Summary of Human-Induced Earthquakes and Their Connection to Groundwater Extraction in India

Key Points:

• Human-induced earthquakes are linked to activities such as mining, groundwater extraction, dam impounding, and urban construction.
• Over 700 human-induced earthquakes have been recorded globally over the last 150 years.
• In India, groundwater extraction has shown a correlation with seismic activity, particularly in the National Capital Region.

Key Findings:

• A study published in Scientific Reports in 2021 identified a negative correlation between the groundwater table and seismic activity in the National Capital Region (NCR) from 2003 to 2012. The period of groundwater depletion saw increased seismic events, while stabilization post-2014 led to a decrease in activity.
• Experts note that even though the earthquakes observed in NCR are usually minor (up to magnitude 4.5), the densely populated region’s seismic risk is heightened by its location on several faultlines—classified as Zone 4 on the seismic risk scale.

Human Activities and Geological Influence:

• Activities such as excessive groundwater extraction reduce underground pressure, leading to surface jolts.
• The Gangetic plains are highlighted as regions of concern due to rapid groundwater level changes needed for agriculture, often surpassing natural recharge rates.
• Major earthquakes (like the 6.3 magnitude quake in Koynanagar, Maharashtra on December 11, 1967) have previously caused substantial destruction, attributed to human interventions such as water overloading from dams.

Impact of Dams and Policy Recommendations:

• There is an observed increase in seismic activity near the Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala, reinforcing the need for stringent dam management regulations to mitigate seismic risks.
• The United States has implemented regulations regarding the operation of large dams to control seismic risks, a model that experts suggest should be adopted in India.

Climate Change and Earthquake Frequency:

• Climate change is implicated in modifying earthquake occurrences through mechanisms such as glacier melting, altered precipitation patterns, and increased groundwater depletion, which can affect tectonic stress.
• Regions may experience an increase in earthquakes due to heavy rainfall, as seen around the Sahyadri range, where changes in stress from flooding have induced tremors.

Emerging Seismic Patterns and Future Monitoring:

• Experts emphasize the necessity of establishing strong seismic monitoring networks across India to better track and understand localized seismic behaviors, particularly in regions exhibiting plate deformation.
• Groundwater depletion and the construction of large dams are significant factors influencing seismicity, particularly in faultline areas.

Conclusion: Human activities, underpinned by climate change and metropolitan demands, have a notable role in influencing seismic activity. Proper management of natural resources and scientific evaluation of geological regions are crucial in preventing the exacerbation of earthquake risks. The discourse around human-induced earthquakes emphasizes the need for coherent public policies that incorporate environmental and geological assessments to safeguard urban populations and infrastructure.

Overall, the interrelationship between human actions—especially concerning water management—and tectonic activities necessitates a multidimensional approach to disaster preparedness and resource management.

The conference on "youth sustainability" held on July 21, 2025, focused on empowering youth through innovation, creativity, and digital fluency to tackle environmental and climate challenges aimed at promoting sustainability and green growth. Key points discussed included the following:

• Youth Empowerment: Experts emphasized that youth should be considered not only as the future leaders but also as immediate "solution providers" in addressing climate change through a shared vision of a green economy.

• Indigenous Knowledge: Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist and Magsaysay Award laureate, highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in combating climate change. He illustrated this with the example of Tarun Bharat Sangh’s success in restoring the Arvari river in Rajasthan through local community engagement and small check dam construction.

• Ecosystem Health and Agriculture: Sustainable agricultural practices were noted as essential for improving ecosystem health, which can mitigate climate change impacts.

• Role of Educational Institutions: Sudhi Rajiv, Vice-Chancellor of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism, stated that educational institutions have the potential to act as "living laboratories" for sustainability, where both individual and collective youth actions can foster improved environmental outcomes.

• Industrial Responsibility: K.L. Jain, president of the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, mentioned that industries should evolve beyond mere growth engines to become leaders in green innovation, particularly in sectors including renewable energy, electric vehicles, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy, which are crucial for India's transition into a green economy over the next decade.

• Collaboration between Academia and Industry: The need for collaborative efforts was reiterated, proposing initiatives such as co-creating curricula, facilitating apprenticeships and field exposure, supporting research and development and establishing centers of excellence to foster innovation.

• Climate Action Campaigns: The conference was part of broader climate action campaigns led by Jaipur-based Lok Samvad Sansthan (LSS) and New Delhi-based Sustainability Karma, aimed at involving youth in awareness and engagement regarding environmental degradation and sustainable living.

This initiative comes in light of the increasing urgency to address climate change through innovative and inclusive approaches that harness both youth creativity and industrial resources.

Important Points:

• Date of Conference: July 21, 2025.
• Focus: Youth role in environmental sustainability.
• Key Speaker: Rajendra Singh on indigenous knowledge for water conservation.
• Educational Role: Institutions as "living laboratories" for sustainability.
• Industrial Evolution: Shift towards green innovation in industries.
• Academia-Industry Collaboration: Need for joint efforts and practical learning.
• Campaign Leaders: Lok Samvad Sansthan and Sustainability Karma promoting youth involvement.

This summary encapsulates the strategic discussions and the significance of building a cohesive relationship among youth, education, and industry in the drive toward sustainable development and climate action in India.

A report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed that drinking water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to A1 Block, Janakpuri, contains a “high level” of E. coli bacteria, which indicates contamination from human and animal excreta. This finding emerged from a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated July 16, 2025.

Key Highlights of the Incident:

• CPCB Findings: The CPCB collected and tested six water samples from A1 Block, with five samples showing high levels of total coliform and E. coli bacteria.
• Complaint Background: The contamination issue was brought to light by a resident welfare association’s (RWA) plea filed in March, which stated that blocked sewage pipelines and corroded drinking water lines were causing the mixing of sewage with potable water.
• NGT Directives: The NGT directed the DJB to address the contamination issue promptly and ensure the supply of clean water from alternative sources until satisfactory repairs are made.
• DJB’s Response: On June 4, 2025, the DJB promised the NGT that repairs on the sewage pipeline would be completed by June 30. They acknowledged that their sewerage and potable water infrastructure were over 40 years old and indicated that a replacement process would commence post-monsoon, projected to complete within six months of contract awards.
• Continued Contamination: Despite DJB’s assurances, water samples taken on June 30 were still found “highly contaminated” with E. coli, indicating a lack of effective action based on DJB’s previous undertakings.
• CPCB's Reassessment: The NGT ordered the CPCB to collect fresh samples for analysis, dismissing DJB’s attempts to contest the findings of high E. coli levels in the water supply.
• Government Initiatives: On July 19, Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh announced intentions to overhaul the water pipeline infrastructure over the course of the next year.

This incident underscores serious public health concerns owing to water quality issues linked to infrastructural problems in the region. Continuous monitoring and prompt remediation are essential to ensure safe drinking water access for residents in affected areas.

Important Points:

• High E. coli levels found in the drinking water in A1 Block, Janakpuri.
• Report stems from CPCB testing as ordered by the NGT on July 16, 2025.
• Residents filed a complaint regarding sewage and corroded pipelines.
• NGT mandated immediate corrective measures by DJB to supply clean water.
• DJB's commitment to repair infrastructure by June 30 was undermined by subsequent contamination findings.
• Upcoming overhaul of water pipeline infrastructure announced by the Water Minister, planned within one year.

This report stresses the importance of prompt action and infrastructure improvement to ensure public health regarding water quality, aligning with national standards for safe drinking water.

Summary of Government Measures on Nationally Determined Contributions and Climate Action

The Government of India is dedicated to addressing climate change and fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) as outlined in the Paris Agreement, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The commitment is part of a broader climate action strategy incorporating numerous policies and initiatives.

Key Measures and Initiatives

• Promotion of Clean Energy: The government emphasizes renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and developing urban centers that are less carbon-intensive and more resilient.
• Waste Management: Initiatives are in place to promote "waste to wealth" strategies and maintain a sustainable green transportation network.
• Carbon Sinks: Creating carbon sinks through expanded forest and tree coverage is prioritized.
• Climate Resilience: Strengthening the climate resilience of agriculture, water resources, health, and disaster management is vital.

Framework and National Action Plans

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): This serves as the main framework for India’s climate actions, comprising nine national missions across various sectors:

  1. Solar Energy
  2. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
  3. Water
  4. Agriculture
  5. Himalayan Ecosystem
  6. Sustainable Habitat
  7. Green India
  8. Human Health
  9. Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change

• State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC): The central government assists states and Union Territories in developing their SAPCCs, aligning local initiatives with those in NAPCC. As of now, 34 states and UTs have adopted their action plans.

Achievements and Progress

• India's installed capacity of solar energy surged significantly from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 116.25 GW by June 2025, marking a more than 41-fold increase.
• The country has effectively decreased its greenhouse gas emissions relative to economic growth; the emission intensity of GDP has fallen by 36% from 2005 to 2020.
• By June 2025, India achieved a critical milestone by having 50% of its electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, surpassing its NDC target five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• India stands out in the G20 as one of the few nations capable of fulfilling or surpassing its NDC commitments, despite its low per capita emissions.

Citizen Engagement

• Initiatives such as 'Mission LiFE' (Lifestyle for the Environment) and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam' encourage citizen involvement in climate action.

This information was disclosed in a written reply by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to a question posed in the Lok Sabha.

Important Points

• India’s commitment to combat climate change aligns with its NDC under the Paris Agreement.
• The NAPCC consists of nine missions focusing on various critical areas.
• Significant advancements in solar energy capacity and declination of emission intensity have been achieved.
• The target of 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity was met ahead of schedule.
• India’s climate action reflects on its global commitment despite low per capita emissions.

The commitment to transition towards a sustainable future is aimed at achieving the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047.

Summary of Haryana's Jungle Safari Project

Haryana's Forest and Wildlife Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, announced that the first phase of the ambitious 10,000-acre jungle safari project in the Aravalis will commence shortly. This initiative, designed to enhance environmental sustainability, is set to transform the National Capital Region's identity by focusing on green development.

Key Facts:

• Project Overview: The jungle safari will span 10,000 acres and is structured into four phases. The initial phase will develop 2,500 acres.
• Government Officials Involved: Rao Narbir Singh met with Union Ministers, including Manohar Lal for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs and Bhupender Yadav for Environment, to advance project discussions.
• Objective: The project aims to promote green tourism and wildlife conservation in Haryana, particularly in the Gurugram and Nuh districts, and is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral promises from the last year.
• Key Features: Minister Singh emphasized that the project would feature world-class facilities, drawing input from their recent visit to the 'Vantara' Jungle Safari in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which informed the project's technical and structural planning.
• Controversy: Despite official support, the project has encountered resistance; 37 retired Indian Forest Service officers have petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abandon the initiative, alleging its primary purpose is to boost tourism rather than genuinely conserve the environment.

Implications:

• The project reflects Haryana's commitment to enhancing ecotourism and conserving unique wildlife habitats.
• The opposition from environmentalists and forest experts highlights ongoing tensions between development and ecological preservation.

Additional Notes:

• The project underscores the larger governmental narrative of balancing development with ecological sustainability, a critical issue in modern policy-making.
• The broader objective aligns with the increasing focus on environmental initiatives and conservation practices across India.

This project situates Haryana within the broader discourse of sustainable development, demonstrating both the potential benefits of ecotourism and the challenges posed by environmental conservation efforts.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised concerns regarding the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) plan to clear the Ghazipur landfill by 2028. The tribunal highlighted significant discrepancies between the amount of solid waste generated and the quantity processed, suggesting that untreated waste continues to accumulate, exacerbating the problem of legacy waste.

Key Points:

• Daily Waste Generation: The Ghazipur landfill receives approximately 2,400 to 2,600 tonnes of garbage daily, while the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant processes only 700 to 1,000 tonnes, revealing a major gap in processing capabilities.

• NGT's Remarks: The NGT's Principal Bench, comprising chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member A. Senthil Vel, made these observations on July 10, 2025, during a suo motu case on solid waste management.

• Processing Gaps: The tribunal indicated that without detailed plans to address the gap between waste receipt and treatment, the MCD's commitment to clear the Ghazipur landfill by 2028 lacks credibility.

• MCD Report: The MCD reported plans to clear a five-acre section of the landfill by September 2024 but failed to substantiate how this would be achieved amidst ongoing increases in legacy waste.

• Construction & Demolition Waste: The NGT pointed out that construction and demolition (C&D) waste is being spread over the landfill site to mitigate fire risks. It called on the MCD to elaborate on the feasibility of handling this mixed waste through biomining or segregation practices.

• Timeline for Disclosure: The NGT has directed the MCD to provide comprehensive details addressing the aforementioned concerns within six weeks, thereby reinforcing the urgency of the landfill management issue.

• Political Commitment: Clearing the landfills has been a focal promise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has made several inspections of the city's landfills, proclaiming in April 2025 that "garbage mountains in Delhi will disappear just like the dinosaurs."

• Ongoing Monitoring: The tribunal's involvement exemplifies the ongoing judicial oversight concerning environmental pollution and waste management in urban areas, emphasizing the necessity for accountability and effective implementation of waste management strategies by local authorities.

In summary, the NGT's scrutiny of the MCD’s landfill management strategies epitomizes the challenges in urban solid waste management, the need for robust solutions, and the focus on environmentally sustainable practices within Delhi amidst significant political commitments. The tribunal's directives aim to ensure timely and effective actions are taken to reduce environmental pollution and enhance waste processing capabilities.

The article discusses the weather forecast for Tamil Nadu, focusing on the impact of two active weather systems leading to intense rainfall across various districts. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points and relevant data:

• Weather Forecast: Intense rainfall is expected to continue in the Western Ghats districts of Tamil Nadu until July 22, 2025.

• Impact of Weather Systems: The rainfall conditions are being driven by active Southwest monsoon influences and include an upper air circulation over south coastal Andhra Pradesh along with an east-west trough near Chennai, which are projected to enhance rainfall over the state.

• Alerts Issued: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), located in Chennai, has issued:

  • Orange Alert for Nilgiris and Ghat areas of Coimbatore valid until July 20, indicating heavy rains with potential downpours up to 24.4 cm in isolated locations.
  • Yellow Alert for northern Tamil Nadu districts, including Tiruvallur and Vellore, forecasting heavy rainfall of up to 13 cm on Saturday, July 20, 2025.

• Rainfall Coverage: Light to moderate rains are expected to affect up to 50% of weather stations statewide until July 22. Heavy showers are particularly anticipated in districts such as Theni and Tenkasi through Monday, July 21, 2025.

• Temperature Expectations: The wet weather is likely to reduce maximum temperatures in certain parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. For instance, coastal areas may experience lower temperatures due to prevailing westerlies interacting with sea breezes, resulting in convective activity and thunderstorms primarily during the afternoon and evening.

  • Notable temperatures reported include Madurai and Thanjavur, which experienced the highest temperature in the state at 39 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Chennai recorded a cooler temperature slightly below normal at 34 degrees Celsius.

• Geographic Influence: Intense downpours in Kerala are expected to extend into the adjoining Western Ghats regions of Tamil Nadu. However, some interior locations, such as Madurai and Karur, are predicted to experience persistent heat, as rainfall from the weather systems may not significantly affect these areas.

• Previous Reporting: On Friday, July 18, 2025, rainfall was recorded in places such as Coimbatore, Valparai, Krishnagiri, and Erode, indicating ongoing precipitation events across the state leading up to the date of the article.

In summary, the weather conditions in Tamil Nadu are characterized by anticipated heavy rainfall resulting from significant weather systems, with varying effects on temperature and localized weather patterns across different districts until July 22, 2025.

Important Sentences:

• Intense rainfall in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu expected until July 22, 2025.
• Orange Alert issued for Nilgiris and Coimbatore with heavy rainfall potential of up to 24.4 cm.
• Yellow Alert for Tiruvallur and Vellore predicting heavy rain up to 13 cm on July 20, 2025.
• Southwest monsoon and weather systems from Andhra Pradesh driving rainfall increases.
• Higher temperatures noted at Madurai and Thanjavur, while Chennai remains cooler at 34 degrees Celsius.
• Wet weather may reduce temperatures in specific Tamil Nadu pockets, although some interior areas will remain hot.
• Continued rainfall reported across Coimbatore, Valparai, Krishnagiri, and Erode as of July 18, 2025.