Page 11 - Pollution

Half of PM 2.5 pollution in Delhi around Diwali was from vehicles: Report

Vehicular emission contributed half of PM 2.5 pollution from local sources in Delhi during the Diwali week between October 21 and October 26, according to the latest assessment by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It said that when pollution concentrations from all sources -- local, NCR and beyond -- are added, Delhi's vehicles account for nearly 17 per cent of total PM2.5 concentration. But, according to CSE's indicative data, vehicles' daily share of pollution varied between 49.3 per cent and 53 per cent during the week of Diwali. "The vehicular contribution was followed by household pollution (residential) at 13 per cent, industries at 11 per cent, construction at 7 per cent, waste burning and the energy sector at 5 per cent each, and road dust and other sources at 4 per cent each. This observation is consistent with the trends evaluated during the previous winter in Delhi," principal programme manager at CSE's Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility unit Vivek Chattopadhya

Child rights body asks Delhi govt to shut schools till pollution reduces

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality in the national capital improves. The national capital's air quality has deteriorated to 'severe' in the last few days, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Air pollution in the 'severe' category affects healthy people and seriously impacts children and those with existing diseases, according to the CPCB. The apex child rights body said it had taken a serious view of the matter and expressed concern over the 'severe' air quality impacting the health of children. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has written to the chief secretary and strongly recommended considering appropriate action. He has urged the Delhi government to consider shutting schools in the interest of the children till air quality in the national capital improves.

Post-Diwali air quality better than 2021 in several cities, shows CPCB data

Delhi air quality 'very poor' the day after; improvement over previous years

GRAP: How does it combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR?

The weather is not pleasant in Delhi and NCR of late. Last week, as the air pollution soared in Delhi, authorities had to impose the Graded Response Action Plan to deal with it. Find out more about it

TMS Ep277: Ambani's family office, Vaccine waste, IT's Q2 earnings, GRAP

Why does Mukesh Ambani need a family office? How did India waste 100 mn Covid vaccines? What to expect from IT's Q2 earnings? How are GRAP measures used to combat air pollution? Answers here

Why clean air comes at a premium under a central plan to reduce pollution

The NCAP is a pollution control initiative aimed at reducing the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere by at least 20 per cent by 2024

NGT slaps UP govt Rs 120 cr fine for river pollution, waste mismanagement

The principal bench of NGT headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted the liability of the state for discharge of 55 MLD sewage into rivers at Gorakhpur at Rs 110 crores.

Punjab CM Mann approves draft of EV policy, promises cash incentives

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday gave nod to a draft of new electric vehicle policy which proposes waiving of registration fee and road tax and cash incentives for buying electric vehicles. Mann in an official statement said the draft policy aims at reducing environmental pollution by checking carbon emission through promotion of electric vehicles. According to the draft policy, EVs will be pushed in the state's major cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda which collectively have more than 50 per cent of the state's vehicles, the statement said. The new draft policy envisages registration of 25 per cent more electric vehicles in these cities, Mann said. He said electric charging points infrastructure will be set up across the state for private and public electric vehicles. Mann also said it will be the government's focus to establish the state as a hub for manufacturing EVs, their components, and electric batteries. A centre of excellen

Over 7,000 trees illegally felled, damaged in Delhi in a year, shows data

Last year between January 1 and June 30, Delhi's forest department received over 4,100 complaints in the south forest division of trees being illegally damaged in violation of the provisions

Single use plastic ban: Substitutes revving up to seize opportunity

Cotton and jute are both vying for space in the domestic market after making global inroads; business goes beyond carry bags to embrace earbuds, thermacol, kitchenware. among others

Delhi govt to plant 3.5 mn saplings in 2022 to fight pollution: Gopal Rai

We are taking multiple measures to further improve Delhi's green cover. We aim to plant 35 lakh saplings in Delhi via different agencies this year," Rai said.

Over 500mn north Indians to lose 7.6 yrs if pollution levels persist: Study

About 500 mn people living in north India are on track to lose 7.6 years of their life if the current air pollution levels persist, says a study

NGT asks Centre to come up with rules against indoor pollution

The bench took note of a relevant article, in which it was stated that toxic gases and particulate matter may be generated indoors which may adversely affect the employees working in such places

Despite lockdown, pollution levels soared during second Covid wave: Study

According to study in 'Chemosphere' published by SAFAR, experts say that biomass emissions of carbon rich tiny particles and rapid flow of distant dust were found to be primary reasons for pollution

99% world's population breathes poor-quality air: World Health Organisation

Particulate matter, especially PM2.5, is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular (stroke) and respiratory impacts

Pollution board slaps Rs 25,000 fine on jaggery units for burning plastic

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on 20 jaggery manufacturing units here, officials said on Friday.

Madurai govt officials to walk, use buses on Wednesdays to curb pollution

Govt officials officers under Madurai district administration have been asked to avoid using personal motor vehicles on Wednesdays and to come to work using public transport, or walk to office.

UN Environment Assembly ends with 14 resolutions to save nature

The Assembly is made up of the 193 UN Member States and convenes every two years to advance global environmental governance.

Wildfires getting worse globally, governments unprepared, says UN report

A warming planet and changes to land use patterns mean more wildfires will scorch large parts of the globe in coming decades, causing spikes in unhealthy smoke pollution and other problems

Delhi govt to soon make PUC certificate mandatory for filling fuel

To ensure that polluting vehicles do not ply in the national capital, Delhi government will soon make Pollution Under Control certificate mandatory for filling fuel at pumps.