Latest news with #NEERI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Neeri's giant leap with Global South Network for eco sustainability
Nagpur: The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is set to establish a Global South Network to collaborate with institutes across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Middle East on environmental sustainability. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A key focus of this initiative is to address critical challenges affecting these regions. In an exclusive interview with TOI on Wednesday, CSIR-NEERI director Dr S Venkata Mohan, an Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellow, emphasized the network's goal of tackling region-specific environmental issues. "The Global South faces unique challenges, and this platform will amplify our voice to address them collaboratively," he said. The network aims to create a charter, facilitating annual engagements across member countries to develop tailored solutions. "India represents a significant population, and our contributions will carry substantial weight globally," Dr Venkata Mohan added. NEERI also hosts a regional centre for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in partnership with the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC). The Stockholm Convention targets chemicals that persist in the environment, spread globally, and accumulate in fatty tissues, posing risks to human health and ecosystems. "We are developing methods to monitor and phase out particulate organic carbon (POC) and other POPs," Dr Venkata Mohan said, highlighting NEERI's role as a recognized regional centre. The Global South Network, an independent initiative, will strengthen NEERI's leadership in environmental research, fostering sustainable development across member nations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also, CSIR-NEERI is in discussion to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute to advance water and wastewater treatment and energy recovery technologies. "A recent Sweden delegation formalized to drive Indo-Swedish sustainability goals," he said. The CoE, to be established at NEERI's Nagpur campus, will serve as a hub for innovative water management solutions, aligning with global circular economy practices. Last year, the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova commissioned IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute to conduct a pre-feasibility study for establishing a Sweden-India Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Cities. The study was led by Rupali Deshmukh (Karangale), a native of Nagpur now based in Sweden, who serves as Country Manager for India and CEO of IVL India. IVL has now been tasked with hammering out a detailed feasibility study focusing on water, wastewater, sludge, and energy.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Supreme Court raps Jaipur Nagar Nigam over pollution at Jal Mahal Lake
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing environmental degradation of Jal Mahal Lake in Jaipur, based on a damning report by NEERI exposing continued pollution. JAIPUR: The Supreme Court took a stern view of the continued environmental degradation of Jal Mahal Lake in Jaipur and directed immediate compliance with the findings of the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). NEERI submitted a detailed report exposing ongoing pollution at the site. The Court asked Jaipur Nagar Nigam to file an affidavit by the second week of July 2025, detailing a timeline for implementing urgent remedial measures. The matter stems from a November 3, 2023, order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the night market operating on the banks of Jal Mahal and imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 26 lakh on Jaipur Nagar Nigam for violating environmental norms. In its appeal before the Supreme Court, the Nagar Nigam was accused—based on reports from the Assistant Conservator of Forests—of discharging untreated sewage and wastewater into the lake. During earlier hearings, the Court summoned the CEO of Jaipur Nagar Nigam to explain the ongoing violations. However, the CEO failed to present any convincing measures for lake preservation, prompting the Court to observe that such negligence runs counter to the vision of making Jaipur a 'Smart City'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 17+ Actors You Didn't Know Were Gay - No. 8 Will Shock Women Journalistate Undo The Court appointed NEERI as an expert agency to prepare a comprehensive environmental report and simultaneously stayed all proposed tourism and vending activities in the vicinity of the lake. It also directed the Nagar Nigam to ensure proper disposal of waste and complete prohibition of any commercial or informal activity near the lake. NEERI's report, submitted in April 2025, revealed that grey water, likely sewage, continues to flow into the lake through stormwater drains. It also noted that fish-feeding and dumping of organic matter were contributing to pollution. Based on these findings, NEERI recommended three immediate measures: stopping the inflow of sewage, implementing solid waste management in the surrounding areas, and halting the sale and use of fish-feed until further environmental study. Counsel appearing for petitioner Rajendra Tiwari further informed the Court that a Sulabh Shauchalaya was constructed near the lake and that its untreated effluents were also entering the water body. 'Taking note of this, the Court directed NEERI to conduct a follow-up inspection one month from now to assess the condition and impact of the public toilet. The Court reiterated that the continued discharge of untreated effluents into Jal Mahal Lake was unacceptable and a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a clean and healthy environment,' said Tiwari.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SC approves development of two new wetlands near Ajmer
Jaipur: The Supreme Court has given its approval to the Rajasthan govt's comprehensive proposal for developing two new wetlands, spanning a total area of 22 hectares, near Ajmer. The decision came on Friday as part of the ongoing Ashok Malik case, which addresses environmental concerns surrounding the Ana Sagar Lake . The proposed wetlands will be developed at two locations: a 12-hectare site at Foy Sagar (Varun Sagar) Extension near Hathi-Khera and a 10-hectare site at Tabiji-1. Both locations will be situated outside the Ana Sagar Lake's catchment boundary. The ruling follows a previous mandate from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that ordered the removal of several structures, including a replica of the Seven Wonders, a food court and Gandhi Smriti Udhyan/Aazad Park, from the green zones surrounding the Ana Sagar Lake. The state govt emphasized the importance of maintaining existing lakeside walkways and argued that Gandhi Smriti Udhyan does not fall within Ana Sagar's wetland boundaries, so these should not be demolished. The total area of concern is approximately 4.9 hectares. Considering the govt arguments, the division bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjwal Bhuiyan ordered the demolition of the Seven Wonders replica and food court near Ana Sagar Lake by Sept 17, but permitted the retention of existing lakeside walkways and the Gandhi Smriti Udhyan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Detailers Hate This: The Car Cleaner That Works in Seconds Make Your Car Look Like New The decision follows a comprehensive environmental assessment conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), appointed by the Ajmer Municipal Corporation. "Multidisciplinary teams from NEERI and CSIR conducted three extensive field visits, involving experts in various environmental disciplines," said Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, who represented the state, along with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. NEERI's recommendations include detailed implementation steps such as excavation work, native species plantation and regular monitoring of water and sediment quality. The institute has also advised conducting biodiversity assessments during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. This development comes in response to the Supreme Court's earlier order on April 7, which had directed the state govt to submit a detailed plan for new wetland development and the removal of existing structures around the Ana Sagar Lake.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC fines CGWA ₹5,000 for non-compliance in groundwater PIL
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday imposed a cost of ₹5,000 on the regional director of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) for failing to comply with its earlier directives in connection with a PIL pertaining to groundwater conservation in the city. The penalty was imposed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by retired armed forces officer Sandesh Singalkar, who raised concerns about the alarming depletion of groundwater levels in Nagpur and the inadequate conservation efforts by the authorities. During the proceedings, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) informed the court that it is still awaiting a time-bound action plan from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to address deficiencies observed in solid waste management. MPCB's counsel, Ravi Sanyal, submitted that these directions were issued following a personal hearing held on August 20, 2024, and were subsequently communicated to the NMC on March 28, 2025. However, the civic body has not responded to date. Reports published by TOI on July 14 and August 4, 2024, had highlighted the gross neglect of Nagpur's centuries-old wells. Citing a survey conducted by NEERI, the reports revealed that 13 wells had completely dried up, while 443 others, though still containing water, were being used as garbage dumping sites. In response, the NMC allocated ₹1.52 crore for the cleaning and rejuvenation of 446 public wells across the city. The MPCB also stated that it had recently conducted fresh water sampling from wells across multiple city locations, and the samples are currently undergoing analysis in its laboratory. Upon receiving the test results, appropriate instructions will be issued to the NMC. The board further informed the court that a detailed mapping of the city's wells had been carried out and placed on record, and it reserved the right to file a comprehensive affidavit at a later stage. The PIL, filed through advocate Smita Sarode Singalkar, underscored the broader environmental and societal consequences of groundwater depletion. It emphasized that declining groundwater levels pose a serious threat to public health, exacerbate climate change, and intensify water scarcity. The petition referenced NEERI's study, "Mapping the Wells of Nagpur City," which documented widespread well desiccation and the misuse of these structures for the dumping of unsegregated solid waste.
United News of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC orders Pollution Assessment of Glass Industries Near Taj Mahal
New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to carry out a detailed assessment of glass industries operating in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh and their potential impact on the iconic monument. A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan instructed NEERI to file an affidavit specifying the timeline for completing the assessment. The Court emphasised that all concerned government agencies, including the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, must extend full cooperation to NEERI in this task. 'We want to know the extent of pollution caused by these industries. If we find that these industries are causing pollution, we won't hesitate to order the shifting of these units,' the bench observed. 'Some examination has to be made about the extent of pollution.' In further directions, the Court asked the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to form a team to visit and inspect the industries listed in the affidavit submitted by the state government. 'After completing the study of five industries, the Pollution Control Board shall submit an interim report so that appropriate directions can be issued,' the Court added. The Apex Court has been actively monitoring environmental concerns related to the Taj Mahal and has previously criticised the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority for its lackluster approach toward conservation. The Court had earlier questioned whether the preservation of the monument was being treated as a 'tamasha' (drama) or a 'joke.' The TTZ encompasses approximately 10,400 square kilometres, covering the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, and Etah in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. The Supreme Court's ongoing intervention aims to ensure the protection of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
