Environmental Issues, Ecological Preservation,
Conservation of Natural Resources in India
1. Introduction
There has been an increasing
awareness in recent years that protection of the environment is necessary for
sustaining the economic and social progress of a country. This awareness was
reflected at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, where more than a
100 heads of government adopted a global action plan called Agenda 21 aimed at
integrating environmental imperatives with developmental aspirations and
reiterated through the U.N. General Assembly Special Session on Environment
held in 1997.
The Indian Government’s
Policy towards Environment is guided by the principles of Agenda 21. The
Government of India has issued Policy Statements on:
·
Forestry
·
Abatement of Pollution
·
National Conservation
Strategy
·
Environment and Development
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The main environment problems
in India relate to air and water pollution, degradation of common property
resources, threat to biological diversity, solid waste disposal and sanitation.
Increasing deforestation, industrialization, urbanization, transportation and
input-intensive agriculture are some of the other major causes of
environmental problems faced by the country.
2. Air Quality
Air pollution, a severe
environmental problem in urban areas, can cause chronic and acute respiratory
diseases, ventilatory malfunction, heart disease, cancer of lungs and even
death. The blood lead levels of persons in Ahmedabad, Bombay and Calcutta have
been reported to be higher than the corresponding levels of persons in
lead-free gasoline areas. In most of the cities, while the SPM levels are
significantly higher than the CPCB Standards, the levels of S02 and
N02 are within the CPCB Standards.
3. Water Resources and Water Quality
In India, three sources of
water pollution are: domestic sewage, industrial elements and run-off from
agriculture.
The most significant
environmental problem and threat to public health in both rural and urban India
is inadequate access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. The
diseases commonly caused by contaminated water are diarrhea, trachoma,
intestinal worms, hepatitis etc. Many of the rivers and lakes are contaminated
from industrial effluents and agricultural run-off, with toxic-chemicals and
heavy metals which are hard to remove from drinking water with standard’
purification facilities.
4. Solid Wastes and Hazardous Chemicals
There has been a significant
increase in the generation of domestic, urban and industrial wastes in the last
few decades, owing to rapid population growth and industrialization. The per
capita solid waste generated in Mumbai is 0.20 tonne, in Delhi it is 0.44
tonnes and 0.29 tonnes in Chennai.
5. Land Degradation and Soil Loss
Soil erosion is the most
serious cause of land degradation. Estimates show that around 130 million
hectares of land (45 per cent of total geographical area) is affected by
serious soil erosion through ravine and gully, cultivated waste lands,
water-logging, shifting cultivation etc. It is also estimated that India losses
about 5310 million tonnes of soil annually.
The accumulation of salts and
alkalinity affect the productivity of agricultural lands in arid and semi-arid
regions, which are under irrigation. The magnitude of water logging in
irrigated command has recently been estimated at 2.46 million hectare. Besides,
3.4 million hectares suffer from surface water stagnation.
Fertilizers and pesticides
are important inputs for increasing agricultural production. Their use has
increased significantly from the mid-60s. Over and unbalanced use of these
chemicals is fraught with danger. However, fertilizers and pesticide use are
concentrated in certain areas and crops.
6. Forest, Wild-Life and Bio-Diversity
Forests are important for
maintaining ecological balance and preserving the life supporting system of the
earth. They are essential for food production, health and other aspects of
human survival and sustainable development.
Indian forests constitute 2
per cent of the world’s forest area but are forced to support 12 per cent of
the world’s human population and 14 per cent of world’s livestock population.
This is sufficient to indicate the tremendous biotic pressure they face.
Forests in India have been shrinking for several decades owing to the pressure
of population on land for competing uses, such as agriculture, irrigation &
power projects, industry, roads etc.
Another concern relating to
the state of forest resources is that of bio-diversity and extinction of
species. India has a rich heritage of species and genetic strains of flora and
fauna. Out of the total eighteen-bio-diversity hot-spots in the world, India
has 2, one is North-East Himalayas and the other is the Western Ghats.
At present, India is home to
several animal species that are threatened, including over 77 mammal, 22
reptiles and 55 birds and one amphibian species. For in-situ conservation of
bio-diversity, India has developed a network of protected areas including
national parks, sanctuaries and bio-sphere reserves.
Environment problems and
issues received special attention of the Government of India during the
beginning of the Fourth Five Year Plan.
As a follow up step, a
National Committee of Environment Planning and Co-ordination (NCEPC) were set
up in 1972 under the Department of Science and Technology. A separate Empowered
Committee was set up in 1980 for reviewing the existing legislative measures
and administrative machinery for ensuring environmental protection and for
recommending ways to strengthen them.
On the recommendations of
this Empowered Committee, a separate Department of Environment was set up in
1980, which was subsequently upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry of Environment
and Forests in 1985 to serve as the focal point in the administrative structure
of the Government of India for the planning, promotion and co-ordination of
environmental and forestry programmes.
7. Flora and Fauna
The Botanical Survey of India
(BSI) was established in 1980, with its headquarters in Calcutta, is
responsible for surveying and identifying plant resources of the country.
The Zoological Survey of
India (ZSI) was established in 1916, with its headquarters in Calcutta, is
responsible for carrying out surveys of the faunal resources of India.
The Forest Survey of India
(FSI) was established in 1981, with it headquarters in Dehradun, is entrusted
with task of surveying the forest resources of India.
The National Conservation
Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, adopted by
Government of India in June 1992, lays down strategies and actions for
integration of environmental considerations in the development activities of
various sectors of the country, thus paving the way of achieving sustainable
development.
11 Biosphere reserves have
been set up to preserve the genetic diversity in representative eco-system
which are ; Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Great Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar, Manas,
Sunderbans, Similipal, Dibru Saikhowa, Dehong Deband and Pachmarhi.
8. Wetland, mangroves and Coral Reefs
The system of conservation
and management of mangroves was initiated in 19§6. The main activities under
the programme are survey and identification of problems, protection and,
conservation measures like natural regeneration, afforestation, nursery
development, education, and awareness programmes and research on various
aspects of managrove ecosystems and coral reef. It is an ongoing activity.
Review meetings for both research projects and management action plans are
periodically held to monitor the progress.
Four coral reefs have been
identified for intensive conservation and management. These include Gulf of
Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The scheme
on conservation and management of wetland was initiated in 1987.
India is one of the few
countries which have Forest Policy since 1894, which was revised in 1952 and
then in 1988. The main plank of the Forest Policy of 1988 is protection,
conservation and development of forests. In order to operationalize the
National Forest Policy 1988, a National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) is
being prepared.
Under the provisions of the
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, prior approval of the Central Government is
required for the diversion of forest lands for non forest purposes.
Joint Forest Management (JFM)
is being practiced in 21 states of the country.
To help in controlling forest
fire, UNDP-assisted Modern Forest Fire Control Projects which was started in
1984 in Chandrapur (Maharastra) and Haldwani/Nainital (U.P), is in operation in
11 states of the country.
At present the protected area
network comprises 84 national parks and 447 sanctuaries covering 4.5 per cent
of total geographical area of the country.
The Wildlife (Protection)
Act, 1972 adopted by all states except Jammu and Kashmir (which has its own
Act), governs wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species. An
Inter-State Committee has been set up to review the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972 and other laws. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Under Project Tiger, launched
in April 1973, 25 Tiger Reserves have been set up in 14 states.
The Animal Welfare Board of
India, established in 1962 under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act, 1960 is an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Environment
and Forests working for the cause of animal welfare in the country. Animal
Welfare Fortnight is celebrated from 14 January every year.
9. Environment
A notification issued in
January, 1994 makes Environment Impact Assessment statutory for 29 categories
of developmental projects under various sections such as industrial, mining,
irrigation, power etc. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification was
amended in 1997.
Authorities under Environment
Protection Act, 1976
A National Environmental
Appellate Authority has been constituted to hear appeals with respect to
rejection of proposals from environmental angle.
The policy statement on
Abatement of Pollution, adopted in 1992, provides instruments in the form of
legislation and regulation, fiscal incentives, voluntary agreements,
educational programmes and information campaigns to prevent and control
pollution of water, air and land.
The Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) is the national apex body for assessment, monitoring and control
of water and air pollution.
The Ministry of Environment
and Forests is the nodal agency for the management and control of hazardous
substances which include Hazardous chemicals, waste and micro-organisms. The
following rules have been notified under the Environment Protection Act (1986):
(i) Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals, 1989; (ii)
Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989; (iii) Manufacture, Use,
Import and Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro-organisms/Genetically Engineered
Organisms 4xr Cell, 1989 and (iv) Biomedical Waste Rules, 1998.
A Crisis Alert System had
been established. The sub-scheme entitled ‘Industrial Pocket-wise Hazard Analysis’
has been in operation since the Eighth Five year Plan.
India is a signatory to the
UNEP sponsored convention on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous
Wastes which was adopted at Basel, Switzerland by 126 governments of the world
in 1989.
The Central Ganga Authority
(CGA) established in 1985, lays down the policies for works to be taken up
under the Ganga Action Plan (GAP). With the approval of the National River
Conservation Plan (NRCP) in 1995, the CGA has been recontituted as the National
River Conservation Authority (NRCA) and the Ganga Project Directorate has been
redesigned as National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD).
The Ganga Action Plan, Phase
II has been merged with the NRCP through a government resolution.
The National Wasteland
Development Board (NWDP) established in May, 1985 was bifurcated into a new
Department of Waste Land Development and a National Afforestation and
Eco-Development Board (NAEB) in 1992.
An Environment Information
System (ENVIS) was set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in 1982 as
a decentralized information network for collection, storage, retrieval and
dissemination of environmental information.
A new scheme, Paryavaran
Vahini, was launched in 1992-93 to create environmental awareness and to ensure
active public participation by involving the local people in activities
relating to environmental protection. Paryavaran Vahinis are proposed to be
constituted in 194 selected districts all over the country which have a high
indicence of pollution and density of tribal and forest population.
The National Museum of
Natural History (NMNH) was set up in New Delhi in 1978, is concerned with the
promotion of non-formal education in the area of environment and conservation.
10. Fellowships and Awards
Indira Gandhi Paryavan
Puraskar: Started in 1987; consists of 1 lakh rupee, a silver trophy and a
citation.
Indira Priyadarshini
Vriksamitra Award: Constituted in 1986 but started giving in 1993; 12 awards;
each award carries a medallion, a citation and a cash of Rs. 50,000.
Mahavriksa Puraskar: Started
in 1993-94 by NAEB; award consists of Rs. 25,000, a plaque and a citation.
Rajiv Gandhi Environment
Award for Clean Technology: Started in 1993.
Paryavaran Evam Van
Mantralaya Vishist Vaigyanik Puruskar: Instituted in 1992-93; 2 awards; award
of Rs. 20,000 each.
Pitambar Pant National
Environment Fellowship Award: Started in 1978 to encourage research in environmental
science.
11. Five-Year Plan and Environment
Environment protection
requires both preventive and curative measures. The strategy for environmental
protection in the Five Year Plan- relies much on initiative and interventions
through policies and programmes of different sectors, notably, Health and
Family Welfare, Transport, Rural Development, Energy, Agriculture, Fertilizers
and Chemical etc.
In persuance of the
suggestions made by the Honourable Supreme Court of India for a separate Plan
allocation for environmental protection of Taj Mahal in the context of a Civil
Writ Petition in September 1996. the Central Government has made an allocation
of Rs. 300 crore during the Five Year Plan on a 50:50 matching basis with the
state government to cover the estimated cost of Rs. 600 crore to implement
various schemes relating to uninterrupted power supply to the industrial units
of Agra, construction of Gokul and Agra barrage and improvement of drainage and
sanitation in Agra city, all in the context of environment protection of Taj.
It has been decided to
provide Rs. 50 crore during 1997- 98 from the Budget of the Ministry of
Environment and Forests for the aforesaid purpose.
The Plan proposes the
preparation of statistical data base and reports on the status and the trends
in environmental quality with reference to air, water, soil and noise and
depicting them on Atlas. It is also proposed to prepare a Zoning Atlas for
industries in states.
The Plan envisages
regeneration of wasteland to release pressures on the forest and
standardization of the definition of wastelands, assessment of their magnitude
and their development by a re-orientation of the policy of ‘open access’ to
‘common property resources’.
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