Can you see the microplastics? Where is it? For those who are not familiar with microplastics, they are extremely small plastic particles that range in size from 1 micrometre (µm) to 5 millimetres. To clarify, 1 micrometre (commonly referred to as a micron) is equal to 1/1000 of a millimetre. Because they are so small, we cannot see them, but we eat and drink them unknowingly. In particular, many researchers have been warning people to avoid drinking water from PET bottles. They claimed that the chemical reactions between plastic packets and bottles can induce cancer and other terminal diseases. However, it has been challenging to discourage people from using these bottles. Recently, a court made a landmark decision that may provide some respite in this matter.

The Madras High Court has raised serious concerns over the presence of microplastics in plastic-packaged food and drinking water, calling on the Government of India to introduce mandatory warning labels to inform consumers about potential health risks. The Madras High Court has raised serious concerns over the presence of microplastics in plastic-packaged food and drinking water, calling on the Government of India to introduce mandatory warning labels to inform consumers about potential health risks. Hearing writ petitions on plastic contamination, the Court observed that consumers have a right to know about exposure to microplastics—minute plastic particles that enter the human body through food and water. The judges likened the proposed warnings to health labels on liquor bottles, stating that such disclosures enable informed consumer choice. The Court highlighted emerging scientific evidence indicating that microplastics could pose health risks, particularly to pregnant women, children, and future generations, and also flagged the environmental consequences of plastic pollution entering the food chain. During the hearing, the Court was informed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Union Health Ministry, is conducting studies to identify and quantify micro- and nano-plastics in food and beverages. The research involves institutions including CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, and BITS Pilani. Government submissions revealed preliminary findings indicating the presence of microplastics in commonly consumed items such as salt and packaged drinking water in several states. Pending final scientific conclusions, the Court stated that warning labels would serve as an interim consumer protection measure. Warning labels have no meaning in our humble opinion. We should not forget that the mandatory warning against smoking has not stopped the smokers. The stringent measures against public smoking alone had some impact. Soon, we will see one more slogan.  SAY ‘NO’ TO MICROPLASTICS!

After a decade of solid waste management rules 2016, the present SWM Rules, 2026 is expected to strengthen solid waste management across urban and rural India, aligning with the circular economy and polluter-pays principles. Undoubtedly, there is a shift in waste management. From disposal orientation, we are moving towards resource orientation. The new rules are targeting mandatory 4 Stream Segregation at Source. This means that the waste generators must now segregate waste into four distinct categories: Wet waste, Dry waste, Sanitary waste and Special care waste. While the common man is somewhat familiar with dry, wet and Sanitary Waste, he may not be clear about Special Care Waste. They are bulbs, paints, expired medicines, batteries, etc. Segregation at source is now mandatory for all households, institutions, and establishments. Were the 2016 rules not mandatory?  Anyway, there is no point in doing a post mortem. Bulk Waste Generator (BWG), a new term coined in the 2026 act, includes a new class of entities called buildings with 20,000 m² area, Entities consuming 40,000 litres of water/day and places generating 100 kg of solid waste/day. All BWGs must ensure segregation, collection, transport and environmentally sound processing of waste (e.g., onsite composting). If onsite processing isn’t feasible, obtain an Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) certificate. If enforced, 30 % of waste will be processed at source, reducing the burden on local bodies. According to the new rules, digital monitoring will ensure compliance. Improper segregation and false reporting will be penalised as per the ‘Polluter Pays’ principles.

Landfills will be used for the recycling of non-recyclables only, and not for dumping. The circular economy is given weightage in the new rules by strengthening Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and promoting the reuse of waste as Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) in boilers/cement kilns. The idea is to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Visitor waste management fees will be implemented in hill areas to regulate tourist numbers according to waste capacity.  The SWM Rules 2026 significantly enhance waste segregation, introduce digital oversight, increase accountability for major waste generators, limit landfill use, remediate legacy sites, and promote circular waste management in India—all from April 1, 2026. While the 2016 rules did not bring about any significant changes, will the 2026 rules set a new standard? All eyes are set on enforcement!  We all live with hopes only!

Elephants are always the soft victims! In December 2025, a high-speed New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding division in Assam. The incident resulted in the deaths of seven elephants, including calves, and injured one more. Five coaches of the train were derailed due to the crash. Unfortunately, such incidents are common in India. At night, visibility may be a challenge for the drivers. But it is not clear how massive animals, even when they come in huge numbers, go unnoticed. We have quite often heard that elephants come out of the forests in search of food and damage agricultural lands and villages adjacent to the forest area. Often, social media posts show elephants stealing sugarcane from trucks in highway. At least, this is understandable.

When it comes to the killing of elephants within their natural habitat, no excuse is acceptable. It is unreasonable to lose valuable wildlife because of drivers’ negligence. While drivers may argue that it’s difficult to stop high-speed trains when they spot wild animals at a distance, the real question is why these trains are allowed to run at such high speeds in the first place. When such accidents happen, no one raises their voice for the voiceless. Or we may say that the animals could not ventilate their anger in any way. Occasionally, the naturalists come across mild forms of protest through comics and stories, like what we are doing right now.   To reduce elephant-train collisions, we need to explore measures such as Technology-based early warning systems (e.g., camera or sensor networks) to alert trains about elephant presence. In fact, these suggestions have been advocated for a long time. But they have not taken any tangible shape so far. Underpasses, skyways and modified track designs in high-risk zones may help. On highways, we see signage in known elephant-crossing zones. The same can be of use in jungle areas. Environmentalists say that linear infrastructure projects should avoid passing directly through wildlife sanctuaries, suggesting longer, alternative routes to protect the park’s biodiversity. We are left with minimal national parks and limited wildlife. Is it not necessary to protect the valuable natural assets?