Environment | Citizen Matters

Shimla city administration on alert even as tourists count days to snowfall

December 9, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

Shimla is one of those destinations that hold an irresistible appeal for tourists who wish to savour the charm of snowfall in India. Yet, every year, snow brings with it its own share of problems for the city and its people. Here’s how they are gearing up for it this winter.

Farmers most vulnerable to climate change, doctors the least: Guwahati study

December 4, 2019 Sahana Ghosh

A livelihood vulnerability study conducted in Guwahati, Assam, finds that farmers are the most sensitive to climate change, followed by drivers and street food sellers in the urban setting.

Despite CM Uddhav Thackeray’s support, fight to save Aarey far from over

December 2, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Shortly after taking charge, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced a stay on the metro car shed project in the forest land, but that is just one of the many projects planned. Some of these are even known to have enjoyed Shiv Sena support in the past. What, then, could be the future of Aarey?

How social media is strengthening the youth climate movement in India

November 28, 2019 Rishika Pardikar

While policy makers and adult activists are busy figuring out the logistics of the imminent COP25 in Madrid, student strikers in India are busy organising mass movements across their cities. And Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are proving to be their chief allies in this.

50000 workers face serious health risks in illegal e-waste processing units in Delhi

November 11, 2019 Amita Bhaduri

A study identified 15 e-waste processing hotspots in Delhi, housing 5000 units that operate without any safeguards for its employees, who are exposed to chemical or metallic dusts, vapour and acidic effluents.

Why Mumbai is not excited about the proposed transplantation of 5000 trees

November 10, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai faces transplantation of about 5000 trees to compensate for the loss of tree cover due to various Metro projects across the city. Yet, environmentalists have little hope as 56% of the trees transplanted in the city since 2017 have failed to survive the relocation.

What is making rainwater in Guwahati toxic?

November 6, 2019 Sahana Ghosh

A study suggests that a cocktail of natural and man-made pollutants wafting in the air is tinkering with the rainwater quality in Guwahati.

“Just two hours of disturbance”: Ugly truths and uncomfortable questions post Chhat celebrations in Kolkata lake

November 5, 2019 Mou Chakraborty

The NGT has long banned all festivities and rituals in Rabindra Sarovar, a national lake in south Kolkata. Yet what transpired during Chhat Puja clearly points to the futility of such orders in the absence of political will and awareness among masses.

How Ahmedabad is greening its concrete landscape

November 5, 2019 Binita Parikh

From Miyawaki forests on the Sabarmati riverfront and various other spots, to floating gardens on the river itself, Ahmedabad is making serious attempts to build on its green cover while keeping pace with rapid urbanisation.

Can Kolkata’s ‘national lake’ save itself from Chhat Puja celebrations this year?

November 1, 2019 Mou Chakraborty

Despite an order from the National Green Tribunal, efforts to stop Chhat Puja celebrations in Rabindra Sarovar — a 192-acre biodiverse, green sanctuary in the heart of the city — have been futile in previous years. This year the municipal corporation is closing access to the lake area for the two days of the festival, but will it help?

‘Green’ or otherwise, crackers are sheer agony for animals

October 28, 2019 Harsha Raj Gatty

The Supreme Court order mandating low-decibel, green crackers has reduced the extreme noise and air pollution that has conventionally accompanied Deepavali and other celebrations. Yet, for our fellow species without a voice, the trauma is no less. Here’s how to protect them during our festivals.

Is Delhi ready for a green Diwali, with only anars and phuljaris?

October 26, 2019 Sri Krishna

The Supreme Court has mandated that only ‘green’ crackers as formulated by CSIR-NEERI and approved by PESO may be burst this Diwali, so that there is less air and noise pollution. But is Delhi, a city used to boisterous celebrations for a week before and after the festival, ready for a quieter, smoke-free Diwali?

How 5000 school kids in Dehradun helped put 550 kilos of plastic waste where it belongs

October 25, 2019 Rishabh Shrivastava

Dehradun Smart City Limited’s innovative and community-centric initiative titled “Plastic Wapsi Abhiyaan” involved almost 20 government schools, engaging more than 5000 students and 100 teachers. Here’s how they did it.

Monkey menace poses stiff challenge for Delhi government

October 23, 2019 Hridayesh Joshi

Monkeys straying into human settlements and causing serious threats has been an ongoing problem in Delhi. Now, before the assembly elections, the Delhi government has planned a census of monkeys, for area-wise identification and targeted plans to address the problem.

Why young Indians should put ‘equity’ at the forefront of climate activism

October 21, 2019 Anjali Sharma

A climate movement here cannot be built without acknowledging the differentiated responsibility of developed and developing countries in causing climate change. The rhetoric of ‘young vs old’ is not just oversimplification, but simply untrue in the case of India.