Author: admin

Gujarat Forest and Fisheries Department has deployed drones equipped with oil-sensing IR cameras to monitor nearshore regions around industrial ports. The drones can detect minor oil sheens, relay GPS data, and guide cleaning vessels to the site. In a recent trial near Hazira, the system detected a 75 m² oil patch from a minor spill, enabling rapid cleanup. The surveillance covers 150 km of coastline, complementing traditional patrols. Authorities plan 24 × 7 monitoring and automated alert systems.

The West Bengal Transport Department has introduced a fleet of 20 electric school buses running on 15 suburban routes connecting Kolkata with outlying school clusters. Each bus has 60 seats and fast-charging infrastructure at each depot. Compared to diesel counterparts, these vehicles have cut operational costs by 35% and reduced noise pollution. Bus routes are optimized using student GPS data to minimize travel time. The pilot will scale to 100 buses by 2026, supporting green transport in education.

Maharashtra Agriculture Tech Center inaugurated a Precision Agriculture Drone Training and Certification Institute in Pune. Farmers and agritech entrepreneurs are being trained on drone use for spraying, seeding, and aerial monitoring. Graduates receive government-approved certification, enabling creation of freelance drone service units. The first batch trained 50 operators, now offering services in 1000 acre cotton and pomegranate farms. The centre plans to scale certification across districts and support agri-start-ups in drone tech.

The Delhi Jal Board has built modular rainwater harvesting trenches and recharge wells along the Yamuna River corridor. These structures capture rainwater runoff during monsoon and channel it into aquifers, reducing city flood risk and replenishing groundwater. Over 5,000 cubic meters were harvested in the first storm season. Monitored groundwater levels in nearby tubewells showed a 10% rise. With public signage explaining the structures, the board plans to scale installations along urban water bodies in the Capital Region.

In a first-of-its-kind trial, Amritsar Municipal Corporation has piloted a hydrogen fuel cell electric bus on its heritage circuit route. The 30-seat bus emits only water vapor and functions quietly. The bus was refueled at a temporary hydrogen dispenser powered by solar energy. Ridership surveys show positive passenger response to emissions data displayed inside. The trial supports Punjab’s hydrogen roadmap, aiming for 50 hydrogen buses across major cities by 2028.

Karnataka’s Urban Forestry Mission has initiated the “Smart Green Corridor” project, planting urban native trees along major city roads in Bengaluru. Each planting zone includes monitored moisture sensors, automated drip irrigation, and solar-powered street lights. The project aims to shade pedestrians, reduce urban heat islands, and improve air quality. Early results show a 3–4 °C drop in surface temperatures during midday hours. Local universities monitor tree health via a GIS dashboard. The pilot covers MG Road and Residency Road, with plans to expand to 10 corridors by 2027.

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has created Herbal Healing Parks in tribal districts like Bastar and Dantewada. Each park hosts over 100 indigenous medicinal plants like ashwagandha, giloy, and brahmi. Tribal healers help cultivate and classify herbs, sharing knowledge with visitors and school groups. Local women are trained to process herbs into powders, balms, and oils for sale through forest produce outlets. The parks serve as community health education centers and employment hubs. They also aim to preserve fast-disappearing ethnobotanical knowledge. Forest officers monitor biodiversity and rainfall-based growth patterns. With increasing footfall, tourism boards are promoting these parks as wellness getaways. The model is now part of Chhattisgarh’s green livelihood strategy.

Punjab has announced a new initiative where surplus agricultural residues and biofuel crops like sorghum and camelina will be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project involves partnerships with Indian Oil Corporation and multiple airport authorities. Collection centers in Ludhiana and Bathinda will source biomass, and a processing plant near Patiala will convert it using hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) technology. Farmers receive payment for crop waste, which was earlier burnt, thus also reducing stubble burning. Initial production is estimated at 10 million liters annually. SAF will be supplied to Delhi and Amritsar airports. This move could make Punjab a pioneer in green aviation and support both income generation and air quality goals. The state plans to expand to ethanol and biodiesel production with farmer cooperatives leading the charge.

The Karnataka Pollution Control Board has deployed artificial “air purifier trees” in heavily industrialized zones of Peenya and Bommasandra in Bengaluru. Each 20-foot unit uses a combination of activated carbon filters, electrostatic precipitators, and live plants to clean ambient air. The device can purify up to 3 lakh cubic meters daily and reduces PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 40–50% within a 100-meter radius. Solar panels power the system, and data is sent to a central dashboard. Residents and workers have reported improved air quality and reduced respiratory discomfort. The pilot has received praise from industrial associations who see it as an eco-friendly alternative to regulatory crackdowns. The government plans to install 100 more such units across pollution hotspots if results continue to show measurable impact.

Delhi’s Power Department has rolled out a new rooftop solar credit policy allowing apartment buildings to pool solar energy and receive proportional credits. Under this model, solar panels installed on shared rooftops generate power for the entire building. Each household gets credits based on registered consumption share. This move resolves challenges faced by residents unable to install individual panels. The system uses smart meters to track distributed usage. Over 120 residential societies in Dwarka, Rohini, and Mayur Vihar have already signed up, with expected savings of ₹600–₹1,000 per home monthly. The policy aims to push Delhi closer to its 2 GW solar target by 2027. Residents have welcomed the initiative, especially those in older buildings that previously lacked access to clean energy schemes. Technical workshops and partnerships with DISCOMs ensure smoother onboarding and financing options. This marks a step forward in equitable solar energy access in high-density cities.