Environmentalism

Uttarakhand: Caught between economic growth and environment needs

The state, which turned 25 on Sunday, is doing well on economic metrics, but ecological concerns remain. Indivjal Dhasmana writes

Nations look to India's energy transition experience for lessons: Ghosh

Arunabha Ghosh, founder & CEO of Delhi-based think tank CEEW, speaks about his role as an envoy for South Asian nations at the Conference of Parties

Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist who studied chimps, passes away at 91

Her discoveries in the 1960s about how chimpanzees behaved in the wild broke new ground and represented what was called "one of the Western world's great scientific achievements"

SC to rule on Sep 23 in suo motu matter over environmental conditions in HP

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would pass on September 23 its order in a suo motu matter concerning issues relating to ecology and environmental conditions prevailing in Himachal Pradesh. "List on September 23 for order. We will give you a brief order after summarising everything so that you can get specific instructions," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta told the lawyers appearing for Himachal Pradesh. During the hearing, Himachal Pradesh's advocate general and additional advocate general informed the bench about a report filed by the state in the matter. Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae in the matter, said the report filed by the state covered many aspects, including tree cover. On July 28, a different bench of the apex court had said the state might "vanish in thin air" if the situation did not change. Observing the situation in the state had deteriorated, the top court had said climate change was having a "visib

Developmental activities must ensure protection of environment, says SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted six weeks to the Telangana government to come out with a "good proposal" for holistic restoration of Kancha Gachibowli forest site, saying the state government will have to replant the uprooted trees. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said the forest area needs be restored. The top court reiterated that it was not against development but the environment needs to be protected. "Time and again, court has observed that we are not against development but it has to be a sustainable development. While carrying out developmental activities, the interest of the environment and the wildlife has to be taken care of by ensuring mitigating and compensatory measures. if the state comes up with such a proposal we will welcome such a proposal," the bench said while posting the matter after six weeks. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, submitted that that state is looking at the whole propos

Ensured minimum disturbance while building Chenab, Anji bridges: LS told

To ensure minimum disturbance to Himalayan ecology, due care was taken for slope stabilization and the best institutes were roped in for execution of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, including Chenab and Anji Bridge, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. On questions whether the government has conducted any environmental impact assessments of the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges in fragile Himalayan zones, the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided an elaborate response on Environmental Impact Assessments of the project. Vaishnaw said that Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project having a total length of 272 km has been recently commissioned and it covers Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts. The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises

Parliamentary panel pitches for ESG oversight body to combat greenwashing

The corporate affairs ministry should set up an ESG oversight body to actively combat greenwashing activities and also put in place penal provisions for fraudulent ESG claims, according to a Parliamentary panel. Generally, greenwashing refers to claims by companies about any product or service having a climate-friendly impact. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles are part of the Companies Act, 2013. In its report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the Standing Committee on Finance mentioned the ministry's demurral against establishing a dedicated ESG oversight body, citing that the prevailing disclosure-based regime, underpinned by a company board's accountability and extant penal provisions, constitutes an adequate monitoring mechanism. Against this backdrop, the panel urged the ministry to "establish a dedicated ESG oversight body for actively combating greenwashing through specialised forensic expertise" as well as formulate sector-specific guidelines and extend .

Himachal may 'vanish in thin air' amid ecological imbalance, warns SC

The Supreme Court has flagged the ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh and cautioned that the entire state may "vanish in thin air" if the situation does not change. Observing that the situation in Himachal Pradesh has gone from bad to worse, the apex court said climate change is having a "visible and alarming impact" on the state. "We want to impress upon the state government and Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology," a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said. "If things proceed the way they are as on date, the day is not far when the entire state of HP may vanish in thin air from the map of the country. God forbid this doesn't happen," it said. The top court made the observations on July 28 while dealing with a petition against an order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which declined to entertain a plea challenging the state's June 2025 notification declaring certain areas as "gr

US Environmental Protection Agency to scrap its scientific research arm

The decision comes after a Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to slash the federal work force and dismantle agencies

Low-pollution industries will get nod to operate in 20 days: DPCC

The statement highlights that Industries that will benefit include small factories, packing units, and service centres that cause minimal environmental harm and do not require pollution control system

President Murmu, PM Modi call for united efforts to conserve environment

On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for deepening efforts towards protecting the planet and overcoming the challenges facing it. He said on X, "This World Environment Day, let's deepen our efforts towards protecting our planet and overcoming the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better." Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on June 5 since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach, the UN notes.

Environmentalists slam Trump admin's push for oil, gas drilling in Alaska

Top Trump administration officials fresh off touring one of the country's largest oil fields in the Alaska Arctic headlined an energy conference led by the state's Republican governor on Tuesday that environmentalists criticised as promoting new oil and gas drilling and turning away from the climate crisis. Several dozen protesters were outside Governor Mike Dunleavy's annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage, where US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin were featured speakers. The federal officials were continuing a multiday trip aimed at highlighting President Donald Trump's push to expand oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state. The trip has included meetings with pro-drilling groups and officials, including some Alaska Native leaders on the petroleum-rich North Slope, and a visit to the Prudhoe Bay oil field near the Arctic Ocean that featured selfies near the ..

World Environment Day 2025: India leads with massive plastic-free campaigns

World Environment Day will be celebrated on June 5, 2025. This year, the day aims to raise global awareness on reducing plastic pollution. Ahead of it, India initiated different campaigns nationwide

Sustainable business practices: Navigating India's ESG, energy transition

Mandatory ESG norms mark a shift towards stakeholder capitalism, reflecting global trends in climate governance and moving beyond shareholder- and state-driven business models

Delhi's EV policy may add 20K jobs, boost ecosystem infra: Manjinder Sirsa

Delhi's electric vehicle (EV) policy 2.0 may generate up to 20,000 jobs and will also set up battery collection centres while establishing a city-wide network of charging and swappable battery stations. Speaking to PTI about the newly proposed policy, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday said the purpose of this policy is to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. The focus will be on mass categories such as two-wheelers, buses, three-wheelers and goods carriers with the aim of transitioning them to electric vehicles. GNCTD (Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi) shall target the creation of 20,000 EV jobs during the policy period and may also set up battery collection centres to strengthen the battery recycling ecosystem, according to the policy draft accessed by PTI. "By 2027, the government has targeted that 95 per cent of all new vehicle registrations will be electric, which will significantly reduce emissions in

Not acceptable that children need to wear masks to play outside: SC judge

Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath on Saturday laid stress on the need to regulate emissions and invest in cleaner technologies to combat pollution, saying it was unacceptable for children to grow up in an environment where they needed masks to play in the open. Justice Nath also said there was a need to explore solutions which struck a balance between economic growth and environmental wellbeing and that government policies must focus on green technologies. He was speaking during the inaugural session of the National Conference on Environment - 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan. President Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest at the event. "The capital city of India regularly experiences high levels of pollution. I believe we can all agree that it is not acceptable for our children to grow up in an environment where they need masks to play outside or worry about respiratory ailments at a young age," Justice Nath said. "This is an urgent call for action, a signal that we must come together to

President Murmu asks people to adopt environmentally conscious lifestyle

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday asked people to adopt a lifestyle that is conscious and sensitive towards the environment and makes it more vibrant. Inaugurating the two-day National Conference on Environment-2025 at Vigyan Bhawan here, she said environmental protection and promotion will be possible only through continuous activism and participation of all. Citing that tribal communities have lived in harmony with nature for centuries, she said, "We should take inspiration from their lifestyle. Today, when the world is battling the problems of global warming and climate change, their lifestyle becomes even more exemplary." The President said it is people's moral responsibility to provide the legacy of a clean environment to the coming generations. "Elders in every family worry about which school or college their children will study in and what career they will choose. While this worry is justified, we also have to think about what kind of air our children will breathe, what k

Climate anxiety can't force us to compromise basic needs: Bhupender Yadav

India has the right to grow responsibly based on national circumstances and the climate anxiety gripping the world cannot force it to give up its right to ensure food, water and energy for its people, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Saturday. Addressing the National Conference on Environment, organised by the National Green Tribunal, he said rapid economic growth is the best defense against climate change for developing nations. The minister also said India is committed to mitigating climate change and has met its Paris Agreement commitments on green energy nine years ahead of the 2030 target. "India reserves its right to grow responsibly based on our national circumstances... But the climate anxiety which has gripped the world cannot force India to give up its right to ensure food, water, energy... to its 140 crore people. India is confidently striking a balance between challenges and opportunities," he said. Yadav said that under the Paris Agreement, the world

Rs 858 cr pollution control fund unused due to lack of approval: Parl panel

The budgetary allocation of Rs 858 crore for pollution control in 2024-25 remains unutilized due to lack of approval from the Union Environment Ministry for the continuation of the scheme, a parliamentary panel has said in its report. In the report tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change said air pollution has assumed "gigantic proportions", affecting not just Delhi but many other cities. "In such a scenario, the committee is shocked to note that amount to the tune of Rs 858 crore allocated for 'Control of Pollution', which is 27.44 per cent of the annual revised allocation of the ministry, remains unutilized since the approval for continuation of Control of Pollution Scheme till 2025-26 is awaited," the 31-member panel headed by BJP Rajya Sabha member Bhubaneswar Kalita said. "At a time when the ministry is required to address the grave and critical challenge of

Expenses over $50,000 now require DOGE approval, says new EPA guidance

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidance directing that spending items greater than USD 50,000 now require approval from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The guidance, issued this week, escalates the role that the new efficiency group, known as DOGE, plays in EPA operations. Any assistance agreement, contract or interagency agreement transaction (valued at) USD 50,000 or greater must receive approval from an EPA DOGE team member," the EPA guidance says, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. To facilitate the DOGE team review, EPA staff members have been directed to submit a brief, one-page explanation of each funding action each day between 3 and 6 pm Eastern time, the guidance says. Other relevant forms also must be completed. President Donald Trump has tasked DOGE with digging up what he and Musk call waste, fraud and abuse. The Republican president suggested Thursday that Cabinet members and agency leaders would take the lead