RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

REIAI Weekly E-Newsletter Recycling & Environment Year 6, Issue no. 33 August 13, 2021

TOP NEWS INSIDE A transition to clean energy is about making Panel formed by National an investment in our future. Green Tribunal confirms illegal Gloria Reuben mining in Odisha's Ganjam district Stone crushing plants fuelling air pollution in Quetta

2 die, over a dozen hospitalised in Lucknow due to drinking water contamination, allege locals

Delhi generated 11 tonnes less biomedical waste in June New chemistry cell battery tech set to diversify, India says UN report on climate disrupt sectors: From electricity storage to EVs change a clarion call: 10 points 2 Recycling & Environment

Message from Director General Friends,

The world may have lost the opportunity to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees C over pre-industrial levels. That’s the conclusion of IPCC which published the first part of its 6th Assessment Report (AR6) on 9th August and has added to the worries on climate change. The world is running out of time to even slow climate change! The deadly heatwaves, massive hurricanes and other extreme events of weather will become more severe, the report says further. R K Bansal Secretary & Director General In his piece this week, Mr Nyati discusses the importance of food security and food prices and the critical role water plays in both.

Transplantation of trees is widely understood to be the solution for avoiding loss of precious trees. Right? Ranjit Lal doesn’t think transplantation is a good idea. Read his article on the important role the roots of trees play.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to the newsletter and feedback on how to improve and enrich the content further.

Happy reading!

13 August 2021 3 Recycling & Environment

Water in Agriculture For last few weeks, we have been discussing the daunting issue of water not only as a vital resource, but as a matter of survival in many senses. One thing, however, is very clear that despite many options both on supply as well as demand side management, the sustained and enough availability of water everywhere is a very vexed issue.

As far as India is concerned, at a macro level it is apparent that mere 10% reduction in the use of water in irrigation, can almost double the water supply to other sectors such as domestic and industrial sectors. How this 10% reduction in usage of irrigation water could be realized and where?

K P Nyati To decide as to what kind of actions are needed. a country-wide hydro mapping would possibly be a basic necessity. Hydro maps should delineate regions and areas which are water abundant, Executive Director & Founder which are water stressed and that are clearly water deficient. On the hydro maps, one could overlay the agromaps as well as irrigation maps. This would perhaps reveal the areas where interventions are needed. For instance, in areas where agrofertility is high but are water stressed, the usage of drip irrigation could be looked at. The need of moving water intensive crops to areas where water is in abundance. Can a crop like rice be grown without flood irrigation? Perhaps these overlay maps may throw up many more opportunities to move forward towards the goal of 10% reduction in irrigation water, without compromising on the agricultural annual growth rate of 3 to 4% and on a sustained basis year after year. It may sound theoretical to many of us, but one or two things may become consequential criticalities.

One of the criticalities would perhaps be the issue of food security, not only on account of water scarcity but also due to progressive diversion of agrilands for other uses especially around urban areas. Look at National Capital Region of Delhi for example. In 1972 when I came to Delhi, there was no Nehru Place, No Paschim Vihar & the like.

On Delhi-Faridabad road, there were agricultural fields on both sides. Not anymore. Also consider the fact that the population of India at that time was around half of what it is today, and yet we had the food shortage compounded by drought. As we see, how critical water is to our food security and to the sustained growth of our agricultural productivity. If we fail on the water front, we cannot even exploit the opportunities that hydroponics offer to shore up our food security and to beat the resultant rise in food prices, especially when the land mass is increasingly shrinking for agriculture. For example, in 1972 a loaf of bread was costing Re 1 despite food shortage, it is now around Rs 30.

The short point is that we continue to remain vulnerable to food prices or food security and the overwhelming reason perhaps is WATER, in capital letters.

Let us close our discussion on macro-issues surrounding water. Next week we should look at environmental issues arising out of the ways we use water. 4 Recycling & Environment Environment

The reply has to be filed within four weeks. The order dated August 4 reads, Green panel lens on Illegal “We deem it just and proper to call a report on the matter in issue in present sand mining in Rajasthan application from a joint committee consisting of director mines and geology department (GoR, Udaipur), state level environment impact assessment authority, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.” JAIPUR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a report on a plea It was mentioned in the application that the khatedari lease holders were accusing private khatedari lease holders issuing rawannas for a distance of 600 to 700 km for a truck having a of excavating bajri from riverbeds and capacity of almost 20-30 tons whereas mineral allegedly being filled was illegally issuing royalty rawannas. hardly 2-3 tons simply to legitimise illegality. Read more

New chemistry cell battery Panel formed by National Tamil Nadu govt moves tech set to diversify, Green Tribunal confirms SC against NGT order on disrupt sectors: From illegal mining in Odisha's Mekedatu dam electricity storage to EVs Ganjam district CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday moved While policymakers in the NITI CUTTACK: Confirming illegal stone the Supreme Court challenging an Aayog and the Power Ministry crushing and mining of morrum in order of the principal bench of maintain that the established Ganjam, a committee formed by National Green Tribunal that lithium-ion ecosystem is likely to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) quashed a suo motu proceedings continue to be the mainstay for the stated that the practice is being of its southern regional bench projects that are on the verge of carried out in violation of the setting up a committee to study if being rolled out, there is now a environmental clearance at Sata any construction activity had been fresh impetus to examine these Dhangudi hill under Sanakhemundi started at.... new technological... tehsil. Read more Read more Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 5 Recycling & Environment Environment

Meet the Lightyear One, a solar- powered electric car slated to arrive next year. It was created by a 30-year-old engineering prodigy. These days, it might seem like everyone's talking about electric vehicles. You unplug them and go, feeling better about both your wallet and your contribution to the environment.

But in 2016, engineering student Lex Hoefsloot decided we don't have to stop at plain old EVs - cofounding and becoming the CEO of Lightyear Motors, a Netherlands-based EV firm aiming at delivering the first highly capable solar car.

Read more

Most pollution control boards across India lack transparency, finds study Pollution control boards of Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal were found to be the most transparent among 35 such organisations studied.

A majority of India’s pollution control agencies remain closed entities when it comes to sharing information with the public. A new rating study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found that a mere handful of India’s pollution control boards and authorities are adequately putting out environmental and governance information intothe public domain.

The study titled, Transparency Index: Rating of pollution control boards on public disclosure, has assessed the data disclosure performance of 29 state pollution control boards and six pollution control committees from across the country. Of these, only 17 boards and committees scored 50% or above. Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 6 Recycling & Environment Air Pollution Utsav Sharma,regional officer of the UP Pollution Control Board, said, “With the air pollution level reaching an alarming proportion in Ghaziabad, 2 years on, Gzb awaits especially during every winter, it is the need of the hour to have a study report on pollutants highlighting the major sources of pollution to draw up a roadmap to deal with the problem. We hope to get the IIT-Delhi report before the onset of Ghaziabad: In 2019, the Central pollution winter that will help us identify the major pollution contributors. Control Board (CPCB) commissioned IIT- Delhi to carry out a study to find out what “We have been conducting our own surveys to find out the pollution exactly are the sources of pollution in hotspots in the district but since it lacks a scientific approach, the pollution Ghaziabad’s air. The regional pollution source appropriation study will come in handy to devise a pollution control control board is expecting the report strategy for the city,” he added. before this winter. Officials, however, said Read more that they are finding it hard to chalk out a strategy to deal with the problem in the absence of the pollution source appropriation data.

Stone crushing plants Ahmedabad Municipal Patna breathed only seven fuelling air pollution in Quetta Corporation sets up cell ‘good’ air quality days in QUETTA: Twenty-five crushing to boost air quality last 7 months: Report plants have become an obstacle in Ahmedabadis breathed easy The analysis indicates that only 3% efforts to decontaminate Quetta during the lockdown. With vehicles of the total days (7 months) were in and are increasing air pollution in off the road and industries shut, the the ‘Good’ category and the air the capital city of the largest air was cleaner and the masks quality in the city was not healthy province. filtered out the rest. However, once to breathe on the remaining 97% of the government started relaxing the days, where 66% of the days A large number of people suffering lockdown and then the subsequent were in ‘Moderate’ and ‘Very Poor’ from asthma have had their flights curfews, Ahmedabad’s air quality air quality category while only 31% canceled several times due to air began deteriorating. of days fell into ‘Satisfactory’ pollution. category. Read more Read more Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 7 Recycling & Environment Water Pollution Among the deceased were an infant and a 16-year-old boy. Both suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting, they said. The infant’s father, Hamza, said the 2 die, over a dozen child died while being taken to the hospital. hospitalised in Lucknow “Residents said they were getting dirty water supply in the area and that due to drinking water they had written to the Jal Sansthan to get the leaking pipelines checked and repaired. They said the two deaths took place due to diarrohoea and contamination, allege vomiting,” said Dr Manoj Agrawal, CMO, Lucknow, in a press statement. locals “The people’s medical history is not known in detail. It appears that the LUCKNOW Two children reportedly died families could not contact for medical help in time. while over a dozen others from the Balu Read more Adda area in the city had to be admitted to hospital due to infection possibly caused by contaminated drinking water, alleged locals

Bandhwari landfill: Citizens STPs being set up to Tap water in Goa contains allege leachate spill, protect H’sagar, Musi potentially hazardous officials say it is rainwater from pollution: KT Rama Rao microplastics: Study Following rainfall over the past two H Y D E R A B A D : T h e S t a t e Tap water supplied to households weeks, leachate from the government is taking steps to see in Goa contains potentially Bandhwari landfill has spilt onto that the generated sewage in the hazardous levels of microplastics, a Aravalli land and formed a pond on Greater Hyderabad Municipal study conducted by the National the rear side of the site, city-based Corporation (GHMC) limits is Institute of Oceanography (NIO) environmentalists alleged. treated 100 per cent by taking up and Toxics Link, an environmental However, officials denied that it the construction of the required group, has found. Microplastics are was leachate and said that it was number of sewerage treatment microscopic fragments, fibres or contaminated rainwater, with an plants (STP) in different parts of the particles of plastic less than 5mm i n s p e c t i o n s c h e d u l e d f o r city as well as to protect water in length and are a major source of Wednesday in this regard. marine... Read more bodies,.. Read more Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 8 Recycling & Environment Waste Management

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People in home quarantine sitting on piled up waste KOCHI: Currently, a total of 4,61,530 persons are in home quarantine in the state. While 39,676 people are in home quarantine in Ernakulam, 29,507 people are in self- isolation in Thiruvananthapuram. Read more

Delhi generated 11 tonnes less biomedical waste in June NEW DELHI: A new report of Central Pollution Control Board says that Covid-related biomedical waste generation in Delhi reduced from 18.79 tonnes per day (TPD) in May to 7.68 tonnes per day in June due to a reduction in Covid-19 cases. Read more

5 years on, Punjab’s first solid waste management plant yet to run to capacity Punjab’s first solid waste management plant in Bathinda is still to run to its full capacity even as it has been five years since it started operations as a cluster model to be replicated across the state to address the problem of processing municipal waste Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 9 Recycling & Environment Waste Management

Dumping of waste in public places: Mumbai: Despite objection, BMC seeks 0.11 million fined 4 crore in 18 months green nod for Deonar waste-to-energy project

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has fined 0.111 Despite stiff opposition from residents and million citizens for dumping of waste in public places. A environmentalists, the Brihanmumbai Municipal total of 4 crore has been recovered the past 18 months. Corporation (BMC) on August 6 moved a proposal before Citizens were fined for dumping plastic, garbage, debris, the state environment department seeking environment and spitting in public. According to PMC’s solid waste clearance (EC) for its proposed 4MW waste-to-energy management department, the fine recovery and action (WTE) plant at the Deonar dumping ground. The BMC’s against illegal dumping began from November 2018 and proposal — file number SIA/MH/MIS/47692/2019 — continued till July 2021. Of the total fine of 4 crore, 40 lakh has been accepted by the state environment impact alone was for fines levied for dumping plastic waste and assessment authority (SEIAA) and is currently under illegal sale of plastic bags. examination by the state-level expert appraisal Read more committee (EAC). Read more

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RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 10 Recycling & Environment Waste Management Anil Pant, executive officer, Chamoli municipality told TOI, “We used to sell the plastic waste earlier, so, we planned to convert the old plastic into W h a t ’ s i m p e d i n g recyclable tiles. We started the work on an experimental basis but where to Chamoli’s project to turn discharge the chemical-laden water that is generated by the end of the process. Thus, before investing public money in the project, it has to be p l a s t i c w a s t e i n t o made sure that it is a feasible and functional process.”

recyclable tiles? The process of converting plastic into recyclable tiles is done in three Chamoli: In July 2019, the Chamoli phases. All the trash is first sorted into old usable plastic and unusable municipality, devised a plan to recycle the trash, then the old plastic is recycled and put into moulds and finally, old plastic. The plastic that is left to shaping is done to make it look like a perfect tile. decompose on the sides of several tourist Read more spots was to be turned into recyclable tiles that will be used on roads.

Kallakudi's waste War of words continues, Societies violating solid management system Lobo hits back at Mauvin waste mgmt rules to fetches state award for for ‘ignoring’ waste face GMC action town panchayat Panaji: Waste management Ghaziabad: GMC is all set to crack the whip on large Housing Society TIRUCHY: The State government minister Michael Lobo and not adhering to the Solid Waste on Wednesday announced that transport minister Mauvin Godinho Management (SWM) Rules, 2016. Kallakudi Town Panchayat has been are at loggerheads with each other Two teams of 12 members each named the best town panchayat over the installation of Taxi Meters. have been formed to carry out for developing one of the best solid The war of words which started on inspections in housing societies waste management disposal Tuesday continued on Thursday considered bulk waste generators s y s t e m s i n t h e S t a t e . T h e with Lobo hitting out at Godinho. and impose penalties on violators government announced a list of from August 16, officials said on corporations,.. Thursday. Read more Read more Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 11 Recycling & Environment Climate Change

Explained: Status check on world climate In the last few weeks, the world has seen unexpected floods in Europe and China, record- breaking heat-waves in the United States, and deadly forest fires in Siberia, and Turkey and Greece. Amid gloomy predictions of a continued rise in the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, all attributable to global warming, scientists are set to present the most comprehensive health check-up of the Earth’s climate on Monday.

The Geneva-based Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release the first part of its Sixth Assessment Report, .. Read more

India says UN report on climate change a clarion call: 10 points The climate change report by UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that the world may have lost the opportunity to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. The report further said that the world is running out of time even to slow climate change.

Global warming is dangerously close to spiralling out of control, a UN climate panel said in its report on Monday. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also said that the world is already certain to face further climate disruptions for decades, if not centuries, to come.

The deadly heatwaves, massive hurricanes and other extreme events of weather will become more severe, the report further said.

Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 12 Recycling & Environment Climate Change

India has taken numerous steps to tackle climate change: Environment Minister Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav tweeted about the report saying that the report is “a clarion call for the the report saying that the report is “a clarion call for the developed countries to undertake immediate, deep developed countries to undertake immediate, deep emission cuts and decarbonisation of their economies’’. emission cuts and decarbonisation of their economies’’. “India under the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra THE MINISTRY of Environment, Forests and Climate Modiji has taken numerous steps to tackle the global Change on Monday issued a statement, saying India problem of climate change and is well on the path of welcomes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate decoupling its emissions from economic growth. The IPCC Change (IPCC) report. report is proof of that,’’ he tweeted. Read more Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav tweeted about

Explained: Clearest picture of climate

The latest IPCC report, while flagging the same concerns as previous ones, is now backed up by more data than ever. The human contribution to rising temperatures is clearer, and the 1.5°C warming closer.

More intense and frequent heat-waves, increased incidents of extreme rainfall, dangerous rise in sea-levels, prolonged droughts, melting glaciers — there is little in the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that it has not flagged earlier. Except, perhaps, the fact that 1.5°C warming is much closer than was thought earlier, and inevitable.

But the 4,000-page document, the first part of the Sixth Assessment Report, released on Monday, contains mountains of fresh evidence to support what IPCC has been warning of for decades, so that IPCC can make those same statements with far greater confidence, and higher accuracy.

Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 13 Recycling & Environment Climate Change

If you have watched the 2004 movie, The Day After Tomorrow, you might Explained: Why the remember that a disruption in the North Atlantic Ocean circulation made the Atlantic Ocean current planet enter another ice age. A study published last week in Nature Climate Change notes that this circulation, known officially as the Atlantic Meridional system is slowing Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is losing its stability. According to the IPCC’s Report (AR6) released on August 9, it is very likely that AMOC will d o w n , a n d i t s decline over the 21st century. implications The author of the paper Niklas Boers explains in a release: “The findings A recent study notes that the Atlantic support the assessment that the AMOC decline is not... Meridional Overturning Circulation Read more (AMOC) is losing its stability. Modelling studies have shown that an AMOC shutdown would cool the northern hemisphere and decrease rainfall over Europe.

In IPCC report, message Glaciers in Hindu Kush Greenhouse emissions for India: Need to agree Himalayan region will must peak by 2025: on net-zero emissions target keep shrinking: IPCC report Leaked report With a warning that a 1.5 degree Glaciers in the Hindu Kush The draft is of the third part of the warming was likely even before Himalayan (HKH) region will keep report by the Intergovernmental 2040, the Inter-governmental shrinking and the snow cover will Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) retreat to higher altitudes, the the world’s leading authority on has tried to make a case, much latest IPCC report said on Monday. environment science. According to s t r o n g e r t h a n b e f o r e , f o r The Sixth Assessment Report The Guardian, a small group of immediate cuts on global (AR6) of the Intergovernmental scientists decided to leak the draft greenhouse gas emissions. Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), because they feared it would be approved by 195 member watered down by governments, Read more countries,.. Read more who have the... Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 14 Recycling & Environment International

London: Coal should be consigned to history to limit global warming, British Make coal history says Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday, as he hoped that the latest UK PM Johnson after study by climate scientists would be a "wake-up call" for the world to take action now. Reacting to the landmark study by the Intergovernmental Panel climate warning on Climate Change (IPCC) which found it was unequivocal that human activity was responsible for global warming, Johnson said the world must The report by the IPCC - the UN group shift to clean energy and provide finance to help countries at risk from on the science of climate change - said changing climates. climate change was already here and causing chaos in some places Read more

UK spending far more on polluting China’s growing Arctic footprint may hit policies than green ones, says WWF India’s security and climate interests: Experts

Only £145m in the March 2021 budget was devoted to BENGALURU: Scientists have warned of China’s growing environmental spending, most of it on the post-Brexit strategic interests in the Arctic, mainly for its gas, oil, rare emissions trading scheme for industry, according to an earths and access to shipping route, which are likely to analysis by the conservation charity WWF. But the cost of affect India’s security and climate. China is a net importer tax breaks to companies to encourage investment came of petroleum products and consumes 23 per cent of global to more than £34bn, while maintaining the fuel duty freeze energy consumption and has invested substantially in the – for an 11th consecutive year – is costing about £4.5bn in energy sector for creating an alternate source of lost revenues. petroleum in the Arctic. Read more Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 15 Recycling & Environment Forest/Wildlife

No transplant nod for IGNCA trees yet Project Lion: Gujarat govt sought A deemed forest is an expanse with more than 250 trees Rs 2,000 crore from Centre growing per hectare. With the categorisation of the AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government has sought IGNCA plot as such, permission now has to be obtained assistance to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, to transplant or for project lion . The request is under active consideration fell trees. Forest officials in Delhi said such a permission for approval, said a senior government official aware of can only be availed of from the central government. The the developments. Central Public Works Department will need to send a fresh project proposal to be able to transplant the displaced To be modelled on Project Tiger and Project Elephant, trees. Project Lion was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Read more Modi on August 15, 2020 Read more

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: High Court asks NHAI to submit survey report over cutting of over 25,000 trees

The government had given nod to the construction of an elevated expressway between Dehradun and New Delhi which will reduce the distance between the two cities to 180 kms.

The Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit the survey report by Forest Research Institute (FRI) after hearing the case of cutting of 25,100 trees due to the widening of the Delhi-Dehradun Highway in the Shivalik forest area adjoining the Rajaji National Park.

Read more

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 16 Recycling & Environment Forest/Wildlife

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RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 17 Recycling & Environment Forest/Wildlife

NAGPUR: Maharashtra environment minister Aditya Thackray on Thursday Will look into amending said he would look into the demand by greens seeking amendments in the tree act for rural areas, Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act, 1964 on the lines of Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation & Protection of Trees Act, 1975. says Maharashtra TOI, on August 11,reported how trees are facing the axe even for unwanted road widening projects in the state. Last month, Thackeray’s ministry took a environment minister bold decision by amending Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation & Aaditya Thackeray Protection of Trees Act, 1975 granting powers to a state level authority if any project needed to fell 200 trees. Read more

Meerut-Prayagraj Ganga Expressway update: Inform if water bodies, trees destroyed, NGT tells UP govt The National Green Tribunal has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to inform it whether any ponds, water bodies, and trees are being illegally destroyed in the course of construction of the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, UP in coordination with the Irrigation and Forest Departments of UP and the Central Pollution Control Board to ascertain whether any ponds/water bodies and trees are being illegally destroyed in construction of expressway and if so whether remedial action is taken. Read more RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 18 Recycling & Environment Articles

Why transplanting trees adventitious roots – sprout from the trunk and branches is a bad idea and stems and may head in any direction! The roots are specialised in providing all that the plant or By Ranjit Lal Source : indianexpress.com tree needs. Heading the charge into the earth is the root cap, which, as it plunges down, sloughs off, leaving a By removing grass, plants or trees by their roots, the soil slimy lubricant in its wake and revealing what’s called the loosens up and gets blown or washed away and the roots apical meristem, which is kind of loaded with fresh root wither and die caps (I guess rather like fresh drilling bits), ready to elongate and dig on. Then, root hairs develop at the end of They are undoubtedly the most unglamorous parts of a these to absorb the moisture and nutrients, and send plant, but without them no plant – tree, bush or grass – can these upstairs to the tree or plant! survive. The taller the tree is the deeper will its root go. Its underground spread can be as much as three times the Roots have power. They can split granite – and everyone diameter of the tree’s canopy. Roots also serve as knows that it is foolhardy to grow a fig tree too close to a repositories of nutrients (which is why some roots, like house; it will insert its roots into the foundations, sweet potato and beet, are so nutritious!), especially in weakening the structure. Many historical monuments winters when the tree above shuts down food-producing have been clasped by the python-like roots of fig trees of operations. various kinds and are crumbling under the onslaught. Perhaps, one day, long-term time-lapse photography Significantly, they also anchor the tree or plant into the might be able to reveal how roots crack apart solid rock. ground and are designed to withstand astounding amounts of force, be it wind or rain. Roots are categorised They are usually covered with mud, but roots are savvy. into various types – depending on their function and where They can sense the force of gravity, and they can snuffle and how they grow. Not all roots, for example, grow from out sources of water and nutrients and sense obstacles in the bottom of the plant, heading south, some – called their paths.

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 19 Recycling & Environment Articles More than all that, they form a vital part of the plant’s Some roots even grow at canopy level. In dense intelligence and communications network. Root hairs rainforests, where the canopies of trees form a kind of cultivate fungi in a symbiotic relationship in what is called roof, dead leaves and detritus starts to collect and mycorrhizae. The fungi comprising a mass of threads decompose. The roots of the notorious strangler fig (also called hyphae spread far and wide beyond the root adventitious roots), clasp themselves around a host tree network, supplying the plant with water and nutrients and suck up nutrients in parasitical fashion, and eventually such as phosphorous, even making barter deals with other kill its host. I remember being stunned by one such in plants in the region. In return, it charges a hefty fee of up to Corbett; all that was left standing was the strangler fig’s 30 per cent of the plant’s sugar production. This has been scaffolding with absolutely nothing in the middle. dubbed the “wood-wide-web”. Roots can also sense what the plant is in need of: and will adjust its actions Other roots grow upwards, from the ground or from the accordingly – growing slower or faster or deeper as the base of the plants. Mangrove roots grow this way and are need maybe – or actively seeking out water, if that’s what equipped with high-quality filters, which remove the salt is required. The plants and trees growing in arid, desert from briny waters. areas, like the notorious Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati kikar), may send its roots down more than 50 m, which is why it Anyone who has tried to rip a plant out by its roots will is such a pain to remove! know how difficult it is. The plant or sapling clings on its mesh of roots holding firm. This is just an indication of how All roots do not grow underground. The prop roots of the important a root network is to hold the soil together. banyan sprout from branches and are used as column Which is why felling trees on forest slopes is an invitation supports for the tree: secondary thickening of these roots to landslides after the first showers. As far as grasslands and of other “buttress roots” at the base of the tree, help are concerned the same holds true – if you remove the to support the huge stupendously heavy structure. grass by its roots, the soil loosens up and is quickly blown Alternatively, the almost thread-like adventitious roots of or washed away. Most roots love it where it’s dark and the coconut palm may extend in a mesh 8 m across, far damp underground. Expose them to fresh air and sky and wider than the crown, and there may be 13,000 of these they will wither and die; which is why transplanting trees holding the tree firm in gales and typhoons. may not be such a clever idea after all.

RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA 19 Recycling & Environment Events and Announcements The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, had launched the National Non Ferrous Metal Scrap Recycling Framework, 2020 last year. The objective was to work towards creating a sustainable scrap recycling ecosystem.

The Framework provides for the setting up of a Metal Recycling Authority (MRA) to act as facilitator to implement the Framework.

The Ministry has recently authorised the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur to carry out the functions earmarked for MRA excluding the statutory work till MRA is notified by Govt of India.

JNARDDC organised an introductory meeting on 19th August with some of the stakeholders which was attended by Mr R. K. Bansal on behalf of REIAI.

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