ENVIRONMENT

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency in the
Central Govt. for overseeing the implementation of Indias environment and forest policies and
programmes relating to conservation of the countrys natural resources including lakes and rivers,
its biodiversity, forest and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals and prevention and abatement
of pollution.
Ministry is also the nodal agency for the
o United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);
o South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP);
o International Centre for Integrated Mountain development (ICIMOD)
Ministry also coordinates multiple bodies such as
o Commission on Sustainable development (CSD)
o Global Environment Facility (GEF)
o Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP)
o SAARC
India is a party to 5 major international conventions/Wildlife division is nodal Divisiono Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES)
o International Whaling Commission (IWC)
o UNESCO- World Heritage Convention
o Wild life conservation
o Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Broad objective of the Ministry areo Conservation and survey of flora, fauna , forests and wildlife
o Prevention and control of pollution
o Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas and
o Protection of environment and ensuring the welfare of animal
Besides the legislative measureso A Natural Conservation Strategy and Policy statement on E&D-1992
o National Forest Policy- 1988
o A Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992
o National Environment Policy- 2006
Current mandate of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is survey, collection documentation (including
the traditional knowledge associated with animals) and ex-situ conservation of wild anmal diversity
of the country.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
MANGROVES

Mangroves are plants that survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high
temperature and muddy anaerobic soil- a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.

Mangrove ecosystem constitutes a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine
ecosystems.
They are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shores, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons,
marshes and mudflats.
WB>Gujarat>A&NI
Not all coasts are good, appropriate mix of saline and freshwater and soft substrate like mudflats to
enable it to grow and perpetuate.

CORAL REEFS

4 major coral reefs are

o Gulf of Mannar; Gulf of Kachchh
o Lakshadweep ;A&NI
Ministry provides financial assistance to state forest dept. for activities like monitoring, surveillance,
education and awareness along with R&D.

BIOSPHERE RESERVES

BRs are areas of Terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognized within the
framework of the Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme of UNESCO.
The worlds major ecosystem types and landscapes are represented in this network, which is
devoted to conserving biological diversity, promoting research and monitoring as well as seeking to
provide models of sustainable development in the service of humankind with special reference to
the local communities which mostly consist of traditional societies.
The goal is to facilitate conservation of these representative landscapes and their immense
biological diversity and cultural heritage, foster economic and human development which is
culturally and ecologically sustainable and to provide support for research, monitoring, education
and information exchange.

Biodiversity Convention

There are two main sub components namely

Biodiversity -Convention on Biological diversity (CBD); National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

Biosafety-Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety ; Issues relating to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

One of the key agreements adopted during the Earth Summit held on Rio in 1992.
The three objectives of the CBD are
o Conservation of biological diversity
o Sustainable use of its components and
o Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources.

Ratification done by India, efforts were aimed at bringing the legislative, administrative and policy
regimes in the tune with the three objectives.
India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to give effect to the provisions of this Convention,
under this Act, a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was setup.
In 2000, Cartagena protocol on Biodiversity (CPB) was adopted to ensure safe transfer, handling and
use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
India is a party to CBD and CPB.
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) was adopted n 2010. Objective was fair and
equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP)

India successfully hosted COP-11 along with sixth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol
on Bio-Safety (COP/MOP-6)
One of the most important outcomes of CoP-11 was the commitment of the Parties to double the
international financial flows for Biodiversity by 2015 and to at least maintain this level upto 2020.
Indias ratification of the Nagoya Protocol.
Launched Hyderabad Pledge where GoI has decided to earmark a sum of US$50 million during
Indias Presidency of CoP to strengthen biodiversity conservation in India and promote similar
capacity building in other developing countries.
Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train aimed to create widespread awareness on the
unique biodiversity of India. 8 dedicated to biodiversity and rest to Climate change.

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

MoEFCC has notified the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of Hazardous
Microorganisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989. The rules also cover application
of hazardous microorganisms which may not be genetically modified.
Hazardous microorganism includes those which are pathogenic to animals as well as plants.
GEAC mandate to approve large scale trials and environmental release of GMOs and ensure that
research, development and testing of GMOs prior to environment release are conducted in a safe
and scientific manner through appropriate of Rule 1989 and biosafety guidelines.

Cartagena Bio-safety Protocol (CPB)

India is party to CPB.

Main objective is to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting
from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable
biological diversity taking into account risk to human health.

Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP6)

Activities related to biosafety in which India has actively participated include Chairing the Regional
Online Real-time conferences on socio-economic consideration for Asia-Pacific;
Participated in the online discussion forum on integration of biosafety into NBSAPs and national
development plans and mobilization of resources for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol
Undertook testing of the Guidance Document on Risk Assessment and Management of LMOs

Forest Conservation

FC Act 1980 provides for prior approval of the Central Govt. for diversion of forest lands for nonforestry purposes. It regulates the diversion of forest lands to non-forestry purposes.
The objective of the Act is to regulate indiscriminate diversion of forest lands for non-forestry uses
and to maintain a balance between development needs of the country and the conservation of
natural heritage.

Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS)

It aims at strengthening forest protection machinery of the state/UT govt. and providing support for
area-specific forest management interventions.
Major components of the scheme include, forest fire control and management, strengthening of
infrastructure, survey, demarcation and working plan preparation, protection and conservation of
sacred groves, conservation and restoration of unique vegetation and ecosystems, control and
eradication of forest invasive species and preparedness for meeting challenges of bamboo flowering
and improving management of bamboo forests.

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Wing in the Ministry has 2 divisions- Project Elephant & Wildlife division
3 Autonomous bodieso Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for Wildlife research and training.
o Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for conservation and zoo management
o National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) converting Project Tiger.
National Zoological Park in New Delhi is also part of Wildlife Wing of the Ministry; wildlife related
crimes, a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Technical and financial support under centrally sponsored scheme- Integrated Development of
Wildlife Habitats and central sector scheme- Strengthening of Wildlife Division and Consultancies for
Special Task and grant-in-aid
India has signed CITES and Ratified it too.
India is member of World Heritage Convention with 7 properties under himo Nanda Devi NP; Kaziranga NP; Manas NP; Keoladeo NP
o Sunderbans NP; and series cluster of 39 sites of Western Ghats over 4 states
o Valley of Flowers NP; Great Himalaya NP (recently added)
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a multidisciplinary body with officials from Police, Forest Dept. and
Customs.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) 1986, autonomous institute of the Ministry. It generate quality
information and knowledge products in wildlife science and mainstream it in capacity building
programmes for various target groups and provide advisory support to central and state govt.
Central Zoo Authority 1992, to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country with the view to
enhancing their role in conservation.
Project Elephant 1991-92, to protect elephants, their habitats and corridors; to address issue of
man-animal conflicts; welfare of domesticated elephants.

PROJECT TIGER

Centrally sponsored scheme launched in April 1972 with objective to ensure maintenance of a
viable population of tigers in India for scientific , economic, aesthetic and 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.
2 statutory bodieso Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
AWBI Plan Scheme
Scheme for Provision of Shelter House for Animals
Scheme for Animal Birth Control and Immunization of Stray Dogs
Scheme for Ambulance Services to Animals in distress
Scheme for Relief to Animals during Natural Calamity and unforeseen
circumstances

Committee for the Purpose of Control & Supervision of Experiments (CPCSEA)

o Conduct various type of experiments in connection with medical research or
education, animal are not subjected to pain/suffering.
o It functions under ambit of PCA Act 1960.
National Institute of Animal Welfare (NIAW), an apex body in the field of animal welfare and its
broad mandate covers the need to improve animal welfare through education, research and public
outreach.
o

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Used as a management tool to minimize adverse impacts of the developmental projects on the
environment and to achieve sustainable development through timely, adequate, corrective and
protective mitigation resoruces.
EIA Notification 2006, as major tool to regulate rapid industrial development of the country for
minimizing the adverse impact on environment and reversing the trends which may lead to climate
change in long run.
In 2009 after amending , it exempts the biomass based power plants upto 15MW, power plants
based on non-hazardous municipal solid waste and power plants based on waste heat recovery
boilers without using auxiliary fuel from the EC process.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Activities includes- coordinating activities of State Pollution Control Board/ Pollution Control
Committees for prevention and control of pollution; development of industry specific national
minimal effluent and emission standards, development of industry specific environmental guidelines

HAZARDOUS WASTE (HW) MANAGEMENT

Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)

TSDFs provide for disposal of HW in environmentally sound and techno-economical viable manner.
Common facilities used by various units/industries for treatment, storage and disposal of their
hazardous waste on charge basis.
Useful for small and medium scale HW generating industries which cannot setup their own TSDFs.
TSDFs have facilities such as authorized vehicle for transportation of hazardous wastes from
industries/units, weighing machine, lab facilities, HW storage facilities, waste
treatment/stabilization facilities etc.
These common TSDF secured landfill activities or both Land and incineration facilities , latter one
known as Integrated common TSDFs .
The generators have option of recycling/reprocessing/co-processing/utilization of hazardous prior to
ultimate option of disposal at secure landfill facility or destructive in incinerator. They can opt to
dispose their waste either at captive or common disposal facilities.
States which produce HW but do not have TSDF are Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, J&K, Goa, Assam, Delhi
and Puducherry, so need is required at urgent level. However there is adequate capacity for
recycling/reprocessing of HW such as batteries, used oils, and waste oils.
The utilization of HW as a supplementary resource or for energy recovery or after processing shall
be carried out by the units only after obtaining approval from CPCB.
CPCB has granted approval to 40 units for utilization of HW areo Spent carbon; used anode butt; spent resin; Ethylene glycol residue; ETP sludge;
o Sulphur sludge; spent Alumina catalyst, spent chromic acid,
o Spent acid containing molybdenum compound; Tungsten bearing material and spent
catalyst containing precious metals.

Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management

All SPCBs and PCCs as well as DGAFMS are required to submit annual report information in a
complied form to CPCB.

MSW Management

MoEFCC has notified Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules 2000.

The municipalities are responsible for implementing the provisions of the rule in their respective
territories.

National River Conservation Plan

It is to improve the water quality of the rivers through implementation of pollution abatement
efforts, to the level of the best designated use.
The pollution abatement worked taken up so far under the NRCP include
o Interception and diversion works to capture the raw sewage flowing into the river
through open drains and divert them for treatment.
o Setting up of sewage treatment plants for treating the diverted sewage
o Construction of low cost sanitation toilets to prevent open defection on river banks
o Construction of electric crematoria and improved wood crematoria to conserve the use
of wood
o River front development works such as improvement of bathing Ghats
o Afforestation on the river banks, public participation and awareness etc.

National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) (1987)

Objective to lay down policy guidelines for conservation and management of wetlands in the
country
To provide financial assistance for undertaking intensive conservation measures in the identified
wetlands
To monitor implementation of the programme
To prepare an inventory of Indian wetlands

Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority

Constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary (MoEFCC)

Main functions are as followso Appraise proposals for identification of new wetlands
o To enforce the provisions contained under these rules along with other laws in force
o Grant clearances or identify the areas for the grant of clearance for regulated activities
in the wetlands under jurisdictions
o Issue direction from time to time necessary for the conservation, preservation and wise
use of wetlands to the state govt.
o Review the list of wetlands and details of prohibited and regulated activities under the
rules and the mode and methodology for execution

Ramsar Convention

India partner to Himalayan initiatives.

Indias views on monitoring of Ramsar sites, strategic plan 2009-2015, suggestions for partnerships
and synergies with multilateral environmental agreements, their views on socio-cultural issues,
suggestions on climate change in relation to wetland on regulations of use of harmful pesticides
considering their ecological and social implication.

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) (1992)

In order to promote afforestation, tree planting m ecological restoration and eco-development

activities.
Special attention is also given by NAEB to the regeneration of degraded forest areas and lands
adjoining forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas as well as the
ecologically fragile areas like Western Himalayas, Aravalis, WG etc.

National Afforestation Programme

NAP , a flagship scheme of NAEB, to provide both in physical and capacity building terms, to the
Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) which in turn are main organs to move forward
institutionalization of Joint Forest Management.
The decentralized three-tier institutional structure (SFDA, FDA and JFMC) allows greater
participation of the community, both in planning implementation and all activities under the
programmer are conceptualized at the village level.

Eco-Development Forces Schemes (1980s)

Scheme implemented through MoD for ecological restoration of terrains, rendered difficult either
due to severe degradation or remote location or difficult law and order situation.
EDF is based on twin objectives of ecological regeneration in difficult areas, and promotion of
meaningful employment to ex-servicemen.
The establishment and operational expenditure on the Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions raised by
MoD is reimbursed by MoE&F while inputs like sapling, fencing etc. and professional and managerial
guidance s provided by the state forest department.

RESEARCH AND DEVELPOMENT

Environmental Research

MoE&F classified as a Scientific Ministry.

Funding research through grants-in-aid projects too many research institutions.
New initiative includes
o National Environmental Sciences Fellow Programme
o Mahatma Gandhi Chair in Ecology and Environment

NNRMS objective is utilization of remote sensing technology for inventorization, assessment and
monitoring of countrys natural resources.

GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) (1988)

Mandate of achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation in the India

Himalyan Region (IHR).
Themes for research includeo Watershed Processes and Management (WPM)
o Biodiversity Conservation and Management (BCM)
o Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM)
o Socio-economic Development (SED)
o Biotechnological Applications (BTA)
o Knowledge products and Capacity building (KCB)

To use different media including flims, audio, visual, and print , theatre, drama,
advertisements, hoarding, posters, seminars, workshops, competitions, meetings etc. for
spreading messages concerning environment and awareness
To mobilize peoples participation for preservation and conservation of environment.

(Fellowhips and awards can be used as example so can directly have a look from IYB)
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION (EI)
Environmental Information System (ENVIS)

Providing scientific, technical and semi-technical information on various environmental issues since
its inception in 1982-83 has served the interests of policy formulation and environment

management at all level of Govt. as well as decision making aimed at environmental protection and
its improvement for sustaining good quality of life for all.
National Green Tribunal

NGT Act 2010, established for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to
environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including
enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for
damages to persons and property and for mattes connected therewith or incidental.
It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes
involving multi-disciplinary issues.
Tribunal is not bound to Code of Civil Procedure 1908; but shall be guided by principal of natural
justice.
Provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.