Simrin Sirur

Flood control has always been an important mission for the Indian government. Since 2007, more than Rs. 13,000 crores (Rs. 130 billion) have been spent in flood protection measures through national schemes. Even as these measures are deployed with speed and scale, floods have, in some places, become more severe. In fact,

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has sought to integrate approvals for polluting industries to set up operations, in an effort to “reduce the compliance burden” on them and avoid the duplication of clearances. In two notifications released on November 12, the Ministry has said that “white industries” – those considered the […]

Eco-restoration work towards the generation of green credits is underway in over 3,000 hectares of land in India, even as the government is working to devise a formula to make such credits quantifiable and tradable. The programme, launched in October 2023, seeks to incentivise “voluntary environmental actions” by making them tradable. Activities such as tree […]

The environment ministry has said ‘white industries’ need not seek permission from state authorities before commencing operations.

For years, the sacred groves of Rajasthan – the orans – have been caught between conservation and conversion for development. After much uncertainty about their status, the orans are likely to gain protection following an order by the Supreme Court, which called for the recognition of sacred groves as forests in Rajasthan and across the country.

Thermal power plants emit many times more PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide than stubble burning says a recent analysis.

The National Biodiversity Authority, which regulates and conserves India's biological resources, is looking to expand Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) – geographic areas that are not legally protected but that also host biodiversity – as a strategy to meet its newly updated biodiversity goals.

2024 was the hottest year on record, producing intense, long-lasting heat waves. Climate change-intensified extreme events last year included the

Record global heat in 2024 fueled longer heat waves, worsening air quality and public health in regions from India to Nigeria to Brazil, where extreme weather compounded pollution and respiratory disease risks.

From fishing harbours and fish landing centres to luxury resorts, the Tamil Nadu coast is burdened by infrastructure projects that did not obtain environmental clearance or proper authorisation, finds an audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the authority responsible for auditing government finances and ensuring accountability in public spending. Tamil […]