CAQM issues statutory direction proposing stricter PM emission norms for industries across Delhi-NCR

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) In a move to strengthen industrial emission control measures across the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Saturday issued a statutory direction proposing a uniform and more stringent Particulate Matter (PM) emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR.

Industrial stack emissions are a significant source of elevated PM levels in Delhi-NCR and also contribute to the formation of secondary particulates, adversely impacting the region’s air quality.

Recognising the urgent need for stricter control, the Commission has undertaken a series of targeted measures since its inception.

These include the mandatory transition to cleaner fuels, the prescription of emission standards for biomass and other fuel-based boilers and furnaces, and the issuance of approved fuel lists through various statutory directions.

The Commission, after considering recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), based on a study conducted by IIT Kanpur and inputs from a Technical Committee constituted by CPCB, has concluded that a PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ is both technically achievable and environmentally necessary.

The revised standard is expected to significantly reduce industrial emissions, contributing to the abatement of air pollution and improving overall air quality in the region. It will also benefit people residing in the immediate vicinity of industrial clusters.

According to the press release, the maximum permissible limit of PM emissions from 17 categories of highly polluting industries identified by CPCB, Red Category (medium and large) air-polluting industries, food and food processing units, textile industries with boilers or thermic fluid heaters, and metal industries operating furnaces in Delhi-NCR shall be 50 mg/Nm³.

However, this standard will not apply to industrial units already prescribed a PM emission standard lower than 50 mg/Nm³ under any applicable consent, direction, or statutory provision.

The revised PM emission norms will come into effect for large and medium industries from August 1, and for the remaining industries from October 1

Further, the respective NCR State Governments and GNCTD and the Pollution Control Boards in the States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been directed by the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the Statutory Direction, particularly the targeted timelines for compliance with the revised PM emission standard and also undertake intensive IEC activities to sensitise stakeholders and spread awareness.

–IANS

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Waqf bill bulldozed in Parliament, it’s brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in her first reaction to the passage of Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, called it a brazen assault on the Constitution and urged the party lawmakers to be ‘aggressive and combative’ in calling out the failures of BJP-ruled NDA government.

Sonia, addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting at Central Hall this morning, said that the Waqf bill was bulldozed through the Parliament.

“The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is very much part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization,” she said at the CPP General Body meeting.

The CPP chairperson also raised strong reservations against One Nation, One Election Bill (ONOE) and called it another subversion of the Constitution.

“Women’s reservation bill was passed by both Houses two years ago but continues to be wilfully ignored for one-third reservation for women belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBC communities,” she highlighted.

Levelling a direct charge at Modi government, she said that four landmark laws initiated during UPA government namely — RTI, MNREGA, Forest Rights Act and the Land Acquisition Act were being diluted by the incumbent regime. She further said that the National Food Security enacted in 2013 is facilitating food security to over 80 crore population but another 14 crore people remain deprived of their legal rights because of Centre’s failure to conduct the Census.

She also urged the Congress members to keep up their fight against Modi government’s brazen attempts to usurp their policies and rebrand as its own.

“Modi government is dragging the country into an abyss where Constitution will remain on papers. It is vital for all of us to continue to fight for what is right and just, to expose Modi government’s failing and intention to turn India into a surveillance state,” former Congress President said.

“Prime Minister has rebranded, repackaged and marketed numerous initiatives taken during 2004-2014 as his own personal accomplishments. That too needs to be exposed through our own public outreach activities,” she added.

Sonia said that the BJP MPs are training guns at Congress-ruled states in Parliament and urged the Congress lawmakers to be equally aggressive and belligerent in cornering the Centre on its failures.

“I find BJP members aggressively target our state governments, with total falsehoods especially during the Zero Hour. I think all of you should be equally aggressive and raising the failures and mis-governance in BJP-ruled states. This will mean much more pointed homework and research on our part,” she said.

Congress RS MP also raised concerns over Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi being ‘denied opportunities’ to speak in the House and added that Mallikarjun Kharge, the LOP in Rajya Sabha, was also not allowed to say what he wants to say.

“This is quite extraordinary and shocking, designed to prevent the Opposition from raising their concerns that would put the Government on the spot,” she remarked.

–IANS

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A green salute to KCR at 72: Rebuilding the Sundarbans’ natural shield

Sundarbans (West Bengal), Feb 17 (IANS) At a time when environmental protection was often treated as secondary to economic growth, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), Founder of Telangana and its first Chief Minister, reshaped the development narrative by placing ecology at the centre of governance. Through the flagship afforestation programme Telanganaku Haritha Haram, KCR did more than initiate tree plantation drives.

The former Chief Minister launched a mass environmental movement that embedded climate responsibility into state policy.

Haritha Haram transformed afforestation from a periodic administrative exercise into a shared civic mission. Citizens, farmers, students, institutions, and government agencies were mobilised in a collective effort to restore forest cover, recharge groundwater, protect biodiversity, and build long-term climate resilience. Environmental protection was no longer symbolic; it became structural.

Under KCR’s leadership, ecological regeneration was treated with the same seriousness as irrigation, infrastructure, and welfare—establishing the principle that development without environmental security is ultimately unsustainable.

The influence of this vision extended beyond Telangana. Inspired by Haritha Haram’s philosophy, former Rajya Sabha MP Joginapally Santosh Kumar launched the Green India Challenge, transforming a state-led programme into a nationwide, citizen-driven environmental movement.

Mobilising youth, public representatives, civil society, and corporate participants, the initiative scaled afforestation and ecological restoration efforts across India. Today, it stands among the country’s largest voluntary green campaigns, with millions of trees planted and thousands of water bodies revived—demonstrating how public participation can amplify visionary governance.

On the occasion of KCR’s 72nd birthday, this movement reaches one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable ecosystems—the Sundarbans, which spans nearly 10,000 square kilometres across the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta. The Sundarbans form the largest mangrove ecosystem on Earth. It serves as a natural shield against cyclones, tidal surges, and coastal erosion. Mangroves are not merely trees but life-saving infrastructure for millions living along the coast.

The region faces mounting threats from rising sea levels, saline intrusion and erratic rainfall. Repeated cyclones are also the key challenge. Strengthening mangrove cover is therefore both an ecological necessity and a humanitarian imperative. As a green tribute to KCR’s legacy, 10,000 mangrove saplings will be planted in the Sundarbans—symbolising the expansion of Telangana’s environmental vision to India’s climate frontlines.

Importantly, this initiative goes beyond ceremonial planting. It adopts technology-driven, science-backed restoration methods. Geo-tagged plantation clusters ensure transparency and survival monitoring. Micro-climate sensors track salinity, temperature, humidity, and tidal patterns to enable adaptive management. Artificial intelligence tools assist in erosion modelling and ecosystem stress detection, turning restoration into applied climate science rather than symbolic activity.

Community resilience forms another pillar of the effort. Cyclone-resistant agriculture, rainwater harvesting, freshwater storage systems, and soil conservation practices are being integrated to protect both ecosystems and livelihoods. Universities, research institutions, and youth volunteers are actively collaborating to guide species selection and restoration density, ensuring long-term ecological success.

Aligned with global sustainable development priorities, this initiative reflects how local leadership can contribute to international climate action. From Haritha Haram in Telangana to mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans, the journey underscores a powerful message: when visionary leadership converges with public participation and scientific innovation, nature’s first line of defence can be rebuilt.

–IANS

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Forest Department resumes efforts to tranquilise tiger in Kerala’s Idukki

Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 (IANS) The Kerala Forest Department resumed its efforts on Sunday to capture a tiger that caused panic among residents of Granby, near Vandiperiyar in Kerala’s Idukki.

The animal, which appears weak and injured, has been roaming in the area for over five days, causing panic among residents.

To facilitate the tranquilising operation, a prohibitory order was enforced in Gramby (Ward 15) of Vandiperiyar Panchayat on Sunday.

A Rapid Response Team (RRT) was also deployed to assist in tranquillising and capturing the tiger. Forest officials stated that the tiger’s presence was confirmed after it attacked two cattle belonging to residents, Manikandan and Eshayya.

Earlier, the Department had set up a cage near the Government LP School in Gramby to trap the animal. However, the attempt failed as the tiger was too weak to enter the trap, prompting officials to focus on tranquillisation instead.

Vandiperiyar Panchayat Vice President Sreeraman M said the tiger’s presence sparked panic among plantation workers.

“Officials have urged residents to stay indoors and secure their livestock. The tiger is believed to frequent a water source within a nearby tea estate,” he stated.

According to a Forest department official, the search operation has been challenging due to heavy mist in the area.

While the tiger is believed to be in the vicinity where it was last seen, it continues to move around, making tracking difficult.

Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials are assisting in the search using drone cameras and pug mark tracking to monitor the animal’s movements.

Speaking to the media, Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran stated, “The Department has a dual responsibility – to protect wildlife and ensure human safety. We are taking all necessary steps and aim to find a solution by today.”

According to official data as of February 28, Kerala has recorded 57 human fatalities due to wildlife attacks in the current financial year (2024-25). This includes 15 deaths from elephant attacks, eight from wild boar attacks, one death from a tiger attack, 32 deaths from snake bites and one death caused by a porcupine attack.

The increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts in Kerala is attributed to its vast forest cover, which accounts for 29.1 per cent of the state’s total geographical area.

More than one lakh tribal residents live within these forests, alongside nearly five lakh non-tribal residents in nearby settlements and border areas.

Rapid population growth and human encroachment into forested regions have intensified these conflicts, leading to widespread destruction of crops, loss of livestock, property damage, and, in many cases, human casualties.

In the financial year 2024-25 alone, over 50 wild elephant attacks have been reported across the state, with a rising number of fatalities.

Authorities are under increasing pressure to implement effective measures to mitigate these conflicts and ensure the safety of people living in and around forest areas.

–IANS

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