Delhi ranks low in environmental performance

Hindustan Times , Friday, May 31, 2013
Correspondent : Chetan Chauhan
Very high air pollution and low ground water levels clubbed with not enough facilities to treat increasing hazardous water has earned Delhi the dubious distinction of being an extremely low ranked state in the country's environment performance index.

The Planning Commission's environment index for 2012 has Delhi ranked as 30th among 35 states and union territories on different environmental parameters.

The city has primarily poor rating due of its rising air pollution, which is among highest for any state in the country and its falling ground water level. As per the latest Central Pollution Control Board report, particulate matter air pollution in Chandni Chowk is highest for any location in the country.

On the ground water level, the plan panel's report for Delhi's annual plan (2013-14) says the water drawn from the ground was "unsustainable" at 138%. It also raised an alarm on 201% extraction of ground water in south Delhi and 180% in east Delhi.

Delhi, it appears, has not worked on improving the ground water levels. Of the 300 restorable water bodies only 121 have been restored, the panel says, asking the city government to seek help of Central Ground Water Authority for better aquifer management.

Another area of concern for Delhi is its inability to find space for treating its increasing hazardous waste. Delhi government's bid to set up hazardous treatment, storage and disposal facility in Rajasthan has failed as the state government has refused to provide land. Even Haryana is not willing to provide land for the same and setting up a facility within city limits is difficult.

Of the 750 million gallons of sewage generated in the city every day, Delhi has capacity to treat only 535 million gallons. Even that capacity is not being fully utilised because of linkage problems, the panel has said.

 
SOURCE : http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Delhi-ranks-low-in-environmental-performance/Article1-1068486.aspx
 


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