Weekly Environmental News Roundup (20 April 2026)
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 16 (13 to 19 April) 2026.
Air Pollution
Delhi govt claims city’s air was cleanest in 8 years in 2025. What RTI report says
An RTI response accessed by India Today from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee raises questions over the Delhi government’s claim that 2025 recorded the cleanest air in eight years.
Commercial vehicles entering Delhi will have to cough up more money as the Supreme Court has okayed enhancing the environment compensation charge for such vehicles while mandating a 5 per cent annual increase to maintain its deterrent effect against pollution.
Water Security
Delhi’s water crisis deepens as audit flags contamination and governance gaps
To be able to use water in Delhi now comes at a cost to health.
DJB to revamp water meter system to upgrade billing facility
In a move aimed at overhauling the capital’s water billing system, the DJB has initiated the process to reconstitute its panel of empanelled water meter manufacturers, officials said on Thursday.
Govt starts work on Delhi’s 1st integrated water master plan
The objective is to prepare a comprehensive plan for water supply in the national capital, covering short-term (0–5 years); medium-term (5–15 years) and long-term (15–30 years) measures
MCD launches new bid to revive Naini lake, plans shikara rides, water sports
In a fresh attempt to revive Naini Lake in Model Town, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is set to invite new tender applications at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 10 crore.
Waste Management
Delhi mulls ‘deposit return’ scheme for recyclable, non-degradable waste
The Delhi government is planning to monetarily incentivise the return of recyclable and non-biodegradable waste under a Deposit Return Scheme, wherein non-biodegradable items may be priced with a refundable deposit component and buyers can get a refund of the same by returning them at designated points or to shopkeepers, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday.
Biodiversity Conservation
Delhi plans ‘Qurani Van’ as part of themed-forest initiative
The Delhi forest department is planning to add a new “Qurani Van” to its list of themed forests in the national capital, as part of its broader push to expand green cover while linking ecology with cultural traditions, a senior official said.
Delhi to empanel agencies with specialised tree transplanting machines
The forest and wildlife department will empanel only agencie that have tree transplanter machines capable of uprooting trees with intact root balls and also hire a certified arborist so that the survival rate of transplanted trees improves.
Climate Change
In a first, BJP govt in Delhi to set up floating solar farms on lakes, ponds to generate electricity
After implementing rooftop solar initiatives, the BJP government in Delhi has, for the first time, proposed a plan to generate electricity by installing floating solar farms on lakes, water bodies, reservoirs, and ponds across the Capital, officials said.
India withdraws its bid to host UN climate talks in 2028
India has withdrawn its bid to host the United Nations annual climate Conference Of the Parties (COP33) in 2028, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
