Is India Winning the War Against Pollution? The fight for cleaner air and water intensifies as the nation grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change. From the devastating floods in Assam to the alarming rise in air pollution levels in Delhi, environmental challenges demand urgent action. This week saw crucial discussions on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy sources at the India Climate Change Conference, highlighting the government's commitment to tackling deforestation and promoting biodiversity conservation. But are these efforts enough? Experts warn of looming water scarcity and the need for stricter regulations on industrial emissions. The future of India's environment hangs in the balance, demanding collective responsibility and innovative solutions. Explore Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and the latest updates on environmental policies, climate activism, and the ongoing struggle for a sustainable India. Discover how you can contribute to a greener tomorrow.
New Delhi: As the festive season approaches, so does India's recurring debate, whether "green crackers" can really make Diwali celebrations less polluting. In light of worsening winter smog and continued firecracker prohibitions, let's ask the very straightforward and approachable question: What are green crackers, and how do they compare and relate to conventional fireworks? Green crackers are a newer, advanced generation of firecrackers, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). They were developed after the Supreme Court publicly challenged the government to find alternative fireworks that are less polluting and more environmentally friendly than traditional fireworks. Dr Hishmi Jamil Husain, environmentalist, explained to ETV Bharat that, "Green crackers are cleaner, but not free of pollution. The composition is different from traditional firecrackers, which usually consist of barium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and aluminium powder. Green crackers feed on carbon compounds and barium chloride instead of these traditional chemicals. This change allows for the decrease of emissions of sulphur oxide, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter (dust) like PM2.5 and PM10 by 30-40%." In simpler terms, green crackers are designed to produce the same visual and sound effects with less pollution, said Husain. "They use different fuel compositions and oxidizers to produce lower sound intensity, of approximately 110 decibels, as opposed to 120 decibels or more in standard ones, along with less toxic gases," he added. How Green Crackers Differ from Traditional Fireworks Traditionally, fireworks are made up of common metallic salts and oxidizers, including barium nitrate, potassium chlorate, sulfur, and aluminium, to produce vibrant colours, but release noxious gases and tiny particulate matter. The emissions of these materials are estimated to significantly contribute to respiratory illnesses and smog, as in the case of Delhi, where, during the wintertime, the air is already stagnant and filled with particulate matter. Instead of barium chloride and carbon, plus the calculated change of other contributor materials to lower or eliminate exposure to the most harmful gases, Dr Husain explained that the chemical makeup has changed with potentially healthy outcomes. The reduction is calculable in laboratories based on the makeup of the gas and its emissions, but experts question whether the reduction can provide significant health relief alternatives in real-world settings. Environmental and geospatial analyst Dr Rajesh Paul said, "Green crackers use modified formulations that eliminate or drastically cut down pollutants such as barium nitrate and heavy metals, resulting in 30% to 40% less particulate matter and lower levels of toxic gases. The sound intensity is also limited to about 110 decibels." However, he and other experts agree that the word "green" should not be mistaken for "safe." The reduction is relative, not absolute. How to Identify Genuine Green Crackers Perhaps the biggest challenge for consumers is identifying authentic green crackers, as counterfeit products often flood the market during the festive rush. According to Dr Husain, "Green crackers are certified, whereas traditional ones are not. To ensure that your crackers are genuine, look for the label of CSIR-NEERI on the packaging. There will be a barcode or QR code that you can scan to verify the manufacturer, license number, and contact details. There's also a mobile app that helps confirm authenticity. Do not fall for false claims, as many sellers put the 'green' label without proper certification." Dr Rajesh Paul adds, "Consumers should check for the 'Green Crackers' logo and the QR code issued by CSIR-NEERI. Scanning this code confirms that the product meets India's official eco-friendly fireworks standards. Anything without these markings is likely not genuine." A green cracker will have: Fake or unverified crackers not only negate the environmental purpose but may also violate the Explosives Act, leading to penalties or confiscation.
New Delhi/Noida, Jun 27 (PTI) End-of-life vehicles detected at fuel stations or found parked at public places will be impounded and a penalty of Rs 10,000 imposed on four-wheeler owners and Rs 5,000 on two-wheeler owners starting July 1, officials said on Friday. EOL vehicles are diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Irrespective of the states they are registered in, they will not be given fuel in Delhi starting July 1, according to directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) earlier. Around 500 fuel stations in Delhi have inst ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) The Delhi government on Thursday urged the Centre's air quality panel to immediately suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles and said it will also make "all out efforts" to resolve issues related to restrictions on the movement of end-of-life vehicles on the city's roads. In his letter to Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairman Rajesh Verma, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the fuel ban is not feasible and that it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges. The move three days after the ban came into effect in the national capit ...Read More >
New Delhi: The debate among scientists and environment policy experts over what really drives vehicle pollution has heated up in Delhi after the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) directive of denying fuel and impounding end-of-life vehicles from July 1 onwards.Petrol vehicles that are over 15 years old and diesel vehicles that are over 10 years old are in the direct line of fire of CAQM's Direction 89.The policy's aim is to reducing emissions, but environmentalists and automotive exp ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, has written a detailed letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday urging the BJP government to immediately bring legislation to protect 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles from being scrapped in the national capital. Atishi highlighted the grave implications of the blanket ban on end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, stating that the move could adversely impact the lives of lakhs of middle-class families and senior citizens who depend on these vehicles for their daily needs. Atishi pointe ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) With the government exempting about 78 cent per cent of coal-fired plants from installing key anti-polluting systems, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said the Environment Ministry's rationale for the policy is based on "faulty premises". He asserted that the government's policymaking will continue to be driven by "flawed metrics" in the absence of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) revision. The former environment minister attacked the government after the central government once again extended the deadline for coal-based thermal power plants t ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) put out a public notice on Sunday and asked the city residents to report any cases of firecrackers being stored, sold, manufactured, or used in Delhi. The decision came after a blanket ban put in place by the Delhi government on December 19, 2024, based on the direction of the Supreme Court. The notice said, "As per the order from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated November 4, 2024, the Delhi government gave directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, on December 19, 2024. The order puts a complete ban on ...Read More >
Winter pollution is increasingly harmful, posing serious physical and mental health risks. As air quality deteriorates, cities, particularly the capital, face heightened pollution levels, leading to stress and health complications. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is on the rise, especially among the young, while adults are experiencing worsened existing conditions. To combat the effects of pollution, it's essential to adopt mindful practices, stay hydrated, follow a skincare routine, keep indoor plants, and maintain regular exercise. These steps can improve well-being, reduce stress, and enh ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday asserted that his party will win the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on june 19, with a "record margin". "Congress practically has no competition here", he claimed. Warring, who is also the Ludhiana MP, said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was badly mistaken that the Congress would allow it to abuse power and misuse the official machinery for the elections. "First of all, we will not let any misuse of the official machinery and second, in case any official is found to be misusing ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Starting Tuesday, the Delhi government is planning to stop the sale of petrol and diesel to end-of-life (EoL) or over-age vehicles - a move aimed at fighting vehicular emission-linked air pollution in the Capital, an official said. Petrol pump owners on Monday confirmed that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and other devices linked to the transport ministry's data bank have been installed at their outlets to identify EoL vehicles. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a direction that all EoL vehicles identified throu ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
Puri: Lord Jagannath and His Siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were adorned with 208 kg gold ornaments during the 'Suna Besha' ritual on chariots Sunday, an integral part of the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The devotees can have 'darshan' of the deities from 6.30 pm to 11 pm, said the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). According to temple sources, the deities adorn around 30 different designs of ornaments which include gold, diamond, silver and other precious metals. "Initially, around 138 designs of ornaments were used during the era of King Kapilendra Deb in 146 ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) issued a public notice on Sunday, requesting citizens to report any instances of storing, selling, manufacturing, or bursting firecrackers within Delhi. The notice is based on the permanent firecracker ban implemented by the Delhi govt on Dec 19, 2024, in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines."In compliance with the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India order dated Nov 4, 2024, the govt of NCT of Delhi issued a direction under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 on Dec 19, 2024, for imposing a complete ban on the manufacturing, ...Read More >
Delhi residents breathed easier Thursday as air quality improved to 'moderate' after a month of severe pollution. The AQI dropped to 161, though some areas still experienced 'poor' air quality. Cooler temperatures and mist accompanied the improved air, with the minimum temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius. The Supreme Court maintained GRAP-IV restrictions, demanding compensation for construction workers from NCR states.Residents in Delhi took a sigh of relief on Thursday as the air quality inde ...Read More >
New Delhi: The BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicle ban has been lifted in Delhi after the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category. The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to ease restrictions due to the improvement in the national capital's air pollution situation. Delhi had been facing high pollution levels, which led CAQM to enforce Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court has now asked the commission to apply GRAP Stage 2. ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Jun 28 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday said the state government would make efforts to generate lakhs of jobs by establishing IT companies on the 400-acre land parcel next to the University of Hyderabad here. He also said the government will fight in the courts to reclaim the land. Also Read | Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Describes Life on ISS During Video Interaction With PM Narendra Modi, Says 'From Here, We See Sunrise and Sunset 16 Times a Day' (Watch Video). A row had erupted over tree felling on the 400-acre land in April this year. The Supr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): The Delhi government has requested Rs 1,000 crore in funding from the Central government to deploy new technology and implement measures aimed at reducing the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital, Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Sunday during an inspection of Nehru Park. Minister Singh visited Nehru Park along with Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, as part of the government's initiative to install air purifiers in the area. Also Read | US: 24-Year-Old Indian Woman Simran Simran Goes Missing Days After Arriving for Arranged Mar ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI): The Delhi NCT government on Thursday requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to place on hold the enforcement that mandates the denial of fuel to end-of-life vehicles in Delhi. In a letter to the Commission, Delhi Minister for Environment, Forests, and Wildlife, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, wrote that soon after the implementation of the direction, which came into effect on July 1, 2025, it was revealed that "certain issues" needed to be addressed before they could be fully implemented. Also Read | Happy Fourth of July 2025 Wishes and Quotes: Sen ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the government is taking concrete steps to make the national capital pollution-free and green. "Public transportation is being rapidly converted to electric vehicles, which will not only reduce pollution but also provide Delhi residents with clean and affordable transportation," said CM Gupta in a post on X. Elaborating on steps being taken to clean the city's air, she said, "Dust pollution is being effectively controlled at construction sites and major roads through technologies like smoke guns and sprinkler ...Read More >
Bhopal: After decades of lingering uncertainty, the disposal of 307 tonnes of toxic waste (earlier 347 tonnes) from the infamous Union Carbide factory responsible for the Bhopal gas tragedy, has now been disposed. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had issued directives in this regard earlier to dispose it in maximum 72 days. "The process, which began from the evening of May 5 was completed on June 29 evening," a senior officer in the MP Pollution Control Board told IANS. It was burnt at a private facility in Pithampur in Dhar district near Indore, amid protests by locals. "The incineration proc ...Read More >
Gurgaon/Noida: "In the pink of health," Pradeep Pachauri insists of his Nissan Sunny, which he has kept parked in the garage of his Gurgaon house in Sector 37D, of late, fearing the car will be seized if he takes it to Delhi. "My car is parked in the garage, and I have been taking cabs to go to Delhi. Imagine," says Pachauri, whose diesel-powered sedan has run less than 1 lakh km in 10 years. "The car is in good running condition. I have an up-to-date Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate for it. When I bought the car in 2015, I also paid a one-time road tax for 15 years. Despite adhering ...Read More >
Gurgaon: It took just 19 days this year for air pollution levels in Gurgaon to overshoot the limit considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).A study of air quality data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Jan 19, 2025, was Gurgaon's 'overshoot day'. By then, particulate matter 2.5 concentration was already so high that, even if levels were to drastically reduce to zero for the rest of the year, the city would still fail to meet WHO's annual limit.The analysis also ranked the city as the fifth most polluted Indian city in the first half of 2025, wit ...Read More >
Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 304, falling under the "very poor" category. Several areas, including Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Mundka, reported severe pollution levels, significantly impacting visibility and health. The National Capital Region (NCR) also saw poor air quality, with areas like Noida and Ghaziabad in the "poor" range. The Supreme Court upheld restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities and take health precautions as smo ...Read More >
Entrepreneur and managing director of Homestays and villas and Mangalya destination weddings, Siddharth Bakaria, was the latest victim of the horror show that the city has turned into. Delhi's air and its declining quality have unfortunately become the hallmark of the general discourse of the country towards the end of the year and almost all throughout Winter. Lungs are Burning To no one's surprise, the Winter of 2024 is no different, with the landlocked capital city breaking the most undesirable records, very early on in the season. According to reports, Delhi and its neighbouring region ...Read More >
Indian sustainability startups are currently at the forefront in terms of handling critical environmental challenges. They are emerging with innovating solutions frequently for a greener future. Key Communications recently conducted a survey and it reports that the startups are in need of urgent support to make their journey less struggling. The survey reveals that more than 60% of sustainability startups in the country believe that they need stronger government backing with respect to growth and funding. Currently there are about 6,600 cleantech startups in India and such ventures are import ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said that her government has made women's safety a priority of governance, and work is in progress to eliminate unsafe and dark spots in the city. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, "We have made women's safety in the capital not just a promise but a priority of governance. Continuous efforts are being made in coordination with the police and administration to make Delhi safer for women." She said, "Dark spots are being identified and security measures are being strengthened there, PCR patrolling has been increased, panic buttons an ...Read More >