“Yes, of course. Don’t allow the snake in the apartment?” said someone in a WhatsApp group of a residential society. Social media is often the breeding ground for controversies. In one such post, a member raised his concern about snakes. He advocated that the open gym should be paved with concrete because snakes can be found in the grass. ‘I have stopped using the gym due to the presence of snakes and demanded immediate action against them’, he added, claiming they should be killed or they would kill him. At first glance, his demand seems genuine. However, let us understand the underlying issue. Some time ago, some residents complained about an increase in the rat population. Why are there more rats? Is it because the waste segregation room had leftover food, which provides a feast for the rats rummaging through the garbage? Or is it because there is no snake to eat them? Both are correct. Again, why hasn’t the garbage been removed immediately? Perhaps the volume of waste has increased. Why has the garbage increased? It’s because the apartments are now fully occupied. In summary, this is an environmental issue. Snakes once inhabited this area before construction began, and they have not forgotten their original home. But has any snake harmed anyone? No single incident has been reported. Ok, how big are the snakes? Are they poisonous? No one cared about the details. For a layman, all snakes must be killed, regardless of size. Who will stare at the snake to determine whether it is venomous or non-venomous? India, being a tropical country, is known for its snake varieties. We have only ‘Big 4 snakes’, namely Cobra, Krait, Russell’s Viper, and Saw-scaled Viper, whose bites are fatal. According to some unconfirmed data, only 15 of India’s 236 snake species are venomous. The rest are non-venomous. We agree that snakes are scary, and we need to protect the residents from their possible attacks. However, people should not forget the fact that snakes (reptiles) are an important link in the food chain. Given their size, habitat, and adaptations, it is common to find them in neighbourhoods. Quite often we read in newspapers that elephants intrude into human settlements because of habitat loss. If that is the case for giant elephants, is it possible to stop little snakes from entering apartments? Residents must maintain hygiene and cleanliness in their apartments. Concretization is not a solution. Snakes enter through grooves. While we prefer modern villas in natural surroundings, we must remember that animals, which are part of nature, should not be excluded. Humans often forget that all living organisms coexist. When necessary, snake rescue teams may be called to capture and relocate snakes to nearby jungles. However, the best option is to allow the snakes to move away on their own. Animals do not seek revenge; they react out of self-defence. Yeah! Since anacondas are not in India, we are definitely safer!

On July 1, 2022, India announced a ban on single-use plastics (SUP). The ban was well received, and many believed that this would alleviate a significant environmental issue, as SUPs are among the most harmful types of plastics. While we agree that plastic cannot be eliminated from use immediately, the SUP ban provided much-needed relief. However, it is important to note that the list of banned SUP items did not include PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, though they are also single-use items. The justification given for this exclusion was that PET bottles can be recycled, unlike polythene bags and plastic wrappers. PET bottles create major environmental problems.

We come across instances of used bottles being thrown into rivers, lakes, drains and forests. Such discarded PET bottles break down into microplastics. Caps and labels are often not recycled. Recycling itself consumes energy and water. Many recovered PET bottles are downcycled into polyester fibre, carpets, straps and other products, while only a relatively small proportion returns as food-grade bottles. Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), manufacturers must collect and recycle a specified proportion of the plastic packaging they introduce into the market. According to the India Plastics Pact report, while 80% of PET bottles are collected, the estimated recycling rate is 64% due to losses during collection and recycling. India has one of the world’s largest PET bottle markets, yet CPCB does not publish an annual PET bottle status report. A product being “single-use” does not mean it should be banned. The environmental challenge now is to ensure that every PET bottle placed on the market is collected and recycled or, even better, reused – rather than discarded into the environment.  Our experience during the last four years suggests that PET bottle consumption has increased sharply, while littering remains widespread despite the recycling framework. A complete ban is unlikely in the near future because PET remains one of the most recyclable and economically recoverable plastics. However, if PET bottles should be exempt from the single-use plastic ban because they are recyclable, then the Government should publish transparent annual data proving how many are actually collected, recycled into new bottles, downcycled, or lost to the environment.

Imagine a scuba diver surrounded by water but unable to breathe the oxygen dissolved in it without special equipment. Fish, however, possess built-in “scuba gear” (gills), allowing them to extract oxygen from water. Unfortunately, they cannot utilize the abundant oxygen in the air because they lack lungs. Air contains about 21% oxygen, whereas water, even in optimal conditions, contains only 8–10 mg of dissolved oxygen (DO) per litre—thousands of times less than what is available in the atmosphere. Despite this, fish thrive because their bodies are adapted to extract that small amount of oxygen efficiently. Fish can survive in environments with very low levels of dissolved oxygen due to the high efficiency of their gills. However, those same gills do not function properly in air, even though it has a much higher oxygen content. Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen gas (O₂) dissolved in water, and it is a crucial indicator of the health of rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and wetlands, as aquatic organisms depend on it for survival. Various organisms, including fish, insects, crabs, and snails, rely on dissolved oxygen, and beneficial bacteria require it to decompose organic matter. Low DO levels can cause stress, poor growth, and even death for aquatic life, making it a key parameter for assessing water quality. Photosynthesis increases dissolved oxygen levels, as aquatic plants and algae release oxygen during the day. However, DO levels can decrease due to several factors, such as higher water temperature, sewage discharge, organic waste, excess fertilizer, leading to algal blooms, stagnant water, industrial pollution, and nighttime respiration by plants and algae. As water temperature rises, its ability to hold oxygen decreases. For example, at 0°C, the DO level in water is 14.6 mg/L, while at 30°C, it drops to 7.6 mg/L. This illustrates why fish are more vulnerable during the hot summer months. Dissolved oxygen levels fluctuate throughout the day. For healthy aquatic life, a DO of 5 mg/L or higher is generally considered desirable. Many river monitoring programs in India use this benchmark to assess water quality. Different fish species have varying DO requirements; for instance, trout and salmon typically need DO levels above 7 mg/L, while species such as catfish and carp can tolerate lower levels. A sudden fish kill can occur when DO drops below about 2 mg/L. During algal blooms, oxygen may be abundant during the day but can sharply decrease at night, creating dangerous conditions for aquatic life. Oxygen is essential for the survival of all living organisms. For humans, the net oxygen intake is about 50 ml per liter, while aquatic life requires even less. Nevertheless, this small amount is crucial for their survival. If water levels drop or if the water becomes contaminated, fish can die from a lack of the minimum required oxygen. Therefore, it is essential to maintain water quality to ensure the survival of aquatic life.

Of course, it’s a bizarre idea, I know, as many may find it ridiculous to halt construction entirely. Given the alarming rise in construction debris, it is important to discuss this matter. Recently, someone expressed interest in a WhatsApp group to remove all the construction waste next to her apartment. She laments that the debris is not only making the area look shabby, but is now a breeding ground for pests. But as usual, her thought ended in just a debate. Yes. Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste has become one of India’s fastest-growing waste streams, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities. Unlike household waste, it is often dumped illegally on roadsides, in lakes, in stormwater drains, and on vacant land. Every year, the country generates an estimated 150–500 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste, which is roughly 10–20% of all municipal solid waste.

Yet, most of it still ends up dumped on roadsides, lakebeds, and vacant land instead of being recycled into new building materials. The recent initiative by Karnataka’s Minister Krishna Byre Gowda is one of the most significant civic cleanliness campaigns undertaken in Bengaluru in recent years. Under his leadership, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched a month-long “Freedom from Waste” campaign beginning 1 August 2026. The objective is to reclaim Bengaluru’s public spaces by removing construction and demolition debris, long-standing garbage heaps, illegal dumping on roadsides and vacant plots, obstructions on footpaths and encroachments that hinder pedestrians. This is certainly a welcome initiative. I am reminded of Nek Chand Park in Chandigarh. The story of the Rock Garden in Chandigarh (created by Nek Chand) perfectly demonstrates that construction waste is not merely debris—it can become art, public infrastructure, and a cultural landmark. Built in 1957 on unused land, the Rock Garden, commonly known as Nek Chand Park, is created from broken bricks, concrete, tiles, ceramics, glass, pipes, and industrial scrap. Today, it stands as one of India’s most visited public gardens, attracting over a million visitors each year. The garden is a remarkable example of the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, thanks to the vision of engineer Nek Chand, who played a key role in planning the city. Bangalore’s ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign is more than a clean-up drive—it is an opportunity to transform waste into resources through recycling, restore public spaces to citizens, and make every builder accountable for the debris they generate. If sustained with public participation and strict enforcement, this initiative could become a model for every Indian city. Yes, we are sure that construction activities cannot be halted for a year. But our concern is whether Bangalore has a Plan B in place to handle future construction waste.

Bangalore: 15 lakh trees in 12 hours! Bangalore launched a massive plantation drive recently. The BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) executed a mass afforestation drive, planting 15 lakh native saplings in 12 hours across 243 acres, and is aiming to achieve a Guinness World Record. Reality checks on complaints by residents have confirmed that hundreds of saplings withered, were left unplanted, or faced severe neglect, days after the world-record event. Citizens, environmental activists, and opposition parties have heavily criticized the drive, labelling it a temporary photo-op and “greenwashing” rather than a sustainable greening effort. Following the intense public backlash, the BDA defended the drive, stating that newly transplanted saplings naturally undergo temporary “transplant shock” and shed leaves before recovering. They assured scientific monitoring and rescue steps.

Delhi: 70 lakh trees in 6 months! Delhi launched its Mega Plantation Drive on July 7, 2026. Under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in Mother’s Name) initiative, the target was to plant 70 lakh saplings across the capital this year.  While there is no record for the saplings planted, it is understood that about 3000 to 5000 were planted on the launch date. Govt. agencies are given huge targets to achieve this. No data is available to cross-check the planting and the survival.

Uttar Pradesh: 35 Crore Trees in one day! Uttar Pradesh launched its state-wide “Mega Tree Plantation Drive 2026” on July 12 under the same theme, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”. The state set a massive target of planting 35 crore saplings in one day to combat climate change and increase the state’s green cover.  From Anganwadi to the Highway authority, all were involved in the process. Uttar Pradesh created a world record by planting more than 35.27 crore saplings in a single day under the Maha Vriksharopan 2026 campaign. While we welcome large-scale plantation drives, we doubt whether planting trees is merely a one-time effort. A Government initiative can plant millions quickly, but saplings require at least two years of care to become self-sustaining. Trees need nurturing, with consistent watering and, if necessary, compost for inadequate soil. Tree guards are essential to protect them from grazing animals. One big question is whether these mass planting drives do have proper records to monitor the progress. Are they truly for greening our environment?

KA, KA, KA…  I still remember my grandmother calling crows by mimicking their calls. Within minutes, a flock would gather around her to enjoy the food she lovingly offered. As a kid, I found it fascinating. Today, however, as a birder and wildlife photographer, that memory often makes me wonder: where do we draw the line between attracting birds and disturbing them? An incident during my recent birding trip in North India brought this question into sharp focus. Two birdwatchers were engaged in a heated argument. One strongly objected to using a playback device to attract a bird, while the other, a local bird guide, defended the practice, arguing that it helped visitors see elusive species during their short visits.

Listening to both sides, I realised that ethical birdwatching is far more complex than it appears. Another situation unfolded in Bengaluru last year when news spread on social media that a Himalayan Rubythroat had been spotted at a city lake. The next morning, nearly a hundred bird enthusiasts with powerful telephoto lenses gathered at the site to catch a glimpse of the bird as it emerged from the bushes. Yet the same people may walk past common birds like egrets or bulbuls without a second glance. The rise of social media and commercial wildlife photography has changed birdwatching in many ways. Wildlife photographers often travel long distances hoping to capture a rare image that will earn appreciation online. Bird guides, whose livelihood depends on satisfying their clients, sometimes use playback devices or mobile apps that imitate bird calls. Hide photography presents another ethical dilemma. These techniques may guarantee sightings, but they also raise an uncomfortable question: are we observing wildlife, or are we manipulating it? What may seem like a harmless shortcut for humans can become a significant source of stress for the birds. Many experienced birders avoid both hides and playback devices, believing that any deliberate attempt to influence a bird’s behaviour compromises the very spirit of birdwatching. For them, every sighting should be entirely natural, without disturbance. The debate is not merely theoretical. Last year, the Uttarakhand Forest Department reportedly prohibited hide photography in certain areas after complaints that some photographers were using meat and other baits to lure birds for dramatic images. Such practices clearly cross the boundary between observation and exploitation. Nest photography is another controversial subject. Photographers argue that long telephoto lenses allow them to photograph nests from a safe distance without using flash or disturbing the birds. Ethical standards often vary from person to person unless they are supported by law or by widely accepted professional codes of conduct. What one person considers harmless, another may regard as unacceptable. In wildlife conservation, however, a guiding principle has gradually emerged: whenever there is doubt, the welfare of the animal should take precedence over the interests of the observer or photographer.

Recently, I came across a social media post that made me think: “What is the expiry date of water?” At first, this seemed like a simple question, but it raised interesting ideas about how we see water. Living in a busy city, I notice that our access to water affects how we think about it. For example, when I pour tap water into a glass and leave it out, I often feel it is “stale” by the next day.

This belief feels automatic, as if water should have an expiry date. In other places, like villages where water is only delivered every few days, people treat water with great respect. For them, water can stay fresh for a week. This shows how those who depend on it cherish it, using it wisely in situations of scarcity. At events like weddings, a new bottle of Bisleri is often seen as better than one that has been sitting around for a while. In just minutes, people decide that the older bottle is no longer useful. Here, the expiry clock ticks quickly. In a recent mass marriage event in rural Bangalore, my volunteering team engaged in collecting leftover water from half-empty Bisleri bottles and poured them into a bucket. Later on, we used the water for plants in the nearby garden. In the desert, every drop of water is precious. While hiking under the hot sun, the water you carry is life-giving. Each drop remains fresh until you reach your next source, with its value depending on your journey, not a set time. Natural bodies of water, like lakes and ponds, can stay fresh for years, enduring droughts until the next rainy season. They remind us that the value of water is linked to the environment and our respect for nature. Water from borewells can be hundreds or thousands of years old, and it is often seen as very safe and pure. This highlights that what we easily discard in one situation is highly valued in another. All this makes it clear that water doesn’t have a true expiry date. How fresh we think water is depends on our mindset, environment, and its availability. When water flows freely, we may take it for granted. During times of scarcity, we appreciate its true worth. We must use this valuable resource wisely, with gratitude. Otherwise, our careless actions could leave future generations in need. I share this not just for reflection but as a call to action. Let’s value water and encourage conservation. Your actions today can make a difference tomorrow. (The story is based on a social media forward.)

A recent social media post in our environmental group drew my attention. The guy who posted this in the WhatsApp group was a bit agitated. For a while, I felt that he was a not short of an exaggerator. But a second thought made me think that there must be some truth that needs to be explored.  I had no answer or clarity for the problem stated. The only way to understand the gravity of the issue is to search online. I decided to seek clarification through an AI route for this AI-related problem. I searched a lot. I had posed many questions to the AI browser. I had a convincing reply. But as AI says always, ‘AI need not be correct always’ Yes, AI does consume significant amounts of water. I systems run in large data centres filled with servers. These servers generate enormous heat and need cooling. Water is often used in cooling systems. AI requires huge amounts of electricity. Many power plants (especially thermal and nuclear plants) also use water for cooling. This indirect water use can exceed the water used inside the data centre itself. In an earlier editorial, (South Express 10.1.2026, I expressed concern about the high level of energy consumption in digital greetings. Though they are greener than paper, excessive images and videos quietly burn energy in remote data centres. In today’s editorial, I wish to bring to the kind attention of all readers about the water consumed on using AI technology. This does not mean that I am against technology but it is essential that we are aware of the issues involved. For that matter, history has showed how every innovation brings with it some concerns. We have seen how the fossil fuel is exploited in the last few decades and is now witnessing the symptoms of depleting natural resources. Similarly we all have witnessed the scarcity caused due to lavish use of water or for that matter any other natural resources. Here is the key role of Sustainable development. Hope that the planners and users of latest technology will take into account, all these concerns and work for a balanced growth.

This message is intended not to instil concern among large apartment complexes, which are now classified as Bulk Waste Generators, but rather to serve as a precautionary advisory. I have gathered feedback from numerous friends, both in South India and North, and it appears that many apartments and institutions are not prepared to comply with the new regulations. First and foremost, do you fall under the definition of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules that require tighter regulations? If so, it is crucial that you strictly adhere to the government guidelines and compliance mandates.

If you do not comply, you may face penalties. Of course, if no investigation is held by sleeping Babus, you may feel at ease. However, if a diligent official takes notice, you could find yourself in significant trouble. If you are generating more than 100 KG waste or the built-up area is more than 20000 sq. meters or the water consumed is more than 40000 litres per day, you are a Bulk Waste Generator (BWG) or a big campus in simple terms. You have five major responsibilities, defined in the picture. It is clearly stated that the BWGs are expected to handle the wet waste on-site, or in simple terms, the wet waste must be composted. If the campus is very big, it is better to compost the wet waste, which mostly comes from flats and homes. The non-biodegradable items (dry waste) must be handed over to authorised waste collectors, and proper documentation is emphasized in 2026 rules. The penalty could be 10000 for the first deviation and may extend up to 25000, also, besides the denial of certain services.  Bulk generators as per one data, constitute 30 per cent of the entire waste generated in the country. This is the reason the Government has decided to tighten the belts. Rules apart, it is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the better environment envisaged by the Government and pave the way for Circular economy envisaged by the Prime Minister of our country

The proposed Parandur Airport near Chennai has recently made headlines again as soon as the new Chief Minister took office in May 2026. Perhaps he is compelled to honour his election promise. In our editorial in South Express on October 15, 2022, we discussed the environmental impact and negative effects on farmers due to the proposed airport in the agricultural land. Now, three years later, the situation is even more concerning. Recent reports indicate that the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has ordered a review of the project. Residents of nearby villages, particularly Ekanapuram and its surroundings, continue to oppose the project, citing concerns about displacement, loss of agricultural land, water bodies, and livelihoods. Protests against the project have been ongoing for several years. The previous government justified its actions by stating that the proposed Parandur Airport would reduce the air traffic congestion at Chennai International Airport.

However, environmental experts, hydrologists, and conservation groups have raised serious concerns regarding the project’s impact on water resources, flooding, agriculture, and biodiversity. Supporters of the new airport argue that Chennai urgently requires a second airport to meet future passenger demand. They propose engineering solutions, such as drainage redesign, the creation of compensatory water bodies, and flood-management infrastructure, to mitigate the environmental impacts. The key environmental question is whether the economic benefits outweigh the environmental costs, namely flood control, groundwater recharge, agriculture, and biodiversity. Currently, flooding is the most pressing concern among independent researchers and environmental groups. In January 2025, while supporting the villagers of Ekanapuram and Parandur, then TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay strongly opposed the Parandur airport project, labeling it “anti-people.” Now, as Chief Minister, he faces pressure to take decisive action. Since assuming office in May 2026, Vijay has not announced a cancellation of the airport project, but he has ordered its review. His indecision on whether the airport will be cancelled, relocated, or allowed to proceed has left many in suspense. Meanwhile, it is important to note that about 3,000 acres of fertile agricultural land have already been acquired or brought under government control out of the approximately 5,746 acres required for the airport. With compensation already provided to landowners, a reversal of the project seems unlikely. If the airport project is scrapped, the acquired land can only be repurposed for industrial use, which may further threaten the already fragile ecological balance. And the authorities will proudly say, ‘It is sustainable development!’.