Environment Ministry

Environment Ministry News

An overnight flight, helicopter ride, and quarantine: The journey of cheetahs from Namibia to India
India

An overnight flight, helicopter ride, and quarantine: The journey of cheetahs from Namibia to India

Eight cheetahs from Namibia arrive at Gwalior's Maharajpura airbase, shortly before 8 am. An IAF Chinook heavy-lift helicopter carries them to Kuno National Park. The wild cats will be released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in giant enclosures, where they will be monitored

SC on draft EIA: Consider amending law to translate notifications in all official languages, CJI tells Centre
India

SC on draft EIA: Consider amending law to translate notifications in all official languages, CJI tells Centre

The Supreme Court, however, stayed a contempt petition related to the case and asked the Centre to file a review petition in the Delhi High Court.

North East students' unions, civil society groups seek withdrawal of 'extractive projects' proposed in elephant reserve, national park
India

North East students' unions, civil society groups seek withdrawal of 'extractive projects' proposed in elephant reserve, national park

The group contends that the projects mentioned above 'are set to disrupt the existing ecological balance, and effectively destroy the biological diversity' of the said sites.

National Tiger Conservation Authority red flags MP govt's move to increase tourism inside reserves after plaint from Bhopal activist
India

National Tiger Conservation Authority red flags MP govt's move to increase tourism inside reserves after plaint from Bhopal activist

This follows a complaint by Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey who has alleged that the state government has increased the tourism carrying capacity of the reserves by allowing in more numbers of vehicles carrying visitors

Environment ministry says over 2,000 people died due to extreme weather events in 2018-19, denies connection to climate change
India

Environment ministry says over 2,000 people died due to extreme weather events in 2018-19, denies connection to climate change

More than 2,000 people died in India in the last one year due to extreme weather events, the environment ministry informed Rajya Sabha on Monday but denied any connection to climate change.

Naveen Patnaik writes to Narendra Modi requesting him to stop Polavaram Project; says will cause ‘permanent injury’ to Odisha
India

Naveen Patnaik writes to Narendra Modi requesting him to stop Polavaram Project; says will cause ‘permanent injury’ to Odisha

'If the project is allowed to be completed before the resolution of all the pending cases, it will cause permanent injury to the interest of the state of Odisha and its people', said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in a letter to PM Narendra Modi. His letter comes in response to the Environment Ministry's decision to extend the construction of the Polavaram Multipurpose Project. Polavaram Project is an under-construction multi-purpose national project on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.

SC order on ejecting forest dwellers ignores underbelly of illegalities, subverts Forest Rights Act on massive scale
India

SC order on ejecting forest dwellers ignores underbelly of illegalities, subverts Forest Rights Act on massive scale

If the Forest Rights Act is wide-ranging in its scope, it is so for a reason: the need to protect habitats of people who have been pushed to the margins.

Centre proposes ban on animals in circuses; animal rights activists call move 'progressive and laudable'
India

Centre proposes ban on animals in circuses; animal rights activists call move 'progressive and laudable'

The Environment Ministry has invited comments from various stakeholders on the issue of use of animals for performances, exhibitions at any circus or mobile entertainment facilities, within 30 days.

India's economic boom is killing elephants: Coordination at all levels is key to keeping pachyderms safe
India

India's economic boom is killing elephants: Coordination at all levels is key to keeping pachyderms safe

The elephants, in general, are facing threat to their existence and one of the prime reasons for this is the continuous shrinking of their habitat and corridors.

'Breathing is killing me': Locals protests outside Delhi's Environment Ministry office against increasing pollution
India

'Breathing is killing me': Locals protests outside Delhi's Environment Ministry office against increasing pollution

Delhi's air has deteriorated to alarming levels in the last three weeks and on Monday the worst air quality of the season was recorded at 'severe' level.

CPCB asks people to avoid jogging, running outdoors between 1-10 November to tackle deteriorating air quality in Delhi
India

CPCB asks people to avoid jogging, running outdoors between 1-10 November to tackle deteriorating air quality in Delhi

An expert panel, constituted under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), headed by the Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), has recommended stringent measures, including minimisation of private vehicles and shutdown of coal and biomass industries, between 1 and 10 November, citing a dip in air quality.

Government imposes standard conditions for 25 sectors seeking environment clearance
Business

Government imposes standard conditions for 25 sectors seeking environment clearance

The 25 sectors include iron, steel, cement, coal, petroleum refineries industry, paper and pulp industries, hydro-electric projects, industrial estates, among others.

Suresh Prabhu says Man-animal conflict is an existential crisis for humans, not animals; called for focused conversation efforts
India

Suresh Prabhu says Man-animal conflict is an existential crisis for humans, not animals; called for focused conversation efforts

On World Elephant Day, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said man-animal conflict is an existential crisis not for animals but, for human beings

Delhi air quality improved due to meteorological factors, not by addressing 'source of pollution', says Greenpeace
India

Delhi air quality improved due to meteorological factors, not by addressing 'source of pollution', says Greenpeace

Greenpeace India said instead of being euphoric about few improved air quality in Delhi, the Environment Ministry along with Central Pollution Control Board should prioritise to immediately enforce the National Clean Air Programme by setting up time-bound emission targets

JNU professor accused of sexual harassment Atul Johri removed from pollution control body; Centre cites misconduct
India

JNU professor accused of sexual harassment Atul Johri removed from pollution control body; Centre cites misconduct

In March, several JNU students had accused JNU professor Atul Johri of sexual harassment, after which there were protests at the university.

Government forms expert committee to use technology to reduce air pollution; step aimed at curbing high levels in winter
India

Government forms expert committee to use technology to reduce air pollution; step aimed at curbing high levels in winter

The Environment Ministry said on Monday that a committee of experts would be formed to look into the technological advances, including the application of satellite-based measurement, to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

To control pollution, Greenpeace India asks environment ministry to speed up implementation of National Clean Air Programme
India

To control pollution, Greenpeace India asks environment ministry to speed up implementation of National Clean Air Programme

Greenpeace India said air pollution is a "silent and invisible killer" and a national health emergency and asked the environment ministry to implement NCAP soon

Delhi's toxic air is now a perennial problem; experts say afforestation, controlling emissions key to curbing pollution
India

Delhi's toxic air is now a perennial problem; experts say afforestation, controlling emissions key to curbing pollution

The phenomenon of air pollution in Delhi is no longer confined to the winter months, but is a reality that people have to face round the year.

World Environment Day: Delhi's green crematoriums a cheaper alternative, but faith gets in way of popularity
India

World Environment Day: Delhi's green crematoriums a cheaper alternative, but faith gets in way of popularity

Daulat Sharma, head priest at Dayanand Muktidham Crematorium in Nizamuddin West, however, feels that the "eco-friendly is the future".

NGT seeks reply from Centre, NHAI on maintaining green cover along national and state highways
India

NGT seeks reply from Centre, NHAI on maintaining green cover along national and state highways

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Centre and NHAI to state its stand on maintaining the mandatory green cover along national and state highways.