1. India on Biological Diversity
Objective:- India is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD),Under which two important protocols were held to conserve biological diversity. those protocols are i. cartagena protocol(The objective of CPB is to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology) and ii. Nagoya protocol(The objective of this protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources)
1.India on Biological Diversity
Objective:- India is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD),Under which two important protocols were held to conserve biological diversity. those protocols are i. cartagena protocol and ii. Nagoya protocol.
Environmental Conservation
Conservation and Survey
Under the Biodiversity Conservation scheme, there are two main subcomponents namely biodiversity and biosafety. The biodiversity component includes activities relating to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and support to National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). The biosafety component includes activities relating to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety/Nagoya Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress.
Biodiversity Conservation
In 2000, a Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) was adopted under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The objective of CPB is to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. India is a party to the CBD as well as CPB. Thereafter, a Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) has been adopted in 2010 after six years of intense negotiations under the aegis of CBD. India has made significant contributions in these negotiations. The objective of this protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. India had signed the Protocol on May 11, 2011 and ratified it on October 9, 2012. During India’s Presidency of Conference of the Parties, India facilitated ratifications by requisite number of parties to the CBD’s Nagoya Protocol on ABS for its entry into force in 2014. Ratification of the Nagoya Protocol by 51 Parties to the CBD is also a major step towards achieving the first of the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets (Target 16 that by 2015, the Nagoya Protocol is in force and operational), and that too more than a year before its target date, which is quite remarkable. The Nagoya Protocol would be implemented at the national level through the Biological Diversity Act.
National Biodiversity Authority
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 came into force in 2003. The Act extents to the whole of India. The objectives of the Act are conservation, sustainable utilization and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated knowledge. The Act is being implemented in a three-tiered institutional structures. The NBA is a body corporate established in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, at Chennai in 2003. It is an autonomous, statutory and regulatory organisation which is intended to implement the provisions of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The main objectives of NBA are:
to regulate access to biological resources of the country to conserve and sustainable use of biological diversity;
to respect and protect the knowledge of local communities related to biodiversity;
to secure sharing of benefits with the local people as conservers of biological resources and holders of knowledge and information relating to the use of biological resources;
conservation and development of area of importance from the view point of biological diversity by declaring them as biological diversity heritage sites;
and protection and rehabilitation of threatened species;
involvement of institutions of State Government in the broad scheme of implementation of the Biological Diversity Act through constitution of committees.
2.Wildlife Conservation
In the Wildlife Division of the Ministry, the Additional Director General of Forests (WL) and Director, Wildlife Preservation is the head of the Wildlife Wing.
The Wildlife Wing has two Divisions, namely, Project Elephant Division and Wildlife Division.
A Deputy Inspector General of Forest (Wildlife) and an Assistant Inspector General and Joint Director (Wildlife) provide administrative and technical support to the Wildlife Wing.
In addition, there are three autonomous bodies:-
1. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for wildlife research and training,
2. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for conservation and zoo management and
3. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The NTCA has been constituted by converting the Project Tiger Directorate into an autonomous body for tiger conservation. The National Zoological Park in the capital is also a part of the Wildlife Wing of the ministry.
Central Zoo Authority
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) with its headquarters in New Delhi was established in 1992 under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country with the view to enhance their role in conservation. The Central Zoo Authority is a 12 member body.
Project Elephant
Project Elephant (PE) was launched by the Government of India in 1991-92 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following objectives: – to protect elephants, their habitat and corridors – to address issues of man-animal conflict – welfare of domesticated elephants Financial and technical support is being provided to major elephant bearing states in the country. The project is being mainly implemented in 16 states/union territories, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odhisa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
National Tiger Conservation Authority
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in 1973 with the objective “to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people. The third countrywide assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey was released in January, 2015. This assessment of 2014 is the third such countrywide assessment using the refined methodology as recommended by the Tiger Task Force. The findings indicate a countrywide 30 per cent increase in tiger numbers in 2014 with an estimated number of 2,226 (range 1945- 2,491). The 2010 estimation was 1,706 (1,520- 1,909 tigers). The 2006 estimation was 1,411 (1,165-1,657 tigers).
3.Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare Board of India
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) scheme relates to provision of assistance for the following type of activities: financial assistance to animal welfare organizations for maintaining the stray animals in distress and for their treatment (financial assistance based on the number of animals kept for their fodder, water, minor treatment etc). Human education programmes for the welfare of animals are implemented by the AWBI. Capital expenditure at the Board’s headquarters i.e. expenditure on non-recurring items such as purchase of assets/equipments. Expenditure on a variety of other animal welfare activities such as rescue of cattle from illegal smuggling and transportation, rehabilitation of rescued circus animals, lab animals, inspections, legal expenses in connection with court cases pertaining to animal welfare, mobile clinics is also incurred.
4. Abatement of Pollution
The concern for environmental quality has become the topmost issue in the present scenario of rising population, increasing urbanization, industrial pollution, shipping, aviation and vehicular emission as well as pollution of water courses due to discharge of industrial effluents and sewage without conforming to the environmental norms and standards apart from agriculture run-off. To give effect to various measures and policies for pollution control, various steps have been initiated which include stringent regulations, development of environmental standards and periodical revision therein, control of vehicular, air, noise and water pollution.
5.Central Pollution Control Board
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) performs functions as laid down under The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It is responsible for planning and executing comprehensive nationwide programmes for the prevention and control of water and air pollution, for advising the Central Government on matters concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and for coordinating activities of state pollution control boards/pollution control committees besides providing technical assistance and guidance to them. The Central Pollution Control Board also coordinates enforcement and implementation of Rules framed under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 with state pollution control boards/pollution control committees. It also provides support to various committees and authorities constituted by the Government of India such as The Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for the National Capital Region
6. Hazardous Substances Management
The Hazardous Substances Management Division (HSMD) is the nodal point within the ministry for management of chemical emergencies and hazardous substances. The main objective of the division is to promote safe management and use of hazardous substances including hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes, in order to avoid damage to health and environment.
The division is also the nodal point for the following four International Conventions viz.
- Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal;
- Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and
- the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Besides International Conventions/Protocols, the activities of the division are carried out under three main thrust areas viz., chemical safety; hazardous wastes management and solid waste management.
7.Chemical Safety
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change notified the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989 and the Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) (CAEPPR) Rules, 1996 for ensuring chemical safety in the country. These rules delineate the criteria for identification of Major Accident Hazard (MAH) unit. As per the rules, central crisis group, state crisis groups, district crisis groups and local crisis groups at Central, state, district and local level are required to be set up for the management of accidents due to handling of hazardous chemicals listed in the rules. An off-site emergency plan for a district having MAH unit(s) is required to be in place so as to mitigate the impact of chemical accidents. As per the information received from various states and union territories, there are 1,861 MAH units located in 303 districts.
8.Hazardous Waste Management
The ministry has initiated a project on GIS Based National Hazardous Waste Information System. It is a web based system, which has been developed to provide status of hazardous waste management in the country. The database available on the web is to be regularly updated by all state pollution control boards to ensure updated status at all times. Through NHWIS survey of 33,000 hazardous waste industries and MIS date entry of about 27,500 hazardous waste industries has been completed.
9.E-Waste Management
The ministry has notified e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. These rules have come into force in 2012. These rules apply to e-waste generated from IT and telecommunication equipment and consumer electrical and electronics namely, television sets (including LCD & LED), refrigerators, washing machines and air-conditioners. These rules empower the concerned state agencies to control, supervise and regulate relevant activities connected with e-waste management such as collection, segregation, dismantling and recycling. These rules are the main instrument to ensure environmentally sound management of e-waste. Under these rules EPR authorizations have been granted to 128 producers which are spread in 11 states. 134 collection centres have been set-up in 19 states.
10.Solid Waste Management
As per information, municipal areas in the country generate 1, 33,760 metric tonnes per day (TPD)
of municipal solid waste (MSW), of which only 91,152 TPD waste is collected and 25,884 TPD treated. The ministry has notified the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 for management of the municipal solid waste. These rules, inter-alia, provide for mechanisms to be set up by the municipal authority for management of the waste within their jurisdiction. However, the municipal authorities are facing difficulties in implementation of these rules. The matter was discussed with stakeholders and it has been decided to amend the existing rules on the municipal solid waste. As per information available, municipal areas in the country generate 1,33,760 TPD of plastic waste, of which only 9,250 TPD waste is collected and recycled.
11. Bio-Medical Waste Management
As per the information received from SPCBs and PCCs of union territories, about 4.16 tonnes of biomedical waste is generated per day. There are 190 Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (CBMWTDFs) in operation and 29 CBMWTDFs are under construction. The waste is required to be managed as per the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, as amended by the ministry. The activities related to finalization of these rules particularly redefining the categories of bio-medical waste, standards for technologies for bio-medical waste treatment including incineration were undertaken during the year 2014-15. The rules are being finalized and may be notified in supersession of the existing rules on Bio-Medical Waste Management.
12. Fly Ash Utilization
To address the environmental problem of fly ash disposal, the ministry issued notification on fly ash utilization in 1999 prescribing therein the targets for fly ash utilization for coal/lignite power based thermal power stations with an aim to achieve 100 per cent utilization in a phased manner. The objectives of the notification are to protect environment, conserve the top soil and prevent dumping of fly ash from thermal power stations on land and to promote utilization of ash in the manufacture of building materials and construction activity. The implementation of this notification has resulted in steady increase in the utilization of fly ash. The fly ash utilization in the country has been increased from 13.51 per cent to 57.63 per cent in the year 2013-14. However, the utilization has not reached to 100 per cent. To review the status of implementation of the fly ash notification in the country a meeting of Monitoring Committee, constituted in pursuance of the provisions contained in Fly Ash Utilization Notification was held in 2014.
13.National River Conservation
The National River Conservation Directorate is engaged in implementing the river, lake and wetland action plans under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes ‘National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)’ and ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA)’ by providing financial assistance to the State Governments.
National River Conservation Plan
The objective of NRCP is to improve the water quality of the rivers, which are the major water sources in the country, through implementation of pollution abatement works, to the level of designated best use.
Conservation of Wetlands
Wetlands are lifeline for a very large number of people. Nearly 80 per cent of paddy cultivation is directly or indirectly dependent on wetlands in India. Wetlands are also the most important source of fresh water to mankind. They provide a host of ecosystem services to humanity, in addition to being host to rich biodiversity. However, due to anthropogenic activities, these wetlands are degrading rapidly which has become a matter of concern. Major pressures on wetlands include fragmentation of hydrological regimes, siltation from degraded catchments, pollution, spread of invasives, species and over-harvesting of resources. The Ministry has been providing financial assistance to the State Governments for implementing action plans for conservation and management of identified wetlands. So far, approximately ₹ 137.98 crore has been provided to 22 states. During the year 2014-15, Management Action Plans of 30 wetlands were approved and financial assistance of ₹ 5.05 crore was provided to the concerned State Governments. Under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, three wetlands namely Tso Morari in Laddakh, Mansar- Surinsar in Jammu and Wullar in Srinagar were identified from Jammu and Kashmir and ₹ 46.00 lakhs have been provided for conservation activities.
Ramsar Convention
As a commitment for conserving potential wetlands, India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. As per this convention, India is committed for international cooperation and to take national action for conservation and wise use of Wetlands which includes a wide variety of habitats, such as rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, peatlands, coral reefs and numerous man made wetlands such as ponds, etc.
14.National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board
The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) aims to promote afforestation, tree planting and ecological restoration in the country. Special attention is also given to the regeneration of degraded forest areas including ecologically fragile areas like the western Himalayas, Aravallis, and Western Ghats.
The detailed objectives of the NAEB are to: evolve mechanisms for afforestation/ ecological restoration of degraded forest areas through systematic planning and implementation; restore, through natural regeneration or appropriate intervention, the forest cover in the country for ecological security and to meet the fuelwood, fodder and other needs of the rural communities; augment availability of fuelwood, fodder, timber and other forest produce on the degraded forest and adjoining lands in order to meet the demands for these items; create general awareness and help foster a people’s movement for promoting afforestation and promote participatory and sustainable management of degraded forest areas; and undertake all other measures necessary for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country.
National Afforestation Programme
National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a major afforestation scheme of the NAEB of the Government. Launched in 2000-02, the scheme has acquired a pan India ambit over the years and was being implemented by 28 states through a twin institutional set up of Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) at the forest division level and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at the village level. From 2010-11, State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) has been constituted at the state level to smoothen the fund flow to the FDAs. The programme is now implemented through a three tier system of State Forests Development Agency (SFDA) at the state level, Forest Development Agency (FDAs) at the district/forest division level and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at the village level. Under entry point activities, community assets are created with a ‘care and share’ concept.
National Mission for a Green India
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) launched by the Government outlines the strategy to be adopted to meet the challenge of the impact of climate change in India. The ministry has launched National Mission for a Green India through a consultative process involving relevant stakeholders, aimed at both increasing the forest and tree cover by 5 million ha, as well as increasing the quality of the existing forest cover in another 5 million ha. The mission proposes a holistic view of greening and focuses not on carbon sequestration targets alone, but, on multiple eco-system services, especially, biodiversity, water, biomass etc., along with carbon sequestration as a co-benefit was approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with total outlay of ₹13,000 crore for the 12th Plan period and spill over of one year in the 13th Plan period. This includes convergence worth ₹ 6,000 crore with CAMPA, ₹ 4,000 crore with MGNREGS and ₹ 600 crore with National Afforestation Programme. The outlay for the scheme is ₹ 2,000 crore and ₹ 400 crore from 13th Finance Commission. Green India Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Central share of 90 per cent for North-Eastern and Special Category States while 75 per cent for rest of India.
The mission aims at (a) enhancing quality of forest cover and improving eco-system services, (b) eco-system restoration and increase in forest cover, (c) enhancing tree cover in urban and peri- urban areas, (d) agroforestry and social-forestry and (e) restoration of wetlands. The objectives also include one cross-cutting intervention, i.e., improvement of livelihood of forest dependent community.
15.Environmental Research
Research and Development
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is classified as a ‘Scientific Ministry’ under the Government of India. Since its inception in 1985, the ministry has been funding research through grant-in-aid projects to many research institutions in different areas under the broad ambit of environment protection and management. The ministry has taken a number of new initiatives to strengthen scientific research in the area of environmental sciences. The overall objective of the R&D Scheme of the ministry is ‘to promote basic and applied research in various facets of ecology and environment’.
The main objectives of research support are: to generate information and knowledge required for developing strategies, techniques and methodologies for better environmental management; to find practical solutions to problems of environment protection and management (e.g. eco- regeneration of degraded areas, management of plastic wastes, bioremediation of contaminated sites etc.); to build endogenous capacities and strengthen scientific manpower in multidisciplinary and emerging areas of environmental sciences; to promote development of infrastructure facilities, where necessary, for undertaking Environmental Research; to nurture trained scientific manpower and recognize established scientists through national fellowship programmes, chairs, national environmental sciences fellows programme and Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme; to generate
document and analyse information for taking policy decisions relating to environment and natural resources, including preparedness for international negotiations; to facilitate database management at one single point in the ministry.
Environmental Research Programme
Environment Research Programme (EnvRP) deals with problems related to pollution and development of suitable cost effective technologies for abatement of pollution. Emphasis is laid on development of eco-friendly biological and other interventions for prevention, abatement of pollution and development of strategies, technologies and instruments etc. for control of pollution. Projects are also encouraged for development of biodegradable plastics, to carry out epidemiological studies, strategies to reduce impact of mining, chemical pollution of soils and hazardous substances including pesticides, heavy metals, etc. Projects related to waste recycling and resource recovery from waste along with the development of eco-friendly and cleaner technologies are given priority. Projects are supported in the identified thrust area of environment r esear ch.
Ecosystem Research Programme
Ecosystem Research Programme (EcRP) is an interdisciplinary programme of research which emphasizes ecological approach for studying the relationship between man and environment. The programme deals with ‘green issues’ relating to ecology, conservation of natural resources, Eastern and Western Ghats, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, mountain ecosystems, tropical rainforests, wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs, biosphere reserves, biodiversity and the study of inter-relationships between humans and environment and seeks to generate scientific knowledge needed to manage natural resources wisely. The objective of the programme is to develop a basis within the field of natural and social sciences for rational use and conservation of resources for general improvement of the relationship between man and his environment. The programme seeks to provide a scientific basis to solve the practical problems of resource management. The programme also seeks to provide a scientific knowledge and trained personnel needed to manage the natural resources in a rational and sustainable manner.
Forestry Research
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an apex body in the national forestry research system, has been undertaking the holistic development of forestry research by need based planning, promoting, conducting and coordinating research, education and extension covering all aspects of forestry. The council deals with solution based forestry research in tune with the emerging issues in the sector, including global concerns such as climate change, conservation of biological diversity, combating desertification and sustainable management and development of resources. Topical research by the council enhances public confidence in the ability of forest managers and researchers to successfully handle challenges related to natural resource management.
Wildlife Research
The Wildlife Division of the Ministry provides financial assistance to the research institutions, universities, NGOs for research in the field of wildlife. The research projects are processed as per the guidelines of the ministry. During the year, the Wildlife Division had provided an amount of ₹ 16,83,290/- for ongoing research projects to various NGOs
16.Environmental Education, Awareness and Training
The Environmental Education, Awareness and Training is a flagship scheme for enhancing the understanding of people at all levels about the relationship between human beings and the environment and to develop capabilities/skills to improve and protect the environment. This scheme was launched in 1983-84 with the following basic objectives: to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society; to spread environment education, especially in the non-formal system among different sections of the society; to facilitate development of education/ training materials and aids in the formal education sector; to promote environment education through existing educational/ scientific/ research institutions; to ensure training and manpower development for environment education, awareness and training; to encourage non-governmental organizations, mass media and other concerned organizations for promoting awareness about environmental issues among the people at all levels; to use different media including films, audio, visual and print, theatre, drama, advertisements, hoarding, posters, seminars, workshops, competitions, meetings, etc. for spreading messages concerning environment and awareness; and to mobilize people’s participation for preservation and conservation of environment.
National Green Corps
It is a well established and recognized fact that children can be catalysts in promoting a mass movement about the ensemble of the environmental issues. Being future citizens, inculcation of environment friendly attitudes and behavioural patterns amongst them can make a significant difference to the long term efforts for protection of environment. Children are triggers for a chain reaction, making a difference at the local and community level which in due course lead to awareness at village, city, state, country and global level. The ministry has hence, embarked upon a major initiative for creating environmental awareness among children by formulating National Green Corps (NGC) in 2001-02. The phenomenal response that NGC has received has made the network more than 1,00,000 eco-clubs across the country in 14 years, making it one of the largest conservation networks. The unique partnership between the ministry, the State Government agencies alongwith the dedicated NGOs, working in the field of environmental education has contributed to the success of the programme. During the year, 92,310 eco-clubs were supported by the ministry across the country.
National Environment Awareness Campaign
The National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) was launched in mid 1986 with the objective of creating environmental awareness at the national level. In this campaign, nominal financial assistance is provided to NGOs, schools, colleges, universities, research institutes, women and youth organizations, army units, government departments, etc., from all over the country for conducting awareness raising and action oriented activities. The awareness activities could be seminars, workshops, training programmes, camps, padyatras, rallies, public meetings, exhibitions, essay/debate/ painting/poster competitions, folk dances and songs, street theatre, puppet shows, preparation and distribution of environmental education resource materials, etc. Action components could be plantation of trees, management of household waste, cleaning of water bodies, taking up water harvesting structures, use of energy saving devices, etc. Diverse target groups encompassing students, youths, teachers, tribals, farmers, other rural population, professionals and the general public are covered under NEAC. The programme is implemented through designated Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) appointed for specific states/regions of the country. This programme was continued during this year with the main theme as Combating Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD).
National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi is an institution devoted to environmental education and was opened to the public in 1978, on June 5, on the occasion of World Environment Day. The museum undertakes environment education through the means of exhibition programmes and educational activities. Even though the primary target audience of the museum is school students, it has developed programmes for other categories of people as well. The NMNH is the pioneer museum which has initiated several specialized programmes to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities. The museum also undertakes many outreach programmes such as temporary exhibitions, mobile exhibitions and a large number of nature camps. It also arranges many local and national level competitions leading to Young Environmentalist of the Year Award (YEYA).
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