Green Alert

Sharing alerts about status of local, regional and global environment and greening opportunities.

Feb142018 by DG Correspondent1 Comment

Two Week Long Clean Air Campaign Underway in Delhi

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched a two week-long Clean Air Campaign in Delhi. The Campaign started on 10 February 2018 and is presently ongoing. Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has already clarified that this Clean Air Campaign is not just a symbolic exercise, but a serious effort to drastically bring down pollution levels in the National Capital. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also stated that air pollution is a serious economic and health issue and that the campaign will not be restricted to these two weeks only, but taken throughout the year on a continuous basis. The air in Delhi has been heavily polluted since the past few weeks now. Episodic high pollution event (Severe+) in Delhi NCR commenced on Nov 07, 2017 and ended on Nov 13, 2017. Ai...

Feb32018 by Aradhana SharmaNo Comments

Shutting Markets Goes Against Traders as Delhi Rejoices Spacious Roads

Green Alert

The two day Bandh (market shut down) called by traders against sealing of illegal shops seems to have backfired on the traders and shopkeepers of Delhi. The closing of shops, most of which protrude out all the way to the road, after covering the entire footpath, has now enabled the citizens of Delhi to see spacious roads and usable footpaths for the first time. The market places in all parts of Delhi, North, South, East and West have never been as accessible, and the limited shops that have opened are doing brisk business. Most shops in Delhi have, by habit, taken over the areas around the shops for putting containers, generators and for displaying items for sale. Since shopkeepers are scared of this being exposed, they have hidden all this inside their shops and have downed the sh...

Dec132017 by Aradhana SharmaNo Comments

Six Websites to Find Out Real Time Air Quality Index Around You in Delhi

Green Alert

The air pollution in Delhi has reached alarming proportions and every winter brings with it lung diseases, asthmatic attacks, coughing, teary eyes and long queues of the sick and elderly at hospitals complaining of chest congestion. Everything from vehicular exhaust, to bursting of crackers during Diwali, the burning of crop residue in nearby states of Punjab & Haryana, burning of leaves and waste and the ongoing construction work contributes to the air pollution in Delhi. Temperature inversion during the winter months does not let these pollutants get dispersed easily and they linger on for longer periods in Delhi's air. The trend is not new and a graded response by the Government to address Delhi's air pollution problem also does not seem to be helping. Thus, it does not seem ...

Oct42017 by Aradhana SharmaNo Comments

MoEFCC Launches App on Wildlife in India, Action Plan 2017-2031

Green Alert

The Environment Minister of India Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the Global Wildlife Programme Conference at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi on 2nd October 2017. He appealed to the fraternity of wildlife experts and scientists to deliberate on various wildlife-related laws with a modern and scientific outlook. "If you can blend science and technology to the cause of wildlife, it will produce a drastic difference to the outcome of the Conference," he said. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also emphasised that modern technology must be used to counter poachers and wildlife crimes. The Minister informed that India has the largest participation of people living in the forests towards conservation efforts. Two documents: 1) India's National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) 2017-2031 and 2) Secure Himalaya were rele...

Oct12017 by Aradhana Sharma1 Comment

India to Host Global Wildlife Program to Address Illegal Wildlife Trade

Green Alert

The Government of India, jointly with the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be hosting a Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) Conference starting 2 October 2017. The objective of hosting this programme is to address illegal wildlife trade across 19 countries of Asia and Africa. The Global Wildlife Programme will be inaugurated by India'a Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. India is already playing a leadership role in management of wildlife through involvement of local communities. Pointing out that no programme can succeed solely based on Government policies, the Environment Minister briefed the media that people's participation at societal level is very necessary for the success of any wildlife protection project. "Five crore people living around natio...

Oct12017 by DG Correspondent1 Comment

Ambuja Cement Bags Yes Bank Natural Capital Award 2017

Green Alert

YES BANK Natural Capital Award is a platform that recognizes efforts made by corporate houses to create awareness, promote best practices and build capacities towards environmental sustainability. Ambuja Cements Ltd., one of India's leading cement manufacturers, has - for a second time in a row - bagged the prestigious YES BANK Natural Capital Award 2017 in the Eco-Corporate category under Manufacturing Sector. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Environment Minister of India presented the award to Ambuja's Environment & Sustainability Head Sandeep Shrivastava, at a ceremony held in New Delhi recently. On hearing the news, the MD & CEO of Ambuja, Ajay Kapur shared his happiness and stated, "We are greatly humbled and honored by this award. Winning this prestigious accolade for the second...

Oct12017 by Aradhana SharmaNo Comments

500 Children Taken On the Flight of Fantasy on World Tourism Day

Green Alert

BookASmile, an initiative of India's leading ticketing brand BookMyShow, invited over 500 underprivileged children on a visit to the Taj Mahal, on World Tourism Day on September 27. For all the children, who came from 22 cities across India, not only was this their first trip to Taj Mahal, but it was also their first time in an airplane! Aged between 10 and 17, the children were taken on a two day guided tour of the Taj Mahal and other monuments i Agra. BookASmile has, in the past as well, partnered with like-minded NGOs in unconventional spaces of social work and has always believed in supporting the less fortunate with dreams, experiences and life-skills. Speaking on this initiative, Farzana Cama Balpande, Head of BookASmile stated, "At BookASmile, we love to give opportunities th...

Sep242017 by DG CorrespondentNo Comments

Sashastra Seema Bal Organises Seminar on Combating Wildlife Crimes

Green Alert, Green Lens

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) recently organised a Seminar on the Role of Security Forces in Combating Wildlife Crimes at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The objective of the Seminar was to spread awareness and sensitization on crimes against wildlife. Addressing the inaugural session of the seminar, Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted that, "the law of the land must be upheld, since many species are on the verge of extinction." Dr. Harsh Vardhan also underlined the need for human beings to live in harmony with nature. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also shared the challenges that the SSB must be facing since it guards the open borders with friendly neighbouring countries, where force alone cannot be used to enforce the law of the land. He pointed out that development activities have in

Sep242017 by Aradhana SharmaNo Comments

Emaar India Conducts Health Camp for its Labour Force in Gurugram

Green Alert

Emaar India, a leading global property developer, recently organised a free Health Care Check-up Camp for its construction workers at its Emerald Hills project in Sectors 62-65 on Golf Course Extension Road in Gurugram, Haryana. The healthcare camp was organised by Emaar India's philanthropy arm Emaar Community of Aware and Responsible Employees (EMCARE) in association with Max India Foundation. A team of specialized Doctors from Max Hospital, Gurugram conducted general health examinations like blood pressure, blood sugar, joints and bones strength, nutrition and vitamins level. More than 150 construction labour force from Emerald Hills project site - around 80% of which were women and children - underwent health check-ups. Free medicines were also distributed to the site workers...

Sep202017 by DG Correspondent1 Comment

Colgate-Palmolive Partners with Water For People in Amravati, Maharashtra

Green Alert

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, the market leader in Oral Care, in partnership with the non-profit organisation, Water For People India Trust, today launched its Amravati Water Initiative in the Amravati District of Maharashtra. This program is an expansion of Colgate’s partnership with Water For People, after their successful collaboration in Bihar and West Bengal, since 2013. This program will support availability and accessibility of water, awareness towards hygiene and sanitation (WASH program), and other initiatives, such as water conservation and rainwater harvesting. Amravati District in Maharashtra faces extreme water scarcity and challenges in accessing potable water for daily living. The Amravati Water Program will begin by focusing on talukas, such as Nandgaon Khandesh