Environmental Governance

AIR POLLUTION LINKED TO 9 MILLION DEATHS ANNUALLY

Air pollution is now one of the world’s deadliest environmental threats, contributing to nearly nine million premature deaths each year—largely from heart disease, stroke, lung infections, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions. Most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where exposure to fine particulate matter, toxic gases and waste emissions is persistently high. The latest assessments show that ninety-nine percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds health guidelines, with climate change, wildfires, unmanaged waste and urban congestion intensifying the crisis. This enormous health burden underscores the urgent need for stronger pollution control, cleaner energy transitions and more effective global cooperation.

THE NEW AIR POLLUTANT :INHALABLE MICROPLASTICS IN INDIAN CITIES

First Indian study measuring inhalable microplastics at breathing height across four metros shows plastics now form up to 5% of urban particulate pollution. Markets in Kolkata and Delhi show highest loads. iMPs carry pathogens, heavy metals and toxic chemicals, posing emerging health risks including inflammation, hormonal disruption and possible cancer pathways. Urgent inclusion of microplastics in air-quality regulation is needed.

BIOREMEDIATION : MEANING , ISSUES & WAY FORWARD

Bioremediation uses microorganisms, plants, or engineered biological agents to break down or neutralise pollutants in soil, water, and air. India urgently needs this technology due to widespread contamination of rivers, landfills, industrial clusters, and agricultural soils, coupled with the high cost and limitations of conventional cleanup methods. Government programmes such as DBT–BIRAC funding, NRCP, and Namami Gange have begun supporting pilot-scale bioremediation, while CSIR–NEERI leads scientific development. However, challenges remain—limited site-specific data, weak regulation, low public awareness, and unclear standards for GM microbes. With proper oversight and investment, bioremediation offers a sustainable pathway to restore India’s ecosystems and align with national clean-up missions.

FOREST SURVEY & IMPORTANTCE OF ARAVALI HILLS

TROPICAL FORESTS FOREVER FACILITY (TFFF) LAUNCHED AT COP30 CLIMATE SUMMIT

The $125-billion Brazil-led Tropical Forests Forever Facility uses blended finance to reward developing nations for verified forest conservation. It channels 20% of funds to Indigenous communities and shifts focus from grants to performance. India participates as an observer, supporting this South-South climate effort.

Balancing Bytes and Bottles: Data Centres and Water Sustainability in India

India’s rapid growth of data centres, especially in tech hubs like Karnataka, offers economic opportunities but poses significant challenges for water resources. Policies such as the Karnataka Data Centre Policy 2022–27 promote investment and renewable energy use, while water-management initiatives like geotagging water bodies, the Atal Bhujal Yojana, and groundwater regulations aim to conserve and monitor water. Moving forward, sustainable development requires integrating water-efficient technologies, regulatory enforcement, community engagement, and policy incentives to balance digital infrastructure growth with long-term water security.

REDD+ PROGRAM: MEANING, CHALLENGES, WAY FORWARD

REDD+ assigns economic value to forests to combat climate change, but flawed implementation in voluntary carbon markets has turned it into an ethical crisis enabling greenwashing. Reform must ensure genuine, verifiable, and equitable outcomes, as the credibility of forest-based climate action depends on transparent and accountable systems.

NATIONAL DESIGNATED AUTHORITY FOR CARBON MARKETS

The Environment Ministry has established the National Designated Authority (NDA) to govern carbon trading, a requirement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The new framework will incentivize industries to reduce emissions by allowing them to trade carbon credits, linking economic growth with environmental responsibility. This development demonstrates India's proactive stance on climate action.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINATED SITES) RULES,2025

The Environment Ministry has notified new guidelines under the Environment Protection Act that provide a procedure for dealing with chemically contaminated locations.  The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, provide a legal framework for tackling chemical contamination that was previously lacking, although several such sites have already been discovered around the country.