Weekly Environmental News Update for Week 48, 2021

Weekly environmental news update from across different media networks for Week 48 (Nov 29 to Dec 05) 2021.

1. Delhi’s air quality remains stagnant in ‘very poor’ category
   The overall Air Quality Index of Delhi on Sunday morning was recorded at 309.
2. Delhi to form special task force to ensure enforcement of pollution norms
   The Delhi Pollution Control Committee is all set to form a special task force, to ensure that all pollution abatement measures are efficiently enforced in the national Capital.
3. Supreme Court Approves Measures Proposed By Centre On Air Pollution
   The Supreme Court resumed hearing on a case related to construction in the Delhi-NCR region which was banned by the top court in view of the deteriorating air quality.
4. Delhi: DMRC plans to install more anti-smog guns to control pollution levels at its sites
   The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has already pressed into service 14 anti-smog guns which throw fine mist at regular intervals to check dust pollution emanating from construction work.
5. Delhi Air Pollution: Petitioner in HC Seeks 15 Lakh Damages, Matter Listed
   Petitioner sought Rs 15 lakh as compensation for “specific and exemplary damages” caused to him due to the air pollution in Delhi.
6. New Delhi shuts schools, colleges again due to air pollution
   New Delhi has ordered the closure of schools and colleges until further notice from Friday after the Supreme Court criticized the city government for reopening educational institutions despite “very poor” air quality.
7. EDMC intensifies steps to curb pollution
   128 teams deployed to keep close watch on pollution-causing activities.
8. Central Vista work following non-polluting norms: Centre to SC
   The Supreme Court while hearing a plea seeking steps to rein in air pollution in Delhi had asked the Centre to explain what it was doing about construction activities in areas under its jurisdiction in the national capital.
9. Switch industrial units to cleaner fuels: SC
   Seeking to address Delhi’s air pollution woes, the Supreme Court  asked the Centre and states in NCR to submit a proposal “to switch all industrial units” in the region “to piped natural gas or cleaner fuels in a time-bound manner.
10. Stubble-burning in 2021 highest in 5 years: Satellite data
    The stubble burning season has come to an end with the cumulative “fire counts” in Punjab and Haryana recorded by NASA satellites in September to November being the highest in five years.
11. Delhi Jal Board invites applications to award 30 fellowships
    Delhi Jal Board has invited applications to award 30 fellowships: senior fellow, fellow and associate fellow.
12. Delhi Jal Board to upgrade 20 sewage treatment plants in 15 months
    A government official said that the 20 biogas plants under DJB have a capacity to handle around 400 million gallons per day, out of which only 240 MGD is currently functional.
13. Delhi Air Quality Still ‘Very Poor’, Gurgaon Enters ‘Severe’ Category
    The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the ‘’very poor’’ category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research.
14. Polluted air from Pakistan affecting Delhi, UP govt tells Supreme Court
    The Uttar Pradesh government told the Supreme Court that polluted air from Pakistan affects the air quality in Delhi.
15. Electric vehicle prices may rise in 2022
    Rising prices of lithium and higher raw material costs are possible indications that electric vehicles may become more expensive in the upcoming year.
16. ASSOCHAM suggests slew of measures to cut air, water pollution in Delhi; releases special report on critical issue
    An ASSOCHAM-Nangia Andersen LLP report has come up with a slew of measures to improve the quality o f air in the state of Delhi, with a focus on an environmentally sustainable model of growth and development.
17. Tree felling for Del-Doon e-way: NGT asks for mitigation measures
    The National Green Tribunal gave petitioners a week to submit a list of mitigation measures that can be deployed in the matter related to the proposed felling of over 11,000 trees for the Delhi-Dehradun expressway.
18. Kerala seeks clarity on ‘non-core’ areas in Western Ghats
    Kerala has urged the Central Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change to define ‘non-core’ areas in the Western Ghats
19. Pay Rs 4.8 crore environment compensation, oil cos told
    National Green Tribunal appointed joint committee has recommended Rs 4.8 crore environment compensation to be collected from five Edible oil industries in and around Krishnapatnam port.
20. Scientists develop super potato that could resist rising heat from climate change
    Researchers at the University of Maine have developed a ‘super potato’ that could withstand higher temperatures.
21. Reducing meat in diet plan has several health and environment advantages: Study
    The researchers estimated the consequences for animal welfare using several indicators.