Weekly Environmental News Roundup (17 August 2026)
Weekly environmental news roundup from across different media networks for Week 33 (10 to 16 August) 2026.
Air Pollution
A Comptroller and Auditor General performance audit tabled in the Delhi assembly on Monday (August 10) has revealed that records of environment compensation charge collections in Delhi were missing for 280 days while Rs 843.12 crore collected under the charge remained unspent, reported Hindustan Times.
Targeted technology, smart poles expected to boost Delhi’s air pollution fight
A first-of-its-kind target-based model to select pollution-control technologies and digital smart poles — that display live data on pollutants and may have tools installed like mists to clean the air — are set to boost Delhi’s fight against air pollution.
Water Security
Government approves ₹2,574 crore ‘Wazirabad Water Supply Improvement Project’: Parvesh
Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Monday (August 10, 2026) said that in-principle approval has been given by the Screening Committee of the Department of Economic Affairs for the “long-awaited” ₹2,574 crore Asian Development Bank-assisted ‘Wazirabad Water Supply Improvement Project’.
Delhi government plans two initiatives to enhance Yamuna river’s environmental flow
In a bid to improve the environmental flow (e-flow) of Yamuna stretch in the Capital, two plans — one to curb water loss by remodelling of part of Munak canal system and, two, to reserve at least 30% of inflow water after the construction of three upcoming dams — are under consideration, said senior Delhi government officials aware of the matter.
Delhi Jal Board plans citywide reuse water cover
The Delhi Jal Board plans to expand the use of reused water by developing dedicated supply networks around its 37 existing sewage treatment plants, seeking to reduce the city’s dependence on freshwater for non-potable requirements, a senior official aware of the development said.
Okhla barrage redesign among fixes proposed for Yamuna rejuvenation, tackling froth
An action plan proposes six measures to reduce froth in the Yamuna, including redesigning the Okhla barrage and preventing waste dumping.
Delhi Govt extends 100 pc late payment surcharge waiver on water bills till March 31
The Delhi Government has extended the 100 per cent waiver on late payment surcharge for outstanding water bills till March 31, 2027, giving domestic and non-domestic consumers a final opportunity to clear their old water dues by paying only the principal amount.
BEIL Infrastructure Ltd. (formally known Baruch Enviro Infrastructure Ltd) a leading company aiming for clean, green, and healthy environment which specializes in providing turnkey solutions for integrated MSW management, hazardous waste management, has bagged orders from Delhi Jal Board.
Waste Management
Delhi colony achieves zero waste to landfill with community efforts
More than 280 families in south Delhi’s Navjeevan Vihar have adopted a zero waste to landfill model, turning household waste into a resource through segregation, composting, and recycling.
Delhi to get 8 more material recovery facilities as MCD expands waste processing
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is planning to set up eight material recovery facilities with a combined processing capacity of 255 tonnes per day at different locations across the city, officials said on Friday.
DDA approves land-use change for MCD’s 800-MT waste-to-energy plant at Ghazipur
The Delhi Development Authority on Wednesday approved change of land use of a 10-acre plot at Ghazipur for waste processing, paving the way for a facility that will process at least 800 tonnes of fresh waste daily and include a biogas plant.
Biodiversity Conservation
Road laid through Aravallis Mangar Bani core area despite official action
This comes days after Haryana forest department halted road-laying activity inside the ecologically sensitive forest.
Around 40.49 lakh saplings planted under Delhi govt’s 2026 plantation drive; 58 pc target achieved
The Delhi government has achieved nearly 58 per cent of its target of planting 70 lakh trees under its Mega Plantation Drive 2026, with around 40.49 lakh saplings planted so far, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Wednesday.
Delhi plants over 100,000 native trees in DDA’s large-scale drive led by LG Sandhu
Over one lakh native trees and shrubs were planted at 77 locations across Delhi on Friday as part of a major single-day plantation drive organised by the Delhi Development Authority, marking one of the Authority’s largest coordinated plantation initiatives.
431 protected birds among 863 rescued in raid at Kabootar Market
A joint raid in central Delhi’s Kabootar Market has exposed the illegal confinement and sale of protected birds and other animals.
Monkey’s skill found in passenger’s hand baggage at Delhi’s IGI Airport, seized
A passenger travelling from Delhi to Hyderabad was held at Indira Gandhi International Airport after CISF personnel found a monkey skull concealed inside his hand bag ..
Environmental Governance
Green India Mission Fell Short By About 98% In Increasing Forest Cover: CAG
The forest cover increased by only 0.03 million hectares (ha) against a target of 1.4 million ha between 2015-16 and 2024-25 under the Green India Mission, according to a new report by the CAG, which pointed to a shortfall of 97.57 pc from the target.
Government okays diversion of 939 ha land for river link
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s empowered committee has approved the diversion of 939 hectares of forest land for the Nar-Par-Girna River Link Project.
The Environment Ministry’s wildlife panel has deferred a proposal seeking diversion of 40 acres of forest land from the core area of Rajaji Tiger Reserve for the year-round operation of the 6.3 km hill bypass motor road in Haridwar.
A brief spell of showers in Delhi on Monday helped push the quantum of rain this August past the long-period average for the month. Or did it?
E coli bacteria, usually found in human excreta, has been found in drinking water samples picked up from water coolers at several railway stations, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General has said.
India: Data centers boom as water supply runs low
Residents of Khora, a densely populated area in the city of Ghaziabad, just outside New Delhi, have long struggled to obtain a reliable water supply.
Climate Change
The Centre on Tuesday said they have launched a national action plan on climate change and mental health that recognises the impact of environmental factors, including temperature, on sleep patterns.
Disrupted monsoons force India to face climate threat
For generations, India has lived by the rhythm of the southwest monsoon. But with the country hit by dry spells, cloudbursts and deadly floods, climate swings now expose the costs of building for yesterday’s weather.
