OWSA Staff

These twin initiatives – ministerial oversight of state action plans and on-ground inspections by CAQM – reflect an intensified government push to address chronic air pollution in the NCR.

The 2025 monsoon season arrived with unusual ferocity, delivering 8 per cent more rainfall than the long-term average across the Indian subcontinent.

Calling the conference a “decisive step” toward deepening Centre-State partnerships, Modi said the summit reflects India’s collective thinking and constructive policy dialogue and provides a platform to translate policy ideas into tangible outcomes for citizens.

The transition of the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ policy from a seasonal anti-pollution measure to a permanent, year-round mandate marks one of the most ambitious steps taken by the Delhi government in its fight against vehicular emissions.

As India’s financial and material aid begins to flow into rebuilding efforts across Sri Lanka, the focus has gradually shifted from emergency response to sustainable reconstruction and resilience building.

Experts warn that without addressing underlying causes – including deforestation, corridor fragmentation and climate pressures – human–wildlife conflict will continue to strain India’s conservation gains. Conservation advocates argue that coexistence frameworks must align ecological priorities with local needs, fostering safe practices while safeguarding biodiversity.

Critics from environmental organisations and civil society have described the current legal interpretation as a “simplification that fails to respect the Aravallis’ complex ecology”, warning that it could gradually weaken the shield that the mountain system provides against desertification, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.

Long-term climate risk, particularly heat exposure, also carries socio-economic consequences, threatening jobs, livelihoods and economic growth if unchecked.