Weekly Environmental News Update for Week 40, 2021
Weekly environmental news update from across different media networks for Week 40 (Oct 4 to 10) 2021.
- Delhi’s air most polluted from November 1 to 15: 5-year study
Delhi’s air is most polluted from November 1 to 15, according to an analysis of the PM 2.5 levels of the past five years by the capital’s environment department.
- Delhi govt launches anti-dust campaign to curb air pollution
The Delhi government kick-started a month-long anti-dust campaign to ensure that pollution from construction sites is controlled ahead of winters.
- Delhi govt to start spraying bio-decomposer solution as pollution begins to rise
The Delhi government has announced that it will begin the process of bio-decomposer solutions for free in Delhi as AQI constantly rises.
- Delhi government identifies 150 air pollution hotspots
Delhi government has identified 150 air pollution hotspots compared to 13 last year.
- Delhi government to enhance greenery to reduce dust pollution: Officials
To reduce air pollution, the Delhi government has decided to enhance greenery on its roads and flyovers with the help of shrubs, hedges, creepers and a variety of flowering plants, government officials said.
- Rush for pollution certificates as Transport Dept. begins anti-pollution drive
Vehicle owners have begun queuing up to get Pollution Under Control certificates across the city as the Transport Department is gradually stepping up enforcement against vehicles causing visible pollution, in the run-up to winter.
- In new study, IIT-Kanpur to assess pollution sources in Delhi
The Delhi Cabinet has approved a memorandum of understanding between IIT Kanpur and DPCC to track sources of air pollution in real time and generate forecasts for air pollution management.
- Delhi: Mothers seek clampdown on thermal plants
Holding placards to highlight the dangerous impacts of thermal power plants on the health of people, especially children, a group of mothers from different cities stood outside the office building of the Union environment minister.
- Air quality panel orders formation of 38 dust control cells
38 dust control and management cells have been formed in the Delhi-NCR, to effectively and regularly monitor the progress of dust control measures in the region.
- 32 violators fined in dust-control drive
32 construction sites were fined around ₹15 lakh for violation of dust-control norms after Delhi government officials visited 103 sites.
- Delhi: 1,091 trees to be cut for SPA’s new campus at Vasant Kunj
A Supreme Court committee has recommended the felling of 1,091 trees for a proposed campus of School of Planning and Architecture at the ‘extended ridge area’ in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj.
- Delhi: Pollution control body to sign agreement with Tata Projects, NBCC to operate, maintain Connaught Place smog tower
DPCC will soon sign an agreement with Tata Projects Limited and NBCC for operations and maintenance of the smog tower at Connaught Place for the next four years.
- Gaushalas, dairies under green Acts
DPCC in a notice has said Delhi’s gaushalas and dairies will now fall in the ‘green’ and ‘orange’ category of industries.
- Delhi, AP shoot SOS to PM on coal crisis; seek intervention to prevent blackouts
Delhi’s Tata Power Delhi Distribution has also sent an SMS to its consumers asking them to use electricity judiciously during the afternoon peak hours of 2-6 pm as the country’s power plants reel under a massive coal shortage.
- Delhi Jal Board says petition over accounts audit is ‘politically motivated’
The Delhi Jal Board said the petition by a BJP leader alleging that its accounts has not been audited for the past six years was politically motivated and without any research.
- North Delhi Municipal Corporation clears the way for Roshanara Bagh Lake 2.0
North Delhi Municipal Corporation carried out a drive to clear plants from the dried-up Roshanara Bagh Lake.
- Trees damaged on Vikas Marg, PWD asked to suspend work
The forest and wildlife department has issued a restraining order against PWD for damaging several trees along Vikas Marg while trenching work was being carried out.
- Key changes proposed in Forest Conservation Act 1980
Under the present law, even when diversion of privately owned forested areas is allowed, the owner has to provide equivalent area of non-forest land and other compensatory levies to use his own land for intended non-forestry purposes.
- Power ministry revises policy to use biomass pellets in coal plants
The Union Ministry of Power has set a revised policy to use biomass pellets in coal-burning thermal power plants, encouraging use of agricultural waste.
- Eco-tourism plan at Delhi’s Sanjay Van to harm green lungs: Residents
While DDA plans to develop Sanjay Van in south Delhi as an eco-tourism spot, locals are opposing the move as they feel the move would disturb the habitat of birds and snakes and degrade the green lungs of the city.
- Farm fires in Punjab, Haryana appear on Nasa ‘red dot’ map
The first instances of stubble burning have started appearing in parts of Pakistan, Punjab and Haryana, satellite data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration showed.