Weekly Environmental News Roundup for Week 9, 2025
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 9 (24 February to 2 March) 2025.
1. No fuel for overage vehicles in Delhi from March 31: Sirsa
Overage vehicles will not be allowed to refuel in the Capital from March 31, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday.
2. Anti-Smog Guns To Be Mandatory For High-Rise Buildings, Hotels In Delhi
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday announced that all high-rise buildings, hotels, commercial complexes, major establishments such as airports and construction sites must install anti-smog guns to curb air pollution levels.
3. Delhi to get over 1,000 electric buses this month
Delhi will get at least 1,000 new electric buses by the end of March to replace its existing aging fleet of CNG buses, transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Saturday.
4. Clean Delhi, rejuvenation of Yamuna, clean drinking water focus of govt: LG Saxena in Assembly
During the Delhi Assembly Session on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, in his address, said corruption-free governance, women empowerment, clean Delhi, rejuvenation of Yamuna, clean drinking water are the areas of focus for the government.
5. 48-km stretch along Yamuna to get facelift
Outlining his plans for a cleaner Delhi, Water Minister Parvesh Verma said he has set a 100-day deadline for cleaning 77 drains thoughout the city.
6. Forest dept to probe ‘large-scale’ felling of trees at Delhi Zoo, director denies claims
The Delhi Forest Department has initiated a probe into the ‘large-scale’ felling of trees at the National Zoological Park, popularly known as the Delhi Zoo, following a complaint, senior officials said Monday.
7. Delhi Forest Department carries out demolition drive in Tughlakabad, Aya Nagar
A demolition drive was carried out on the “forest land” in Tughlakabad and Aya Nagar area by the Delhi Forest Department to “clear the encroached villages”, a senior official said on Tuesday.
8. Two earthmovers seized from pvt farm in S Delhi for felling trees
Delhi’s forest and wildlife department seized two earthmovers from a private farmland in south Delhi’s Sainik Farms area on Thursday for allegedly illegally felling trees, officials said.
If any part of the national capital witnesses waterlogging this monsoon, the concerned officials will be suspended, said Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma.
10. Dwarka Forest and How We Underestimate Urban Biodiversity
It is difficult for most of us to appreciate nature in the cities where we live.
11. Asola cameras capture 5 more leopards since 2022
The leopard population in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary has increased, with estimates suggesting 11 to 13 free-ranging predators primarily feeding on dogs in the area.
12. Bhalswa landfill area all set for a green makeover
Municipal Corporation of Delhi has reclaimed around five acres of land at the Bhalswa landfill site with plans to convert it into a green zone.
13. Supreme Court says segregation of waste at source is vital for environment’s health
The Supreme Court on Monday said segregation of garbage starts at home and it is a practice which is of vital importance for the well-being of the environment.
The roads are smooth and wide, flanked by rows of buildings on either side.
15. ‘Thousands of Trees Felled Without Final Approval to Make Way For Kanwar Yatra Route in UP’: FSI
A report submitted to the National Green Tribunal by the Forest Survey of India reveals that thousands of trees were cut in Uttar Pradesh to make way for a new Kanwar Yatra route “not as per rules” and without “final approval.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has been trying repeatedly to increase the level beyond which environmental clearances for building and construction projects are needed and hoped that the courts will reject such attempts once and for all.
17. SC stays order exempting green clearance for construction sites
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a notification by the Union government that exempted building and construction projects, including industrial sheds, schools, colleges and hostels with a built-up area up to 150,000 square metres from obtaining mandatory environmental clearance prior to starting construction work.
18. Preparing for tomorrow: BIMSTEC youth summit calls for effective climate action
With the aim of empowering youth and promoting collaborative efforts to address climate change in the Bay of Bengal region, Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with the Bharat Scouts and Guides, hosted the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) youth led conference on climate change in New Delhi.
19. India should take lead in preserving glaciers: Sonam Wangchuk writes open letter to PM
Fresh from his tour to the U.S. where he carried a piece of ice from a glacier in Ladakh to flag their fast melting, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that India should take a lead in addressing the issue.
20. With India’s winters shrinking, Delhi & Mumbai already feeling the heat of an early summer
At 32.4 degrees Celsius, the national capital Wednesday recorded the hottest day of the year and the highest February temperature since 2023, according to the India Meteorological Department.
21. Summer arrives early and puts India’s staple wheat crop at risk
India is entering an unusually early summer yet again with March expected to be one of the hottest on record, weather officials warn.
