Union Ministry of Environment forest and Climate Archives - Lokmarg

Extension Of Scientist Behind ‘Project Cheetah’ Withdrawn

By LokMarg 1st March 2023

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Tuesday withdrew the extension granted to noted biologist and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) dean YV Jhala on his superannuation on February 28, 2022, till February 28, 2024.

In an order issused on February 28, 2022, the Union ministry said, “Dr. Y.V. Jhala, Scientist-G, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun was granted an extension of two years from the date of his superannuation, i.e.,28.02.2022. In this context, the undersigned is directed to mention that the said extension period is curtailed and restricted to one year i.e., up to 28.02.2023.”
“The vacancy arising, as a result, shall be filled up with the ongoing process of recruitment of Scientists. This issues with the approval of the competent authority,” the order stated further.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Jhala had said, “The (Cheetah) project itself was mine, but the government is the parent. The government can do whatever it wants. What can we do about it? Last evening, I was told that my tenure is over. No reason was given to me by the government.”

However, contesting Jhala’s claim, an official in the Union ministry told ANI, on the condition of anonymity, “‘Project Cheetah’ is a project of the Union government in association with the Madhya Pradesh government and the WII. It’s not an individual-driven project.”

Jhala was one of the scientists involved in preparing the technical ground for the ambitious ‘Cheetah project’, under successive Union governments since 2009. He was a member of the Ceetah Task Force’ set up in 2010 under conservationist M K Ranjitsinh.

To a question from ANI on the withdrawal of the extension granted to Jhala, the official said, “Dr. Y V Jhala had already retired from the Wildlife institute of India, Dehradun, and was serving on extension. So, it would be wrong to say that his tenure has been curtailed.”

On allegations of Jhala being sidelined from the ‘Cheetah Project’, the official said the claim is unfounded as he had participated in every meeting of the task force. (ANI)

COP 27: India Welcomes Loss & Damage Fund As ‘Justice’

By LokMarg 20th November 2022

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav called COP27 a “historic COP” adding that “the world has waited far too long for the ‘loss and damage fund’ agreement.”

The minister was speaking at the closing plenary of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) held on Sunday at Sharm El-Sheikh. In his remarks at the closing session of the COP27, Yadav welcomed the transition to a Sustainable Lifestyle and sustainable patterns of consumption.

He stated that India welcomes efforts to address climate change. Addressing the Egyptian Presidency, Bhupender Yadav called it a “historic COP” where an agreement was made for a “loss and damage funding” arrangement. He noted that the world has waited “far too” long for the loss and damage funding agreement.

“You are presiding over a historic COP where agreement has been secured for loss and damage funding arrangement including setting up a loss and damage fund. The world has waited far too long for this,” Bhupender Yadav said in his remarks at the closing session of the COP27.

“We congratulate you on your untiring efforts to evolve consensus,” he added.

Bhupender Yadav said, “We also welcome the transition to Sustainable Lifestyle and sustainable patterns of consumption and production in our efforts to address climate change in the cover address.”

He further said, “We note that we are establishing a four-year work programme on climate action, agriculture, and food security. Agriculture, the mainstay of livelihood for millions of smallholders of farmers will be hard hit by climate change. So, we should not burden them with mitigation responsibilities.”

Yadav noted that India has kept mitigation in agriculture out of its NDCs. He announced that India is creating a work programme on just transition. Highlighting the importance of just transition, Union Minister for Agriculture said, “For most developing countries, just transition cannot be equated with decarbonisation but with low carbon development.”

In his remarks at the closing session of the COP27, Bhupender Yadav said, “Developing countries need independence in their choice of the energy mix and in achieving the SDGs. Developed countries taking the lead in climate action is, therefore, a very important aspect of the global just transition.”

Earlier, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the decision to establish a “loss and damage fund.” In a video message to the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Guterres called the creation of a “loss and damage fund” an “important step” towards justice.

Guterres stressed that the decision will not be enough but noted that it is a “much-needed political signal to rebuild broken trust.” In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry for their hospitality. He appreciated the delegates and members of civil society who came to Sharm el-Sheikh to push leaders for climate action.

“The conference has taken an important step towards justice. I welcome the decision to establish a loss and damage fund and to operationalize it in the coming period,” Antonio Guterres said in the video message.

“Clearly this will not be enough, but it is a much-needed political signal to rebuild broken trust,” he added.

On Sunday, the delegates at the COP27 agreed for establishing the “Loss and Damage Fund.” The “Loss and Damage Fund” will help to make up for the losses suffered by developing nations that are vulnerable to climate change. (ANI)

Air Pollution In Delhi Reaches Alarming Level

By LokMarg 2nd November 2022

The pollution in and around Delhi has reached an alarming level as the air quality index (AQI) has been recorded as very poor on Wednesday.

According to the Meteorological Department, the AQI in Delhi today was recorded at 354 which falls under the category of very poor.
As per the parameters set by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the AQI category from 301 to 400 are considered very poor and from 401 to 500 severe.

Further, as per the information provided by the air quality data agency ‘SAFAR’, the AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded in the severe category at 406 today, followed by ITO 382 and Akshardham 363.

A student Rameshwari from ITO has demanded to implement ‘odd-even’ norms for vehicles to improve the air quality in the national capital.

Rameshwari said “I am very much concerned to breathe in Delhi nowadays. Vehicular pollution and stubble burning have made Delhi’s air toxic, affecting both the rich and the poor.”

The people of Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) have been breathing in the toxic air since a few days before Diwali as the smog hit the area about a fortnight ago.

“We face the same thing in the winter every year. This time crackers were sold in black and were burst in plenty. Now the toxic air is affecting everyone, especially the aged persons”, said Rajkumar, who works at Gulab Bhavan, ITO.

Rinki Yadav, who came to Nehru Park for a walk, said “I am feeling irritation in my eyes. My children also feel uneasiness in breathing due to pollution. Both the Central and Delhi governments should make a concrete policy to curb pollution. For the time being, they should at least spray water on the streets to do away with the dust particles in the air.”

A Rajouri Garden resident Kamaldeep Singh, who came for a morning walk in Nehru Park, also expressed his concern over the deteriorated air quality in the national capital.

Kamaldeep Singh said “I am feeling sore in my throat and acute irritation in my eyes. Kids and aged people nowadays are avoiding going on walks due to severe air pollution. Government should spray water on the streets and stop all construction works in Delhi to improve the air quality a bit.” (ANI)