Weekly Environmental News Roundup (3 August 2026)
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 31 (27 July to 2 August) 2026.
Air Pollution
Delhi logs most polluted July in seven years despite above-normal rainfall
Delhi ended July with a striking mix of weather extremes, recording its most polluted July in seven years despite witnessing its first ‘good’ air quality day for the month in nearly a decade.
Air pollution accelerating decay of Humayun’s Tomb
A black crust formed on the sandstone of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi by years of exposure to air pollution is accelerating the deterioration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a joint study of IIT Roorkee and IIT Kanpur has found.
Water Security
Delhi’s Groundwater Contains Uranium, Says Government Report; NGT Seeks Action
A fresh groundwater quality report has raised concerns over drinking water safety in the national capital after finding elevated uranium levels in 13-15% of groundwater samples collected across Delhi.
NGT seeks response from Delhi govt, DPCC over uranium contamination of groundwater
The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the Delhi government and the DPCC after taking note of reports indicating that around 15 per cent of groundwater samples collected from across the capital are contaminated with uranium.
To stop untreated sewage entering Yamuna, Delhi to get 15 new decentralised treatment plants
Seeking to tackle the single largest source of pollution entering Yamuna river, the Delhi Jal Board on Wednesday approved sewerage and wastewater treatment projects worth around Rs 4,500 crore, including setting up of 15 decentralised sewage treatment plants, covering 1,000 km of sewer lines and upgrading existing treatment infrastructure.
Parts of Delhi face water supply cuts for up to 72 hours after Munak canal leak
Several parts of north, west and south-west Delhi continued to face severe water shortage on Sunday, with residents reporting dry taps for 48 to 72 hours after a leak in the Munak Carrier Lined Channel canal disrupted the capital’s main raw water supply on Friday.
Delhi govt to regularise 30 lakh unbilled water consumers via e-KYC in 6 months
The Delhi government on Wednesday announced a six-month, city-wide e-KYC drive to verify and regularise over 30 lakh unbilled water consumers, bringing them into the Delhi Jal Board’s billing network. Water Minister Pravesh Verma said the exercise would cover all water consumers across the capital.
Delhi approves ₹58-cr plan for 250 free water ATMs
The Delhi government on Wednesday approved a series of water supply projects aimed at improving access to drinking water, strengthening storage infrastructure and modernising the city’s distribution network.
Waste Management
Half Of Delhi’s Daily Waste Still Reaches Landfills Despite Cleanup Drive
Nearly half of the waste generated in Delhi every day continues to be sent to the city’s dumpsites, even as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi works to clear decades-old garbage from the landfill sites.
Eye on 800 TPD waste management, MCD signs deal with Oil India to set up CBG plants
To convert 800 tonnes per day of wet waste into biogas and organic fertilizers, the Municipal Corporation Delhi and the Oil India Limited on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of the Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Mayor Pravesh Wahi for the establishment of two Bio-Methanation based Compressed Bio-Gas plants, officials said.
Biodiversity
NGT directs Delhi govt to remove encroachments from Saket forest land in 4 months
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to clear all illegal encroachments from a forest land in Saket within four months.
Did a luxury project cut into Delhi’s Ridge? Panel orders detailed inquiry
-Have all environmental regulations been followed?
DDA aims at restoring 120 hectares of Ridge with 1L desi trees
Delhi Development Authority has intensified ecological restoration across 120 hectares in four sections of the Ridge..
Declare 185 acres of land as ‘forest’, SC urges Delhi govt
The Supreme Court on Monday took a step towards preserving Delhi’s green cover, urging the Delhi government to initiate the process for declaring an area of 185 acres in the Capital as “forest”.
Environment Ministry intensifies efforts to protect tigers outside notified reserves
With an estimated 35-40% of India’s tiger population now living outside designated Tiger Reserves, the Centre has intensified conservation efforts by rolling out the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves initiative across nine States.
Climate Change
H1N1 cases climb across Delhi-NCR: Doctors explain the monsoon connection
Delhi-NCR is dealing with a fresh wave of H1N1 cases, and doctors say the monsoon weather has a lot to do with it.
Heavy rain inundates Delhi, waterlogging hits traffic
Heavy monsoon rain lashed Delhi on Tuesday, leaving several roads waterlogged, disrupting traffic across the city and prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue a red alert for thunderstorms, lightning and intense rainfall over the next few hours.
‘The heat took him from me’: India’s death toll rises amid escalating heat crisis
As extreme heat claims the lives of workers in India’s poorest areas, many fear the true mortality rate is being dangerously undercounted.
