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Environmental Pollution

India eighth most polluted country in the world; Lahore most polluted city

Bhiwadi, located on the outskirts of Delhi, was ranked among the two most polluted cities in the world. Delhi followed it closely behind

Updated On: 15 Mar 2023 | 10:51 AM IST

NGT passes orders on slew of environmental issues, penalises states in 2022

The National Green Tribunal dealt with a range of environmental issues in 2022 and passed several directions, including imposing hefty penalties on multiple states for causing damage to the environment and seeking restitution. The green tribunal cracked down on several states and union territories for non-compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW) Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. For lack of proper management of solid and liquid waste, the tribunal ordered the Maharashtra government to pay an environmental compensation of a staggering Rs 12,000 crore and Rs 3,800 crore on the Telangana government. Also at the receiving end of its stiff penalties to tackle environmental damage were West Bengal, which was asked to cough up Rs 3,500 crore, Rajasthan Rs 3,000 crore, Karnataka Rs 2,900 crore, Punjab Rs 2,180 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs 100 crore. It also slapped fines of Rs 200 crore on the Nagaland government, Rs 50 crore on the Mizoram government and Rs 32 crore

Updated On: 30 Dec 2022 | 4:22 PM IST

Pollution levels remain high in northern India due to rain deficit: Experts

Bad air quality days continue to haunt the Indo-Gangetic Plains with the air quality Index (AQI) oscillating between 'poor' and 'severe' categories

Updated On: 25 Dec 2022 | 10:49 AM IST

No action plan in place for Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, says CAG

The CAG, in an audit report, has said that plastic waste management rules could not be implemented effectively due to lack of an action plan by the Union Environment Ministry

Updated On: 21 Dec 2022 | 7:02 AM IST

Bihar accounts for 6 out of 10 Indian cities with worst air pollution

While the temperature is dipping across most of the country, the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to remain above severe in most of the cities

Updated On: 13 Dec 2022 | 8:13 AM IST

Air quality panel revokes Stage III of GRAP as Delhi pollution eases

On Monday Punjab reported only four incidents of residue burning as against 2,175 reported on Sunday

Updated On: 14 Nov 2022 | 9:27 PM IST

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What is COP27?

Leaders of over 150 countries are currently camping in Sharm el Sheikh, for the COP27 summit. The outcome of the summit may determine the future course of humanity. But what is COP27?

Updated On: 09 Nov 2022 | 10:11 AM IST

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India and COP27: How does the new climate report affect them?

A UN report, which came out days ahead of COP27 meet, has warned that India's plans to cut emission are not enough to avoid global warming. What will be its agenda at the COP27 meeting?

Updated On: 02 Nov 2022 | 9:13 AM IST

Indoor air purifiers: CADR to filter types, things to check while buying

From novelty, the air purifiers have become a necessity in view of the rising menace of air pollution. Below are few things to check while buying the air purifier for indoor use

Updated On: 01 Nov 2022 | 5:09 PM IST

Delhi air pollution in early winter down 20% compared to pre-Covid: Report

The report also states that the onset of winter has been much cleaner this year due to the rains which were witnessed in September and October

Updated On: 20 Oct 2022 | 10:30 PM IST

NGT imposes environmental compensation of Rs 3,500 cr on West Bengal govt

The National Green Tribunal has imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 3,500 crore on West Bengal for its failure in the treatment of solid and liquid waste. The green bench observed there was not much initiative by the West Bengal government in prioritising solid and sewage treatment plants in urban areas. The bench, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said remedial measures must be taken within six months. The order said that for failure in liquid waste management processing, "liability of the state is to pay compensation of Rs 2,980 crores, rounded off to Rs 3,000 crore in view of continuing damage." For failure to process solid waste, the compensation to be paid is Rs 500 crore, the NGT said. "Final amount of compensation under the two heads (solid and liquid waste) is assessed at Rs 3500 crore which may be deposited by the state of West Bengal in a separate ring-fenced account within two months," according to the September 1 order. The chief secretary may personally mo

Updated On: 04 Sep 2022 | 6:41 AM IST

Gadkari stresses on alternative fuels to minimise oil import, pollution

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday pitched for the use of alternative fuels for vehicles to reduce the import of crude oil as well as cut down on pollution. As much as 35 per cent of the pollution in the country is due to diesel and petrol, Gadkari said, adding, "this is why we need import-substituting, cost-effective and pollution-free and indigenous products". At the launch of the country's first electric double decker air-conditioned bus, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways said that electric automobiles are greatly cost effective when compared to diesel ones. "In the Indian situation, import of crude oil is a big challenge. We are already experiencing the way rates are increased. It is also very difficult for the common man...," he said. According to him, it is time to start using alternative fuels like electricity, ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, bio-CNG, bio-LNG and hydrogen for the automobile sector. Further, he said the current size of the Indian automobile .

Updated On: 19 Aug 2022 | 1:28 AM IST

Melting glaciers, polluted rivers: Report lists India environment crises

Twenty-five glacial lakes and water bodies in India, China and Nepal have recorded over 40% rise in their water spread areas since 2009, posing a grave threat to five Indian states, a report stated.

Updated On: 05 Jun 2022 | 5:49 PM IST

SC notice to Centre on plea for creating Indian Environment Service

The Supreme Court Friday sought the Centre's reply on a plea for creation of The Indian Environment Service on the lines of All India Service for environment safeguards at the ground level.

Updated On: 21 Jan 2022 | 4:24 PM IST

Delhi environment minister asks depts to prepare action plan by Sep 21

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said the city government has asked departments concerned to prepare their action plan by September 21 to tackle air pollution

Updated On: 14 Sep 2021 | 5:49 PM IST

NGT junks pharma cos plea on fine for causing pollution in Telangana

NGT refused a plea seeking to review its order directing the Telangana Pollution Control Board to recover Rs 1.55 cr penalty from pharmaceutical companies for causing pollution in the state.

Updated On: 13 Jul 2021 | 8:33 PM IST

Of world's 100 cities at greatest environmental risk, India has 43: Report

1.5 billion people live in 414 cities that are at high risk from pollution, water shortages, extreme heat, and the impacts of climate change.

Updated On: 13 May 2021 | 8:37 AM IST

A final EPA rollback under Trump administration curbs use of health studies

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed one of its last major rollbacks under the Trump administration

Updated On: 05 Jan 2021 | 2:05 PM IST

Air quality dips to 'severe' in Noida, Ghaziabad, 'very poor' in Gurgaon

The air quality in Ghaziabad and Noida deteriorated to 'severe' and remained "very poor" in Greater Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon of the NCR on Saturday

Updated On: 14 Nov 2020 | 10:16 PM IST