Weekly Environmental News Roundup: 12 January 2026
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 2 (5 to 11 January) 2026.
Delhi air quality remains ‘very poor’ as dense fog disrupts air travel
The air quality in Delhi continues to remain hazardous as the national capital battles a persistent cold wave and dense fog. Several monitoring stations recorded high air pollution levels, with Anand Vihar reporting an AQI of 339, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
CAQM issues closure directions to 16 industrial units in NCR over gross violations
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas on Friday issued closure directions to 16 industrial units located across the National Capital Region after detailed inspections revealed gross and persistent violations, according to an official release by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Clarify status of environmental health bodies, NGT tells Centre
National Green Tribunal has asked the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change to clarify whether two key bodies—the apex committee on environmental health and the working group on environmental health—are still operational, and to place on record the minutes of their meetings.
BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay raises concern over drinking water contamination in parts of South Delhi
BJP MLA from Malviya Nagar Satish Upadhyay on Friday (January 9, 2026) raised the issue of contaminated drinking water in various parts of his Assembly constituency in South Delhi.
60% of homes not getting water bills; DJB plans system overhaul
If you have received a massive water bill after not getting one for months or even years, you are likely not alone.
Delhi govt orders intensifying water quality checks to curb contamination
Against the backdrop of water contamination and subsequent deaths reported in Indore, the Delhi government has ordered the Delhi Jal Board to intensify water testing and related checks in vulnerable areas to prevent a similar incident in the Capital.
Residents in Greater Noida’s Delta 1 fall sick, blame ‘contaminated’ water
At least 30 residents of Delta 1 in Greater Noida complained of loose motion and stomach ache after allegedly consuming water mixed with sewage for the last three days.
NGT flags waste management gaps in Delhi, seeks fresh reports on Yamuna pollution
The National Green Tribunal on Thursday highlighted persistent gaps in Delhi’s solid and liquid waste management, warning that untreated waste continues to accumulate daily and sewage is still discharged into the Yamuna.
Sewage from 10 drains diverted to clean Barapullah, 25 more by June 2026: DJB tells NGT
The Delhi Jal Board has informed the National Green Tribunal that it has intercepted and diverted sewage from 10 out of 43 identified drains that were polluting the Barapullah drain. Work to similarly “trap” another 25 drains is targeted for completion by June 30, 2026.
9,000+ birds counted along Yamunafloodplains during waterbird census
Over 9,000 birds spanning 131 species were spotted along Yamuna floodplains in the city during Asian Waterbird Census this weekend.
Bhati forest dump sites mapped, MCD asked to clear waste
The Delhi forest and wildlife department has identified all forest pockets where construction and demolition waste is being dumped in south Delhi’s Bhati village and has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to remove the waste, the department officials informed the National Green Tribunal.
Illegal tree pruning: Delhi govt tells NGT FIR ordered against Mangolpuri man
The Delhi government informed the National Green Tribunal on Thursday that it has directed the Delhi Police to register an FIR against a man for illegally pruning a tree in a park in northwest Delhi’s Mangolpuri.
JNUSU urges administration to take note of jackal deaths on campus
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union has urged the administration to look into several instances of jackal deaths on the campus and probe any possible outbreak of diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Electricity consumption in Delhi touches 6K megawatt, surpasses last year’s high
The city’s peak power demand clocked 6087 MW, the highest ever during the winter months, Delhi’s State Load Despatch Centre data said.
Renewable energy usage norms may be eased for energy derived from waste
The Centre has proposed to exempt captive waste-to-energy generation from renewable energy consumption obligation norms.
The Centre has eased and rationalised guidelines under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023, allowing government and non-government entities to undertake afforestation and restoration works on forest land without compensatory afforestation and payment of net present value—as long as these activities are carried out under approved working plans.
Environment ministry approves iron ore mining in Chhattisgarh Bailadila forest
The Centre has recommended environmental clearance for the diversion of 874.924 hectares of forest land to extend iron ore mining by the state-owned NMDC within the Bailadila reserve forest in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.
Govt frames SOPs for approving religious sites in protected zones
To ensure consistency in decision-making while clearing proposals concerning cultural and religious institutions located within forest and protected areas, the wildlife panel of the Environment Ministry has come up with standing operating procedures.
Madhav Gadgil, ecologist who championed conservation of fragile Western Ghats, passes away
Veteran ecologist Madhav Gadgil, known for championing community rights and sustainable development, passed away late Wednesday.
Trump withdraws US from key climate treaty and dozens of other groups
US President Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from dozens of international organisations, including many that work to combat climate change.
