Weekly Environmental News Update for Week 15, 2021

Weekly environmental news update from across different media networks for Week 15 (April 12 to April 18) 2021.

1. Delhi government devises three prong approach to fight air pollution
   Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the government has devised a three-pronged approach to curb the pollution in the national capital.
2. Ordinance on Delhi-NCR air quality management repromulgated
   The ordinance on air quality management in NCR and adjoining areas has been repromulgated, sparing farmers from hefty penalty (of up to Rs 1 crore) and jail terms (of up to five years) for stubble burning.
3. ‘Strong evidence’ COVID-19 predominantly spreads through air, says Lancet study
   There is consistent, strong evidence to prove that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, behind the COVID-19 pandemic, is predominantly transmitted through the air, according to a new assessment published on Friday in The Lancet journal.
4. In two months, Delhi saw 35 days of ammonia spike in water supply
   Data from the quality control department of Delhi Jal Board shows that during the last two months alone, ammonia levels in the Yamuna were at 0.9 ppm or above for 35 days.
5. Corpns take steps to lift biomed waste from home
   To deal with increasing demand for lifting biomedical waste from Covid-infected persons’ houses, the three municipal corporations have taken steps for better arrangement.
6. DPCC flags off campaign on e-waste
   The Delhi Pollution Control Committee, in coordination with a private company, flagged off ‘Clean to Green on Wheels’ campaign on Thursday to spread awareness about e-waste.
7. CPCB, DPCC told to take remedial action against WTE plants
   NGT has directed CPCB andDPCC to take remedial action against the three waste-to-energy plants in Ghazipur, Okhla and Narela-Bawana.
8. Call for suggestions by L-G for Delhi Master Plan 2041
   As per a release by the Delhi Development Authority, “the primary goal is to make Delhi an environmentally responsible, future-ready city focusing on ease of living, good quality, safe environments, and efficient mobility.”
9. Gurugram Authority plans GIS system to improve air quality, address environmental concerns
   In a bid to improve air quality and analyse ecological concerns in the city, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority is working on an environmental and climate monitoring system for micro-level monitoring and better policymaking, officials said.
10. States in east India highly vulnerable to climate change, says first such assessment report
    Mostly eastern part of India, are ‘highly vulnerable’ to climate change, said the first of its kind national level state and district-wise climate vulnerability assessment report, released by the science & technology ministry on Saturday.
11. NGT forms National Task Force to combat air pollution
    NGT has formed eight- member National Task Force to monitor remedial steps to improve the status of air quality in 124 cities.
12. Renewable energy key part of India’s growth programmes: Javadekar
    India has only 3% contribution in the historical emissions and that the US, Europe and other regions have contributed more to harmful emissions over the last 150 years, the Minister said at Amazon Smbhav event.
13. US legislation on climate change seeks to reinvigorate bilateral cooperation with India
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the 40 world leaders invited by US President Joe Biden to the Leaders’ Summit on Climate on April 22 and 23.

With inputs from Kavita.