Weekly Environmental News Roundup: 2 March 2026
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 9 (23 February to 1 March) 2026.
Air Pollution and Urban Biodiversity
Around 43% of Rs 300-cr budget for pollution control utilised in 2025-26 so far: RTI Reply
Around 43 per cent of Rs 300 crore allocated under Pollution Control and Emergency Measures in the Delhi budget for 2025-26 has been utilised till January 20, 2026, according to an RTI reply.
Delhi air quality turns ‘poor’ again; Rohini most polluted with AQI at 372
Delhi’s air quality slipped back into the ‘poor’ category on Saturday, February 28, with several areas recording high pollution levels, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board.
6 Air Stations Ready, But Kept On Bench By Pollution Board
Delhi Pollution Control Committee has made six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations) operational, but they are yet to be integrated with Central Pollution Control Board’s network.
Air pollution remains a major challenge in Delhi-NCR region: Bhupender Yadav
In a significant step towards abatement of road dust pollution in the National Capital Region, four Memoranda of Understanding were signed on Tuesday among the Public Works Department/Urban Development Departments of NCR States (Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan), CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi.
SC flags ‘endless litigation’ in MC Mehta cases by repeated applications
The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concern over the “endless litigation” continuing under the long‑running environmental cases titled MC Mehta vs Union of India, which involve monitoring issues of air pollution in Delhi and the environment of the Taj Trapezium Zone.
SC asks Centre to consider proposal to shift coal-dependent industries out of Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court on Monday (February 23, 2026) asked the Centre to consider a proposal to shift coal-based industries out of the Delhi-NCR region while agreeing to examine a suggestion to bar coal-based thermal power plants within 300 km of the national capital as measures to ensure clean air.
Can’t change school sports calendar solely for bad air in winter, govt tells HC
Delhi govt recently informed the high court that it was averse to changing the annual school sports calendar to prohibit outdoor sporting events during the winter months solely on the ground of deteriorating air quality.
Air pollution taking toll on children’s mental and physical health, finds survey
A new survey of 1,257 children aged 6 to 15 years across Delhi-NCR has found that rising air pollution is taking a serious toll on their physical and mental health.
Delhi-NCR’s air pollution problem has made it to the National Council of Educational Research and Training’s new Class 8 Social Science textbook released Monday, with a mention of “AQI levels over 400”.
Delhi civic body panel clears plan for RWAs to adapt 15,000 parks
The standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Monday approved a proposal that allows resident welfare associations across the city to adopt and maintain parks, with implementation set to begin under the 2026-27 budget.
NGT orders action against illegal tree felling in Pitampura
This came after the tribunal was hearing an application in which the applicant alleged illegal tree cutting and excessive, unscientific pruning in Pitampura and adjoining areas of North and North-West Delhi, in violation of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
Delhi forest dept allows transplantation of 32 trees at IGI Airport
Delhi’s state forest and wildlife department has given permission to transplant 32 trees for the expansion of the apron facilities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, but prohibited any tree-felling, according to an order.
Gurugram Metro starts planting 18,000 trees under afforestation drive along KMP e-way
For every tree felled for the Gurugram Metro’s construction, ten more are to be planted.
Leopard rescued from Ghaziabad school’s washroom, seen roaming around residential area
A 75-kg full grown leopard strayed into Green Field School at Govindpuram in Ghaziabad on Wednesday.
Water Security
Delhi Faces Water Supply Disruption For 2 Days: Check Affected Areas
Residents in multiple areas of Delhi may experience disruption in their water supply over the next forty-eight hours, starting Wednesday, the Delhi Jal Board has announced.
DJB tanker helplines add to woes as areas in Delhi grapple with water crisis
Amid the Delhi Jal Board’s planned interconnection work that has affected water supply in several areas of the national capital, residents from many areas, including Dwarka and Najafgarh, are grappling with water crisis.
NDMC to set up effluent treatment plants at five dhobi ghats for horticulture water use
The New Delhi Municipal Council will develop effluent treatment plants at dhobi ghats in areas under the civic body, and use treated water for horticulture, senior civic officials said.
How flood-prepared is Delhi? Govt shares its plan with NGT
The Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department has informed the National Green Tribunal that work on desilting all its drains will be completed by June 15.
NGT directs permanent sealing of illegal borewells in Delhi
The National Green Tribunal directed authorities to ensure proper and permanent sealing of illegal borewells operating in parts of Delhi,
Report flags air and water pollution by Panipat textile recycling industry
The largest textile recycling cluster globally, Panipat contributes exports of around ₹30,000 crore and provides employment to more than 4 lakh people, nearly a third of whom are women.
Sam Altman defends AI resource usage: Water concerns ‘fake,’ and ‘humans use energy too’
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday defended the resource demands of artificial intelligence, calling concerns about data centers’ water use “fake” and comparing the energy used by AI systems to that of humans.
Waste Management
Delhi gets first plant to dispose of green waste dumped on roads
Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the Capital’s first-ever green waste processing plant to process horticulture waste generated alongside roads that are under the department’s jurisdiction.
Delhi: Each assembly constituency to get one waste mgmt centre
To prevent horticulture waste from reaching the landfill site, the Delhi government has set a target of setting up one green waste management centre in each assembly constituency, senior officials said.
MCD to retain existing agencies for biomining at all 3 landfills
Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to retain the existing agencies carrying out bio-mining at the Okhla, Ghazipur and Bhalswa.
NGT accepts plea on need to recycle PET bottle caps
In an attempt to address plastic waste, National Green Tribunal has taken cognisance of a petition on pollution caused by detachable plastic bottle caps,
Gurgaon to enforce two-stage checks of demolition waste before construction and occupancy
Delhi-NCR is being pushed into a system where every kilogram of construction and demolition waste must be traceable.
Climate Change
India, Germany strengthen climate resilience through new EUR 20 million initiative
Germany and India have reinforced their commitment to enhancing adaptation and resilience during a high-level Climate Talk held in New Delhi.
