Weekly Environmental News Roundup (27 July 2026)
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 30 (20 to 26 July) 2026.
Air Pollution
Study reveals hidden pollution from diesel generators may be posing bigger health risk than thought
Diesel generator sets, relied upon by millions of homes, housing societies, hospitals, offices, industries and construction sites during power outages, could be contributing far more to urban air pollution and public health risks..
Revamped on paper, but CAQM finds 15 road stretches still kicking up dust
Fifteen road stretches in Gurgaon and Faridabad have failed a ground inspection by Commission for Air Quality Management..
Experts Concerned, 81% Of SO₂ Emissions Around Delhi-NCR Come From Exempted Coal Plants
A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has raised concerns over the Centre’s decision to exempt a majority of coal-fired power plants from installing sulfur dioxide pollution-control systems, finding that 81 per cent of SO₂ emissions from coal-fired power plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi-NCR originate from plants exempted under the revised July 2025 norms.
SC Seeks Centre, CPCB Response On Unspent ₹1,000-cr Envt Relief fund
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board on a PIL alleging non-utilisation of environmental relief funds of over Rs 1,000 crore.
Water Security
NGT orders DDA and Delhi flood department to end Yamuna floodplain deadlock
To resolve the issue of demarcating the boundaries of Yamuna floodplains, the National Green Tribunal asked the Delhi Environment Secretary to call for a meeting of the Delhi Development Authority and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department within one week.
Yamuna floodplains shrank by a third in a century, study links it to higher flood risk
Yamuna’s shrinking floodplains and increasing flood vulnerability in Delhi are the result of changes that have unfolded over more than two centuries, according to a study published in April this year in the Journal of the Geological Society of India by researchers from the University of Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal.
Preventive detention orders should be passed against those facilitating illegal sand mining: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said preventive detention orders should be passed against those facilitating illegal sand mining activities in and around the National Chambal Sanctuary as such people are eating into natural resources and deserve no sympathy.
Waste Management
MCD to revamp ‘zero waste’ push after compliance failure
The MCD has proposed replacing the existing Sahbhagita Scheme with a revised Zero Waste Colony Initiative.
Waste dumped at 33 spots along Yamuna-linked drains: Report
Solid waste has been found dumped at 33 locations along the Shahdara and Sahibi drains — which join the Yamuna river — between May 2025 and April 2026, as per assessment by the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
Delhi CM launches waste collection project, flags off smart vehicle fleet in capital
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched the door-to-door waste collection and secondary transportation project in the West Delhi and flagged off a fleet of technologically advanced waste collection vehicles.
Biodiversity Conservation
Delhi govt launches massive greening drive, to plant 70 lakh saplings this year
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday joined Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior government officials in a plantation drive at the PBG Ground in the Ridge, announcing that 15 lakh trees and saplings are being planted across the Ridge and other identified green areas as part of a large-scale eco-restoration programme.
15 lakh plants to be planted across Delhi Ridge: Sirsa
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday joined senior government officials in a plantation drive at the Ridge and said 15 lakh trees and saplings are being planted across the Ridge and other identified green areas.
Delhi to geo-tag every sapling planted under green campaign, says Sirsa
Every sapling planted under its ongoing plantation campaign will be geo-tagged to enable scientific monitoring and improve its long-term survival, said Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday.
Tribunal directs Delhi govt to file status report on illegal tree felling in Chhatarpur
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to file a status report regarding the illegal felling of trees and encroachment on forest land in south Delhi’s Chhatarpur area.
SC panel invites stakeholders’ inputs on Aravalli definition within 21 days
The High Powered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court for the protection of the Aravalli Ranges, has invited suggestions and representations from the public, asking stakeholders to submit their responses within 21 days through email and Google Forms.
Climate Change
Protests Erupt in Delhi Over Climate Concerns
Protests demanding urgent action on climate change were held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on July 21, 2026.
Climate Finance Must Reach Nations That Need It Most: UN Climate Chief
Climate finance is rising, but not fast enough, and it’s vital that more funds reach countries that need it most and have done least to cause the crisis, a top official of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change said on Tuesday.
