
G20 Summit: Ministers agree on new framework to tackle plastic pollution in oceans
Member nations are to promote a 'life-cycle approach' to prevent & reduce dumping of plastic in oceans.

Royal attire and moustache: Union minister Harsh Vardhan plays King Janak in Ramleela at Red Fort
Donning the traditional kingly attire with metal armour, and delivering emotive dialogues in chaste Hindi was Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, playing the role of Janak in Delhi's LuvKush Ramlila in the sprawling grounds of the Red Fort. The minister was almost unrecognisable with an imperial moustache, make-up and royal attire.

Maharashtra plastic ban: State govt announces three-month extension for small retailers; proposal for recycling mechanism due
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday relaxed its stringent ban on plastic usage by allowing small retailers to use plastic bags for packaging for the next three months.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray calls plastic ban a 'tool' to raise funds before elections, demands its withdrawal
MNS chief Raj Thackeray opposed the plastic ban, which came into effect in Maharashtra on 23 June. He called it a 'tool' for raising funds and demanded its withdrawal.

India's forest cover has increased by 1.29% from 2009 to 2015, reports Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan
The 'Status of Environment Report, India 2015', by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said the forests and tree cover constitute 24.16 per cent of the country.

Delhi's air quality during Diwali was better compared to 2016, says Environment minister Harsh Vardhan
Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the air quality in Delhi this Diwali was better compared to last year.

Scientists asked to develop zero-pollution firecrackers, says environment minister Harsh Vardhan
Scientists have been asked to develop zero-pollution firecrackers that do not cause health hazards to children, Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday ahead of Diwali

Former environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan booked by CBI in forest land clearance case
CBI booked former environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan for alleged abuse of her official position in diverting forest land for a steel plant in Jharkhand in violation of law

Centre sees environment as a burden not a societal obligation, says Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh, 63, has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2004 and held several portfolios, including rural development and drinking water and sanitation, during the second term of the UPA regime from 2009-14. But he is best-known, and still remembered, for his stint as environment minister.

India will achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, promises environment minister Harsh Vardhan
Environment minister Harsh Vardhan said that the Narendra Modi government "is committed to achieve land degradation neutrality by the year 2030"

Ban on cattle sale for slaughter: Can we stop outraging and focus on regulating animal markets?
On 23 May, government issued rules regulating the cattle market. The regulations seem to have affected the country even before they have been implemented.

Environment ministry will address contentious issues in "scientific" manner: Harsh Vardhan
Union minister Harsh Vardhan discussed the challenges India faces after taking charge as environment minister following the death of Anil Madhav Dave last week

World should wait and watch Donald Trump's stand on climate change: India
Amid apprehension that US President-elect Donald Trump might withdraw the US from the climate-rescue Paris Agreement, India on Thursday said that one should not react on assumptions.

India wants broad outline for Paris deal implementation to be finalised
India wants a broad outline or roadmap for the implementation of the Paris agreement to be finalised at the crucial climate change conference in Marrakech.

Delhi pollution: Kejriwal blames crop burning in Haryana, Punjab, calls emergency cabinet meeting
Delhi is witnessing an "emergency situation" due to alarming pollution level, the Centre said on Saturday and called a meeting of Environment Ministers of all neighbouring states on Monday to curb stubble burning by farmers which has made Delhi a "gas chamber".

India committed to fight global warming: Javadekar signs Paris agreement
Pledging the India's commitment to fight global warming, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar signed the historic Paris climate change agreement

On International Forest Day, Javadekar urges people to plant trees and create 'oxygen bank'
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said people's cooperation is needed to improve the quality of forests and to enhance their scientific management

Chennai floods 'highly localised' event, not result of climate change, Javadekar tells Rajya Sabha
Extreme rainfall that occurred in Tamil Nadu is "highly localised" and is part of the natural variability of the monsoon system; cannot attribute Chennai floods to climate change, Rajya Sabha was told.

U-turn: Paris talks force Modi govt to admit climate change cause behind Chennai floods
After the initial reluctance to see the floods in Tamil Nadu as a result of climate change, Prakash Javadekar seems to have come a full circle on the issue.

Why Jayanthi Natarajan quit Congress: It was CBI action, not Rahul Gandhi
But the timing of her releasing the contents of the letter in public domain has put the question in everyone’s mind, is it really “anguish” or is there more than what meets the eye?