Firecrackers producing noise above 125dB are banned:
Source: ‘Sparklers, fountains make Diwali quieter, 29 October 2011, Times of India.
Ganesh Chaturthi was to end on Sunday:
This year, figures showed that the city had lesser number of idols as compared to the last two years.
There were 1,86,595 immersions at sea and artificial ponds (9,947 sarvajanik and 1,76,648 household) this year.
The number fell by over 5,000 as compared to 1,91,072 immersions in 2010 and 1,87,506 in 2009.
The fall reflected a reduction in both sarvajanik and household Ganpatis.
Total Sarvajanik mandals = 9,947
Total Household = 1,76,648
Number of Immersions in the Sea:
Sarvajanik mandals = 9,574
Household idols = 1,63,192
Number of Immersions in Artificial Ponds:
Sarvajanik mandals = 373
Household idols = 13,456
Total immersions in the city 1,86, 595
Source: Tight security ensures peaceful farewell, 13 September 2011, D.N.A.
Awareness on the importance of an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav
According to the state environment department, the use of eco-friendly moortis has hit a high note in 2011: Sales of idols fashioned out of clay has risen by 20-25% in Mumbai alone, compared to a mere 5% increase in 2010, and an even lower four percent in 2009.
In Mumbai has also increased from around 2.4 lakh Ganeshas in 2010 to 2.8 lakh this year.
A city-based idol maker who delivered 15,000 eco-friendly clay moortis this year. In 2010, he had sold no more than 3,000 Ganesh idols.
Source: City sees 25% rise in green idols this year, 8 September 2011, Times of India.
Noise Level during Ganpati Visarjan on September 5, 2011.
Source: ‘‘Less noisy fest this year’, 7 September 2011, Times of India.
Artificial ponds for immersion by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Ever since the immersions began, 1,477 small to medium idols including 1,426 gharguti Ganpatis, four sarvajanik Ganpatis and 47 Gauris have been immersed in the pond.
There are 20 such artificial water bodies in the city built at an estimated cost of Rs90 lakh.
Last year around 14,000 idols were immersed in 19 man-made lakes in the city built at a cost of Rs.60 lakh.
This year, we are estimating that 30,000 idols will be brought and immersed in the 22 artificial ponds.
Source: ‘1,500 eco-friendly immersions at Parle, 9 September 2011, D.N.A.
Abandoned mines:
According to the data available with the ministry’s Indian Bureau of Mines, there are 297 abandoned mines across the country and most of them are yet to be “rehabilitated”.
Source: ‘Do not allow mining in dense forests, say greens’,18 October 2010, Times of India.
Solar power:
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the country is looking at harvesting 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022 and Delhi has aimed at meeting 5% of its total energy demand with renewable sources, essentially solar, by 2012.
Source: Few takers for pricey solar power in Delhi, 3 September 2010, Times of India.
POWER PLAY (Figures in MW)
Sr. No.
State
Green Energy Production
1
Tamil Nadu
4,900
2
Maharashtra
2,500
3
Gujarat
1,800
4
Andhra Pradesh
800
5
Orissa
300
Source: ‘Maha is no. 2 in green energy production’, 17 February 2011, Times of India.
Banned pesticides in eatables in India:
A study conducted by Delhi-based NGO Consumer-Voice reveals that the amount of pesticides used in eatables in India is as much as 750 times the European standards. The survey collected sample data from various wholesale and retail shops in Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata. ‘‘Out of five internationally-banned pesticides, four were found to be common in vegetables sold in the Indian markets. The organization had conducted tests on fruits sold in Indian markets which again showed that 12 fruits, including bananas, apple and grapes, had high quantity of pesticides, violating both Indian and European Union standards. The chemical contents found in fruits were endosuplhan, captan, thiacloprid, parathion and DDT residues.
Sr. No.
Name of the Pesticides
Name of the Vegetables
Maximum residue Limit in India (ppm)
Maximum residue Limit in European Union (ppm)
1
Malathion
Cauliflower
3,000
20
2
DDT
Tomato
3,500
50
3
Parathion Methy
Potato
1,000
20
4
Endosulfan
Spinach
2,000
50
5
Captan
Ladies Finger
15,000
20
Sr. No.
Name of Pesticide
Health impact
1
Chlordane
A potent central nervous system toxin, cause anaemia, leukemia and even cancer in infants
2
Endrin
headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
3
Heptachlor
liver damage, decreased fertility
4
Ethyl Parathion
Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea
Source: ‘Indian veggies, fruits remain highly toxic’,04 November 2010, Times of India.
Noise:
Every day Activities & the average Decibel level they generate.
Sr. No.
Activity
Decibel level (db)
1
In a Library
30 db
2
Two people talking to each other
45-50 db
3
Traffic passing by without honking
75-80 db
4
An auto rickshaw zipping past
80-90 db
5
Firecrackers
120 db
6
A public rally
80-120 db
Source: ‘Sena looks for ways to keep the noise down’, 13 October 2010, Hindustan Times
Firecrackers & their Noise:
As per Supreme Court guidelines, ‘single crackers’ producing more than 125 decibels of sound and ‘series crackers’ producing more than 105 decibels are not permissible.
Burst firecrackers that exceed permissible noise levels are as under:
Sr. No.
Single / Series Firecrackers
Name of the firecrackers
Sound in Decibels
1
Single
Singing Bird
130 dB
2
Single
Thunder Bomb
130.6 dB
3
Single
Sky Buster-130
125.3 dB
4
Series Crackers
2000 Wala, Shri Daivan Fireworks, Shivkashi
119 dB
5
Series Crackers
Lavangi, Coronation Booth
108.8 dB
6
Series Crackers
Musical Mala, Anil Fireworks
110.4 dB
Comparative Noise Level are as under:
Sr. No.
Comparative Noise Level
Sound in Decibels
1
Two People Chatting
40-45 dB
2
Auto Rickshaw
80-95 dB
3
Motorcycle
75-100 dB
4
Radio or TV or Audio System
70 dB
5
Aero plane at take-off
110-115 dB
Source: ‘KEEPING CHECK ON NOISE’,05 November 2010, Hindustan Times.
Power plants in Konkan:
There are two operational power plants in the 150-km stretch between Dapoli and Jaitapur along the Konkan coast in Ratnagiri district. The government has also given clearance to a coalbased plant at Rampur in Ratangiri and a 9,900 MW nuclear power plant at Madban Jaitapur.
The eight plants are spread over an area of 150 km along the Konkan Coast. The total capacity of power generation is 20,943 mw.
A mangroves land under the plants is around 5,000 hectares.
There are 400 species of fish and 500 species of crustaceans. The coast is also known for its corral reefs and mudflats. It is a nesting ground for birds.
The one year study has documented 11 new marine species & rediscovered 7 other species after a gap of 7 years.
Sr. No.
Region
Plants
Capacity (MW)
Fuel
Status
1
Bhopan, Dapoli
GMR Energy
1,800
Coal
Proposed
2
Dhopave, Guhagar
NTPC
1,600
Coal
Proposed
3
Dabhol, Guhagar
RG & PI
2,200
Gas
Operational
4
Jaigad, Ratnagiri
JSWEL (Phase-I)
1,200
Coal
Operational
5
Jaigad, Ratnagiri
JSWEL (Phase-II)
3,200
Coal
Proposed
6
Rampur, Ratnagiri
Finolex (Phase–I)
43
Coal
Construction over
7
Rampur, Ratnagiri
Finolex (Phase–II)
1,000
Coal
Proposed
8
Madbar, Jaitapur
NPCL
9,900
Uranium
Cleared
Source: ‘Power plants threaten 150-km stretch of Ratnagiri coastline’, 30 November 2010, Times of India.
Immersion in artificial ponds
In 2009, only 8,383 household idols were immersed in artificial ponds, this year it increased to 13,866. Where as last year only 175 sarvajanik mandals, which have bigger Ganpatis, immersed their idols in the artificial water bodies. This year, the number rose to 300.
Artificial immersion ponds in Mumbai - 19
Regular immersion sites - 60
Weight of offerings collected in the last 11 days - 3,200 metric tonnes
Weight of offerings collected on the day after visarjan - 200 metric tonnes
Total vehicles deployed by the BMC to collect offerings - 1,200
Collection pots used to collect bio-degradable offerings - 180
Number Of Ganesh Idols
Year
Sarvajanik
Household
Total
Total number of immersion of idols that took place over the last 10 days
2010
10,354
1.80 L
1.91 L
2009
9,904
1.69 L
1.79 L
Source: City cleans up after a grand Ganeshotsav 24 September 2010, Times of India
Recorded Noise limits during Diwali festivals
Sr. No.
Name of the Place
Years
2010
2007
1
Girgaum
70 db
95 db
2
Colaba
73 db
86 db
3
Mazgaon
79 db
95 db
4
Prabhadevi
77 db
86 db
5
Mahim
73 db
73.8 db
6
Sion
70 db
78.6 db
7
Sewri
80 db
82 db
8
Sahar
87 db
81 db
9
Santa Cruz
77 db
79 db
10
Chembur
73.1 db
74 db
11
Kurla
79 db
76 db
Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) measured on November 7, 2010 in Bandra came down to 200ug/m3 from 400ug/m3 in the last three years. Quality standards don’t allow more than 100ug/m3.
Source: ‘Deadlines defied after quiet Diwali’,09 November 2010, Times of India
Waste generated during the Diwali festival
Household waste generated across the Mumbai city during the days of Diwali increased by about 10 to 15%. On an average, the city generates 6,500 tonnes of organic, recyclable and non-degradable waste. But on Diwali days, the civic body collected as much as 7,200 metric tonnes of household waste. On a normal day, 1,100 vehicles make 1,900 trips twice a day to collect and dump waste. Officials said on days following festivals, the number of trips also increases.
Source: ‘Island city cleaner as festival waste up 15%’ ,09 November 2010, Times of India
Average Noise levels in Decibels (DB) recorded during diwali as per MPCB
Noise level in residential areas should not exceed 55 db between 6 am to 10 pm & 45 db between 10 pm to 6 am
Between 6 am to 10 pm (5th November,2010)
Place
2010
2009
Colaba- Nariman Point
75
69
Mazagaon
79
73
Prabhadevi
77
66
Malabar hill
80
73
Ghatkopar (West)
76
69
Sewri
80
65
Sahar
87
71
Bandra (East)
80
68
Borivili (West)
79
68
Malad (West)
89
74
Between 10 pm (5th November,2010) to 6 am (6th November,2010)
Colaba- Nariman Point
74
72
Mazagaon
75
59
Prabhadevi
85
57
Malabar hill
76
65
Mulund (West)
68
62
Sakinaka
70
64
Goregaon
67
57
Borivili (East)
74
67
Goregaon (Dindoshi)
77
72
Dahisar (East)
80
68
Between 6 am to 10 pm (7th November,2010)
Colaba- Nariman Point
79
67
Mazagaon
76
68
Prabhadevi
78
61
Malabar hill
74
69
Ghatkopar (West)
77
67
Sewri
81
69
Santacruz (East)
76
68
Bandra (East)
75
66
Borivili (West)
77
64
Source: ‘This Diwali was more noisy than the last one’, 09 November 2010, Hindustan Times
Mobile towers in Mumbai City:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been charging a nominal fee of ` 5,000 for regularising a tower.
Sr. No.
Particulars
No. of Towers
1
Total towers in the city
3,489
2
Illegal Towers
1,628
3
Legal Towers
1,861
Sr. No.
Particulars
No. of Towers
1
Andheri (East)
261
2
Bandra (West)
211
3
Matunga
210
4
Malbar Hill, Tardeo
138
Source: ‘1,600 mobile towers may be regularized’, 28 November 2010, Hindustan Times.
Heavy Hangs The Air:
Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM: causes both morbidity and mortality. Fine particles on their own or combined with other air pollutants are lined to premature death, aggravated asthma, acute respiratory symptoms including difficult or painful breathing. Chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function.
Nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to infections like influenza. Effects of short-term exposure are still unclear, but continued or frequent exposure to concentrations typically much higher than normally found in the ambient air may cause acute respirator illness in children. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to ozone formation.
Sion Hospital:
SO2 (80)*
NOX (80)*
RSPM (100)*
Sion Hospital
Summer
May 13, 2010
-
100
158
May 15, 2010
5
53
154
Winter
Dec 13, 2010
34
203
211
Dec 16, 2010
28
180
237
Govt. polytechnic, kherwadi
Summer
May 13, 2010
39
33
78
May 16, 2010
27
40
77
Winter
Dec 13, 2010
15
41
168
Dec 16, 2010
21
34
191
Source: ‘Winter arrives, pollutants in tow’, 22 December 2010, Times of India.
Vehicles km Travel in a Day (2009): No of Vehicles in Lakhs
Sr. No.
Region
2-Wheelers
Autos
Cars (Diesel)
Car (Petrol)
HDDV
Taxis
1
Greater Mumbai
35.12
52.44
47.75
71.61
20.25
33.55
2
Thane
39.43
38.71
14.52
21.78
18.34
10.46
3
Navi Mumbai
16.62
10.59
4.15
6.23
11.56
4.24
Emission Load in 2009
Sr. No.
Area
Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Oxides
Hydrocarbon
Sulphur
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
1
Mumbai
1,551
9,168
6,552
640
18,222
15.71 L
2
Thane
1,149
7,309
4,458
403
10,341
4.63 L
3
Navi Mumbai
620
4,286
1,460
224
4,679
1.22 L
4
Kalyan
176
1034
1,274
46
2,059
67,043
5
Dombivli
95
542
910
22
1,630
67,043
6
Ulhasnagar
170
962
1,526
39
2,502
1.17 L
7
Ambernath
107
587
935
25
1,406
72,601
8
Panvel
362
2,494
1,573
127
4,923
2.92 L
9
Alibaug
66
400
362
19
575
47,337
Projected Emission Load for 2050 (Emission in tones per year)
Sr. No.
Area
Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Oxides
Hydrocarbon
Sulphur
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
1
Mumbai
3,666
2,2528
18,402
1,556
69,496
45.73 L
2
Thane
2,738
17,787
12,861
953
36,360
24.27 L
3
Navi Mumbai
1,457
10,177
4,420
520
15,159
11.65 L
4
Kalyan
462
2,846
4,025
111
8,107
3.39 L
5
Dombivli
280
1,747
3,228
57
7,135
2.12 L
6
Ulhasnagar
478
2,915
5,115
100
10,558
3.50 L
7
Ambernath
289
1,707
2,966
62
5,750
2.11 L
8
Panvel
974
6,894
6,373
311
20,403
8.53 L
9
Alibaug
161
994
1,019
46
1,982
1.21 L
TOO LOUD FOR COMFORT
Sr. No.
Airport
Flights per Day
Peak Noise Limit (in dB)
1
Charles de Gaulle (Paris, France)
1,500
104.5
2
Heathrow (London, UK)
1,300
94
3
JFK (New York, USA)
1,200
99
4
Fiumicino (Rome, Italy)
900
103
5
IGIA (New Delhi)
750
105
6
Brussels (Belgium)
700
100
Regions
Total Number of Vehicles
Cars Registered until March 2010
Two wheelers Registered
Growth rate of Public Transport
Minimum growth in number of vehicles
Minimum growth in the number of cars & two wheelers over previous year
Mumbai
17,67,798
93,432
300-400 daily
5,083
5 %
-
Navi Mumbai
2.02 Lakh
9,121
11,957
2.3 %
11 %
15 %
Thane
12.84 Lakh
28,550
50,354
5 %
6 %
-
Kalyan
3.75 Lakh
5,224
24,332
2 %
8.5 %
14.7 %
Pesticide
India is one of the largest users of World Health Organization (WHO) class 1A pesticides, including phorate, phosphorus, phosphamidon and fenthion that are extremely hazardous,” India has at least 200 tonnes of obsolete pesticide. The cost of safe disposal of such obsolete pesticide is, in some cases, much higher than the cost of their procurement.” only 5% of the farmers use integrated pest management (IPM) in India, the huge ` 7,000 crore pesticide market is growing at 3.2% every year. only 5% of the farmers use integrated pest management (IPM) in India, the huge ` 7,000 crore pesticide market is growing at 3.2% every year. Small cardamom consumes more than 100kg per hectare per year of phorate in Kerala. Because of the high pesticide residue in the crop, the export of cardamom has reduced by 80%.
Source: ‘ARE PESTICIDES TURNING INTO POISON SPRAY?’,17 September 2010, Times of India
NUCLEAR ENERGY: BOON OR BANE? :
No of countries producing nuclear energy : 30
No. of reactors : 443
Share of nuclear power in global electricity production : 14%
No. of countries planning to use nuclear energy : 17
Reactors under construction : 62
Reactors planned & proposed : 482
Countries planning to join nuclear energy club : 17
More Ahead
Sr. No.
Country
Reactor Construction in Progress
Reactor Construction plans in pipeline
1
Russia
10
14
2
India
5
18
3
China
27
50
4
S. Korea
5
Nil
5
Japan
Nil
12
Top Five Nuclear Energy Producer
Sr. No.
Country
(% of total nuclear energy produced)
1
U.S.A.
27 %
2
France
17 %
3
Japan
13 %
4
Russia
6 %
5
Germany
5%
Source: ‘Safety Fears Cloud Nuclear Sunrise’, 15 March 2011, Times of India.
Cutbacks that make a difference in energy efficiency for consumers:
Sr. No.
` 708 Total Saving / Month*
Refrigerator
CFL tube
Ceiling Fan
Colour TV
Air-conditioner
1
Normal Appliance
100 units
50 units
50 units
50 units
200 units
2
5 star rated appliance
22 units
44 units
36 units
31 units
140 units
Saving
` 312
` 24
` 56
` 76
` 240
Source: ‘26 MARCH: EARTH HOUR CAMPAIGN - Energy efficiency gain for all’, 22 March 2011, Hindustan Times.
Permissible noise limits in decibels :
Sr.No.
ZONES
DAY (6 AM-10 AM)
NIGHT (10 PM – 6 AM)
1
Industrial Area
75
70
2
Commercial Area
65
55
3
Residential Area
55
45
4
Silent
50
40
Source: ‘Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai among noisiest cities in the world’, 24 March 2011, Hindustan Times.
Share of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Sr. No.
Country
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1
United State of America
19.91 %
2
India
5.50 %
3
China
22.30 %
4
Russia
5.24 %
5
Japan
4.28 %
Source: ‘MARCH 26: EARTH HOUR CAMPAIGN - Don't rubbish this idea’, 25 March 2011, Hindustan Times.
AIR POLLUTION LEVEL 2010 in Major Cities in India:
Sr. No.
City
SO2
NO2
PM 10
Safe Norms
5
40
100
1
Delhi
5
55
59
2
Mumbai
4
1
4
3
Bangalore
15
31
94
4
Pune
26
36
65
5
Ahmedabad
16
21
96
Source: ‘Delhi regains most-polluted city crown’, 7 April 2011, D.N.A.
What you are breathing in Mumbai:
Sr. No.
Annual Average in Heavy Metals(µg/m3)
Worli
Khar
Andheri
Borivli
Chembur
Deonar
Bhandup
1
Iron
3.2-3.2
-
0.7-3.5
1.8-1.3
14.0-9.9
7.2-6.6
3.8-2.6
2
Nickel
0.03-0.01
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
Lead
-
0.18-0.08
-
-
-
-
-
4
Copper
-
-
1.06.0.57
0.06.0.03
-
0.87-0.28
0.87-0.28
5
Chromium
-
-
-
-
0.04-0.02
0.14-0.02
0.14-0.02
Source: ‘Heavy metal in your air’, 30 May 2011, Hindustan Times.
Mumbai Leads Annual E-Waste:
Sr. No.
City Name
Tonnes Per Annum
1
Mumbai
11,017.1
2
Delhi
9,730.3
3
Bangalore
4,648.4
4
Chennai
4,132.2
5
Kolkata
4,025.3
6
Ahmedabad
3,287.5
7
Hyderabad
2,833.5
8
Pune
2,584.2
9
Surat
1,836.5
Source: ‘City is an e-waste bin, 30 May 2011, Hindustan Times.
Poisoned Fluid in Mumbai Pipelines:
Sr. No.
Year
Percentage
1
2007
9.05
2
2008
12.47
3
2009
13.80
4
2010
26.10
5
2011
9.01
Worst Affected Wards in Mumbai:
Sr. No.
Area
Complaints*
1
Andheri (W)
528
2
Chandanwadi
507
3
Grant Road
473
4
Byculla
418
5
Chembur (E)
367
Source: ‘Rusty pipes are conduits for murky water supply, 1 June 2011, Times of India.
Noise Pollution Count Poisoned Fluid in Mumbai Pipelines:
Sr. No.
Zones
Day
Night
1
Industrial
75
70
2
Commercial
65
55
3
Residential
55
45
4
Silence
50
40
Source: ‘Development making city deaf, 3 June 2011, Times of India.
Air Pollution in Mumbai:
Sr. No.
Pollutant Limit
RSPM* 100 ug/m3
SO2 80 ug/m3
NO X 80 ug/m3
1
Sion
169.45
12
41
2
Mulund
110
30
23
3
Bandra
87.07
21.07
31.41
Source: ‘Air is host to stealthy, minute pollutants, 1 June 2011, Times of India.
