Latest news with #ForestandClimateChange
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Thrissur elephant squad members to attend national training camp in Gujarat
Sixteen elephant squad members from Thrissur will participate in a five-day all-India training camp organised under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The camp will be held from July 25 to 29 at the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Gujarat. The participating handlers are members of the Elephant Squad operating at the Chittanda Gaja Natural Park, an elephant care and conservation centre managed under the Elephant Welfare Trust of India. The initiative aims to equip elephant handlers with professional training in humane care, safety protocols, and conservation ethics. Elephants form an integral part of Kerala's vibrant temple festivals, including major and minor Poorams, church feasts, and other celebratory events. The Elephant Squad is a specialised team deployed to ensure the safety and well-being of elephants, as well as public safety, during these often crowded festivities. Currently, the Elephant Welfare Trust of India has 50 trained squad members. Of these, 16 have been selected for the first phase of the training programme. According to Trust chairman K.P. Manojkumar and secretary P. Sashikumar, more handlers will be given the opportunity to attend advanced training sessions as part of the Ministry's ongoing skill enhancement initiatives. The camp is expected to provide scientific and professional insights into elephant management, enhancing both the competence of handlers and the welfare of the animals in their care.
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
City's PM10 levels drop 12% in seven years
CHENNAI: Among the four cities – Chennai, Tiruchy, Madurai and Thoothukudi – in Tamil Nadu that are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the capital city recorded a modest PM10 reduction, while Thoothukudi recorded the sharpest reduction in the seven year period between 2017-18 and 2024-25 According to the data presented by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Lok Sabha, the average concentration of PM10 levels in Chennai dropped by 12.1 % from 66 µg/m3 in 2017-18 to 58 µg/m3 in 2024-25. Thoothukudi, meanwhile, recorded a 54.5% reduction with the PM10 levels dropping from 123 µg/m3 in 2017-2018 to 56 µg/m in 2024-2025. The average concentration of PM10 levels in Madurai and Tiruchy dropped from 88 and 72 in 2017-18 to 57 and 61 in 2024-25 respectively. Meanwhile, Chennai fared poorly in terms of drop in PM10 levels compared to other metropolitan cities like Mumbai (44%), Kolkata (37%), and even Delhi (15.8%). However, in terms of the actual average concentration of PM10 levels recorded, Chennai with 58 µg/m3, fared far better than Mumbai (90), Kolkata (92), and Delhi (203). Although Chennai is now closer to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m3, experts say the progress is incremental and insufficient given the scale of urbanisation, traffic, and construction activity. 'The figures may look acceptable on paper, but the health impact remains tangible. We continue to see rising respiratory cases in urban centres like Chennai,' a senior pulmonologist at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital told TNIE.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
The reform India's power sector needed
In 2015, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified SO2 norms for coal-based thermal power plants. The establishment of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD system) for all 600-odd power plants in the country was made compulsory. The schedule for the implementation of this system was challenging. Most professionals associated with the power sector, technical experts, researchers and policymakers raised valid concerns. Since Indian coal has a low sulphur content, these experts argued that an FGD system was not necessary for most of these plants. The implementation of the system was, however, initiated in several plants. It was estimated that the capital expenditure on FGD in the old and the new plants would tax finance resources and lead to a tariff burden in the order of Rs 0.25 – 0.30 per KWhr. Power generators were worried, but more concerned were the distribution companies and consumers of power, who would have to finally bear the burden of the additional tariff. Apart from the commercial implication in terms of heavy capital expenditure and the financial burden on consumers, the issue in question was also about the technical necessity of the system in view of the very low sulphur content of Indian coal. This needed more research. A study initiated by the Ministry of Power and carried out by IIT Delhi concluded that there was a need for more comprehensive analysis of SO2 emissions and whether FGDs are necessary for all thermal power plants in the country. Niti Aayog initiated a comprehensive study, carried out by NEERI. The researchers studied all aspects of Indian coal and the extent of SO2 emissions vis-à-vis the norm. They prepared a comprehensive report and made recommendations. Their analysis suggests that 'ambient SO2 concentration in all the monitoring stations is well below the prescribed Norms of 80 micrograms per cubic meter. This is even though most of the thermal power plants have not installed FGDs'. They also recommended that, 'there is a need to revisit the stack emission norms for SO2… with the consideration of India's latitudinal position, (being) close to the equator compared to European countries, the US… who have given guidelines for SO2 emission control. India has higher and stronger solar insolation leading to high ground level heating, vertical convection, high mixing height, high ventilation.' The FGD system utilises limestone and water as its main input materials. The mining and transport of limestone to power plants leave a large carbon footprint. The atmospheric lifetime of CO2 is significantly longer than that of SO2. The revised notification does not mandate a complete withdrawal of FGD. It is now based on sound scientific studies and analysis, which have enabled 600-odd power plants of the country to be classified into three categories — those which are close to very large cities, the ones in heavily polluted areas, and others. An analysis of data collected reveals that about 78 per cent of the power plants do not require an FGD system. This means a saving of large capital expenditure, which can now be deployed for creating more power-generation capacities, primarily through the renewable route. The notification has also allayed fears of tariff burden on power consumers. In India's long-term energy transition plan, renewables will play a big role. However, the transition will need to respect energy security considerations. Domestic coal will, therefore, continue to play a meaningful role in the coming few decades. The notification not only provides relief for consumers at large, but also provides clarity on how to plan for domestic coal-based power. The writer is former power secretary, Government of India and president, India Energy Forum
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Parliamentary proceedings: Only one in five cities have achieved NCAP targets
Only about one in five of India's most polluted cities funded under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have reduced their particulate matter levels to targeted levels, according to data shared by the Minister of State for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Lok Sabha on Monday (July 212, 2025). The NCAP, which was launched in 2019, originally aimed for a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024, on the 2017 baseline levels. However, in 2022, the target was revised to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels, with no targets for PM 2.5, or to meet national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025-26. Out of 130 cities, 48 million-plus cities/urban agglomerations (population greater than a million) are funded under the 15th Finance Commission Million Plus City Challenge Fund as an air quality performance grant, and the remaining 82 cities are funded under Control of Pollution Scheme of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Performance-linked grant of ₹13,036.52 crore was provided to 130 cities for critical gap funding. With the deadline for achieving targets set for March 2026, data shared by the Environment Ministry shows that with reference to the 2017-18 baseline, only 25 of the 130 cities have achieved a minimum 40% reduction in PM10 as of 2024-25. On the other hand, there are also 25 cities that have reported an increase in PM10 levels when compared with 2017-18. The four cities with the sharpest improvement (reduction) in particulate matter levels are Bareilly (76%), Varanasi (74.3%), and Firozabad (59.5%) in Uttar Pradesh, and Dehradun (57.2%) in Uttarakhand. 'There has been notable improvement in PM10 levels in major Indian cities,' Mr. Vardhan said in his response in the Lok Sabha. 'Mumbai has shown improvement in PM10 levels with a 44% reduction in 2024-25 compared to FY2017-18, followed by Kolkata (37%), Delhi (15%), and Chennai (12%). PM10 data in respect of 2017-18 and 2024-25 and per cent improvement in PM10 concentrations of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai in FY 2024-25 w.r.t. FY 2017-18. These improvements reflect the positive impact of various air quality improvement measures implemented under NCAP,' the Minister said. In all, 103 cities had shown a reduction in PM10 concentration in 2024-25 with respect to 2017-18, and 22 had achieved the 40% target as well as kept annual concentrations below 60 µg/m³, the statement said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Will move SC with contempt plea against Karnataka on Mhadei issue: Goa CM
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the legislative assembly that the state government will file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for carrying out activities that are aimed at diverting the Mhadei river water. The CM also accused the neighbouring state of being involved in activities aimed at diverting the river water. The two adjoining coastal states are embroiled in a dispute over sharing the Mhadei river water. The BJP-ruled Goa has accused the Congress-governed Karnataka of planning to divert the river water by constructing two dams. The Mhadei river originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, and flows through Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra as it empties into the Arabian Sea at Panaji in Goa. The Centre had set up a tribunal which decided on sharing the river water between the three riparian states -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Goa and Karnataka along with Maharashtra have appealed against the tribunal's order on sharing water by the three states in the Supreme Court, and the matter is sub-judice. Opposition MLAs in the Goa assembly on Tuesday cornered the Pramod Sawant government in the House over its failure to stop Karnataka from conducting illegal activities. Raising the issue, independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco sought to know the progress of the case pending before the apex court against the verdict of the tribunal on the share of Mhadei river water. Speaking on the issue, Sawant said Karnataka has been actively involved in activities aimed at diverting the Mhadei river water. "We cannot stop their activities as they are happening in their jurisdiction. But the Goa government has taken every step to counter their attempts to divert the Mhadei water," he said. The chief minister added that he had personally met Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav over the issue. "I have discussed the matter and the Union ministry (has assured that it) will not give any permission to Karnataka to conduct any such activities," he said. "The state will file a contempt petition against Karnataka before the Supreme Court in the matter," the CM added. State Water Resources Department Minister Subhash Shirodkar said the state government has been monitoring the activities of Karnataka. The opposition benches, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Venzy Viegas and others participated in the discussion. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
