has been achieved the Parliament was informed on Thursday The National Policy on Biofuelsâ2018 as amended in 2022 advanced the target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year 202526 November 1 2025 to October 31 2026Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies OMCs achieved the target of 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol in June 2022 five months ahead of the target during ESY 202122 1206 per cent in ESY 202223 and 1460 per cent in ESY 202324 Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a questionIn order to ensure consistent availability of feedstock and infrastructure for ethanol production in the country the government has taken several steps which includes expansion of feedstock for ethanol production administered price mechanism for Ethanol procurement under the Ethanol Blended Petrol EBP programme lowered GST rate to 5 per cent for ethanol for EBP programme and introduction of various ethanol Interest Subvention Schemes EISS among othersThe government also allocated 52 Lakh Metric Tonne LMT of surplus Food Corporation of India FCI rice for ethanol production each for the ESY 202425 from November 1 2024 to October 31 2025 and ESY 202526 along with diverting 40 LMT of sugar for ethanol production for the ESY 202425 and unrestricted production of ethanol from sugarcane juicesugar syrup BHeavy Molasses as well as CHeavy Molasses for ESY 202526The government had notified the Pradhan Mantri JIVAN Jaiv Indhan Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran Yojana 2019 amended in 2024 with the objectives to establish advanced biofuels including Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects in the country using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocksUnder this scheme the maximum financial assistance of Rs 150 crore per project for commercial scale projects and Rs 15 crore per project for demonstration scale projects have been prescribed the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ethanol-blending-in-petrol-reaches-1997-pc-minister-654354.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rs-507-crore-sanctioned-for-panchayat-level-disaster-risk-reduction-project-654428.html New Delhi Dec 18 The national project for strengthening communitybased disaster risk reduction initiatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions in 20 states has been approved with an outlay of Rs 50737 crore said an official on Thursday The project jointly implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj MoPR and the National Disaster Management Authority NDMA will cover 81 disasterprone districts with 20 Gram Panchayats each said an official statementAdditionally the project will develop 20 Gram Panchayats focused on major hazardspecific risks as replicable models for locallevel Disaster Risk Reduction DRRUnder the innovative concept of Model Gram Panchayat one model Gram Panchayat GP for each of the 20 states will be developedTherefore 20 Model Gram Panchayats will be identified by states exclusively for six different hazards one GP for each hazard themes for implementation of a longterm mitigation strategy for an endtoend model to showcase the effectiveness of longlasting mitigation measures on disaster proofing said the statementThe learnings in the identified 20 Gram Panchayats can be scaled up by the states through their SDMF for replicating as a disasterresilient Gram Panchayat model for other Gram PanchayatsDepending on the size of the State and intensity of the disasters the number of Districts has been taken All these Gram Panchayats and model Gram Panchayats have to be located in a close cluster so that the impact of the mitigation measures is visible The initiative seeks to integrate disaster risk reduction into local governance through a bottomup approach positioning Panchayati Raj Institutions as the backbone of disaster preparedness mitigation and resilience at the grassroots level The National Project for Strengthening CommunityBased Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives builds upon the institutional foundation laid by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the area of communitybased disaster management said the statementThe Disaster Management Plan of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj DMPMoPR was released on March 17 2022The Plan aims to strengthen disaster resilience at the grassroots by aligning rural disaster management with the national framework while promoting peopleâs participation and community ownershipIt calls for the preparation of Panchayat and villagelevel Disaster Management Plans and their integration with local development processes including Gram Panchayat Development Plans GPDPs This initiative will reinforce ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and State Governments to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and mainstream disaster risk reduction in local planning said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rs-507-crore-sanctioned-for-panchayat-level-disaster-risk-reduction-project-654428.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/banned-veterinary-drug-still-threatening-endangered-vultures-warn-tn-researchers-654431.html Chennai Dec 18 Tamil Nadu researchers have sounded a fresh warning over the continued threat posed by a banned veterinary drug to Indiaâs critically endangered vultures after a major new study confirmed that diclofenac â prohibited nearly two decades ago â is still being used to treat livestock across several regions in the country The findings are part of the study The continued threat of toxic NSAIDs to Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia conducted by 13 researchers between 2012 and 2024 and published recently in Bird Conservation InternationalThe study reveals that three Gyps species endemic to Asia â the whiterumped vulture redheaded vulture and longbilled vulture â continue to suffer population decline due to unintentional poisoningWhen these birds feed on carcasses of cattle treated with diclofenac they suffer fatal kidney failure a phenomenon identified as the primary cause of the rapid crash in vulture numbers since the 1990sDespite the Union governmentâs ban on veterinary use of diclofenac in May 2006 and additional restrictions on multidose vials in 2015 the drug is still being stocked illegallyResearchers found that Rajasthan a state where intensive conservation advocacy has not been undertaken recorded the highest prevalence with up to 25 per cent of surveyed pharmacies offering diclofenacTamil Naduâs Vulture Safe Zones VSZs fared better but enforcement challenges persistAccording to S Bharathidasan secretary of conservation organisation Arulagam which helped survey VSZs in the state more than 100 court cases have been filed against suppliers manufacturers and retailers He said the diclofenac vials detected in Tamil Nadu originated largely from Karnataka outside the VSZ where conservation outreach remains limitedThe study also reveals that access to veterinary NSAIDs varies widely with 643 per cent of pharmacies in Tamil Nadu and 100 per cent in Rajasthan offering themMuch of the diclofenac found was stocked in 3ml vials â legal for human use but illegal for veterinary treatment making them a loophole for misuseWhile the Centre has additionally banned ketoprofen and aceclofenac since July 2023 Tamil Nadu has taken proactive steps by restricting the use of flunixin in key vulture habitats such as The Nilgiris Erode and Coimbatore from 2019 and curbing ketoprofen as early as 2015However researchers warn that banning known toxic drugs is not enough if untested substitutes with similar risks enter the market They emphasised the need to curb pilferage of humanuse vials for veterinary purposes and ensure strict enforcement warning that vulture populations will remain vulnerable unless the illegal use of diclofenac is eliminated statewide and nationally IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/banned-veterinary-drug-still-threatening-endangered-vultures-warn-tn-researchers-654431.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/destruction-of-aravalli-unacceptable-rajasthan-lop-654435.html Jaipur Dec 18 Rajasthan Leader of the Opposition LoP Tika Ram Jully on Thursday strongly criticised the central government and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests over the alleged destruction of the Aravalli mountain range Calling the threat to the Aravalli a âserious question mark on the future of Rajasthanâ he said the fight to protect the mountains transcends politics and is a collective responsibility to safeguard the state and future generationsTargeting Union Environment Minister and Alwar MP Bhupendra Yadav Jully said it was the âgreatest irony of democracyâ that those tasked with protecting the environment are facilitating its destruction âThe Minister was educated in Ajmer and represents Alwarâareas deeply linked to the Aravallis and sacred sites like Pushkar Yet he watches silently as the Aravalli is destroyed Does he not care about his own land or future generationsâ he askedJully warned that recent amendments to the Forest Act and changes in the definition of the Aravalli could remove nearly 90 per cent of the hills from protection effectively paving the way for the mining mafia He cautioned that if this natural shield of over 11000 hills is broken the Thar Desert could spread to Delhi and eastern Rajasthan He alleged that the 2023 amendments weakened independent monitoring bodies like the Central Empowered Committee CEC bringing them under the direct control of the Environment Ministry allowing arbitrary decisions in ecologically sensitive areasJully emphasised that the Aravallis are not just hills but centres of faith housing sacred sites like Pandupol Hanuman Ji and Raja Bhartrihari He expressed concern that unchecked exploitation has reduced groundwater levels to 1500 feet and warned that future generations would not forgive such negligence Jully declared that the fight to save the Aravalli will go beyond statements He called for the âSave Aravalli Campaignâ to become a mass movement urging citizens to rise above political differences to protect nature culture and life itself and to compel the government to reconsider the âdestructive amendmentsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/destruction-of-aravalli-unacceptable-rajasthan-lop-654435.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-puc-no-fuel-rule-to-be-enforced-from-tomorrow-delhi-minister-654245.html New Delhi Dec 17 The Delhi government will begin strict enforcement of the âNo PUC No Fuelâ rule from December 18 as part of an intensified multipronged drive to curb worsening air pollution in the national capital Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday issued firm directives to agencies petrol pump operators and the police to ensure compliance from day oneUnder the enforcement plan vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate PUCC will be denied fuel at petrol pumps across Delhi Simultaneously nonBS VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will be barred from entering the city Officials said 126 checkpoints including border points will be manned by 580 police personnel supported by 37 Prakhar Vans Transport department enforcement teams will also be stationed at petrol pumps and key entry pointsChairing meetings with petrol pump dealers and senior traffic police officers Sirsa said the government was fighting pollution on four fronts â vehicular emissions dust industrial pollution and solid wasteHe warned fuel dealers that supplying petrol or diesel to vehicles without PUCC would invite action adding that ANPR cameras voice alerts at fuel stations and police support would aid enforcementCalling for public cooperation the minister appealed to citizens not to argue with enforcement staffâPlease do not argue or create disputes with officers or pump staff Delhiâs air is our shared heritage cooperate for the health of our children and future Every Delhiite must ensure their vehicleâs PUC certificate is up to date More than a rule itâs a collective responsibilityâ he saidIn parallel the government is exploring a partnership with Google Maps to create an integrated traffic management system At least 100 traffic hotspots are proposed to be mapped for targeted interventions A carpooling application to promote shared mobility is also under considerationThe Public Works Department has meanwhile rolled out a permanent potholemonitoring mechanism through a thirdparty survey agency to ensure repairs within 72 hours under an annual rate contract model Another independent agency will audit pollution control measures on the ground throughout the yearEarlier in the day Sirsa along with Trilokpuri MLA Ravikant alleged that an AAP councillor was involved in setting garbage on fire in the Trilokpuri area to worsen pollution levels Calling the incident âdeeply unfortunateâ the minister urged political parties to avoid what he termed harmful politics and cooperate in tackling Delhiâs air pollution crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-puc-no-fuel-rule-to-be-enforced-from-tomorrow-delhi-minister-654245.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/hanumangarh-on-edge-over-ethanol-plant-as-raj-govt-forms-panel-farmers-hold-mahapanchayat-654145.html Jaipur Dec 17 Amid escalating protests against a proposed ethanol factory in Tibbi the Rajasthan government has constituted a fivemember committee to examine concerns related to groundwater depletion and environmental pollution at the project site in Hanumangarh district The committee chaired by the Divisional Commissioner Bikaner includes senior officials from the state environment pollution control and groundwater departments and will submit its report to the Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Climate Change Department said CMO officials The committee will submit its report to the Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Climate Change Department Government of RajasthanAs farmers remain firm on their demands and the administration maintains tight security all eyes are now on the Mahapanchayat which is expected to shape the future course of the agitation Prominent farmer leaders from across the country are expected to attendIn view of the gathering the district administration has enforced unprecedented security measures creating a tense atmosphere across the regionThe agitating farmers have raised two key demands First the Immediate cancellation of the MoU signed for setting up the ethanol factory in Tibbi and second withdrawal of all cases registered against farmers during earlier protestsAnticipating large crowds the administration had suspended internet services across the district until 12 pm on Wednesday Section 163 has been imposed throughout Hanumangarh More than 1400 police personnel have been deployed including forces from other districts and police headquartersSuperintendent of Police Harishankar is personally monitoring the lawandorder situation Heavy barricading has been put up near the District Collector and SP offices while the Dhanmandi complex and adjoining areas are under drone surveillanceDistrict Collector Khushal Yadav has banned the entry of tractors at the Mahapanchayat venue citing the risk of disturbances Farmer leaders however have said they will arrive with tractors raising the possibility of a confrontation with the administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/hanumangarh-on-edge-over-ethanol-plant-as-raj-govt-forms-panel-farmers-hold-mahapanchayat-654145.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-added-2-361-mw-biomass-capacity-in-last-10-years-minister-654158.html New Delhi Dec 17 India has added 2361 MW biomass capacity 228 MWe wastetoenergy capacity and 288 lakh biogas plants in the last 10 years propelled by various incentives provided by the government in the push for green energy the Parliament was informed on Wednesday In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said that the ministry supports installation of bioenergy projects in the country under the National Bioenergy Programme NBP PhaseI which was notified on November 2 2022 with a budget outlay of Rs 998 crore for the period 202223 to 202526During the last ten years the government has been supporting bioenergy projects through various schemes namely the National Biogas and Manure Management Programme NBMMP during the 12th FiveYear Plan and the New National Biogas amp Organic Manure Programme NNBOMP from 201819 to 202021Besides the scheme to support promotion of grid interactive biomass power and bagasse cogeneration in sugar mills during the 12th Plan Period the Programme on Energy from Urban Industrial and Agricultural WastesResidues during 12th Plan Period the Scheme to support Promotion of Biomass based Cogeneration in Sugar Mills and other Industries in the Country were also launched from 201819 to 202021The programme which earlier focused on cogeneration is now also supporting the manufacturing of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation with financial incentives for enhancing production The scheme supports the implementation of the National Mission on Cofiring of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants This is also aimed at enabling a reduction in the practice of stubble burning particularly in the northern states of the countryUnder the new guidelines of the programme for the period of 202122 to 202526 Central Financial Assistance is being made available to projects for the setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and nonbagassebased power generation projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-added-2-361-mw-biomass-capacity-in-last-10-years-minister-654158.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/environmental-consequences-of-chinas-bri-becoming-increasingly-difficult-to-ignore-report-654234.html Colombo Dec 17 After 10 years the environmental consequences of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative BRI which was launched in 2013 and presented as a grand vision of connectivity and development are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore a report detailed on Wednesday Several reports from the first half of 2025 have revealed that BRI engagement rose to record highs with USD 662 billion in construction contracts and USD 571 billion in investments Of this USD 42 billion was used for energy projects including oil and gas facilities Despite Chinas simultaneous investment of nearly USD 97 billion in green energy initiatives the scale of fossil fuel growth overshadows these actions sparking doubts about the sincerity of Beijings green rhetoric according to a report in Sri Lankas leading media outlet Daily MirrorEnvironmental damage remains a recurring theme in host countries Largescale projects such as dams pipelines and highways have been linked to deforestation soil erosion and water pollution Communities in Southeast Asia and Africa have reported the destruction of habitats critical to biodiversity These impacts are not isolated incidents but systemic outcomes of a development model that prioritizes rapid construction over ecological safeguards The Chinese Communist Party CCP which tightly controls the narrative around BRI often dismisses these concerns as exaggerated or politically motivated Yet the evidence of environmental degradation is mounting and the CCPâs reluctance to acknowledge responsibility reflects a broader pattern of authoritarian denialThe notion of greenwashing has become central to critiques of BRI 20 China has promoted this updated version of the initiative as green and beautiful emphasizing renewable energy and sustainable practices However the reality is more complex While coal plants are being phased out domestically new ones are being built abroad under BRI contracts Cement factories and other polluting industries are similarly exported allowing China to claim progress at home while externalizing its environmental footprint This dual strategy undermines global climate goals and exposes the hypocrisy of the CCPâs environmental diplomacy according to the Business Craft the report statedA 2020 study warned that BRI projects could introduce more than 800 invasive species into participating countries impacting ecosystems and agriculture The CCPâs emphasis on economic growth often ignores ecological considerations leaving host nations to facing longterm effectsCritics have contended that CCPs approach to BRI showcases a contradiction between its global ambitions and its environmental responsibilities On one hand China wants to showcase itself as a leader in sustainable development while on the other hand it continues to prioritise enhancing fossil fuel and infrastructure projects that degrade ecosystems The consequences of these activities are profound as host nations often do not have the regulatory capacity to implement environmental standards leaving them vulnerable to ecological damage Furthermore the debt burdens linked to BRI projects restricts their ability to invest in sustainable alternativesIn recent months international organizations and watchdogs have intensified scrutiny of BRIâs environmental impacts Reports highlight that while China has increased investments in renewable energy the scale of fossil fuel engagement remains disproportionately high This imbalance suggests that the CCPâs commitment to sustainability is more rhetorical than substantive The global community is increasingly aware that Chinaâs environmental diplomacy is less about ecological responsibility and more about geopolitical positioning the Daily Mirror report highlightedUltimately the Belt and Road Initiative exemplifies the CCPâs authoritarian approach to global development ambitious in scale dismissive of criticism and exploitative in practice Environmental damage biodiversity threats and geopolitical manipulation are not incidental outcomes but integral features of this model As the world approaches critical climate deadlines the contradiction between Chinaâs green rhetoric and its polluting reality becomes ever more stark The CCPâs refusal to reconcile these contradictions undermines not only the credibility of BRI but also the broader fight against climate change it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/environmental-consequences-of-chinas-bri-becoming-increasingly-difficult-to-ignore-report-654234.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/forecast-for-thunderstorms-and-rain-in-tn-puducherry-today-654029.html Chennai Dec 17 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Wednesday with lightning likely at isolated places Chennai is expected to witness cloudy skies through the day with light to moderate rain possible in several parts of the city The forecast comes in the wake of widespread rainfall recorded across several districts on Tuesday which disrupted traffic and caused inconvenience to residents particularly motorists in both Tamil Nadu and PuducherryAfter several days of dry weather and foggy conditions in parts of the state heavy rain lashed Chennai from early morning affecting normal life Areas such as Alandur the airport zone and Meenambakkam received intense showers Waterlogging on the busy GST Road led to traffic congestion stretching nearly two kilometres forcing vehicles to move at a crawl and leaving commuters stranded for long periodsIn Kallakurichi district rainfall began in the morning and intensified after 6 pm affecting the town as well as surrounding rural areas Once the rain subsided dense fog enveloped the Kalvarayan Hills drastically reducing visibilityWith minimal vehicular movement on hill roads motorists were forced to switch on headlights and proceed cautiously Perambalur district experienced overcast skies for most of the day followed by heavy rainfall at nightRain was reported not only in Perambalur town but also in nearby areas such as Perali Sidheli Chengunam and Siruvachur Similarly Ariyalur district received heavy rainfall in Sendurai Anganur Sivarampuram and Sannasinallur Foggy conditions were also reported in the Kumumoor forest region further affecting road visibility In Shivaganga district the Tiruppattur area witnessed heavy rain after 7 pm lasting for more than 25 minutesWhile the showers brought relief and cheer to farmers and residents motorists faced difficulties due to slippery roads and reduced visibility Parts of the Thoothukudi district also received rainfall Moderate rain was reported in Tiruchendur town and surrounding areas such as Alanthalai Kallamozhi Thalaivaipuram Paramankurichi and Kayamozhi leading to water flowing along roads in several localitiesPuducherry city recorded heavy rain for nearly an hour causing significant disruption to vehicular movement Areas including Nellithope Urulaiyanpet the Raj Bhavan vicinity Karuvadikuppam Kalapet Muthialpet Thavalakuppam and Manaveli witnessed intense showers resulting in traffic congestion and delaysThe IMD has advised the public to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity particularly while commuting as rain accompanied by lightning is expected to continue in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/forecast-for-thunderstorms-and-rain-in-tn-puducherry-today-654029.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/reducing-aravalli-protection-to-100-metres-is-signing-its-death-certificate-ashok-gehlot-653858.html Jaipur Dec 16 Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has strongly criticised the Centreâs stand on the Aravalli range calling it a direct threat to the environment and future generations Reacting to the Central governmentâs report submitted to the Supreme Court Gehlot said âThe Aravalli is not just a mountain range in Rajasthan it is our protective shield Reducing its protected area to merely 100 metres is nothing short of signing the death certificate of 90 per cent of the Aravalli range in the stateâHe warned that the move would strip most of the Aravalli hills of legal protectionâNearly 90 per cent of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan are less than 100 metres high Excluding them from the definition does not just change terminology it removes legal protection This means the Forest Conservation Act will no longer apply and unrestricted mining will be allowedâ he saidCalling the recommendation scientifically illogical Gehlot added âA mountain is not defined by its height but by its geological structure Even a small hill or rock belongs to the same tectonic plate and mountain system as a tall peak Separating them defies scienceâThe former Chief Minister warned of serious ecological consequences âThe Aravalli acts as a barrier preventing the Thar Desert from advancing Experts say even ridges just 10 to 30 metres high are effective in stopping dust storms Opening these hills to mining is an open invitation for the desert to reach Delhi and eastern Rajasthanâ he saidHighlighting the water crisis Gehlot stated âThe rocky structure of the Aravalli retains rainwater and allows it to recharge groundwater These hills are lifelines for northwestern India Destroying them means inviting drought in an already waterscarce regionâHe further said âThe Aravalli is the wall that stops the deadly âlooâ from the west and prevents the Thar Desert from encroaching upon the fertile plains of eastern Rajasthan Delhi and Uttar PradeshâTerming the decision a boost to illegal mining Gehlot remarked âThis is not about environmental protection It is a red carpet for the mining mafia History will never forgive the injustice being done to future generations by allowing the Thar Desert to march towards DelhiâPointing out the irony he said âThis Supreme Court hearing began with the objective of identifying and protecting the Aravalli range Instead the Centreâs recommendation now accepted has technically made 90 per cent of the Aravalli âdisappearââUrging judicial intervention Gehlot concluded âI appeal to the Supreme Court to reconsider this decision in the interest of coming generations This decision is a direct invitation to destructionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/reducing-aravalli-protection-to-100-metres-is-signing-its-death-certificate-ashok-gehlot-653858.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mp-week-long-forest-fair-to-start-on-dec-17-at-lal-parade-ground-653693.html Bhopal Dec 15 A weeklong International Forest Fair based on the Prosperous Forests Happy People will be held between December 17 to 23 at Lal Parade Ground Bhopal Sharing the details about the event at a press conference Minister of State for Forests Dilip Singh Ahirwar on Monday said that the fair will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on December 17He shared that a total of 350 stalls will be set up at the fair âDistrict unions of the state forest departments Ayurvedic medicine manufacturers and manufacturers and sellers of traditional food products will display and sell their products at the fairâ he saidThe Minister informed that the fair will include 10 government stalls stalls from 24 other states 16 exhibition stalls 136 private stalls and 26 food stalls where visitors will get to taste dishes such as Dalpuniya from Alirajpur and Gond tribal cuisine from BandhavgarhAhirwar further said that 200 doctors and experts of the Ayurvedic system will provide free medical consultation at the fairHe informed that various cultural programs will be organised including orchestra performances street plays folk dances and competitions such as painting fancy dress and singing for school studentsThe Forest Minister further informed that an international workshop will also be organised on December 19 and 20 during the Forest FairâRepresentatives from 17 states of India two from Nepal and one from Bhutan will participate in the eventâ he said The minister informed that the workshop will be organised in coordination with the Indian Institute of Forest Management IIFM Bhopal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mp-week-long-forest-fair-to-start-on-dec-17-at-lal-parade-ground-653693.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-predicted-in-parts-of-tns-tirunelveli-and-tenkasi-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-653975.html Chennai Dec 16 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC on Tuesday forecast heavy rainfall in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadus Tirunelveli district and at one or two locations in Tenkasi district even as parts of the state Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to receive light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms In its bulletin issued on Tuesday afternoon the Meteorological Department said changes in the speed and direction of easterly winds are expected to trigger rainfall activity across several parts of the regionAs a result isolated places in Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal may witness light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning during the dayThe department has specifically warned of the possibility of heavy rain at one or two locations in the ghat areas of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts The forecast indicates that similar weather conditions are likely to continue over the next few daysOn Wednesday Thursday and December 22 parts of southern and northern Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstormsHowever between December 19th and 21 the department has predicted predominantly dry weather conditions across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and KaraikalWith regard to temperatures it said there would be no significant change in minimum temperatures across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal on Tuesday and Wednesday However from December 18 to 20 the minimum temperatures in some parts of Tamil Nadu may dip by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal levels bringing relatively cooler nighttime conditionsFor Chennai and its suburban areas the forecast for the day indicates a partly cloudy sky Moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at a few locations within the city The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 28 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to remain between 23 and 24 degrees CelsiusMeanwhile the Meteorological Centre has issued a strong warning for coastal regions Squally winds with speeds ranging from 35 to 45 kmph gusting intermittently up to 55 kmph are likely to prevail over the south Tamil Nadu coast the Gulf of Mannar and the adjoining Kumari Sea region In view of the rough sea conditions fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas till FridayAuthorities have urged residents in vulnerable regions especially in hilly and coastal areas to remain cautious and follow official advisories closely IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-predicted-in-parts-of-tns-tirunelveli-and-tenkasi-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-653975.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ndmc-strengthens-decentralised-waste-management-through-project-sort-653977.html New Delhi Dec 16 The NDMC in collaboration with the Indian Pollution Control Association IPCA is implementing Project SORT Segregation of Waste for its Recycling and Treatment across its jurisdiction an official said on Tuesday Monitored by Keshav Chandra Chairman New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC the project is a Corporate Social Responsibility CSR initiative being implemented in residential societies educational and institutional campuses commercial markets and community waste processing facilities under the civic agencyUnder Project SORT NDMC has focused on creating decentralised solutions for wet waste processing while simultaneously strengthening source segregation practices said an official statementThe initiative strongly emphasises capacity building and behavioural change through regular awareness programmes and handson training sessions for all stakeholders from waste generators and residents to housekeeping staff and waste handlersAs part of this initiative decentralised composting Aerobins have been installed at key NDMC locations including Golf Link Kaka Nagar CGE RWA Sardar Patel Vidyalaya St Thomas School YWCA Lady Irwin College PSOI Club Dilli Haat INA Sangli Mess and Central ParkTo date 85 composters with a combined wet waste handling capacity of 34000 kg have been installed across 13 locations Through these Aerobins over 15 metric tonnes of wet waste have already been processed onsite and converted into nutrientrich organic manure which can be used for horticulture purposes by NDMC as well as citizensEncouraged by the positive response and active participation of residents institutions and other stakeholders NDMC in association with IPCA plans to enrol five additional societies and institutions within the current financial year under this model said the statementIn addition to this the capacity of existing community composting model sites at Central Park and Sangli Mess is proposed to be enhanced to manage higher volumes of segregated wet wasteThe collaborative efforts of NDMC SLMTT IPCA and local stakeholders have resulted in visible behavioural change with improved compliance in waste segregation at source efficient onsite processing of wet waste and sustained operations managed by inhouse staff and waste workersThese efforts are directly contributing to reduced waste transportation costs improved local cleanliness and increased awareness among citizens said the statementAn official said the NDMCâs onground experience through Project SORT reaffirms that public awareness institutional ownership and appropriate infrastructure are critical pillars for achieving longterm and sustainable waste management outcomesBy scaling decentralised composting and communityled practices NDMC continues to set benchmarks demonstrating how collaborative models can translate a vision into measurable impact said the official IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ndmc-strengthens-decentralised-waste-management-through-project-sort-653977.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nasa-says-later-day-stubble-burning-in-northern-india-complicates-air-quality-monitoring-653768.html Washington Dec 16 Seasonal crop fires across northern India are increasingly being lit later in the day a shift that scientists say could complicate efforts to monitor stubble burning and assess its impact on air quality according to satellite observations and recent studies NASA has said For decades long rivers of smoke and haze have spread across the IndoGangetic Plain from October to December as farmers burn off crop residue after the rice harvest In 2025 the overall pattern of the stubbleburning season largely followed expectations but the daily timing of fires showed a notable departure from past trends a NASA release said MondayIn some ways the seasonal timing of stubble fires in 2025 followed typical patterns said Hiren Jethva a Morgan State University atmospheric scientist based at NASAâs Goddard Space Flight Center He noted that air quality deteriorated in Delhi and several other cities for about a month after crop fires intensified during the last week of OctoberFor about a decade Jethva has tracked stubble burning in India using satellite data and has predicted the intensity of upcoming fire seasons based on vegetation observations In earlier years most fires were typically set in the early afternoon between 1 pm and 2 pm local timeHowever that pattern has changed âBut in the past few years stubble fires have occurred progressively later in the dayâ Jethva said His analysis shows that most stubble fires now happen between 4 pm and 6 pm âFarmers have changed their behaviorâ he saidJethva identified the shift by analyzing data from GEOKOMPSAT2A a South Korean geostationary satellite launched in late 2018 that collects observations every 10 minutes By contrast firemonitoring systems that rely primarily on sensors such as MODIS or VIIRS which pass over locations only once or twice a day can miss many of these laterburning firesSatellite imagery illustrates the scale of the problem scientists said On November 11 2025 the MODIS instrument on NASAâs Aqua satellite captured a thick plume of smoke and haze spreading across Punjab Haryana Uttar Pradesh and Madhya PradeshAccording to news reports it was the first of several days in 2025 when pollution levels exceeded 400 on Indiaâs air quality index the strongest rating on the scaleAs in previous years the spike in pollution prompted authorities in some areas to close schools and impose stricter controls on construction activity When winds are weak and atmospheric conditions are stagnant the resulting haze can push pollution levels several times above World Health Organization limitsJethvaâs analysis indicates that stubbleburning activity in Punjab and Haryana in 2025 was moderate compared to other recent years He found that fire counts were higher than in 2024 2020 and 2019 but lower than in 2023 2022 and 2021Indian researchers have independently identified a similar shift in timing In a Current Science study published in 2025 scientists reported that Meteosat Second Generation satellite observations showed peak fire activity moving from about 130 pm in 2020 to about 500 pm in 2024 In December 2025 researchers at the International Forum for Environment Sustainability amp Technology released a multisatellite analysis that reached a similar conclusionWhile the link between stubble burning and Delhiâs air pollution is widely acknowledged scientists continue to debate the precise contribution of crop fires relative to other sources such as vehicles industry domestic cooking and heating fireworks and dust storms âStudies report contributions ranging from 10 to 50 per centâ said Pawan Gupta a NASA research scientist specializing in air qualityGupta estimates that stubble burning accounts for 40 to 70 per cent of pollution on a given day during peak episodes dropping to 20 to 30 per cent when averaged over a month and to under 10 per cent when averaged annually âMeteorological conditionsâlike a shallow boundary layer height and low temperatureâduring the burning season add extra complexityâ he saidScientists say the later timing of fires could influence how pollution builds up overnight as evening burns may coincide with weaker winds and a shallower boundary layer allowing pollutants to accumulate more efficiently IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nasa-says-later-day-stubble-burning-in-northern-india-complicates-air-quality-monitoring-653768.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/smog-eases-slightly-in-delhi-but-several-areas-continue-to-reel-under-severe-air-quality-653780.html New Delhi Dec 16 Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region NCR experienced marginal relief on Tuesday as weather conditions led to a slight improvement in air quality and visibility The change came after northwesterly surface winds helped disperse the thick fog and haze that had blanketed the region a day earlier The cityâs Air Quality Index AQI improved to the very poor category registering 381 on Tuesday compared to severe levels recorded on Monday Stronger wind movement during the morning hours reduced fog density resulting in clearer conditions across several areas including Delhi Noida Ghaziabad and Gurugram However the respite remained limited with around eight air quality monitoring stations in the national capital still reporting severe pollution levelsWazirpur was the worstaffected area in terms of pollution levels with an AQI reading of 434 It was followed closely by Jahangirpuri with AQI levels of 430 A few other areas such as Mundka Delhi Technical University DTU and Nehru Nagar monitoring centres also showed âsevereâ levels between 424 and 420Delhi had witnessed its most polluted day of the winter season on Sunday when the AQI surged to 461 Pollution levels remained alarmingly high on Monday as well with the AQI recorded at 427 highlighting the persistent nature of the crisisThe hazardous air quality has also disrupted air travel On Monday poor visibility caused by dense toxic haze led to the cancellation of at least 228 flights at Delhi Airport including 131 departures and 97 arrivals In addition five flights were diverted to other destinations due to unsafe landing conditionsAs per Indiaâs air quality classification AQI values between 101 and 200 are considered moderate 201300 poor 301400 very poor and readings above 400 fall under the severe category The health implications of such pollution levels are grave The Centre recently informed Parliament that more than two lakh cases of acute respiratory illnesses were reported in six government hospitals in Delhi between 2022 and 2024 amid rising pollutionIn response to the worsening air the Delhi government directed schools to shift classes up to Grade 5 to online mode from Monday The Delhi High Court also advised lawyers and litigants to opt for virtual hearings in matters listed before it and district courts considering the prevailing environmental conditionsHealth studies continue to underscore the longterm dangers of air pollution A 2024 study published in The Lancet estimated that prolonged exposure to polluted air contributes to approximately 15 million additional deaths annually in India Similarly the 2025 Air Quality Life Index AQLI report by the University of Chicago identified air pollution as the countryâs most serious health risk reducing average life expectancy by 35 yearsThe report further stated that 46 per cent of Indiaâs population lives in regions exceeding national PM25 limits with DelhiNCR among the worst affected Residents of the region face an estimated reduction of 474 years in life expectancy Globally air pollution remains the second biggest risk factor for premature death accounting for nearly 79 million deaths worldwide in 2023 according to the State of Global Air Report 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/smog-eases-slightly-in-delhi-but-several-areas-continue-to-reel-under-severe-air-quality-653780.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-releases-over-rs-260-crore-for-rural-local-bodies-in-kerala-653600.html New Delhi Dec 15 The government on Monday said it has released Rs 26020 crore to rural local bodies in Kerala as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants for the financial year 202526 The amount represents the first instalment of untied grants and covers all 14 district panchayats 152 block panchayats and 9414 gram panchayats GPs in the state according to an official statementUntied grants are meant to be utilised by rural local bodiesPRIs for locationspecific felt needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution except for salaries and other establishment expendituresTied Grants on the other hand are earmarked for basic services relating to sanitation and maintenance of ODF open defecationfree status including management and treatment of household waste human excreta and faecal sludge and supply of drinking water rainwater harvesting and water recyclingLast week the government released Rs 71717 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Maharashtra as part of the first instalment of untied grants for the financial year 202526 The funds were released to duly elected and eligible rural local bodies in the state covering two district panchayats Zilla Parishads 15 block panchayats panchayat samitis and 26544 gram panchayatsThe government through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation recommends release of 15th Finance Commission grants to states for Panchayati Raj Institutions which are then released by the Ministry of FinanceThe allocated grants are recommended and released in two instalments in a financial yearEarlier in November this year the Centre released over Rs 223 crore for rural local bodies in Assam and another Rs 44438 crore to strengthen panchayat bodies in Odisha as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-releases-over-rs-260-crore-for-rural-local-bodies-in-kerala-653600.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-to-conduct-study-to-address-water-woes-653638.html Chandigarh Dec 15 In a step towards addressing Punjabs water woes Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday said the government gave inprinciple approval of a Rs 161 crore microlevel study on water resources and seepage patterns The study to be conducted by the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission in collaboration with IIT Ropar will help develop effective solutions to manage subsoil water levels Highlighting the importance of this initiative Cheema said that as an agrarian state Punjab faces serious challenges concerning water availability and its sustainable usage He emphasised that this project represents a crucial step towards the revival of the states agrarian era âThe initial macrolevel study conducted by the PSFFWC in collaboration with the National Institute of Hydrology NIH Roorkee was formally acknowledged by the Vidhan Sabha Committee on Agriculture Reforms Subsequently the committee decided on a more detailed microlevel studyâ he said in a statement Elaborating on the scientific depth of the investigation Finance Minister Cheema said the study would employ advanced techniques including carbon dating and isotope analysis of subsoil and repository water as well as a comprehensive examination of seepage patterns across the state The studys objectives encompass a range of critical aspects including profiling all types of available water resources characterising aquifers to inform policy decisions conducting heliborne surveys exploring alternative water resources and conducting microlevel studies to determine seepage rates On financial allocation for the study the Finance Minister said the project would be funded with an outlay of Rs 22165 lakh Of this amount IIT Ropar will contribute Rs 60 lakh from its own resources leaving a requirement of Rs 161 lakh for the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers CommissionIn exchange for the funding IIT Ropar will provide comprehensive technical support including design and execution expertise field investigations sample collection deployment of portable instruments infrastructure and laboratory facilities and technical training and capacitybuilding initiatives The study comprises five detailed phases scheduled for completion within 12 months of receiving the required funds IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-to-conduct-study-to-address-water-woes-653638.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-advises-hybrid-hearings-as-delhi-ncr-air-quality-turns-very-poor-653492.html New Delhi Dec 14 In view of prevailing weather conditions and deteriorating air quality in the national capital the Supreme Court has advised members of the Bar and partiesinperson to avail the hybrid mode of appearance wherever convenient for matters listed before the apex court A circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry said that the advisory was issued on the directions of the Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant urging the use of videoconferencing facilities in appropriate cases if convenient The circular has been circulated to the Supreme Court Bar Association the Supreme Court AdvocatesonRecord Association all notice boards and other concerned authorities for wider dissemination Earlier this month the CJI Kantled Bench had expressed strong concern over Delhiâs toxic air making it clear that it could not remain a mute spectator while millions of the national capitals residents continue to breathe polluted airWhile hearing a public interest litigation PIL on controlling air pollution in Delhi the Bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM to submit an actionable report addressing the recurring air crisis The CJI Kantled bench had also cautioned against oversimplifying the causes of pollution by singling out stubble burning alone stressing that multiple factors including construction activity and vehicular emissions contribute to the problem We do not want to comment on stubble burning as it would be incorrect to burden the people who are hardly represented in the court the apex court had observed In an earlier hearing the apex court had emphasised the need for a longterm strategy to tackle DelhiNCRs recurring air pollution crisis instead of shortterm responses every winter You can give suggestions but they cannot be for two days one week or three weeks We need a longterm solution so that this problem reduces gradually every year CJI Kantled Bench had told the Centre Last month Justice PS Narasimha had urged lawyers to shift to virtual hearings in view of Delhiâs very very serious pollution levels and cautioned that the situation could cause permanent damage Situation is very very serious Why are you all appearing here Justice Narasimha had remarked We have the virtual hearing facility Please avail it This pollution will cause permanent damage he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-advises-hybrid-hearings-as-delhi-ncr-air-quality-turns-very-poor-653492.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-mettur-dam-irrigation-discharge-increases-power-generation-rises-653527.html Chennai Dec 15 The volume of water released from the Mettur dam for irrigation in the Cauvery delta has been increased to 9500 cubic feet per second cusecs in response to rising irrigation demand across delta districts Officials said the step was taken to ensure adequate water supply for standing crops and canalfed irrigation systems as the agricultural season progressesOver the past few weeks the quantity of water released from the dam has been gradually stepped up reflecting increasing requirements in the delta region On the 10th of this month the discharge for irrigation purposes was raised to 6000 cusecs Since then demand from farmers in the Cauvery delta particularly in tailend areas has continued to grow prompting the authorities to further enhance the releaseAccordingly the water released for delta irrigation has now been increased to 9500 cusecs officials confirmed In addition to this 400 cusecs is being released specifically for canal irrigation benefiting command areas dependent on distributary canals and feeder channels across Thanjavur Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai and adjoining districtsAs per standard practice the water meant for irrigation is being discharged largely through the hydroelectric power station attached to the Mettur dam This has resulted in a corresponding increase in power generationWith the higher flow electricity production at the hydroelectric station has gone up to 90 megawatts providing a boost to renewable energy output in the state Officials noted that the regulated increase in discharge has been planned to balance irrigation needs with reservoir management taking into account inflows storage levels and downstream requirementsFarmersâ associations in the delta have welcomed the move stating that timely water availability is crucial for crop stability especially in canalirrigated areasThe Cauvery delta is one of Tamil Naduâs most important agricultural regions and irrigation from the Mettur dam plays a key role in sustaining paddy cultivation and allied farming activities Authorities said the situation will continue to be closely monitored and releases will be adjusted based on rainfall inflows into the reservoir and fieldlevel demand in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-mettur-dam-irrigation-discharge-increases-power-generation-rises-653527.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-day-temperature-drops-to-7-653378.html Srinagar Dec 14 Due to nightlong cloud cover the minimum temperature improved on Sunday and rose above the freezing point throughout Kashmir Valley while the maximum temperature dropped further The Meteorological MeT department officials said that due to nightlong cloud cover the minimum temperature throughout the Valley rose above the freezing point while the maximum temperature dropped furtherâSrinagar city recorded 2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature today as Gulmarg recorded 14 and Pahalgam 24 as the minimum temperature today The maximum temperature was 77 degrees in Srinagar yesterday while it was 72 and 9 degrees in Gulmarg and Pahalgam respectively the MeT department saidJammu city had 114 degrees as the minimum temperature while it was 112 in Katra 79 in Batote 55 in Banihal and 47 in Bhaderwah the MeT department officials saidDespite the cloud cover and fog at most places in Srinagar city and the rest of the Valley there is no possibility of any snowfall in the plains while isolated light snowfall might take place in the higher reaches in the coming daysThe MeT forecast does not indicate any major change in weather during the next 10 days giving rise to apprehension that the month might not witness any major snowfall in Jammu and KashmirAn extended dry spell for over two months has brought down the water level in rivers streams lakes springs and wells in KashmirThe Jhelum River running through the middle of the Valley from south to north has almost hit the bottomThe 40daylong period of extreme winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ will start on December 21 and end on January 30Traditionally heavy snowfall in Chillai Kalan replenishes all the water reservoirs in the mountains to sustain the various water bodies in the union territory during the summer monthsNo snow in Chillai Kalan would foretell a drought in summer It is for this reason that Kashmiris are praying with folded hands for a plentiful snowfall during the winter months In addition to water shortages the dry winter cold has triggered widespread chest ailments in JampK with most people complaining of flu and dry cough IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-day-temperature-drops-to-7-653378.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-closes-suo-moto-case-over-sewage-in-delhis-satpula-lake-after-water-quality-improves-653437.html New Delhi Dec 14 The National Green Tribunal NGT has disposed of a suo motu case relating to alleged discharge of raw sewage into Delhiâs Satpula Lake after noting that the latest inspection reports indicate improvement in water quality and compliance with environmental norms A Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising expert members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad was dealing with an original application registered suo moto on its own on the basis of a news report titled âOn revamp priority list Satpula Lake being filled up with raw sewage from drainâ published in April 2024 The green tribunal noted that the news item had highlighted the pumping of untreated sewage into Satpula Lake from a large drain near Saket Court in South Delhi It also noted that the lake was identified in 2021 as one of the wetlands proposed for rejuvenation by the Delhi government and that it is located within a park maintained by the Delhi Development Authority DDA Referring to inspection reports filed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee DPCC the Justice Shrivastavaled Bench recorded that during an earlier inspection in July 2024 the lake was found to be âhighly eutrophicâ and the sewage treatment plant STP located in the DDA park was nonfunctional The NGT said that DPCC had at that stage directed the DDA to repair the dysfunctional STP and ensure compliance However taking on record the latest inspection report dated November 14 2025 the green tribunal noted that the STP was found to be operational and treated wastewater was being discharged into the lake for rejuvenation It took note of the submission that the latest inspection of the samples collected from the lake was found to be meeting the norms and STPtreated water is being discharged into the lake for rejuvenation In its order the NGT directed that the DDA must ensure that rejuvenation channels are not blocked the water quality meets prescribed standards and âno untreated sewage is discharged in the lakeâ While disposing of the suo moto case the green tribunal directed the DPCC to carry out monthly inspections of the lake and bimonthly inspections during the monsoon season and to submit water quality reports of both the lake and the STP to the Registrar General of the NGT within eight months to ascertain continued compliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-closes-suo-moto-case-over-sewage-in-delhis-satpula-lake-after-water-quality-improves-653437.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/president-murmu-asks-people-to-join-energy-conservation-praises-govt-efforts-653442.html New Delhi Dec 14 Seeking public participation in energy conservation President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday praised the Centreâs green efforts highlighting that India has already fulfilled its clean energy commitments ahead of schedule Speaking at an event to mark the National Energy Conservation Day President Murmu urged citizens to make energy conservation a way of life ensuring a safe clean and prosperous planet for future generationsShe emphasised the need to engage children and youth in working towards a sustainable future for the planetâFor the success of Indias Energy Transition the participation of every sector and citizen is essential Bringing energy efficiency to all sectors behavioural change is most importantâ she saidPresident Murmu also presented the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 to institutions and the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation prizes to school childrenShe said the government has taken several important steps in the field of energy conservation and clean energy transitionâI am told that through energy efficiency efforts of the government during 202324 5360 million tonnes of oil equivalent energy has been saved promoting economic savings and reduction in carbon dioxide emissionsâ she saidâIndia has already fulfilled its clean energy commitments ahead of schedule This is a significant achievement in our direction of energy efficiency and decarbonisationâ she saidShe said access to clean and affordable energy helps in empowering communitiesâThis helps the local economy and generates opportunities to move ahead Green energy is not limited to the generation of power but is a powerful tool for empowerment and overall developmentâ she saidPointing to the National Green Hydrogen Mission the President said the government has made Green Hydrogen Technology a key component of the energy transitionAs part of the mission Green Hydrogen is being produced with renewable energy technology to make the country a global hub and reduce dependence on fossil fuels she saidAt the international level India has already fulfilled its nationally determined clean energy commitments ahead of schedule and strengthened its contribution to global climate actionShe said the countryâs clean energy commitments have strengthened the global journey towards sustainable development and netzero goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/president-murmu-asks-people-to-join-energy-conservation-praises-govt-efforts-653442.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/amli-dam-emerges-as-serene-new-tourism-hotspot-near-surat-draws-hundreds-of-visitors-653295.html Surat Dec 13 A new tourist destination the Amli Dam has been developed around 100 kilometres from Surat in Mandvi offering visitors a peaceful retreat amid lush greenery and flowing waters and emerging as a popular escape for nature lovers The Forest Department in coordination with the local administration has upgraded the area by setting up cottages landscaped gardens and a canteen Despite being developed only recently as a tourism site the location is already witnessing a footfall of around 10000 to 12000 visitors every monthNestled in a tranquil setting surrounded by green hills the dam offers scenic views that become particularly striking during and after the monsoon seasonOfficials recommend the period between November and February as the ideal time to visit when the surroundings are at their most vibrantThe site is considered suitable for family outings camping trips and photography Additional facilities such as picnic tables and a childrens playground are available at the nearby Amli Dam New Garden adding to its appeal for familiesSharing her experience tourist Deepika told IANS The environment here is very nice All this greenery is beautiful and the water is so clean It feels very nice to visit here The view here is amazing Its best to visit with familyAnother visitor Narendra Mishra who travelled from Surat also praised the destination Speaking to IANS he said I came from Surat There arent many tourist spots like this in Surat but this place is really beautiful There are so many types of trees and cleanliness is also maintained by the administration This is a very nice spot for a family picnicTo ensure visitor comfort the Forest Department and local administration have created several supporting facilities including cottages gardens and canteens The site sees especially heavy tourist turnout on weekendsRavindra Raj Singh Vaghela Range Forest Officer RFO Mandvi said that cottages and tents have been set up to draw more tourists and offer them a comfortable stayArvind Vasava Head of the Regional Migration Committee also highlighted the amenities provided at the siteTalking to IANS he said We have cottages and canteens for the people who are visiting here The tourists also like the gardens alongside the dam The families who come here enjoy the mostAlthough the Amli Dam has not been developed as a tourist destination for very long it has already gained remarkable popularity Every month between 10000 and 12000 tourists visit the dam to experience and admire the natural beauty of the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/amli-dam-emerges-as-serene-new-tourism-hotspot-near-surat-draws-hundreds-of-visitors-653295.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-prepares-domestic-framework-as-landmark-high-seas-treaty-nears-2026-enforcement-653185.html Kochi Dec 12 India has begun shaping a domestic framework to support the ratification and future implementation of the High Seas Treaty a global agreement set to come into force on January 17 2026 The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction BBNJ Agreement adopted in March 2023 under UNCLOS the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is widely viewed as a milestone in protecting marine biodiversity in international watersAt a national stakeholder consultation held in Kochi on Friday the Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES along with ICARâCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology CMLRE and various domestic and international partners examined Indiaâs readiness to implement the TreatyIndia is among the 145 signatories and 76 countries have ratified the agreement so farThe meeting brought together policymakers legal specialists scientists representatives from the fisheries industry and maritime stakeholders to assess scientific legal and institutional requirements for complianceExperts agreed that the Treatyâs enforcement marks a crucial turning point in global ocean governance with potential to ensure equitable access to highseas resources and strengthen conservation efforts amid intensifying challenges from climate change overfishing and pollutionSenior advocate Sanjay Upadhyay inaugurating the consultation said the BBNJ Agreement offers India and other coastal nations a strategic chance to close longstanding governance gaps in areas beyond national jurisdictionHe pointed to complex issues such as ownership of marine genetic resources and environmental accountability noting that the Treaty provides a structured approach to manage these sensitivities while protecting national interestsBay of Bengal Programme InterGovernmental Organisation BOBPIGO Director Dr P Krishnan emphasised Indiaâs strong scientific and technological capabilities in ocean researchHe urged the scientific community to increase its role in ocean governance and highseas management calling the treaty an opportunity to âbring science policy and law togetherâCMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said the Agreement has direct implications for Indiaâs fisheries as ecological changes in the high seas can affect fish availability within the countryâs Exclusive Economic ZoneDespite Indiaâs focus on nearshore and smallscale fisheries he noted that activities in international waters play a major role in determining resource patterns closer to shoreThe recommendations from the consultation will now be consolidated to shape Indiaâs domestic roadmap ahead of the next Conference of the Parties scheduled for August 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-prepares-domestic-framework-as-landmark-high-seas-treaty-nears-2026-enforcement-653185.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-smog-engulfs-delhi-ncr-as-air-quality-slips-to-very-poor-category-653221.html New Delhi Dec 13 A thick blanket of smog enveloped the National Capital Region NCR on Saturday pushing air quality to alarming levels and raising serious public health concerns The overall Air Quality Index AQI for Delhi stood at 387 firmly within the âvery poorâ category signalling significant health risks particularly for children the elderly and those with respiratory ailmentsThe deterioration in air quality has been steady throughout the weekOn Tuesday the city recorded an AQI of 282 categorised as âpoorâ followed by 259 on Wednesday Pollution levels worsened sharply thereafter rising to 307 on Thursday and surging to 349 on Friday before edging close to the âsevereâ markEnvironmental experts have attributed the worsening conditions to a combination of stagnant winds vehicular emissions industrial activity and seasonal factors including crop residue burning in neighbouring statesLarge parts of the National Capital Territory are now grappling with hazardous air qualityAccording to official data as many as 18 localities recorded an AQI above 400 placing them in the âsevereâ categoryWazirpur emerged as the worsthit area with an AQI of 443 followed closely by Jahangirpuri at 439 and Vivek Vihar at 437 Other severely polluted areas include Rohini and Anand Vihar 434 each Ashok Vihar 431 Sonia Vihar and Delhi Technological University 427 each Narela 425 Bawana 424 Nehru Nagar 421 Patparganj 419 ITO 417 Punjabi Bagh 416 Mundka 415 Burari Crossing 413 Chandni Chowk 412 and DU North Campus 401Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to aggravated asthma reduced lung function cardiovascular stress and eye and throat irritation Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities wear protective masks and follow advisories issued under the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP which may be intensified if conditions fail to improveMeanwhile Delhi is currently experiencing cool and cloudy weather with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Celsius The minimum temperature is expected to dip to 8 degrees Celsius later tonightWhile conditions are relatively milder than what is typically experienced in midDecember dense fog during the early morning and late evening hours has added to commutersâ woes Meteorological officials have indicated that colder conditions are likely to set in as the month progresses which may further impact air quality if wind speeds remain low IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-smog-engulfs-delhi-ncr-as-air-quality-slips-to-very-poor-category-653221.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 10:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/adani-green-tops-nse-sustainability-rankings-for-2nd-year-653058.html Mumbai Dec 12 Adani Green Energy Limited AGEL on Friday announced that it has once again been recognised as one of Indiaâs top performers in sustainability In the latest sustainability ratings released by the National Stock Exchange NSE for the financial year 2025 AGEL earned an overall ESG score of 78 improving from 74 last yearWith this the company has retained its position as the number one sustainability performer in the countryâs power generation sector for the second year in a rowAGEL has also achieved the highest sustainability score among all industrial companies within the top 150 listed entities on the NSEOnly one organisation from the services sector scored slightly higher This highlights AGELâs strong focus on responsible business practices and transparent governanceThe company has shown progress across all three pillars of the NSEâs ESG assessment environment social responsibility and governanceThe environmental score rose to 76 due to AGELâs ongoing efforts in renewable energy use waste reduction recycling and resource efficiencyThe company has already met several important goals such as becoming waterpositive eliminating singleuse plastic and sending zero waste to landfillsIt is also the first among the worldâs top ten renewable energy companies to achieve waterpositive status reaching the milestone ahead of its 2026 targetThe social score increased to 74 reflecting better initiatives for community support and employee welfareHowever the biggest jump came in the governance category where AGELâs score climbed to 82The company continues to maintain strong governance systems with committees overseeing nominations audits risks and social impact most of which are led by independent membersAGEL says its approach focuses on real governance standards rather than just meeting minimum compliance rulesIts sustainability performance has also been recognised by global and domestic agencies such as FTSE Russell ISS ESG Sustainalytics and CRISILThe company has additionally begun adopting the Taskforce on Naturerelated Financial Disclosures TNFD framework to better assess environmental risks and integrate nature conservation into its growth plans IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/adani-green-tops-nse-sustainability-rankings-for-2nd-year-653058.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/adani-green-tops-nse-sustainability-rankings-for-2nd-year-in-a-row-653078.html Mumbai Dec 12 Adani Green Energy Limited AGEL has emerged as one of Indiaâs strongest performers in the latest sustainability ratings released by the National Stock Exchange NSE for the financial year 2025 The Adani Group company achieved an overall sustainability score of 78 rising from 74 in the previous year and secured the top spot in the countryâs power generation sector for the second year in a rowAGEL also achieved the highest sustainability score among all industrial companies within the top 150 listed entities on the NSE according to a statementOnly one organisation from the services sector scored slightly higher This highlights AGELâs strong focus on responsible business practices and transparent governanceThe company has shown progress across all three pillars of the NSEâs ESG assessment environment social responsibility and governanceThe environmental score rose to 76 due to AGELâs ongoing efforts in renewable energy use waste reduction recycling and resource efficiencyThe company has already met several important goals such as becoming waterpositive eliminating singleuse plastic and sending zero waste to landfillsIt is also the first among the worldâs top ten renewable energy companies to achieve waterpositive status reaching the milestone ahead of its 2026 targetThe social score increased to 74 reflecting better initiatives for community support and employee welfareHowever the biggest jump came in the governance category where AGELâs score climbed to 82The company continues to maintain strong governance systems with committees overseeing nominations audits risks and social impact most of which are led by independent membersAGEL says its approach focuses on real governance standards rather than just meeting minimum compliance rulesIts sustainability performance has also been recognised by global and domestic agencies such as FTSE Russell ISS ESG Sustainalytics and CRISILThe company has additionally begun adopting the Taskforce on Naturerelated Financial Disclosures TNFD framework to better assess environmental risks and integrate nature conservation into its growth plans IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/adani-green-tops-nse-sustainability-rankings-for-2nd-year-in-a-row-653078.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-railways-accelerating-switch-to-solar-wind-energy-for-traction-vaishnaw-652947.html New Delhi Dec 11 The Indian Railways has planned to progressively meet its electric power requirement for traction purposes through renewable energy sources with a combination of solar wind and other renewable sources based on strategic power procurement planning thereby reducing its carbon emissions Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Parliament on Thursday In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha Vaishnaw said that till November 2025 about 812 megawatt MW of solar plants and about 93 MW of wind power plants have been commissioned which are meeting the traction requirements of the railways Further 100 MW of renewable power under the Round the Clock RTC mode tied up from the Solar Energy Corporation of India SECI has also started flowing for traction purposesIn addition to this 1500 MW of renewable capacity under the RTC mode has been tied up to meet the traction power requirement This is a hybrid solution consisting of solar wind and storage componentsDuring the year 202324 the expenditure on traction of the railways was Rs 29614 crore which included all types of tractionThe minister further stated that with the adoption of modern technology and electrification of the rail network there has been a reduction in the use of coalbased and diesel enginesElectrification of the Indian Railways network has been taken up in mission mode So far about 992 per cent of the Broad Gauge BG network has been electrified The electrification of the remaining network has been taken up Electrification carried out during 201425 was as much as 46900 route km which is more than twice the mere 21801 route km that was electrified in several years before 2014 the minister saidHe further stated that Indian Railways is now manufacturing and commissioning state of the art threephase IGBT technologybased locomotives These locomotives have regenerative features and are therefore able to regenerate part of the energy consumed during braking and are therefore more energy efficientThe coalfired steam engines are being utilised on UNESCOaccredited mountain railways seasonal steamhauled trains and in chartered trains in association with the ICRTC Their utilisation is on railway routes with heritage valuesVaishnaw also highlighted that Indian Railways has also taken up a stateoftheart project for running its first hydrogen train on a pilot basis as per specifications framed by the Research Design amp Standards Organisation RDSO to demonstrate the use of hydrogenpowered train technology in railways The project establishes a commitment of Indian Railways towards advancement in alternative energypowered train travel thereby ensuring a cleaner and greener future for the countryâs transportation sectorAs part of its strategy to achieve the target of Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030 the railways has planned to progressively meet its electric power requirement through renewable energy sources with a combination of solar wind and other renewable sources based on strategic power procurement planning thereby reducing its carbon emissions the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-railways-accelerating-switch-to-solar-wind-energy-for-traction-vaishnaw-652947.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-air-quality-rankings-not-official-india-sets-own-standards-govt-652963.html New Delhi Dec 11 Global air quality rankings cited by various organisations are not conducted by any official authority the government informed the Parliament on Thursday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the widely quoted international indices such as IQAir World Air Quality Report WHO Global Air Quality Database Environmental Performance Index EPI and Global Burden of Disease GBD metrics are not conducted by any official authorityThese serve only as advisory values not binding standardsThe World Health Organisations air quality guidelines serve only as guidance and are recommended values to help countries achieve good air quality However countries prepare their own air quality standards based on geography environmental factors background levels socioeconomic status and national circumstances Singh saidThe Environment Ministry further clarified that it has notified National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS for 12 pollutants in 2009 to protect public health and the environment and these standards are tailored to Indias specific conditionsWhile the World Health Organisation sharply tightened its air quality guidelines in 2021 24hour PM25 limit 15 micrograms per cubic meter annual 5 micrograms per cubic meter India continues to follow its 2009 NAAQS 24hour PM25 60 micrograms per cubic meter annual 40 micrograms per cubic meter which the government maintains are appropriate for national conditionsSeparately the Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted significant improvement in Delhis air quality in recent years due to focused policy interventionsHe shared that the number of Good to Moderate air quality days AQI less than or equal to 200 in Delhi has risen from 110 in 2016 to 200 in 2025 till dateYadav added that the average AQI JanuaryNovember has improved from 213 in 2018 to 187 in 2025 and not a single day in 2025 has recorded Severe Plus AQI over 450 air quality in the national capitalNotably farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana together have fallen by around 90 per cent in the 2025 paddy harvesting season compared to 2022 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-air-quality-rankings-not-official-india-sets-own-standards-govt-652963.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/air-pollution-delhi-govt-to-evaluate-innovative-ideas-at-iit-delhi-652974.html New Delhi Dec 11 As part of an Innovation Challenge the Delhi government plans to convene a live multiday evaluation and showcase of shortlisted entries at IIT Delhi in the last week of December Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday The event will be anchored by the Internal Technical Evaluation Committee ITEC comprising eminent scientists professors and subjectmatter experts tasked with identifying the most practical scalable and impactful solutions for cleaning Delhiâs airIn the primary screening round close to 300 entries were examined against strict eligibility and technical criteria and the most promising ideas are now being called to pitch before ITEC in a transparent public setting said SirsaHe said this stage is âwhere ideas meet realityâ as innovators must demonstrate that their models can work on the ground to reduce Particulate Matter pollutantsThe Innovation Challenge is focused on lowcost easytomaintain and scalable technologies in two broad categories A reducing absorbing or capturing PM25 and PM10 emissions from BSIV or below vehicles and B reducing absorbing or capturing PM25 and PM10 from the ambient airEach invited applicant will make a structured presentation and physically showcase their prototype model device or equipment before the ITEC panelSirsa emphasised that the success of this initiative will be judged not by paperwork but by demonstrable emission reduction adaptability to Delhiâs conditions and readiness for realworld deploymentHe said the government wants solutions that can be quickly taken from the trial stage to street depot or hotspot deployment turning pilots into cityscale interventions wherever they prove effectiveHe said the event is envisioned as a showcase event in presentation format where innovators pitch before a panel of experts respond to technical questions and receive onthespot feedback in full public viewThe sessions will be held over multiple days with 3â4 rounds planned in total one for each batch of entries screened and shortlisted by the Internal Screening Committee ISC and ITECThe audience will include government and DPCC officials along with students and alumni of IIT Delhi and will be open to the general public through wider outreachâPeople have a right to see how decisions are taken on cleanair technologies which ideas are chosen and why and how public money is used to support innovationâ Sirsa said calling the format a step towards deeper transparency and citizen engagement in environmental governanceDuring the IIT Delhi showcase the ITEC will evaluate entries not just on innovation and science but also on deployment feasibility adaptability to Delhiâs conditions costeffectiveness and compliance with environmental and legal norms solutions meeting threshold scores will advance to field trials and lab testing with DPCC covering costs up to the guidelinesâ ceiling while those with existing robust test or field trial reports deemed deployable by ITEC may skip directly to the final DPCCITEC review of integrated data for potential cityscale adoptionSirsa said that winning projects from the Innovation Challenge will receive tiered incentives from DPCC Rs 5 lakh per project upon successful ITEC evaluation and testing and an additional Rs 50 lakh for solutions verified by NPLequivalent labs and recommended for government adoption ensuring funds support proven deployable technologies that reduce PM25 and PM10 in DelhiThe Minister underlined that this Innovation Challenge is part of a broader longterm strategy to make Delhiâs air cleaner through sciencebased interventions and systemic reforms that work throughout the year not only in peak pollution days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/air-pollution-delhi-govt-to-evaluate-innovative-ideas-at-iit-delhi-652974.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/biting-cold-air-pollution-falling-water-levels-in-rivers-add-to-winter-woes-of-kashmiris-653025.html Srinagar Dec 12 Biting cold with no prospect of major rainsnowfall till the end of the month continued in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as minimum temperature remained several notches below the freezing point in the Valley Srinagar city had minus 36 degrees Celsius Pahalgam minus 46 and Gulmarg zero as a minimum temperatureJammu city had 85 degrees Celsius Katra 94 Batote 63 Banihal 42 and Bhaderwah 19 as the minimum temperatureAn extended dry spell has resulted in several serious problems erupting in Kashmir Due to the lack of rainsnow the suspended particulate matter SPM has mixed with lowlying fog especially in areas in and around Srinagar city resulting in smogThe air quality index AQI has worsened and people in large numbers are suffering from chestrelated ailments exacerbated by cold and chilly winds Pulmonologists have advised people to avoid direct exposure to cold air by wrapping themselves in woollens especially mufflers to cover their neck and face while coming out of their homes in the morningseveningsPeople facing chest diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD are rated as the most vulnerable group in extreme cold weatherWater levels have gone down in all the rivers lakes streams wells and springs in the Valley as the Jhelum River running through the middle of the Valley from south to north has almost hit the bottomThe Meteorological MeT Department has no forecast for rain or snow in the near future Except for a couple of feeble Western Disturbances resulting in isolated rainsnow in higher reaches of JampK there is no likelihood of any major snowfall till the month end Director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad told IANSThe 40daylong period of extreme winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ starts each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period rivers lakes streams and other water bodies freeze partially in the Valley and the gap between the maximum and minimum temperature narrows down triggering harsh cold conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/biting-cold-air-pollution-falling-water-levels-in-rivers-add-to-winter-woes-of-kashmiris-653025.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/smog-blankets-delhi-as-aqi-turns-very-poor-again-jahangirpuri-crosses-400-mark-653040.html New Delhi Dec 12 Delhi woke up to a dense blanket of smog on Friday with the overall Air Quality Index AQI reaching 331 at 7 am placing the city once again in the very poor category according to the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB Jahangirpuri emerged as the worstaffected locality in the national capital with an AQI of 405 pushing it into the severe zone The smog and shallow fog significantly reduced visibility across the national capital Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 395 while other pollution hotspots included Vivek Vihar at 393 Ashok Vihar at 382 Bawana at 373 NSIT Dwarka at 388 Rohini at 385 Wazirpur at 397 Chandni Chowk at 368 and DTU at 371Despite marginal improvement in recent weeks large parts of Delhi remained engulfed in toxic haze Thick smog was reported in areas such as Ghazipur and Anand Vihar making morning commuting difficult Sonia Vihar recorded an AQI of 346 while Wazirpur touched 397 and Dhaula Kuan logged 337Neighbouring cities also continued to suffer from deteriorating air quality Noidaâs Sector 116 touched the 400 mark with the cityâs average AQI at 360 Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 342 In Uttar Pradesh Meerut averaged 374 across three monitoring stations while Loni in Ghaziabad reached a hazardous 427The India Meteorological Department IMD forecast partly cloudy skies with shallow to moderate fog on Friday morning Minimum temperatures in Delhi are expected to remain between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius while daytime temperatures may hover between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius aligning with seasonal normsEarlier Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured residents that the government is taking action on all fronts to curb pollution in the national capital She reiterated that the fight against pollution is progressing in âcontinuous mission modeâ Speaking to reporters Gupta said that work to install mistspraying systems on electric poles across the city is underway to help reduce particulate matterâOur fight against pollution in Delhi continues nonstop in mission mode Smoke dust vehicle emissions open garbage burning and wood burning these factors together create a layer of pollution in the air The Delhi government is working on each element that contributes to pollution In Delhi work to install mist at electric poles is ongoing To stop pollution the government is active on every frontâ CM Gupta saidDelhi had been on a threeday streak of poor air quality with Thursdayâs AQI at 285 marginally below the âvery poorâ threshold of 301The CPCB categorises AQI levels as follows 050 âgoodâ 51100 âsatisfactoryâ 101200 âmoderateâ 201300 âpoorâ 301400 âvery poorâ and 401500 âsevereâThe IMD added that minimum temperatures across northwest India including Delhi and its surrounding NCR regions are expected to remain steady for the next two days before rising by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the subsequent three days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/smog-blankets-delhi-as-aqi-turns-very-poor-again-jahangirpuri-crosses-400-mark-653040.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-has-no-plan-to-scrap-any-green-energy-project-pralhad-joshi-652709.html New Delhi Dec 10 The Centre has not cancelled the award of any renewable energy project nor has it prepared any list of projects for cancellation in the future New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi told the Parliament on Wednesday In a written reply to a question the minister said that Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies REIA including the Solar Energy Corporation of India SECI the NTPC the NHPC and the SJVN have issued letters of award LoAs of 67554 megawatt in respect of renewable power procurement tenders issued since April 2023States are also issuing renewable power procurement tenders and renewable power capacity is also being added in commercial and industrial sectors through green energy open access or captive route Thus capacity addition of renewable energy is progressing through multiple pathways and not necessarily only through REIAled bids he saidWith the declining cost of solarplusstorage and dispatchable renewable power there is a growing preference among distribution companies and end procurers for such solutions This shift has been accompanied by reduced demand for plain solar powerSolarplusstorage configurations are also being preferred over windsolar hybrid projects particularly due to their ability to supply power during peak demand hours Accordingly the government has sensitised the REIAs to move from plain solar tenders to tenders of solar with energy storage tenders with configuration to supply renewable power during peak hours and firm and dispatchable renewable energy the minister pointed outIndia has an installed nonfossil fuelbased power generation capacity of 259 GW currently with 312 GW added in the current financial year up to October In order to facilitate the further execution of power purchase agreements PPAs the government is urging states to comply with the Renewable Consumption Obligation RCO under the Energy Conservation ActThe Ministry of New amp Renewable Energy MNRE had earlier this month also clarified that it has not issued any advisory to financial institutions for stopping lending to either renewable energy power projects or to renewable energy equipment manufacturing facilities as has been reported in some sections of the media IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-has-no-plan-to-scrap-any-green-energy-project-pralhad-joshi-652709.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-slips-further-edges-close-to-very-poor-mark-again-652732.html New Delhi Dec 11 Delhis air quality remained lodged in the poor category for the third straight day on Thursday morning though the overall air quality index AQI slipped further to 285 just below the 301 threshold that pushes conditions into the very poor bracket data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB showed As of 7 am at least ten monitoring stations across the city registered AQI levels above 300 placing them in the very poor rangeAt Anand Vihar the AQI stood at 300 Ashok Vihar 328 Chandni Chowk 305 and ITO 309Noidas overall AQI was recorded at 294 Poor and sectorwise AQI ranged from 246 to 331 while Greater Noidas Knowledge Parks 3 and 5 recorded AQI levels of 235 and 331 respectivelyThe citys 24hour average AQI on Wednesday stood at 259 showing a slight improvement from Tuesdays reading of 282 After nine consecutive days of air quality dipping into the very poor zone the capital recorded some relief on Tuesday and due to stronger daytime winds on Wednesday conditions managed to remain within the poor category for the second day in a rowCPCB classifications state that an AQI between 0 and 50 is tagged as good 51â100 satisfactory 101â200 moderate 201â300 poor 301â400 very poor and 401â500 severeAlongside air quality fluctuations temperatures in the city also showed a mild dip Delhi recorded a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday around 04 degrees below the seasonal average while the days maximum settled at 252 degrees Celsius also about 04 degrees below normalThe India Meteorological Department IMD said that minimum temperatures across northwest India including Delhi and its adjoining NCR cities such as Noida Gurugram and Faridabad are likely to remain steady for the next two days before rising by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the following three days and stabilising afterwardsFor Thursday the IMD has predicted partly foggy conditions with the minimum temperature expected to hover near 8 degrees Celsius and the maximum around 24 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-slips-further-edges-close-to-very-poor-mark-again-652732.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/high-tech-mobile-vans-to-monitor-air-water-quality-across-gujarat-652796.html Ahmedabad Dec 11 Gujarat Pollution Control Board GPCB has deployed two stateoftheart mobile environmental monitoring vans The vehicles procured under the Environment Damage Compensation EDC fund at a cost of over Rs 576 crore are now operational across all districtsAs part of an ongoing crackdown on pollution six industrial units in Ahmedabad have been issued showcause notices for violating air quality norms The two mobile vans cover separate zones one dedicated to North Gujarat Saurashtra and Kutch and the other to Central and South GujaratThey will assist regional GPCB offices in Ahmedabad Rural Urban and East Gandhinagar Mehsana Palanpur Himmatnagar Anand Nadiad Vadodara Godhra Bharuch Ankleshwar Valsad Surat Navsari Vapi and SarigamUnder the leadership of State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali GPCB continues to play a crucial regulatory role in implementing environmental standards and ensuring sustainable industrial growth while safeguarding public healthEach mobile van is equipped with advanced analysers detectors and portable instruments capable of measuring air and water quality on the spot In the event of emergencies such as gas leaks the vans can reach the site immediately to assess realtime environmental conditionsThey are particularly vital for monitoring chemical hubs GIDCs SEZs and other pollutionprone areasA key feature is the integrated Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station CAAQMS which tracks pollutants such as PM10 PM25 sulphur dioxide nitrogen oxides carbon monoxide ozone ammonia hydrogen sulphide benzene ethyl benzene toluene and xylene The vans also include VOC detectors noise meters and equipment for analysing contaminants in water and wastewater samplesThis rapid onsite assessment enables quicker decisionmaking and faster resolution of public complaints related to pollution During a trial run until November 15 the van at GPCBs AhmedabadEast regional office undertook extensive monitoring in Vatva Naroda Narol and Odhav industrial clustersBased on its findings several associations and units were issued showcause notices on MondayOne van is currently operating in Kalol GIDC Gandhinagar region while the second is stationed at Ankleshwar GIDC in the SouthCentral zoneGPCB has also been holding meetings with representatives of major industrial bodies to chalk out coordinated strategies for reducing air pollution Awareness programmes are being conducted using the mobile vans to encourage safer and cleaner industrial practices IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/high-tech-mobile-vans-to-monitor-air-water-quality-across-gujarat-652796.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-shivers-as-cold-conditions-intensify-652561.html Patna Dec 10 People in Bihar reeled under intense cold conditions affecting their daily lives Dense fog reduced visibility impacting the movement of vehiclesThe Meteorological Department has warned that both fog and cold are likely to intensify further in the coming daysThis December has already broken several previous recordsMinimum temperatures across many districts have consistently remained below 10 degrees Celsius while night temperatures are plunging to 5 degrees CelsiusAccording to the Meteorological Department westerly winds blowing at speeds of up to 30 kmh over the next two to three days may push temperatures even lowerA cold wave alert has been issued for Patna Purnea Kishanganj and several other districtsThe maximum temperature in Patna was recorded as 22 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was 9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morningIn Muzaffarpur the Met Department recorded 23 degrees Celsius maximum temperature and a minimum temperature of 11 degrees CelsiusGopalganj Siwan Saran Bhojpur Buxar Arwal Jehanabad Patna Gaya Nalanda and Nawada are expected to be the worst affected with minimum temperatures ranging between 5 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees CelsiusIn Muzaffarpur dense fog has thrown life out of gear The city remained covered in a thick layer of fog throughout the day slowing vehicular movement and impacting daily activitiesDrivers were compelled to keep their lights on even in broad daylightPeople were using the room heaters and woollen clothes to prevent themselves from the biting cold conditionsA separate warning has been issued for light to moderate fog in West Champaran East Champaran Sitamarhi Sheohar Gopalganj Saran Siwan and MadhubaniThe Meteorological Department has cautioned that the next 48 hours may be extremely challenging for residents across BiharExperts believe that the harshest phase of winter is yet to come with temperatures expected to dip further in the coming daysAs the cold wave tightens its grip the state is bracing for even more severe weather ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-shivers-as-cold-conditions-intensify-652561.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/installed-renewable-energy-capacity-in-india-reaches-25064-gw-govt-652600.html New Delhi Dec 10 The total installed renewable energy RE capacity in India reached 25064 GW as on October 31 with solar energy constituting a major chunk the Parliament was informed on Wednesday The solar energy capacity increased from 282 GW in March 2014 to 12992 GW wind energy capacity increased from 2104 GW in March 2014 to 5360 GW and biomass power capacity has increased from 818 GW in March 2014 to 1161 GW within the given period Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said in a written reply in Lok SabhaIndia is a key driver of this explosive global surge in renewable energy In the last 11 years the countryâs solar capacity has grown from 28 GW to nearly 130 GW a rise of more than 4500 per cent Between 2022 and 2024 alone India contributed 46 GW to global solar additions becoming the thirdlargest contributorThe country recorded its highestever addition of nonfossil capacity in the current financial year at 3125 GW including 2428 GW of solarAccording to reports the share of Indiaâs electricity generation from renewable energy RE capacity including large hydro is expected to cross 35 per cent by FY30 from 221 per cent in FY25 with expected incremental capacity addition of around 200 GW between FY25 and FY30This in turn also hinges on the extent of implementation of the ongoing project pipeline where the projects are bid out and the PPAs are signed the development of adequate transmission connectivity infrastructure as well as timely bidding for new RE projects along with the power purchase agreements PPAs signing by Central nodal agencies states the report by rating agency ICRAWith global mechanisms now shaping industrial competitiveness Indiaâs shift towards renewable energy has become even more urgent and strategically important IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/installed-renewable-energy-capacity-in-india-reaches-25064-gw-govt-652600.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/deodars-in-himachal-see-shift-from-wetter-spring-to-drier-conditions-study-652635.html Shimla Dec 10 Deodhar trees in Batseri a scenic village in Sangla valley on the Baspa river in Himachal Pradesh have revealed a story of shift from wetter spring conditions during the Little Ice Age to the progressively drier conditions since 1757 CE with increased spring drought years in recent decades buried in their rings says a study The study analyses the factors responsible for the geohazard activities enabling better prediction of future hazard events to support early warning systemsThe increasing frequency of extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods and their strong association with geohazards like landslides glacial lake outburst floods rockfalls and snow avalanches especially in the Himalayan region underscored the need for robust reconstructions of past hydroclimatic variability and related geohazard episodesTreerings which are layers of new wood that form each year providing a record of the trees age and past environmental conditions act as natural archives to such climatic and geohazard events offering the potential to bridge this knowledge gapThe idea was further motivated by the absence of longterm highresolution records and the need to understand the interactions between moisture variability and geohazard dynamics from the Himalayan regionA rockfall episode in July 2021 near Batseri village in Kinnaur district led the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences BSIP an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST to explore past climates using dating of annual growth layers in trees dendroclimatology and dendrogeomorphologyThey integrated dendroclimatology and dendrogeomorphology for future risk assessments and mitigation strategiesTreering analysis of deodar Cedrus deodara trees helped reconstruct a 378year 15582021 CE spring monthsâ moisture history and a 168year 18532021 CE rockfall activity record at Batseri in the western HimalayasThe study showed that tree growth is highly sensitive to spring monthsâ February to April moisture primarily influenced by winter precipitation derived through western disturbancesA total of 53 rockfall events including eight of high intensity were linked to dry spring conditions especially after the year 1960 indicating climateinduced ground instabilityThe spring drought conditions led to slopes with poor vegetation cover exposing them to vulnerability when the dry conditions are followed by the intense summer monsoon rainfallsThe findings highlight the critical role of climate variability driven by regional and global factors in triggering the geohazards underscoring the need for forest management monitoring and early warning systemsThe study published in the journal Catena enhanced understanding by providing insights on how climate variability especially the spring and premonsoon summer droughts trigger geohazards in the vulnerable Himalayan regionsSuch findings help local communities and policymakers in planning sustainable landuse improving forest and water resource management and implementing slope stability measuresThis approach can reduce damage to infrastructure protect livelihoods and enhance disaster preparednessMoreover such an approach empowers communities to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts on their environment and economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/deodars-in-himachal-see-shift-from-wetter-spring-to-drier-conditions-study-652635.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-pushes-tns-puzhal-reservoir-to-full-capacity-high-alert-issued-652436.html Chennai Dec 10 Following intense rainfall across the catchment areas the water level in key drinking water reservoirs around Chennai has risen sharply prompting authorities to issue a precautionary alert to people living along vulnerable lowlying and coastal stretches Among the major reservoirs the Puzhal lake has now reached its full storage capacity for the second consecutive day triggering controlled discharge of surplus waterAccording to officials of the cityâs water resources department the three principal reservoirs that supply drinking water to Chennai Chembarambakkam Lake Puzhal Lake and Poondi Lake have all recorded a rapid rise in inflows due to persistent and widespread rainfall over the past few daysThe heavy downpour in upstream regions has significantly boosted water storage improving the cityâs drinking water security while also increasing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas Officials confirmed that the Puzhal reservoir which has a total storage capacity of 3300 million cubic feet mcft touched full level on Tuesday and has remained at that level for a second day on WednesdayAs part of flood management and safety protocols authorities are now releasing around 300 cubic feet per second cusecs of excess water from the reservoir into downstream channelsâSince the reservoir has reached maximum capacity surplus water is being discharged in a regulated manner to prevent pressure on the bundsâ a senior official said âThe release will be adjusted based on further inflow from the catchment areasâ he saidMeanwhile Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs have also witnessed a steady and substantial rise in water levels though both are still operating within safe limits Monitoring teams have been deployed round the clock at all major water bodies to assess structural safety inflow patterns and downstream impactIn view of the continued release from Puzhal and the possibility of further rainfall the district administration has issued an advisory urging residents living along the banks of canals river courses and lowlying coastal areas to remain vigilantFisherfolk residents of lakeside settlements and people in floodprone pockets have been asked to strictly follow official instructions and shift to safer locations if required Revenue police and disaster response teams remain on standby while local bodies have been directed to keep drainage channels clear and emergency shelters ready for use if the situation escalates IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-pushes-tns-puzhal-reservoir-to-full-capacity-high-alert-issued-652436.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-sees-mild-improvement-but-remains-poor-smog-persists-across-city-652443.html New Delhi Dec 10 Delhi witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Wednesday morning offering slight relief to residents even as pollution levels remained firmly in the poor category According to data from the Sameer app the national capitalâs overall Air Quality Index AQI dropped to 269 improving from 310 on Tuesday Despite the decline the air quality remained far from satisfactory and much of the city stayed enveloped in a visible smog layerOfficial monitoring showed that 28 stations across Delhi recorded air quality in the poor range while nine stations remained in the very poor category The worst readings on Wednesday morning were reported at Dwarkaâs NSIT 324 and Bawana 319 both reflecting severely degraded air qualitySeveral other areas including Jahangirpuri Mundka Nehru Nagar Pusa Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur also registered AQI levels above 300 placing them in the very poor bracket Only three monitoring locations Aya Nagar IGI Airport T3 and Mandir Marg recorded comparatively better moderate air qualityOn Tuesday Delhiâs morning AQI stood at 292 also in the poor category Pockets such as Akshardham Ghazipur and Anand Vihar had slipped into the very poor range with readings around 319 underscoring the rapid fluctuations in pollution levels brought on by weather conditions and pollutant accumulationAlongside the persistent pollution Delhi is also bracing for a sharper turn in winter conditionsThe India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast dense fog and a cold wave for Wednesday warning of reduced visibility and a significant drop in temperatures The minimum temperature is expected to fall to 7 degrees Celsius making early mornings and nights particularly chilly for residentsThe IMD added that the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 25 degrees Celsius suggesting continued cold mornings even as daytime temperatures offer some respiteWith smog cold winds and low temperatures persisting Delhi residents are likely to face another challenging week as winter pollution tightens its grip on the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-sees-mild-improvement-but-remains-poor-smog-persists-across-city-652443.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/76-magnitude-quake-hits-northeastern-japan-652101.html Tokyo Dec 8 An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 76 struck northeastern Japan late Monday night prompting the suspension of ocean discharge of nuclearcontaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant The temblor occurred at 1115 pm local time at a depth of 50 km measuring upper 6 on Japans seismic scale of 7 in the city of Hachinohe Aomori Prefecture triggering a tsunami warning for coastal areas of Aomori Iwate and Hokkaido prefectures said the Japan Meteorological Agency JMA Xinhua News Agency reported No abnormalities have been reported by nuclear plants in Hokkaido or in the northeastern prefectures of Aomori Miyagi and Fukushima public broadcaster NHK reportedTokyo Electric Power Company TEPCO said that the discharge of nuclearcontaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean was halted at 1142 pm local time following the issuance of a tsunami warningIn Aomori and Hokkaido there have been reports of several nonlifethreatening injuries The Aomori prefectural government said that around 2700 homes were left without power Kyodo News reportedThe waves are expected to be up to 3 meters high on the Iwate Prefecture coast the central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido and the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture the JMA said urging people in affected areas to immediately evacuate to higher groundWaves of 50 centimetres were observed in the town of Urakawa Hokkaido at 1221 am local time Tuesday and in Kuji Port Iwate Prefecture at 1210 am local time the JMA addedAccording to Japan Railways Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services in northeastern Japan have been suspended in both directions between Fukushima Station and ShinAomori Station due to the quakeChief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government was gathering information on casualties and property damageThe government set up a crisis management office at the Prime Ministers Office in response to the earthquake IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/76-magnitude-quake-hits-northeastern-japan-652101.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/investing-in-planetary-health-would-deliver-higher-gdp-less-poverty-un-652393.html Nairobi Dec 9 The most comprehensive assessment of the global environment ever undertaken has found that investing in a stable climate healthy nature and land and a pollutionfree planet can deliver trillions in additional global GDP avoid millions of deaths and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hunger The Global Environment Outlook Seventh Edition A Future We Choose GEO7 released during the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi is the product of 287 multidisciplinary scientists from 82 countries The United Nations Environment Programme UNEP report finds climate change biodiversity loss land degradation desertification and pollution and waste have taken a heavy toll on the planet people and economies already costing trillions of dollars each year Following current development pathways will only intensify this toll However wholeofsociety and wholeofgovernment approaches to transform the systems of economy and finance materials and waste energy food and the environment would deliver global macroeconomic benefits that could reach 20 trillion per year by 2070 and continue growing A key enabling factor of this approach is moving away from GDP to indicators that also track human and natural capital incentivising economies to move towards circularity decarbonization of the energy system sustainable agriculture ecosystem restoration and more âThe Global Environment Outlook lays out a simple choice for humanity continue down the road to a future devastated by climate change dwindling nature degraded land and polluted air or change direction to secure a healthy planet healthy people and healthy economies This is no choice at allâ said Inger Andersen UNEP Executive Director âAnd let us not forget the world has already made so much progress from global deals covering climate change nature land and biodiversity and pollution and waste to realworld change in the booming renewables industry global coverage of protected areas and the phasing out of toxic chemicalsâ she added âI call on all nations to build on this progress invest in planetary health and drive their economies towards a thriving sustainable futureâ The report presents two transformation pathways looking at behavioural changes to place less emphasis on material consumption and changes in which the world relies primarily on technological development and efficiency gains The transformation pathways predict that the global macroeconomic benefits will start to appear in 2050 grow to 20 trillion per year by 2070 and boom thereafter to 100 trillion per year The pathways project reduced exposure to climate risks reduced biodiversity loss by 2030 and increased in natural lands Nine million premature deaths can be avoided by 2050 through measures such as cutting air pollution By 2050 almost 200 million people could be lifted out of undernourishment and over 100 million people out of extreme poverty To achieve netzero emissions by 2050 and ensure adequate funding for conserving and restoring biodiversity an annual investment of about 8 trillion is needed until 2050 However the cost of inaction is far higher IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/investing-in-planetary-health-would-deliver-higher-gdp-less-poverty-un-652393.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-652157.html Srinagar Dec 9 Intense cold wave continued in Kashmir on Tuesday and the Meteorological MeT Department had no forecast for snowfall either in the plains or upper reaches A large number of locals especially children and elderly people have been suffering from flu and other chestrelated ailments which continue to be on the rise due to extreme cold and dryness aroundThe Air Quality Index AQI has deteriorated during the last fortnight due to an increase in the suspended particulate matter SPM according to a leading local Pulmonologist Dr Naveed Nazir ShahDr Shah said the number of patients reporting chestrelated problems at various hospitals had more than doubled during the last 15 daysAs night temperatures continued to remain below the freezing point across the Valley an advisory issued by the MeT Department had no good news at least for the next 10 daysThe advisory said shallow to moderate fog is likely to continue at many places in the Kashmir division and at isolated places in the Jammu divisionOn 9th December partly to generally cloudy weather on 1012th December partly cloudy On 1315th December partly to generally cloudy with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches of North amp Central Kashmir towards late nightearly morning hours On 1618th December partly cloudy On 1921st December partly to generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reachesâ the advisory saidThe cloudy sky in the morning could not provide any relief to early risers as people covering their faces with woollen mufflers hurried to buy milk and bread for the morning tea in Srinagar cityThe 40day period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely as the gap between the minimum and maximum temperatures narrowsThe night temperature during Chillai Kalan usually drops to minus 7 degrees Celsius while the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius during this period IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-652157.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/strong-winds-bring-slight-relief-to-delhi-ncr-but-air-quality-remains-poor-652169.html New Delhi Dec 9 The residents of DelhiNCR experienced some relief on Tuesday morning after days of highly polluted air According to the India Meteorological Department IMD surface winds blowing at speeds between 15 and 25 km per hour have helped reduce air pollution levels slightly The increased wind speed has allowed suspended pollutant particles to disperse into the upper atmosphere directly impacting the Air Quality Index AQI Pollution levels in the city have consistently been recorded in the âvery poorâ to âsevereâ category but several monitoring stations reported readings below 300In Noida the AQI has also shown signs of improvement with levels close to 255 at some stations According to the CPCB and UP Pollution Control Board monitoring points Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 255 Sector 125 recorded 313 and Sector 116 recorded 307Some locations in Delhi showed improvement as well As per available data Pusa recorded an AQI of 270 Shadipur 239 Vivek Vihar 323 Wazirpur 320 and RK Puram 313According to the IMD forecast for December 9 light fog is expected with a maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 9 degrees Celsius Wind speeds are expected to remain between 15 and 25 kilometres per hour in the morningOn December 10 shallow fog is likely with temperatures expected to remain around 24 degrees Celsius maximum and 8 degrees Celsius minimum Dense fog is expected on December 11 with temperatures forecast at 24 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees CelsiusThe IMD officials said fog intensity is expected to increase from Wednesday morning potentially affecting visibility Pollution levels are also expected to rise again as wind speed decreasesAn AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as good indicating little to no health impact Levels from 51 to 100 fall under the satisfactory category where air quality remains acceptable though sensitive groups such as children the elderly and individuals with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfortThe moderate category ranging from 101 to 200 indicates pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties among individuals with asthma lung conditions or heart diseaseAn AQI between 201 and 300 is considered poor where prolonged exposure may cause breathing discomfort to most peopleLevels between 301 and 400 are marked very poor posing a risk of respiratory illness even for healthy individuals The most hazardous range severe includes AQI values from 401 to 500 where air quality becomes dangerous for all IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/strong-winds-bring-slight-relief-to-delhi-ncr-but-air-quality-remains-poor-652169.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-in-bihar-westerly-winds-intensify-chill-652200.html Patna Dec 9 Bihar is reeling under an intense cold wave with icy winds sweeping across the state According to meteorologists complex atmospheric conditions are pushing cold winds toward Bihar drastically lowering temperatures and disrupting daily lifeThe Bihar Meteorological Centre has reported severe cold conditions in several districts including Patna Gaya Saharsa and KatiharFor the past several days the minimum temperature has remained below 10 degrees Celsius while in the last two nights it dipped to around 5 degrees Celsius significantly below normal for this time of yearAlthough the weather is expected to remain dry across the state light fog and morning mist may cause difficulties for commutersThe Met Department has urged travellers to remain cautious especially during early morning hoursCold winds blowing at 15â20 kmh are adding to the chill factor particularly during mornings and eveningsDense fog is also likely in the next two to three days reducing visibility in several districtsNo major temperature change has been predicted for nowIn Patna the maximum temperature was recorded at 24 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 13 degrees Celsius both below normal on TuesdayAs temperatures fall sharply people are turning to bonfires warm clothing and indoor heatingThe administration has advised citizens to avoid going outdoors early in the morning unless necessary and to take extra precautions for children and the elderlyAdding to the cold wave westerly winds have further intensified the chill causing the mercury to drop rapidlyThe Meteorological Department has expressed concern that dense fog may persist in districts such as West Champaran East Champaran Patna Gaya and Kaimur for the next two days significantly affecting visibilityHowever there is some relief during the day as bright sunshine provides warmth and comfort amid the ongoing cold spellWeather experts said that while there will be no major change in maximum or minimum temperatures for the next four to five days the mercury may start falling again after December 15Until then minor fluctuations are expected Authorities and health experts emphasise that vigilance and precaution are crucial to safeguarding against the harsh effects of the winter season IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-in-bihar-westerly-winds-intensify-chill-652200.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/yellow-alert-for-cold-wave-in-five-rajasthan-districts-652224.html Jaipur Dec 9 Rajasthan is bracing for a harsher winter as the India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions in five districts including Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu DidwanaKuchaman and Nagaur Cold conditions were already being felt across the state and the weather office has warned that the next 48 hours may bring an even sharper dip in temperaturesIn the last 24 hours Fatehpur shivered at 37 degrees Celsius becoming one of the coldest spots in eastern Rajasthan while Nagaur touched 43 degrees Celsius in the westIMD officials said that although a layer of cloud cover over Shekhawati in recent days slightly softened the impact of icy winds the relief is temporaryWith clearer skies from December 10 onwards the cold wave is expected to strengthen pulling down minimum temperatures further across the alert zonesFrom December 10 to 14 Rajasthan is expected to witness clear skies dry weather and sharp morning and night chills even if the sun warms up afternoonsEarlier on Monday light fog wrapped Sikar in the morning and piercing winds made the early hours bitterly coldThe bright sunshine that followed brought brief comfort but the IMD has cautioned that the chill is far from overMinimum temperatures on December 10 and 11 are likely to fall furtherIn the Hadoti region the weather played seesaw on Monday warm sunshine in the day cold air sweeping in at nightMeteorologists said similar patterns will continue this week with slight fluctuations in temperatures but no major relief from the coldAs Rajasthan heads into a colder stretch the Health Department has urged caution especially for children the elderly and those with chronic health issuesOfficials have advised people to stay layered during mornings and evenings and to take preventive steps against seasonal illnesses that thrive amid fluctuating temperatures IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/yellow-alert-for-cold-wave-in-five-rajasthan-districts-652224.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Kohima Dec 8 A research team from Nagaland University the stateâs only Central university has demonstrated how pineapple processing waste can be transformed into valueadded products Varsity officials said that research findings offer practical sustainable solutions that can boost rural livelihoods while reducing the environmental impact of fruit wastePineapple is one of the worldâs most widely grown tropical fruits with India being among its major producers Within the country Nagaland has become a notable pineapplegrowing region known for fruit that is exceptionally sweet rich in juice and low in fibreThe âKewâ variety is widely cultivated with the âQueenâ variety grown in smaller pocketsAccording to the official government initiatives such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region MOVCDNER and other organic valuechain programmes have encouraged farmers to take up pineapple cultivation on a commercial scaleNagalandâs Chumoukedima Niuland Dimapur Kiphire and Mokokchung districts are among the stateâs key pineappleproducing areasPineapple processing generates large quantities of peel pomace core and crown much of which is discarded Additional waste occurs due to rough handling and poor storage posing significant environmental concernsThese byproducts although often treated as waste are rich in fibre proteins pectin vitamins and minerals When left unmanaged they contribute to landfill accumulation contamination and higher disposal costsHowever the same waste materials can serve as suitable substrates for fermentation and other valueadded applicationsVinegar production is one such avenue as the sugarrich residues provide an ideal base for alcoholic and acetic fermentation Vinegar has long been used as a preservative and condiment and fruitbased vinegars are increasingly noted for their functional and nutritional benefitsThe cuttingedge finding demonstrates the potential to replace the highly expensive applebased vinegar thereby paving the way for sustainable waste utilisation and enhanced revenue generation in the commercial pineapplegrowing beltThe findings of this research by Nagaland University were published in a peerreviewed openaccess journal that publishes research on human nutrition and food safetyThe research paper was coauthored by Dr Sentinaro Walling Prof Akali Sema Prof CS Maiti Dr Animesh Sarkar Prof SP Kanaujia and Alemla Imchen from the varsitys Department of HorticultureElaborating on this research academic team leader Prof Sema said Our study examined whether different parts of pineapple processing waste could be turned into goodquality vinegar Using standard fermentation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and acetic acid bacteria we found that vinegar made from the peel consistently performed better in acidity colour and flavourHe said that a group of sensory panels also preferred the peelbased vinegar for its taste aroma and overall quality in compliance with commercial fruitbased vinegar showing that this commonly discarded material has strong potential to be transformed from waste to wealthProf Maiti said Work is also underway to reduce crown size for export suitability packaging and to identify treatments that enhance fruit quality yield and shelf lifeDr Sarkar Associate Professor Department of Horticulture added The School of Agricultural Sciences also refined and disseminated the technology for commercial cultivation where farmers plant in intervals to avoid seasonal gluts maintain a steady supply round the year through staggered planting prevent price drops and ensure more stable income and yearround employment generationResearch scholar Walling is set to register a patent under a product development category for the preparation of candy from pineapple core wasteHighlighting the impact of the universityâs research on local communities Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish K Patnaik said I am pleased to announce a significant scientific breakthrough achieved by researchers of Nagaland University who have successfully developed highquality vinegar from pineapple peels an innovative step toward sustainable valueadded processing of agricultural byproductsThis research reflects the universityâs commitment to environmentally responsible innovation rural livelihood enhancement and scientific contributions rooted in local resources he saidTransforming these discarded peels into a commercially valuable nutritious and ecofriendly product not only reduces waste but also opens new opportunities for entrepreneurship foodprocessing industries and communitybased enterprises the VC saidThe research contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainable pineapple production improve value addition and bolster rural livelihoods in Nagaland The conducive geoecological conditions ensure excellent fruit quality reflected in its blended sweetness and other desirable biochemical attributes that may once again prove its high acceptability among the pineapple lovers IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Chennai Dec 8 Chennaiâs drinking water security for the next year has been significantly strengthened following timely intervention by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD and abundant northeast monsoon rainfall which together helped key reservoirs especially Poondi reach nearfull storage levels To prevent monsoon waters from going to waste the WRD in late October requested Andhra Pradesh to temporarily halt the release of water from the Kandaleru reservoir into Poondi This strategic decision allowed the reservoir to fill up naturally through heavy inflows from its own catchment and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh Officials said the inflow from Kandaleru was paused after assessing that natural water availability would be adequate to replenish the storage With Poondi now nearing full capacity the WRD has sought the resumption of the Kandaleru water supply only from April next year âThe abundant rainfall this season in Poondiâs catchment and neighbouring regions has played a major role in improving storage levelsâ a senior WRD official said At present Poondi reservoir holds 3114 million cubic feet mcft of water which is about 96 per cent of its total capacity of 3231 mcft Chennaiâs monthly drinking water requirement is around 1000 mcft The combined storage across the cityâs six reservoirs including the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district stands at 11749 mcft against a total capacity of 13222 mcft ensuring sufficient supply for at least the next 11 monthsWith water availability at comfortable levels Metrowater has increased the daily supply to consumers to 1230 million litres a day mld up from 1091 mld during the same period last year Since Poondi does not have a water treatment facility about 40 mld of water is released daily to the Red Hills reservoir where it is treated before being distributed across the city Veeranam tank is currently holding 978 mcft around 67 per cent of its full capacity of 1465 mcft further reinforcing supply stability Among the other reservoirs Cholavaram stood at 579 mcft against its full capacity of 1081 mcft Red Hills reservoir with a capacity of 3300 mcft is almost full at 3251 mcft Kannankottai Thervoikandigai is also in a comfortable position with 464 mcft of water stored against its 500 mcft capacity Officials expressed confidence that with these storage levels Chennaiâs drinking water needs will be comfortably met for at least the next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Peramballur Dec 8 Farmers in Veppanthattai block the largest maizeproducing region in Tamil Nadus Peramballur district are reeling under heavy losses following weeks of continuous rainfall that has severely damaged standing crops Hundreds of hectares of maize have been flattened triggering widespread concern among cultivators who are now demanding immediate crop damage assessment and prompt disbursal of compensationThis year maize was cultivated on nearly 75000 hectares across the district of which about 45000 hectares were brought under crop insurance Sowing began between the Tamil months of Aadi midJuly and Purattasi midSeptember and much of the earlysown crop had reached maturity signalling a potentially good harvest season However uninterrupted rainfall over the past month has drastically altered the situationDespite the district receiving lowerthannormal rainfall during the overall monsoon period the continuous downpour in recent weeks has caused severe crop lodging with maize stalks bending and collapsing under wet soil conditionsThe waterlogged fields have become unfit for mechanical harvesting adding to farmersâ distress In several locations maize cobs have begun to sprout on the plant itself rendering them unsuitable for market saleFarmers estimate that over 1000 hectares of maize crops have already been affected across multiple villages including Krishnapuram Annamangalam Arumbavur Thaluthalai Viswakudi Thondamandurai and ArasalurMany cultivators have approached agriculture department officials submitting complaints and urging immediate field inspections to assess the scale of damage The losses are particularly severe for farmers who invested heavily in cultivation during the current seasonWith input costs such as seeds fertilisers labour and irrigation rising steadily some farmers report spending nearly Rs 25000 per acre The expectation of normal yields has now been replaced by fears of drastic output reductionIn many flattened fields the yield is expected to drop to less than half of the usual harvest while in severely affected areas there is little chance of recoverySenior officials from the agriculture department have confirmed that complaints have been received from several villages in the Veppanthattai block Field inspections have already begun in select locations and officials have assured that detailed assessments will be carried out across all affected areasBased on the findings further steps regarding compensation and crop insurance claims are expected to follow As uncertain weather conditions continue to threaten the remaining standing crops farmers are anxiously awaiting swift action from the authorities to mitigate further losses and provide timely relief IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Chennai Dec 8 The Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday and Tuesday warning residents to stay alert to changing weather conditions According to the latest update issued by the weather office on Monday morning scattered to fairly widespread rain activity is expected across several districts especially during the afternoon and evening hoursThe forecast attributes the unsettled weather to a combination of local atmospheric instability and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal which is creating favourable conditions for thunderstorm development Meteorologists said interior districts of Tamil Nadu including parts of the Cauvery delta western zones and southern districts are likely to witness intermittent showers with occasional lightningPuducherry and its adjoining coastal areas may also experience brief spells of moderate rain accompanied by gusty windsThe maximum temperature in most places is expected to remain slightly below normal due to cloud cover and rainfall activity while minimum temperatures may remain relatively stable The weather department has advised people particularly farmers fishermen and those working outdoors to take necessary precautionsResidents have been cautioned against taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and those in lowlying areas have been asked to remain watchful for localised waterlogging Fishermen have been advised to check local advisories before venturing into the sea as squally winds and rough conditions are likely during thunderstorm episodesOver the past few days isolated pockets in Tamil Nadu have already witnessed short spells of rain providing some relief from dry conditions but also causing brief traffic disruptions in urban centres Officials said the current spell is not expected to be extremely heavy in nature but lightning activity could pose localised risksRainfall over the next 48 hours is also expected to benefit standing crops in several interior districts especially paddy and horticultural plantations which have been affected by fluctuating moisture levels in recent weeks However agricultural officers have cautioned farmers to ensure proper drainage to prevent damage due to water stagnationThe Chennai weather office said it will continue to closely monitor developments and issue updated warnings if the intensity of the system increases Meanwhile district administrations have been asked to remain prepared to respond swiftly to any weatherrelated emergencies during the next two days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/official-figure-misses-90-pc-of-farm-fires-in-haryana-punjab-need-to-focus-on-emerging-hotspots-of-up-mp-too-report-651896.html Chandigarh Dec 8 IANS Saying that official figures miss over 90 per cent of large farm fires in Haryana and Punjab as farmers shift burning timings a new report on Monday revealed a critical blind spot in Indias efforts to curb stubble burning The report also pointed out the need to expand focus to emerging biomass burning hotspots in Uttar Pradesh UP and Madhya Pradesh MPnbspThe Stubble Burning Status Report 2025 by the International Forum for Environment Sustainability and Technology iFOREST showed while government data suggests a dramatic 90 per cent decline in farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this reduction is largely a result of limitations in the current monitoring system run by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space CREAMS of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute IARIThe report presents Indias firstever multisatellite multisensor assessment combining MODIS Terra and Aqua satellites VIIRS SuomiNPP satellite Sentinel2 Multispectral Instrument MSI burntarea mapping and 15minute geostationary observations from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager SEVIRI on Meteosat 8 and 9The report demonstrates that the CREAMS monitoring protocol based primarily on polarorbiting satellites MODISVIIRS that pass over India between 1030 am and 130 pm miss the majority of large farm fires which now occur later in the afternoon and eveningUsing SEVIRIs highfrequency observations the report found that in Punjab over 90 per cent of large fires in 2024 and 2025 occurred after 3 pm compared to just three per cent in 2021In Haryana most large fires have occurred after 3 pm since 2019 meaning undercounting has persisted for yearsThe report warns that such data gaps are weakening the evidence base for airquality policymakingChandra Bhushan CEO iFOREST said Our analysis provides incontrovertible evidence that Indias current stubbleburning monitoring system is structurally misaligned with ground realitiesFarmers have shifted burning to the late afternoon while our monitoring relies on satellites that capture active fires only during a narrow time window 1030 am to 130 pmThe result is a massive underestimation of fires emissions and their contribution to air pollution in Delhi We urgently need to overhaul the systemAt the same time iFORESTs burntarea analysis shows genuine progress in reducing stubble burning in Punjab and HaryanaBurntarea mapping by Sentinel2 satellite reveals that Punjabs burnt area during the Kharif season has reduced from a peak of 31447 sq km in 2022 to about 20000 sq km in 2025 a 37 per cent reductionIn Haryana the burnt area has declined from a peak of 11633 sq km in 2019 to 8812 sq km in 2025 a 25 per cent reduction although without a consistent downward trendCommenting on these findings Bhushan added Burnt area provides a more reliable picture of stubble burning Our analysis shows that Punjab and Haryana have reduced burnt area by 2535 per cent which is good news and indicates that insitu and exsitu stubblemanagement practices are being adoptedBut this is not the time to become complacent Even in 2025 close to 30000 sq km of paddy fields were burnt in Punjab and Haryana making them a major source of airquality degradation in DelhiNCR and the wider IndoGangetic regionThe report calls for immediate corrective measures They include revised monitoring protocols CREAMS should begin publishing burntarea data not just active fire counts to provide an accurate national picture And the decision support system DSS used by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology IITM for Delhis airquality management must revise its methodology to correctly quantify the contribution of stubble burningOn the policy road ahead Ishaan Kochhar Programme Lead iFOREST said We cannot manage what we do not measure accurately Policy decisions are currently being shaped by incomplete information To solve the stubbleburning problem in the IndoGangetic Plain the government must urgently reform the monitoring protocol to integrate burntarea mapping and geostationary data We also need to expand our focus beyond Punjab and Haryana to emerging hotspots in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh https://dailyworld.in/environment/official-figure-misses-90-pc-of-farm-fires-in-haryana-punjab-need-to-focus-on-emerging-hotspots-of-up-mp-too-report-651896.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-intensifies-in-rajasthan-fatehpur-coldest-at-23-degrees-celsius-651727.html Jaipur Dec 6 Icy winds sweeping in from northern India have intensified winter conditions across Rajasthan causing temperatures to drop sharply and triggering a severe cold wave For the first time this season Jaipur recorded a minimum temperature below 10 degrees Celsius settling at 92 degrees Celsius marking a significant fall compared to previous daysMeteorologists said this is just the beginning as colder nights are expected over the coming weekThe cold conditions were most severe in the Shekhawati belt where temperatures were dangerously low Fatehpur Sikar remained the coldest location in the state recording 23 degrees Celsius followed by Sikar 3 degrees Celsius Nagaur 33 degrees Celsius and Lunkaransar 41 degrees CelsiusOther cities also shivered under biting cold including Dausa 43 degrees Celsius Jhunjhunu 63 degrees Celsius and Alwar 50 degrees CelsiusIn several areas frost settled over crops particularly mustard fields near Alwars Tuleda region raising concerns among farmers about potential agricultural losses Daytime temperatures also saw a noticeable dip due to persistent cold windsDespite sunshine the warmth remained weak Several cities recorded maximum temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius including Alwar 235 degrees Celsius Pilani 246 degrees Celsius Sikar 237 degrees Celsius Churu 243 degrees Celsius Baran 242 degrees Celsius Karauli 234 degrees Celsius and Pratapgarh 247 degrees CelsiusSirohi with a maximum of 22 degrees Celsius recorded the coldest daytime temperatureMeanwhile western Rajasthan remained relatively warmer during the day with Barmer at 302 degrees Celsius Jaisalmer at 284 degrees Celsius and Jodhpur at 283 degrees CelsiusThe Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has issued a cold wave alert for the next seven days predicting continued low temperatures especially in northern and eastern districtsDirector Radheshyam Sharma stated that the weather will remain clear but the cold winds are likely to keep minimum temperatures between 3 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius in parts of ShekhawatiResidents are advised to take precautions especially during early mornings and late evenings as Rajasthan prepares for one of the coldest spells of the winter season IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-intensifies-in-rajasthan-fatehpur-coldest-at-23-degrees-celsius-651727.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/toxic-gas-leak-from-closed-coal-mine-in-dhanbad-kills-two-mass-evacuation-underway-651527.html Dhanbad Jharkhand Dec 4 Two women have died and around 20 others have fallen ill after inhaling toxic gas leaking for the past two days from an underground fire at a closed coal mine in Kenduadih in Jharkhands Dhanbad district officials said on Thursday The leak has affected nearly 10000 residents in Rajput Basti Masjid Mohalla Officer Colony and the surrounding areas of DhanbadAs the situation worsened several families fled their homes while Bharat Coking Coal Limited BCCL made repeated public announcements urging residents to evacuate The company has set up temporary relief camps at two locations for displaced familiesThe leak began on Wednesday from the abandoned mine near the Childrenâs Park in Kenduadih Residents complained of severe eye irritation breathlessness and other symptoms leading to multiple hospitalisationsThe administration has taken note of the issue and said a solution will be found soonPriyanka Devi died on Wednesday evening while Lalita Devi succumbed on ThursdayOfficials suspect that carbon monoxide or another toxic gas from the underground colliery may be the reason behind the deaths though the exact cause will be confirmed only after the postmortem examinationTension escalated on Thursday as locals staged a protest accusing the BCCL of negligence They blocked the DhanbadRanchi main road burned tyres and raised slogans against the district administration and the company Protesters said they would continue the blockade until affected families are relocated to safer areas and compensatedBCCL Project Officer Lakhan Lal Barnwal said the gas had been trapped under pressure in the mine which has been closed for nearly 15 years and is now escaping through cracks impacting an estimated 400foot radiusPutkiBalihati Colliery Area General Manager GC Saha said the locality had already been classified as fireaffected and added that a permanent solution would require complete evacuation The safe relocation of residents is currently underway he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/toxic-gas-leak-from-closed-coal-mine-in-dhanbad-kills-two-mass-evacuation-underway-651527.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-solar-pli-scheme-generates-43-000-jobs-across-9-states-651535.html New Delhi Dec 4 Indiaâs ProductionLinked Incentive PLI scheme for highefficiency solar modules has created nearly 43000 jobs across the country as of October 2025 according to data submitted in the Parliament Out of the total employment around 11220 are direct jobs generated by solar manufacturing units coming up under the schemeGovernment data shows that employment has been created across nine states including Gujarat Tamil Nadu Rajasthan Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Jammu amp Kashmir and OdishaGujarat has emerged as the biggest contributor accounting for more than 22400 jobs through large manufacturing projects by Adani New Industries and othersTamil Nadu is the secondlargest contributor with about 6800 jobs created by companies such as FS India Solar Ventures VSL Green Power and TP Solar Andhra Pradesh has recorded 1620 jobs from two manufacturing units while Odisha has contributed around 200 jobs through AMPIN SolarThe rest of the employment has come from multistate projects by companies like ReNew Photovoltaics Grew Energy and Avaada ElectroThe Centre is pushing domestic manufacturing through the PLI Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules backed by a financial outlay of Rs 24000 croreUnder the programme Letters of Award have been issued to set up 483 GW of fully or partially integrated solar module manufacturing capacity in the country According to the latest Approved List of Models and Manufacturers ALMM released on November 25 Indiaâs installed solar PV module manufacturing capacity has reached 12168 GWDuring the first half of FY 202526 India imported more than 180 lakh solar modules worth 38633 million reflecting growing demand alongside a push for local manufacturingGlobally China continues to dominate the solar supply chain with more than 90 per cent share in polysilicon and wafer manufacturing over 85 per cent in solar cells and close to 80 per cent in module productionRating agency ICRA expects Indiaâs solar module manufacturing capacity to cross 165 GW by March 2027This growth is likely to be driven by continued policy support including the ALMM framework that limits direct imports basic customs duties on imported modules and cells and incentives offered under the PLI scheme IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-solar-pli-scheme-generates-43-000-jobs-across-9-states-651535.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-aggressively-expanding-modern-irrigation-methods-to-boost-productivity-651536.html Ahmedabad Dec 4 Gujaratâs sustained push for efficient water management has delivered strong results with 120 lakh hectares brought under microirrigation in 202425 alone The state has been aggressively expanding modern irrigation methods drip sprinkler raingun and porous pipes to boost productivity while conserving water as per officialsThe initiative stems from a policy vision introduced in 2005 by then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched the MicroIrrigation Scheme through the Gujarat Green Revolution Company GGRC The goal enable farmers to achieve higher yields using minimal water in an era of globalised and diversified agricultureOver the last two decades more than 1628 lakh farmers have adopted microirrigation across 2505 lakh hectares supported by Rs 922427 crore in incentives Rs 574071 crore from the state government and Rs 348356 crore from the CentreUnder Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Gujarat has accelerated the shift towards advanced irrigation practices In 2023â24 around 130 lakh hectares were added under microirrigation in 2024â25 another 120 lakh hectares backed by subsidies worth Rs 60542 crore Rs 32942 crore by the state and Rs 276 crore by the CentreAmong districts Banaskantha leads with 488 lakh hectares under microirrigation followed by Junagadh 185 lakh ha and Rajkot 135 lakh haA significant share of Gujaratâs microirrigation adoption comes from middleincome farmers with 892 lakh medium farmers covering 1642 lakh hectares followed by 498 lakh small farmers implementing the system over 590 lakh hectaresAdditionally 183 lakh marginal farmers have adopted microirrigation across 123 lakh hectares while 55000 large farmers have brought 149 lakh hectares under the systemOf the 2505 lakh hectares covered statewide 2052 lakh hectares are under field crops and 452 lakh hectares are under horticulture cropsAmong field crops groundnut accounts for the largest share with 1102 lakh hectares followed by cotton at 756 lakh hectares and sugarcane at 016 lakh hectaresIn horticulture microirrigation has been adopted across 220 lakh hectares of potato 034 lakh hectares of banana 018 lakh hectares of mango and 092 lakh hectares of vegetable cultivation reflecting the systemâs growing importance across diverse crop categories IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-aggressively-expanding-modern-irrigation-methods-to-boost-productivity-651536.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-russia-bolster-bilateral-ties-in-fisheries-dairy-sectors-651541.html New Delhi Dec 4 Russia on Thursday said it was ready to import more fish and meat from India and the two countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in emerging aquaculture technologies including deepsea fishing vessels Discussions were held on these issues between Indiaâs Minister of Fisheries Animal Husbandry amp Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Russias Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut at a meeting in Krishi Bhawan hereDuring the meeting both sides discussed expanding mutual trade in fisheries animal and dairy products resolving market access issues and fasttracking establishment listings for exports The discussions also focused on collaboration in research education and emerging aquaculture technologies including deepsea fishing vessels aquaculture emerging technologies and processing according to an official statement issued after the meetingSingh underlined the potential to diversify Indiaâs exports to Russia with products such as shrimp prawns mackerel sardines tuna crab squid and cuttlefish The Russian side expressed readiness to import fish and fishery products meat and meat products and showed interest in developing the trout market through a joint technical project that could lead to joint ventures the statement saidHe highlighted that India exported fish and fishery products worth 745 billion in 202425 including 127 million to RussiaLut informed about Russiaâs readiness to cooperate in fisheries animal husbandry and dairy sectors building on the successful history of agricultural collaboration She noted that some items are manufactured in Russia and some in India and the products which Russia needs can be supplied by India and the products which India needs can be supplied by Russia to India for strengthening mutual trade She highlighted that India is the secondhighest exporter of shrimp to RussiaSingh thanked Russia for listing 19 Indian fisheries establishments on its Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance FSVPS platform recently taking the total listed Indian establishments to 128 He also requested the Russian minister to expedite the listing of pending establishments regular updates of activity details and the revocation of temporary restrictions He also urged early approvals for Indian entities in the dairy buffalo meat and poultry sectors and assured full cooperation from the Indian side in this regardFor the export of butter and dairy products the minister mentioned that 12 Indian manufacturing companies of dairy products including AMUL Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation GCMMF are awaiting registration with the FSVPS He requested the Russian side to consider approving these establishments for listing in FSVPSBoth sides agreed to work on coldwater fisheries including trout genetic improvement in fisheries and aquaculture To achieve this the exchange of expertise including officials researchers and students would be taken up by both sidesIndia proposed the creation of a structured mechanism to advance in these areas to strengthen the cooperation and requested the Russian side to finalise and facilitate the signing of the draft MoU already shared with themLut also emphasised that Russia would like to have cooperation with India in veterinary vaccine development equipment manufacturing and animal disease management She stressed upon further cooperation at the level of Universities research and development institutes from both sides and such cooperation will be further strengthened by collaborative courses exchange of students academia scientists for innovation and advanced technologies the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-russia-bolster-bilateral-ties-in-fisheries-dairy-sectors-651541.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-pollution-allegations-by-a-waste-treatment-plant-in-kerala-651542.html New Delhi Dec 4 The National Green Tribunal NGT has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting allegations of severe air and water pollution caused by a waste treatment plant operating in Keralas Kozhikode district A Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Expert Members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad noted that the news item titled âA fire that fails to die downâ published on November 7 raises substantial environmental issuesAccording to the media report the wasteprocessing unit Ms Fresh Cut Organic Products Private Limited at Ambayathode in Kattippara Panchayat handles poultry waste for pet food production and has an installed capacity of 25 tonnes per dayResidents have complained of unbearable odour contamination of a key river supplying drinking water and a rise in skin diseases and allergies in the areaThough the plant claims to be operating within norms it is currently shut due to public protests and the districtlevel Facilitation Committee had earlier cleared it based on PCB Pollution Control Board inspectionsâThe news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactmentâ the Justice Shrivastavaled Bench observed noting violations of the Environment Protection Act 1986 the Water Act 1974 and the Air Act 1981The NGT decided to initiate suo motu proceedings and proceeded to implead the Kerala State Pollution Control Board the District Magistrate of Kozhikode the Central Pollution Control Board and the Regional Office of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change as respondentsThe NGT issued notice to all respondents directing them to file their replies by way of affidavit before the Southern Zonal Bench at least a week before the next hearingObserving that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Southern Zonal Bench the green tribunal ordered the transfer of the case to NGT Chennai along with the original records The matter will be listed before the Southern Zonal Bench on January 29 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-pollution-allegations-by-a-waste-treatment-plant-in-kerala-651542.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-l-g-cm-warn-officials-against-negligence-in-fight-against-pollution-651550.html New Delhi Dec 4 Officials were warned against negligence in the cityâs fight against pollution on Thursday during a highlevel meeting at Lok Niwas chaired by the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta an official said All departments were also directed to work in continuous coordination so that pollution can be controlled more effectively and consistentlyProviding details of the meeting Chief Minister Gupta said that negligence by any department or official regarding pollution control would not be toleratedDistrict Magistrates have been instructed to personally inspect the cleanliness and pollutioncontrol measures being undertaken in their respective areas she saidThe meeting was attended by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior officials of the concerned departmentsIt was made unequivocally clear that dust in the capital must be controlled under all circumstances she saidThe meeting also highlighted that waste and debris are major contributors to pollution To address this departments were instructed to put in greater effort towards road cleaning and related tasksDDA officials were directed to ensure that vacant land under their ownership in various parts of the capital is completely cleared of waste and debris and to ensure that such sites are not used again for dumping said a statementOfficials of MCD were also instructed to conduct an intensive cleanliness drive across Delhi along with using additional measures to tackle dustAccording to the Chief Minister District Magistrates are also being authorised to record the ACRs of government employees found negligentShe informed that a separate review committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted which will review pollutioncontrol measures on a daily basis and issue orders or advisories thereafter Compliance with these instructions will be mandatory for all departmentsThe Chief Minister emphasised that the governmentâs goal is to find a permanent solution to pollution so that people do not suffer now or in the futureShe noted that mist spray systems have been installed in the ITO area as part of this commitment and she inspected them on ThursdayPilot tests of the mist spray system have shown positive results Accordingly a detailed plan is now being prepared for their installation across all major roads in DelhiThe Chief Minister further said that the DPCC has been directed to issue challans against government departments found negligent in pollutioncontrol efforts or cleanlinessAdditionally FIRs will be registered against government agencies that carry out road cutting without permission or fail to restore the roads afterwardsThe Chief Minister made it clear that the head of the department concerned would be held accountable She added that no agency government or private would be spared for negligence IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-l-g-cm-warn-officials-against-negligence-in-fight-against-pollution-651550.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/govts-commitment-ensuring-farmers-get-due-respect-and-support-tripura-minister--651554.html Agartala Dec 4 Tripura Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday said that the Central and state governmentsâ unwavering commitment to improving the lives of farmers has ensured that cultivators are finally receiving the respect they deserve The Minister while addressing a Workshop and Input Distribution Programme on Plant Variety Protection and Farmers Rights PPV amp FR Act at a Krishi Vigyan Kendra KVK at Salema in Dhalai district said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power farmers are getting due respect âEven if I wish it is not possible to get certificates there are so many farmers who know better than scientists PM Modi said scientists must go from lab to land help farmers first and then conduct research Farmers are now receiving due respect Farmers are annadata PM Modi has said farmers are the real gods We must serve the farmersâ said the Agriculture Minister He said that the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act PPVampFRA 2001 is an important Indian law that protects new plant varieties while also recognising the traditional rights of farmers The main objective of this law is to encourage the development of improved varieties protect the rights of farmers and preserve agricultural diversity Nath said He said that the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority PPVampFRA Authority is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture amp Farmers Welfare of India According to the Minister the main purpose of the Act is that crop varieties will be registered in the name of the farmer and the farmer will have all rights over that crop variety It aims to provide protection for seeds of innovative and improved crops recognise the role of farmers in conserving traditional seed varieties ensure farmersâ access to quality seeds encourage research and exploration and establish a system for the registration and legal protection of crop seeds He said that earlier no farmer was seen getting a place on the stage The Minister informed that PM Modi has directed the government to work and provide all kinds of assistance to farmers so that they can benefit India has a population of 145 crore and 20 crore are farmers and in Tripura the population is 4222 lakh and there are 472 lakh farmers who are providing food the Agriculture Minister said He said âNow who is god PM Modi always stresses the development of farmers women youth and the poor and only then can we make Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat In our state farmers are getting rights over their products Agriculture has played a key role in the stateâs economic growth Now the percapita income is increasing in Tripura and this has been possible after our government cameâ During the event MLAs Swapna Das Pal Manoj Kanti Deb Chittaranjan Debbarma Smabhu Lal Chakma and others were present IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/govts-commitment-ensuring-farmers-get-due-respect-and-support-tripura-minister--651554.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/temperature-expected-to-dip-by-2-4-degrees-c-across-bihar-in-next-48-hours-cold-wave-alert-issued-651633.html Patna Dec 5 With December setting in winter has tightened its grip across North India including Bihar where cold conditions are expected to intensify further in the coming days According to the Meteorological Department the minimum temperature in several districts is likely to drop by 24 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours making nights significantly colder The mercury has already been sliding across the state including in Patna which recorded a minimum of 140 degrees C and a maximum of 270 degrees C on Friday Bhagalpur remained the coldest shivering at 84 degrees CelsiusThe Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has indicated that temperatures may stay below normal this winter with multiple districts already reporting minimum temperatures under 10 degrees C Moderate morning fog and persistent westerly winds throughout the day and night are adding to the chillMeteorologists anticipate that while minor fluctuations may occur the cold is set to peak after December 15 By midDecember a sharp temperature drop and a significant rise in the chill factor are expected with westerly winds likely to reach speeds of around 40 kmh Conditions may worsen further after December 19 with the possibility of bonechilling windsDense fog is also likely to disrupt daily life with visibility predicted to plunge to 50200 meters affecting vehicular movement and increasing the risk of accidentsThe Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of cold windy and foggy conditions across the state Residents have been urged to take precautions especially during early morning and late evening hours and ensure protection for children the elderly and vulnerable individualsLight to moderate fog is expected over the next two days across several districts including West and East Champaran Sitamarhi Sheohar Gopalganj Muzaffarpur Madhubani Darbhanga Samastipur Supaul Araria Kishanganj Purnea Bhagalpur Khagaria Munger Jamui Banka Patna Gaya Aurangabad Sasaram and KaimurAt present visibility stands at around 500 meters IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/temperature-expected-to-dip-by-2-4-degrees-c-across-bihar-in-next-48-hours-cold-wave-alert-issued-651633.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-wave-sweeps-across-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-till-mid-dec-651454.html Srinagar Dec 4 Intense cold wave continued across Kashmir Valley on Thursday as minimum temperature remained several notches below the freezing point The morning fog and clear night sky added to the chill factor in Srinagar city this morning as pedestrians and motorists moved out with caution to negotiate the slippery streets and roads in the cityThe Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city while it was minus 48 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus one in GulmargâJammu city had 8 degrees Katra town 84 Batote 47 Banihal 21 and Bhaderwah 04 as the minimum temperature today Except for a feeble western disturbance WD causing light snowfall in the higher reaches there is little possibility of rainsnow in JampK till December 10 Given the prevailing weather conditions the minimum temperature is likely to drop further in the coming daysâ the MeT Department officials saidIn Srinagar city the sun continued its ineffectual battle with the cold to warm up the atmosphere though it gave little relief to locals fighting the bitter cold especially in mornings and eveningsExcept for the officegoers everybody seen on the road is wearing the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ In rural areas it is common to see people holding an earthen firepot woven in a willow wicker basket called the âKangriâThe Kangri is filled with live charcoal and held under the Pheran to warm up the body in cold weather People in urban and rural areas use the leaves of the âChinarâ tree to make charcoal to be used during the winter months Although modern gadgets like electricity and fuelrun central heating are used by the affluent Kashmiris to ward off the winter cold for the average Kashmiri the Pheran and the Kangri remain the best bet to keep the body warm in the winter monthsThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each year During this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people have to battle with water taps in the morning to defreeze themThe gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature becomes very narrow during the Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 to minus 7 degrees Celsius while the day temperature rarely gets into the double digits IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-cold-wave-sweeps-across-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-till-mid-dec-651454.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bone-chilling-cold-in-rajasthan-several-districts-record-below-10-degrees-celsius-temperature-651466.html Jaipur Dec 4 Cold wave gripped Rajasthan with several cities recording temperatures below ten degrees Celsius Fatehpur recorded the lowest temperature at 22 degrees Celsius followed by Lunaksar at 29 degrees CelsiusMost cities reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius intensifying winter conditionsVanasthali recorded 78 degrees Celsius minimum temperature Alwar 50 degrees Celsius Pilani 54 degrees Celsius Sikar 38 degrees Celsius Karauli 63 degrees Celsius Dausa 48 degrees Celsius Jhunjhunu 61 degrees Celsius Nagaur 40 degrees CelsiusMeanwhile the Meteorological Department has forecast a cold wave alert for three days beginning ThursdayIt warned that cold conditions will intensify and issued a yellow alert in parts of the stateA yellow alert has been issued for Sikar Churu and Jhunjhunu on December 4 and 5 due to expected coldwave conditionsAccording to Radheshyam Sharma Director of the Jaipur Meteorological Centre weather conditions will remain clear across the state over the next week but cold winds are expected to strengthen furtherNight temperatures are likely to fall by another 1â2 degrees Celsius in the next 24 to 48 hoursMeanwhile besides minimum temperature maximum temperatures also saw a noticeable drop on Wednesday with all cities recording below 30 degrees CelsiusSirohi was the coldest during the day at 216 degrees Celsius while cities such as Sriganganagar Phalodi Bikaner Churu Karauli and Hanumangarh recorded belowaverage day temperaturesCold winds intensified the chill in the air in the Shekhawati belt where temperatures dropped to 6 degrees Celsius in some areasThe Meteorological Department expects the cold wave conditions to continue for the next two days with northern Rajasthan likely to witness the sharpest declineResidents have been advised to take necessary precautions as temperatures continue to fall IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bone-chilling-cold-in-rajasthan-several-districts-record-below-10-degrees-celsius-temperature-651466.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-coastal-interior-tamil-nadu-for-third-consecutive-day-651316.html Chennai Dec 3 Widespread rain continued to batter coastal Tamil Nadu and several interior districts on Wednesday as the depression over the Bay of Bengal further weakened into a wellmarked lowpressure area For Chennai and its neighbouring districts Tiruvallur Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram the day brought yet another round of relentless showers The downpour triggered sudden inundation across residential localities arterial roads and lowlying pockets disrupting traffic and slowing down public movementWednesday marked the third straight wet day of the week following nearly a week of intermittent rain that has already affected small traders and dailywage earners who struggled to carry out routine business amid the persistent weather disturbanceAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the system that had earlier intensified as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah weakened considerably as it drifted inland âThe depression remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Tamil Nadu Puducherry coasts moved slowly southwestwards and weakened into a wellmarked lowpressure areaâ the IMD saidIn its weather bulletin the department added that the system was likely to continue its slow southwestward movement across north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry further weakening over the next 24 hours However its residual moisture and circulation continued to trigger heavy rainfall across several districtsInterior regions such as Villupuram Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai also recorded repeated heavy spells with short intervals of relief as the weakened system advanced inlandThe widespread rains while expected to taper later this week have led to waterlogging in rural pockets and temporary disruptions in transport and agricultural activitiesAmid the adverse weather spiritual and cultural traditions in Tiruvannamalai were carried on uninterrupted Priests at the renowned Arunachaleshwarar Temple commenced the rituals for the annual Karthigai Deepam festival early Wednesday morning lighting the first ceremonial flame the Bharani Deepam inside the sanctumDespite the rain Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu temple officials and hundreds of devotees gathered to witness the auspicious moment underscoring the deep cultural significance of the festival in the regionWith the weather system continuing to linger over the coast authorities have urged residents to remain cautious avoid waterlogged roads and follow advisories issued by local administrations in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-coastal-interior-tamil-nadu-for-third-consecutive-day-651316.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-200-residents-marooned-as-flood-waters-inundate-low-lying-areas-in-chennai-651383.html Chennai Dec 3 More than 100 houses in Palavoyal near Chennais Red Hills areas were submerged on Wednesday after continuous heavy rain led to severe flooding across the lowlying neighbourhoods Over 200 residents spent hours trapped in hipdeep water as rescue teams struggled to reach the most affected pocketsResidents from Palavoyal Kumaran Nagar Murugan Street and stretches along Sothupakkam Main Road said the flooding began early in the morning and worsened steadily despite the Regional Meteorological Centre withdrawing the Red alert a day earlierMany homes were inundated within minutes as rainwater rushed in from adjoining roads and breached the lake embankments nearbyFor more than 10 years this has been our reality said P Karthik a resident of Kumaran NagarEven moderate rain is enough to flood our streets Today the situation became frightening Water reached hip level inside houses If the lakes hadnât breached the waterlogging would not have become this severeResidents said the areas lie several feet lower than the surrounding localities and lack proper stormwater drains or channels to divert rainwaterWith Sothupakkam Main Road serving as a major runoff point water surged into the interior streets with force making it risky for people â especially the elderly and children â to move out on their ownBy noon several pockets reported water rising to chest level Families were stranded on rooftops or inside homes waiting for help Many said this was the worst flooding they had experienced in yearsFire and Rescue Services deployed two lorries and a boat to carry out rescue operationsWe rescued a total of 56 people including 18 children 19 men and 15 women a fire service personnel involved in the operationsTeams worked throughout the day navigating strong currents along the main road to reach residents cut off by the floodsLocals pointed out that rainwater from the main road typically drains into the Singilimedu Lake With the lake receiving excess inflow following the heavy downpour it was unable to hold the runoff contributing significantly to the floodingBy late evening water levels remained high in several areas with residents urging authorities to create a permanent drainage system and strengthen the lake embankments to prevent similar crises during future spells of rain IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-200-residents-marooned-as-flood-waters-inundate-low-lying-areas-in-chennai-651383.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indo-german-cooperation-to-play-key-role-in-implementing-outcomes-of-cop30-651085.html New Delhi Dec 2 Germanys Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has stressed that cooperation between India and Germany will play a key role in implementing the outcomes of COP30 Speaking at the highlevel edition of its âClimate Talksâ series focusing on COP30 Reflections from Belem hosted by the German Embassy in India Ackermann recalled the meeting between Union Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Germanyâs Environment Minister Carsten Schneider in Belem and highlighted new avenues of engagementHe emphasised that under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership GSDP both countries are translating climate commitments into action Germany has also launched a new IKI Large Grant call for proposals specifically for India supporting its upcoming National Adaptation Plan and strengthening resilience of forests ecosystems and biodiversityReflecting on the two weeks of negotiations in Belem Ackermann stressed the importance of multilateralism and collective action He noted that Germany fully met and exceeded its international climatefinance commitments in 2024 contributing â118 billion including â61 billion in budgetary resources fulfilling its pledge to provide at least â6 billion annuallyCOP30 has reminded us that climate change is not a challenge any country can solve alone The decision adopted in Belem the âGlobal Mutiraoâ or collective effort is therefore particularly fittingâ Ackermann said noting both the progress achieved and the tasks that remainDuring the event Arunabha Ghosh FounderCEO of CEEW and South Asia Envoy to COP30 emphasised that COP30 marked a shift toward implementation after years of abstract debate He called adaptation and resilience urgent priorities shaped by different lived realities in different nations like Sri Lanka Nepal Maldives and BangladeshâCOP30 underscored that implementation not abstraction is now the centre of global climate action Across South Asia the message is clear Adaptation and resilience are urgent priorities shaped by very different lived realities in Nepal Sri Lanka the Maldives or Bangladesh Countries must have the flexibility to report on what truly matters to them because credible climate action cannot be onesizefitsall Multilateralism with all its imperfections still matters In a COP of many truths securing even an imperfect deal was essential to show that collective action remains possibleJust transition must also put people first you can repurpose physical assets and redesign financial assets but you cannot abandon human assets whose livelihoods depend on coal today And we should not see trade only as a barrier codeveloping technology and investing in each otherâs markets can become powerful drivers of climate ambition Real progress will come not only from two weeks of negotiations but from what we build together in the remaining fifty weeks of each year translating the signals from Belem into fairer systems stronger resilience and durable climate cooperation for the region he addedCOP30 in Belem marked 10 years since the Paris Agreement bringing renewed urgency to close the gap toward the 15ÂC pathway The UN climate conference in Brazils Belem concluded on November 22 with an agreement calling for a tripling of funding for developing nations to protect their people from the growing impacts of the climate crisis and increasing support for workers and communities in the transition to clean energy IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indo-german-cooperation-to-play-key-role-in-implementing-outcomes-of-cop30-651085.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-has-disbursed-rs-1-635-crore-as-subsidy-under-pm-e-drive-scheme-minister-651109.html New Delhi Dec 2 The government has disbursed Rs 163462 crore as subsidy under the PM EDRIVE Scheme till November 23 this year the Parliament was informed on Tuesday Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha said that an allocation of Rs 500 crore has been made under the PM EDRIVE Scheme towards eambulances and stakeholder consultations have been done to notify guidelines for eambulancesThe scheme has been extended till March 31 2028 for eambulances including other segments but for e2Ws and e3Ws the terminal date remains March 31 2026 he addedVerma further stated that under the PM EDRIVE scheme there is an allocation of Rs 2000 crore for the setting up of electric vehiclesâ public charging infrastructure As on November 23 this year no grants have been disbursed for the installation of such charging infrastructure Two oil marketing companies have shown interest and submitted proposals for the installation of electric vehiclesâ public charging infrastructure under the PM EDRIVE SchemeHe also said that under the PM EDRIVE Scheme 1500 ebuses have been allocated to Mumbai and 2800 ebuses have been allocated to Delhi Other than Mumbai 1000 ebuses have been allocated to Pune in MaharashtraIn order to ensure utilisation accessibility the guidelines for EV charging infrastructure under the PM EDrive Scheme have been notified and shared with the state governments and UT administrations he addedThe Ministry of Heavy Industries MHI has issued operational guidelines which earmark an outlay of Rs 200 crore for offering subsidies of up to 100 per cent for setting up public charging stations for electric vehicles in cities and across highways under the Rs 10900 crore PM EDRIVE schemeGovernment premises such as offices hospitals educational institutions and Central public sector enterprises will receive 100 per cent subsidy on both upstream infrastructure and EV charging equipment provided the chargers offer free public access the guidelines stateIn the case of bus stations operated by state transport undertakings metro stations municipal parking lots public sector ports and NHAIstate governmentcontrolled toll plazas amp wayside amenities on highways and expressways the subsidy will cover 80 per cent of upstream infrastructure and 70 per cent of EV supply equipment costLocations like airports railway stations fuel retail outlets of staterun oil marketing companies like Indian Oil Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum metro stations and bus depots will get 80 per cent subsidy on infrastructure and 70 per cent on charging equipmentBattery swapping and charging stations are also covered with an 80 per cent subsidy supportThe scheme will give priority to urban centres with a population of over one million smart cities satellite towns connected to 7 metros Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad Bengaluru and Ahmedabad state capitals and highdensity national and state highways Public transport hubs such as railway stations airports and fuel retail outlets have also been earmarked for receiving infrastructure support IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-has-disbursed-rs-1-635-crore-as-subsidy-under-pm-e-drive-scheme-minister-651109.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nmc-clean-godavari-bonds-listed-on-nse-in-presence-of-maha-cm-651111.html Mumbai Dec 2 NMC Clean Godavari Bonds of Nashik Municipal Corporation were listed on Tuesday on the National Stock Exchange by ringing the bell at the hands of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis He said that along with Pune Municipal Corporation Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and now Nashik Municipal Corporation too will handle the municipal bond market âAfter the passage of this bond the municipal corporation will receive an incentive of nearly Rs 26 crore and it can also handle the Urban Challenge Fund prepared by the central government Moreover this bond has been subscribed to more than 4 times which is a joyful matter This will benefit Nashik Municipal Corporationâ stated FadnavisHe further stated that there are at least 15 municipal corporations in the state of Maharashtra that can handle this bond market by working on their review reports processes and ratings On the occasion of Simhastha Kumbh Mela the Maharashtra government has undertaken many works and these works will be done while preserving the sanctity of Simhastha Kumbh Mela he addedThe Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a mantra which is Development as well as Heritage and the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held in 2027 is a symbol of this mantra âThrough this Simhastha Kumbh Mela the Maharashtra government will carry out development works at a faster pace under which the Clean Godavari program has been undertaken as part of infrastructure through which only treated water will flow in the Godavari Riverâ he saidAccording to the Chief Minister the importance of Nashik in the Ramayana is immense as Lord Shri Ram spent the maximum time of his exile in this very land He said therefore the Simhastha Kumbh Mela here also holds great importance It is necessary to make excellent arrangements for this Simhastha Kumbh Mela in which the Nashik Municipal Corporation will play a very important roleâAgainst the backdrop of Kumbh Mela Nashik Municipal Corporation is playing an important role in the development of Nashiks infrastructure There are largescale development opportunities available in the Nashik area and these places are important in terms of the residence of Rama in this area the abduction of Sita in the Ramayana Through this important work is being done for the cleanliness of the lifegiving Godavariâ he mentionedHe said a large amount of funds will be made available through the National Stock Exchange to boost the capabilities of important companies in the power sector âIn the first phase the process of listing the countrys major power companies namely Mahapareshan MSETCL followed by Mahavitaran and Mahanirmiti will start The experience of the National Stock Exchange will be of great help in this process he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nmc-clean-godavari-bonds-listed-on-nse-in-presence-of-maha-cm-651111.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-deteriorates-again-slips-back-into-very-poor-category-650968.html New Delhi Dec 2 IANS After offering only a brief respite Delhis air quality deteriorated once again on Tuesday slipping back into the very poor category following two days in the poor rangenbspnbspAs of 6 am the citys Air Quality Index AQI stood at 331 according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB signalling a renewed rise in pollution levels across the national capitalnbspSeveral monitoring stations recorded even higher concentrations of particulate matter Bawana reported an AQI of 387 Anand Vihar 381 Wazirpur 362 Burari 361 and RK Puram 356 all firmly within the very poor bracketIGI Airport remained one of the few locations with relatively lower pollution though its AQI of 269 still fell in the poor categorynbspAccording to CPCB standards an AQI between 050 is classified as good 51100 satisfactory 101200 moderate 201300 poor 301400 very poor and 401500 severenbspA noticeable layer of fog and smog blanketed prominent areas on Tuesday morning At India GateKartavya Path the AQI hovered around 370 placing it in the very poor zonenbspConditions were similarly concerning at MB Road in Tughlakabad where the AQI was recorded at 302 raising alarms among residents and authoritiesResidents expressed growing frustration over deteriorating air qualitynbspOne resident said The pollution has become extremely dangerous for both children and the elderly Earlier we used to come out at 5 am but now we have to wait until 7 am Our eyes burn and we are constantly coughing The government should take stronger action Water sprinkling is insufficient and vehicles are still running More frequent sprinkling is urgently neededDelhi had seen a marginal but brief improvement earlier in the week On Sunday and Monday the city recorded AQIs of 279 and 298 respectivelynbspMeanwhile winter conditions continue to set in The India Meteorological Department IMD forecast a maximum temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 7 degrees Celsius for Tuesday indicating a steady decline in temperatures alongside worsening air quality https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhis-air-quality-deteriorates-again-slips-back-into-very-poor-category-650968.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-topples-trees-banana-farmers-in-tns-mayiladuthurai-report-losses-seek-relief-650977.html Chennai Dec 2 Banana farmers in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu are reeling under extensive crop damage after strong winds triggered by Cyclone Ditwah flattened nearly 1500 banana trees across Aaru Paadhi village in Tharangambadi taluk Farmers say the losses are severe and recurring urging the state government to step in with immediate compensationOver the past five years Mayiladuthurai district has recorded an average banana cultivation area of 511 hectares This weekâs heavy rain and storm winds have left 371 hectares inundated according to officials from the horticulture departmentA total of 48 farmers are currently engaged in banana cultivation many of them dependent on seasonal harvests for their livelihoodFor several farmers the timing of the damage couldnât have been worse A portion of the crop was being readied for the Karthigai Deepam festival season a period when banana sales typically peakâFarmers across the Mayiladuthurai district grow banana trees in large numbers In our village alone the losses are massiveâ said Mayilswami a cultivator from Aaru Paadhi âI had raised banana trees on three acres and planned to harvest some for the Karthigai Deepam season with the rest scheduled for the coming month But on strong winds brought down nearly 300 of my treesâMost of the trees were at the final stage of growth and ready to be harvested he said adding that the destruction has resulted in losses exceeding Rs one lakh âThis kind of severe weather strikes us every two years Farmers are struggling to recover from repeated crop losses We request the government to provide fair and timely compensationâ he addedLocal farmers echoed similar concerns saying repeated cyclonic storms heavy rains and gusty winds in the Cauvery delta region have made banana cultivation increasingly unpredictable Many fear that their financial stability will be at risk if immediate assistance is not providedA senior horticulture department official confirmed that a detailed damage assessment is underway across affected areas âFarm owners are entitled to compensation if more than 33 per cent of their cultivated crop has been damaged Our teams are visiting the fields to document the extent of lossâ the official saidFarmers hope the government will expedite the compensation process allowing them to salvage what remains of the season and prepare for the next planting cycle IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-topples-trees-banana-farmers-in-tns-mayiladuthurai-report-losses-seek-relief-650977.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-mission-in-medan-offers-condolences-over-floods-landslides-in-indonesia-650950.html Jakarta Nov 30 Indias Consulate General in Medan on Sunday expressed condolences and solidarity with the people of Indonesia over the victims of floods and landslides in Aceh North Sumatra and West Sumatra CGI Medan conveys deepest condolences for the tragic losses from floods and landslides in Aceh North Sumatra and West Sumatra and reaffirms solidarity and support to affected people and Provincial Governments India Indonesia Mitra Selamanya the mission said in a post on XEarlier in the day the Indian Embassy in Jakarta offered condolences for the loss of life and property caused by floods and landslides in Aceh North and West Sumatra and reaffirmed solidarity with the people of IndonesiaThe Embassy of India in Jakarta expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences for the tragic loss of life and property caused by the devastating floods and landslides in Aceh North and West Sumatra and reaffirms solidarity and support for the Government and those affected at this difficult moment it posted on XThe Indian missions statement comes after 303 people died and 279 remained missing after flash floods and landslides struck three provinces of Indonesias Sumatra according to the countrys National Disaster Management Agency BNPBAddressing a press conference BNPB Chief Suharyanto stated that the highest number of casualties occurred in North Sumatra with 166 deaths and 143 people still unaccounted for As many as 90 people have died while 85 remain missing in West Sumatra A total of 47 people have died and 51 others remain missing in Aceh Xinhua News Agency reportedSuharyanto chaired a coordination meeting with BPNB units deployed in the three mostaffected provinces and stressed that operations must be intensified as weather conditions in the impacted regions start to improveHe stated that the agency is prioritising three urgent tasks carrying out search and rescue operations for those who are still missing restoring disrupted communication access and ensuring swift delivery of logistics to people impacted by floods and landslides IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-mission-in-medan-offers-condolences-over-floods-landslides-in-indonesia-650950.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-red-alert-in-tns-tiruvallur-ranipet-multiple-districts-to-get-heavy-rainfall-650814.html Chennai Nov 30 A deepening weather crisis triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has prompted the India Meteorological Department IMD to issue a red alert for Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts on Sunday warning of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds The intensifying cyclonic system over the southwest Bay of Bengal continues to advance towards the Tamil NaduPuducherry coast bringing widespread rain bands and dangerous wind speeds across several northern and central districtsUnderlining the gravity of the situation the IMD has also placed Chennai Chengalpattu Kancheepuram and Villupuram districts under an orange alert forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall throughout the dayAs Cyclone Ditwah edges closer to the coast the atmospheric instability has surged sharply increasing the possibility of intense downpours during the night and early hours of Sunday The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai has further indicated that Tiruvannamalai Vellore Tirupattur Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri will also experience sustained spells of heavy rainfallIn addition Salem Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts along with neighbouring Puducherry are expected to witness significant showers as the outer spiral bands of the cyclone sweep across inland areasStrong winds remain a major concern for authorities According to the IMD advisory wind speeds may reach up to 75 kmph across the southern coastal and delta districts particularly Nagapattinam Thanjavur Tiruvarur and Pudukottai In contrast the northern coastal districts and Puducherry may face stronger winds touching 80 kmph posing risks to power lines trees and vulnerable sheltersDespite the current highalert scenario officials have provided some relief by stating that all districts except Tiruvallur are likely to see a reduction in rainfall intensity on Sunday as the cyclone begins to weaken after land interactionDisaster response teams are on standby across affected regions and district administrations have urged people to stay indoors avoid waterlogged zones and follow official instructions closelyWith Cyclone Ditwah continuing to influence weather patterns across large parts of Tamil Nadu authorities emphasise that the next 24 hours are crucial in preventing casualties and minimising damage Residents have been advised to keep emergency supplies ready monitor official weather updates regularly and refrain from venturing near rivers sea coasts and flooded areas until conditions stabilise IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-red-alert-in-tns-tiruvallur-ranipet-multiple-districts-to-get-heavy-rainfall-650814.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-on-high-alert-for-health-cases-as-cyclone-ditwah-triggers-heavy-downpour-650817.html Chennai Nov 30 With Cyclone Ditwah bringing persistent rain and renewed flooding concerns to Chennai the cityâs health authorities activated an extensive preparedness plan to prevent a surge in monsoonrelated illnesses The sharp rise in waterlogging across neighbourhoods prompted officials to focus on early detection and quick response to seasonal ailments such as fever diarrhoea fungal infections and injuries while also preparing for an increase in snakebite cases State Director of Public Health Dr A Somasundaram said all 424 upgraded primary health centres PHCs across Tamil Nadu including 140 in Chennai have been placed on high alert âDoctors nurses and support staff are on duty in all upgraded PHCs A nurse will remain on call after work hours to ensure uninterrupted serviceâ he said Urban health centres have been instructed to stock supplies such as oral rehydration salts antifungal ointments for waterborne infections paracetamol antisnake venom serum antibiotics and other essential medicines To reach areas affected by flooding five mobile medical units and 15 vans from the governmentâs Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram typically used for school health screenings have been deployed across Chennai to offer first aid and basic medical care Additional vehicles are on standby in Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts should conditions worsen Greater Chennai Corporation GCC officials said families displaced by flooding will be relocated to any of the 215 relief centres where screening for fever and other ailments will be carried outâIf anyone requires advanced treatment they will be immediately referred to the nearest government hospitalâ said city health officer Dr M Jagadeesan He added that electricians and plumbers have been placed on alert to ensure an uninterrupted power supply in all hospitals and urban health centres Authorities have also advised residents particularly pregnant women senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses to store medical records and essential documents in dry secure places to prevent damage during possible evacuations Public health teams are monitoring social media platforms including X to track potential clusters of illness reported by the public Officials said this digital surveillance will help them respond quickly with field teams or virtual medical guidance They added that while the number of cases remains manageable at present the city is likely to witness a gradual increase in monsoonrelated ailments over the coming days as rain continues under the influence of Cyclone Ditwah IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-on-high-alert-for-health-cases-as-cyclone-ditwah-triggers-heavy-downpour-650817.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-weather-pahalgam-freezes-at-minus-56-srinagar-shivers-at-minus-44-650824.html Srinagar Nov 30 Jammu and Kashmirs popular tourist hill station Pahalgam froze on Sunday at minus 56 degrees Celsius and Srinagar city shivered at minus 44 as the Valley witnessed the coldest November since 2007 The Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature was minus 44 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city while it was minus 56 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 14 degrees Celsius in GulmargâNovember 2025 has recorded the lowest minimum temperature since November 2007 Jammu city recorded 88 Katra town 9 Batote 47 Banihal minus 07 and Bhaderwah 03 as the minimum temperature todayâ the MeT department officials said adding that the weather is likely to remain dry till December 10 and the minimum temperature is expected to drop further during this periodAs the night temperature dropped below the freezing point a feeble winter sun rose on the hazy sky in the Valley without providing much warmth to morning walkers and those out of their homes in the early hours of the dayAs the cold wave became severe authorities have announced winter vacation for classes up to 8 from December 1 while for Classes 9 to 12 winter vacation will start from December 11People have started wearing the traditional winter attire of Kashmir called the âPheranâ a tweed overgarment In rural areas and also at many places in cities and towns people hold an earthen firepot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ under the Pheran to ward off the winter coldThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each yearDuring this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people have to battle with water taps in the morning to defreeze themThe gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature becomes very narrow during the Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 to minus 7 while the day temperature rarely gets into the double digits IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-weather-pahalgam-freezes-at-minus-56-srinagar-shivers-at-minus-44-650824.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-woman-killed-as-wall-collapses-in-kumbakonam-heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-650860.html Chennai Nov 30 A 20yearold woman died after a wall collapsed on her house near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu on Sunday even as heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state under the impact of Cyclone Ditwah The victim Renuka was the daughter of Muthuveil a resident of Alamankurichi near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur districtAccording to officials a portion of the wall of Muthuveils motor shed collapsed due to incessant rainfall and crashed onto the roof of their adjacent houseRenuka died on the spot Muthuveil his wife Seetha and their younger daughter Kanimozhi sustained injuries and were admitted to a nearby hospitalLocal authorities have initiated relief measures and are assessing structural safety in the rainaffected neighbourhoodMeanwhile the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai said Cyclone Ditwah formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal has started weakening and is expected to downgrade into a deep depression by around 530 pm on SundayThe system is not likely to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast the RMC clarifiedAccording to the latest bulletin the cyclone is currently located 220 km from Chennai 130 km from Puducherry and 120 km from Vedaranyam moving at a speed of 7 kmph towards the northnorthwestEven with the weakening trend the weather office has warned that galeforce winds may blow up to 30 km offshore from the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Sunday eveningExtremely heavy rainfall remains a concern for several districts The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded at Kodiakkarai 250 mm indicating the intensity of the systemâs rain bands over the delta and northern coastal regionsGiven the forecast a red alert has been issued for Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts where very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected through the daySeveral other districts may witness heavy spells of rain at isolated locationsOfficials urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain indoors avoid waterlogged zones and follow instructions from district administrationsDisaster response teams have been kept on standby in coastal districts to handle any emergency arising from intense rainfall or localised flooding With the cyclone weakening but still close to the coast the RMC advised continued caution until the system fully loses strength over the sea IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-ditwah-woman-killed-as-wall-collapses-in-kumbakonam-heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-650860.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/caqm-carries-out-inspection-drive-in-delhi-flags-high-visible-dust-on-road-650866.html New Delhi Nov 30 IANS As the national capital grapples with rising pollution which has become a menace for the citizens 26 Flying Squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas CAQM undertook a focused inspection drive across different regions of Delhi an official statement said on SundaynbspThe inspection drive was carried out on Saturday as part of the Commissions ongoing enforcement actions to strengthen onground monitoring and intensification of dust mitigation measures under the statutory framework and the extant GRAP in forceAccording to the CAQM press release this drive aimed to assess visible dust accumulation on road stretches and evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning sweeping and dustsuppression measures being implemented by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC and Central Public Works Department CPWDnbspA total of 321 road stretches were inspected across the roads of the three agencies Geotagged timestamped photographic documentation was collected and submitted to the Commission as part of the consolidated inspection reportAs per the final compiled data 35 road stretches exhibited high visible dust levels 61 showed moderate dust 94 recorded low dust intensity and 131 stretches were found to have no visible dustnbspUnder the MCD which had the highest number of inspected roads 182 35 stretches reflected a high level of visible dust intensity 50 were moderate 70 had low and 27 stretches recorded no visible dustnbspIn contrast the NDMC region reflected relatively better performance with 133 road stretches inspected of which 100 showed no visible dust 24 recorded low dust and 9 moderate dust intensity with no stretch falling in the highdust intensity categorySimilarly the CPWD with a smaller jurisdiction of 6 roads inspected recorded no highdust stretches 2 with moderate visible dust and 4 with no visible dust intensitynbspThe CAQM noted that road dust is a major contributor to particulate matter in Delhi especially in winternbspIt directed agencies particularly the MCD to intensify efforts under Operation Clean Air by ensuring consistent mechanical sweeping proper pavement maintenance timely disposal of collected dust and regular water sprinklingdust suppression measures on all road stretches to strictly adhere to dustmitigation normsnbspTargeted inspection drives will continue to ensure compliance https://dailyworld.in/environment/caqm-carries-out-inspection-drive-in-delhi-flags-high-visible-dust-on-road-650866.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-conditions-in-bihar-to-intensify-forecasts-imd-650776.html Patna Nov 29 The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the cold conditions in Bihar will intensify owing to the active Western Disturbance Both urban and rural areas are experiencing a sharp drop in temperature after sunsetThe IMD has warned that an active western disturbance will further intensify the cold in several districts with severe cold and cold waveâlike conditions likely to developAccording to the IMD the impact of the western disturbance will be felt from December 1 particularly in East Champaran West Champaran Sheohar Gopalganj Sitamarhi and Siwan where temperatures are expected to fall significantlyAn overall increase in cold conditions is likely across the state from early DecemberWeather changes have already begun in Patna Purnea Gopalganj West Champaran and Sitamarhi where moderate to dense fog was reported on Saturday morning reducing visibilityOn Friday Purnea recorded the lowest visibility at 500 metresThe IMD has stated that this will be the first strong Western Disturbance of the season expected to cause sudden weather changes in most parts of BiharAs a result cold days and cold wave conditions may develop An alert has been issued to the Disaster Management DepartmentOn Saturday morning the maximum temperature in most districts ranged between 26 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was recorded between 10 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius in southeastern and northeastern districts and 12 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius elsewhereThe cold has increased noticeably in the last 24 hoursWhile winds affected several districts including West Champaran Sitamarhi and Sheohar no rainfall was recorded anywhere in the stateForbesganj Araria registered the highest maximum temperature at 302 degrees Celsius whereas Aurangabad remained the coldest at 111 degrees CelsiusThe cold has increased in most districts of the state during the last 24 hoursWinds blew in several areas including West Champaran Sitamarhi and Sheohar although no rain was recorded in any district IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-conditions-in-bihar-to-intensify-forecasts-imd-650776.html Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/around-6-000-airbus-a320-family-aircraft-set-to-face-disruptions-this-weekend-ops-expected-to-normalise-by-dec-1-or-2-650741.html New Delhi Nov 29 Air travel in India and abroad is set to face disruptions this weekend as 6000 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been grounded for a mandatory software update Airlines worldwide are expected to complete the upgrade by early next week In India more than 350 A320series planes operated by IndiGo and the Air India Group will be temporarily taken out of service for the exercise which could last two to three days Operations are expected to normalise by December 1 or 2This global move comes after a safety investigation into a JetBlue flight incident that occurred on October 30The aircraft operating from Cancun to Newark suddenly pitched down midair injuring 15 passengers The plane was later diverted to Tampa where several travellers received medical careAccording to the US National Transportation Safety Board the unexpected nosedown movement was linked to a fault in the flight control system triggered by a switching event Based on this finding regulators including the European Aviation Safety Authority along with Airbus issued mandatory action requiring airlines to update the affected systemsGlobally around 6000 A320 aircraft will require updates For newer models the upgrade could take less than 30 minutes with a standard software loader However older aircraft may need additional hardwarerelated changes likely increasing the duration of the process and temporarily impacting flight schedulesAirlines have now begun informing passengers and issuing advisories through official platformsIndiGo Indiaâs largest carrier posted on social media platform X stating Safety comes first Always Airbus has issued a technical advisory for the global A320 fleet We are proactively completing the mandated updates on our aircraft with full diligence and care in line with all safety protocolsWhile we work through these precautionary updates some flights may see some slight schedule changes Our teams are here 24Ã7 to support you with rebooking updates and information Please check your latest flight status on our appwebsite before heading to the airport Thank you for your patience and trust on usAir New Zealand issued a similar update confirming temporary grounding of its A320 aircraft early on Friday The airline clarified that there is no immediate safety risk and referred to the action as a precautionary measureIt added that EASA has allowed aircraft to continue operations until November 30 NZ time enabling some scheduled services to operate before upgrades begin The airline assured passengers that it is working swiftly to reduce disruption and will reach out directly to affected travellersAir India also took to social media platform X and said We are aware of a directive from Airbus related to its A320 family aircraft currently inservice across airline operatorsThis will result in a softwarehardware realignment on a part of our fleet leading to longer turnaround time and delays to our scheduled operations Air India regrets any inconvenience this may cause to passengers till the reset is carried out across the fleet We request customers to check their flight status at httpsairindiacominenmanageflightstatushtml before heading to the airport and connect with our contact centre at 01169329333 01169329999 for any further assistanceMeanwhile Airbus confirmed the reason behind the mandatory update stating that strong solar radiation could corrupt critical flight control data on certain A320family jets The fix is designed to eliminate this potential vulnerability and ensure continued safe operation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/around-6-000-airbus-a320-family-aircraft-set-to-face-disruptions-this-weekend-ops-expected-to-normalise-by-dec-1-or-2-650741.html Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/judiciary-has-no-magic-wand-to-fix-delhi-ncrs-pollution-problem-cji-kant-650562.html New Delhi Nov 27 The Supreme Court on Thursday remarked that the judiciary cannot be expected to deliver miraculous solutions to DelhiNCRâs hazardous air quality After senior advocate Aparajita Singh the amicus curiae assisting the top court mentioned the Public Interest Litigation PIL concerning airpollution control in the national Capital Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant remarked âWhat magic wand can a judicial forum exercise I know this is hazardous for DelhiNCR Tell me what can we direct so that there is clean air immediatelyâEven as the CJI cautioned against the belief that the top courtâs directions alone could âclean the air immediatelyâ he agreed to list the longpending MC Mehta matter on December 1Acknowledging the amicusâ submission about an âalarming situationâ in DelhiNCR CJI Kant said the factors behind Delhiâs poor air quality were several in numberâWe all know the problem We need to identify all the reasons There is no one single reason it would be a mistake to think soâ the CJI remarked adding that âonly domain experts and scientistsâ could offer a comprehensive assessment of the sources of pollution and regionspecific solutionsCJI Kant also flagged the pattern of the issue of severe pollution levels being revived only during peak winter months âThis matter is listed in a ceremonial way during the Diwali season After winters it disappears Let us have regular monitoringâ the CJI said assuring that the apex court would now take up the matter âon a continuous basisââList this on Monday December 1 and let us see what we can doâ he addedEarlier this month the Supreme Court had urged the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM to consider postponing school sports events scheduled for NovemberâDecember observing that âchildren are most vulnerableâDuring a separate hearing on Wednesday CJI Kant revealed that he had struggled even to complete his morning walk due to the poor air qualityâThe only exercise I do is walking But even that is difficult now Yesterday I walked for 55 minutes and till morning I had problemsâ the CJI said responding to another senior advocateâs request for exemption from physical appearance due to Delhis poor air qualitySenior advocate Kapil Sibal also told the apex court he had stopped going for walks entirely To breathe this obnoxious airâ at our age Sibal remarked adding that the Air Quality Index AQI remains dangerously high even in the eveningsThe conditions had prompted Justice PS Narasimha earlier to advise lawyers to opt for virtual appearances to avoid âpermanent damageâ from the prevailing pollutionâThe situation is very very serious Why are you all appearing hereâ Justice Narasimha had said urging advocates to avail virtual hearing facility IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/judiciary-has-no-magic-wand-to-fix-delhi-ncrs-pollution-problem-cji-kant-650562.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ktaka-releases-rs-1-03360cr-top-up-input-subsidy-to-farmers-after-monsoon-crop-loss-650630.html Bengaluru Nov 27 Responding to farmers distress after widespread crop loss caused by heavy monsoon rains the Congressled Karnataka government on Thursday released an additional Rs 103360 crore as input subsidy to farmers in a single day Chief Minister Siddaramaiah initiated transfer of the additional compensation amounting to Rs 103360 crore into the bank accounts of 1424 lakh farmers whose crops were damagedCM Siddaramaiah transferred the input subsidy to farmers bank accounts from his homeoffice Krishna Later addressing a press conference the Chief Minister said the state government has announced a special package of Rs 103360 crore as additional subsidy for farmers whose crops were damaged due to heavy rains and floods during this yearâs monsoonHe said the state government stands firmly with farmers and to provide greater support has increased the rates of input subsidies Limited to a maximum of two hectares rainfed crops will now receive Rs 8500 to Rs 17000 per hectare irrigated crops Rs 17000 to Rs 25500 per hectare and perennial crops Rs 22500 to Rs 31000 per hectareAs per the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF norms Rs 121803 crore has already been disbursed as input subsidy to 1424 lakh farmers In addition the state government is providing Rs 103360 crore as a topup In total including ongoing payments in the compensation process Rs 225163 crore will be directly credited to farmersâ bank accounts he saidâDuring the monsoon season a record 8256 lakh hectares were sown However due to excessive rainfall between June and September crops across more than 1458 lakh hectares were damaged with an estimated loss of Rs 10748 crore Major crop losses include tur dal across 536 lakh hectares green gram across 263 lakh hectares cotton across 268 lakh hectares and maize across 121 lakh hectaresâ CM Siddaramaiah statedâNine districts suffered the highest crop damage In Dharwad Gadag and Haveri districts crops were hit severely by heavy rains just when they were ready for harvestâ he addedâIn the Krishna and Bhima river basin areas continuous inflow of water caused widespread damage to tur and cotton crops in Kalaburagi Yadgir and Bidar districts A joint survey was conducted to accurately assess the crop loss All data has been entered into the relief software and integrated with the Bhoomi and FRUITS systemsâ the CM saidVillagelevel lists of crop losses were published in village panchayat offices and online Objections were invited from the public and after finalising the list of affected farmers the process of directly transferring input subsidy to farmers was initiated he saidThe Chief Minister said that on November 17 he met the Prime Minister and requested Rs 61490 crore under input subsidy and an additional Rs 152167 crore under PostDisaster Needs Assessment PDNA for recovery and reconstruction to restore damaged infrastructure The central government has constituted an interministerial team to assess the crop loss and the team will visit Karnataka soon CM Siddaramaiah stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ktaka-releases-rs-1-03360cr-top-up-input-subsidy-to-farmers-after-monsoon-crop-loss-650630.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/damaged-crops-mp-cm-transfers-rs-23878-crore-to-over-3-lakh-farmers-650656.html SheopurMorena Nov 27 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday transferred Rs 23878 crore to the bank accounts of over three lakh farmers as part of compensation for paddy crops damaged due to heavy rain a few weeks ago Chief Minister Yadav transferred the relief fund in a ceremonial event organised in Sheopur district in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh TomarFarmers who received relief funds are from seven districts such as Sheopur Morena Harda Vidisha Narmadapuram Dhar and Khandwa for compensating them for crop losses due to excessive rainfall floods and yellow mosaic pest diseaseOur government stands with farmers at every step and is trying to fulfil promises made to the people the Chief Minister said after transferring the amount through a single click during the eventLater Chief Minister Yadav attended an event at Morena district headquarters and inaugurated and performed bhoomipoojan for various development projects worth over Rs 16255 croreYadav also laid the foundation stone of an Ayurvedic College building in Morena worth Rs 70 crore which will include the construction of a 100bed hospital This facility will offer direct and indirect employment opportunities to residents of around 20 nearby villagesNotably unseasonal rain with highspeed wind in the last week of October this year had resulted in huge damage to paddy crops almost at the ready stage for harvest in several districts in Madhya PradeshState Bharatiya Kisan Sangh BKS President Kamal Singh Anjana had then said that heavy rain had resulted in damage to crops in several other districts from Rewa Jabalpur Narmadapuram Mandla Dindori Hoshangabad Harda Betul Sehore etc IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/damaged-crops-mp-cm-transfers-rs-23878-crore-to-over-3-lakh-farmers-650656.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nba-releases-rs-534-crore-to-maharashtra-biodiversity-panels-650661.html New Delhi Nov 27 Looking to empower local communities and promote fair and equitable benefit sharing the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 534 crore to around 85 Biodiversity Management Committees BMC in Maharashtra an official said on Thursday These BMCs fall under various Nagar and Gram Panchayats in Wada Tehsil Palghar District and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of Maharashtra The funds will be disbursed through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity BoardThis release follows a case in which a company accessed soil microorganisms bacteria of the Bacillus genus and used them to develop probiotic products said a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeNotably around 15 per cent of the Access and Benefit Sharing ABS applications are for accessing microorganisms underscoring an important fact âmicroâ organisms can generate âmacroâ benefits for farmers local communities BMCs and other stakeholdersThe initiative reinforces the NBAâs commitment to ensuring that the local communities the true custodians of biodiversity receive recognition and fair and equitable benefitsBy doing so the NBA continues to support Indiaâs vision of a sustainable and inclusive biodiversity management where conservation efforts directly contribute to the communityâs prosperity and wellbeing said the statementBefore this the NBA had released more than Rs 256 crore to 108 BMCs and 7 institutions in MaharashtraThe current disbursement of Rs 534 crore adds substantially to this progress With this release Indiaâs total ABS disbursements have crossed an impressive amount of Rs 116 croresIndia is a pioneer in the World for the effective implementation of the ABS mechanismEarlier in the month the NBA released Rs 3836 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and Rs 148 crore to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board to protect and conserve the iconic Red SandersWith this fund release aimed at boosting biodiversity conservation efforts the total Access and Benefit Sharing disbursements in the country have crossed Rs 110 crore said a statementRed Sanders renowned worldwide for its deep red timber grows naturally only in selected pockets of the Eastern Ghats particularly in the Anantapur Chittoor Kadapa Prakasam and Kurnool districts of Andhra PradeshAn amount of Rs 8768 crore was generated through regulated access to auctioned or seized Red Sanders wood by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department as a benefitsharing amountSo far the NBA has released over Rs 49 crore to Forest Departments of Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Odisha and to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for Red Sanders conservation protection and research said the official statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nba-releases-rs-534-crore-to-maharashtra-biodiversity-panels-650661.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-intensifies-in-jampk-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-44-degrees-celsius-650502.html Srinagar Nov 27 The mercury continued its free fall in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday as an intense cold wave swept across with Srinagar city shivering at minus 44 degrees Celsius the coldest this season so far The Meteorological Department officials stated that a cold wave continued to tighten its grip over Jammu and Kashmir with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 44 degrees in Srinagar minus one degree in Gulmarg and minus 5 degrees in PahalgamJammu city had 87 Katra 85 Batote 4 Banihal minus 15 and Bhaderwah 04 as the minimum temperature on ThursdayThe Meteorological Department officials said the weather is likely to remain dry till December 10 and the minimum temperature is expected to drop further during this periodAs the night temperature dropped several notches below the freezing point in the Valley a feeble winter sun rose on the hazy sky without affording much warmth to those out of their homes in the early hours of the dayDue to intense morning cold school children are facing hardship waiting for buses in the bitter morning coldAuthorities have now decided that the winter vacation for classes up to the 8th standard will start from December 1 and for classes 9 to 12 from December 11People have started wearing the traditional winter attire of Kashmir called the Pheran a tweed overgarment In rural areas and also at many places in cities and towns people hold an earthen firepot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal under the Pheran to ward off the winter coldThe 40day period of harsh winter cold Chillai Kalan begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each yearDuring this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people have to battle with water taps in the morning to defreeze themThe gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures becomes very narrow during the Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 to minus 7 degrees Celsius while the day temperature rarely gets into the double digits IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-intensifies-in-jampk-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-44-degrees-celsius-650502.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-dept-predicts-heavy-rain-across-tn-as-low-pressure-system-gains-strength-650505.html Chennai Nov 27 A lowpressure area forming over the Kanyakumari Sea has intensified and is expected to move towards Chennai and the northern districts the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC said on Thursday According to the RMC several parts of southern Tamil Nadu received moderate rainfall in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morningPamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded the highest rainfall at 8 cm followed by Rameswaram with 6 cm Mandapam 5 cm Thangachimadam 4 cm and Valinokkam 2 cmThe system over the Kanyakumari Sea and adjoining southwest Bay of BengalâSri Lanka region strengthened into a wellmarked lowpressure areaIt is likely to move in a northnorthwest direction and further intensify into a depression Thereafter it is expected to track towards Chennai the northern coastal districts and PuducherryAnother circulation near the Andaman Sea close to the Malacca Strait is also strengthening the RMC said The system reportedly intensified into a severe storm around 530 am on Thursday before moving westsouthwest and crossing the Indonesian coastWhile its direct impact on Tamil Nadu is limited associated weather activity is expected to influence rainfall across the StateTamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to receive moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in several places todayHeavy rainfall is likely in parts of Ramanathapuram Pudukottai Thanjavur Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districtsAn orange alert has been issued for Ramanathapuram Thanjavur Tiruvarur Nagapattinam and Karaikal for Thursday with the RMC warning of very heavy rainFor tomorrow districts including Ramanathapuram Sivaganga Pudukottai Mayiladuthurai Cuddalore and Ariyalur may experience heavy showersA red alert has been declared for Tiruvarur Nagapattinam Mayiladuthurai Cuddalore Villupuram Chengalpattu Puducherry and Karaikal for Thursday and Friday indicating extremely heavy rain in isolated areasChennai Tiruvallur Kancheepuram Ranipet Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi Ariyalur Perambalur and Thanjavur districts are under orange alert for Thursday and Friday due to the possibility of very heavy rainOn Friday heavy rain is also likely in Pudukottai Tiruchirappalli Tirupattur Vellore Dharmapuri and Salem districts The sky over Chennai and adjoining areas will remain partly cloudy today with light rain likely in some pocketsFishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea as squally winds are expected along coastal Tamil Nadu the Gulf of Mannar and the Kanyakumari Sea due to the evolving weather systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-dept-predicts-heavy-rain-across-tn-as-low-pressure-system-gains-strength-650505.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncrs-cold-intensifies-aqi-again-nears-severe-in-several-areas-650474.html New Delhi Nov 27 The cold wave continues to tighten its grip on Delhi and neighbouring cities and the residents are getting no relief from the toxic air After a slight improvement in pollution levels on Wednesday air quality deteriorated once again early on Thursday morningMost parts of the city recorded an AQI between 350 and 400 falling in the very poor category while Wazirpur and Bawana slipped back into the severe range Along with the pollution rising cold and dense fog have added to the discomfort of the peopleDelhiNCR has been battling persistent air pollution for nearly a month Although the last two to three days showed some signs of improvement leading the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM to withdraw GRAP Stage 3 restrictions with immediate effect on Wednesday evening the overall air quality continues to remain in the very poor categoryFresh data released by the Central Pollution Control Board on Thursday showed a renewed spike in pollution levels across the city Wazirpur and Bawana emerged as the worstaffected locations with extremely polluted air once again choking the residentsAccording to CPCB figures at 6 am the AQI in Wazirpur stood at 404 while Bawana recorded 403 Other localities also reported poor conditionsVivek Vihar recorded an AQI of 395 Jahangirpuri 392 Anand Vihar 386 Narela 386 Burari 368 Chandni Chowk 368 Sonia Vihar 355 and RK Puram 354 all falling under the very poor categoryA thick layer of haze and fog has covered the city since morning reducing visibility during early hours and again in the evening Breathing in such an environment is deemed harmful and health experts warn that prolonged exposure can be dangerous They advise staying indoors as much as possible and stepping out only when necessaryExperts also stress the importance of using proper masks outdoors saying that precautions are essential in such hazardous conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncrs-cold-intensifies-aqi-again-nears-severe-in-several-areas-650474.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-govt-announces-winter-vacation-for-schools-in-valley-650270.html Srinagar Nov 25 Alerted by the early setting in of winter with the night temperature dropping several notches below the freezing point the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday ordered winter vacation for schools in the Valley An order issued by Ram Niwas Sharma IAS Secretary to the School Education Department said that all preprimary Balvatika classes in the Valley will observe winter vacation from November 26 to February 28 2026All classes from 1st to 8th standard will observe winter vacation from December 1 to February 28 2026 Winter vacation for classes 9 to 12 will start on December 11 and end on February 22 2026 the order saidKashmir Valley has been in the throes of a cold wave for the past week The minimum temperature dropped to minus 31 degrees Celsius in Srinagar on TuesdayOther places in the Valley Gulmarg Pahalgam Kokernag Qazigund among others recorded below freezing point night temperaturesChilly winds blowing into the Valley from snowclad mountains make movement of pedestrians and motorists especially schoolgoing children very difficult in the morningNo government school in the Valley has adequate heating arrangements in the classrooms which adds to the hardships faced by childrenSlippery streets lanes and bylanes make passage in densely populated areas even more difficultThe harshest 40 days of winter cold Chillai Kalan begin on December 21 and end January 30 each yearDuring this period all the water bodies in the Valley including rivers streams and lakes freeze either partially or completely as the minimum temperature drops to minus 5 and minus 7 degrees with the gap between day and night temperatures also narrowingSrinagar recorded the coldest night of the season last week with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 28 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-govt-announces-winter-vacation-for-schools-in-valley-650270.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/boost-for-mizorams-organic-ginger-as-niti-aayog-bats-for-national-recognition-650293.html New DelhiAizawl Nov 25 NITI Aayog has recommended that Mizoram be recognised as the Ginger Capital of India and emphasised the need to preserve the organic quality of its produce while adopting modern processing technologies and expanding its footprint in domestic and global markets officials said on Tuesday A senior Mizoram government official said that the NITI Aayog recommendations will be followed by targeted action plans for implementationHe said that the Mizoram government in collaboration with NITI Aayog organised a highlevel stakeholder consultation titled âStakeholders Consultation for Mizoram Ginger Produceâ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on MondayThe consultation where more than 60 participants from various government departments and the private sector took part primarily focused on strengthening market linkages improving processing facilities addressing valuechain challenges and creating better opportunities for ginger farmers and entrepreneurs in MizoramFarmerProducer Organisations FPOs industry representatives and entrepreneurs held open discussions on strategies to expand markets for Mizoram ginger across India and international destinations develop stronger trade linkages and build an efficient ecosystem for processing and exportAddressing the gathering Chief Minister Lalduhoma stated that Mizoram has emerged as one of the major gingerproducing states in India over the past two years with its produce recognised for superior quality He reiterated the state governmentâs commitment to supporting both farmers and investors To ensure stable returns the Mizoram government currently provides a Minimum Support Price of Rs 50 per kilogramThe Chief Minister also highlighted improvements in the stateâs industry and investment policies to facilitate ease of investment noting that opportunities extend beyond ginger to other agricultural and valueadded products He invited stakeholders to participate in the âGinger BuyerâSeller Meetâ scheduled in Aizawl on December 56The Chief Minister also expressed his appreciation to NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul and the government think tanks team for their guidance and support in organising the consultationThe daylong programme commenced with an inaugural session chaired by Paul followed by a presentation from Special Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramdinliani highlighting the stateâs initiatives and the growing potential of Mizoram ginger in national and global marketsOther key dignitaries who addressed the consultation included NITI Aayogs Additional Secretary Rohit Kumar APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev Food Processing Industries Secretary AP Das Joshi Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi state LESDE Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar and Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/boost-for-mizorams-organic-ginger-as-niti-aayog-bats-for-national-recognition-650293.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-srinagar-records-coldest-night-of-season-at-minus-39-degrees-celsius-650416.html Srinagar Nov 26 Cold wave tightened its grip over the Valley on Wednesday as Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city witnessed this seasons coldest night so far at minus 39 degrees Celsius Meteorological Department officials said the weather is likely to remain dry till December 10 and the minimum temperature is expected to drop further during this periodAt minus 39 degrees Celsius today Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of this season so far Gulmarg had zero and Pahalgam minus 46 as the minimum temperature today Meteorological Department officials saidJammu city recorded 88 degrees Celsius minimum temperature Katra 85 degrees Celsius Batote 46 degrees Celsius Banihal minus 07 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 05 degrees CelsiusAs the night temperature dropped below the freezing point a feeble winter sun rose on the hazy sky in the Valley without affording much warmth to morning walkers and those out of their homes in the early hours of the dayAs cold wind blows into the Valley from snowclad mountains school children are facing hardship waiting for buses in the bitter morning coldAuthorities have now decided that the winter vacation for classes up to the 8th standard will start from December 1 For classes 9 to 12 winter vacation will begin from December 11People have started wearing the traditional winter attire of Kashmir called the Pheran a tweed overgarmentIn rural areas and also at many places in cities and towns people hold an earthen firepot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal under the Pheran to ward off the winter coldThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold Chillai Kalan begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each yearDuring this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people face a tough timeDuring winter people have to burn fire around frozen water taps to get waterThe gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures becomes very narrow during Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 and minus 7 degrees Celsius while the day temperature rarely touches double digits IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-srinagar-records-coldest-night-of-season-at-minus-39-degrees-celsius-650416.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/paddy-straw-can-be-converted-into-biogas-amp-bioethanol-worth-rs-1-600-crore-650020.html New Delhi Nov 23 The 73 million tonnes of paddy straw which is currently being burnt by farmers can be converted into compressed biogas and bioethanol which could save Rs 1600 crore forex on energy imports and cut pollution as well according to a statement issued by the Indian Biogas Association IBA on Sunday This policy is likely to attract investments of Rs 37500 crore and facilitate the setting up of 750 CBG projects in the country by 202829More significantly this represents an importsubstituting move toward LNG ensuring savings in precious foreign exchange by building energy security from domestic resources the statement saidThe latest anaerobic digestion processes can efficiently convert this agricultural residue into Compressed BioGas CBG which can directly replace imported natural gas the statement notedBeyond energy paddy straw is excellent for bioethanol production because of its 40 per cent cellulose content it addedIt has the potential to achieve import substitutions worth Rs 1600 crore the IBA statement saidParallel goals of Sustainable Aviation Fuel include one per cent blending for international flights by 2027 further expanding the bioeconomy landscape IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia saidEven the remaining 20 per cent lignin fraction which is a complex organic polymer deposited in the cell walls of plants can yield highvalue products such as polymers activated carbon Graphene and resins the statement addedThe conventional perception of paddy straw as waste represents a failure of imaginationIBA has also highlighted that the burning of each tonne of straw releases around 1460 kg of carbon dioxide nearly 60 kg of carbon monoxide and 3 kg of particulate matter directly into the atmosphereInstead of allowing this blasting in the atmosphere India can leverage innovative technologies to convert straw into valuable resources it saidMature urban trees have also been found capable of absorbing as much as 22 kg of CO2 annually while filtering out dangerous particulate matterOne of the lowesthanging fruits from a solution perspective could be the strategic plantation drives in and around north Indian cities especially along highways which can protect us from the pollution volatility with a green shield the statement addedEqual consideration can be given to the weatherbalancing effect by this natural shield which can further help the urban heat island effect throughout the yearIt points out that cities like Delhi have already shown what is possible as more than 25 million saplings were planted during 2023 aloneCombining Miyawaki forests in degraded urban parcels of land with highway green corridors and communitydriven adopt a tree initiatives would provide a strong natural buffer against pollution the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/paddy-straw-can-be-converted-into-biogas-amp-bioethanol-worth-rs-1-600-crore-650020.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bhiwadi-kota-aqi-crosses-300-mark-making-them-most-polluted-cities-of-rajasthan-650074.html Jaipur Nov 24 After Delhi rising pollution levels have now spread into Rajasthan triggering concern across the state as air quality worsens More than a dozen cities including the capital Jaipur recorded poor to severe air quality on Sunday with the Air Quality Index AQI crossing the 200 mark in at least 12 major urban centres Bhiwadi and Kota emerged as the most polluted cities of the day both crossing the 300 mark while Jaipurâs Sitapura industrial area touched an alarming 307 AQI placing it firmly in the severe category This marks the thirdconsecutive day Jaipur has remained enveloped in dense smog as pollutants accumulated near the ground due to cooling temperatures and stagnant winds Throughout the day large parts of Jaipur and its outskirts were shrouded in haze reducing visibility and forcing residents to limit outdoor activities Environmental experts warn that such persistent smog may trigger a spike in respiratory cardiac and eyerelated ailments especially among children the elderly and those already suffering from chronic health issuesAlthough pollution levels eased slightly by evening and the AQI dipped marginally air quality remained well within the poor categoryFresh AQI data paints a worrying picture for Rajasthan Bhiwadi 359 AQI topped the list followed by Kota 302 and Tonk 293 Jaipur also recorded poor air quality at 259 while Sri Ganganagar 256 Bhilwara 253 Bikaner 249 Bundi 244 Dungarpur 222 Jhalawar 219 Bharatpur 210 and Sikar 210 all fell into the âpoorâ categoryExperts say vehicular emissions smoke from industrial units construction dust falling temperatures and low wind speed have together contributed to trapping pollutants close to the ground leading to a sudden rise in pollution levels over the weekend With pollution worsening simultaneously across DelhiNCR and Rajasthan environmentalists and health experts are urging authorities to take immediate mitigation stepsThese include stricter monitoring of industrial emissions regulation of construction activity improved public transport options and public advisories promoting mask usage If concrete action is not taken soon many cities could slip into the hazardous category posing a serious longterm health risk to millions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bhiwadi-kota-aqi-crosses-300-mark-making-them-most-polluted-cities-of-rajasthan-650074.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-pollution-protest-22-detained-after-pepper-spray-chaos-at-india-gate--650113.html New Delhi Nov 24 IANS Twentytwo people have been arrested for allegedly using pepper spray against police personnel after officers attempted to disperse a group blocking the road at India Gates CHexagon during a protest against rising pollution levels in DelhiNCR officials confirmed on MondaynbspThe demonstrators who had gathered on Sunday evening to raise slogans over deteriorating air quality in the national Capital clashed with the police when the situation escalated and some protesters allegedly used pepper spraynbspTwo FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident with Delhi Police invoking multiple relevant Sections According to officials an FIR was registered that led to the arrest of around 22 individuals for allegedly using pepper spray on police personnel obstructing official duties and blocking a public roadAt Kartavya Path Police Station six male protesters were detained under BNS Sections 74 79 1152 132 221 223 and 612 A second FIR was lodged at Sansad Marg Police Station where more protesters were taken into custody under BNS Sections 223A 132 221 121A 1262 and 35nbspAccording to officials several protesters had moved into the Chexagon area and attempted to cross barricades placed to regulate movementnbspPolice personnel explained to them that ambulances and medical teams were stuck behind the blockade and needed urgent passage but the protesters allegedly became agitatednbspSensing that the situation could escalate into a confrontation officers advised the demonstrators to step back However officials said the protesters ignored the instructions broke through the barricades moved onto the road and sat down forcing the police to interveneThe group was removed from the Chexagon to prevent further disruption to traffic in the busy zonenbspThis incident came just days after several people were detained on November 9 at India Gate during a clean air protest where participants demanded immediate government intervention and stricter policies to address what they described as an air emergency in the national CapitalnbspThe protests have been taking place as visibility dropped across several parts of the city as the toxic haze thickened prompting renewed health warnings from authoritiesNeighbouring NCR cities are also struggling with deteriorating air quality Faridabad reported an AQI of 358 Gurugram 370 Ghaziabad 355 Greater Noida 342 and Noida 372nbspWhile most Delhi localities are hovering between AQI 300 and 400 several pockets have already breached the 400 mark slipping into the severe category Officials say conditions may worsen if wind speeds remain lownbspAmid rising pollution levels the Commission for Air Quality Management for NCR and adjoining areas on Saturday revised the Graded Response Action PlannbspIn a press release the CAQM said measures earlier reserved for the severe category under GRAP Stage IV would now be enforced at Stage IIIThe steps include ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to reduce diesel generator use deploying additional personnel at traffic congestion hotspots issuing pollution alerts across media platforms and expanding CNG and electric public transport fleets with increased service frequency along with differential fares to promote offpeak travelnbspSeveral measures earlier placed under Stage III for the very poor category have now been moved to Stage II These include staggered working hours for government offices in Delhi Gurugram Faridabad Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh NagarThe Centre may also consider staggered timings for its offices in the regionnbspRestrictions previously meant for Stage IV during severe AQI such as allowing public municipal and private offices to function with only 50 per cent staff and requiring the remaining employees to work from home will now be applicable at Stage IIInbspMeanwhile the Delhi government has directed private offices to operate with 50 per cent onsite staff and allow the rest to work from home as a precautionary measure as the Capital continues to grapple with deteriorating air quality https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-pollution-protest-22-detained-after-pepper-spray-chaos-at-india-gate--650113.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-to-intensify-in-bihar-night-temperatures-to-fall-by-2-4-degrees-649844.html Patna Nov 22 A fresh spell of cold weather has tightened its grip on Bihar with the Meteorological Department issuing an alert for a sharp drop in temperatures across the state Beginning Saturday night temperatures are expected to fall by 24 degrees Celsius ushering in harsher winter conditions According to the IMD minimum temperatures in many districts may dip below 10 degrees CelsiusA brief relief caused by the weakening of westerly winds over the past two to three days has now ended and the cold wave is returning faster than usual says IMDThere will be no significant change in daytime temperatures which will continue to hover between 28 and 32 degrees CelsiusSunshine will prevail during the day but once evening sets in the chill is expected to intensify sharply Meteorologists have forecast dry weather across the state for the next weekMorning fog has already disrupted normal life in many regions Purnea recorded the lowest visibility at 800 meters causing difficulties for commuters The dense fog has also worsened air quality prompting advisories for individuals with respiratory ailments to exercise cautionOn Friday East Champaran recorded the highest maximum temperature at 316 degrees C while Aurangabad saw the lowest minimum at 132 degrees CelsiusThe IMD has warned that from Sunday the minimum temperature may fall further reaching 89 degrees in several districtsWesterly winds blowing at speeds of up to 25 kmh may become active again These winds are expected to make the nights even colderFog is likely from late night to early morning with light haze during daytime hoursTo cope with the combination of cold and fog people are advised to wear adequate warm clothing avoid early morning travel unless necessary light bonfires in open areas where needed and provide extra care to children the elderly and those with respiratory issuesThe weather pattern is expected to remain unchanged for the next seven days with no rain and no rise in temperature People of Bihar should therefore prepare for a prolonged spell of biting cold IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-to-intensify-in-bihar-night-temperatures-to-fall-by-2-4-degrees-649844.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/yogi-govt-unveils-major-action-plan-to-curb-air-pollution-in-ncr-up-649917.html Lucknow Nov 22 The Yogi Adityanath government has rolled out a comprehensive action plan to tackle worsening air pollution in the Uttar Pradesh region of the National Capital Region NCR The plan finalised under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary identifies road dust as the single biggest contributor to pollution and outlines targeted measures to mitigate itThe action strategy prioritises the redevelopment of road stretches dust control and improved cleanliness across urban areasThe state government has appointed the Principal Secretary of the Environment Forest and Climate Change Department as the nodal officer for the campaignA Project Monitoring Unit PMU headed by the departmentâs Secretary has also been set up to oversee implementationSenior officials from the Urban Development PWD Housing and Urban Planning and Industrial and Infrastructure Development departments are part of the Project Monitoring UnitAuthorities in Noida and Greater Noida have already begun deploying antismog guns water sprinklers and mechanical sweepers to suppress road dustOfficials say the measures will offer significant relief to people living in the NCRUP regionTo further reduce vehicular emissions district administrations through the Transport Department have imposed strict restrictions on diesel autorickshawsDiesel autos will be completely banned in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad In Baghpat the ban will take effect by December 31 this year In Meerut Hapur Bulandshahr Muzaffarnagar and Shamli diesel autos will be phased out by December 31 2026The Meerut Regional Transport Authority has also halted the issuance and renewal of permits for these banned vehiclesThe action plan comes as DelhiNCR witnessed another alarming spike in air pollution on SaturdayAccording to AQI data most Delhi monitoring stations recorded readings between 300 and 430 while pollution levels in Noida and Ghaziabad crossed even higher thresholdsSeveral areas including Loni in Ghaziabad registered AQI levels above 450 triggering widespread complaints of breathlessness and eye irritationExperts warn that prolonged exposure to such toxic air can lead to asthma chronic lung disease cardiac complications and severe health risks for children and the elderly IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/yogi-govt-unveils-major-action-plan-to-curb-air-pollution-in-ncr-up-649917.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/three-day-vocational-training-for-youth-in-gujarats-vadodara-soon-649919.html Vadodara Nov 22 In a significant move to inspire the spirit of entrepreneurship and selfreliance a threeday vocational training camp will be organised in the city where the youths will be trained in gardening and cultivation skills and also enlightened on how their tiny efforts can add up in achieving a milestone for the individual and society The training will be organised under the states Horticulture Department focusing on equipping the youths aged 1845 with planting and gardening skillsHans Dudha Assistant Director of Horticulture Vadodara said Participants selected via the IKhedut portal receive Rs 250 per day as a stipend and a gardening kit worth around Rs 1500 Training covers practical skills like media preparation and plant propagationDuring the training gardening enthusiasts will get guidance from horticulture experts and also monetary support They will get a stipend of Rs 750 and a gardening toolkit worth approximately Rs 1500Those interested in the programme can submit their applications on the iKhedut portal by December 6 and submit the required documents to the Horticulture Office in Raopura an official release saidLast year at least 9095 candidates were trained in the discipline and also handed over gardening certificatesUnder the programme young people are trained in the particular disciplines to achieve employment as well as selfreliance The innovative design is also likely to have a bearing on the citys urban greeneryThis training provided under the Urban Green Mission will familiarise youths with essential techniques ranging from modern gardening to nursery management kitchen gardening hydroponics microgreens landscaping and garden careAccording to the Horticulture Department the course includes practical skills such as planting fertiliser management disease control garden pruning lawn maintenance and garland and bouquet makingThe threeday training will provide youth with new opportunities for green jobs selfemployment and skill development while also positively impacting the citys greenery IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/three-day-vocational-training-for-youth-in-gujarats-vadodara-soon-649919.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-at-minus-28-degrees-celsius-srinagar-witnesses-coldest-night-of-season-649959.html Srinagar Nov 23 Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of the season so far with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 28 degrees Celsius while Jammu recorded 101 degrees Celsius as the nights lowest Meteorological Department officials said the minimum temperature in Srinagar dropped to minus 28 degrees CelsiusSrinagar city witnessed the coldest night of this season so far at minus 28 degrees Celsius today while Pahalgam recorded minus 35 and Gulmarg zero as the minimum temperature Jammu city had 101 Katra town 98 Batote 45 Banihal minus 05 and Bhaderwah 05 as the minimum temperature today the officials saidThe officials also predicted no appreciable change in the weather in Jammu and Kashmir till December 2 and in the coming days the minimum temperature is likely to drop furtherDue to the winter cold having set in earlier authorities have announced winter vacation for classes up to the 8th standard from December 1People are seen protecting themselves from chilly winds blowing into the Kashmir Valley from the snowclad mountains by wearing woollens and wrapping thick mufflers around their necksThe most preferred winter wear a tweed overgarment called the Pheran is a Kashmiris best bet to avoid the winter coldAn earthen firepot woven in a willow wicker basket called the Kangri is filled with live charcoal and kept under a loosefitting Pheran to ward off the coldThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold Chillai Kalan begins on December 21 each year and ends on January 30During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze as the minimum temperature drops between minus 5 and minus 7 degrees CelsiusIn cities and urban areas people have to burn small fires around the water taps to defreeze them in the morning during the Chillai KalanRoads and lanes become slippery as dense morning fog makes pedestrian and vehicular movement difficultDoctors have cautioned people especially children and the elderly to protect themselves from direct exposure to cold air as this is the main cause of lungrelated ailments during the winter monthsPeople have been advised to cover their faces in the morning with a woollen muffler or other thick piece of cloth to prevent cold air from getting into their lungsDespite the hardships faced by people during the winter months Kashmiris always look forward to a bountiful winter when the land gets covered with pristine white snow and the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains are replenished to sustain springs streams lakes and rivers in the summer months IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-at-minus-28-degrees-celsius-srinagar-witnesses-coldest-night-of-season-649959.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-ahmedabad-flower-show-2026-to-dazzle-sabarmati-riverfront-649755.html Ahmedabad Nov 21 Ahmedabadâs iconic Flower Show now renowned across India and abroad is set to return in January 2026 with an even grander edition at the Sabarmati Riverfront Organised annually by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC the event has become one of the cityâs most anticipated cultural attractionsPreparations are already underway and this yearâs theme âBharat Ek Gathaâ will showcase Indiaâs rich cultural heritage through elaborate floral installations and artistic displaysJayesh Trivedi Chairperson of AMCâs Recreation Culture and Heritage Committee said the team is working meticulously to ensure that the theme comes alive through highquality sculptures and innovative designs making the show both visually spectacular and culturally meaningfulIn keeping with the spirit of a modern and progressive India the Flower Show will also feature floral depictions of aeronautics windmills solar panels and other symbols of technological advancementFor the past two years several artworks from the event have entered the Guinness Book of World Records and AMC aims to introduce new recordworthy creations this time as wellDevang Dani Chairperson of AMCâs Standing Committee noted that the focus is on combining creativity with global recognition The showâs popularity soared further after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the exhibition last yearFor the 2026 edition more than 170 sculptures are planned each illustrating Indiaâs diverse cultural identity Having completed a decade of successful editions the Ahmedabad Flower Show has become a cherished annual tradition eagerly awaited by residents and tourists alikeIf past years are any indication the upcoming show promises yet another memorable and vibrant experience for all visitorsThe Ahmedabad Flower Show is special because it blends art culture and innovation on a spectacular scale transforming the Sabarmati Riverfront into an openair gallery of vibrant floral sculpturesKnown nationally and internationally the show features hundreds of themed installations that reflect Indiaâs heritage technological progress and contemporary creativity many of which have entered the Guinness World Records in recent years Its grand scale meticulous craftsmanship and annual unveiling of unique recordworthy designs make it a cultural highlight for the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-ahmedabad-flower-show-2026-to-dazzle-sabarmati-riverfront-649755.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/air-pollution-delhi-cm-launches-drive-to-distribute-10-000-heaters-to-rwa-watchmen-649811.html New Delhi Nov 22 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that the government is making continuous efforts to control pollution and launched a drive to distribute 10000 electric heaters to watchmen of RWAs to prevent wood or coal burning during winternbspThe participation of citizens and communities is the most important in this mission to clean the air In the same vein today a large number of RWAs are being distributed electric heaters so that the need to light bonfires in the winter season is reduced and effective control can be exercised over pollution caused by smoke she said on XTalking to reporters the Chief Minister said In Delhis ongoing battle against pollution this is another positive step by the Delhi government To reduce the pollution caused by burning wood and coal we have launched a new initiative where we will distribute 10000 heaters to RWAs through CSR supportnbspWe aim to ensure that in no block or locality do watchmen or residents burn wood or coal which contributes to pollution We hope to make all RWAs aware and motivate them to ensure that no wood or coal is burned in their areas By providing electric heaters we want to support our watchmen and offer them a cleaner alternative helping reduce pollution across Delhi she said during an event at Dilli Haat PitampuraWhile addressing representatives of RWAs CM Gupta said While open fires increase pollution electric heaters provide a safe clean and practical alternative This small step can also prove to be a major help in pollution controlnbspShe said that the government is working in mission mode on all fronts giving topmost priority to pollution controlnbspMountains of garbage are continuously decreasing cleanliness and tree plantation campaigns are ongoing without interruption road water sprinkling and mechanical sweeping have been made more effective she saidAlong with this the installation of smog towers and monitoring of pollutionspreading vehicles and industrial units are also being continuously strengthened Pollution control in Delhi is our resolve our responsibility and our priority she saidnbspThe Chief Minister also sought public participation saying The participation of all of us is the most effective means of success in this battle against pollution https://dailyworld.in/environment/air-pollution-delhi-cm-launches-drive-to-distribute-10-000-heaters-to-rwa-watchmen-649811.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/turkiye-to-host-cop31-climate-summit-after-australia-concedes-bid-649519.html New Delhi Nov 20 Turkiye has been confirmed as the host to next yearâs UN Climate Change Conference named COP31 after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the withdrawal of Canberraâs bid However Australia will take on the role as President of Conference of the Parties COP the supreme decisionmaking body of the conventionThe standoff had come down to the wire as the COP30 summit entered its final week in Brazilâs Belem prompting concerns that next yearâs event might revert to Bonn or that the uncertainty could overshadow crucial negotiations still underwayAustralian Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will be appointed as COP31 President negotiations This means that Australia will set the negotiating agenda appoint Chairs and leads and prepare the draft decision textA preCOP will be held in the Pacific and will be used as an opportunity for pledging to the Pacific Resilience Fund by world leaders and othersExperts say the hosting location matters less than outcomes for the climate Australian campaigners are now urging the Australian government to ensure that COP31 nonetheless continues the momentum that has been built at COP30 to accelerate action and transition away from fossil fuels and stop holding up progress in adaptation finance in the final few days of these current negotiationsResponding to the development Umit Sahin Senior Scholar and Head of the Climate Change Program at the Istanbul Policy Centre Turkey said âTurkish governments have never embraced climate denialism or the obstructionist rhetoric seen in the Trump era Yet Turkiye maintains close political and economic ties with major fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia and AzerbaijanâAs Turkiye presides over the negotiations these relationships warrant careful scrutiny as they could shape the impartiality ambition and integrity of conference outcomesââTurkish civil society has a remarkable ability to create adapt and claim space for itself and international partners meaning observers can expect surprisingly vibrant diverse and robust activism despite the constraintsâShiva Gounden Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said âWhile it is disappointing that Australiaâs bid for hosting the Pacific COP31 was unsuccessful the Pacificâs fight for survival does not rise or fall on a single hosting decision For us climate action has never been about prestige it is about protecting and preserving our homelands our cultures and our future with dignity and humilityâThe decision about the location of COP31 has come down to the wire said Christiana Figueres former UNFCCC executive secretary âBut the climate progress we need to see in 2026 does not depend as much on the hosting country as it does on the acceleration of the multitude of decarbonisation efforts we have seen displayed at COP30âAll countries need to remain engaged at the highest level and align their domestic efforts with the Paris Agreement targetsâSenator Steph HodginsMay Assistant Climate Spokesperson for Australian Greens said âThis is extremely disappointing but it shows that the world recognises Australiaâs significant role in making dangerous climate change worse The Prime Ministerâs words about the Pacific ring hollow while heâs ignoring the pleas from island nations to stop opening new coal and gas minesâAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said âChris Bowen Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Australia will have the COP presidency for negotiations in the leadup to the conference in Turkiye but also at the conference in TurkiyeâPart of that will be a preCOP meeting to be held in the Pacific at a location to be determined by our Pacific family friends That will enable us to invite world leaders to make sure that the issues confronting this region the very existence of island states such as Tuvalu and Kiribati the issue of our oceans all of those issues will be front and centre so its an outstanding outcomeâCOP30 is the United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Belem from November 10 to 21UN Climate Change Conferences or COPs take place every year and are the worldâs only multilateral decisionmaking forum on climate change that brings together almost every country on EarthTo put it simply the COP is where the world comes together to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis such as limiting the global temperature rise to 15 degrees Celsius helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change and achieving netzero emissions by 2050 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/turkiye-to-host-cop31-climate-summit-after-australia-concedes-bid-649519.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tremors-felt-in-bengal-after-earthquake-of-magnitude-57-hits-bangladesh-no-casualties-reported-649644.html Kolkata Nov 21 Panic struck the people in various parts of West Bengal as earthquake tremors were felt in different areas of the state both in North and South on Friday morning The magnitude of the tremor on the Richter scale was recorded at 57 in Bangladesh and the tremors were felt in West Bengal However no casualty or damage to property has been reported from anywhere in the state at the time the report was filedTremors could also be felt in different parts of the state capital of Kolkata both in the northern and southern parts of the city The districts where the earthquake tremors were felt include Nadia North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad in South Bengal and Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur in North BengalIn Kolkata the tremor was felt at around 1010 am and the tremor continued for a few seconds The people in Kolkata especially those residing in the multistorey buildings panicked following the tremor and many rushed out of the buildings to the streetsThe panic was evident among the medical staff patients and patientsâ relatives assembled at different hospitals in the city Panic is still prevailing among people over the possibilities of tremor aftershocksThe administration had issued an appeal to the people not to panicConstruction engineering experts feel that although the 57 magnitude on the Richter scale cannot be considered as severe considering the situation in Kolkata the magnitude should be treated as a serious warningThey feel that since the soil density of Kolkata is quite low the tremor of 57 magnitudes should be treated as a warning considering that soil with lower density is more susceptible to damageSecondly the construction engineering experts say that considering the high population density and high building density in Kolkata any earthquake of even slightly high magnitude can lead to severe loss of lives and damage to property in the city Buildings constructed illegally by filling up water bodies are more susceptible to damage IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tremors-felt-in-bengal-after-earthquake-of-magnitude-57-hits-bangladesh-no-casualties-reported-649644.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tremors-felt-in-ne-states-no-damage-reported-649664.html AgartalaGuwahati Nov 21 The tremors from a moderate earthquake measuring 57 on the Richter scale in adjoining Bangladesh shook several Northeastern states on Friday officials said Disaster Management officials of several Northeastern states confirmed that there were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property due to the tremorThe tremors were also felt in several parts of West Bengal and panic spread among the people However no casualty or damage to property was reported from anywhere in the state at the time the report was filedA Disaster Management official in Agartala said the earthquake struck at a depth of around 10 km with its epicentre located in Madhabdi in Bangladeshâs Narsingdi district The tremor was felt in Tripura Assam Mizoram and Meghalaya the states sharing a 1880km border with BangladeshBangladesh media quoting the United States Geological Survey USGS reported that the quake was felt in Dhaka and several other parts of the country Reports of tremors also came from Bangladeshâs Chandpur Nilphamari Sitakunda Sirajganj Narayanganj Patuakhali Bogura Barishal and Moulvibazar a leading daily reportedAs per the National Centre for Seismology NCS Fridayâs tremor was the fifth earthquake in the Northeastern region this week and the 18th during November so far Of the 18 quakes seven were recorded in Assam followed by five in Arunachal Pradesh three in Manipur and one each in Tripura Meghalaya and SikkimSeveral of the tremors were felt simultaneously across multiple Northeastern states On November 2 6 11 12 and 18 quakes shook several states particularly Assam Manipur and Arunachal PradeshAn analysis of NCS data found that more than one earthquake has struck the Northeastern region every week this month with most measuring between 3 and 4 on the Richter scaleEarthquakes are relatively common in the mountainous Northeastern region comprising eight states as it falls within one of the worldâs six most earthquakeprone zones Frequent tremors mostly mild to moderate in Assam Mizoram Manipur Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have kept authorities worried and continue to push public and private builders to adopt quakeresistant construction practices IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tremors-felt-in-ne-states-no-damage-reported-649664.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indiaundertookrapid-strides-inadvancing-clean-renewable-energy-bhupender-yadav-649434.html New Delhi Nov 20 India has taken rapid strides in advancing clean and renewable energy said Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav He was speaking at the HighLevel Ministerial Leadership Session of the International Solar Alliance Small Island Developing States ISA SIDS Platform held on the sidelines of UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem BrazilAddressing the session Yadav underlined Indias commitment to supporting SIDS in advancing clean energy pathways through ISAâToday India has crossed 500 gigawatts of installed electricity capacity and more than half of it is clean energy India has already reached 50 per cent nonfossil energy capacity five years ahead of its NDC targetâ Yadav saidâIndia is now the fourth largest renewable energy producer and third in solar power globallyâ he addedYadav shared grassroots initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Programme adopted by over 20 lakh familiesFurther âsolar for agriculture is a new dawn for our farmer communityâ the Minister saidSolar pumps and solarised feeders are making farming more reliable and more dignified by providing assured daytime solarpowered clean energy for all agricultural needsThe Minister also highlighted initiatives lighting up remote and forested areas through the PM JANMAN scheme and Indiaâs major push in energy storageâIndia is building some of the worldâs largest âsolar and batteryâ projects including a project in Ladakh that will store enough clean energy to light up an entire cityâ Yadav saidHe emphasised that for SIDS such models can help reduce diesel imports cut energy costs and improve climate resilienceThe event was organised under the theme âUniting Islands Inspiring Action â Leadership for Energy SecurityâIt emphasised that SIDS face unique vulnerabilities high dependence on imported fossil fuels climateinduced disruptions and fragile infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indiaundertookrapid-strides-inadvancing-clean-renewable-energy-bhupender-yadav-649434.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-builds-over-687-lakh-toilets-strengthens-rural-sanitation-drive-649241.html Ahmedabad Nov 18 Gujarat has constructed more than 687 lakh household toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission Rural significantly boosting sanitation coverage across the stateâs villages Due to improved waste management systemsâcovering segregation of dry and wet waste solid and liquid waste disposal and household toilet accessâover 13000 villages have now been declared ODF model villages as shared by officials on TuesdayThe stateâs efforts by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel are rooted in Mahatma Gandhiâs vision of a clean Indiaâa dream catalysed nationally when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014 Gujarat was declared Open Defecation Free on Gandhi Jayanti 2 October 2019 marking a major milestone in the stateâs sanitation journeyUnder rural development minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and Minister of State Sanjaysinh Mahida Gujarat is implementing PhaseII of the mission with a strong focus on solid and liquid waste management through individual soak pits community compost pits segregation sheds plastic waste handling and doortodoor waste collectionThe Gobardhan project is also helping convert biodegradable waste into energy promoting cleaner villages and new livelihood opportunities for womenâs selfhelp groups Citizens have shown high awareness and participation supported by transparent delivery of the Rs 12000 incentive for individual toilets The government continues to dispel outdated practices and myths around sanitation encouraging families to adopt hygienic practicesTo avail the benefits applicants must apply through their Gram Panchayat office or online portals after which field verification is conducted Once the toilet is constructed beneficiaries receive the financial support As global attention turns to sanitation on World Toilet Day 19 November this year observed with the theme âSanitation in a Changing Worldâ Gujaratâs rural sanitation success stands out as a model of public participation health protection and environmental responsibilityWith strong public participation and transparent disbursal of incentives such as the Rs 12000 individual toilet support Gujarat has strengthened hygiene awareness reduced open defecation and improved health outcomes across villages positioning itself as a leading model for rural sanitation in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-builds-over-687-lakh-toilets-strengthens-rural-sanitation-drive-649241.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-receives-water-conservation-public-participation-award-for-third-time-649250.html Jaipur Nov 18 Rajasthan has once again been recognised nationally for its exemplary efforts in water management and communitydriven conservation The state has been awarded the âWater Conservation Public Participation Awardâ for the third time securing third place among the bestperforming states in the countryThe award was presented at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi on TuesdayPresident Droupadi Murmu Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil Minister of State V Somanna and Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary jointly conferred the honourAdditional Secretary and Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department Bhuvan Bhaskar received the award on behalf of the stateBarmer district earned the first rank at the national level under the âJal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 10â category for its outstanding contributions to water conservationAlong with Barmer eight other districtsâBhilwara Jaipur Udaipur Alwar Baran Dungarpur Chittorgarh and Sikarâwere also felicitated in various categories for their dedication to building a watersecure IndiaCongratulating the state Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said Rajasthan is moving ahead with strong resolve toward water conservation and water harvestingHe highlighted that unprecedented progress has been made through extensive public participation under the Vande Ganga Jal SanrakshanâJan Abhiyan and the Karmabhoomi to Matribhoomi Abhiyan resulting in significant achievements in water storage and groundwater recharge across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-receives-water-conservation-public-participation-award-for-third-time-649250.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-rolls-out-insurance-cover-for-crop-loss-due-to-wild-animals-paddy-inundation-to-help-farmers-649287.html New Delhi Nov 18 In a major benefit to farmers the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced new modalities for covering crop loss due to wild animal attacks and paddy inundation in floodprone areas under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY according to an official statement issued on Tuesday Under the revised framework crop loss due to wild animal attacks will now be recognised as the fifth addon cover under the Localised Risk categoryStates will notify the list of wild animals responsible for crop damage and identify vulnerable districts or insurance units based on historical dataFarmers will be required to report losses within 72 hours using the Crop Insurance App by uploading geotagged photographs the statement saidThe decisions have been taken in response to longstanding requests from several States and are aimed at strengthening protection for farmers against sudden localised and severe crop damageThe modalities have been prepared in accordance with the PMFBY Operational Guidelines ensuring a scientific transparent and operationally feasible framework for implementation nationwide and will be rolled out from Kharif 2026 the statement saidFor years farmers across India have suffered increasing crop losses due to attacks by wild animals like elephants wild boars nilgai deer and monkeys These incidents are common in regions situated near forests wildlife corridors and hilly terrains Until now such losses often went uncompensated as they were not covered under crop insuranceAt the same time paddy farmers in floodprone and coastal States have been repeatedly affected by inundation during heavy rains and overflowing waterwaysPaddy inundation was removed from the localised calamity category in 2018 due to concerns about moral hazard and the difficulty of assessing submerged crops However its exclusion led to a significant gap in protection for farmers in districts prone to seasonal floodingTaking note of these emerging risks and challenges the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare constituted an expert committeeThe recommendations of the committee have now been approved by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh ChouhanWith this important decision farmers suffering localised crop damage will now receive timely and technologybased claim settlement under PMFBY the statement saidThis coverage is expected to significantly benefit farmers in States with high humanâwildlife conflict including Odisha Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Karnataka Kerala Tamil Nadu Uttarakhand as well as the Himalayan and NorthEastern States such as Assam Meghalaya Manipur Mizoram Tripura Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh where incidents of wild animal depredation are frequent and widespreadReintroducing Paddy Inundation as a Localised Calamity Cover under PMFBY will especially benefit farmers in coastal and floodprone States including Odisha Assam West Bengal Tamil Nadu Kerala Karnataka Maharashtra and Uttarakhand where paddy submergence is a recurring challengeTogether with the inclusion of Wild Animal Attack these additions make PMFBY more inclusive responsive and farmerfriendly further strengthening the resilience of Indiaâs crop insurance system the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-rolls-out-insurance-cover-for-crop-loss-due-to-wild-animals-paddy-inundation-to-help-farmers-649287.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relief-from-toxic-air-in-delhi-ncr-aqi-crosses-400-in-greater-noida-and-ghaziabad-649166.html Noida Nov 18 Air pollution in the DelhiNCR continues to remain at dangerous levels According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB and the Meteorological Department the Air Quality Index AQI in most cities in the national capital region has crossed 400 on Tuesday placing them in the âsevereâ category Air quality in this range is extremely harmful not only for people suffering from asthma heart conditions and lung diseases but also poses serious health risks to otherwise healthy individualsThe situation in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida is steadily worsening Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 430 making it one of the most polluted cities in the regionSeveral monitoring stations in Ghaziabad reported AQI levels between 404 and 438 the worst readings this season Noida and Delhi are also witnessing severe pollution In Noida areas such as Sector 125 Sector 1 and Sector 116 recorded AQI levels ranging from 324 to 402In Delhi localities including Anand Vihar Bawana Chandni Chowk and Alipur reported pollution levels between 350 and 426 making breathing increasingly difficult for those with health conditionsWhile it was hoped that a change in weather conditions would offer some relief the latest report from the India Meteorological Department IMD indicated that no major changes are expected in the coming days There are no signs of increased wind speed nor is rainfall likelyOver the next week the maximum temperature is likely to remain around 26 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 11 degrees Celsius with fog predicted on most days Experts said that cold and stable winds trap pollutants close to the ground while fog increases their density potentially pushing AQI levels even higherHealth experts have urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities wear masks take special care of children and the elderly and avoid morning and evening walks when pollution is at its peak Meanwhile pressure is mounting on government agencies and local authorities to implement stronger measures to curb the worsening air pollution crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-relief-from-toxic-air-in-delhi-ncr-aqi-crosses-400-in-greater-noida-and-ghaziabad-649166.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-records-seasons-coldest-spell-pilani-at-49-and-nagaur-at-56-degrees-celsius-649104.html Jaipur Nov 17 Cold northerly winds sweeping into Rajasthan have intensified the winter chill pulling minimum temperatures into single digits across most districts and marking the seasonâs coldest spell so far Pilani recorded the lowest minimum temperature in eastern Rajasthan at 49 degrees Celsius while Nagaur was the coldest in western Rajasthan at 56 degrees Celsius Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu Jodhpur Chittorgarh and Udaipur also remained among the worst affected by the cold waveIn Jodhpur the minimum temperature dipped to 10 degrees Celsius Chittorgarh reported 82 degrees Celsius while Udaipur recorded 85 degrees Several districts including Jodhpur Chittorgarh Udaipur and Nagaur experienced their coldest night of the season Jaipur recorded a minimum of 12 degrees CelsiusOther minimum temperatures were Ajmer 98 degrees C Bhilwara 86 degrees C Vanasthali Tonk 79 degrees C Alwar 8 degrees C Churu 8 degrees C Jalore 74 degrees C Karauli 76 degrees C Dausa 68 degrees C Barmer 141 degrees C Jaisalmer 125 degrees C Kota 106 degrees C Bikaner and Ganganagar 112 degrees C and Jhunjhunu 91 degrees CelsiusDay temperatures also dipped across the state Barmer recorded 316 degrees C Bikaner 313 degrees C Churu 294 degrees C Jaipur 28 degrees C Jaisalmer 30 degrees C Jodhpur 298 degrees C Kota 269 degrees C and Ajmer 281 degrees C Sirohi was the coldest during the day with a maximum of 226 degrees CelsiusThe Jaipur Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow alert for Sikar Jhunjhunu Churu and Nagaur for Monday and for Sikar again on TuesdayOfficials said the state is likely to remain dry throughout the week with no immediate relief expected as cold northerly winds persistOn Sunday a cold wave gripped Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu Shekhawati region and parts of Nagaur Jodhpur Ajmer Chittorgarh and Udaipur making mornings and evenings particularly harsh Although sunlight brought brief daytime relief temperatures dropped sharply again toward the evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-records-seasons-coldest-spell-pilani-at-49-and-nagaur-at-56-degrees-celsius-649104.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hear-pil-on-controlling-air-pollution-today-648983.html New Delhi Nov 17 The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing on Monday the public interest litigation PIL concerning alarming air pollution levels in the national capital and the adjoining areas The hearing assumes significance as stubble burning and stagnant weather conditions continue to push DelhiNCRs air quality into the severe categoryAs per the cause list uploaded on the Apex Courts website a Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria will take up the matter for further hearing on November 17In the previous hearing on November 12 the CJI Gavailed Bench had expressed concern over the deteriorating air quality despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP and had directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to file detailed affidavits outlining the steps taken to curb stubble burningThe Top Court took note of submissions which highlighted that AQI has crossed 450 at several locations in DelhiNCRSenior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan had pointed out that even routine construction activities including drilling work outside the Supreme Courts own premises were continuing despite hazardous conditionsAt least for a few days such activities should stop Sankaranarayanan told the Apex CourtSenior advocate Aparajita Singh the amicus curiae assisting the Supreme Court had also flagged discrepancies in official pollution data and warned that the situation had become very dangerousThe CJI Gavailed Bench which has been monitoring the issue closely had earlier called for a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM on its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and had even asked the Centre to consider strict penalties including arrests to deter farmers from burning crop residueRecently Apex Court judge Justice P S Narasimha urged advocates to avoid physical appearances in Supreme Court proceedings and instead opt for virtual hearings warning that Delhis toxic air could cause permanent damageSituation is very very serious Why are you all appearing here Justice Narasimha remarkedWe have the virtual hearing facility Please avail it This pollution will cause permanent damage he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hear-pil-on-controlling-air-pollution-today-648983.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/orange-alert-for-7-tn-districts-as-low-pressure-system-strengthens-in-bay-of-bengal-648991.html Chennai Nov 17 A lowpressure area that formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lankan coast has intensified It is expected to move towards Tamil Nadu prompting the India Meteorological Department IMD Chennai to issue an Orange Alert for seven districts warning of extremely heavy rainfall on Monday According to the IMD the system which developed on Sunday morning continues to persist in the same region Weather models indicate that it is likely to move westnorthwestwards over the next 24 hours bringing significant rainfall activity to several parts of Tamil NaduIn the 24 hours ending Monday morning the highest rainfall was recorded in Thirparappu in Kanyakumari district at 6 cm This was followed by 4 cm in Sembanarkoil Mayiladuthurai district and 3 cm in Parangipettai Cuddalore districtWith the system gradually strengthening the IMD has forecast moderate thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall for many coastal and interior districts todayOn Tuesday the southern and northern districts are likely to receive similar weather accompanied by thunder and lightningSeven districts Chennai Chengalpattu Tiruvallur Kancheepuram Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur and the Karaikal region have been placed under Orange Alert for the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall on MondayResidents in these districts are advised to stay cautious avoid waterlogged areas and follow advisories issued by local authoritiesMeanwhile Cuddalore Villupuram Thanjavur Pudukkottai Ramanathapuram Thoothukudi Tirunelveli Kanyakumari and the Union Territory of Puducherry are expected to experience heavy rainfall today For Tuesday the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in the southern districts of Kanyakumari Tirunelveli Thoothukudi Ramanathapuram Sivaganga Virudhunagar Tenkasi and TheniChennai and its suburbs are likely to see overcast skies throughout the day Some areas may receive heavy to very heavy spells of rainThe city corporation has put its field teams on alert to tackle potential waterlogging while residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during peak showersWith the northeast monsoon active and atmospheric conditions favouring heavy precipitation the IMD continues to monitor the system closely Authorities have urged the public to stay updated through official weather bulletins and take necessary precautions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/orange-alert-for-7-tn-districts-as-low-pressure-system-strengthens-in-bay-of-bengal-648991.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-govt-launches-major-mangrove-push-to-restore-ennore-creek-648992.html Chennai Nov 17 Chennaiâs Ennore Creek once severely impacted by industrial pollution and an oil spill is showing early signs of ecological renewal as a largescale mangrove restoration programme gets underway The Forest Department has begun planting 20000 mangrove saplings across the estuary using the innovative âfishboneâ restoration model marking one of the most significant revival efforts in recent yearsThe ongoing initiative covers 15 hectares including four hectares developed under the fishbone technique This method involves carving narrow tidal channels that allow seawater to flow naturally into the restoration zone during high tidesThe improved water circulation creates favourable conditions for mangrove growth by ensuring stable salinity and moisture levelsThis yearâs efforts follow the departmentâs extensive plantation drive last season during which 18 lakh mangrove saplings of key species were introducedBuilding on that success the biodiversity mix has been expanded to include additional species aimed at improving ecological resilience and strengthening the habitatThe creekâs perennial water availability is expected to support strong survival rates for the young saplings More than one lakh additional mangrove saplings are currently being raised and will be planted by January reinforcing the longterm restoration strategyTo make space for new plantations and facilitate natural regeneration nearly 250 hectares of invasive Prosopis juliflora have been cleared from the creek areaThe removal of this aggressive species has opened up crucial habitat that had previously been choked by dense waterconsuming growth A central nursery established in Kattuppalli village has produced over one lakh saplings for the current planting season These saplings form the core of the departmentâs efforts to revive the creekâs ecological balanceThe restoration process is expected to take at least two years for the saplings to establish As the mangroves mature the restored habitat will gradually support the settlement of algae and zooplankton which will attract fish and prawn speciesThis ecological recovery is expected to benefit local fishing communities by improving catch potential and livelihood opportunitiesThe restored mangrove landscape will also create new feeding nesting and roosting habitats for both resident and migratory birds transforming Ennore Creek into a vibrant coastal ecosystem once again IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-govt-launches-major-mangrove-push-to-restore-ennore-creek-648992.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-farmers-reject-ktaka-dy-cms-assurance-on-mekedatu-dam-urge-cm-stalin-to-ensure-daily-cauvery-release-648993.html Chennai Nov 17 Farmersâ organisations in Tamil Nadu have firmly dismissed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumarâs recent claim that the Mekedatu dam project will not affect their stateâs share of Cauvery water They argue that Karnataka has repeatedly failed to honour the monthly water releases mandated by the Supreme Court and have urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to push for a daily water release mechanism to safeguard the stateâs irrigation needsThe concerns gained momentum after the Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Naduâs petition challenging the Mekedatu project Following the verdict Shivakumar reiterated that the dam would not obstruct the flow of water to Tamil Nadu and that Karnataka intended to move forward with constructionHe also maintained that the proposed balancing reservoir would ensure water supply during periods of scarcityFarmers in Tamil Nadu however view the situation differently They point out that the state has struggled to receive even the minimum monthly quota fixed by the apex courtWith the agricultural season already underway farmers maintain that the current pattern of irregular and delayed releases from Karnataka adversely affects crop planning and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on Cauvery irrigationAccording to farmersâ associations Tamil Nadu was entitled to receive 919 TMC of water for June and 3124 TMC for July under the Supreme Courtâs directives Yet the flow during these months has been far below the stipulated levelsFarmers argue that this chronic shortfall demonstrates Karnatakaâs unwillingness to meet its obligations casting doubt on assurances linked to the Mekedatu project They believe the Tamil Nadu government must adopt a more assertive approach urging the neighbouring state to comply strictly with the Courtâs ordersThe view among farmersâ groups is that monthly release schedules have proven ineffective and that only a structured daily allotment can ensure consistent availability of water for irrigation They also emphasise that Karnataka has a track record of releasing water only when its reservoirs are filled during monsoon periods leaving Tamil Nadu vulnerable during dry spellsWith Samba cultivation progressing across the delta region farmers warn that any further delay or reduction in water supply could lead to significant agricultural losses In this context farmers have appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin to initiate strong sustained negotiations with Karnataka to secure uninterrupted daily release of Cauvery water and prevent a deepening crisis in TNâs irrigated farmlands IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-farmers-reject-ktaka-dy-cms-assurance-on-mekedatu-dam-urge-cm-stalin-to-ensure-daily-cauvery-release-648993.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/after-rain-alert-aiadmk-defers-todays-protest-against-dmks-sir-misconduct-to-nov-20-648996.html Chennai Nov 17 The AIADMK has postponed its planned protest near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore following a heavy rain alert issued by the Chennai Meteorological Department The demonstration originally scheduled for Monday was organised to condemn what the party alleges are serious irregularities committed by ruling DMK functionaries during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR of the electoral rollsIn a statement the AIADMK said the protest was intended to highlight mounting complaints from various parts of the city about the conduct of DMK cadre during the voter verification processAccording to the party several of its local units have reported that DMK members have been interfering with the verification work by influencing officials creating obstacles for genuine voters and attempting to manipulate the inclusion or deletion of names in the electoral rollsThe AIADMK had planned to bring together its district secretaries area organisers and cadres to stage the protest at Rajarathinam Stadium as a public show of dissent and to urge the Election Commission to step in immediatelyThe party had also planned to demand stronger oversight across Chennaiâs Assembly constituencies to ensure that the electoral roll revision takes place in a free fair and transparent manner without political interferenceHowever with the Chennai Meteorological Department warning of the possibility of heavy rain in parts of the city due to a weather system active over the Bay of Bengal the AIADMK said it was compelled to defer the eventThe party noted that the likelihood of intense rainfall and possible disruption to public movement made it inadvisable to hold a large gatheringClarifying that the protest has only been postponed and not cancelled the AIADMK announced that the demonstration will now be held on the 20th of this month at the same venue near Rajarathinam Stadium in EgmoreParty leaders urged cadres to remain prepared for the rescheduled event and reiterated their commitment to exposing what they describe as systematic violations by DMK functionaries during the special voter roll verification exerciseAIADMK sources said they hope the Election Commission will take note of the allegations and strengthen monitoring systems to ensure that the SIR process remains transparent and free of political pressure Senior party leaders and district representatives are expected to participate in the protest on November 20 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/after-rain-alert-aiadmk-defers-todays-protest-against-dmks-sir-misconduct-to-nov-20-648996.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistan-continues-to-grapple-with-persistent-socioeconomic-and-environmental-challenges-report-648927.html Islamabad Nov 16 With a low Human Development Index HDI of 0544 ranking 168th globally and a 15thplace ranking in the Climate Risk Index 2026 Pakistan continues to face socioeconomic and environmental challenges that successive governments have struggled to address effectively a report said on Sunday These vulnerability are further exacerbated by increasingly heavy rainfall in catchment areas accelerating siltation in major dams reducing water storage capacity and increasing flood risks Rising temperatures cause heat and water stress especially in arid and semiarid regions impacting agricultural productivity Simultaneously air pollution from transport industry and agriculture causes smog that affects aviation reduces visibility and people facing respiratory illnesses Abdul Waheed Bhutto who has an extensive record of publications on renewable energy climate change mitigation and sustainable resource management and has served on numerous national and international advisory and review committees wrote in The DiplomatA report in The Diplomat said The countrys limited forest cover continues to decline while coastal ecosystems face saline water intrusion in the Indus Delta damaging mangroves fisheries and agriculture Rising sea levels and increased cyclonic activity further endanger coastal populations while escalating tensions over water sharing public health crises and climateinduced migration underscore Pakistans profound vulnerabilityThe Indus Basin is facing acute stress due to overextraction and climate change with National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA ranking it as the worldâs secondmostoverstressed aquifer in 2015 warning that continued groundwater reduction could exacerbate regional water shortage Pakistans major cities including Lahore Karachi and Islamabad continue to experience persistent and hazardous smog Economic losses caused due to extreme weather events further exacerbates crisis of PakistanAt COP27 held in Egypt in 2022 Pakistani delegation emphasised that countries most vulnerable to climate change yet least responsible for global emissions deserve economic and technical assistance as the nation was still reeling from catastrophic floods that impacted more than 33 million people and caused a loss of more than 30 billion However the high expectations that surrounded COP27 have gradually led to more cautious and pragmatic position according to a report in The DiplomatDuring COP28 in Dubai in 2023 Pakistans thenCaretaker Prime Minister AnwaarulHaq Kakar reiterated Pakistanâs commitment to maintaining its international climate commitments At COP29 in Baku in 2024 Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again called for equitable finance and adaptation support However Pakistan at COP30 in Belem this year is represented by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif a development that showcases the rising role of subnational leadership but also indicates a shift in national focusIn a report in The Diplomat Abdul Waheed Bhutto wrote The absence of the Prime Minister and other senior federal figures suggests evolving priorities and moderated expectations shaped by limited progress on key issues such as finance loss and damage and technology transfer in previous conferences Pakistan faces severe climate vulnerabilityWith a low Human Development Index HDI of 0544 ranking 168th globally and a 15thplace ranking in the Climate Risk Index 2026 the country continues to grapple with persistent socioeconomic and environmental challenges that successive governments have struggled to address effectively Despite these vulnerabilities Pakistan often arrives at global climate summits with high expectations for financial and technical support but limited national preparedness institutional capacity and implementation mechanisms to translate global commitments into tangible domestic outcomes the author added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistan-continues-to-grapple-with-persistent-socioeconomic-and-environmental-challenges-report-648927.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hear-pil-on-controlling-air-pollution-tomorrow-648928.html New Delhi Nov 16 The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing on Monday the public interest litigation PIL concerning alarming air pollution levels in the national capital and the adjoining areas The hearing assumes significance as stubble burning and stagnant weather conditions continue to push DelhiNCRs air quality into the severe categoryAs per the cause list uploaded on the Apex Courts website a Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria will take up the matter for further hearing on November 17In the previous hearing on November 12 the CJI Gavailed Bench had expressed concern over the deteriorating air quality despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP and had directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to file detailed affidavits outlining the steps taken to curb stubble burningThe Top Court took note of submissions which highlighted that AQI has crossed 450 at several locations in DelhiNCRSenior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan had pointed out that even routine construction activities including drilling work outside the Supreme Courts own premises were continuing despite hazardous conditionsAt least for a few days such activities should stop Sankaranarayanan told the Apex CourtSenior advocate Aparajita Singh the amicus curiae assisting the Supreme Court had also flagged discrepancies in official pollution data and warned that the situation had become very dangerousThe CJI Gavailed Bench which has been monitoring the issue closely had earlier called for a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM on its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and had even asked the Centre to consider strict penalties including arrests to deter farmers from burning crop residueRecently Apex Court judge Justice P S Narasimha urged advocates to avoid physical appearances in Supreme Court proceedings and instead opt for virtual hearings warning that Delhis toxic air could cause permanent damageSituation is very very serious Why are you all appearing here Justice Narasimha remarkedWe have the virtual hearing facility Please avail it This pollution will cause permanent damage he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-to-hear-pil-on-controlling-air-pollution-tomorrow-648928.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indianbiosphere-reserves-testament-to-how-culture-sustainable-development-can-coexist-648842.html New Delhi Nov 15 The biosphere reserves in India showcase how biodiversity cultural richness and sustainable development can coexist underscoring the continuing journey to balance nature and people according to a report More than being preserved wilderness the countrys landscapes âare dynamic zones where ecological stewardship is interwoven with local livelihoods scientific research and policy learningâ India Narrative reportedAs per recent data the country has 18 biosphere reserves spanning 91425 square kilometersOf these 13 reserves are recognised as part of UNESCOâs World Network of Biosphere Reserves highlighting their global significanceThe report stated that the countryâs biosphere reserves âare designed as âliving laboratoriesâ places where sustainable practices are not just theorised but actively testedâThis is visible with the doubling of the budget for biodiversity conservation Rs 10 crore in 202526Notably the countryâs biosphere reserve programme works in tandem with iconic national initiatives such as Project Tiger Project Elephant and the Green India MissionâThese integrated efforts form a policy ecosystem where species conservation ecosystem management and community development sustain and reinforce each otherâ the report saidThe efforts led to substantial gains in forest cover and qualityâ leading to the country being ranked ninth globally in total forested area and third in annual forest increaseâSuch progress is not merely statistical It signifies discernible shifts in land use improved ecosystem resiliency and enhanced prospects for local populations who depend on forest products and servicesâ the report saidBiosphere reserves also deliver other benefits such as âimprovements in ecological health stronger climate resilience in vulnerable habitats and innovative alternative livelihoods for forestdependent communitiesâFurther the countryâs biosphere reserves also offer valuable lessons for the worldâIndiaâs commitments to national and international protocols its legal framework and willingness to experiment with financial models all set benchmarks other countries can aspire toâ the report saidAmid accelerating climate change increasing population and rising economic pressures âthe real test for biosphere reserves will be their ability to remain inclusive flexible and genuinely participatoryâ it addedThe report called for integrating ecological social and economic perspectives to ensure that forests wildlife and people thrive together IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indianbiosphere-reserves-testament-to-how-culture-sustainable-development-can-coexist-648842.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pillar-work-for-park-on-tns-puzhal-lake-shore-trigger-alarm-among-residents-648746.html Chennai Nov 15 A new park being constructed along the shores of Puzhal Lake one of Chennais most crucial drinking water sources has sparked a major controversy with residents fearing that the project could weaken the reservoirs embankment and threaten nearby habitations Puzhal Lake located in Tiruvallur district supplies a significant share of Chennais potable water When the reservoir reaches full capacity excess water is released through two sluice gates fitted with shutters This surplus flows through a canal for about 11 km before reaching the Bay of Bengal near SadayankuppamFlooding is already a recurring issue in several lowlying localities around the lakeDespite this fragile hydrological setting the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority CMDA has begun construction of a public park on an 817acre stretch of land identified as a seepagewater accumulation areaThe project part of the North Chennai Development Scheme is estimated to cost Rs 1696 croreAs part of the work more than 60 concrete pillars have been erected along the Chemmanal bank directly opposite Jones Tower Residents and local activists argue that such heavy civil works so close to the reservoirs edge could compromise the strength of the embankment Their fears are not unfounded In 2023 a minor weakening of the bund in the same zone resulted in noticeable water seepage prompting the installation of a temporary concrete barrier just a few metres from the earthen embankmentLocals explain that when the lake reaches its peak seepage through the redsoil layers naturally slows down water movement thereby reducing wave impact and preventing erosion They now worry that the new pillars may disturb this natural protective mechanismPeople living in lowlying neighbourhoods fear that any further weakening of the bund could put thousands at risk Residents suggest that the park could be easily relocated to the vacant land on the opposite side of the lake near the temporary bus standConstructing anything within 200 metres of the lake is alarming There are safer alternatives one resident saidA senior official from the Chennai Regional Water Resources Department confirmed that constructing a park in a waterlogged zone requires a No Objection Certificate NOC from the Water Resources DepartmentCMDA officials believe they will obtain the NOC after completing the project the officer notedThe official added that earlier proposals recommended building the park near the sluice gates adjacent to existing concrete protection wallsHowever that plan was rejected and the current site at Chemmanal was chosenSome oversights happened earlier At this stage there is no practical way to halt the work the officer saidThe situation has raised serious concerns about environmental stability public safety and the longterm security of Chennais water infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pillar-work-for-park-on-tns-puzhal-lake-shore-trigger-alarm-among-residents-648746.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-parts-of-tamil-nadu-648754.html Chennai Nov 15 Heavy rain is expected in parts of Tamil Nadu over the next two days with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing alerts for multiple coastal and interior districts The weather office has said that showers which began in several regions on Saturday are likely to intensify particularly in the delta and northern coastal beltsIn the early morning bulletin the IMD reported that Ramanathapuram district recorded significant rainfall during the 24 hours ending Friday morningMandapam received 7 cm of rain marking the highest in the state Areas including Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district Pamban and Azhagarai Estate in the Nilgiris each saw around 5 cm of rainfallOfficials noted that these widespread showers are linked to an atmospheric circulation persisting over southern Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of BengalAccording to the forecast intermittent rain will continue across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today and tomorrow with the possibility of thunderstorms in some locationsThe IMD expects moderate rainfall to persist in several districts until November 20A heavy rain alert has been issued for Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur Thanjavur and Pudukottai districtsThese regions part of the Cauvery delta are expected to experience strong spells due to moistureladen winds from the Bay of Bengal interacting with the existing atmospheric conditionsIn addition to Sundays warning the IMD said that several districts including Tiruvallur Chennai Kancheepuram Chengalpattu Villupuram Kallakurichi Cuddalore Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur and Thanjavur may receive heavy rain in the coming daysThe Union Territories of Puducherry and Karaikal are also included in the alertMeanwhile Chennai and its surrounding areas experienced a partially cloudy sky today with the possibility of light showers in a few neighbourhoodsWhile the city has so far avoided intense spells the weather office has cautioned residents to expect increased rainfall activity by late SaturdayFishermen have been advised to closely monitor updates due to rough sea conditions expected over the southwest Bay of BengalThe IMD said detailed advisories will follow depending on the development of the weather system over the next 48 hoursAuthorities in the delta region and coastal districts have been asked to stay alert as the November rain system strengthens bringing widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-parts-of-tamil-nadu-648754.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarats-energy-dept-to-use-data-driven-forecasting-for-future-planning-648716.html Ahmedabad Nov 14 Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel launched the Urja Samvardhanam a new digital platform that marks a major technological leap for the states power sector The portal will store detailed data from all substations subdivisions and consumer categories across the state enabling realtime tracking of electricity demand and precise forecasting of future consumption trendsSpeaking at the launch Minister Patel said the initiative aligns with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patels vision of longterm technologydriven infrastructure planningThe portal will allow authorities to monitor when and where electricity is being used track outages and shutdowns and assess consumption patterns at a granular level information that will help improve customer services and ensure faster response to faultsOfficials said the system will be crucial for datadriven decisionmaking helping the department identify regions where demand is rising and plan new substations transmission lines and upgrades accordinglyIn the next phase energygeneration data will also be integrated into the platform allowing the state to strengthen power sourcing diversify energy supply and build a more robust distribution networkMeanwhile Minister Patel also inspected a series of critical power sector facilities emphasising the need to scale up automation across electricity distribution monitoring and customer service to enhance efficiency and quality of serviceThis was his first major review visit to Vadodara after taking charge of the states Energy Department in the newly formed cabinetThe Minister began his inspection at the State Load Dispatch Centre SLDC the 24Ã7 control hub that manages electricity demandâsupply balance across GujaratSenior officials including Jenu Devan Upendra Pandey Preeti Sharma and Somesh Bandopadhyay briefed him on realtime power load management price monitoring and the systems that ensure uninterrupted electricity across the stateCalling the SLDC the heart of the energy department Minister Patel reviewed its energy accounting operations and shared guidance on preparing for future sectoral challengesHe then visited the 220 kV substation at Gotri where he observed transformer operations including stepup and stepdown mechanisms crucial for stable power distributionMinister Patel urged officials to strengthen engineering processes to improve service reliability IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarats-energy-dept-to-use-data-driven-forecasting-for-future-planning-648716.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/padma-shri-environmentalist-saalumarada-thimmakka-passes-away-at-114-648532.html Bengaluru Nov 14 Renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka passed away at the age of 114 on Friday She was undergoing treatment for respiratory complications at a private hospital in Jayanagar in Bengaluru where she passed away at noon after her condition worsened Born on June 30 1911 in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district Thimmakka was married to Chikkayya in Hulikal village The couple had no children which led her to plant and nurture banyan saplings along the roadside caring for them as her own children This earned her the affectionate title âSaalumarada row of trees ThimmakkaDespite being illiterate she became an international symbol of environmental conservationOver the years she received numerous honours including the Rajyotsava Award Vishalakshi Award Nadoja Award 2010 and the prestigious Padma Shri 2019In 2020 the Central University of Karnataka conferred upon her an honorary doctoratePolitical leaders environmentalists and public figures across the country have expressed deep condolences over her demiseKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled the death and stated I am saddened to hear the news of the passing of Vrikshamate Saalumarada Thimmakka Having planted thousands of trees and nurtured them like her own children Thimmakka dedicated most of her life to environmental conservationThough she has left us today her love for nature has made her immortal My respects to the great soul who has departed he statedWith the demise of Saalumarada Thimmakka the nation has become poorer I pray that her soul attains eternal peace My condolences to her family he statedThe Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka stated I am saddened to hear the news of the passing of Vrkshamate Dr Salumara Thimmakka our proud Padma Shri awardee who planted banyan saplings along the roadside and proclaimed âTrees are my childrenâMay Thimmakkaâs soul rest in eternal peace Let us pay tribute to her by following her example of environmental serviceâprotecting and nurturing the environment around us he statedBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra expressed deep condolences over the passing of âVrkshamateâ Salumarada Thimmakka Born in Gubbi Taluk of Tumakuru district she became widely known as âVrkshamate Mother of Trees She later married Chikkayya of Magadi Taluk She loved trees and plants as her own children Thimmakka was honoured with the National Citizensâ Award the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award the Padma Shri Award as well as the Rajyotsava Award and the Nadoja Award IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/padma-shri-environmentalist-saalumarada-thimmakka-passes-away-at-114-648532.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-seeks-detailed-affidavit-from-hp-govt-on-solid-waste-management-in-kullu-648681.html New Delhi Nov 14 The National Green Tribunal NGT has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to file a detailed affidavit on the steps taken for management and disposal of solid waste in Kullu district A Bench of Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad was hearing a suo motu case registered on the basis of a news article published on May 30 following viral visuals that showed the popular hill station littered with garbage In its order the NGT noted that although the Himachal Pradesh High Court has already taken cognisance of the issue the green tribunalâs proceedings had reached an advanced stage and both forums could exercise jurisdiction concurrently Any conflict of order can be avoided by clarifying that in case of conflict the order passed by the Honâble High Court shall prevail the Justice Tyagiled Bench said Taking note of the magnitude of the problem and the requirements under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 the NGT asked the Kullu administration to make further appropriate alternative arrangements for solid waste disposal in consultation with the District Environment Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner The tribunal also impleaded the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh as respondent no 6 and the Principal Secretaries of the Urban Development and Rural Development Departments as respondents no 7 and 8 respectively in the matter Observing that the Environment Protection Act 1986 had been amended through the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Act 2023 the NGT said that the amended provisions also empowered authorities to impose penalties on both government departments The Chief Secretary Government of Himachal Pradesh is directed to issue appropriate instructions to the Adjudicating Officer for taking suo motu cognisance of contraventions and impose penalties on concerned government departmentsofficers as well as private violators it ordered The Chief Secretary has been directed to file an affidavit either personally or through a duly authorised officer within two months outlining specific measures taken for compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 in Kullu district The matter will be heard next on January 16 next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-seeks-detailed-affidavit-from-hp-govt-on-solid-waste-management-in-kullu-648681.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mercury-continues-free-fall-in-kashmir-srinagar-coldest-at-minus-21-degrees-648317.html Srinagar Nov 12 Temperature across Kashmir Valley continued to drop further on Thursday as Srinagar city recorded its coldest night at minus 21 degrees Celsius Pahalgam hill station recorded minus 38 degrees and Gulmarg had 05 minimum temperatureThe Meteorological MeT Department officials said that the minimum temperature is expected to drop further in the coming days in the ValleyâAs expected the minimum temperature dropped to minus 21 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today which is the lowest this season so far The night temperature is likely to drop further in the coming daysâ the MeT officials saidThe weather department has forecast generally dry weather from November 13 to November 15 generally cloudy weather towards the afternoon on November 16 and then dry weather between November 17 to November 19Jammu city recorded 102 Katra town 95 Batote 29 and Bhaderwah one degree as the minimum temperatureDue to the present cold wave in the Valley people have started wearing woollens including the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ An earthen pot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ is kept under the âPheranâ to ward off cold during the winter monthsPeople with a history of chest ailments elders and children have been cautioned by local doctors not to expose themselves for longer periods as cold air inhaled by people with lower immunity causes chestrelated diseasesThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely depending upon the severity of winter cold Drinking water taps also freeze during the Chillai Kalan and locals have to battle with small fires lit around the water taps to defreeze them During extreme winter cold even the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius in the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mercury-continues-free-fall-in-kashmir-srinagar-coldest-at-minus-21-degrees-648317.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/high-dependency-on-private-vehicles-in-chandigarh-highlights-need-for-clean-mobility-alternatives-experts-648247.html Chandigarh Nov 12 High dependency on private vehicles in Chandigarh the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana underscores the need for robust public transportation and clean mobility alternatives to prevent the escalation of emissions congestion and energy demand This fact came to light at the roundtable of the Council on Energy Environment and Water CEEW held on Wednesday here on How can Indian cities achieve sustainable and inclusive mobility through shared transport like buses and autos It was CEEWs workshop series âFuture of Our CitiesâCEEW researchers recommended the expansion of the bus fleet the electrification of intermediate public transport IPTs autorickshaws and Vikrams and promoting gender inclusion to ensure sustainable mobility in citiesIndiaâs Electric Vehicle EV transition is gaining momentum with over 1 million EV units sold in 202425This growth has been driven by a combination of national policies like FAME I and II statelevel EV policies and growing consumer confidenceThe electric threewheeler e3W segment in particular has seen the fastest growthPunjab has a powerful local success story in Amritsars Rejuvenation of Auto Rickshaws in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention RAAHI projectThis initiative successfully tackled key barriers to EV adoption by offering a Rs 1315 lakh upfront subsidy to switch from diesel to electric threewheelers eautos facilitated access to formal bank loans moving drivers away from predatory informal lending and conducted information campaigns and vehicle demonstrations to build driver confidence in eauto performance and economic benefitsThis project has already transitioned 1200 old diesel vehicles to new electric vehicles resulting in improved driver livelihoods and significant annual reductions in emissionsRecognising that women comprise less than 1 per cent of Indias transport workforce the project implemented targeted solutions including a 90 per cent subsidy for women drivers formation of SelfHelp Groups SHGs in collaboration with NULM and support for obtaining drivers licencesThis effort has successfully brought 200 women into the eauto ecosystem in Amritsar IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/high-dependency-on-private-vehicles-in-chandigarh-highlights-need-for-clean-mobility-alternatives-experts-648247.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-four-southern-tn-districts-thunderstorms-in-isolated-areas-648160.html Chennai Nov 12 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in isolated places across four southern districts of Tamil Nadu Tirunelveli Ramanathapuram Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari on Wednesday The department attributed the weather activity to a trough of low pressure persisting over the southeast Arabian Sea According to the latest bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai the presence of the atmospheric disturbance is expected to bring widespread showers over the southern coastal belt particularly in the hilly regions of Tirunelveli districtThe IMD cautioned that certain areas in the Western Ghats region of Tirunelveli may experience intense spells accompanied by lightning and gusty winds during the evening hoursâThe trough of low pressure over the southeast Arabian Sea is continuing to influence the southern parts of the State Due to this one or two places in Tirunelveli Ramanathapuram Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall todayâ the RMC statement saidMeanwhile the sky in Chennai is expected to remain partly cloudy with chances of light to moderate rain or thundershowers in a few areas during the late afternoon or nightThe maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is expected to hover near 26 degrees the department addedUnlike the previous week no warning has been issued for fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coast or adjoining sea areas as wind conditions are expected to remain moderate and the sea will be generally calm However fishermen have been advised to stay alert to updated forecasts in the coming days as atmospheric conditions could change over the Bay of BengalThe IMD also noted that the prevailing easterly wind pattern is likely to bring occasional light showers to other southern and interior districts through midweekOfficials urged residents in lowlying regions to remain cautious as isolated heavy downpours could lead to waterlogging in vulnerable areasWith the northeast monsoon active across Tamil Nadu weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled in southern districts over the next few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-four-southern-tn-districts-thunderstorms-in-isolated-areas-648160.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-sweeps-kashmir-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-16-648172.html Srinagar Nov 12 Jammu and Kashmirâs Srinagar city witnessed the coldest night of the season on Wednesday as the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius while the Pahalgam hill station recorded minus 38 The Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city on WednesdayâAs expected the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today which is the lowest this season so far The night temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days Pahalgam recorded minus 38 while Gulmarg recorded minus 1 today as the minimum temperatureâ the MeT officials saidJammu city recorded 10 degrees Katra town 9 Batote 45 and Bhaderwah 12 as the minimum temperatureDue to the present cold wave in the Valley people have started wearing woollens including the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ An earthen pot woven in a willow wicker basket filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ is kept under the âPheranâ to ward off cold during the winter monthsPeople with a history of chest ailments elders and children have been cautioned by local doctors not to expose themselves for longer periods of cold as the air inhaled by people with lower immunity causes chestrelated diseasesThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30 During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely depending upon the severity of winter coldDrinking water taps also freeze during the Chillai Kalan and locals have to battle with small fires lit around the water taps to defreeze them Roads become slippery and pedestrians and motorists have to negotiate pedestrian malls and roads with caution to avoid accidentsDuring extreme winter cold even the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius in the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cold-wave-sweeps-kashmir-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-16-648172.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tns-tirunelveli-tenkasi-kanyakumari-647955.html Chennai Nov 11 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall at one or two places in Tirunelveli Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday The weather department also indicated that parts of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts are likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday November 12In its latest weather bulletin the RMC said that isolated parts of southern Tamil Nadu could receive spells of intense showers accompanied by thunder and lightning due to moistureladen winds from the southwest interacting with local heat conditionsThe activity is expected to continue over the next 48 hours especially in the coastal belt and adjoining hilly regionsMeanwhile Chennai is expected to witness partly cloudy skies throughout the day The weather office said that light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely in some areas of the city particularly during evening and night hoursThe sky condition in Chennai will remain partly cloudy Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning may occur in a few localities the RMC bulletin notedAccording to the forecast the maximum temperature in Chennai is likely to hover around 32 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature will range between 25 degrees and 26 degreesCoastal humidity levels are expected to remain on the higher side providing a warm and sticky feel during daytime hours The department also advised the public and local administrations in southern districts to stay alert for sudden spells of heavy rain and to avoid waterlogged or lowlying areasFarmers and fishermen have been urged to monitor updates from the meteorological department closely before venturing into agricultural activities or seabound operationsWeather officials said that with the northeast monsoon continuing to remain active intermittent rains are expected in several parts of Tamil Nadu through the week bringing relief to dry areas but also posing a risk of localised flooding in a few regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tns-tirunelveli-tenkasi-kanyakumari-647955.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampks-srinagar-regards-coldest-night-of-season-at-minus-04-degrees-647961.html Srinagar Nov 11 Cold wave conditions continued in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday as the minimum temperature fell down further to minus 04 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city recording the coldest night of the season so far The Meteorological MeT Department officials said As expected the minimum temperature dropped further in the Valley today as Srinagar city recorded its coldest night of this season so far at minus 04 degrees Celsius Minimum temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days as we are expecting cold dry weather to continue during the next 15 daysThe famous tourist spot Gulmarg also recorded minus 04 degrees while Pahalgam recorded minus 34 degrees as a minimum temperatureJammu city recorded 114 degrees Mata Vaishno Devi base camp town Katra 104 Batote 43 and Bhaderwah 19 as the minimum temperature a MeT department official saidClear night sky combined with chilly winds blowing into the Valley from snowclad mountain tops has resulted in the present cold wave conditions in the Valley although the traditional harsh cold starts with the 40daylong period of bitter weather called the Chillai KalanEach year Chillai Kalan starts on December 21 and ends on January 30During the 40daylong period of harsh winter cold locals face many hardships like freezing of drinking water taps slippery roads and morning fog that makes movement difficult for pedestrians and motoristsAs schools throughout the valley dont have adequate heating facilities educational institutions go into the winter recess by the end of December and resume functioning by the middle or towards the end of February depending on snowfall and temperatureDoctors have advised people especially elders and children not to expose themselves to cold for long periods Renowned local Pulmonologist Dr Naveed Nazir Shah has said that it is essential for people of older age and children to avoid inhaling cold air for longer periods as this causes lung issues that lead to chest infections and breathing problems IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampks-srinagar-regards-coldest-night-of-season-at-minus-04-degrees-647961.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/human-wildlife-conflict-karnataka-cm-asks-officials-to-find-long-term-solutions-648041.html Mysuru Karnataka Nov 11 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to devise longterm solutions to the growing humanwildlife conflict in the state Speaking to the media after the meeting held at his native Mysuru on Tuesday the CM made several key points There was a serious discussion on the mantiger conflict I asked officials to scientifically analyze why tigers and elephants stray out of forests and to find longterm solutions said CM SiddaramaiahHe instructed that waterholes in forests be filled lantana weeds removed and fodder cultivated inside forests to prevent animals from moving towards human settlementsA separate meeting will be convened soon to address this issue comprehensively Ive told officials to come prepared with data and scientific solutions CM Siddaramaiah addedA helpline has already been launched and a command centre is being established CM Siddaramaiah saidThe CM also questioned why out of 7000 applications under the Forest Rights Act a whopping 5900 were rejected and was told that rejected applications were being reviewed again for lack of clear reasoningHe instructed departments to ensure proper drinking water and electricity for tribal hamlets and to act with humanity and conscience towards forest dwellersCM Siddaramaiah warned If any human deaths occur due to officials negligence or lack of coordination strict action will be takenHe further stated that it is ordered that each hostel under the Social Welfare Department be assigned a nodal officer to monitor food quality educational atmosphere and building safety under district and taluklevel supervisionIn HD Kote taluk electricity connections have been provided to 16 tribal hamlets but supply remains irregular Issues such as drinking water housing Anganwadi centres ration distribution and marketing of forest produce were discussed extensively and CM Siddaramaiah urged forest officials to act with empathyCM Siddaramaiah cautioned Arrogance by forest officers is unacceptable Dont behave like people with blindfolds Show some compassion and humanitySeparate meetings will also be held with the Food Minority Backward Classes and Social Welfare Departments to review hostel and food quality Anyone failing to comply will face strict disciplinary action he warnedCM Siddaramaiah instructed officials to issue caste and income certificates promptly without delaysThere are 673050 beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme in Mysuru district and 100 per cent payment has been completed as of the end of July CM Siddaramaiah saidThe districts education index drop from 7th to 14th place has prompted an action plan by officials to improve performance The results must improve next time Otherwise DDPI and BEOs will be held accountable the CM warnedEven though free milk meals uniforms shoes bananas and scholarships are being provided school enrollment has fallen by 25 per cent compared to last year Teachers quality must improve and enrollment should rise he directedCM Siddaramaiah concluded Health and education are my top priorities Mysuru will receive all necessary support and funding but there must be no drop in performance or efficiency I take this very seriously and you must too IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/human-wildlife-conflict-karnataka-cm-asks-officials-to-find-long-term-solutions-648041.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-pollution-control-board-summons-14-brands-for-plastic-waste-648126.html Chandigarh Nov 11 In a decisive step towards strengthening onground compliance the Punjab Pollution Control Board PPCB on Tuesday summoned 14 leading brands identified as major contributors of hardtorecycle plastic waste The board directed them to present clear and timebound strategies that incentivise consumers to return postuse plastic packagingNo company will be allowed to pollute Punjab We will fix accountability and clean up all our cities PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta saidThis move germinated from a plastic waste brand audit conducted by the board which is a firstever exercise in IndiaThe PPCB carried out the Plastic Waste Brand Audit 2025 in six cities Amritsar Bathinda Jalandhar Ludhiana Mohali and PatialaThe study checked plastic waste collected from different areas in these cities to find out which companies produce the most plastic wasteOut of 6991 kg of total municipal waste across diverse socioeconomic profiles studied 613 kg was found to be plasticThe results show that 88 per cent of this plastic waste is hardtorecycleThe board found 11810 plastic packets were found across the six citiesHowever just 14 major national and multinational brands were responsible for about 59 per cent of the hardtorecycle wasteThe board said these findings highlight the urgent need for strict action under the Extended Producer Responsibility EPR rules which require companies to take responsibility for the waste created by their productsThe board noted that some companies and brand owners are meeting EPR targets only on paper by using unverifiable certificates or shifting responsibility to other statesProducers of plastic waste must shift to real verifiable and fully auditable collection and processing of the plastic waste they generate and this work must happen within Punjab itself not on paper or in other statesThe board says it will continue to enhance monitoring enforcement and industry collaboration to move Punjab toward a cleaner circular and plasticresponsible future IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-pollution-control-board-summons-14-brands-for-plastic-waste-648126.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sustainable-cooling-can-slash-emissions-save-trillions-of-dollars-says-un-report-648143.html Belem Nov 11 Amid rising heatwaves and surging cooling demand adopting sustainable cooling with a strong focus on passive techniques lowenergy and hybrid cooling that combines fans and air conditioners which consume little or no power could cut greenhouse gas emissions save trillions of dollars and expand lifesaving cooling access to those who need it a new UN Environment Programme UNEP report said on Tuesday Global Cooling Watch 2025 launched at COP30 in Belem in Brazil finds that cooling demand could more than triple by 2050 under business as usual driven by increases in population and wealth more extreme heat events and lowincome households increasingly gaining access to more polluting and inefficient coolingThis would almost double coolingrelated greenhouse gas emissions over 2022 levels pushing cooling emissions to an estimated 72 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2050 despite efforts to improve energy efficiency phase down climatewarming refrigerants and overwhelm power grids during peak load The report suggests adopting a Sustainable Cooling Pathway which could reduce emissions to 64 per cent 26 billion tons of CO2 emissions below the levels expected in 2050 When combined with rapid decarbonisation of the global power sector residual cooling emissions could fall to 97 per cent below businessasusual levels As deadly heat waves become more regular and extreme access to cooling must be treated as essential infrastructure alongside water energy and sanitation said Inger Andersen Executive Director of UNEP But we cannot air condition our way out of the heat crisis which would drive greenhouse gas emissions higher and raise costs Passive energy efficient and naturebased solutions can help meet our growing cooling needs and keep people foodchains and economies safe from heat as we pursue global climate goals We have no excuse it is time we beat the heat Published by the UNEPled Cool Coalition the report is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the rapidly growing global demand for cooling and the need for climatefriendly solutions to the issue A Sustainable Cooling Pathway can provide access to space cooling or refrigeration resilient buildings and urban green spaces to all including lowincome and vulnerable groups such as smallholder farmers women and the elderly without exacerbating the climate crisis This pathway combines passive cooling strategies lowenergy and hybrid cooling that combines fans and air conditioners rapid adoption of highefficiency equipment and accelerated phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment Nearly twothirds of the emissions cuts available come from passive and lowenergy solutions reinforcing the urgency of embedding them in national policies and urban planning Such solutions are also highly affordable and critical for improving access to cooling for three billion more people by 2050 If adopted the pathway could save 17 trillion in cumulative energy costs through to 2050 and avoid up to 26 trillion in grid investment through reduced electricity demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sustainable-cooling-can-slash-emissions-save-trillions-of-dollars-says-un-report-648143.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-under-toxic-smog-as-air-quality-dips-to-severe-levels-647763.html New Delhi Nov 10 The national capital is once again grappling with hazardous air pollution as a thick blanket of smog has engulfed Delhi and its adjoining NCR cities According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB Delhis average Air Quality Index AQI stood at 372 at 7 am on Monday a level categorised as severe posing serious health risks to residentsMost parts of the city recorded AQI levels between 300 and 400 indicating extremely poor to severe air quality conditions The situation was no better in neighbouring regions with Faridabad at 312 Ghaziabad at 318 Greater Noida at 325 Gurugram at 328 and Noida at 310 all falling within the very poor to severe rangeEnvironmental experts warn that prolonged exposure to such polluted air can lead to respiratory illnesses eye irritation and worsening of chronic lung and heart conditions Many residents reported breathing difficulties and eye and throat irritation as smog continued to blanket the city throughout the dayMeanwhile DelhiNCR is also witnessing an early winter chill The minimum temperature has dropped to 11 degrees Celsius which is 33 degrees below normal while daytime temperatures hover around 2728 degrees Celsius The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast clear skies with cold winds blowing at speeds of 1520 kmh making mornings and evenings particularly chillyMeteorologists attribute the worsening air quality to a combination of low wind speed falling temperatures and rising humidity which trap pollutants close to the surface The ongoing stubble burning in neighbouring states is also contributing to the toxic hazeDespite repeated efforts by authorities to curb pollution through vehicle restrictions construction bans and the use of antismog guns the national capital continues to struggle for clean air Health experts have advised citizens especially children and the elderly to avoid outdoor activities and wear N95 masks when stepping outAs DelhiNCR battles its annual air pollution crisis residents are left hoping for stronger winds or rainfall to bring some respite from the suffocating smog IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-chokes-under-toxic-smog-as-air-quality-dips-to-severe-levels-647763.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/japans-weather-agency-issues-tsunami-alert-for-iwate-prefecture-after-67-magnitude-earthquake-647725.html Tokyo Nov 9 The Japanese weather agency on Sunday issued a tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture after an earthquake of magnitude 67 struck in the Pacific off northeastern Japan causing a power outage and a temporary partial suspension of Shinkansen bullet train services local media reported The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that a tsunami of up to 1 metre could reach the prefecture due to the temblor which struck off the Sanriku coast at a depth of about 10 kilometres Japanbased Kyodo News reported The earthquake which occurred at 503 pm was measured 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in some parts of Iwate and Miyagi prefecturesAccording to the agency a tsunami wave of 10 centimetres was observed in Ofunato while a minor tsunami reached MiyakoMeanwhile the Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and ShinAomori stations started operating after the temporary suspension according to its operator JR EastJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a statement on X urging people to evacuate from the coast She asked people to be alert as aftershocks are possible and a tsunami that may come later could be larger than expectedAt around 1703 an earthquake with its epicentre off the Sanriku coast occurred Seismic intensity 4 was observed in Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture and an information liaison room has been immediately set up in the Prime Ministers Office A tsunami advisory has been issued so please evacuate away from the coast immediately The tsunami that may arrive later could be larger than expected so please stay alert for further information Additionally aftershocks are possible so please remain cautious of any strong shaking Takaichi posted on XTohoku Electric Power stated that no malfunction was reported at its Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture local media reportedAddressing a news conference on Sunday a Meteorological Agency official stated that earthquakes of similar or even stronger intensity could occur in the next few days The Japan Times reported He urged people to avoid going into the sea or the shores in the regions where the tsunami advisory has been issued IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/japans-weather-agency-issues-tsunami-alert-for-iwate-prefecture-after-67-magnitude-earthquake-647725.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-tightens-checks-to-curb-plastic-bottle-entry-into-nilgiris-647640.html Chennai Nov 9 In a renewed effort to uphold the Nilgiris districts plastic ban the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC Ooty region has issued strict instructions to ensure that passengers do not carry banned plastic drinking water and soft drink bottles while travelling to the hill district Following complaints that prohibited plastic bottles were still being transported on government buses TNSTC has directed all drivers and conductors to alert passengers before departure from the Mettupalayam bus stand in Coimbatore the key gateway to the NilgirisIn a circular M Jaishankar General Manager of TNSTC Ooty region instructed conductors from all six branches under the region to ensure passengers bound for the Nilgiris do not possess banned plastic itemsConductors and drivers should make sure that passengers entering the Nilgiris via Mettupalayam do not carry plastic bottles Officers in charge of the Mettupalayam bus stand must monitor buses bound for the hills to ensure compliance the circular statedThe circular further warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any TNSTC personnel failing to adhere to the directiveThe move comes as part of coordinated efforts to support the district administrations antiplastic enforcement drive aimed at preserving the Nilgiris fragile ecosystem and reducing litter along key tourist routesJaishankar said that apart from the written directive verbal instructions have also been mandated Drivers and conductors must remind passengers before departure that carrying banned plastic bottles or other items into the Nilgiris is prohibited This announcement should be made before the buses leave the Mettupalayam stand he explainedHe added that the directive was not limited to the Ooty region alone Drivers and conductors of buses operated from other TNSTC branches to destinations in the Nilgiris have also been instructed to ensure passengers comply with the ban Jaishankar saidAuthorities hope the move will strengthen enforcement at the source and prevent the inflow of plastic waste into one of Tamil Nadus most ecologically sensitive hill regions where the district administration has been strictly implementing the ban for several years IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-tightens-checks-to-curb-plastic-bottle-entry-into-nilgiris-647640.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-for-southern-tn-showers-in-kanyakumari-tenkasi-647645.html Chennai Nov 9 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for southern Tamil Nadu forecasting intense showers over the next 24 hours in the districts of Kanyakumari Tirunelveli and Tenkasi The weather office warned that the northeast monsoon is set to strengthen bringing widespread rainfall to the southern and delta regions of the state Even before the alert several districts were lashed by rain on Saturday night Kanyakumari district witnessed heavy downpours in Nagarkovil and surrounding areas such as Boothapandi Suchindram and Sunganthakai The nightlong showers cooled the weather soaked the soil and brought relief from humidity Local residents reported waterlogging in a few lowlying areas Madurai district also experienced spells of moderate to heavy rain particularly in Thirupparankundram Thirumangalam Vadakarai Chengulam Karisalpatti and Rayapalayam Streets were slippery and visibility was reduced during the latenight showers Farmers said the rain would benefit standing crops in the region In Karur a steady drizzle continued through the night Motorists and pedestrians braved the wet conditions while mild showers in Coimbatores western suburbs including Perur Pachapalayam Thithipalayam Kalampalayam and Madampatti brought muchneeded respite after several dry weeks Residents said the rain helped recharge open wells and groundwater in the area According to IMD officials heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the hilly belts of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi as well as in Kanyakumari due to a lowpressure trough over the southern peninsula The southern and delta districts including Thoothukudi Ramanathapuram Thanjavur and Nagapattinam are likely to receive more intense showers on Wednesday Meanwhile Chennai may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by cloudy skies and gusty winds The authorities have advised residents in the southern districts to stay alert to possible waterlogging and minor landslides as the monsoon gains strength IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-for-southern-tn-showers-in-kanyakumari-tenkasi-647645.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-four-tn-districts-today-647467.html Chennai Nov 8 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall in four southern districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday due to a lowlevel atmospheric circulation over south India According to the latest weather bulletin Kanyakumari Tirunelveli Tenkasi and Thoothukudi districts are expected to experience heavy rainThe weather system currently over the southern peninsula is likely to bring moderate to heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightning in isolated areas across these districtsThe Meteorological Department noted that rainfall intensity could vary with certain interior and coastal pockets receiving significant downpours during the evening and night hoursThe bulletin further added that Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts are likely to witness intense rainfall on Sunday as well indicating that wet conditions may continue over the region for the next couple of daysOfficials have advised the public to remain cautious in lowlying areas that are prone to waterlogging and have urged district administrations to stay alert for possible disruptions to normal lifeIn Chennai and its suburban areas the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy throughout the dayThere is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some parts of the city later in the evening Despite the cloud cover there will be occasional sunny spells during the daytimeThe maximum temperature in Chennai is likely to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may hover around 25 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees CelsiusWinds are expected to blow from the northeast at moderate speeds consistent with the ongoing northeast monsoon activity over the regionThe Meteorological Department has not issued any warnings for fishermen suggesting that sea conditions along the Tamil Nadu coast are expected to remain generally safe for marine activitiesHowever authorities have urged fishermen to remain vigilant and monitor subsequent updates as localised weather changes could occur due to the developing atmospheric circulation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-four-tn-districts-today-647467.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 10:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/winter-chill-in-delhi-ncr-marred-by-poor-air-quality-as-aqi-nears-400-647486.html New Delhi Nov 8 Minimum temperatures are steadily falling across DelhiNCR as the muchawaited winter season sets in However sadly for the residents of DelhiNCR along with the dip in temperature air quality has also deteriorated sharply with the Air Quality Index AQI hitting the 400 mark in some places in Delhi According to the latest report from the India Meteorological Department IMD on Saturday the minimum temperature is expected to remain around 13 degree Celsius for the next seven days Cold morning and evening winds are further intensifying the winter chill Rain is not expected at present and the weather is likely to remain foggyDelhi on Thursday recorded its coldest night of the season as the mercury dropped to 127 degree Celsius in the national Capital marking the first time this winter that temperatures fell below the 15 degree Celsius markThe Air Quality Index AQI has reached very poor levels in most parts of Delhi Noida and Ghaziabad According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB several monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI levels between 350 and 400 which fall under the severe category The air quality remains extremely poor in many areas including Alipur 355 Anand Vihar 359 Ashok Vihar 363 Bawana 403 Burari 376 and Karni Singh Shooting Range 342Similarly the situation in Ghaziabad and Noida remains concerning In Ghaziabad Indirapuram recorded an AQI of 271 Loni 336 Sanjay Nagar 269 and Vasundhara 368 Pollution levels in Vasundhara and Loni remain in the severe category posing serious risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases The air quality in Noida is also poor with AQI levels at 328 in Sector 125 323 in Sector 62 326 in Sector 1 and 333 in Sector 116According to health advisories prolonged exposure to such poor air quality can significantly increase the risk of lung and respiratory diseases especially for children the elderly and individuals with asthma or heart conditionsThe IMD stated that the worsening pollution is linked to falling temperatures which make the air heavier and reduced wind speed causing pollutants to remain trapped near the surface The combination of fog and smog is making the haze denser Construction activities and vehicular emissions continue to be major contributing factorsHealth experts have advised residents to limit outdoor activities especially during early mornings and late evenings wear protective masks and avoid direct exposure to polluted air IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/winter-chill-in-delhi-ncr-marred-by-poor-air-quality-as-aqi-nears-400-647486.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-makes-ev-charging-infrastructure-compulsory-in-all-major-new-buildings-647495.html Chennai Nov 8 In a major push to promote electric mobility the Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department has made it mandatory for all new residential commercial and large buildings to include electric vehicle EV charging points The department has officially amended the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules 2019 to ensure that EV charging infrastructure becomes a builtin feature of future constructions across the StateAs per the revised rules all new residential buildings must provide charging points for electric vehicles corresponding to each required car and twowheeler parking space This means that every parking slot whether for a car or a twowheeler must have its own EV charging pointFor larger residential complexes with more than 50 dwelling units the amendment also mandates fastcharging points for visitor parking spaces These additions aim to make charging facilities more accessible to both residents and visitors in multiunit developmentsHowever smaller residential structures have been exempted The rule will not apply to buildings below 14 metres in height those with eight or fewer dwelling units or those with a total builtup area of less than 750 square metresThe new regulations also extend to commercial industrial and institutional buildingsProjects with a Floor Space Index FSI area exceeding 300 square metres must now reserve a minimum of 10 per cent of parking spaces for EVs These designated spaces are required to include fastcharging points ensuring that workplaces shopping centres and other commercial facilities contribute to expanding the EV charging networkOfficials said the amendment was in line with the Tamil Nadu Electric Vehicle Policy 2023 which had recommended updating building codes to support the transition to green transportThe policy emphasised that charging infrastructure should be planned at the design stage of all new constructions rather than as an afterthoughtFurther the policy encouraged existing residential townships and apartment associations to adopt EV charging infrastructure voluntarilyApartment complexes with more than 50 families and residential townships with over 500 families were urged to install charging points while commercial establishments such as hotels malls and cinema halls were advised to follow suitOfficials added that this reform marks a key step in Tamil Nadus broader vision to establish itself as Indias electric mobility leader ensuring clean sustainable and convenient transport for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-makes-ev-charging-infrastructure-compulsory-in-all-major-new-buildings-647495.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-zoo-to-reopen-tomorrow-after-2-month-closure-due-to-infection-647433.html New Delhi Nov 7 The National Zoological Park NZP would reopen for visitors on Saturday ending a twomonth break forced by the outbreak of influenza in an enclosure an official said on Friday The Delhi Zoo official informed that usual safety and preventive measures shall be followed after its reopening for visitorsThe NZP was closed for visitors on August 30 2025 after the report of positive case of avian influenza virus in water bird aviary on August 28 said the official in a statementAll prescribed biosafety and surveillance guidelines issued by the competent authorities were followed thereafter it saidGuidelines under chapter 6 of Action taken for preparedness control and containment of Avian Influenza revised 2021 issued by Union Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying were strictly followed during the closure periodSampling was repeated after every 15 days for four times and all the samples from last positive case were found negative as per report of National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases NIHSAD BhopalThe Delhi zoo is home to approximately 1350 animals from around 130 species of mammals birds and reptiles from both India and around the worldSome of its star attractions include the Royal Bengal Tiger including white tigers Asiatic Lion Indian Rhinoceros elephants jaguars and a variety of deer species like the browantlered deer SangaiThe zoos layout follows the Carl Hagenbeck method featuring large open moated enclosures with natural barriers and dense vegetation which allows animals to live in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats offering visitors unobstructed viewsThe park is designed with walking trails that are accessible for people using wheelchairs Batteryoperated vehicles trolleys are available for hire which is helpful for the elderly or those who prefer not to walk the extensive grounds Wheelchairs are also provided free of cost for physically challenged visitorsBeyond the animal exhibits the park spans 176 acres and features over 200 varieties of trees and a wide array of plants providing a green oasis in the heart of the city The zoo serves as an educational resource offering guided tours workshops and a library to raise public awareness about wildlife protection and conservation efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-zoo-to-reopen-tomorrow-after-2-month-closure-due-to-infection-647433.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampks-srinagar-records-seasons-coldest-night-so-far-at-02-degrees-647260.html Srinagar Nov 7 With the minimum temperature dropping to 02 degrees Celsius on Friday Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of the season so far while the mercury fell below the freezing point in Gulmarg and Pahalgam hill stations The Meteorological MeT Department officials said Gulmarg recorded minus 26 and Pahalgam minus 3 as the minimum temperature today Due to the recent snowfall in the mountains surrounding the Valley and a clear night sky is expected for the next 10 days the night temperatures are expected to drop further in KashmirDue to the drop in temperatures people have taken to woollens and the Kangri a traditional Kashmiri earthen pot encased in wicker and filled with hot embersWinter dresses like the tweed overgarment called the Pheran and woollen jerseys are worn by locals to avoid catching a cold As winter progresses further the layers of woollens including mufflers and caps are going to increaseA feeble autumn sun provides some relief to baskers during the day but chilly winds blowing into the Valley from snowclad mountains impede the capacity of the Sun to warm the surroundingsThe coldest part of winter is the 40daylong Chillai Kalan that starts every year on December 21 and ends on January 30Most water bodies of the Valley freeze partially during this period as extremely slippery road conditions force commuters and motorists to start the day after the morning hours are over and the temperatures improve marginally during the dayDrinking water taps freeze at most places during the 40daylong Chillai Kalan and people are seen lighting small fires around the water taps to defreeze them in the morningsJammu city had 116 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Friday Mata Vaishno Devi base camp town Katra had 121 Batote 61 Banihal 88 and Bhaderwah 45 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampks-srinagar-records-seasons-coldest-night-so-far-at-02-degrees-647260.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/assam-police-stf-cracks-down-on-wildlife-trafficking-network-2-held-647376.html Guwahati Nov 7 In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking a team of the Special Task Force STF of Assam Police intercepted two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal smuggling of endangered species officials said on Friday The STF also recovered several protected wildlife species and their body parts from the possession of the arrested accusedAn Assam Police spokesperson said that in a significant operation against wildlife traffickers a team of the Special Task Force STF Assam intercepted two individuals engaged in the illegal smuggling of endangered species in the Jakhalabandha area of Nagaon district during the intervening night of Thursday and FridayHe said that acting on a specific intelligence input and with operational support from the Wildlife Crime Control WCC authority the STF team launched an operation in the Kuthori area under the jurisdiction of Jakhalabandha Police Station on ThursdayDuring the operation the STF team intercepted two suspects riding a Honda Glamour motorcycle near a local playground and recovered several protected wildlife species and their body parts from their possessionThe apprehended individuals have been identified as Bidya Singnar 30 and Samson Kathar 29 both residents of Rongmongve area under Karbi Anglong districtThe valuables recovered from their possession include six Tokay Geckos locally known as Keko Khap one live Slow Loris Lajuki Bandor Pangolin scales weighing 10630 kilograms one Honda Glamour motorcycle and two mobile phones with SIM cardsThe arrested accused were subsequently handed over by the STF and WCC team to Jakhalabandha Police Station after lodging an FIR Legal proceedings have been initiated under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 the police spokesman saidPreliminary investigation indicates that the recovered wildlife species and their parts were intended for trafficking to international markets where such items are in high demand for illegal trade he addedOfficials suspect that the protected wildlife species and their body parts including Pangolin scales were illegally collected from the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Indias seventh UNESCO World Heritage SiteFurther investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/assam-police-stf-cracks-down-on-wildlife-trafficking-network-2-held-647376.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/scattered-rain-to-bring-temperature-dip-across-gujarat-says-imd-647050.html Ahmedabad Nov 6 The Meteorological Department has forecast scattered rainfall across parts of Gujarat on Thursday bringing a slight change in weather after several dry days With the weakening of the rain system no heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected anywhere in the state Light showers however are likely in select districts of South Gujarat Saurashtra and Ahmedabad Weather officials have also predicted fluctuations in maximum and minimum temperatures due to shifting wind patterns which could lead to a noticeable drop in mercury levels over the next few days Fog is expected to form around Ahmedabad and GandhinagarAccording to the forecast wind speeds are likely to range between 30 and 40 km per hour kmph Ahmedabad may record a maximum temperature of 32 degree Celsius and a minimum of 22 degree Celsius today Meteorologists anticipate a two to fourdegree decline in temperatures in the coming daysWith the rain system now inactive authorities have lifted restrictions on fishing activities allowing fishermen to venture into the sea againRecently unseasonal rains have caused extensive damage to crops across Gujarat affecting more than 42 lakh hectares of farmland in over 16000 villages according to preliminary estimates by the state government The damaged area accounts for roughly 42 per cent of Gujarats total operational agricultural land which stands at 9977 lakh hectares as per the Agriculture Census 201516In the wake of the widespread crop losses the state government postponed the procurement of groundnut soybean moong and black gram at the Minimum Support Price MSP which was originally set to begin on November 1Meanwhile Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in a post on X reaffirmed the governments commitment to support farmers during this crisis When standing crops of farmers have been damaged due to the unexpected calamity of unseasonal rains the government is committed to stand by them through financial assistance The procurement of groundnut soybean moong and black gram at MSP will soon begin he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/scattered-rain-to-bring-temperature-dip-across-gujarat-says-imd-647050.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/acoustic-technology-set-to-transform-indias-marine-mammal-research-647123.html Kochi Nov 6 Monitoring whales dolphins and other marine mammals through soundbased systems could mark a major leap in Indias ocean research and conservation efforts Experts on Thursday at a special session on marine mammal research held alongside the fourth International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems MECOS 4 at ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI underscored the potential of Passive Acoustic Monitoring PAM to revolutionise marine science in IndiaSound travels much faster and farther underwater than light making acoustic technology an efficient tool for detecting and studying marine life even in deep or murky watersUnlike conventional visual surveys that depend on clear weather and daylight PAM enables continuous roundtheclock monitoring across vast ocean expansesVarious systems such as bottommounted moorings surface and drifting buoys towed arrays and acoustic tags attached to individual animals can record the sounds produced by marine mammals explained Dr Divya Panicker of Ashoka UniversityBy analysing these sound patterns researchers can identify species estimate their abundance and even map migration routes and behavioural trendsShe added that integrating Artificial Intelligence AI and Machine Learning ML tools could further refine species identification and improve data accuracyWith Indias long coastline and rich marine biodiversity experts stressed that developing indigenous acoustic systems could become a gamechanger for marine conservationThe session also called for a National Plan of Action for Marine Mammal Conservation to tackle multiple threats including habitat loss underwater noise pollution vessel strikes and fishing net entanglement that are driving population declines among whales dolphins and dugongsNotably CMFRIs recent research on marine mammals has already supported India in addressing a key regulatory challenge in seafood exports to the United States highlighting the broader policy relevance of such scientific advancesDr A Bijukumar ViceChancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies KUFOS urged the creation of a national multiinstitutional marine mammal network to coordinate research and conservation activitiesCMFRI Director Dr Grinson George emphasised the need for a wellfunded coordinated plan involving research bodies enforcement agencies and coastal communities and called for trained marine scientists to handle stranded animals and conduct autopsies to establish causes of death IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/acoustic-technology-set-to-transform-indias-marine-mammal-research-647123.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/vibrant-aquatic-and-reptile-life-thrives-along-and-beneath-iconic-grasslands-of-assams-kaziranga-national-park-647129.html Guwahati Nov 6 Beneath and along the iconic grasslands of Assams Kaziranga National Park Indias seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site thrives a vibrant world of fish frogs and reptiles showcasing the parks rich biodiversity Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh on Thursday said that a rapid survey conducted by the Kaziranga Park authority has revealed a rich assemblage of 77 species of freshwater fish forming a major share of Assams 216 indigenous fishes and contributing to the Northeasts remarkable diversity of 422 native fish speciesThe park also supports 108 species of amphibians and reptiles far exceeding the 70plus herpetofauna recorded from other parts of the state and adding to the 274plus herpetofaunal species known from the northeastThe survey was conducted between July and September this year in collaboration with scientists and researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India WII Ghosh saidShe noted that the unique species and richness of native species of fish and herpetofauna indicate that Kaziranga is providing a pristine habitat to wild faunaThe diversity of amphibians and reptiles in turn also serves as key indicators of ecosystem health that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance the senior Indian Forest Service IFS official said adding that the surveys although rapidly undertaken mark a significant step toward deepening ecological understanding of this UNESCO World Heritage siteShe said that the reports were released along with other publications such as the annual report of the KNPTR and a Poetry Collection by Dr Tapti Baruah Kashyap in a ceremonial event earlier this week at Kohora Convention Centre by Assams Environment Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan PatowaryAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media and posted a video along with a message lauding the dedicated work of the Forest Departments officers and frontline staff of the KNPTRKaziranga National Park a vibrant emblem of Assams natural heritage Nestled in the heart of unique wilderness this forest thrives with an extraordinary diversity of rare species It is heartening to note that a recent survey has identified 108 species of herpetofauna here representing a significant share of the 274 species of amphibians and reptiles found across Northeast India This achievement reflects the sustained conservation efforts of our government and the dedicated work of the forest departments officers and frontline staff who continue to safeguard this invaluable ecosystem he saidReferring to the fish survey report the KNPTR Director said that a total of 44 fish species belonging to 18 families were recorded with Cyprinidae and Danionidae emerging as the most dominant families When combined with earlier research Kazirangas overall ichthyofaunal diversity stands at 77 unique species reaffirming its status as a key refuge for freshwater biodiversity in the Brahmaputra basinThe report underscores the ecological importance of fish in sustaining nutrient cycles food webs and habitat connectivity while supporting species such as otters fishing cats and waterbirdsIt also highlights threats from climate change siltation hydrological changes and unregulated fishing calling for longterm monitoring and stronger conservation measuresKazirangas aquatic systems are as vital as its grasslands and forests reaffirming the parks role as a living laboratory for freshwater biodiversity and a model for integrated wetland and floodplain managementGhosh said that the Herpetofauna survey report presents the findings of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles collectively known as herpetofauna in and around Kaziranga The study was carried out jointly by forest officials frontline staff scientists and researchers reflecting a coordinated effort to document and understand Kazirangas herpetofaunal diversity The survey recorded 31 species of herpetofauna comprising 17 amphibians and 14 reptiles belonging to 19 genera and 14 families Amphibians were found to be most abundant along forest trails and stream habitats while reptiles showed greater richness in stream zonesIn addition to the visual survey the study included AIbased passive acoustic monitoring to capture amphibian calls in potential breeding habitats This noninvasive bioacoustic approach helped document species richness patterns across different habitat types and demonstrated the effectiveness of acoustic methods for amphibian monitoringThe report consolidates both new and historical records bringing the total checklist of herpetofaunal species in Kaziranga to 108 including threatened species such as the King Cobra Ophiophagushannah Assam Roofed Turtle Pangshura Sylhetensis and Asian Brown Tortoise Manouriaemys including the rare Striped caecilian Chiromantisassamensis VU Cyrtodactylus Kaziranga Ensis DD found only in Kaziranga Nilssonianigricans CR and Varanusflavescens EN IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/vibrant-aquatic-and-reptile-life-thrives-along-and-beneath-iconic-grasslands-of-assams-kaziranga-national-park-647129.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nip-in-the-air-in-delhi-ncr-strong-winds-improve-aqi-646780.html New Delhi Nov 5 The weather across DelhiNCR has undergone a notable change this week with both day and night temperatures falling sharply Residents are beginning to notice a nip in the air signalling the gradual arrival of winter According to the India Meteorological Department IMD the minimum night temperature could fall to around 14 degrees Celsius in the coming days while the maximum temperature is expected to hover near 27 degrees The forecast for November 5 to 10 indicates a steady decline in both maximum and minimum temperaturesThe week began with a minimum temperature of 16 degrees and a maximum of 29 degrees However by November 9 and 10 the minimum temperature is likely to touch 14 degrees Celsius Mild sunshine is expected during the daytime but mornings and evenings will feel noticeably colderSince Sunday night wind speeds have picked up across the NCR region Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram and Delhi leading to a visible improvement in air quality The Air Quality Index AQI which had remained in the very poor category for the past three days has now improved to the orange zone or poor categoryMeteorologists believe that if wind speeds remain consistent over the next few days pollution levels may drop even further offering residents some respite from smog and haze However the IMD has also cautioned that stronger winds will make nights chillier Early morning commuters have been advised to dress warmly as temperatures are expected to dip further after next weekAccording to IMD scientists the impact of the cold is being felt more prominently due to the sharper decline in minimum temperatures compared to the daytime highsThe IMD has also clarified that northwest India including DelhiNCR is unlikely to experience an unusually harsh winter this month Weather conditions are expected to remain largely normal similar to the patterns observed in recent yearsThe clarification follows widespread reports suggesting that the region might experience an exceptionally cold November due to the possible development of La Nina conditions which are typically associated with colder winters in northern IndiaDaytime temperatures are expected to remain normal to slightly below normal while minimum temperatures may stay above normal in most parts of the country except in some areas of northwest India including Delhi Haryana and Rajasthan where colder nights are likely IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nip-in-the-air-in-delhi-ncr-strong-winds-improve-aqi-646780.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/biodiversity-authority-gives-rs-3-crore-to-growers-of-red-sanders-in-andhra-pradesh-646656.html New Delhi Nov 4 In a move to promote sustainable use of biological resources the National Biodiversity Authority has disbursed Rs 3 crore to 199 beneficiaries covering 198 farmers from Andhra Pradesh and cultivators of Red Sanders an official said on Tuesday The funds were released as part of the Access and BenefitSharing ABS Framework which helps the NBA provide financial support to providers and the longterm conservation of Red SandersThe current release of funds also benefited an academic institution the University of Andhra said the official in a statementThe disbursement facilitated through the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board is part of the Access and BenefitSharing mechanism under the Biological Diversity ActThis initiative builds on a series of benefitsharing measures undertaken by the NBA to promote inclusive biodiversity conservationPreviously the NBA had released Rs 48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department Karnataka Forest Department and the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for the protection and conservation of Red Sanders and Rs 5500 lakh to farmers in Tamil NaduUnder the current disbursement each farmer will receive an amount ranging from Rs 33000 to Rs 22 lakh depending on the quantity of cultivated Red Sanders wood supplied to the usersIt was also observed that beneficiaries are receiving higher amounts compared to the sale value of the wood said the statementThe beneficiaries are from 48 villages across four districts of Andhra Pradesh Chittoor Nellore Tirupati and CuddapahThe NBAs initiative reflects the broad participation of local farming communities engaged in cultivating and conserving this highly valued endemic speciesThe initiative originates from the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Red Sanders formed by the NBA in 2015 which created a comprehensive policy titled Policy for Conservation Sustainable Use and Fair and Equitable Benefit Sharing Arising from the Utilisation of Red SandersA key result of the Committees work was the 2019 policy relaxation by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade DGFT allowing the export of Red Sanders from cultivated sources and marking a significant step in promoting legal and sustainable tradeIt shows how policy tools like ABS can make biodiversity conservation a viable livelihood option This benefitsharing initiative supports the NBAs commitment to linking biodiversity conservation with livelihood improvement boosting community participation and ensuring that biodiversity custodians receive their rightful benefits IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/biodiversity-authority-gives-rs-3-crore-to-growers-of-red-sanders-in-andhra-pradesh-646656.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/successful-models-local-ownership-in-focus-at-jjm-meet-on-water-security-646669.html New Delhi Nov 4 Focusing on community participation and decentralised water management under National Jal Jeevan Mission NJJM district collectors and experts have reasserted the need for dedicated expenditure on waterrelated works under MGNREGA for recharge water harvesting and source protection an official said on Tuesday The District Collectors Peyjal Samvad initiative a recent national dialogue generated ideas to empower district leadership to strengthen local governance ensure source sustainability and enhance accountability in rural water service delivery under the Jal Jeevan Mission JJM the official said in a statementAdditional Secretary and Mission Director National Jal Jeevan Mission NJJM Kamal Kishore Soan highlighted that sustainable service delivery depends on databacked decisionmaking local ownership and preventive governance stating that District Collectors are the key functionaries and their role is very important under JJMSeveral successful experiments and scalable models of local ownership and community participation are being studied for extension to other parts of the countryOne of the successful models being studied by water conservators is that in Maharashtras Rajgad taluka where Village Development Committees VDCs and Gram Panchayats have succeeded in ensuring water security by tapping and storing rainwaterAlmost 197 million litres of locallymanaged water storage now ensures yearround availability due to farm ponds solar water ATMs and a percolation tank maintained by village communities and individuals following training from the Raintree FoundationIn addition SHGs and Mahila Gram Sabhas now even shape local resilience plans with support from Foundation founder Leena Dandekar Aligning with Jal Shakti Ministrys push for tapping rainwater where it falls the Rajgad approach is now being expanded to the Shastri River Basin in Ratnagiri spanning 400 villages and 2 lakh hectares advancing all 17 UN SDGsIn rural India where many water programmes struggle with upkeep villagers in Rajgad have also used stored rainwater to revive 65 acres of community plantations with native species and reduced forest fires by 30 per centDespite abundant rainfall the Rajgad region suffers from chronic water scarcity minimal industrial presence and significant migration pressuresThe Jal Shakti Ministrys District Collectors Peyjal Samvad series is part of the Departments ongoing effort to strengthen local governance and decentralised water management under JJMThe first edition organised on October 14 focused on empowering districts and panchayats through digital tools accountability mechanisms and peer learning IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/successful-models-local-ownership-in-focus-at-jjm-meet-on-water-security-646669.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jagan-visits-cyclone-hit-areas-demands-crop-insurance-for-all-farmers-646698.html Amaravati Nov 4 Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded that the TDPled coalition government implement crop insurance for all farmers Accusing the coalition government of adopting antifarmers policies he said the implementation of the crop insurance scheme will provide relief to farmers who suffer losses due to natural calamitiesYS Jana on Tuesday visited some areas affected by the recent Montha cyclone in Krishna district and interacted with farmersHe stated that the cyclone damaged crops over 15 lakh acres in the state The farmers have suffered huge losses with damage to paddy crops on 11 lakh acresSpeaking to the media the YSRCP leader alleged that crop enumeration was not done properly to evade compensation The enumeration was taken up in a hurry and there are many riders like paddy will not be procured for those who claim crop insuranceHe claimed that the district Collector asked the officials to complete the enumeration in one day and farmers in all the 25 districts are saying in unison that no one had done the enumeration and no official had come for a field visit While paddy farmers are the biggest losers with 11 lakh acres being sown cotton banana maize and other crops were washed away during Cyclone MonthaHe said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has to be grossly blamed for doing away with crop insurance and the farmers had to bear the brunt As it is his fault for not implementing the crop insurance his government should pay the Rs 600 crore dues and start paying the premium for the forthcoming Rabi seasonHe pointed out that during the 18 months of coalition government there were 16 disasters from cyclones to heavy rains to drought and alleged that the government has no compassion for farmersWhile farmers are in distress Chandrababu conducts an aerial survey and leaves for London while his son goes to Mumbai to watch a cricket match leaving farmers in the lurch he saidThe former Chief Minister alleged that Chandrababu Naidu did not pay the promised input subsidy of Rs 20000 for two years and gave only Rs 5000During our term we have promptly paid input subsidy and crop insurance was done with punctuality besides the Rs 3000 crore Price Stabilisation Fund which has ensured that farmers get MSP at all times We spent Rs 78000 crore during our term he saidUnder the coalition government only 19 lakh farmers were registered for crop insurance as they had taken bank loans and which is mandatory for them and the remaining farmers stand to loseDuring our term we had paid a premium for 85 lakh farmers We demand that the crop insurance amount should be paid to all farmers as the government has defaulted in paying the premium he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jagan-visits-cyclone-hit-areas-demands-crop-insurance-for-all-farmers-646698.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rising-dragon-fireworks-leave-lasting-scars-on-tibetan-plateau-report-646457.html Beijing Nov 3 The Rising Dragon fireworks display in Tibet has left consequences that may reverberate for decades across the damaged grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau near Gyantse County The incident underscored broader contradictions between Chinas rhetoric of ecological civilisation and the reality of exploitation corporate greenwashing and environmental destruction artistic expression and cultural insensitivity shortterm spectacle and longterm sustainability a report cited on Monday On September 19 at precisely 430 pm the remote Tibetan Plateau near Gyantse County in Shigatse witnessed an event that would ignite a firestorm of controversy extending far beyond the 52second spectacle it produced Against the backdrop of the sacred Himalayan peaks 1050 fireworks erupted across the mountainside between altitudes of 4670 and 5020 m forming a dragonshaped cascade of coloured smoke and fire a report in Myanmars media outlet The Irrawaddy detailedDubbed Rising Dragon this pyrotechnic display a collaboration between outdoor brand Arcteryx and internationally renowned Chinese artist Cai Guoqiang was intended as an artistic tribute to natures majesty Instead it became a stark reminder of the Tibetan Plateaus precarious environmental position and the growing tensions between commercial spectacle and ecological responsibility in one of Earths most fragile ecosystems it addedAccording to the report nearly a month after the incident findings from the Shigatse Municipal Investigation Team in Tibet confirmed that the brief event had damaged 3006 hectares of grassland destroying soil and turf layer structures through flattening operations human trampling and vehicle movement It added that the firework residue plastic debris and other materials were inadequately cleared while bright flashes and loud noise caused temporary disturbance to wildlife in the areaThe report asserted that beyond environmental devastation the incident inflicted deep cultural wounds on the Tibetans for whom the Himalayan mountains are not just geographical features but sacred abodes of protective deitiesThe incorporation of dragon imagery it said strongly associated with Chinese identity on sacred Tibetan land deepened the sense of cultural insensitivityAs the Tibetan Plateau continues warming at twice the global rate as glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws as grasslands degrade and water security deteriorates for billions downstream the world can no longer afford to treat this fragile ecosystem as a stage for publicity stunts or development fantasies The sacred mountains of Tibet home to protective deities in Tibetan cosmology and critical water sources in hydrological reality demand not fireworks tributes but genuine protectionprotection from the very forces that claim to honour them the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rising-dragon-fireworks-leave-lasting-scars-on-tibetan-plateau-report-646457.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-predicts-thunderstorms-rain-in-tn-puducherry-today-646566.html Chennai Nov 4 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday November 4 The centres bulletin noted that although the northeast monsoon has officially set in its full impact is yet to be felt due to weak easterly winds and the lingering influence of westerliesAccording to the 24hour rainfall data ending Monday morning Malai in Ranipet district Sethupattu in Tiruvannamalai district and Valathi in Villupuram district each received 3 cm of rainfallA lowpressure area over the eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining Myanmar coast continues to persist in the same region and is likely to move towards the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar during the next 24 hoursThe RMC bulletin further stated that moderate thunderstorms with lightning are expected over isolated places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday and Wednesday while light rain is likely to continue till November 11Maximum temperatures in a few districts could rise by up to 4 degrees Celsius above normal the forecast added For Chennai and its suburbs the sky is likely to remain partly cloudy with light to moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning at a few locations later in the day Daytime heat is expected to remain on the higher side due to limited moisture inflow from the BayDespite the official onset of the northeast monsoon meteorologists noted that the westerly wind pattern remains active and that the easterly flow has not yet strengthened leading to sporadic delayed rainfall in many regionsThe prevailing hot afternoons however have triggered convective rains during the evenings and nights Weather experts predict that this pattern will persist till around November 12 after which the easterly winds are likely to intensify paving the way for the northeast monsoon to strengthen across the stateMeanwhile a tropical storm named Kalmaegi has formed over the South China Sea near the Philippines and is heading towards Thailand Officials clarified that this system will have no significant impact on the northeast monsoon over Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-predicts-thunderstorms-rain-in-tn-puducherry-today-646566.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/vizag-alluri-districts-of-andhra-jolted-by-tremors-646603.html Visakhapatnam Nov 4 Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharamaraju districts of Andhra Pradesh were jolted by a mild earthquake on Tuesday An earthquake of magnitude 37 struck the Alluri district in north coastal Andhra early Tuesday morning officials saidThe tremors triggered panic among residents in some areas People ran out of their houses on hearing a loud sound However there were no reports of any casualties or damageThe tremors were experienced in Visakhapatnam from 416 am to 420 amTremors were felt in several parts of Visakhapatnam city and its outskirts including Arilova Adivivaram Madhavadhara Akkayyapalem HB Colony Allipuram Endada Bheemili Simhachalam and Pendurthi areasAccording to the National Center of Seismology the epicentre of the earthquake was at G Madugula in Alluri Sitharamaraju district at a depth of 10 km The epicentre was 110 km from the port city of VisakhapatnamExperts described it as a shallow earthquake with an intensity of 37 on the Richter scale They said there was no need for people to be worried as the tremors were mild due to structural adjustments They pointed out that the region is considered tectonically stableAccording to the National Center for Seismology the earthquake of 47 magnitude was felt in India Nepal Bangladesh China and Bhutan early Tuesday Its epicentre was four km from Shigaste in TibetOn December 4 2024 parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were jolted by an earthquake of 53 magnitude Medaram in the Mulugu district of Telangana was the epicentreThe intensity of tremors was high in districts along the banks of the Godavari River in both Telugu states This was the second earthquake of over 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale in the region in the last 55 yearsThe region had experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 57 on April 13 1969 with Bhadrachalam as the epicentreAccording to scientists both earthquakes were linked to the Godavari rift valley which is a fault zone IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/vizag-alluri-districts-of-andhra-jolted-by-tremors-646603.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/hydrogen-may-replace-natural-gas-in-india-in-5-to-10-years-top-official-646649.html New Delhi Nov 4 With hydrogen prices declining faster than anticipated India could see hydrogen become a viable alternative to natural gas within the next five to ten years making this route central to our decarbonisation and global competitiveness goals a top Government official said on Tuesday Addressing the CII Steel Summit 2025 here Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik said The DRI Direct Reduced Iron plus Hydrogen route offers a promising pathway for green steel productionHe highlighted that there are significant opportunities for investments in the steel industry driven by growing needs from sectors such as defence space automotive and power all of which are expanding rapidly and increasing demand for highgrade steel productsPoundrik said that with consistent growth in consumption and capacity along with rising opportunities from specialty steel and green steel India is on its way to achieving the target of 500 million tonnes by 2047Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat our target is to reach 500 million tonnes steelmaking capacity by 2047 At the current pace we would be adding around 100 million tonnes every five to seven years positioning India to not only meet domestic demand but also emerge as a global leader in sustainable steel production he saidThe Steel Secretary pointed out that there is a misconception that Indias steel industry is driven only by a few large producers In fact nearly 47 per cent of the steel in the country is produced by around 2200 medium and small enterprises These players form the backbone of Indias distributed and resilient steel ecosystem he notedThere is a strong need for India to achieve selfreliance in the steel sector given its strategic significance The Ministry of Steel is working closely with the Ministry of Coal to increase the share of domestic coking coal in steelmaking ensuring greater selfreliance and security in raw material supply The government is also taking proactive measures to ensure that cheap and substandard steel does not flood the Indian market he addedHe underlined that the government was creating a level playing field through Quality Control Orders QCOs to ensure that both domestic and foreign producers meet the same quality benchmarksTata Steel Ltd Executive Director and CII National Committee on Steel CoChairman Koushik Chatterjee highlighted that steel forms the backbone of Indias industrial transformation and national resilience As the foundation for construction transport energy and manufacturing the sector will be pivotal in shaping worldclass infrastructure modern cities and sustainable growthEmphasising Indias demographic advantage and the structural reforms like GST 20 fueling new consumption opportunities JSW Steel Ltd Joint Managing Director amp CEO and CII National Committee on Steel CoChairman Jayant Acharya noted that rapid urbanisation a growing middle class and rising discretionary spending are creating strong demand prospects for the steel industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/hydrogen-may-replace-natural-gas-in-india-in-5-to-10-years-top-official-646649.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-releases-rs-444-crore-to-strengthen-rural-local-bodies-in-odisha-646438.html New Delhi Nov 3 The Union government has released Rs 44438 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Odisha as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants during the financial year 202526 according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on Monday The release includes the second instalment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs 3425964 crore for 20 eligible District Panchayats Zilla Parishads 296 eligible Block Panchayats Panchayat Samitis and 6734 eligible Gram Panchayats in the state the statement said Additionally Rs 1017815 crore representing the withheld portion of the first instalment of Untied Grants for FY 202526 has been released to 20 eligible Zilla Parishads 233 eligible Panchayat Samitis and 649 eligible Gram Panchayats The Central government through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation recommends the release of Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants to States for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies The Ministry of Finance subsequently releases these grants in two instalments each financial year Untied Grants may be utilised by panchayati raj institutions and rural local bodies to meet locationspecific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule excluding salaries and establishment costs Tied grants can be used for the basic services of sanitation and maintenance of ODF open defecationfree status and this should include management and treatment of household waste and human excreta and faecal sludge management in particular These grants can also be used for the supply of drinking water rainwater harvesting and water recyclingMeanwhile the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched initiatives such as SabhaSaar an AIpowered tool for recording and summarising Gram Sabha proceedings SVAMITVA for digital land mapping and property rights eGramSwaraj for integrated online planning accounting and monitoring Besides Gram Manchitra has been rolled out for geospatial planning These platforms not only improve transparency and efficiency but also empower citizens to participate more actively in local governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-releases-rs-444-crore-to-strengthen-rural-local-bodies-in-odisha-646438.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-seeks-caqm-affidavit-on-worsening-air-quality-in-delhi-ncr-646397.html New Delhi Nov 3 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM to file an affidavit detailing the measures undertaken to prevent DelhiNCRs air quality from deteriorating after it was told that several air monitoring stations reportedly remained nonfunctional during DiwalinbspA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing a Public Interest Litigation PIL relating to control of air pollution in the national Capital and the adjoining NCR areaSenior advocate Aparajita Singh the amicus curiae in the matter drew the apex courts attention to media reports that out of 37 air quality monitoring systems in Delhi only nine were functioning during DiwaliThere needs to be a report from CAQM on the current air pollution status Out of 37 in Delhi only 9 monitoring systems were functioning during Diwali Singh informed the CJI Gavailed BenchThe amicus curiae stated that the Supreme Courts earlier directions specifically required authorities to take preemptive action rather than wait for the air quality to reach severe levelsAfter hearing the submission the top court directed The CAQM is required to place on record an affidavit as to what steps are proposed to be taken so as to prevent the pollution turning to be severeIt also sought clarity on the operational status of the air quality monitoring systems after media reports highlighted widespread malfunctioning of stationsThe CAQMs counsel informed the CJI Gavailed Bench that a report had already been filed on the previous date of hearing but could not be taken up due to paucity of timeHowever the amicus suggested that a fresh affidavit should be submitted addressing both the malfunctioning of monitoring systems and the measures planned in view of the worsening air situationAppearing for the authorities Additional Solicitor General ASG Aishwarya Bhatti assured the apex court that the required report would be filed by the concerned authorities including the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB which maintains the monitoring dataThe development came just days after the Supreme Court while allowing the limited sale and use of green crackers in DelhiNCR during Diwali had warned that commercial considerations and the festive spirit should take a back seat when it concerns the environment and healthIn its order passed on October 15 the CJI Gavailed Bench had permitted the sale of NEERIapproved crackers from October 18 to 20 restricting bursting to specific hoursThe relaxation the Supreme Court had clarified was only on a test case basis subject to postDiwali air quality dataTo ensure compliance the apex court had laid down a detailed enforcement mechanism Only licenced traders could sell approved products carrying NEERIissued QR codes while district administrations and police were tasked with forming patrolling teams to prevent the sale of prohibited crackersIt had also ordered the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor air water and soil quality from October 14 to 25 and submit a report before the apex court https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-seeks-caqm-affidavit-on-worsening-air-quality-in-delhi-ncr-646397.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sudden-heatwave-grip-tn-after-monsoon-break-temperatures-to-rise-this-week-646176.html Chennai Nov 2 After several days of steady rain marking the onset of the northeast monsoon Tamil Nadu is now witnessing a sharp rise in temperatures and a sudden break in rainfall Meteorologists have cautioned that the spell of heat is likely to persist and even intensify across the state over the next weekOn Saturday Chennai recorded one of its hottest November days in recent years with the temperature touching 355 degrees Celsius at the Nungambakkam observatoryNormally November is expected to bring moderate weather conditions but the current heat levels have surprised both residents and weather expertsMeteorologists attribute this unusual temperature rise to the absence of the usual easterly winds which typically bring moisture and moderate temperatures during the monsoon seasonInstead westerly winds which are hot and dry have become dominant pushing temperatures up across the coastal and interior districtsExperts said that the phenomenon is linked to Cyclone Montha which recently crossed the Bay of Bengal and moved away from the Indian coast The system is believed to have drawn the easterly winds towards itself disrupting the normal monsoon flow As a result Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions have been left under the influence of hot westerlies triggering a temporary heatwaveAdding to this the rise in sea surface temperatures near Sumatra has also intensified the warming trend reducing cloud formation over southern India and allowing more direct sunlight during the dayThe result has been an unusual spell of dry heat during a period typically associated with cloudy skies and intermittent rainWeather experts however predict that this hot phase may not last long The high daytime temperatures could lead to the formation of convective clouds triggering localised thunderstorms and light showers in some parts of Tamil Nadu between Monday and Saturday November 3 to 8 These thunderstorms are likely to be accompanied by lightning and brief gusts of windFor now residents across the State have been advised to stay hydrated avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours and brace for a week of unseasonable heat before the northeast monsoon resumes its normal pattern IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sudden-heatwave-grip-tn-after-monsoon-break-temperatures-to-rise-this-week-646176.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sweet-revolution-india-becomes-worlds-2nd-largest-honey-exporter-646206.html New Delhi Nov 2 India has emerged as the secondlargest exporter of honey globally with shipments of around 107 lakh metric tonnes MT of natural honey worth 17755 million in FY 202324 rising steadily from the 9th rank in 2020 an official statement said on Sunday The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission NBHM is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the government for the overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping and the production of quality honey and other beehive productsImplemented through the National Bee Board NBB the scheme was announced under the banner of Atmanirbhar Bharat with a total budget outlay of Rs 500 crore for three years FY 202021 to 202223 It has since been extended for another three years FY 202324 to 202526 with a remaining budget of 370 crore from the original allocation according to the statementThe Madhukranti portal has been launched for the online registration and traceability of the source of honey and other bee productsIndias diverse agroclimatic conditions offer vast potential for beekeeping honey production and export Recognising its importance in rural development and agricultural sustainability the Centre launched the NBHM as part of the Sweet Revolution an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting apiculture to accelerate the production of quality honey and boost farmers income through scientific and organised beekeepingBeekeeping an agrobased activity undertaken by farmers and landless labourers in rural areas forms an integral part of the Integrated Farming System It plays a crucial role in pollination thereby enhancing crop yields and farmers income while providing honey and other highvalue beehive products such as beeswax bee pollen propolis royal jelly bee venom etc all of which serve as important sources of livelihood for rural communitiesThe NBHM is being implemented through 3 Mini Missions Under Mini MissionI the thrust is being given on production amp productivity improvement of various crops through pollination assisted by the adoption of scientific beekeeping Mini MissionII concentrates on postharvest management of beekeepingbeehive products including collection processing storage marketing value addition etc with a thrust to develop requisite infrastructural facilities for these activities while Mini MissionIII focuses on research amp technology generation for different regions the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sweet-revolution-india-becomes-worlds-2nd-largest-honey-exporter-646206.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/new-low-pressure-area-likely-over-bay-of-bengal-no-heavy-rains-expected-in-tn-this-week-646127.html Chennai Nov 2 A new lowpressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday but no heavy rain is in store for Tamil Nadu the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai said The system which is currently developing over the southern parts of Myanmar and the adjoining Andaman Sea is expected to intensify further during the next 24 hours it saidIn its latest weather bulletin the RMC said The existing cyclonic circulation over the southern Myanmar and adjoining Andaman Sea is likely to strengthen and evolve into a lowpressure area over the same region todayHowever it clarified that there is no forecast of heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu for the next seven daysMeteorologists said that the systems movement and intensity will determine whether it could develop into a depression or further strengthen into a cyclone over the Bay of Bengal in the coming daysFor now it is expected to move northwestward bringing isolated showers to coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu later this week if conditions remain favourableMeanwhile in a separate update the India Meteorological Department IMD reported that the lowpressure area over the eastcentral Arabian Sea which persisted since October 31 has now weakenedThe system which moved eastnortheastwards became a wellmarked lowpressure area on Saturday morning and continues to linger over the same regionAccording to the IMD this weakening system is likely to drift northeastwards toward the northeastern Arabian Sea and south Gujarat coast over the next 24 hours possibly developing again into a minor lowpressure zone before dissipatingDespite the evolving weather systems on both sides of the Indian peninsula officials emphasised that Tamil Nadu will experience generally dry weather through the week with only light or moderate rain expected in isolated pocketsChennai and nearby districts are forecast to remain partly cloudy with maximum temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures near 26 degrees CelsiusFishermen have been advised to remain cautious in the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea where wind speeds may reach 3545 kmph occasionally gusting to 55 kmph due to the developing circulation Meteorologists said further updates will be issued once the new system over the Bay of Bengal consolidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/new-low-pressure-area-likely-over-bay-of-bengal-no-heavy-rains-expected-in-tn-this-week-646127.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 10:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mild-rains-likely-in-parts-of-tn-strong-winds-over-andaman-sea-and-arabian-coast-645980.html Chennai Nov 1 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC has forecast generally dry weather over Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal for the next two days with light rainfall expected at one or two places in the state According to the weather bulletin changes in the intensity of easterly winds are influencing the weather pattern across the southern peninsulaDue to a variation in wind speed and direction Tamil Nadu and its adjoining Union Territories are likely to experience predominantly dry conditions However isolated light rainfall may occur at one or two locations the Met Centre saidMeanwhile the Andaman Sea is witnessing increased wind activityMeteorologists have predicted squally winds blowing at speeds of 35 to 45 kmph gusting up to 55 kmph at timesFishermen are advised not to venture into the sea due to the possibility of rough weather conditions the forecast cautionedSimilar wind conditions are expected along the Gujarat and north Konkan coasts and over adjoining parts of the eastcentral and northeast Arabian Sea where squally winds reaching 3545 kmph may prevail The sea conditions are likely to be rough in these regionsIn Chennai the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy throughout the day The maximum temperature is likely to be around 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum may hover near 26 degrees Celsius The humidity levels could remain moderate to high typical for this time of year meteorologists saidDespite the presence of moisture in the lower atmosphere there are no indications of widespread or heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu during the coming week The subdued rainfall trend follows the recent weakening of the lowpressure system over the Bay of BengalThe weather office has also urged fishermen operating along the Andaman coast North Konkan coast and the central and northeastern Arabian Sea to stay ashore until further notice as sea conditions may deteriorate further due to strong gustsWith the northeast monsoon yet to gain full strength the RMC said it continues to monitor developments in the Bay of Bengal closely for signs of new lowpressure formations that could bring widespread rains later in November IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mild-rains-likely-in-parts-of-tn-strong-winds-over-andaman-sea-and-arabian-coast-645980.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-civic-body-unveils-rs-2-200-crore-plan-to-upgrade-stormwater-drains-across-all-wards-645989.html Chennai Nov 1 In a major push to make the Tamil Nadu city floodresilient the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation CCMC has prepared a comprehensive Rs 2200crore project to revamp and expand the stormwater drainage network across all 100 wards The initiative aims to eliminate waterlogging and flooding during monsoons a recurring problem that has plagued the city for years At present while underground drainage works are underway in several neighbourhoods many residential and commercial zones continue to experience severe water stagnation and traffic disruptions due to inadequate stormwater infrastructure In several parts of the city rainwater continues to flow on roads instead of being channelled into proper drains causing accidents and damage to roads In the newly added areas of the corporation the situation is worse Absence of stormwater drains has turned earthen roads into muddy and slippery stretches during rain making life difficult for motorists and pedestrians alike Clogged existing drains filled with silt and garbage have compounded the problem by blocking the free flow of rainwater and leading to overflow in lowlying areas To tackle these longstanding issues the CCMCs engineering wing carried out an extensive field survey across all wards to pinpoint areas requiring new drains and identify existing ones that need repair or desilting Based on this survey a detailed project report has been prepared with highrisk floodprone zones prioritised for the first phase of implementation According to corporation officials the first phase of the project will cover the construction of 49 new drains spanning a total length of 11629 kilometres across various zones For this phase the civic body has sought Rs 274 crore from the Directorate of Municipal Administration A senior official of the corporation said In the first phase we have identified 49 roads covering 11629 km and sought Rs 274 crore from the state government Once approved it will mark a major step towards building a floodresilient Coimbatore The project which forms part of the citys longterm urban infrastructure modernisation plan is expected to be implemented in multiple stages ensuring that both old and newly merged areas benefit from a comprehensive stormwater management system designed to withstand future monsoons IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-civic-body-unveils-rs-2-200-crore-plan-to-upgrade-stormwater-drains-across-all-wards-645989.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/threat-of-another-flood-looms-large-in-north-bengal-with-rivers-overflowing-following-incessant-rain-646048.html Kolkata Nov 1 The threat of another flood looms large in north Bengal following incessant rain for the last two days due to the aftereffects of Cyclone Montha causing the water level of the rivers to start to rise above the danger level triggering panic among the people of a fresh flood and landslides in the hill districts According to reports the underconstruction dam on the Shisamara River was breached by the water from Bhutan flooding various areas of Shalkumar 1 and Shalkumar 2 gram panchayats About 200 people have left their homes in the area and have taken shelter in the local Lalturam High School The local gram panchayat has made arrangements for their accommodation and foodSubhash Roy head of Shalkumar 1 Gram Panchayat told media persons The dam on the Shisamara River where it was built on an emergency basis has broken and water has entered various areas including Notun Para and Munshipara in Shalkumar We have rescued 200 to 250 families and brought them to the local Notun Para Lalturam High School Efforts are being made to rescue livestock and other materials from the house If the water level rises further the situation will become seriousState Disaster Management Department personnel have been deployed in Shalkumar The district council is also monitoring the situation Officials are using loudspeakers to evacuate people from lowlying areas It is worth mentioning that the worst damage was done to Shalkumar 1 and Shalkumar 2 gram panchayat areas of Alipurduar district in the disaster of October 5 when massive flooding and landslides were reported from north Bengal following overnight torrential rainMeanwhile the approach road of Birpara Gerganda Bridge on Asian Highway 48 in Birpara has also collapsed As a result there has been traffic congestion on the way from Northeast India and Bhutan to Siliguri in West BengalAccording to the Met Department Jalpaiguri district received about 170 mm of rain since Friday As a result water is being released from the Teesta barrage The residents of the Teestapar area are in panic However the Irrigation Department personnel are monitoring the situation all the time Along with Jalpaiguri it is also raining in the Darjeeling district According to the forecast there is a possibility of heavy rain in Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts later in the day Light to moderate rain will continue in North Bengal on Sunday as well The weather is likely to change from Monday onwards IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/threat-of-another-flood-looms-large-in-north-bengal-with-rivers-overflowing-following-incessant-rain-646048.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/shah-rukh-khan-announces-film-festival-celebrating-his-cinematic-journey-across-india-and-worldwide-theatres-645802.html Mumbai Oct 31 Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has announced a special film festival celebrating his cinematic journey with screenings set to take place across India and select international theatres The initiative allows audiences to relive some of SRKs most iconic performances on the big screen once again On Friday the Dilwale actor took to his Instagram handle to share a heartfelt message celebrating his enduring love for cinema as he announced the Shah Rukh Khan Film FestivalSharing a video SRK wrote Main kaun hoon kaun nahi doesnt really matter as long as the lights camera and a little bit of love are still rolling See you at the ShahRukhKhanFilmFestival starting today In select theatres across India in association with PVR INOX In select Cinepolis screens across India A YRF International release across the Middle East North America the UK Europe Australia and New Zealand TampC ApplyThe special festival which kicks off today will feature screenings of some of SRKs most iconic films such as Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa Dil Se Devdas Main Hoon Na Om Shanti Om Chennai Express and Jawan in select theatres across India in association with PVR INOX and on Cinepolis screens nationwide The celebration also extends globally with YRF International facilitating releases in regions including the Middle East North America the UK Europe Australia and New ZealandAs Shah Rukh Khan gears up to celebrate his 60th birthday on November 2 a grand twoweek film festival has been organized to honour his cinematic legacy The celebration will take place across more than 75 cinemas in over 30 Indian cities through PVR INOX while studio partners have planned simultaneous screenings in regions including the Middle East North America the UK Europe Australia and beyondThe film festival will feature the theatrical rerelease of seven of Shah Rukh Khans most iconic films across select theatres IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/shah-rukh-khan-announces-film-festival-celebrating-his-cinematic-journey-across-india-and-worldwide-theatres-645802.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/major-disaster-averted-at-sangam-barrage-as-ndrf-pulls-out-heavy-boat-645650.html Amaravati Oct 30 A major disaster was averted at the Sangam Barrage across Penna River in Andhra Pradeshs Nellore district on Thursday as a 35tonne boat stuck in the barrage was pulled out by the NDRF teams It was one of three boats used for sand collection which were swept away by strong currents following heavy rain due to Cyclone Montha on WednesdayWhile two boats were brought to the shore on Wednesday by the teams of National Disaster Response Force NDRF the third one remained stuck and there was a danger of it ramming into the anicutNDRF swimmers and team members worked for about 12 hours to pull it out skilfully They tied the boat on both sides to three heavy boats with ropes and locked it with an anchorDistrict Collector Himanshu Shukla Superintendent of Police Ajitha Vejendla and other officials monitored the situationThirty personnel each of NDRF and SDRF 100 policemen Krishnapatnam Port Patrol staff and Fire and Irrigation officials participated in the operationThe ropes of the three boats tied to the bridge railing snapped due to the rising floodwaters on Wednesday The freed boats quickly moved towards the barrageOne of the three boats stuck the sand jetty area and got stuck while another reached the Kanigiri reservoir The third boat was stuck at the crest of the old dam about 400 metres upstream of the barrageSince the third boat weighed 35 tonnes it was difficult to pull it out After strenuous efforts by NDRF teams along with others for 12 hours it was finally pulled outCollector Himanshu Shukla congratulated the NDRF teamOfficials said if the NDRF teams had not controlled the sweptaway boats there would have been massive destruction at the barrage and lowlying areas would have been severely inundatedThe Sangam Barrage which has 85 gates irrigates 385 lakh acres of fallow land in Nellore district Officials said if it were damaged the water would have been wasted and farmers would have suffered losses in the coming season IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/major-disaster-averted-at-sangam-barrage-as-ndrf-pulls-out-heavy-boat-645650.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/minimum-temp-will-fall-in-delhi-ncr-pollution-will-increase-next-phase-of-grap-may-be-implemented-soon-645528.html New Delhi Oct 30 The onset of November is expected to bring colder and foggier mornings to Delhi and the National Capital Region NCR even as pollution levels continue to climb According to the India Meteorological Department IMD minimum temperatures will begin to fall from November 1 while maximum temperatures will hover around 30 to 31 degrees CelsiusThe weather department has ruled out any chance of rainfall in the coming days From October 30 to November 4 the sky will remain clear but light fog and mist are likely during early mornings and evenings the IMD saidOn Thursday the capital is expected to record a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 18 degrees which may further drop to 17 degrees by November 1 Meteorologists predict that temperatures will continue to decline gradually marking the early signs of winter However this fall in temperature is likely to aggravate air pollution levels in the regionWeather experts explain that cold and dry air traps pollutants near the surface leading to a rapid deterioration in air quality With no rain to wash away the pollutants the Air Quality Index AQI across DelhiNCR is projected to remain in the poor to very poor category in the coming daysIn response to worsening conditions the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM and other environmental agencies are expected to implement the next phase of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP soon The stricter measures may include a ban on construction and demolition activities restrictions on truck entry intensified road cleaning and regular water sprinkling to control dustHumidity levels are expected to fluctuate between 60 and 85 per cent increasing the likelihood of fog and smog formation especially during morning and evening hours Health experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure particularly for children and the elderly and to wear masks when stepping outsideIf the dry spell continues the air quality may worsen further in the first week of November potentially causing respiratory issues and eye irritation among residentsThe drop in temperatures is being felt beyond DelhiNCR as well From Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Madhya Pradesh people have switched off fans and air conditioners with many now sleeping under light blanketsWinter is slowly setting in across North India While Delhi and Uttarakhand are experiencing a mild chill parts of Uttar Pradesh are witnessing colder weather due to rain and strong winds Meteorologists predict that temperatures across the region will fall further in the first week of November officially marking the arrival of winter IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/minimum-temp-will-fall-in-delhi-ncr-pollution-will-increase-next-phase-of-grap-may-be-implemented-soon-645528.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/minimum-temp-will-fall-in-delhi-ncr-pollution-will-increase-next-phase-of-grap-may-be-implemented-soon-645529.html New Delhi Oct 30 The onset of November is expected to bring colder and foggier mornings to Delhi and the National Capital Region NCR even as pollution levels continue to climb According to the India Meteorological Department IMD minimum temperatures will begin to fall from November 1 while maximum temperatures will hover around 30 to 31 degrees CelsiusThe weather department has ruled out any chance of rainfall in the coming days From October 30 to November 4 the sky will remain clear but light fog and mist are likely during early mornings and evenings the IMD saidOn Thursday the capital is expected to record a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 18 degrees which may further drop to 17 degrees by November 1 Meteorologists predict that temperatures will continue to decline gradually marking the early signs of winter However this fall in temperature is likely to aggravate air pollution levels in the regionWeather experts explain that cold and dry air traps pollutants near the surface leading to a rapid deterioration in air quality With no rain to wash away the pollutants the Air Quality Index AQI across DelhiNCR is projected to remain in the poor to very poor category in the coming daysIn response to worsening conditions the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM and other environmental agencies are expected to implement the next phase of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP soon The stricter measures may include a ban on construction and demolition activities restrictions on truck entry intensified road cleaning and regular water sprinkling to control dustHumidity levels are expected to fluctuate between 60 and 85 per cent increasing the likelihood of fog and smog formation especially during morning and evening hours Health experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure particularly for children and the elderly and to wear masks when stepping outsideIf the dry spell continues the air quality may worsen further in the first week of November potentially causing respiratory issues and eye irritation among residentsThe drop in temperatures is being felt beyond DelhiNCR as well From Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Madhya Pradesh people have switched off fans and air conditioners with many now sleeping under light blanketsWinter is slowly setting in across North India While Delhi and Uttarakhand are experiencing a mild chill parts of Uttar Pradesh are witnessing colder weather due to rain and strong winds Meteorologists predict that temperatures across the region will fall further in the first week of November officially marking the arrival of winter IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/minimum-temp-will-fall-in-delhi-ncr-pollution-will-increase-next-phase-of-grap-may-be-implemented-soon-645529.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-asks-officials-to-intensify-relief-work-in-flood-hit-districts-645629.html Hyderabad Oct 30 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday directed authorities to intensify relief efforts in Warangal town and other parts of the state affected by floods following heavy rains under the impact of Cyclone Montha CM Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary and Director General of Police DGP to immediately send as many boats as necessary and to immediately move State Disaster Response Force SDRF to various floodhit districtsHe also asked officials to take steps to utilize Hyderabad Disaster Response Force and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA personnel and flood relief equipment wherever necessaryThe Chief Minister who reviewed the situation through a videoconference from here asked authorities concerned to immediately evacuate people in flooded areas to safe places and to provide drinking water and food packets to families trapped on rooftops through dronesCM Revanth Reddy said he would conduct an aerial survey in Warangal and Husnabad areas on Friday He had to postponed his visit to Warangal due to bad weatherHe asked the ministersincharge of the cycloneaffected districts should be available at the field level They should visit the field level be available to the people and try to help themThe government is ready to help the people We are preparing all the necessary plans for this he saidThe Chief Minister said the Meteorological Department had warned that the cyclone will affect 16 districts and preventive measures were takenHe said that since this is the season of paddy harvesting unexpected disaster has caused concern to farmersHe asked officials to remain alert and directed the collectors to cancel leaves of all and go to the fieldThe Chief Minister wanted the electricity department to be on alert to ensure that there is no power disruption due to strong windsHe said traffic should be diverted at damaged roads bridges and lowlevel causeways and people should be made aware not to come on the roads unless necessaryHe asked officials to monitor situation roundtheclock and provide emergency medical services wherever necessaryThe ministers of the combined districts should alert the collectors from time to time in coordination with the officials District Collectors were directed to provide information to incharge ministers from time to timeIn the wake of the overflowing of streams the local people should be alerted to prevent accidents The inflow and outflow in irrigation projects should be monitored from time to time We should be vigilant at all times to prevent loss of life loss of livestock and loss of crops the Chief Minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-asks-officials-to-intensify-relief-work-in-flood-hit-districts-645629.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-impacts-bihar-imd-issues-heavy-rainfall-alert-for-several-districts-645425.html New Delhi Oct 29 The impact of Cyclone Montha is being increasingly felt across Bihar with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a heavy rainfall alert for several districts According to the latest IMD forecast districts including West Champaran Kaimur Banka Rohtas Gaya Sheikhpura and Nawada are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday as the cyclones outer bands move northwardThe cyclonic system is also likely to cause a notable drop in temperatures and strong gusty winds across parts of southern and western Bihar over the next 24 hours The weather office has urged farmers to suspend harvesting and drying activities while residents have been advised to avoid open areas and weak structuresMeanwhile the IMD confirmed that the landfall process of the severe Cyclone Montha began early off the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada district The landfall process will continue for three to four hours said Dr M Mohapatra Director General of the IMD The storm moved northnorthwestwards at a speed of about 15 kmph over the past six hours before intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm around 530 amThe Andhra Pradesh government has taken largescale preparedness measures as Montha is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districtsAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CMO nearly 76000 people have been evacuated to relief camps and 219 medical camps have been set up To maintain emergency communication authorities have deployed 81 wireless towers and 21 highintensity lampsThe IMD has issued a cyclone warning for the Andhra Pradesh Yanam and South Odisha coasts forecasting wind speeds of 92117 kmph in central and north Andhra Pradesh followed by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh Rayalaseema Telangana South Chhattisgarh and Odisha IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-impacts-bihar-imd-issues-heavy-rainfall-alert-for-several-districts-645425.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-impact-heavy-rain-lashes-telangana-645441.html Hyderabad Oct 29 Heavy rain has been lashing parts of Telangana under the impact of severe cyclone Montha which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur Heavy rain inundated lowlying areas and disrupted vehicular transport in some areasAuthorities in Khammam Warangal Mahabubabad Suryapet and some other districts have declared a holiday for educational institutionsOverflowing rivulets streams and water bodies flooded the roads cutting off villages in Nagarkurnool district which shares a border with Andhra PradeshRainwater entered an electricity substation at Pulicherla village in Nalgonda district disrupting electricity supply to some villages in Peddapur mandal since Tuesday nightHeavy rain in the Sultanabad mandal of Peddapalli district damaged paddy in the agriculture marketAccording to Telangana Development Planning Society Uppununthala in Nagarkurnool district received the highest rainfall of 208 cm during the last 24 hours Amrabad in the same district recorded 197 cm of rainfallTheldevarapally in Nalgonda district recorded 185 cm rainfall followed by 183 cm in Veltur 178 cm in Ainole 1628 cm in Padra 1590 cm in Achampet all in Nagarkurnool district and 1515 cm in Yerraram in Nalgonda districtAbout 30 areas received rainfall of more than 10 cmHyderabad has received moderate to heavy rain since Tuesday night Some areas in the core city and the outskirts received moderate rainfall since Wednesday morningWater stagnation on roads in and around Hyderabad caused hardships to motorists in the morning rush hourAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD light to moderate rain or thundershowers at times intense spells at a few places accompanied by gusty winds 3040 kmph are very likely to occur in Hyderabad MistHazy conditions are very likely to prevail during morningnight hoursThe IMD has issued an orange alert for Bhadradri Kothagudem Hanamkoonda Hyderabad Jangaon Jogulamaba Gadwal Khammam Medchal Malkajgiri Mahabubabad Mahabubnagar Nagarkurnool Nalgonda Narayanpet Rangareddy Suryapet Vikarabad Wanaparthy Warangal and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-impact-heavy-rain-lashes-telangana-645441.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-kanpur-director-explains-why-cloud-seeding-didnt-cause-rain-in-delhi-another-attempt-planned-today-645445.html New Delhi Oct 29 The muchanticipated attempt to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding over parts of Delhi turned out to be not completely successful According to IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal the failure was largely due to insufficient moisture in the clouds emphasising that cloud seeding is not a magic bullet for Delhis pollution crisis but rather an emergency lastresort measure He also stated that the team plans to make fresh attempts on Wednesday Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Tuesday Agrawal whose institute is collaborating with the Delhi government for this experimental project said that the team plans to make fresh attempts on Wednesday expressing hope for improved resultsThere hasnt been any rain so far So in that sense it was not completely successful Unfortunately the clouds present today did not have very high moisture content I am told it was only around 1520 per cent The possibility of inducing rain with such low moisture levels is not very high But this trial has given more confidence to our team to continue conducting them Agrawal told NDTVThe IIT Kanpurled team used a mixture comprising 20 per cent silver iodide and the rest made up of rock salt and common salt to seed the clouds On Tuesday 14 flares were fired in totalThere were conflicting reports about the likelihood of rain today Some forecasts predicted rain while others did not But our own observation was that the cloud cover had very low moisture content and this could well be true for the entire region we flew over So we do not expect rain today Agrawal addedTwo additional flights he said are scheduled for Wednesday and the operations will continue whenever suitable cloud cover is availableWhen asked whether cloud seeding could serve as a longterm remedy for Delhis persistent air pollution Agrawal was clear in his responseIt is an SOS solution something to attempt only in a crisis when pollution levels are extremely high It is not a permanent solution The permanent solution of course is to control the sources of pollution Ideally we should reach a stage where theres no need for cloud seeding because pollution itself has been eliminated Until then this is one of the tools available to provide temporary relief he saidAgrawal acknowledged that the current cost of the operations is high because the flights are being conducted from Uttar Pradesh However he added that these costs could be reduced substantially in future attemptsAny effort that leads to even a partial reduction in pollution benefits everyone Even if rain comes after a few days it can still provide some relief he addedAccording to a preliminary report by the Delhi government the cloud seeding experiment did help reduce particulate matter levels in some of the targeted areas Two minor precipitation events were recorded 01 mm of rain in Noida and 02 mm in Greater Noida around 4 pm on TuesdayBefore seeding the PM 25 levels were recorded at 221 Mayur Vihar 230 Karol Bagh and 229 Burari After seeding they dropped to 207 206 and 203 respectivelySimilarly PM 10 levels fell from 207 206 and 209 to 177 163 and 177 in the same areasDelhis Forest and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had confirmed that two cloud seeding attempts were made on Tuesday one in the morning and another in the evening with assistance from IIT KanpurToday one attempt was made in the morning and another in the evening The results are still being collated Sirsa told IANS emphasising that the Delhi government is committed to exploring scientific solutions to combat the citys toxic airThe experiment comes at a time when Delhis air quality has sharply deteriorated in the days following Diwali celebrations The Air Quality Index AQI across Delhi and the National Capital Region NCR has remained in the poor to very poor category with smog blanketing large parts of the cityCloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide nanoparticles iodized salt and dry ice into the atmosphere to stimulate cloud condensation and trigger rainfall It is often used in regions suffering from water scarcity or to reduce hail and fogOn Tuesday IIT Kanpurs aircraft seeded a corridor approximately 25 nautical miles 463 km long and four nautical miles 74 km wide covering areas between Khekra and Burari coloniesThe first flight released six flares at an altitude of around 4000 feet while the second which took off at 355 pm deployed eight flares at a slightly higher altitude of 5000 feetDespite the lack of rainfall experts consider the trial a significant technical success marking one of Indias most advanced urban cloud seeding operations to date IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-kanpur-director-explains-why-cloud-seeding-didnt-cause-rain-in-delhi-another-attempt-planned-today-645445.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-monthas-landfall-continues-near-kakinada--645336.html Amaravati Oct 28 The landfall by severe cyclonic storm Montha in the Bay of Bengal continued near Kakinada on Tuesday night triggering heavy rains and strong winds in the region The cyclone started making landfall around 8 pm at Antarvedipalli between Kakinada and MachilipatnamThe India Meteorological Department IMD said that land landfall process may continue for another two hoursThe maximum wind speed at the time of landfall is likely to be 90110 km per hourThere were reports of trees getting uprooted and disruption in the electricity supply in some towns and villages in the coastal districtsChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remained at the Real Time Governance centre on Tuesday night to review the situationHe directed officials to remain alert throughout the night to prevent loss of life and propertyThe Chief Minister held a teleconference with district collectors to review the current status of the cyclone He instructed ministers to visit the cycloneaffected areas interact with the people and immediately implement relief measures to instil confidence among themHe emphasised that power supply should be restored promptly after the cyclone by repairing damaged electric poles and substations The CM further stated that he has requested the Centre to send central teams to assess the overall cyclone damage including crop lossesThe IMD said that under the impact of Montha heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh Rayalaseema Telangana South Chhattisgarh and OdishaThe IMD appealed to people to stay indoors to stay safe and follow official updatesThe impact of the cyclone is likely to be severe in Kakinada Krishna Eluru East Godavari West Godavari Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Chinturu and Rampachodavaram divisions of Alluri Sitarama Raju districtThe state government ordered the suspension of vehicle movement in these seven districts from 830 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on WednesdayDistrict Collectors and Superintendents of Police were instructed to halt traffic on all types of roads including national highways passing through these districts However anexemption has been granted only for emergency medical servicesThe government has advised all residents in these districts to stay indoors not to venture outside and to remain vigilantThe cyclone is likely to affect 403 mandals in 22 districts across the state The officials have set up 488 control rooms in mandals to deal with the emergency situationThe government has set up a total of 1204 relief camps and 75802 people have been evacuated to these campsThe IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts which also face the threat of flash floodsSrikakulam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Anakapalle Nellore Konaseema and Kakinada districts have been receiving heavy rains with strong windsHigh tidal waves have damaged the UppadaKakinada beach road Authorities have closed the road for trafficFishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for five days All activities on the coast have been suspended Authorities have closed the beaches for touristsMeanwhile Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X that he spoke to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu along with concerned Railway officials Decisions taken for immediate restoration work post landfall of the cyclone he saidResponding to this Chief Minister Naidu thanked the Union minister for his concern and support on Cyclone Montha The Union and State Governments stand prepared together to mitigate the impact of the cyclone prioritising the safety of our people posted Naidu IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-monthas-landfall-continues-near-kakinada--645336.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-corporation-submits-rs-102-crore-plan-for-noyyal-riverfront-revamp-645164.html Chennai Oct 28 Giving a renewed push to the restoration of the Noyyal River the Coimbatore Corporation has submitted a detailed project report DPR to the state government seeking Rs 102 crore for developing a 43km stretch of the riverfront from Nanjundapuram to Athupalam The proposal is part of the state governments initiative to rejuvenate urban riverfronts for which Rs 400 crore was earmarked in the current fiscal for five districts including CoimbatoreThe ambitious project aims to combine ecological restoration with public recreation making the riverfront a green and accessible urban spaceIt is a joint effort of the state government and the Coimbatore Corporation with Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited TNUIFSL designated as the funding agencyAlongside this plan the civic body has also forwarded a separate Rs 100crore proposal for building three new sewage treatment plants STPs and for upgrading underground drainage intersections and diversionsAccording to the DPR the project will focus on strengthening and improving the bunds on both sides of the river creating road access along the banks and developing public amenities such as parks openair gyms and viewing points Three new STPs are proposed to intercept sewage discharge into the river with the project identifying 41 points where untreated wastewater currently enters the watercourse Designed on ecofriendly principles the Noyyal Riverfront Project will adhere to norms of the Germanbased KfW Development Bank prioritising minimal concrete use and extensive green cover The plan envisions a sevenmetrewide road on one bund with recreational facilities and landscaped areas on the opposite side The overall layout aims to preserve the natural width of the river prevent encroachments and maintain a sustainable ratio of 70 per cent greenery to 30 per cent built structures Experts have stressed the need to safeguard the rivers natural flow and recommended including data on historical flood levels to guide design and safety parameters However concerns have also emerged from local farming groups about the lack of consultation during public review meetings and the necessity of additional STPs given that existing ones are underutilised Once approved the project is expected to transform the Noyyal Riverfront into a major ecological and recreational corridor for Coimbatore while supporting longterm urban water management goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-corporation-submits-rs-102-crore-plan-for-noyyal-riverfront-revamp-645164.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/severe-cyclone-montha-comes-hurtling-towards-andhra-coast-645169.html Amaravati Oct 28 Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclone and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday night Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDA said in the morning that the cyclone moved at a speed of 15 km per hour during the last six hours and is currently centered 190 km from Machilipatnam 270 km from Kakinada and 340 km from VisakhapatnamASDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said that at the time of the cyclones landfall strong gales with a speed of 90110 kmph are likely Under the impact of the cyclone very heavy rainfall is likely along the entire Andhra coast from Srikakulam to Nellore Some areas may receive extremely heavy rainfallThe APSDMA has advised people to remain indoors It asked people not to panic and assured them that the state administration is with themThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts which also face the threat of flash floodsA storm surge of about one metre above the astronomical tide is also expected along the coast which may inundate lowlying areasSrikakulam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Anakapalle Nellore Konaseema and Kakinada districts are already receiving heavy rain with strong winds At least 95 places have recorded heavy to very heavy rainfallHigh tidal waves have damaged the UppadaKakinada beach road Authorities have closed the road for trafficFishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for five days All activities on the coast have been suspended Authorities have closed the beaches for touristsAccording to officials the cyclone is likely to impact 1419 villages in 233 mandals and 44 municipalities Authorities have already opened 2194 relief camps in these areasThe administration is ready to shift people to relief camps where necessary Special attention has been paid to 3465 pregnant womennursing mothers for careA total of 558 control rooms have been set up including one state control room 19 district control rooms and 54 revenue division control roomsSixteen satellite phones 35 DMR sets and other equipment have been made available in the districts for the communication systemAs a precautionary measure South Central Railway and East Coast Railway have announced the cancellation of over 100 trains for the next two daysEleven teams of National Disaster Response Force NDRF and 12 teams of State Disaster Response Force SDRF have reached the coastal districts for relief operations while some more teams are available at the headquarters IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/severe-cyclone-montha-comes-hurtling-towards-andhra-coast-645169.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-danger-signal-seven-hoisted-at-kakinada-port-645181.html Visakhapatnam Oct 28 With severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal racing towards the Andhra Pradesh coast authorities have hoisted danger signal number seven at Kakinda port Cyclone Warning Centre Visakhapatnam has issued danger signal number six at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram portsDanger signal number five has been hoisted at Machilipatnam Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam portsInformatory messages have been sent to Kalingapatnam Bheemunipatnam and Vadarevu portsAccording to India Meteorological Department IMD cyclonic storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northnorthwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past six hours intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of Tuesday over the same region about 190 km southsoutheast of Machilipatnam Andhra Pradesh 270 km southsoutheast of Kakinada Andhra Pradesh 340 km southsouthwest of Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh 550 km southsouthwest of Gopalpur OdishaIt is likely to continue to move northnorthwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the eveningnight of today the 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph the IMD saidThe IMD has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh It said in a bulletin that scattered heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam Parvathipuram Manyam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Alluri Sitharama Raju Anakapalli KakinadaYanam Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema East Godavari West Godavari Eluru NTR Krishna Guntur Palnadu Bapatla and Prakasam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at a few places over Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore Tirupati Annamayya YSR Kadapa and Nandyal districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh Yanam and RayalaseemaIndian National Centre for Ocean Information Services INCOIS has issued high wave alerts for coastal districtsIt forecasted high waves in the range of 3 47 meters INCOIS advised small vessels not to ply near shore and to avoid recreational activities Erosionwave surges are possible under the impact of the cyclone IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-danger-signal-seven-hoisted-at-kakinada-port-645181.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-cm-naidu-urges-nda-mps-mlas-to-stand-by-people-645203.html Amaravati Oct 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked the NDA MPs ministers MLAs and other leaders to stand by the people in the wake of severe cyclone Montha In a teleconference with the NDA MPs ministers and MLAs he said from cadre to leader everyone should help people in the time of calamityThe Telugu Desam Party TDP president told the leaders of TDP Jana Sena and BJP to be available to people in the cycloneaffected areasStating that cyclone Montha is going to affect the state the Chief Minister informed the leaders that as per the current information it is approaching the state from a distance of 270 km from Kakinada at a speed of 15 kmThe cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam There is a possibility of heavy rains in Krishna West Godavari Konaseema and Eluru districtsCM Naidu spoke about the steps being taken to completely reduce the loss of life and prevent property damageWe are sending messages to mobile phones in real time depending on the severity of the situation We have informed the authorities about the steps to be taken to save the crops from being submergedHe wanted NDA workers to come forward as volunteers and participate in relief activities by sensitising the peopleThe Chief Minister also told the NDA MPs that the coalition government will also seek Central assistance if necessaryThe governments goal is to save the lives of the people and reduce the loss We should be there for the people in times of crisis The NDA machinery should cooperate with the government machinery in cyclone relief measures he saidRecalling that the government dealt effectively with Titli and Hudhud cyclones CM Naidu exuded confidence that it will also effectively deal with MonthaThe Chief Minister told the NDA leaders that the rains under the impact of the cyclone were affecting 39 constituenciesThe government has deployed NDRF and SDRF personnel at the field level in view of the possibility of flash floodsWe are making arrangements to remove fallen trees and poles on a war footing We have brought back the fishermen who went fishing in the sea The NDA cadres should also have coordination with them he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-cm-naidu-urges-nda-mps-mlas-to-stand-by-people-645203.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/great-danger-signal-10-at-kakinada-port-as-cyclone-montha-nears-andhra-pradesh-coast-645213.html Visakhapatnam Oct 28 Great danger signal number 10 was hoisted at Kakinada Port on Tuesday as the severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal was hurtling towards the Andhra Pradesh coast With the cyclone nearing the coast the Cyclone Warning Centre Visakhapatnam directed authorities to replace danger signal seven with 10 at Kakinada PortThe great danger signal is the highest issued to port in times of severe cyclonesGreat danger signal number nine was hoisted at Visakhapatnam Gangavaram Kalingapatnam and Bheemunipatnam portsGreat danger signal eight was hoisted at Machilipatnam Nizampatnam Krishnapatnam and Vadarevu portsAccording to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDMA cyclonic storm Montha over the westcentral Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclone and moved northnorthwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours It lies centred about 160 km from Machilipatnam 240 km from Kakinada and 320 km from VisakhapatnamThe system is being continuously monitored from the Disaster Management Authoritys control roomThe severe cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Kakinada and Machilipatnam tonight At the time of crossing the coast strong cyclonic winds with speeds of 90110 km per hour Due to its impact extremely heavy rainfall is expected from Srikakulam to Nellore with very heavy rainfall in some areasAPSDMA has advised people to stay safe indoorsThe IMD has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh It said in a bulletin that scattered heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam Parvathipuram Manyam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Alluri Sitharama Raju Anakapalli KakinadaYanam Dr BRAmbedkar Konaseema East Godavari West Godavari Eluru NTR Krishna Guntur Palnadu Bapatla and Prakasam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at a few places over Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore Tirupati Annamayya YSR Kadapa and Nandyal districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh Yanam and RayalaseemaIndian National Centre for Ocean Information Services INCOIS has issued high wave alerts for coastal districtsIt forecasted high waves in the range of 3 47 meters INCOIS has advised small vessels not to ply near shore and to suspend recreational activities Erosionwave surges are possible under the impact of the cyclone IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/great-danger-signal-10-at-kakinada-port-as-cyclone-montha-nears-andhra-pradesh-coast-645213.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-level-mumbai-climate-week-to-be-held-in-feb-2026-maha-cm--645315.html Mumbai Oct 28 IANS Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that India will host the inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week MCW in February 2026nbspMumbai Climate Week aims to become a major platform for climate action across the Global South with India taking a leadership role The event will bring together the best minds from across the Global South to find practical solutions for our climate challenges said the Chief MinisternbspHe added that this platform will help developing nations work together and make their voices heard on the global stagenbspThe Chief Minister joined by leading climate experts shared details of the event saying that representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to participatenbspnbspThey will come to Mumbai to create a practical climate action plan working with city leaders state chief ministers civil society groups corporates students and young people he saidThe Chief Minister added that by bringing together governments businesses startups academia civil society indigenous communities youth and citizen groups the event aims to foster an ecosystem of shared purposenbspnbspThrough diverse expertise and realworld experience Mumbai Climate Week will help shape a just sustainable and resilient future for the Global South while amplifying its voice on the global stage said the Chief MinisterFadnavis added that the event showcases Indias resolve to lead with action adding that inspired by the vision set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Mumbai and Maharashtra are ready to help shape a just innovative wellfunded climate future for the Global SouthnbspThe inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week will focus on three connected themes food systems energy transition and urban resiliencenbspnbspEach theme will be examined through the lenses of justice innovation and funding This ensures that the MCW platform addresses both climate adaptation and mitigation strategiesnbspImportantly the platform will bring together not just policymakers and experts but also give a voice to citizens and grassroots initiativesnbspTopics like mental health art spirituality sports and cinema will be included in the weeks activities A climatefocused food festival is also being planned as part of public engagementnbspnbspIn the leadup to the event in February various preparatory activities will help identify and improve solutions for showcasing These include crossstakeholder working groups innovation mapping exercises calls for applications workshops roundtables and conferencesnbspThe February event will use a unique hubandspoke format with the main event scheduled for February 17 to 19 https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-level-mumbai-climate-week-to-be-held-in-feb-2026-maha-cm--645315.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-six-tn-districts-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-644990.html Chennai Oct 26 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall across six districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday due to the formation of a lowpressure area over the Bay of Bengal The system currently active over the central and adjoining eastern parts of the Bay is bringing widespread showers and strong winds to the regionAccording to the latest bulletin Chennai Chengalpattu Tiruvallur Kancheepuram Ranipet and Villupuram districts along with Puducherry are likely to experience heavy rainThe RMC further noted that rainfall activity is expected to intensify on Monday with extremely heavy rain possible in Tiruvallur Chennai and Ranipet districtsStrong showers are also expected in Chengalpattu Kancheepuram Vellore Villupuram and Puducherry Officials said the developing weather system is part of a larger circulation extending over the central and northwestern Bay of Bengal which is expected to strengthen further over the next 24 hoursThe lowpressure area is likely to move northwestward bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and parts of Puducherry the RMC statedMeanwhile fishermen have been strongly advised to stay away from the sea due to squally winds Wind speeds are expected to reach 80 kmph over the southwest southeast and central Bay of Bengal and may intensify up to 100 kmph over the midwestern and northwestern sectorsCoastal residents have also been urged to remain cautious as the sea is likely to be very rough Disaster management teams in the affected districts have been placed on high alert and local administrations have initiated preparatory measures to handle possible flooding in lowlying areasWith the northeast monsoon active since October 16 several parts of Tamil Nadu have already received aboveaverage rainfall in the past week The weather office has said that further updates will be issued as the system evolves IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-six-tn-districts-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-644990.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/roads-crumble-in-chennai-after-heavy-rainfall-mayor-orders-swift-repairs-644991.html Chennai Oct 26 Over the past week residents across Chennai have flooded social media with complaints about the worsening condition of the state capitals arterial and interior roads which were battered by recent spells of heavy rain Videos and photos of cratered roads traffic snarls and waterlogged stretches have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for urgent civic intervention Responding to the criticism Mayor R Priya announced that the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has identified potholes in nearly 2000 locations across the cityIn a statement on Sunday she attributed the deterioration directly to the continuous downpour and assured that immediate steps are being taken to fix the damaged stretches Due to heavy rainfall potholes have appeared on several city roads Funds have been allocated to fill them immediately and wardwise repair work is already underway These potholes will be filled on the same day they are identified the Mayor saidShe added that motor pumps have been installed in several floodprone areas to drain accumulated rainwater quickly and prevent further road damageIt may be recalled that Mayor Priya accompanied by HRampCE Minister and CMDA Chairman PK Sekarbabu had on Saturday inspected dredging work at the Buckingham Canal in Royapuram ZoneThe Minister instructed officials to ensure the free flow of rainwater and directed immediate clearance of waste from the canal to prevent floodingThis area lies adjacent to the Buckingham Canal where the Otteri Nalla joins Water from Ambattur Kolathur and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar flows into this canal Dredging work is progressing well and with the weather department predicting more rain these measures are essential to prevent inundation the Mayor saidCivic officials said doortodoor inspections were also carried out in neighbourhoods like Kalyanapuram and Kalyanapuram Pallam where around 1000 families were consulted to identify local issues and grievancesA senior GCC official noted that patchwork has already been completed in 168 locations with all complaints being tracked and resolvedMeanwhile Chennai Traffic Police have identified 115 critical pothole spots including 38 on highways 71 on bus route roads and 12 on interior roads which are now being prioritised for repair to ease traffic movement and ensure road safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/roads-crumble-in-chennai-after-heavy-rainfall-mayor-orders-swift-repairs-644991.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/alert-in-tamil-nadus-chidambaram-village-after-sighting-crocodiles-644996.html Chennai Oct 26 The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has issued a public alert and launched an awareness drive in several villages along the Old Kollidam River after crocodiles were sighted in the region following heavy water discharge from the main Kollidam River Teams led by Forest Range Officer Vasanth Bhaskar Forester Panneerselvam and Forest Guard Anbumani visited villages including Velakkudi Agaranallur and Pazhaiyannallur on Saturday to warn residents and distribute pamphlets outlining safety measuresThe officials went doortodoor cautioning people against entering canals ponds or lowlying water bodies where recent reports of crocodile movements had been madeWe advised people not to enter or wash clothes in open waterbodies and to remain cautious especially during the night said Forest Range Officer Vasanth BhaskarThe rising water level has pushed several crocodiles into adjoining streams and flooded fields Their movements have been noticed near the riverbanks and irrigation canalsThe Kollidam River a major distributary of the Cauvery has been carrying a high volume of surplus water released upstream due to the ongoing monsoon rainForest officials believe that the sudden increase in water flow has displaced crocodiles from their usual habitats forcing them closer to human settlementsIn addition to the wildlife alert continuous heavy rain over the past five days has inundated several parts of Cuddalore district including Chidambaram townLocal officials reported that residential colonies and school campuses in lowlying areas have experienced waterloggingAdding to residents anxiety five snakes were rescued from different parts of the town after they slithered into houses and classrooms seeking dry shelter Fire and Rescue Services personnel led by Station Officer P Manimaran safely captured the reptiles and released them into nearby forest areasThe snakes were found at Chidambaram Government Girls Higher Secondary School Ramakrishna Higher Secondary School a house near Annamalai University Agricultural College in Annamalainagar another in VNS Nagar and one in Malaikatti Street Manimaran saidAuthorities have urged the public to remain vigilant avoid venturing into flooded areas and report any sightings of wild animals to the Forest Department or local rescue teams IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/alert-in-tamil-nadus-chidambaram-village-after-sighting-crocodiles-644996.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-lauds-ambikapurs-garbage-cafe-in-mann-ki-baat-645008.html Raipur Oct 26 In a stirring anecdote shared during the 127th episode of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted a remarkable initiative unfolding in the heart of Chhattisgarh The Garbage Cafe in Ambikapur a city nestled in central India is redefining the concept of nourishment and civic responsibility one plastic wrapper at a timeEvery day the cafe welcomes people who visit to relish lunch or dinner but instead of paying with rupees they offer bundles of plastic waste discarded carrier bags food wrappers and water bottlesIn lieu of one kilogram of garbage you can get a good lunch or dinner for half a kilogram you can get breakfast the Prime Minister explained lauding the efforts of the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation AMC for this innovative approachThe cafes menu is generous and wholesome rice two vegetable curries dal roti salad and pickles for a full mealBreakfast options include popular street fare such as samosas and vada pav The initiative launched in 2019 under the slogan More the waste better the taste is funded through AMCs sanitation budget and strategically located near the citys main bus standThe concept was born out of a dual crisis plastic pollution and urban hunger By incentivising the collection of plastic waste the cafe not only provides sustenance but also contributes to environmental cleanlinessRagpickers and lowincome individuals are encouraged to gather plastic from streets and landfills exchanging it for hot meals that nourish both body and spiritIf food is available in place of plastic the cafe is not only helping to fill empty stomachs but also contributing to cleaning up the environmentThe cafe feeds several people daily a modest yet meaningful number in a city striving for inclusive progressAmbikapurs Garbage Cafe stands as an example of ingenuity and compassion proving that sustainable solutions can emerge from the most pressing urban challenges In a world grappling with waste and want this humble cafe offers a recipe for hope served warm with a side of civic pride IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-lauds-ambikapurs-garbage-cafe-in-mann-ki-baat-645008.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-spotlights-kutch-mangrove-revival-in-mann-ki-baat-urges-nationwide-tree-planting-645012.html Ahmedabad Oct 26 In the 127th episode of his iconic radio programme Mann Ki Baat Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Gujarats triumph in mangrove conservation as an example of ecological resilience drawing parallels between forests binding hilly terrains and mangroves protecting coastal ecosystems PM Modi emphasised how these green guardians mitigate natural disasters like tsunamis while fostering biodiversity and livelihoodsJungles bind the soil in hills and plains similarly mangroves are the lifeline of our coasts he said invoking the spirit of environmental stewardship amid greetings for the upcoming Chhath Puja which he described as a profound unity of culture nature and societyAt the heart of PM Modis address was the transformative story from Dholera in Gujarats Gulf of KhambhatUnder the state Forest Departments proactive efforts over 3500 hectares of mangroves primarily Avicennia marina species have been planted in the past five years aligning with the Central governments MISHTI Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes scheme launched in 2023This initiative has propelled Gujarat to the national forefront with 19020 hectares afforested in just two years expanding the states mangrove cover to 1175 square kilometres the secondlargest in India after the Sundarbans The results are striking The 2024 wildlife census revealed a surge in marine life along Dholeras revitalised shoresDolphins frolicking in greater numbers PM shared and thriving populations of crabsThis is natures way of thanking us PM Modi noted crediting community involvementEchoing these successes PM Modi highlighted Kori Creek in Kutch district home to one of Indias richest mangrove belts spanning 795 sq km Here the Forest Department runs a dedicated mangrove restoration centre integrating animal welfare programmes that rescue and rehabilitate coastal wildlife If reports are believed recent sightings of several dolphins across 4087 sq km from Kutch to Bhavnagar confirm the ecosystems rebound turning degraded coasts into vibrant habitatsThe 2024 census echoed positive trends 7672 wild asses in the Rann of Kutch a 26 per cent rise alongside increased sightings of otters jackals and seabirdsInland mangroves at Guneri village declared Gujarats first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January further underscore Kutchs unique ecosystems possibly remnants of ancient riverine formationsBuoyed by these positive tidings the Ahmedabad Social Forestry Division announced its maiden marine life survey for the districts coasts inspired by a similar 2024 initiative in Kutch This will assess fish stocks invertebrates and dolphin movements building on Gujarats overall mangrove expansion of 6930 hectares in 202324 with 12000 more planned for 202526 Such surveys aim to inform policy boosting ecotourism and sustainable fisheries amid a national marine fish catch dip of 2 per cent last yearPM Modi concluded with a heartfelt call to action Wherever we live let us plant a tree in the name of our mother under Ek Ped Maa Ke NaamHe urged citizens to contribute via MyGov or the NaMo App framing treeplanting as a tribute to maternal nurturing and planetary healthTrees benefit every being transcending borders he added linking it to global goals like the LiFE movementWith Gujarat leading MISHTI efforts PM Modis message says conservation is collective yielding tangible gains in biodiversity and disaster resilience IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-spotlights-kutch-mangrove-revival-in-mann-ki-baat-urges-nationwide-tree-planting-645012.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-stalin-reviews-adyar-river-works-for-2nd-straight-day-as-monsoon-gains-strength-645013.html Chennai Oct 26 Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday undertook a surprise inspection of the Adyar River mouth for the second consecutive day reviewing the ongoing dredging and widening operations intended to facilitate free flow of floodwater into the Bay of Bengal during the intensifying northeast monsoon The inspection which took place near Srinivasapuram follows CM Stalins earlier visit on October 24 Officials from the Public Works Department and the Greater Chennai Corporation briefed the Chief Minister about the progress of works and the measures taken to prevent flooding in vulnerable zones across the cityThe Chief Minister directed officials to accelerate the widening of the river mouth and ensure that the works were completed before heavy rainfall intensifies in the coming days He emphasised that the Adyar estuary plays a crucial role in draining surplus water from city reservoirs into the sea helping to mitigate flooding in lowlying areasDeputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian and Thousand Lights MLA Ezhilan accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspectionThe team closely reviewed the dredging machinery deployed along the estuary and interacted with engineers supervising the operationsAuthorities said that the Adyar River mouth had been narrowed over the years due to siltation and encroachments leading to water stagnation during intense rainfall The ongoing dredging and desilting efforts are part of the states premonsoon preparedness plan which includes strengthening river embankments clearing blockages in stormwater drains and installing motor pumps at key floodprone intersectionsThe Tamil Nadu government has intensified preventive measures across the coastal districts following the formation of a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic system in the coming daysThe India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast widespread rain for Chennai Tiruvallur Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram districts in the next 48 hoursOfficials added that roundtheclock monitoring teams have been deployed to track water levels in major reservoirs including Chembarambakkam and Poondi and to regulate surplus discharge through the Adyar River into the seaCM Stalin instructed officials to maintain high vigilance and ensure that floodmitigation works remain uninterrupted even during adverse weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-stalin-reviews-adyar-river-works-for-2nd-straight-day-as-monsoon-gains-strength-645013.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-4-500-irrigation-tanks-in-tn-near-full-capacity-645029.html Chennai Oct 26 The onset of the Northeast monsoon has begun to yield significant benefits for Tamil Nadus water resources with nearly 2000 additional irrigation tanks recording storage levels exceeding 75 per cent capacity over the last ten days According to data from the Water Resources Department as of October 15 only 2622 tanks across the State had storage above the 75 per cent markBy Saturday this number had surged to 4556 tanks an increase of 1934 within just 10 days The figure also represents a substantial improvement compared to the same period last year when 3197 tanks had reached similar storage levels as on October 21 2024Of the total tanks that have achieved 100 per cent capacity 396 are located in Kanniyakumari district 266 in Tiruvannamalai 243 in Ranipet 241 in Madurai 189 in Thanjavur and 137 in VillupuramAmong districts showing the steepest rise in tank levels Villupuram recorded the highest increase with 131 tanks reaching full storage followed by Madurai with 120 and Tiruvannamalai with 111Neighbouring districts of Chennai Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram also reported improved storage with 50 and 62 tanks respectively now filledOfficials said that the rise in water levels reflects the welldistributed rainfall pattern during the first phase of the Northeast monsoon which began on October 16In addition to the filled tanks 2274 others currently hold between 76 per cent and 99 per cent of their capacityKanniyakumari district tops this category with 788 tanks followed by Thanjavur 263 Madurai 220 Pudukottai 144 and Tenkasi 109Madurai has seen the highest increase in tanks within this range with 189 more tanks nearing full capacity compared to the previous week followed by Kanniyakumari 122 and Thanjavur 95Officials expect that with the India Meteorological Department predicting aboveaverage rainfall for the remainder of the season the number of tanks reaching full capacity is likely to rise further in the coming weeks Higher tank storage they added would naturally improve groundwater levels and reduce dependency on borewellsFor farmers who already benefit from free power supply this means less groundwater extraction and a more sustainable irrigation pattern across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-4-500-irrigation-tanks-in-tn-near-full-capacity-645029.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-to-bring-heavy-rain-in-bengal-says-met-office-645031.html Kolkata Oct 26 The Meteorological MeT office on Sunday said that Cyclone Montha will not have a direct impact on West Bengal but is likely to bring heavy rain from Monday onwards Districts of South Bengal including Kolkata will receive rain due to the influence of the systemAccording to the special bulletin of the MeT office the cyclone is then likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatam on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada region on Tuesday evening or night as a severe cyclonic stormThe maximum wind speed at the time of landfall may be 90100 kilometres per hour The wind speed may reach 110 kilometres per hour said the MeT DepartmentThe MeT Department official Sourish Banerjee said that although there will be no direct impact of the cyclone on the state the sea will remain rough in the Bengal coast from October 28 to 30 There is a possibility of gusty winds of 3545 kilometres per hour The speed of gusty winds can reach 55 kilometres per hourDue to rough seas fishermen in Bengal have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 28 to 30 Those who are in the deep sea have been asked to return by Monday October 27 said the officialOn Monday light thundershowers are likely at one or two places in South 24 Parganas Jhargram East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts On Tuesday heavy rain is likely at a few places in the South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts Light to moderate rain with thundershowers are likely at a few places in the remaining south Bengal districts said the officialIn addition North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Howrah Hooghly Jhargram East Midnapore West Midnapore and Kolkata are likely to experience light to moderate rain with thundershowers at most places on Wednesday Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in all districts of south Bengal on Thursday There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in most areas of all districts on FridayMeanwhile the possibility of thunderstorms in north Bengal is low However the amount of rain will gradually increase in the next seven daysThe maximum temperature in Kolkata on Saturday was 329 degrees Celsius which is 12 degrees above normal The minimum temperature on Sunday was 255 degrees Celsius which is 25 degrees Celsius above normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cyclone-montha-to-bring-heavy-rain-in-bengal-says-met-office-645031.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html New Delhi Oct 25 Recognising and rewarding local communities for acting as custodians of biological heritage the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 183 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees in UP and Sikkim an official said on Saturday The funds represent the access and benefitsharing mechanism under the framework of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 said the Environment Ministry official in a statementThese funds will be utilised for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Act and the relevant State Biodiversity Rules the statement saidBy transferring these funds the NBA is empowering these local custodians to lead a role in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of their resources Also the fund transfer is aimed at promoting fair and equitable benefitsharing said the statementThe funds were seamlessly transferred through the respective State Biodiversity Boards directly to two BMCs namely Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee located in Akrabad Kaul Taluk Aligarh District Uttar Pradesh and Biodiversity Management Committee in the Lampokhari Lake Area Aritar SikkimA company accessed crop materials within the Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds from lignocellulosic biomass Another company accessed microorganisms from water and soil samples collected in the Lampokhari Lake area for research purpose said the statementEarlier the NBA released Rs 136 crore sharing the benefits of commercial use of biodiversity to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar PradeshThis financial support was routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees BMCs Sakharwadi village Phaltan Taluk Satara District Maharashtra Kunjirwadi village Haveli Taluk Pune Maharashtra and the Kasganj area Etah District Uttar Pradesh according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeEach BMC will receive Rs 4550 lakh This initiative underscores the governments unwavering commitment to the principles of equity sustainability and conservationThe released funds represent a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing ABS payment following the commercial use of microorganisms sourced from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing fructooligosaccharide products IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html New Delhi Oct 25 Efforts undertaken to expand forest cover and promote sustainable forestry underscore Indias commitment to global climate action the government said on Saturday India recently achieved a significant milestone in global forest statistics by advancing to the ninth position worldwide in terms of total forest area according to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAOs Global Forest Resources Assessment GFRA 2025In the previous assessment in 2020 India was ranked 10th The country has also maintained its third position globally in the annual net gain of forest areaThis shows what strong national commitment can achieve Indias consistent efforts in expanding forest cover promoting sustainable forestry and implementing missions like Green India Mission underscore its commitment to environmental conservation and global climate action the government said in an official statementTo enhance forest cover the government increased funds in the Budget 202526The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC allocated Rs 341282 crore a 9 per cent increase from the revised estimate of Rs 312596 crore in 202425Other measures include the launch of the National Mission for a Green India GIM the National Afforestation Programme and Mission LiFE Lifestyle for EnvironmentWhile GIM seeks to expand forest and tree cover restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity and carbon sinks the afforestation programme aims for the regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the countryThe Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative under Mission LiFE is an emotional call to encourage tree plantation by linking it to the love for ones mother or motherlandThese measures resulted in about 72739 thousand hectares of forest area in India roughly 2 per cent of the world total as per GFRA 2025 dataFurther the country gained success in expanding planted forests with bamboo and rubber plantations the statement saidWith an increase in forest cover India also ranked fifth among the top global carbon sinks with its forests removing 150 million tonnes of CO per year during 20212025 advancing the global climate goalsAsia including India saw forest carbon removals increase to 09 Gt CO per year in 20212025 with deforestation emissions dropping significantly as per data from the FAO IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html New Delhi Oct 25 Amid rising climate crises Global South must take charge to shape the next phase of climate governance said experts here At a PreCOP Dialogue titled From Baku to Belém Shaping the Next Phase of Climate Action at the India Habitat Centre New Delhi hosted by independent think tank Chintan Research Foundation CRF leading climate experts policymakers and practitioners deliberated on advancing the global climate action agenda particularly in the leadup to the Conference of Parties COP 30 in Belém Brazil in NovemberThe event focused on evaluating progress since the Paris Agreement addressing existing gaps in climate governance and setting expectations to enhance climate action through the UNFCCC frameworkShishir Priyadarshi President CRF highlighted how the Global South must now reclaim its agency in shaping the next phase of climate governanceThe time has come when holding the mirror is more important than looking at the compass It is time to be clear about what we have achieved and what we have not Moving from goalsetting to goalenabling is now needed and we must determine how to achieve those goals This would only be possible through alignment between the Global North and the Global South Priyadarshi saidThe expert set three major expectations from COP 30 the operationalisation of the New Collective Quantified Goal NCQG advancing adaptation and loss and damage mechanisms and reinforcing accountabilityThese solutions should be economically viable technologically inclusive and socially just Priyadarshi saidDr Pooja Sehbag Research Associate CRF outlined the urgency of the current climate crisis and the need to evaluate global actions She also underscored the gaps between the expected and achieved goals of the post2020 COPs where collective underperformance was observed globallyDr Prodipto Ghosh Distinguished Fellow The Energy Resources Institute TERI provided a historical overview of climate negotiations and outlined Indias potential in driving actionDeveloping countries have to set an example China has treated climate change as both an economic and technological challenge investing heavily in research and development to bring new technologies to the forefront of the transition It now leads the world in solar deployment India can follow Chinas example and become the next major deployment hub for this transition Ghosh saidProf Arun Sharma Group Head for Sustainability and Climate Change at Adani Group focused on the pivotal role of the private sector in accelerating ambitious climate actionMitigation will depend significantly on private sector finance it requires viable business models for effective fund deployment and technology diffusion At Belém we must recognise the limits of the COP process and focus on enhancing business models for climate action Sharma saidAddressing financial gaps is critical India and China still face significant disparities in total electricity generation India must focus on electrification and lastmile decarbonisation particularly through green hydrogen he addedKenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega Ambassador of Brazil to India highlighted Brazils advocacy for enhanced civil society participation in the climate policy processCOP 30 will focus on bringing the climate change challenge closer to civil society worldwide We need greater B2B involvement at COP 30 similar to that seen in G20 and BRICS da Nóbrega saidThe dialogue underscored the importance of collaborative climate action driven by civil society engagement equitable climate finance and critical evaluation of policy effectiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/artificial-rain-planned-in-delhi-around-oct-29-to-clean-air-rekha-gupta-644634.html New Delhi Oct 23 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that experts conducted tests in the Burari area on Thursday for inducing artificial rain around October 29 In the runup to the citys firstever cloud seeding experiment to counter air pollution scientifically CM Gupta said If conditions remain favourable Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding Today experts have successfully tested it in the Burari area The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28 29 and 30 she wrote on her X platformShe said This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in DelhiThe Chief Minister said The governments objective is to make the capitals air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation Best wishes to our cabinet colleague Shrimssirsaji and all officials involved in making this effort successfulEarlier Sirsa said that the intensified winter enforcement drive has started yielding measurable results as the AQI dropped 50 points in one dayDelhis AQI has improved significantly todays level of 305 is nearly 50 points better than yesterdays 353 The city is responding to swift coordinated action on the ground Sirsa stated after a review meetingHe directed departments to sustain this progress with a laser focus on identified pollution hotspots ensuring interagency coordination through the Green War RoomAround 2000 teams are in the field day and night Delhis strategy is not limited to winter it is a 247 yearround governance model that keeps data accountability and citizens at its core said SirsaHe added that while current measures are showing results the government is also preparing for the futureOur efforts are not limited to the present were strengthening the future Work will soon begin for getting 70 more mechanised sweepers 70 additional antismog guns water sprinklers and 140 litter pickers covering 1440 km of roads Were encouraging innovation through Delhis Clean Air Challenge and cloud seeding will soon be conducted with IIT Kanpur and IMD said SirsaSharing details of the Delhi governments Comprehensive Enforcement Deployment Sirsa said that as part of dust and construction management 200 day teams and 178night teams 970 personnel are deployed to monitor dust and construction normsSites above 500 sqm are under strict monitoring MCD PWD DDA DSIIDC and CPWD are leading with GPStracked sweepers and daily Green War Room reporting said a statementClaiming significant success in controlling open burning the Minister said that 230 day and 213 night patrols total 443 teams with over 1200 personnel are active against garbage leaf and biomass burning The contingents are deployed by MCD DDA DSIIDC and the Revenue Department he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/artificial-rain-planned-in-delhi-around-oct-29-to-clean-air-rekha-gupta-644634.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rain-thunderstorms-forecast-across-gujarat-next-week-644739.html Ahmedabad Oct 24 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a weather alert for Gujarat predicting light to moderate rainfall over the next seven days with the intensity of showers expected to increase within the next 48 hours It has also forecast thunderstorms for the next four days particularly across the southern and coastal regions of the stateAccording to the IMD South Gujarat districts including Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad and adjoining parts of Maharashtra are likely to witness light to moderate rain or drizzle accompanied by thundershowersThe weather department further noted that this rainfall activity could extend to the Union Territories of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli while most other districts in Gujarat are expected to experience dry conditions with no significant temperature fluctuationsWith rain and thunder predicted over Gujarat and Saurashtra the IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea due to potentially rough weather conditions In Ahmedabad the weather is expected to remain cloudy over the coming daysOn Saturday light to moderate rainfall is forecast in Surat Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch and Daman as well as in Amreli Bhavnagar GirSomnath and Diu in Saurashtra The rainfall is expected to expand in coverage on Sunday affecting Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara and the surrounding districtsBy Monday several parts of central and southern Gujarat including Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch Surat Dang Tapi and Navsari along with Junagadh Amreli Bhavnagar GirSomnath Diu Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli may experience light to moderate rain as the unseasonal weather spell continues across the stateGujarat has recorded close to 90 per cent of its longperiod average LPA rainfall by the end of August with the total seasonal rainfall at around 79293 mm against a normal of below 882 mm Across regions the percentages vary South Gujarat stands at 937 per cent of normal EastCentral at about 886 per cent Saurashtra at 843 per cent and Kutch at 851 per centBy early September some data suggest the statewide average had climbed above 100 per cent of LPA for example 10289 per cent as of a certain date with South Gujarat around 108 per cent North Gujarat at 107 per cent and Saurashtra at 91 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rain-thunderstorms-forecast-across-gujarat-next-week-644739.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/national-biodiversity-authority-releases-rs-136-crore-to-up-maharashtra-644750.html New Delhi Oct 24 In a move promoting fair and equitable benefitsharing as well as the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 136 crore channeling the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh an official said on Friday This significant financial support will be routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees BMCs Sakharwadi village Phaltan Taluk Satara District Maharashtra Kunjirwadi village Haveli Taluk Pune Maharashtra and the Kasganj area Etah District Uttar Pradesh according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeEach BMC will receive Rs 4550 lakh This initiative underscores the governments unwavering commitment to the principles of equity sustainability and conservationThe released funds represent a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing ABS payment following the commercial use of microorganisms sourced from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing fructooligosaccharide products These funds will be utilized for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and the relevant State Biodiversity Rules the statement saidThis financial initiative highlights the NBAs proactive role in recognising and rewarding local communities who serve as the custodians of Indias rich biological heritageBy channeling accrued benefits back to the local level the NBA strengthens Indias model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity advance together the statement addedIt also fulfills the National Biodiversity Target 13 of Indias updated NBSAP 20242030 which aligns with the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at CoP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity CBD the statement notedEstablished in 2003 to implement the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 the National Biodiversity Authority NBA is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeHeadquartered in Chennai it functions as a facilitating regulating and advisory body to the Central government on matters related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their useIn addition the NBA provides guidance to state governments in identifying areas of significant biodiversity biodiversity hotspots for designation as heritage sites IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/national-biodiversity-authority-releases-rs-136-crore-to-up-maharashtra-644750.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mecos-4-to-spotlight-seafood-industry-challenges-and-opportunities-644754.html Kochi Oct 24 The fourth edition of the International Symposium on Marine Ecosystem MECOS4 scheduled from November 46 in Kochi will feature a dedicated industry meet aimed at addressing critical issues in seafood production and allied sectors Organised jointly by the Marine Biological Association of India MBAI and the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI MECOS4 will serve as a platform to discuss both challenges and emerging opportunities in Indias marine fisheries sectorThe industry meet a key session within the symposium will bring together leading stakeholders from the seafood trade aquaculture hatcheries feed industries ornamental fish trade marine ecotourism and environmental educationThe session scheduled for 10 am on November 5 will focus on experience sharing identifying operational gaps and formulating a roadmap for sustainable growth across the sectorCMFRI Director Grinson George highlighted that the session aims to strengthen collaboration between farmers exporters and input suppliers bridging the gap between production and market requirementsWith global seafood markets becoming more competitive and sustainability standards tightening these discussions are expected to enhance Indias export resilience boost aquaculture output drive technological adoption and promote climatesmart practices he saidThe deliberations will specifically address pressing issues such as the impact of US tariffs on seafood exports and the absence of comprehensive policies in maricultureRepresentatives from major export houses the Seafood Exporters Association of India SEAI aquaculture feed and fish meal industries pet feed manufacturers marine sports and ecotourism operators and government agencies are expected to participateIn addition MECOS4 will host an exhibition showcasing cuttingedge technologies in farming hatchery production feed management value addition and processing equipmentThe exhibition aims to provide stakeholders across the value chain with valuable insights and practical solutions to enhance efficiency and competitivenessBy combining scientific insights with industry perspectives MECOS4 is positioned to strengthen Indias marine ecosystem knowledge base while supporting the sustainable growth of the countrys seafood sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mecos-4-to-spotlight-seafood-industry-challenges-and-opportunities-644754.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/west-africas-environmental-integrity-threatened-by-chinese-projects-report-644800.html Abuja Oct 24 Chinese infrastructure and mining ventures in West Africa have penetrated previously undisturbed forest and conservation areas fragmenting habitats and undermining the ecological integrity of vital landscapes a report has highlighted Citing a report by the American think tank Atlantic Council titled Chinese Demand for Timber and Wildlife in West Africa Responding to the Environmental and Social Impacts Ugandabased media outlet PML Daily detailed that these developments often weaken communitybased forest management practices and marginalise local communitiesEnvironmentalists in West Africa have raised serious concerns over widespread deforestation driven by the growing demand from Chinese suppliers operating across the globe Recently the Ogun State government in Nigeria sealed five Chinese companies and arrested several officials for allegedly assaulting and inflicting bodily harm on enforcement officers carrying out their duties the report mentionedEarlier these companies had been sealed for committing serious environmental violations including improper waste disposal open waste burning and refusal to engage governmentrecognised waste collectors Such incidents are not isolated to Nigeria but are increasingly common across the entire West African region it emphasisedAccording to the report the primary concern is illegal logging especially of rosewood and other valuable timber across Nigeria Ghana Gambia Mali Cote dIvoire Sierra Leone and Liberia which has led to widespread deforestation including in protected areasDriven largely by Chinese demand it said rosewood has become the worlds most trafficked illegal wildlife product by both value and volume exceeding ivory and rhinoceros horn combinedIronically the environmental costs have far outweighed the economic benefits Largescale land acquisitions and infrastructure projects have led to forest conversion eroded community land rights and endangered numerous species the report highlightedIn countries such as Ghana Liberia Nigeria Côte dIvoire and Sierra Leone Chinese firms are frequently associated with both legal and illicit timber operations In addition Chinesebacked agribusiness ventures particularly in rubber and palm oil have resulted in extensive land acquisitions and deforestation undermining traditional land tenure systems and disrupting local livelihoods it addedThe report stated that the evidence from across West Africa shows how Chinas unchecked exploitation of forests minerals and wildlife has inflicted severe environmental damage and destabilised local communitiesIt further said that with China strengthening its diplomatic and economic control West African nations must urgently come together and take a firm standIt is high time these countries confront Beijing directly and demand an immediate halt to the destruction of their natural resources If China refuses to cooperate West African governments must raise the matter at global forums ensuring that the world recognises and responds to this growing ecological and humanitarian crisis the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/west-africas-environmental-integrity-threatened-by-chinese-projects-report-644800.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-three-killed-in-elephant-attacks-in-last-24-hours-644586.html Kolkata Oct 23 Three persons including one woman and a child have been killed in two separate incidents of elephant attack in West Bengal during the last 24 hours The deaths have been reported from the Alipurduar district in North BengalAccording to state forest department officials the first casualty because of the elephant attack took place at Madarihat area in Alipurduar district when a person returning home was suddenly attacked by an elephant on the road adjacent to the Jaldapara National Park The person killed in the attack has been identified as Kader Ali a resident of the Chekamari areaHe was severely injured in the elephant attack and was immediately rushed to Madarihat Rural Hospital by the local villagers where he died soon afterThe second incident took place early Thursday morning Thursday morning at Madhya Khayerbari area also in Alipurduar district One lady Sonia Munda was sitting in front of her house along with her 18monthold daughter Lakshmi Munda when suddenly an elephant came out of the jungle there and attacked them Both of them died on the spotThe local people claimed that for quite some time now the elephants have been coming to the localities adjacent to the jungle and often attacking the people At the time they were even destroying the residential huts of the local people which had left the people in the regionThe local people have also complained that although they have approached the state forest department officials several times for action to prevent the elephants from coming to the localities from the jungles their pleas have been ignored by the department officialsAs per the data of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest amp Climate Change a total of 436 individuals were killed in West Bengal during the period from 2019 to 2024 the latest availableShrinking forest areas coupled with an increase in elephant population are considered the most important factors behind frequent humanelephant conflict in West BengalA number of mitigation initiatives including building elephant corridors using physical barriers like fencing and forming committees to coordinate elephant movement have been taken to bring down instances of such conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-three-killed-in-elephant-attacks-in-last-24-hours-644586.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:12:00 +0530