Current Affairs - Environment

Begusarai, a city in Bihar, was ranked as the most polluted city globally in the World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir. This report highlighted that out of the top 100 most polluted places worldwide, 83 were from India, with Begusarai leading the list. The high pollution levels in India, particularly in cities like Begusarai, underscore the urgent need for effective measures to address air quality issues.

India's largest Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems project completed by Tata Power Solar Systems Limited is located in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. This project, comprising a 100 MW Solar PV Project and a 120 MW utility-scale battery Energy Storage System, significantly contributes to India's renewable energy goals.

The 'Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan' initiative, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and living standards, saw the inauguration of PNG facilities in 41 villages and development projects in 178 villages within Delhi. This highlights the focus on improving both rural and urban areas of the city.

NGEL, along with its parent company NTPC, signed an MoU with RVUNL to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in Rajasthan. This partnership signifies a significant commitment to green energy generation in the state, aligning with global trends towards cleaner fuel alternatives and promoting sustainable energy development.

Sea6 Energy inaugurated the world’s first large-scale mechanized tropical seaweed farm in Lombok, Indonesia. This project, symbolizing cooperation between India and Indonesia in the blue economy, holds potential in various sustainable industrial applications and aims to promote local green job creation.