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.
Click to View MoreAir pollution is a critical environmental and public health issue, contributing to respiratory illnesses, child mortality, and climate change. Major sources include industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, coal dependence, and crop residue burning. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations and rapid urbanization exacerbate the problem. Case studies from India and globally show that integrated policies, clean energy adoption, sustainable agricultural practices, and strict regulatory measures can help reverse the trend, improving air quality and public health.
Click to View MoreDelhi’s air pollution crisis is primarily caused by emissions from vehicles, industries, construction, power plants, waste burning, and seasonal crop stubble fires, worsened by stagnant winter weather. Cloud seeding, which disperses chemicals like silver iodide into existing clouds to induce rainfall, has been proposed as a temporary measure to wash away pollutants. However, its effectiveness is limited, dependent on suitable clouds, and provides only short-term relief. It also raises environmental, ethical, and accountability concerns.
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