Weekly Environmental News Update for Week 2, 2022
Weekly environmental news update from across different media networks for Week 2 (January 10 to 16) 2022.
Air Pollution
Delhi`s air quality remains in `very poor` category, AQI at 301
Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in very poor category, with the city recording an overall Air Quality Index at 301.
Minimal Or No Improvement In Air Pollution Levels In Last 3 Years: Report
Delhi was the second most polluted city in the list of cities with the highest PM 2.5 level and fourth in cities with the highest PM 10 level.
To combat air pollution, Delhi govt mandates EVs for aggregators, delivery services
Delhi government said that aggregators and delivery services in Delhi would need to ensure that 10 per cent of all new two-wheelers and 5 per cent of all new four-wheelers are electric in the next three months to combat air pollution.
Water Security
High Ammonia Levels In Yamuna To Hit Water Supply: Delhi Jal Board
The water treatment plants at Chandrawal, Wazirabad and Okhla can treat up to 90 million gallons of water a day, 135 MGD and 20 MGD, respectively.
Delhi Jal Board’s ‘City of Lakes’ project completes three years
On January 1, 2022, Delhi Jal Board chairperson Satyendar Jain announced that it will build 20-acre lake at Timarpur as part of its 2018 ‘City of Lakes’ project.
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarvodaya Enclave lost 143 trees in 7 years, Delhi forest dept finds
An inspection by the state’s forest and wildlife department in south Delhi’s Sarvodaya Enclave has found that 143 trees went ‘missing’ between 2012 and 2019.
Govt forms 11-member council to protect city’s biodiversity, plan for its future
The council will function as an autonomous unit under the forest and wildlife department of Delhi and receive separate funds.
SC-appointed committee proposes tree conservation authority in every state
The tree conservation authorities at state and local levels shall oversee compensatory afforestation and act as custodians of public-owned trees on non-forest land.
Old tamarind and neem trees in north Karnataka get biodiversity heritage tag
Biodiversity Management Committee, Byadagi declared the 1.4 km stretch a Conservation Habitat of Tamarind & Neem trees Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Climate Change
In a first, potential climate change hotspots mapped
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) has for the first time mapped climate change hotspots in the country in three future time period scenarios of 2030, 2050 and 2085.
Climate Change Will Lead to Rise in People Suffering From Kidney Stones: Study
Change in climate change patterns will increase the number of people dealing with kidney stones, according to researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the United States.
Climate Change Worsening Effect Of Humid Heat On Outdoor Workers: Study
The study found India currently loses around 259 billion hours annually due to the impacts of humid heat on labour.
Centre explores plan to run ships fully on clean energy
India is exploring a unique plan to run ships 100% on green energy that may involve a hybrid energy model.
International News
Long-term air pollution exposure linked to Covid-19 incidence
A study of residents in the Italian city of Varese backs up previous research linking air pollution to the risk of Covid-19 infection.