Weekly Green News Update for Week 49 (Nov 30 to Dec 6), 2015
Weekly green news update from across different media networks for week 49 (between Nov 30 to Dec 06) 2015.
1. Delhi High Court seeks experts’ help to develop forest land near Tughlaqabad Fort
The Delhi High Court has sought the assistance of two experts associated with the Yamuna Bio- Diversity Park to develop a 200-acre forest land near the 14th century Tughlaqabad Fort in South Delhi.
2. High time govt warned public about perils of pollution: Experts
In a recent directive, the National Green Tribunal sought a public health advisory on pollution from the Delhi government, to warn people about deteriorating air quality in the capital and suggest ways to deal with it.
3. Pollution check: Private vehicles in Delhi can run only on alternate days
Taking a tough decision to improve the city’s toxic air quality, Delhi’s AAP government on Friday decided to restrict the number of private vehicles on the roads for a fortnight starting on New Year’s Day, allowing cars and bikes with odd and even numbered registration plates to run on alternate days.
4. Delhi Pollution: Govt plans to ban trucks, buses above 15 years
Amid rising concerns over pollution level in the Capital and other cities in India, the government plans to ban trucks and buses older than 15 years from plying on the roads across the country.
5. Centre to ask Delhi government to ensure ‘total prohibition’ on burning of garbage in the city
With no let up in the air pollution levels in the capital and particulate matter 2.5 still extremely high, the Centre is keeping a close watch on Delhi’s air quality and preparing to undertake a round of measures in Delhi and its vicinity immediately.
6. Do Compensatory Plantation Before Felling Trees for Flyover: High Court to Delhi Government
The Delhi High Court has told the city government to carry out compensatory plantation before any trees are felled for building a three-lane flyover parallel to the single-lane flyover on Rao Tula Ram Marg on the outer ring road.
7. Green Court Slams Delhi Government For Not Acting ‘Seriously’ Over Pollution
With the national capital engulfed in smog, the National Green Tribunal today slammed Delhi government for not acting “seriously” to improve deteriorating air quality in the city and directed it to convene an urgent meeting on the issue.
8. NGT raps Delhi govt over mosquito breeding in city
With city residents facing constant threat of dengue and malaria, the National Green Tribunal today slammed the Delhi government and civic authorities here for their lackadaisical approach on the issue.
9. MCD gets nearly 38,000 complaints on app during ‘Swachh Delhi’
Nearly 38,000 complaints have been received by the three municipal corporations via the ‘Swachch Delhi’ mobile app since its launch 10 days ago, with the civic bodies claiming over 75 per cent of those grievances were redressed.
10. NGT prohibits tree felling in a south Delhi green belt
As green belts continue to face the threat from rampant encroachment and increasing commercial activity, the National Green Tribunal has prohibited tree felling in the stretch located along Mehrauli-Badarpur Highway in south Delhi’s Saket area.
11. Issue public notice on challenge to Okhla eco-sensitive zone: NGT to NOIDA
The National Green Tribunal today directed NOIDA authority to issue a notice that any property deal in the eco-sensitive zone around the Okhla bird sanctuary would be subject to the final outcome of judicial proceedings before it.
12. DU issued notice for cutting trees
Delhi Government’s forest department has issued a notice to Delhi University on a complaint alleging illegal cutting of 38 trees in the South Campus area here.
13. NGT’s alarm: Delhi may need stay-at-home warnings for kids & elderly
Pulling up official agencies for failing to curb pollution in the capital, the National Green Tribunal Wednesday directed the Delhi government to identify “critically polluted areas” so that “immediate advisories” can be issued to the public by Thursday.
14. Railways to use non-potable water for cleaning purposes
Railways will use water released from sewage treatment plants for non-potable purposes like washing trains and platforms.
15. Can you improve Delhi’s air quality? Government offers Rs 2 crore prize for the best idea
Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC) and the University of Chicago’s Urban Labs on Tuesday launched a competition focused on improving air and water quality in the Capital by soliciting grassroots ideas from citizens, civic leaders, academics, corporations and other institutions across India.
16. Gurgaon bans burning of horticulture waste
With increasing instances of open dumping and burning of horticulture waste being reported from across the city, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon on Tuesday issued orders directing ‘scientific’ disposal of the waste.
17. Gangotri glacier getting less snowfall, higher temperatures
New research shows that the health of the majestic Gangotri glacier that feeds the river Ganges has been affected, as the maximum temperature in the region has shot up by 0.9 degree Celsius and snowfall reduced by 37 cm annually.
18. Chennai floods: A harbinger of climate change impacts for India
The cries for help are deafening as the entire city of Chennai has come to a virtual standstill.
19. Climate accord blueprint delivered at Paris talks
A blueprint for a pact to cap greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming was delivered today by negotiators from 195 nations as India hoped for a “just and equitable” outcome at the climate conference.
