The ozone layer enveloping India remained largely undamaged through centuries due to frequent yagyas, organisers of a mahayagya in Meerut claim.
The Supreme Court Wednesday directed the Centre and states to ensure implementation of the decisions taken in a meeting to curb air pollution, observing that it cannot get into the 'nitty gritty' and the bureaucracy has developed a 'sort of inertia' of not taking decisions which are left to the courts.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his concern over rising levels of pollution in New Delhi and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take all necessary steps to address the problem.
Amid rising pollution levels in the national capital and adjoining areas, a survey conducted by a community social media platform has found that four in five families in the region have someone facing one or more ailments due to contaminated air.
Four cities in neighbouring Pakistan and one in China are among the world's top 20 polluted cities.
Kamal Meattle and Barun Aggarwal guide us on the protective measures we can introduce in our daily lives to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of air pollution.
The Rediff labs team tried to correlate vehicle density with air pollution.
World Earth Day 2026 is celebrated on April 22 to promote environmental protection. Know its history, significance, theme, inspiring quotes, and why it matters more than ever today.
Here's what the national capital needs to do to ensure the residents stop breathing toxic fumes.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider directing schools in Delhi-NCR to postpone open air sports competitions planned in November and December to 'safer months' keeping in mind air pollution levels.
A protest concerning air pollution in Delhi-NCR turned violent when demonstrators allegedly attacked police officers with pepper spray while being removed from India Gate. Several officers sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
The minimum temperature in the capital dropped to 9.6 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal and the lowest this season so far. The maximum is likely to settle around 27 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said.
The clinics are expected to operate for at least two hours daily, particularly between September and March -- the period when air pollution levels are typically high.
Delhi experiences a biting chill with 'cold day' conditions and dense fog, coupled with 'very poor' air quality. The IMD forecasts continued cold weather and potential light rain.
'The answer is no, the entire country's is.' 'So why such obsession with Delhi?' 'But the most powerful people in India live here: The prime minister, civil servants, Supreme Court judges, MPs, diplomats, dadas of the media...' 'If they can't deal with their own problem, what chance does the rest of the country have, with its foul air, dying rivers, frothing lakes, and crumbling mountains?' says Shekhar Gupta.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that Uttar Pradesh enjoys a clean environment, unlike Delhi, which he likened to a 'gas chamber' due to its pollution levels.
The report states air quality in Indian households, especially in the rural areas, is lethal due to use of wood or cow dung as cooking fuel coupled with poor ventilation.
Noida, Bahadurgarh, Delhi, Hapur, Greater Noida, Baghpat, Sonipat, Meerut and Rohtak joined Ghaziabad among the 10 most polluted cities, the report by think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said.
The Supreme Court of India has refused to relax the ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region, citing continued alarming levels of air pollution. The court emphasized the right to a pollution-free atmosphere as a fundamental right, stating that the ban is necessary to protect public health. The court also highlighted the issue of noise pollution caused by firecrackers. The decision comes after a batch of petitions were filed by firecracker manufacturers seeking relaxation of the ban.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha refutes allegations of inaction in Parliament, asserting his commitment to raising public issues and creating impact.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the shutdown of 19 ready mix concrete plants in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for violating environmental guidelines and contributing to deteriorating air quality levels.
The severity of air pollution and dense Smog cover in the capital on Sunday led to the cancellation of the Ranji Trophy encounter between Bengal (rpt Bengal) and Gujarat at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on the second day itself. Both Bengal and Gujarat teams will be leaving Delhi on Monday for Kolkata and Ahmedabad respectively. The situation is not expected to improve for a few more days which effectively ruled out any chance of play. Match referee P Ranganathan, in consultation with BCCI and the respective state associations, decided that there is no point in waiting for two more days.
Delhi Police claim protesters arrested at India Gate for using pepper spray on officers are linked to the banned Radical Student Union and displayed banners of a slain Maoist leader.
Lahore, Pakistan, has once again been ranked as the world's most polluted city, with hazardous smog levels far exceeding WHO guidelines. The city is battling a toxic mix of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop residue burning.
Researchers have discovered that Delhi's urban forests are significant carbon sinks, storing substantial amounts of carbon in trees and soil, with the potential to generate revenue through carbon credits. The study highlights the importance of preserving and expanding these forests to combat climate change.
The Delhi High Court has directed the GST Council to consider lowering or abolishing the goods and services tax on air purifiers, citing worsening air quality in the national capital. The court has asked the council to meet at the earliest, even via video conference if necessary, to address the issue.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'severe' category, prompting the implementation of Stage-IV GRAP measures and hybrid classes for schools.
The Indian government has announced staggered working hours for its employees in Delhi due to the severe air pollution in the city. The move comes after a week of 'severe' pollution levels, which have slightly improved but are still in the 'very poor' zone. The order also encourages employees to pool vehicles and use public transport to minimize vehicular pollution.
Delhi choked under a thick blanket of smog on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, which falls in the higher spectrum of 'severe' category.
Ravi Kaushik has sold 70,000 units of air filters through his start-up Airth and aims to sell 10 lakh units in the next five years.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked restrictions imposed under GRAP 3 in Delhi-NCR following improvements in air quality. Non-essential construction and demolition activities are now allowed to restart, and restrictions on vehicles have been lifted.
A Delhi court granted bail to six protesters arrested in connection with a protest at India Gate, where slogans were allegedly raised in support of a slain Maoist commander. Bail was denied to four others, and decisions on other pleas are pending.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the installation of air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms to combat pollution and ensure clean air for students, criticizing the previous government's approach.
Experts warn that a new government definition of the Aravali Hills, accepted by the Supreme Court, could lead to environmental degradation and expose Delhi and surrounding regions to harsher weather and drought conditions.
The Bombay High Court has declared a pollution-free environment a constitutional right and criticized the Maharashtra government for failing to address the issue of air pollution in Mumbai. The court expressed its disappointment with the government's lack of initiative, stating that citizens should not suffer due to the inaction of authorities. The court highlighted the severe air pollution levels in Mumbai, especially along major roads, and ordered the traffic department to take immediate action to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
On the weather front, dense fog led to a sharp drop in visibility, with Palam recording 50 metres visibility under dense fog conditions with west-southwesterly winds at 5 kmph at 8 am, while Safdarjung reported 100 metres visibility with calm winds at the same time.
Over eight million deaths in 2021 were attributed to air pollution, affecting both children and adults alike.
The rotation policy followed by the BCCI and the travel route for the visiting team forced the BCCI to schedule the first match of the tour in Delhi
Your smartphones could soon help you combat a deadly form of air pollution, thanks to a new low-cost and reliable method of detecting nitrogen dioxide.
As we go deeper into winter and air quality grows increasingly troubling, people are now relying on N95 coverings to shield their lungs from toxins and irritants. A sleek, wearable air purifier is a smart alternative.
