Climate Change Watch

The WEGWIS

2012-01-15T23:46:00.000-08:00

The WEGWIS is an WEB GIS service which provides a functional internet based platform for accessing water related maps and data for decision making and planning. The information available would be disseminated as per the map restriction policy of the Government. WEGWIS have been integrated with the thematic data, the dynamic data such as water level/water quality, other ground water related information and socio-economic databases. The information available on different scales i.e. 1:1 million, 1:500,000 and 1:250,000 has been be seamlessly integrated and would be visible based on the user selectable zoom level.

The CGWB application will be a client-server based web GIS application. The users will access the CGWB application through Internet browsers. The application will interact with the spatial database and retrieve the information from the database through GIS based services.

The GIS functionalities in this application is designed to cater to multiple categories of CGWB users – simultaneously – on internet browser along with functionalities of map navigation/exploration, selection of features, spatial queries, query builder, contain query, various map browsing tools, thematic mapping, district and watershed wise masking, report generation, printing and email, graph and chart generation, metadata explorer, GEMS data Integration and some pre-defined queries.
Various users spread across the Internet and intranet will access the CGWB application running on the web server, using a web browser for performing various tasks such as map browsing, making queries, analysis etc. The CGWB application will have a common interface for all authenticated users with specific access to certain functionalities.
This CGWB application will advantageous over the existing system in the following ways: User has been given choice to navigate Administrative Boundary or Hydrological Unit. After navigating to District level or Watershed level, user can select the layers to perform attribute based thematic map rendering and by clicking on the area of interest on the map, user will get the desired information. User can ‘Print’ the map displayed in the map viewer along with layer legend list.

User can Save the map and send it as an attachment through mail. With the help of Query Builder, user can select map features by performing query. This functionality will provide user friendly interface to write/select query. Based on the query, map area will be selected and an attribute table will be shown.  With the help of GEMS Integration Module, user can see the wells having water level or water quality or rainfall information for a specified area and date. User can see the attribute information of the wells and can generate graphs and charts for the selected time series.

With the help of Predefined Query module, user can execute certain predefined queries to make analysis, selection on map and generate results on the basis of queries executed.

IMD - Proud Owner of Distinguished Heritage in Meteorological Service

2012-01-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

IMD is the proud owner of a distinguished heritage in meteorological service. It was not only one of the oldest scientific departments in the country but also one of the first few in the world. Weather prediction has perhaps been mankind’s oldest fancies and requirements which has got more and more critical with increased stakes and vulnerabilities of the present society.

The FD is a symbolic reminder of the responsibility of the meteorological community towards the nation and world. Each year IMD brings out its achievements in public and chooses to emphasize at least one new area of activity. This year we seek to highlight the social relevance of weather and climate services which are now in great demand.

Weather services hinge around predicting the sequence of events into the future, which of course gets more and more difficult with longer lead times. In contrast, climate information does not concern itself to the exact sequence but to the accumulated impact of occurrences over a specified period. The second approach suffices in many applications such as water reservoir holding, soil moisture retention, plant stress tolerances, health exposures etc especially so for longer lead times when day-wise prediction loses reliability.

Even this approach of climate prediction is extremely difficult. It was hitherto reliant on empirical methods of prediction and has now ventured into dynamical approaches incorporating atmosphere, oceans, land, biota etc. making it infinitely more complicated.

Durban Conference on Environment Related Problems

2011-12-20T05:38:00.000-08:00

whether it is a fact that a world level Conference was held recently in Durban from 28 November to 9 December,2011 to discuss the environment related problems;

(b) if so, whether India also played a significant role in this Conference;

(c) if so, the reaction of Government in this regard; and

(d) the decisions taken in the Conference mainly through consensus?

The seventeenth session of the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Durban from November 28 to December 9, 2011 to discuss and decide upon various issues relating to climate change under the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.

India played a significant role in the success of the Durban Conference. In Durban, India played a key role in establishing the second commitment period under the Kyoto protocol with effect from January 1, 2013, immediately after the expiry of the first commitment period.

In Durban, it was also decided to begin a process for developing legal arrangements for enhancing actions of all parties under the Convention. India ensured that the new arrangements, which have to be decided by 2015 and implemented from 2020 are established under the Convention. India highlighted the issues of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) in the climate change negotiations. With support of India, the Green Climate Fund was also established in Durban.

The decisions by the Conference of Parties to UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol are taken on the basis of consensus.

National Air Quality Norms

2011-12-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

Five proposals including two proposals, namely, ‘Strengthening of the Central Laboratory’ and ‘Online Consent Management’ have been received from Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB). The amount sought by the MPPCB for the two abovementioned projects is Rs. 828.25 lakhs.

National Informatics Centre (NIC) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment & Forests for ‘Online Consent Management and Monitoring System’ for development of generic software for all State Pollution Control Boards including MPPCB. A total amount of Rs. 217.08 lakhs has been released to the MPPCB for execution of other projects.

National Green Tribunal

2011-12-20T05:36:00.001-08:00

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been established on 18.10.2010. The Tribunal has been established for 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 matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

A total of 5950 cases relating to environment and forests issues were pending in various courts across the country as on 1.1.2009.

The Tribunal’s dedicated jurisdiction in environment and forest matters shall provide speedy environmental justice. The Tribunal is mandated to make an endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.

Extinction of Birds in the Country

2011-12-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

A number of birds are on the verge of extinction in the country. As per the report of the scientific institutions like Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, the IUCN Red List version 2010.1 indicates 14 Critically Endangered species of birds from India.

The important steps taken for protecting the endangered birds of India are given below:

(i) Rare and endangered birds are included in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby according them highest degree of protection.

(ii) Stringent punishments have been provided for in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violation of the provisions of the Act.

(iii) Important habitats of birds, including endangered and migratory birds have been notified as Protected Areas under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for better conservation and the protection of birds and their habitats.

(iv) Financial & technical assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments for protection and management of the Protected Areas.

(v) The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around the protected areas.

(vi) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species of birds, and their parts and products.

(vii) India is signatory to all major international conventions relating to conservation and management of wildlife, including endangered species of birds. These are Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

(viii) The Sub-committee constituted under National Board for Wildlife, has developed Guidelines for Threatened Species Recovery Plan and has also identified Great Indian Bustard, Jerdon’s Courser and Nicobar Megapode as threatened bird species, for conservation and better management of their habitats on priority basis.

(ix) Research and monitoring activities on birds are promoted by the Government through reputed research organizations. Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History Society and Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History are some of the research organizations engaged in research for conservation of birds.

Details of bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version 2010.1

S. No.	Common Name	Scientific Name	Family	Status
1	White-rumped Vulture	Gyps bengalensis	Accipitridae	CR
2	Indian Vulture	Gyps indicus	Accipitridae	CR
3	Slender-billed Vulture	Gyps tenuirostris	Accipitridae	CR
4	Red-headed Vulture	Sarcogyps calvus	Accipitridae	CR
5	Pink-headed Duck	Rhodonessa caryophyllacea	Anatidae	CR
6	White-bellied Heron	Ardea insignis	Ardeidae	CR
7	Sociable Lapwing	Vanellus gregarius	Charadriidae	CR
8	Christmas Frigatebird	Fregata andrewsi	Fregatidae	CR
9	Jerdon's Courser	Rhinoptilus bitorquatus	Glareolidae	CR
10	Siberian Crane	Grus leucogeranus	Gruidae	CR
11	Bengal Florican	Houbaropsis bengalensis	Otididae	CR
12	Himalayan Quail	Ophrysia superciliosa	Phasianidae	CR
13	Spoon-billed Sandpiper	Eurynorhynchus pygmeus	Scolopacidae	CR
14	Forest Owlet	Heteroglaux blewitti	Strigidae	CR

Funds Released for Forest Cover in the Country and Area Approved Under the National Afforestation Scheme During 2000-01 to 2011-12

2011-12-13T05:30:00.001-08:00

S. No.	State	Total Release (in crore)	Total area (in ha.)
1.	Andhra Pradesh	102.75	80617
2.	Bihar	42.24	34128
3.	Chhattisgarh	200.84	112297
4.	Goa	0.64	1250
5.	Gujarat	165.23	91715
6.	Haryana	132.54	48434
7.	Himachal Pradesh	65.68	49095
8.	Jammu and Kashmir	59.27	65494
9.	Jharkhand	126.82	96500
10.	Karnataka	169.36	101920
11.	Kerala	55.07	35614
12.	Madhya Pradesh	175.55	142347
13.	Maharashtra	158.64	123126
14.	Orissa	120.34	130717
15.	Punjab	21.91	18109
16.	Rajasthan	58.79	49190
17.	Tamil Nadu	112.03	71176
18.	Uttar Pradesh	222.67	139674
19.	Uttrakhand	76.81	70743
20.	West Bengal	52.86	43423
21.	Arunachal Pradesh	31.21	33446
22.	Assam	71.58	52605
23.	Manipur	70.09	40655
24.	Meghalaya	34.70	23045
25.	Mizoram	125.48	55090
26.	Nagaland	77.05	50218
27.	Sikkim	70.84	29782
28.	Tripura	46.90	41961
	Grant Total	2647.89	18.2404

Encroachment of Forest Land in the Country

2011-12-13T05:26:00.000-08:00

The protection of forest areas is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State /Union Territory Governments under the relevant provisions of various Central/State Acts, Rules and Regulations. This Ministry provides financial assistance to the State Forest Departments under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Intensification of Forest Management’ to strengthen their forest protection machinery by way of infrastructure development, use of modern technology and improved communication. This infrastructural support provided to all State/UT Governments help them in demarcation of forest with boundary pillar, enhances the patrolling capabilities of frontline staff and strengthens efforts for eviction of forest land encroachers. Other efforts being made by various State Governments for removing encroachment includes delegation of powers of Collectors to Divisional Forest officers (DFOs) under Public Premises and Land Recovery Act, constitution of special eviction squads with the help of Police and Revenue departments, and expediting the cases of forest encroachments under trials in various Courts, etc.

Annexure

“ENCROACHMENT OF FOREST LAND IN THE COUNTRY”

S. No.	Name of States	Area Under Encroachment (in ha.)	As on (Date)
1	Andhra Pradesh	2,56,000.00	11.03.2011
2	Bihar	Nil	01.12.2010
3	Chhattisgarh	1,18,494.60	07.03.2011
4	Gujarat	34,791.00	31.03.2010
5	Haryana	184.63	24.11.2011
6	H.P	1,832.1403	21.03.2011
7	Karnataka	96,014.349	14.03.2011
8	Kerala	42,420.5085	16.05.2011
9	M.P	8,077.72	27.08.2011
10	Maharashtra	85,388	31.12.2010
11	Orissa	78,505.077	01.01.2004
12	Punjab	7404	23.11.2011
13	Tamil Nadu	14,352.16	07.03.2011
14	Uttaranchal	9,676	31.03.2010
15	West Bengal	12,660.972	31.03.2010
16	Arunachal Pradesh	58,553.07	04.03.2011
17	Assam	2,59,700.00	18.03.2011
18	Manipur	1,918.37	02.08.2011
19	Meghalaya	9,378.00	21.03.2011
20	Mizoram	12,057.90	01.10.2010
21	Nagaland	2,671.86	22.11.2010
22	Sikkim	3,300.96	27.05.2011
23	Tripura	47,758.14	16.03.2011
24	A & N Islands	3,326.63	10.03.2011
25	Chandigarh	14.00	11.03.2011
26	D&N Haveli	613.30	22.12.2010
27	Daman & Diu	87.83	28.09.2010
28	Lakshadweep	Nil	16.03.2011
29	Puducherry	Nil

Effect of Global Warming on Gujarat Coast Line

2011-12-13T05:23:00.000-08:00

Whether due to global warming the sea level of long coastal line of Gujarat is rising every year thereby posing a serious threat to some major cities and industrial units located along the coastline of Gujarat;

Whether the Ministry has prepared any concrete plan thereon; and If so, the details thereof and the time limit within which this work would be completed?

As per the study of the tide gauge records of the north Indian Ocean for more than 40 years, conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography, it is observed that the sea-level rose by 1.06-1.75 millimetres per year in the past century. This estimate is consistent with the estimated global sea-level rise of 1-2 millimetres per year made by the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The likely rise in sea-level of the order of 55-60 millimetres has been projected for the period up to the end of the century and beyond by the scientific studies of climate scenario. This does not indicate any sea-level rise trends for Gujarat coast.

Government of India is aware of the implications of climate change and released National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) on June 30, 2008. NAPCC includes eight National Missions, of which the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat is one of the missions, which includes activities for managing coastal zone. These activities will be implemented during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Establishment of NEAMA

2011-12-12T04:54:00.001-08:00

The Ministry proposes to establish a National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA) with domain expertise, technological finesse and field outreach in order to strengthen and professionalize the regimes of environment impact assessment and coastal zone management under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The details and the time schedule for setting up the Authority have not yet been finalised.

Environmental Clearance for 218 Coal Mines Under Different Stages of Approval

2011-12-12T04:51:00.001-08:00

As per information given by Coal India Limited (CIL) as on 30.11.2011, there are about 218 mines in CIL (ECL-91, BCCL-103, CCL-20, and MCL-4) which are pre 1994 / legacy mines. These mines did not require any environmental clearance and were being operated on renewal of lease basis. These running mines, consequent to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 2006 notification, have come under the category of violation. CIL has immediately initiated action to obtain the required Environmental Clearances (EC) and are under different stages of approval.

After promulgation of EIA Notifications 2006, with affirmative nod from the MoEF, all these pre 1994 / legacy mines are now clubbed into clusters for obtaining fresh ECs. After prolonged deliberations, MoEF has principally agreed to the cluster concept of old legacy mines and all are being processed accordingly for obtaining ECs.

Actions have been initiated for getting ECs for all 218 mines. In ECL, all 91 such mines are clubbed into 13 clusters for obtaining EC. The proposals for 11 clusters have been submitted to MoEF. TORs (Terms of Reference) have been received for 10 clusters and EIA/ Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for these are under preparation. All 103 old and legacy mines of BCCL grouped into 17 clusters and TORs have been received for 16 of them. In CCL also there are about 20 old operating mines and actions have already been initiated for getting ECs for all. Some of them are in the final stages of getting EC approval from MoEF. In MCL, there are only 4 such mines and actions have been already initiated for getting ECs.

Mapping of Coastline

2011-12-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

The Survey of India is going to map the country’s vast 7,500 km. long coastline, and will identify areas vulnerable to high tides, rising sea levels and coastal erosion in an unusually comprehensive hazard mapping exercise. It will be completed over the next five years.

Under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), being implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) with World Bank assistance, Survey of India (SoI) has agreed to undertake a project for mapping and delineation of Hazard Line along the mainland coast of India. The Coastal Hazard Line will be an input for coastal planning and management of the coastal zone. Under the project, SoI has to generate a 0.5 meter elevation contour map on 1:10,000 scale as base map to delineate the hazard line for mainland coast of India up to maximum width of 7km from shore line on the landward side.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs.125 crore (Rupees One hundred twenty five crore only). The funds for the purpose will be provided to Survey of India by MoEF.

The concept of Hazard Line delineation was incorporated in the Draft Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) Notification, 2010, after following due procedure, including consultations with the State Governments, the CRZ Notification was issued on 06th January, 2011.

The overall objective of the ICZM Project is to support the Government of India and selected States in developing and implementing an improved management approach for India’s coastal zones towards sustainable development. The objective of delineating such a hazard line is to delineate, map and benchmark the costal hazard line along the mainland coast of India. About 77 per cent of the estimated cost of the project will be reimbursed by the World Bank.

Environment Impact of Rampant Mining

2011-12-02T03:59:00.001-08:00

Mining of minor minerals are regulated by the State Government through Rules framed by them for the purpose. Recognizing the impact on environment due to mining of minor minerals, the Government has evolved guidelines for sustainable mining of minor minerals, which recommends:

i. Minimum size of mine lease should be 5 hectares.

ii. Minimum period of mine lease should be 5 years.

iii. A cluster approach to mines should be taken in case of smaller mine leases operating currently.

iv. Mine plans should be made mandatory for minor minerals as well.

v. A separate corpus should be created for reclamation and rehabilitation of mined out areas.

vi. Hydro-geological reports should be prepared for mining proposed below groundwater table.

vii. For river bed mining, leases should be granted stretch wise, depth may be restricted to three meter or water level, whichever is less with and safety zones.

Further, the Government has brought mining of minor minerals within the ambit of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, (depending on the mining area) requiring prior environment clearance.

The Government has requested State Governments for incorporating the recommendations in the guidelines in their respective Rules for Minor Minerals. Now in consultation with State Governments, the Government has prepared a draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 which prescribes a minimum area 10 hectare for major minerals and 5 hectares for minor minerals. However in case of minor minerals mining lease can be allowed for an area less than 5 hectares for specific minerals in consultation with the Central Government. The draft Bill also provides that minimum tenure for a mining lease for minor minerals would be 5 years; and in case of small deposits cluster mining would be allowed.

Rehabilitation Issues of Polavaram Dam Project

2011-12-02T03:57:00.001-08:00

The Investment clearance to original cost of Indira Sagar (Polavaram) Project was accorded by the Planning Commission on 25.02.2009 for Rs. 10151.04 Crore (PL-2005-06) subject to certain conditions, which inter-alia include that :

i. The project authorities shall comply with the conditions stipulated in the Ministry of Environment and Forest letter No J-12011/74/2005-IA.I. dated 25.10.05 and J-12011/40/2002-IA.I. dated 25.04.06 regarding environmental clearance.

ii. The project authorities shall comply with the conditions stipulated in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs letter no 20011/15/2005-CP&R(NGO) Dated 17th April 2007 and letter no 20011/15/2005-CP&R(NGO) Dated 24th May 2007 regarding R&R clearance for Project Affected Scheduled Tribe families.

iii. The project authorities shall comply with the conditions stipulated in the 95th meeting minutes of the Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources.

As per the Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forest , Government of India, a total of 1,93,357 persons are likely to be affected due t construction of Polavaram Project, out of that 1,75,275 persons from Andhra Pradesh, 6,316 persons from Orissa and 11,766 from Chhattisgarh would be affected. As per the clearance of Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R & R) Plan for Scheduled Tribe Project Affected Families (ST PAFs) from Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) , Polavaram Project would displace about 73,000 Scheduled Tribe persons in 299 villages in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh with the maximum number being in Andhra Pradesh ( 60,770 ST persons in 276 villages). MoTA has granted clearance to the R & R Plan for ST PAFs for the project subject to Fulfillment of following conditions:

(a) The Government of Andhra Pradesh shall ensure that no submergence and displacement of people including Scheduled Tribes (STs) takes place in the territories of States of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

(b) For the resettlement and rehabilitation of ST PAFs in respect of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of Andhra Pradesh shall follow their R & R Plan, in accordance with the provisions of National Policy on Resettlement and Rehabilitation, 2003.

(c) The State Government of Andhra Pradesh shall provide land to STs in lieu of the land acquired for the construction of project from them in the command of the project, and preferably within the Scheduled Area if the command area and Scheduled Area are co-terminus.

(d) The Government of Andhra Pradesh shall ensure that the R & R Plan is implemented and completed within a specified time schedule before the submergence in any area starts taking place.

(e) The Government of Andhra Pradesh shall ensure a better livelihood with dignity for the STs in the new set up and surroundings.

(f) All the rights and privileges enjoyed by STs in their original habitat shall be protected by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the new set up.

There will be no submergence and displacement of people including Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the State of Orissa and Chhattisgarh after construction of protective embankment. Out of 276 villages to be displaced in Andhra Pradesh, 5 villages were shifted and balance 271 villages are to be shifted. During the year 2011-12, it is proposed by State Goernment to rehabilitate 105 villages.

The State Government has informed that there is adequate provision towards compensation and rehabilitation as per State Government R & R Policy.

Agro-Meteorological Services Extended to25, 00,000 Mobile Services users

2011-11-25T04:18:00.001-08:00

The agro advisory services continue to serve 555 Agro Advisory Services units against the target of 600 in the country now. The services have been now extended to 25, 00,000 users through mobile services.

During last September, Weather Modules have been developed and implemented for processing the Sonde and Aircraft observations obtained through Global Telecommunication System (GTS) for UKMO 4-D VAR system. Assimilation of the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) data has been initiated and shows significant improvement of the zonal and meridional wind components at higher levels. Customized weather forecasts were provided to the Indian Army for expeditions to Mt. Stok Kangri, Mt.Bhagirathi and Mt. Kamet.

Further, under Polar Science and Scientific Expedition targets of Launching of the summer (S) and Winter (W) phases of study in the Arctic region, four members of the Fourth phase summer team reached Goa on the 9th and 15th September 2011 after completion of the targeted scientific accomplishments during this period. A group of 5 scientists reached Ny-Alesund on the 12th September to continue studies in glaciology.

Marine Living Resource (MLR) was detected during the month of September. A multi-species Algal Bloom with cell density 4.4 x 105 cells/L spread over the Kollam – Trivandrum sector was detected form 12th to 14th of September, 2011 and was causing nauseating smell spread all along the coast. Preliminary investigations revealed that the bloom was dominated by Protoperidinium pyriformae, Noctiluca scintillans and Phaeocystis. Phaeocysits is suspected to be the cause for the soul smell.

Inclusion of Forestry Matters in Policy and Decision Making Process: NFC

2011-11-25T04:15:00.001-08:00

Ranjan Chatterjee, Consultant, Planning Commission, said that forests are meant for every body and we need to keep balance between environment and forests. Shri Chatterjee said, “Forests are under pressure because of lack of understanding. Forests are not merely to preserve but work towards more greening with joint efforts.” Addressing a valedictory session of first Indian Forest Congress here today, Sh Chatterjee said, “At Planning Commission, we are ready to allocate money for each task, but it must have monetary evaluation. He added that this is not for any constraint, but this will help to achieve targets, to know whether the things have been completed appropriately and carry out any rectifications, if required. He appealed participants to understand the problems of forests, GIS Maps, tribals and their rights and other problems at grass root level and address them.”

The 4-Day Congress felt that a special provision in the 12th five year plan for restructuring the frontline organizations of the forest departments across the country is required to meet the emerging societal expectations. Forestry issues at the national level need to be inculcated in our planning and developmental process for holistic and sustainable development and, therefore, it is necessary to professionalize the forestry matters in policy and decision making process. The Congress demanded inclusion of non-tangible benefits in the India’s GDP, 2nd generation reforms in Joint Forest management programme and creation of more research organizations. The delegates of 1st Indian Forest Congress, therefore, adopted ‘Forest Charter 2011’.

It suggests that sufficient investments are made in the forestry sector. The contribution of the forestry sector to India’s GDP is around 2 per cent, which needs to be properly authenticated and assessed. A system of natural resource accounting which accounts for the increased capital creation in forests needs to be set in place and accordingly the investment in forestry sector should be enhanced to levels commensurate with their contribution. The Central Board of Forestry which was established in 1950 should be revived as an apex body to be headed by the Prime Minister to ensure involvement of all stakeholders for policy formulation.

There is a need to give a push to futuristic research in frontline themes like tree genetics & breeding, genomics, proteomics, genome mapping, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, bamboo fibre and medicines & nutriceuticals from fungi so that future demand and expectations of the society from the forests are met.

The new futuristic management regimes for the forests demands that proper assessment of ecosystems services provided by the forests and NTFPs should be undertaken to correctly assess the contribution of forests in the economy.

ICFRE and other research organizations should network and develop a focussed research program on Forest vegetation and hydrology change monitoring. It would be necessary for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Special focussed should be given to convergence between forestry activities and non-forestry land use/schemes for the regeneration of degraded fringe forests and upliftment of poor people particularly the tribal’s in the fringe villages.

The Joint Forest management programme has clearly established as an agent of overall socioeconomic development of poor forest dependent communities which requires 2nd generation reforms. Two models were praised for their achievements, the Chhattisgarh model as a case in point for replication for overall socioeconomic and ecological rejuvenation and the Bundelkhand package as a role model for inclusive development. A federation of JFM Committees should be created under the Union Minister of Environment & Forests for better coordination and policy inputs. The JFMCs should be maintained as a separate entity. JFM committees need to be adequately empowered to manage the forest resources, their capacity built up and legal backing given to them to be successful.

Eco-development activities in and around protected areas should be taken up in the twelfth five year plan on priority with sufficient allocation of funds to ensure sustainable wild life management. The Wild life Institute of India should bring out biannual assessment of the national parks and sanctuaries on the lines of the ‘State of Forest Report’ by Forest Survey of India.

Establishment of a well equipped research organisation to support forestry activities, reassessment of frontline staff at beat levels upwards, strengthening of scientific human resource at ICFRE to cater to the new emerging areas of research and networking with allied organisations all over the world were included in the charter.

The Charter notes, “For sustainable mining it is necessary that mining in forest areas be done on scientific lines. Presently, there is no foolproof system of scientific rehabilitation plan nor expert organisations are involved. This is leading to serious environmental degradation. The mining of minerals and restoration of mined out areas should go side by side. The feasibility of underground mining in forest areas should be studied through three-dimensional subsidence analysis especially for coal bearing forested regions so that better technology is employed for exploitation of resources.”

The provisions of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 aims at addressing the long standing insecurity of the tenure in cultivated lands in forest areas and legal right of the forest dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over the NTFPs. GIS/MIS based maps be prepared clearly demarcating the land of the beneficiaries so that there is no scope for encroachment. There is a need for extensive research in ecotourism viz. its potential, carrying capacity, socio-economic aspects, etc.

Participants discussed on subjects like land use policy, urban landscape, governance and institutional reforms, community: forging partnerships, traditional knowledge, assessment managing the forests: old and new paradigms, reconciling growth with conservation towards sustainable development, Forest certification: opportunities and Challenges, Agro forestry: production, opportunities and institutional framework, forest products: management for livelihood, forest products in industry, Geometrics: applications and opportunities, forest genetics and biotechnology, forest survey and inventory, Information technology as a tool in forestry management, forests ecosystem and biodiversity management, protected areas management: new paradigms, Man - animal interface, ecosystem goods and services and forest resource accounting, Eco – tourism, Wildlife crime control and enforcement of CITES, Green India Mission: opportunities and challenges, Mitigation/adaptation and challenges, Ecosystem resilience and forest biodiversity, Climate change models and Carbon fluxes, Carbon balances: policy instruments, India and REDD+ etc.

Forest officers from various states, officers and scientists from ICFRE and its institutes and representatives from NGO’s, farmers, forest based Industries participated in it.

Toxicity Due to Lead

2011-11-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

Heavy metal toxicity can cause chronic, degenerative conditions. General symptoms include: headache, short-term memory loss, mental confusion, sense of unreality, distorted perception, pain in muscles and joints, and gastro-intestinal upsets, food intolerances, allergies, vision problems, chronic fatigue, fungal infections etc. Sometimes the symptoms are vague and difficult to diagnose.

Absorption of Lead (Pb) from different sources is dependent on the amount of Pb presented to portals per unit time and the physical and chemical state in which Pb is presented. It is also influenced by factors such as age and physiological status. In adults, almost 20-30% and in children almost 50% lead is absorbed through the GI track. Depending on the particle size, lead can enter through lungs. While organic lead is well absorbed through the skin, inorganic lead is not. Since lead is chemically similar to calcium, body handles it like calcium. In the body lead is distributed throughoutbone, teeth, liver, lung, brain and spleen; bone being the major accumulator. Lead can cross blood brain barrier as well as placental barrier. Excretion occurs through urine and faeces. Dose and duration dependent genotoxic effects have been observed.

Nutritional iron deficiency enhances Pb toxicity, raising concern that pregnant women and young children in whom iron deficiency anaemia is high, may be more susceptible to Pb toxicity8. Pb absorption is increased considerably with fasting or in persons whose diet is deficient in calcium, iron, phosphorous or zinc. In children the blood lead level (BLL) above 10 μg/dl is labelled as poisoning. Recent studies from Hyderabad also show abnormal cognitive functions in children at levels > 10 μg/dl. A study done in Hyderabad showed high blood lead levels in neonates and mothers in general population.

In general Pb is excreted very slowly from the body. Its biological half-life estimated at 10 years, facilitates accumulation in the body. Almost 90% lead is bound to red blood cells. Lead has high affinity for SH groups and hence it impairs the activity of zinc-dependent enzymes like δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) which is involved in haem synthesis. As low as 10 μg/dL BLL is known to inhibit the ALAD activity. Apart from haemoglobin, cytochrome synthesis, steroid metabolism, membrane integrity, synthesis of active metabolite of vitamin D in renal tubular cells (conversion of 1-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D) are also affected.

Sources of Hazardous Metals and Minerals

2011-11-12T23:17:00.000-08:00

Environmental pollution from hazardous metals and minerals can arise from natural as well as anthropogenic sources. Natural sources are: seepage from rocks into water, volcanic activity, forest fires etc. Pollution also arises from partitioning of polluting elements (which are concentrated in clay minerals with high absorption capacities), between sedimentary rocks and their precursor sediments and water. (Sisir Sen, personal communication). With rapid industrialization and consumerist life style, anthropogenic sources of environmental pollution have increased. The pollution occurs both at the level of industrial production as well as end use of the products and run-off. These toxic elements enter the human body mostly through food and water and to a lesser extent through inhalation of polluted air, use of cosmetics, drugs, poor quality herbal formulations particularly ‘Ayurvedic/Sidha bhasamas’, (herbo-mineral preparations) and `Unani’ formulations, and even items like toys which have paints containing lead.

Heavy Metals and Aluminium

The industrial sources of heavy metals are in various fields. Chromium (Cr) is found in Mining, industrial coolants, chromium salts manufacturing and leather tanning. Lead (Pb) is released in industries like lead acid batteries, paints, E-waste, Smelting operations, coal- based thermal power plants, ceramics, bangle industry where as Mercury (Hg) is released from Chlor-alkali plants, thermal power plants, fluorescent lamps, hospital waste (damaged thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers), electrical appliances etc. Arsenic (As) is found in Geogenic or natural processes, smelting operations, thermal power plants, fuel burning. Copper (Cu) from

Mining, electroplating, smelting operations, Vanadium (Va) from Spent catalyst, sulphuric acid plant and Nickel (Ni) is found in Smelting operations, thermal power plants, battery industry.Cadmium (Cd) is released in Zinc smelting, waste batteries, e-waste, paint sludge, incinerations & fuel combustion, Molybdenum (Mo) in Spent catalyst and Zinc (ZN) is released in Smelting, electroplating.

Besides the industrial sources of lead, listed above, lead exposure also occurs through gasoline additives, food can solder, ceramic glazes, drinking water system, cosmetics, folk remedies, and battery/plastic recycling industry1. According to some work done at the DPSAR university, New Delhi many brands of cosmetics like talcum powder, lipsticks, shampoos, ‘kajal’ and hair colours contain heavy metals.

Ash dumps from thermal power plants, contain many polluting metals and complexes, which are carried to nearby water bodies and ground water. Volatile complexes such as those from Uranium, enter the atmosphere via chimney emissions. The U content of coal may be as low as 0.2 ppm, but considering the millions of tons of coal that is burnt it is an important pollutant. (Sisir Sen, personal communication).

In recent years the use of energy-saving CFL bulbs has gone up enormously. Thus, according to a recent report the production of CFL bulbs has increased from 19 million in 2002 to 500 million in 2010. Each bulb contains 3-12 mg of mercury. With no system to recover these bulbs and safe disposal, these can prove to be a major health hazard.

The major heavy metal contaminated sites in India, are Ranipet in Tamil Nadu, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Talcher in Orissa and Vadodara in Gujarat for Chromium. Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, Bandalamottu Mines in Andhra Pradesh, Vadodara in Gujarat and Korba in Chattisgarh are grossly polluted with Lead.

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, Ganjam, Orissa and Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh are heavily polluted with Mercury. Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Ballia and other districts oh Uttar Pradesh is known for Arsenic pollution. Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, Singbhum Mines of Jharkhand and Malanjkahnd, Madhya Pradesh have copper pollution. Data of CPCB show that Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh contribute to 80% of hazardous waste (including heavy metals) in India.

Apart from industries, roadways and automobiles contribute substantially to the environmental burden of heavy metals since particulate matter in traffic emissions include heavy metals like lead, cadmium and arsenic. Exposure to traffic emissions, especially diesel exhaust may enhance asthma, allergen responsiveness and inflammation, leading to atherosclerotic vascular disease. Role of metal per se in this pathology is however not clear.2, 3. With the use of unleaded petrol, the burden of lead has decreased.

Aluminium pollution is associated with bauxite mining. With steady increase in demand for aluminium in India, its anthropogenic pressure is increasing. India ranks sixth in bauxite mining and 8th in aluminium production. The state of Orissa is worst affected.

Significant concentration of total and hexavalent chromium is observed in many wells located in the close vicinity of some of the industries in the industrial area of Ranipet, in Tamil Nadu. The sources are clusters of tanneries and other industries located in the area. The concentration of total chromium in these wells varies between 3.1 to 246 mg/L whereas the concentration of hexavalent chromium varies between 2.1 to 214 mg/L which far exceed the concentration of 0.05 mg/L prescribed under Indian Standards Specification for Drinking water quality. The ground water in these areas is therefore, severely contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Based on the detailed laboratory scale studies and techno-economic evaluation, an in-situ bioremediation (biotransformation) option was recommended by NEERI for implementation of bio-remediation of contaminated ground water in the critically polluted area’ [Ref. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board: ‘Revised

Village Khanpur in Rania area of Kanpur Dehat also revealed high levels of hexavalent chromium in groundwater ranging from 1.05 to 35.34 ppm.

Fluoride

Natural sources contribute to the bulk of environmental load of fluoride and arsenic. In India, 19 out of 35 states and Union territories have ground water highly contaminated with fluoride, with levels exceeding 1.0 mg/L and going up to 48mg/L4,5.

In states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, 70-100% districts contain high fluoride levels in food and water. Black rock salt (CaF2) commonly used as flavouring agent in road side, as well as processed and home-cooked foods contributes significantly to the ingestion of fluoride. It contains 157 ppm F--. Public awareness in this regard is needed. Dental products, anti-depressant and anti - cholesterol drugs used for long term treatment are important sources of fluoride. Industries using fluoride salts/hydrofluoric acid pollute the work environment and are a source for high ingestion/inhalation of fluoride dust and fumes by the Industrial workers.

Arsenic

Pockets in West Bengal, Bihar, UP, Assam and Chhatisgarh are the major states affected by arsenic contamination of water, West Bengal being by far the worst affected. Ground water of 9 out of 16 districts of West Bengal is heavily contaminated with arsenic, affecting 26 million people6. In a U.P. Jal Nigam/IITR survey of 66671 samples of water from hand pumps in 20 districts of U.P., 42% were found to contain > 10 ppb arsenic of which 2610 (4%) had > 50 ppb arsenic. Children ingest arsenic through pica behaviour.

While the high burden of environmental pollution in developed countries like India is due to high level of resource consumption, in developing countries like India it is due to outdated technologies, over exploitation of natural resources and weak environment regulations and enforcement.

General Signs and Symptoms of Lead Toxicity

2011-11-12T23:15:00.001-08:00

Fatigue
Irritability
Lethargy
Paresthesis
Myalgias
Abdominal pain
Tremor
Headache
Vomiting
Weight loss
Constipation
Loss of libido
Motor neuropathy
Encephalopathy
Cerebral edema
Seizures
Coma
Severe abdominal cramping
Epiphyseal lead lines in children (growth arrest)
Renal failure

Major Heavy Metal Contaminated Sites in India

2011-11-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

Chromium	Lead	Mercury	Arsenic	Copper
Ranipet, Tamil Nadu	Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh	Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu	Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu	Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh	Bandalamottu Mines, Andhra Pradesh	Ganjam, Orissa	West Bengal	Singbhum Mines, Jharkhand
Vadodara, Gujarat	Vadodara, Gujarat	Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh	Ballia and other districts, UP*	Malanjkahnd, Madhya Pradesh
Talcher, Orissa	Korba, Chattisgarh

Data of CPCB show that Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh contribute to 80% of hazardous waste (including heavy metals) in India.

The Industrial Sources of Heavy Metals

2011-11-12T23:13:00.000-08:00

Metal Industry

Chromium (Cr) Mining, industrial coolants, chromium salts manufacturing, leather tanning

Lead (Pb) lead acid batteries, paints, E-waste, Smelting operations, coal- based thermal power plants, ceramics, bangle industry

Mercury (Hg) Chlor-alkali plants, thermal power plants, fluorescent lamps, hospital waste (damaged thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers), electrical appliances etc.

Arsenic (As) Geogenic/natural processes, smelting operations, thermal power plants, fuel burning

Copper (Cu) Mining, electroplating, smelting operations

Vanadium (Va) Spent catalyst, sulphuric acid plant

Nickel (Ni) Smelting operations, thermal power plants, battery industry

Cadmium (Cd) Zinc smelting, waste batteries, e-waste, paint sludge, incinerations & fuel combustion

Molybdenum (Mo) Spent catalyst

Zinc (ZN) Smelting, electroplating

Use of Bamboo in Housing and Building Construction

2011-11-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

Wood has been used for centuries as a common material in construction of buildings and other structures. Similarly Bamboo has a long and well established tradition for being used as a construction material throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. With the rising global concern, bamboo is a critical resource as it is very efficient in sequestering carbon and helps in reduction of Green House gas emissions.

In the modern context when forest cover is fast depleting and availability of wood is increasingly becoming scarce, the research and development undertaken in past few decades have established and amply demonstrated that bamboo could be a viable substitute of wood and several other traditional materials for housing and building construction sector and several infrastructure works. Its use through industrial processing have shown a high potential for production of composite materials and components which are cost-effective and can be successfully utilized for structural and non-structural applications in construction of housing and buildings. Main characteristic features, which make bamboo as a potential building material are its high tensile strength and very good weight to strength ratio. It can withstand upto 3656 Kg/cm2 of pressure. It can be easily worked upon by simple tools and machines. The strength-weight ratio of bamboo also supports its use as a highly resilient material against forces created by high velocity winds and earthquakes. Above all bamboo is renewable raw material resource from agro-forestry and if properly treated and industrially processed, components made by bamboo can have a reasonable life of 30 to 40 years. Though natural durability of bamboo varies according to species and the types of treatments. Varied uses and applications in building construction have established bamboo as an environment-friendly, energy-efficient and cost-effective construction material. The commonly used species in construction are Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus giganteous, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus asper, etc. Bamboo, a highly versatile resource and widely available, is being used as an engineering material for construction of houses and other buildings. Some of the application areas of bamboo in building construction are Door Shutters, Flooring, Shuttering and Scaffolding and Roofing Sheets etc. A number of small and medium sized demonstration structures have already been constructed during past few years. These have shown very good performance in different climates. In order to propagate use of bamboo in housing and building construction for wider application, awareness and confidence building amongst professionals and householders is required. This calls for organized actions on prototyping, demonstration, standardization aimed at improving acceptance levels and promoting appropriate construction practices.

The Government recognizes housing sector as a medium to generate more employment by strengthening production activities of environment-friendly and cost-effective building materials. As the housing and building construction industry is one of the largest consumers for natural mineral resources and forests, it is increasingly realized that innovative building materials and construction technologies which offer potential for environmental protection, employment generation, economy in construction and energy conservation, need to be encouraged as best options to meet the rising demand of housing in different regions of the country. Nearly 60 percent of the country’s area being prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, floods etc, the Government Policy also lays emphasis on promoting design and construction of disaster resistant technologies for housing. Construction techniques using bamboo as main material have been found very suitable for earthquake resistant housing.

Building materials accounts for nearly 60 to 65% of the cost of house construction. With the constant rise in the cost of traditional building materials and with the poor affordability of large segments of our population the cost of an adequate house is increasingly going beyond the affordable limits of more than 30-35% of our population lying in the lower income segments. This calls for wide spread technology dissemination and availability at decentralized locations of cost-effective building materials and construction techniques.

Bamboo being a highly versatile resource and widely available needs to be adopted as an engineering material for construction of houses and other buildings. In order to propagate these for wider application, awareness and confidence building amongst professionals and householders is required. This calls for organised action on prototyping, demonstration, standardization aimed at improving acceptance levels and promoting appropriate construction practices. One of the key objectives of the National Mission on Bamboo is to promote value added products which are being commercially and industrially produced. Demonstration projects based on bamboo applications will help in creating high visibility for use of bamboo as a material for housing construction. Once the demand is built up, investment from entrepreneurs will automatically flow to enhance availability of bamboo based materials and components.

Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) under Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, is actively involved in developing bamboo based technologies and to promote these technologies in the North-Eastern Region and other bamboo growing areas, by setting up of Bamboo Mat Production Centers for processing of bamboo, encouraging commercial production of bamboo based products, construction of demonstration houses etc. The Council is also engaged in providing training to the local artisans in processing of bamboo.

The BMTPC in collaboration with Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore, have jointly developed a technology for manufacturing of Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheet (BMCS) which is durable, strong, water-proof, and decay-insect-fire resistant. The commercial production has been started at Byrnihat, Meghalaya. The product has been accepted by the consumers and is becoming increasing popular as a roofing option in the north east part of the country. It is estimated that in full capacity this unit will generate livelihood for nearly 7000 women/ men (through mat weaving) in rural regions where bamboo is abundantly grown.

BMTPC has undertaken construction of 10 demonstration structures, each, using bamboo based technologies in Mizoram and Tripura. These include houses, OPD buildings, Library buildings, Picnic huts, Schools, etc. The cost of construction is considerably reduced by 25% to 30% using bamboo based technologies for different types of structures as compared to conventional construction. During constructing various types of structures local contractors, masons, artisans were provided training on use of bamboo in building construction. The specifications used are:

• Treated bamboo columns and beams,

• Ferrocement walls on bamboo grid reinforcement,

• Treated bamboo trusses, rafters and purlins,

• Bamboo mat board in wooden frames for door shutters,

• Bamboo mat corrugated roofing sheets,

• Locally available wood for door & window frames

• IPS flooring, etc.

BMTPC, in cooperation with Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Guwahati and State Governments, is establishing two Bamboo Mat Production Centres each in the States of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya. The main objectives of Bamboo Mat Production Centres are to provide uninterrupted supply of bamboo mats to the manufacturing units of bamboo based building components for increasing the productivity, quality, to provide training in mat production process and to create employment opportunities in the North Eastern region. In the first phase, the Council is setting up Bamboo Mat Product Centres at Kowaifung, Tripura; Sairang and Bualpui, Mizoram and Sokhar Nongtluh Village, Meghalaya. The Council has already completed establishment of Bamboo Mat Production Centres at Kowaifung, Tripura and Sairang, Mizoram. The Council in cooperation with CBTC is also providing training on bamboo mat production to the artisans from each Bamboo Mat Production Centres. The production capacity of each production centre will be 300 mats per day. It is estimated that the each Centre will be able to produce the mat at the rate of Rs.35 per mat and would be able to sell at the rate of Rs.45 per mat. This will provide employment generation of nearly 150 women/men per day i.e. 45,000 women/ men days per year per Centre. Besides the above, the Centres can also generate income by supplying bamboo sticks made out of bamboo waste, to the artisans for making handicraft items. The mats produced by Bamboo Mat Production Centres are likely to be utilized by various manufacturers who are producing Bamboo Mat Corrugated Roofing Sheets, Bamboo Mat Boards etc.

Social Costs of Climate Change

2011-10-17T23:10:00.001-07:00

Climate Change projections are based on specific models which have assessed future climate. They show consistent rise in temperature. However, the projections of rainfall vary across models. Impact studies begin with an inventory of the effects on multiple criteria -typically lives lost, the burden of disease on humans, species lost, crippling large infrastructures like dams, roads, bridges due to cyclones, heavy rains, floods etc. Negotiating global climate change targets has tended to recognize such multiple effects, corresponding to an informal multi-criteria approach. To maintain consistency in policy evaluation on climate change mitigation, a common metric is desirable and the most common of all metric is monetary. A monetary metric particularly well suited to measure market impacts. For example, the cost of sea level rise could be expressed as the capital cost of protection and the economic value of land and structures lost in the absence of protection, agriculture impact can be expressed as costs or benefits to producers and consumers, and changes in water runoff might be expressed in new flood damage estimates.

There is a broad valuation theory and its application, including studies on the monetary value of lower mortality risk, eco-systems, quality of life, etc. However, economic valuation, especially in the area of climate change, is often particularly controversial, because of ecosystems and socially contingent effects, the potential magnitude of major impacts including irreversible climate shifts, and because of issues with intergenerational and international equity. Numerous studies have estimated the costs of climate change. The social cost in key areas is stated below.

Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise leads to costs of additional protection, or otherwise loss of dry land and wetland. The balance depends upon future decision about what protection is justified. Costs of protection are relatively well known, but other costs like rising sea levels increases the likelihood of storm surges, enforces landward intrusion of salt water and endangers coastal ecosystems and wetlands are more uncertain. They are often excluded or only partially captured in terms of valuation. Populations that inhabit small islands and/ or low-lying coastal areas are at particular risk of severe social and economic effects from sea-level rise and storm surges. This raises the issues of migration, the costs of which depend on diverse social and political factors. Energy

Energy use impacts will depend on average temperatures and range, but there will be a combination of increases and decreases in demand for heating (both in terms of overall energy supplied, and to meet peak demands). Benefits from increased winter temperatures that reduce heating needs may be offset by increases in demand for summer air conditioning, as average summer temperatures increase.

Agriculture

Agricultural impacts depend upon regional changes in temperature and rainfall, as well as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and fertilization. The key impacts will be to crops and changes in the cultivated area and yields. These effects depend on many factors and in some areas; the area suitable for cultivation and potential yields will increase. Climate variability, as well as mean climate change, is an important consideration. Adaptive responses will be important –choice of crop, development of new cultivars and other technical changes, especially irrigation. Most valuation studies capture the direct impacts, but it is important to note these do not fully determine damages-these will also depend on changes in demand and trade patterns driven by socio-economic factors-but also complex responses to climate changes variability, pests and diseases, etc.

Water Supply

Water supply impacts depends on changes in rates of precipitation and evapo-transpiration and demand changes including those driven by climate change. The water demand of biological systems is affected by various climatic factors including temperature and humidity. Water supply systems are usually optimized to meet extreme supply/demand conditions and the costs of shortage can be very high. Climate variability is therefore important in determining damages. There is the potential for water scarcity and severe socially contingent damages.

Health

Health impacts include both an increase in heat stress, longer and severe summer and a reduction in winter cold stress i.e. less cold and shorter period of winter, though as these are in opposite directions the net mortality impact (global) of direct temperature changes may be quite small. Direct health impacts form temperature changes are included and valued in many studies. The area amenable to parasitic and vector borne diseases, such as malaria, will expand and impacts could be large. The area inclusion of diseases burden has been advanced through specific studies. Socially contingent damages to health, via other impacts such as food production water resources and sea level rise, in vulnerable communities are difficult to estimate but could be very large. Increased threats to human health, particularly in lower income populations, predominantly within tropical/subtropical countries will be considerable.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems and biodiversity impacts are amongst the most complex and difficult to evaluate. Ecological productivity and biodiversity will be alerted by climate change and sea level rise, with an increased risk of extinction of some vulnerable species. Most of the major ecosystem types are likely to be affected, at least in parts of their range. Some isolated systems are particularly at risk, including unique and valuable systems, e.g. coral reefs. Recent evidence has also identified acidification of the oceans, which is an observable consequence of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This will have potentially large impacts on marine ecosystems and fluxes of greenhouse gases between the ocean and the atmosphere. The analysis of ecosystem effects is one of the most problematic areas, in terms of a comprehensive or reliable assessment of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and its valuations.

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events are also likely to increase, with heat waves, drought, floods, and storms, tropical cyclones and even super-typhoons. However, the frequency and severity for extreme events may not be linearly dependent on average climate. Climate variability will also be important and there is no consensus on how this will change. Impacts damages will also depend on the location and timing and the hazard and adaptive responses. For example, cyclone damage to property will tend to rise with wealth but mortality effects may fall considerably.

Major Events

Major events, i.e. the risk of major effects – potentially catastrophic effects or major climate discontinuities are the most uncertain category. Loss of coral reefs and mangroves, melting of glaciers, cyclones, Indian monsoon transformation etc. are recent events. The major events include loss of the West Antarctic ice sheet; loss of the Greenland ice sheet; methane outbursts(including runway methane hydrates); instability or collapse of the Amazon Forests, changes in the thermo-haline circulation, loss or reversal of the gulf stream, changes in Atlantic deep water formation, changes in southern ocean upwelling, change in circumpolar deep water formation, change in stability of Saharan vegetation, reduced carbon sink capacity and other events.

Afforestation – Fighting Climate Change

2011-10-17T23:08:00.001-07:00

“Stockholm was without doubt the landmark event in the growth of international environmentalism”, wrote John McCormick in the book Reclaiming Paradise. “It was the first occasion on which the political, social and economic problems of the global environment were discussed at an intergovernmental forum with a view to actually taking corrective action.”

The UN General Assembly established the World Environment Day (WED) in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment, observed on 5th June every year. World Environment Day is one of the principle vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), also established in 1972, uses WED to stimulate consciousness on the environment and mobilize public action.

The agenda of the World Environment Day is to give a human face to environmental issues, empower people to become agents of sustainable and equitable development, promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes regarding the environment and advocate partnership across localities, regions and nations to ensure that all people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme for WED 2009 is ‘Your Planet Needs you- Unite to Combat Climate Change’. The theme reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and marks conceptual links between overcoming poverty and improving management of forests. This year’s host of the World Environment Day is Mexico.

Mexico, a country at the crossroads of the Green Economy and increasingly at the centre of regional and global affairs in the fight against climate change will host the International 2009 World Environment Day celebrations. The decision to choose Mexico as the host reflects the growing practical and political role of this Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in carbon markets. UNEP has now launched a new and more ambitious phase-the Seven Billion Tree Campaign.

Holding front for afforestation and climate change

Planting, nurturing, preserving and conserving plants and trees is a deep rooted practice with historical significance in India. In some communities, a prayer is said and forgiveness is sought from the tree before cutting it. Sacred groves are common throughout India, where clusters of plants and trees are protected and worshipped for prosperity. Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism articulate respect for plants and trees, treating them as living beings. Buddhist monks, constantly on the move to preach, halt their travels during monsoon to ensure they do not destroy saplings and sprouted seeds. Jainism forbids the consumption of sprouts which are considered nascent life that should be allowed to grow. Festivals related to trees abound. One such festival is Van Mahotsav, initiated in 1950 by Shri K. M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food, a visionary who sought to enthuse people about conservation of forests and trees.

This week-long festival of tree planting is organised every year in July in a bid to retain the vanishing forest cover of the country. Cutting down trees on a massive scale has greatly affected the environment and it is imperative to do something about forests’ conservation. Planting of trees is a symbolic gesture to celebrate our reverence for all things that grow in the forest.

NAEB

The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) in the Ministry of Environment and Forests is responsible for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country, with special attention to degraded forest areas and lands adjoining forests, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas as well as the ecologically fragile Western Himalayas, Aravalis and Western Ghats.

NAP

The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme is the flagship scheme of NAEB, providing physical and institutional support to Forest Development Agencies (FDAs), which are a major step towards the institutionalization of Joint Forest Management. The FDA has been conceived and established as a federation of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at the Forest Division level to undertake holistic development of forests with people's participation. The objectives of the scheme are:

• Protection and conservation of natural resources through the active involvement of communities

• Checking land degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity

• Ecological restoration, environmental conservation and eco-development

• Building the capacity of village level organization to manage natural resources in and around villages in a sustainable manner

• Fulfillment of the broader objectives of productivity, equity, and sustainability for the common good

• Improve quality of life and subsistence of people living in and around forests and

• Capability endowment and skill enhancement for improving the employability of the rural people

All 28 states, including the Autonomous Hill Districts (AHDC) are covered by this program, as are wildlife areas. Rehabilitation of abandoned, degraded shifting cultivation regions and regeneration of medicinal plants is also undertaken.

Achievements

• 795 FDAs have been operationalised so far since the launch of the FDA mechanism in 2000-01, at a cost of Rs. 2,675.26 crores to treat a total area of 157.90 lakh ha. (as on 31.3.2009). Rehabilitation of shifting cultivation lands have been given specific focus under the programme, and 34 jhum projects have been sanctioned in NE States and in Orissa.

• As on 31.3.2009, Rs. 345.62 crore was released to FDAs during the year 2008-09 for implementation of National Afforestation Programme. (NAP)

• 97 million human days of work were generated, benefiting approximately 12 million households which included 22% Scheduled Castes and 38% Scheduled Tribes.

• Around 5.3 million households in project villages which had 25% Scheduled Caste and 21% Scheduled Tribe were covered and

• Entry-point activity beneficiaries are estimated to be around 1.92 million households out of which 23% were Scheduled Castes and 27% were Scheduled Tribes.

Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme

The Eco Task Forces (ETFs) Scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Defence in 1982 with a view to securing involvement of ex-servicemen in afforestation and eco-development in remote areas to restore degraded ecosystems through afforestation, soil conservation and water resource management. The Scheme has been in operation for the past four plans.

There are currently six Eco-Task Force Battalions raised through ex-servicemen/Territorial Army Personnel. They cover the Shivalik Hills, Uttarakhand; Rajasthan Cannal, Bajju; Jammu and Kashmir; Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand; Sonitpur (West) and Haltugaon, Assam.

Proposed Gram Van Yojana Scheme

Gram/Panchayat Van Yojana, a new scheme is proposed which will involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in afforestation/tree planting in non forest lands.

India released its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPPC) on 30th June 2008 to outline its strategy of climate change. The National Action Plan advocates a strategy that promotes the adaptation to climate change and enhancing the sustainability of India’s development path. Eight National Missions on Climate Change

The National Solar Mission aims at increasing the share of solar energy in the total energy mix through development of new solar technologies, while attempting to expand the scope of other renewable and non fossil options such as nuclear energy, wind energy and biomass. The National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency comprises four new initiatives, namely, a market based mechanism for trading in certified energy savings in energy intensive large industries and facilities, accelerating the shift to energy efficient appliances in designated sectors, demand side management programmes in all sectors by capturing future energy savings, and developing fiscal instruments to promote energy efficiency. The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat attempts to promote energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and modal shift to public transport including transport options based on bio-diesel and hydrogen. The National Water Mission has, as its objective, the conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring more equitable distribution both across and within states.

The National Mission for sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem is aimed at evolving management measures for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan glacier and mountain eco system. The National Mission for a Green India focuses on enhancing eco system services and carbon sinks through afforestation on degraded forest land in line with the national policy of expanding forest and tree cover to 33% of the total land area of the country. The National Mission for Sustaining Agriculture will develop strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to climate change through new varieties of thermal productivity of rain fed agriculture. The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change is intended to identify the challenges of and response to climate change through research and technology development and ensure funding of high quality and focused research into aspects of climate change.

Unite to Combat Climate Change

2011-10-17T23:06:00.001-07:00

Climate change is the major, overriding environmental issue of our time and the single greatest challenge facing environmental regulators. It is a growing crisis with economic, health and safety, food production, security and other dimensions. Mexico city, the capital of Mexico will serve as the International host city for this year’s World Environment Day (WED), with the theme ‘Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change’, which seeks to propel nations to reach agreement on a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol in Copenhagen in December 2009. Mexico has seized the opportunities of the carbon markets and has become second only to Brazil in terms of wind, solar, biogas and other Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the region.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has now launched a new and more ambitious phase – the ‘Seven Billon Tree Campaign’. This aims to see more than one new tree planted for every person alive by the Copenhagen meeting.

The highlight of this year’s WED is the launch of the ‘Climate Heroes’, which support individuals who are undertaking exceptional personal feats, high profile expeditions, and other acts of environmental activism to demonstrate their commitment and to raise awareness for one simple idea : Your Plant Needs You! These projects focus on environmental ‘hot topics’ like CO2 output, finding smart solutions to beat waste and tree planting.

UNEP has collaborated with these Climate Heroes to help inspire and motivate people to unite to combat climate change. The Climate Heroes call on individual to do what they can : from adopting the simplest habits like turning off running water when one is brushing teeth, to organizing a public event for WED. They also outline how individuals can cut down by half their climate footprint by quite simple daily chores. For example, jogging around the park rather than on an electric powered treadmill will cut your daily emission by 1 Kg. Around 80% of freshwater is used for irrigation – simple technique like drip irrigation could dramatically cut this use.

Every year over 60 billion tons of plastic are produced, much of it for one time use and less than 5 per cent of the world’s plastics are recycled. National Geographic estimates that over 85 million plastic bottles are used every three minutes. Much of plastic waste that is not incinerated or land-filled, makes its way to the oceans. As the waste breakdown, it is mistaken for food, kills hundreds of thousands of birds and marine life, and is now making its way into our food chain. Project Kaisel consists of a team of scientists and environmentalists who have come together with a common purpose to study how to capture plastic waste in the ocean, detoxify and recycle it into diesel fuel.

Climate change represents a challenge that recognizes no national boundaries. There are countries that have pledged to become zero emission economies not just in terms of CO2, but also in terms of other greenhouse gases. For example Norway’s challenge is oil and gas production, whereas New Zealand’s is livestock methane emissions. Almost 100% of Iceland’s electricity is generated by geothermal heat, but it faces challenges in terms of transport.

The old energy inefficient electric bulb date back to almost two centuries. People are now switching over to the energy saving ones. The World is already glimpsing a Green Economy – from the 300 financial institutions with $ 13 trillion of assets who are signatories to UNEP and the UN’s Global Compact Principles for Responsible Investment to the $ 160 billion boom in renewable energy transactions. And it is not just in developed countries, two of the biggest wind power companies are based in China and India respectively.

The current food crisis is predominantly one about prices rather than about supply. In many countries in the past 50 years or so the emphasis has been on hiking up production at the expense of all else. The emergence of marine ‘dead zones’ – deoxygenated areas of sea in which fish and other marine life-forms have either died or fled – are in part linked with the misuse of artificial fertilizers.

Shifting weather patterns threaten food production through increased unpredictability of precipitation, rising sea levels contaminate coastal freshwater reserves and increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, and a warming atmosphere aids the pole-ward spread of pests and disease once limited to the tropics. Ecosystems as diverse as the Amazon rainforests and the Arctic tundra, may be approaching thresholds of dramatic change through warming and drying. Mountain glaciers are in alarming retreat and the downstream effects of reduced water supply in the driest months will have repercussions that transcend generations. The most dangerous climate changes may still be avoided if we transform our hydrocarbon-based energy systems.

Some people may consider a tropical forest merely a collection of trees worth more as logs and timber exports. Although, these trees absorb the carbon emission of the developed countries – a service that might be worth billions of dollars a year, if only we factored them into a more intelligent economic system that included the GDP generated by nature, and not just GDP based on making cars, TVs and microwaves. Climate change will be equivalent to losing at least 5 per cent of global GDP each year. In other words, a failure to act will lead to a significant disruption of the global economy – the recessions of the past and the present will be as nothing to those of the future. Conversely the Intergovernmental Panel to Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that combating climate change may cost as little as 0.1 – 0.2 per cent of global GDP a year over 30 years.

‘Sustainable Development in India : Stocktaking in the run up to Rio+20’

2011-10-14T23:39:00.001-07:00

The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro was a landmark conference which brought together 108 heads of State and Government to Rio, where they endorsed Agenda 21, the blueprint for a sustainable future. There is agreement that the Earth Summit was a major success in raising public awareness about the need to fully integrate environmental and social considerations into economic development policy. Agenda 21 remains a powerful long-term vision for balancing enconomic and social needs with planetary capacity. Marking the twentieth anniversary of the Earth Summit, Rio+ 20 will once again bring together the international community from across the world on a shared platform. At the Delhi Ministerial Dialogue- 2011 on ‘Green Economy and Inclusive Growth’,a book titled ‘Sustainable Development in India : Stocktaking in the run up to Rio+20’ has been brought out to commemorate this occasion . It will enable a reflection on the possibilities and challenges of sustainable development in a large, democratic society.

Since Rio, there have been extensive efforts to implement sustainable development by governments , internaitonal organizations local authorities, business, citizen groups and individuals . Rio+ Summit marks the twentieth anniversary of the historic Earth Summit and offers a unique opportunity not only for takng stock of what the world has achieved since then , but also for us , to reflect on India’s achievements on sustainable development and the challenges that it faces.

Sustainablity has been an integral part of India’s ethos and culture that has been widely reflected even in our ancient scriptures. The Government of India has taken several initiatives in terms of policies and programmes to implement its commitment ot the principles adn goals of sustainable development that were enunciated in 1992. With the passage of time, new challenges and constraints have emerged which will need to be addressed. Globalization, technological progress, the growth of the knowledge industry combined with the strengthening of the institutional architecture and active participation of the civil society offer unprecedented opportunities for us to meet our sustainablity goals.

Sustainable development as a ocncept has a unifying core, built around needs, ecological limits, and social acceptablity, which makes possible a discourse that birngs together groups and views to the table, that would otherwise not be shared. Agenda 21 has been well recognised as the action plan to implement the principles and agreements of the 1992 Earth Summit to address the hard realities of extreme poverty, social inequity, and environmetal degradation.

This book outlines the broad contorus of our stratgy for sustainable development that is specific to our social and economic context, but at the same time integrates well with our global initiatives. The book serves as a stock taking of India achievements on sustainable development, highlighting also the emerging challenges tha the country faces.The book covers consulative process involving all the relaevant Ministries of the Government of India. It will serve as an useful reflection on the pursuit of sustainable development in our ocuntry.It is divided into main four aspects including Framework for sustainable development in India; Achievements and Challenges; International agreements and India and Innovative approaches for sustainable development.

Information Technology in Tracking Wild Animal Movements

2011-09-23T00:32:00.001-07:00

Use of Radio Telemetry for the monitoring of animals started for the first time in India on crocodiles in the year 1983 at the Centre for Crocodile Breeding Management and Training (CCBMT) , Hyderabad (erstwhile centre of Wildlife Institute of India. Subsequently, this technology has increasingly being used to understand the movement of wild animals and their use pattern of the habitat as indicated below:

(1) Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in association with Gujarat Forest Department has been monitoring movement of lions by fitting radio collars with VHF (very high frequency) GPS and satellite uplink facility. The use of this technology helped in identifying the corridors connecting Gir National Park with adjoining sanctuaries and forest areas. Based on this study, the areas around the Gir National Park have been identified by the Gujarat Forest Department and these are being managed as part of the Greater Gir landscape.

(2) Under the aegis of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), MoEF and in association with State governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, WII has used radio collars on tigers which have been re-introduced in Sariska Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve respectively to keep a track of their movement and subsequent adjustment to the new habitats.

(3) WII and Madhya Pradehs Forest Department are currently engagd in monitoring of Garu in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve which have been brought from Kanha Tiger Reserve by using VHF and satellite collars.

(4) With the funding support from Director Genetal, Hydrocarbons (DGH), Ministry of Petroleum, WII fixed Platform Transmitted Terminals (PTTs) on more than 30 olive ridley turtles to monitor their movement and use of marine area off the coast of Orissa. This study has been undertaken to provide information on use of offshore areas by this endangered species (spatial and temporal) for identifying window for oil explorations.

In addition to above , radio telemetry studies have also been done in past on elephants, birds (bar headed geese) and reptiles (king cobra).

(6) A pilot projects on e-surveillance in Corbett Tiger Reserve under the aegis of NTCA has been initiated. This technology will not only provides information on the movement of the animals but also will keep watch on poaching and other undesirable activities in the park.

(7) WII in association with the Gujarat Institute of Information Technology, IIT, Delhi and Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad is working on a project for use of sensor network technology for monitoring of various species of wild animals.

Radio collar and its usage

A radio collar is a wide band of machine – belting fitted with a small radio transmitter and battery. The transmitter emits a signal at a specific frequency that can be tracked from up to 5 kms away. When trying to locate a particular collared animal, the appropriate frequency is dialed, and signal is detected using a directional antenna, usually mounted on top of a vehicle. Once detected, the signal provides the direction lead to the animal.

Since Radio collars are used because wild animals are elusive, usually hidden in dense vegetation, and range over large distances in rough terrain, it is difficult to track them visually. Radio telemetry is used to track such animals, and understand their movement patterns.

A veterinarian uses a dart gun to inject the animal with chemical substances called sedatives or tranquilisers, which immobilise the animal. Once the animal is immobilized, it is fitted with a radio collar. The animal is then injected with an antidote, and it revives soon.

The animals take some time to get accustomed to the collar, but soon begin to ignore it . The collar is appropriately fitted to prevent getting stuck in vegetation, while being loose enough to be comfortable to the animal. There is no evidence to indicate any long-term negative effect of the collars on animals.

Types of Radio collars

There are two types of collars in use: Very High Frequency (VHF) ADN Global Positioning System (GPS).VHF collars are the traditional radio collars, which send out a steady signal which are detected with an antenna and receiver, carried on foot, or mounted on a vehicle or aircraft . A VHF collar lasts at least three years on an animal, after which a new one with fresh batteries is fitted.

GPS collars are more sophisticated and incorporate a GPS receiver which s set to take position fixes at regular intervals, which are stored in the collar and then remotely downloaded to a computer via a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio link. The animal does not need to be recaptured in order to get the data. It helps in mapping an animal’s movement round the clock, allowing studies of home range, movements according to habitat types, human activity or wildlife concentrations, etc. GPS collars are much more expensive as compared to VHF collars, and consume more battery power, because of which they need to be replaced within a year. A satellite GPS collar is currently being experimented, which is costlier but enables information without the need of a receiver.

Virtual Fence Project to Mitigate Man-Animal Conflict

2011-09-23T00:31:00.001-07:00

This is a conceptual project, which envisages use of surveillance technology and Information Technology for creating a ‘Virtual Fence’ to prevent wild animals from straying into human habitation. The technology may be used to monitor poaching and illegal activities. It is also aimed to protect both man and wild animals.

The project comprises three key components: the Virtual Fence (VF), Trail surveillance (TS) and Forest Patch Monitoring (FPM). VF component envisages a system wherein animals straying out are driven back to their habitat. TS and FPM components intend to track the movement of animals and alert any illegal activity taking place in the area respectively. The system is expected to help save lives of animals which may stray on to highways and rail tracks and get killed by speeding vehicles. The technology uses sensors that track the movement of animals by detecting sounds or using thermal energy.

If this project succeeds, it would assist in confining wild animals within their boundaries, saving them as well as mitigating threat to livestock and crops, reducing man-animal conflict.

Other Potential Solutions to mitigate Man-Animal Conflict are:

· Creation of appropriate animal barriers (solar, barbed wire and chain link fencing, trenches, walls etc.)

· Capture of problematic animals.

· Establishment of ‘Rapid Response Teams’ to deal with such conflicts.

· Adoption of wildlife friendly cropping patterns.

· In extreme situations, the potion could be the ‘lethal control’ of rogue animals. Section 11 or the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 already provides for the same.

· Adequate and timely dispensation of compensation to the victims.

· Long term studies on the human-animal conflict need to be carried out.

· Education of local people on dealing with man-animal conflicts.

Man-Animal Conflicts in India

2011-09-23T00:30:00.000-07:00

Man-animal conflicts are common in various parts of the country. Incidents of man-animal conflict are reported from States/Union Territories of the country. In India, wild elephants probably kill far more people than tiger, leopard or lion. But, surprisingly, human conflict involving leopard draws great amount of public attention compared to other animals. Other carnivores – tigers, lions and wolves which have been known for causing a large number of human deaths in the past, are now mostly restricted in range and their impact is not as widespread as that of the leopard. The Government is giving highest priority to mitigate the problem. It supplements the financial resources available with the States/ Union Territory Governments for the purpose by providing limited funds under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Project Tiger', 'Project Elephant' and 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats'. Payment of ex-gratia to the victims of wild animals is the responsibility of the concerned State/ Union Territory Governments. Animals like elephant, tiger, leopard, wild dog, monkey, wild boar; Nilgai, bear, sambar deer etc. are major animals involved in human-animal conflict in India.

Seriousness of Man-Animal Conflict in India

In India, man-animal conflict is seen across the country in a variety of forms, including monkey menace in the urban areas, crop raiding by ungulates and wild pigs, depredation by elephants, and cattle and human killing by tigers and leopards.

Damage to agricultural crops and property, killing of livestock and human beings are some of the worst forms of man-animal conflict.

The increase in man-animal conflict is likely due to the greater resilience and adaptability of wild animals in face of their shrinking habitats, which allow them to live successfully close to human habitation.

Degradation of habitats, depletion of the natural prey base, changing crop patterns, suitability of man modified habitats to wild animals, presence of stray dogs and cattle in forest fringe areas etc are other reasons. Crops like sugarcane and tea estates are reported to provide excellent cover for wild animals.

As per Elephant Census held in 2007-08, estimated population of Elephant in India is 27669-27719 (Mid value 27694).

The Governme In India, wild elephants probably kill far more people than tiger, leopard or lion. But, surprisingly, human conflict involving leopard draws great amount of public attention compared to other animals. Other carnivores – tigers, lions and wolves which have been known for causing a large number of human deaths in the past, are now mostly restricted in range and their impact is not as widespread as that of the leopard.

The Government has initiated a number of steps in this regard including the following:

1. Providing assistance to State Governments for improvement of habitat to augment food and water availability and to reduce movement of animals from the forests to the habitations.

2. Encouraging State Governments for creation of a network of Protected Areas and wildlife corridors for conservation of wildlife.

3. Awareness programmes to sensitize the people about the Do’s and Don’ts to minimize conflicts.

4. Training programmes for forest staff and police to address the problems of human-wildlife conflicts.

5. Issuance of guidelines to the State Governments for management of human-leopard conflict.

6. Providing technical and financial support for development of necessary infrastructure and support facilities for immobilization of problematic animals through tranquilization, their translocation to the rescue centres or release back to the natural habitats.

7. Providing assistance to State Governments for construction of boundary walls and solar fences around the sensitive areas to prevent the wild animal attacks.

8. Supplementing State Government resources for payment of ex-gratia to the people for injuries and loss of life in case of wild animal attacks.

9. Empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State/Union Territories to permit hunting of such problematic animals under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

10. Providing assistance to the State Governments for eco-development activities in villages around Protected Areas to elicit cooperation of local community in management of the Protected Areas.

10. Providing assistance to the State Governments for eco-development activities in villages around Protected Areas to elicit cooperation of local community in management of the Protected Areas.

11. Encouraging and supporting involvement of the research and academic institutions and leading voluntary organizations having expertise in managing human -wildlife conflict situations.

Some devices of Information Technology, viz., radio collars with Very High Frequency, Global Positioning System and Satellite uplink facilities, are being used by the research institutions including Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, State Forest Departments and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to monitor the movement of Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Olive Ridley Turtles, and other wild animals to understand their movements and their use pattern of the habitat.

Assistance Provided by MoEF to Mitigate Man-Animal conflicts

Under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, MoEF has been providing financial and technical assistance to the State/UT Governments for the conservation and management of wildlife including for activities aimed at mitigating man-animal conflicts.

Such activities include the creation of appropriate animal barriers ( solar, barbed wire and chain link fencing, trenches, walls etc.).

Protected Areas and Elephant reserves

There are 661 Protected Areas in the country covering around 4.8% geographical areas. There are 100 National Parks, 514 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 43 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community Reserves in the country

Indian Army-ICICI Bank : Green Governance Programme

2011-09-22T04:30:00.001-07:00

The Indian Army has joined hands with ‘The Green Governance Programme’ of ICICI Bank to implement projects like rainwater harvesting, ground water rejuvenation, construction of check dams and water treatment/de-siltation of water bodies, New & Renewable Energy Initiatives etc. The Indian Army Environment and Ecology Cell functioning under the Quarter Master General’s Branch at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, is the nodal implementing agency for the various projects under this programme. The project is expected to enhance the biodiversity conservation potential of the Indian Army’s various establishments, such as cantonments, depots, maneuver areas and military farms. The project also involves spreading awareness on ecology and biodiversity related concepts among school children.

To increase awareness of the project, General VK Singh, Chief of The Army Staff released two Coffee Table Books named ‘A Saga in Stone’ and ‘Friends of the Earth’ on 22 September 2011. The two books present a facet of the Indian Army largely unknown to most and emphasize the commitment of Indian Army towards preservation of our heritage and culture and its resolve to arrest and conserve environmental degradation.

Third Permanent Indian Research Station in Antarctica

2011-09-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

In pursuance of the Government initiative to establish a new permanent Indian Base in Antarctica, a Task Force constituted by the Ministry and comprising experts from geology and glaciology, oceanography, upper atmosphere and geomagnetism and the health care, undertook a visit to the Amery Ice shelf – Prydz Bay region of East Antarctica during February 2004 and examined the area between 660 E and 780 E Longitude. After extensive traverses in the Vestfold Hills, Rauer Group of islands, Larsemann Hills and Bolingen islands apart from the area along the Mawson Coast, the Task Force recommended a rocky promontory between Quilty Bay and Thala Fjord in the Central part of the Larsemann Hills, bound by latitudes 69o24’ and 69o25’ and longitudes 76o10’ and 76o14’E, as the most suitable site for the new Indian base.

In continuation of the above , special teams were sent during the subsequent expeditions to initiate collection of baseline environmental data at the proposed site for a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation as well as to facilitate planning of the station infrastrure. In addition, a special expedition was mounted on board R.V. Boris Petrov during January-March 2006 to undertake multibeam bathmetric surveys along the planned approach of the expedition vessel to the Larsemann Hills area, besides carrying out meteorological and oceanographic observations at and around the site of the new base. A topographical map of the Larsemann Hills region on 1:5000 scales was also prepared during 2006-07.

In tandem, the initial activities related to the planning , design and development of the research station in the larsemann Hills area commenced at NCAOR during the year 2004 itself. A Draft (CEE) as mandated under the Antarctic Treaty System was prepared and tabled for discussion and approval at the XXX Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Delhi, during April 2007. Based on the formal endorsement of the draft CEE at the ATCM, the final CEE was finalised and circulated to the other Treaty Nations.

A conceptual design of the station was obtained through Global Expressions of Interest solicited during the year 2006-07 for innovative ideas. In order to provide the requisite advice to NCAOR in planning the station building and related infrastructure as per the accepted design , in tendering for the construction of the station building, in identifying a firm to which the tendered work could be entrusted, in monitoring the station-building activities and in integrating the various logistics activities within the framework of the design specifications and the CEE report, a consultant-architect firm was also identified through the global Eol.

The pre-construction activities of Inida’s Third Research Base commenced during the austral summer of 2009, when the most critical logistics task of putting in place the infrastructure necessary for the construction of the station was achieved successfully. All the heavy earthmoving / construction material and cargo, ranging from 5 to 47 metric tons were transported from ship to shore either by the two helicopters or by vehicles over the fast ice. About 250 m long road form landing site up to the helipad was carved out using bulldozer, excavator and nonex deflagrating cartridges.

The phase I construction activities were commenced during the austral summer of 2010. The work planned under this phase which is being executed comprises piling for the foundation for the main station building and erection of garage sump and walls, construction of helipad using pre-cast concrete elements, construction of foundation of fuel farm using pre-cast concrete elements, construction of fuel farm using 13 number 20 feet tank-containers and one service container, laying of pipeline for fuel , fresh and waste water, site survey and foundation piling for the planned Satellite Ground station and preparation of approach roads from landing site to station building and to the Satellite Ground station.

The Phase II activities have been initiated and the station is expected to be fully operational by 2013.

Indian Continental Shelf Programme

2011-09-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Under Part VI of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), coastal states have sovereign and economic rights over the resources of their continental shelf out to a idstance of 200 nautical miles (M) from thier territorial sea baselines. However, as per the provision of Article 76 of UNCLOS, these rights can be extended beyond 200 M it it can be demonstrated that the shelf extends beyond this distance throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory (See Figure below).Determining the extent of this continental prolongation from the landmass, and hence defining the outer limit of the continental shelf, forms the basis of the Indian Continental Shelf Programme.

The Indian Continental Shelf Project which commenced during November 1999, is a multi-institutional and multicrore national mission that seeks to gather , analyse and document the requisite scientific and technical information that would help define the country’s extended shelf boundaries beyond 200 M as per the UNCLOS provisions. The Indian endeavours towards this ultimate goal are being spearheaded by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR). Underpinning our efforts has been a comprehensive multi-institutional marine geophysical survey and data analysis programme comprising state-of –the –art multi-channel seismic reflection, refraction, gravity and magnetic data profiling.

The data acquisition work was initiated through a contractual agreement on the 17th July 2002 and was completed on the 7th of February 2004. Spread over 385 days of fair-weather period, around 31,000 km of seismic reflection, gravity and magnetic data were collected in and off the EEZ of India. In addition, for the first time in the country, 90 state-of-the-art Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) were successfully deployed along several seismic transects to constrain the velocities from the reflection data as well as to develop a crustal model of the area.

Considering the scope of the work, the post – processing and interpretation of the geophysical data was undertaken by three of the leading National Institutes, viz., NCAOR, NGRI and NIO. The National Hydrographic Office (NHO) was the load agency for the acquisition , processing, interpretation delineation of the 2500-m isobaths as well as the foot of the continental slope. Other Indian Agencies involved in the Project during the data acquisition phase were the ONGC, GSI and the DGH. All the policy aspects related to the delineation exercise are being handled by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the External Affairs.

On the 11th May 2009, India submitted to the UN Commission on the limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), the country’s first partial submission for an extended continental shelf under the provisions of article 76: technical documentation for a second partial submission under the provisions of the Statement of Understanding has also been provided to the Ministry of External Affairs for submission to the CLCS.

On the 16 August 2010, a six-member delegation led by Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, MoES made a formal presentation of India’s submission before the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf at the UN Headquarters, New York.

Marine Geophysical Database

During the course of Indian continental shelf Programme as well as other geophysical cruises in the Indian Ocean region, a huge volume of marine geophysical date has been gathered and archived at NCAOR. Considering the immense volume of data and its intrinsic value, a state-of-the-art archival and retrieval facilities of data in a structured database has been established at NCAOR. This Centre was formally commissioned on 11th December 2009 by Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, MoES. The web based database facilitates customized GIS-based interface for easy retrieval of data from a NAS, queries based on different scientific inputs, and web based input/output interface to facilitate the application to run on internet/intranet with login authentication. The database format is also flexible enough to allow for both vertical and lateral growth.

While the scientific and technical information gathered would admirably serve its primary purpose of delineating the outer limits of India’s continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, the surveys have also furnished invaluable data that could form the cornerstone of the country’s planned endeavours in the oceanic realm. Further detailed studies on the data collected are expected to provide the scientific community with answers to some of the long-debated questions as the origin and evolution of such enigmatic features as the 85o East Ridge in the Bay of Bengal, the Laxmi and Laccadive Ridges in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Mannar, the offshore extent of the Deccan volcanic, the reasons for the association of gravity lows in the Bay of Bengal with structural highs , the development of the fans vis-a-vis the origin and growth of the Himalayas etc. The studies also open a new vista in the exploration for hydrocarbons in the offshore areas of the continental shelf beyond 200 M. With two of the world’s thickest accumulations of sediments on the seabed (the “Indus Fan” in the Arabian Sea and the “Bengal Fan” in the Bay of 44Bengal) derived from the Himalayas, the data gathered is expected to provide specific insights related to such areas as marine ecosystems, unconventional energy, and offshore mineral resources . An increased understanding of the history and processes of the continental margin around us will also improve the assessment of hazards resulting landslides and tsunamis.

RAPS and ITS CSR

2011-09-20T06:16:00.001-07:00

The second twin unit of 700 MWe series has started construction work at Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant at Rawatbhata Site. r. The First Pour of Concrete (FPC) of RAPP-7&8 has commenced on 17th of July this year, which is inauguration of this important milestone in the construction of nuclear power project (NPP) signifying the start of the construction i.e. zero date. The first such twin units were construced at Kakarapar on 11th December, 2010.

These units are scheduled to be completed in the year 2016-17. 50% of the power of these units i.e. 700 MWe has been earmarked for the Rajasthan state itself i.e. home state & balance to the Northern Grid. With the commencement of work for these two Units of 700 MWe each, the total capacity at RAP would become 2480 MWe. It is becoming virtually a Nuclear Park as a 500 Ton Nuclear fuel Fabrication Facility is being set up here by Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) & Heavy Water Plant, Kota (HWPK) is already functioning here. An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed with NFC.

Presently more than 1100 MWe is being generated from the five units. RAPS-5&6 were commissioned and made commercial by March, 2010. In RAPS#2, feeders have been replaced and up gradation of the various systems carried out to bring this unit at par with the latest PHWRs & RAPS-3&4 were brought under IAEA safe guard and loaded with new fuel thereby enabling them to be run at full capacity.

RAPS–5&6 were commissioned and commercialized in the shortest span of two months by optimizing human resources. RAPS#5 in the first year itself has achieved an annual C.F. of 93.13% and A.F. 87% . It generated a record output of 175.313 MUs in the month of March, 2011 which was the highest generation among the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) units & RAPS-5&6 together also gave highest output generation of 350.105 MUs in the March, 2011 itself.

RAPS-3&4 have done very well. During Financial Year 2010-11, the C. Fs of RAPS#3 & RAPS#4 have been 86.91% and 99.22% respectively. RAPS#3 generated 1564 MUs & RAPS#4 1806 MUs. RAPS#3 operated continuously for 404 days from 26.6.2009 till planned BSD was taken on 05.08.2010. RAPS-3&4 station has been awarded the excellent performing station of NPCIL for five times in last six years.

RAPS-2 is also doing quite well. Presently it is generating 214 MWe including 100 T/hr steam to HWPK against its rated capacity of 200 MWe. After EMFR and Upgradation work, It’s A.F. has been 95.3% & C.F. 97.3%. In the year 2010-2011, the C.F. was 98.17% which is the highest among all units. It generated 1720 MU against the target of 1394 MU. The earlier highest annual generation was 1479.5 MU in the year 1988-89. In the current year, its C.F. & A.F. are 106.7% and 100% respectively so far. On 16th of July this year, it had broken its previous record of continuous running of 184 days. It is really a matter of great pride. Safety has been given top priority & all the more after the Fukushima event.

In the construction of new units, industrial safety aspects are being accorded highest importance. During the huge excavation of 16 lakh Cu. Mtr. of hard rock & other fabrication, installation & PCC work done so far, no untoward incident has taken place.

At Rawtbhata Rajasthan Site as far as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are concerned, a lot has been done for the social welfare of the people in the neighborhood here. Earlier the yearly budget was Rs. 75 lakhs which is being increased to Rs. 1.6 Crores from this year to provide as such many more facilities as possible.

A Hospital has been built at a cost of Rs. 85 Lakhs in the year 2008. Later an ambulance was also provided to bring the patients from the nearby villages. A new building was built for the State Girls Higher Secondary School in the year 2002 & now First Floor has also been added for starting a Science Wing for the Girls. This has been formally handed over to the State Education Department.RAP adopted nearby Tamlav village and the necessary approach road, piped water and electrical lighting along the road were provided. A community centre is in the pipe line.

A Civil Defence Training Tower was built at Rawatbhata for the training of rescuing personnel for evacuation from the high rise buildings during fire etc.A Pipe Line was laid from the hydro works to the Dhuanwa Dhoop village for necessary water supply to them.A Borewell was drilled in Sentab area for water supply to the school and College in that area. Furniture items & PVC Water Tanks were distributed to the nearby schools.

Every year 15 children are taken in the First Standard in Atomic Energy Central Schools under TNP scheme from the poor families in the nearby villages and provide them with a scholarship of Rs 400 per month to the girls & Rs 300 to the boys. They are also provided with books, uniforms etc. as well as medical facilities. Admissions are also provided to the local non-DAE students. This year 125 students have been given admission as compared to 40 in the earlier years.

Pollution Abatement Measures at 1085 Locations on 383 Rivers in Country

2011-09-20T06:15:00.001-07:00

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is monitoring water quality of rivers at 1085 locations covering 383 rivers in terms of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Fecal Coliforms etc. Based on BOD levels, 150 polluted river stretches have been identified by CPCB.

A draft notification has been issued by the Central Government on 01.07.11 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for declaring the stretch of river Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone. The draft has been put on the website of the Ministry inviting comments and suggestions, within 60 days from the date of publication.

Conservation of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central and State Governments. This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments for abatement of pollution in rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) which presently covers polluted stretches of 39 rivers in 185 towns in 20 States. The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985 and was later expanded to include other major rivers under NRCP. Pollution abatement schemes undertaken include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage; low cost sanitation works; etc. An expenditure of Rs.4729 crore has been incurred and sewage treatment capacity of 4417 million litres per day (mld) has been created so far under these Plans.

The Central Government has constituted the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) in February, 2009 as an empowered authority for conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a holistic approach. The Authority has decided that under ‘Mission Clean Ganga’, it will be ensured that by the year 2020, no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents flow into Ganga.

Creation of infrastructure for sewage management and disposal is also being undertaken through other central schemes, such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, as well as under state schemes.

CPCB has identified BDO criteria is exceeding 30mg/l. Here it excceds 6mg/l iin all occasions in all 35 stretches on rivers Attawa choe, Adyar, Amlakhadi, Bhima, Bharalu, Bhogavo, Coovum, Cauvery, Chandrabhaga, Chambal, Daman ganga, Ganga, Gomti, Godavari, Ghaggar, Hindon, Indrayani, Kalong, Kundalika, Khan, Koyna, Kali nadi eastern, Musi, Mula & mutha, Mithi, Markanda, Nakkavagu, Nira, Patiala ki Rao, Pawana, Ramganga Sukhna choe, Satluj Sabarmati, Venna river, Western Yamuna canal, Western kali (Partly Covered) & Yamuna.

The criteria between 20-30 mg/l is exceeding 6 mg/l in all occasions at 15 stretches. The rivers are Bagad, Bhadra, Bahalla Bandi, Berech, Dhela & kichha, Girna, Jojari, Khetri, Kosi, Khari, Kolak, Mindhola, Nira, Noyyal, Nambul & Tapi.

The criteria between 10-20 mg/l is being exceeded 6 mg/l in all occasions at 26 stretches in Agartala canal, Bhima, Deepar bill, Ganga, Gurgaon canal, Kshipra, Krishna, Karamana, Laxmantirtha, Manjira, Narmada, Purna, Shedi, Subarnrekha, Tunga, Tungabhadra, Weinganga & Wardha.

At 38 places BDO criteria remains Between 6-10 mg/l. These rivers are Arasalar, Arpa, Betwa, Beas, Bhavani, Burhidihing, Chambal, Cauvery, Damodar, Dhadar, Ganga, Godavari, Kali, Kim, Kalisot, Kalu, Kanhan, Kolar, Krishna, Kathjodi, Kharkhala, Mahi, Markanda, Narmada, Panchganga, Patalganga, Rangavali, Sankh, Sikrana, Seonath, Tambiraparani, Umtrew, Ulhas, Vaigai, Tapi, & Tons.

Anas, Ambika, Arkavati, Baleshwar khadi, Barakar, Brahmani, Bhatsa, Dikchu, Dhansiri, Haora, Hundri, Kundu, Kadambayar, , Kuakhai, Kaveri, Krishna, Maner, Malprabha, Maney khola, Mahi, Mahanadi, MahanadiTeesta, Mandakini, Narmada, Palar, Pennar, Panam, Puzhackal, Rihand, Ranichu, Sabarmati, Saryu, Tungabhadra, Ulhas & Yamuna have another 36 stretches where BDO criteria remains between 3-6 mg/l.

Sources of Pollution and Criteria for Identification

2011-09-20T06:14:00.001-07:00

The rivers in the country are polluted by the discharge of treated and untreated municipal wastewater and industrial effluents. Out of the total measurable pollution in the rivers from various point sources, 75% is accounted for by municipal sewage from towns located along the banks of the river and remaining 25% is accounted for by industrial effluents. In case of municipal wastewater, it is estimated that Class-I cities (498) and Class-II towns (410) generate more than 38254 million liters per day of sewage per day against which the treatment capacity exists only for about 11787 million liters per day of sewage. Thus there is a large gap between generation and treatment of municipal sewage in the country. The responsibility of treatment of sewage lies with concerned municipal authorities. Until the entire sewage generated is comprehensively tackled , the problem of pollution in rivers cannot be satisfactorily resolved. Though industrial pollution is 25% of the pollution loads, it complex profile due to the presence due to the presence of chemicals, metals and other toxic materials.

In 1988-89, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified 10 polluted river stretches to focus the pollution control effort. In 1992-93, 33 grossly and less polluted stretches (besides Ganga River) were identified by CPCB, which formed the basis for conceptualization or River Action Plans under the National River Conservation Plan.

CPCB has been updating the list of polluted stretches and based on the water quality data for the years 2002-08 , 150 polluted stretches have been identified.

A polluted stretch is where the desired level of water quality does not meet the defined uses with respect to Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand. In the present exercise, priorities of stretches were identified in terms of BOD values.

Water Quality Criteria for CPCB’s Designated Best Use Classification

In any stretch of river, the use demanding the highest quality of water is taken as the designated best use. The water quality criterion for each of the designated best use given by CPCB is as under: -

Class	Designated best use	Water Quality Criteria
Class A	Drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfection.	Dissolved Oxygen-6.0 mg/1 or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand-2.0 mg/1 or less, Total Coli form – 50 MPN/100 ml
Class B	Outdoor bathing	Dissolved Oxygen-5 mg/1 or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand-3 mg/1 or less, Fecal Coli form – 500 MPN/100 ml (desirable), 2500 MPN/100 ml (maximum permissible)
Class C	Drinking water source with conventional treatment followed by disinfection	Dissolved Oxygen-4 mg/1 or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand-3 mg/1 or less, Total Coli form – 5000 MPN/100 ml
Class D	Propagation of wildlife and Fisheries	Dissolved Oxygen-4 mg/1 or more Free ammonia – 1.2 mg/
Class E	Irrigation, Industrial Cooling and Controlled Waste Disposal	Electrical Conductivity – 2,250 mhos/cu. Sodium Absorption Ration – 26 or less, Boron – mg/1

National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)

2011-09-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Centrally sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is being implemented by the central Government jointly with the State Government on a cost-sharing basis. The pollution abatement works under NRCP presently cover identified polluted stretches of 39 major rivers in 185 towns spread over 20 States in the country. The sanctioned cost of the projects under NRCP is Rs . 8100.48 crore (including Rs.433 crore incurred under GAP-I). A sewage treatment capacity of 4417 mld has been created under River Action Plans.

Pollution Abatement Works So far

The following pollution abatement works are taken up:

(i) Interception and Diversion works to capture the raw sewage flowing into the river through open drains and divert them for treatment . (I&D)

(ii) Sewage Treatment Plants for treating the diverted sewage. (STP)

(iii) Low Cost Sanitation works to prevent open defecation on river banks . (LCS)

(iv) Electric Crematoria and Improved Wood Crematoria and Improved Wood Crematoria to conserve the use of wood and help in ensuring proper cremation of bodies brought to the buring ghats. (EC&IWC)

(v) River Front Development works such as improvement of bathing ghats etc. (RED)

(vi) Other Measures like plantation, public awareness etc.

Funding Pattern for NRCP

The funding pattern for the river cleaning programme has undergone several changes over the years. The GAP Phase I which started in 1985 was a 100% Centrally funded scheme. The funding pattern has changed to 50:50 between the Central Government and the State Governments in 1993. This was revised again to 100% GOI funding w.e.f. 01.04.1997. The funding pattern is 70:30 between Centre and States with effect from 01.04.2001. The Yamuna Action Plan is being implemented with a funding pattern of 85:15 between the Central Government and the State Governments.

Fund Outlay for NRCP in XI Plan

An amount of Rs. 2065 crore has been provided in the XI Plan (2007-2012) for works under NRCP against the estimated requirement of Rs. 8303 crores, as assessed in the Report by the Working Group on Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers constituted by the Planning Commission.

Shortcomings in Implementation

A town approach adopted instead of a holistic river basin approach before constitution of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).

(i) Increasing gap between requirement of Sewage treatment infrastructure and actual pollution load being tackled due to continuous increase in population in towns along the river banks, inadequate financial resources invested in river cleaning.

(ii) Delays in completion of schemes due to lack of inter-agency coordination at field level, delays in acquisition of land for STPs & Pumping stations, contractual problems, court cases, etc. leading to cost overruns.

(iii) Shortage of Skilled manpower and regular staff and inadequate provision of funds by the States and ULBs for O&M of the sewage treatment infrastructure.

(iv) Erratic/ non-availability of power supply for operation of operation of assets, under – utilization of STPs, in some cases , due to non-conveyance of sewage generated in the absence of upstream systems such as branch sewers & house connections.

(v) Lack of involvement of civil society in the programme.

India has successfully phased-out completely the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and halons.

2011-09-16T04:48:00.000-07:00

Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment and Forests said India has successfully phased-out completely the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and halons. India also proactively ceased the production and consumption of CFCs from 1st August, 2008, 17 months ahead of schedule of the Montreal Protocol. This has become possible with the help and active cooperation of our industries.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at International Ozone Day celebrations here today, Smt Natarajan said recognizing the success of the Montreal Protocol in phasing out the ODSs like CTC, CFC and halons, the 19th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) held in September, 2007 had taken a decision to advance the phase-out of HCFCs by 10 years. The baseline for production and consumption of HCFCs will be determined on the average of the years 2009 and 2010 for production and consumption respectively. The freeze will be from 2013 and 10% reduction from the baseline in 2015 for stage–I reduction as per the accelerated phase-out schedule.

Referring to Climate Change and pollution control, Smt Natarajan said that one of the important principles enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility. A concrete manifestation of this principle is the Kyoto Protocol. Kyoto Protocol represents an important legally binding framework to address Climate Change. She appealed students to act in a small but effective way to control pollution. She appreciated student’s decision to keep away from fire works to reduce air and noise pollution during Diwali festival. The Minister told them to be alert and determined and take up responsibility to reduce carbon foot prints.

A number of competitions were organized for school children on 29th August, 2011 at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi to mark this occasion. About 24000 students participated in competitions for Poster, Painting, Quiz, Skit, Model Making and Slogan Writing.

A number of competitions were organized for school children on 29th August, 2011 at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi to mark this occasion. About 24000 students participated in competitions for Poster, Painting, Quiz, Skit, Model Making and Slogan Writing. In Painting Competition first prize won by Mr. Arjun Sehgal of Delhi Public School,, Rohini and second prize was given to Mr. Akshay Verma M.G. Public School, Muzaffar Nagar, UP. In Poster Competition Ms. Nidhi Gulia of Oxford Senior Secondary School got frist prize and Mr. Ankur Singfrom Henry Dunant Public School, Delhi got the Second Prize

Slogan Competition was won by Mr. Aayush Bajaj of Bhatnagar International School, New Delhi and Ms. Himanshi of Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidayalaya respectively for first and second Prize. Quiz Competition winners were Mr. Deepak Aggarwal of Mayur Public School and Mr. Pranay Baldev - DPS, Rohini, New Delhi for first and second prizes respectively.Students of Bharti Public School got first prize in Skit Competition and students from Sri Sathya Sai vidya vihar Block got second prize. In Model – Making Comptetition Mamta Modern Sr. Sec. School, New Delhi and Combridge School, Indirapuram got first and second prizes respectively.

Posters, stickers and the 13th edition of the “The Montreal Protocol: India’s Success Story” which contains relevant aspects of India’s commitment to the Protocol, were also released by the Minister.

Steps to address problem of climate change through purely voluntary actions: Jayanthi Natarajan

2011-09-15T05:56:00.001-07:00

India and some other developing countries have taken steps to address the problem of Climate Change through purely voluntary actions. Sharing important perspectives from India’s point of view with media in a press conference here today, Smt Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) said, “We have also pledged to strive to reduce emissions intensity of India’s GDP by 20 to 25% by 2020 over 2005, clearly manifesting the seriousness with which we view global action on Climate Change. In fact recent reports indicate that the pledges by developing countries are significant if not more as compared to what developed countries are now willing to pledge.” Smt Natarajan was talking after attending the Informal Ministerial Consultations on Climate Change organized by South Africa as the incoming presidency of the Seventeenth Conference of Parties to the Climate Convention (COP-17). The consultations were attended by over 50 countries.

She said, “I expressed India’s wholehearted support and solidarity with South Africa, with which we share deep historical bond for a successful conference at Durban. South Africa is the first developing country since 2007 to host a COP and is also our valued partner as part of the BASIC group. I called on the Annex I Parties to not only honour their commitments under Kyoto Protocol for their current commitment period but also step up their ambition and strengthen the regime built carefully over the last two decades. Our Endeavour is to strive for the Annex I parties to agree to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.”

The Minister said, “For the Durban Conference of Parties, we look forward to the operationalisation of Cancun decisions and to ensure that some of the issues relating to the Bali Roadmap are not lost sight of. Issues related to finance, technology transfer, adaptation and REDD+ are key deliverables for the Durban Conference. Our negotiators are engaged in parallel negotiations to discuss the details of the Green Climate Fund, the Technology Executive Committee and other such mechanisms. This would bring tangible benefits to developing countries. Developed countries are also keen to operationalise the mechanisms agreed to at Cancun regarding the International Transparency Architecture including Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), International Assessment & Review (IAR) for developed countries and International Consultation & Analysis (ICA) for developing countries.”

Referring to provision of financial resources to developing countries Smt Natarajan said it is a clear and binding commitment for developed countries under the Framework Convention. Cancun marked a significant step in climate change negotiations, as at Cancun the developing countries including India agreed to internationalize their voluntary domestic actions which are an integral part of our development strategy. The global architecture on climate change should help in generating and providing additional financial resources to developing countries to address climate change.

The Minister informed that we have also proposed three items for the agenda of the Durban Conference of Parties, namely Equity, Trade and Technology related IPRs so that these issues can be addressed purposefully. She also had bilateral consultations with the Ministers of many countries, including South Africa, United States, China, European Union, Singapore and Japan.

Ozone Day

2011-09-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Every year September 16th is celebrated as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, this date has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This commemoration around the world offers an opportunity to focus attention and action at the global, regional and national levels on the protection of the ozone layer. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “HCFC phase out- a unique opportunity.”

What is Ozone Layer?

The Ozone Layer describes the protective layer of naturally occurring gas, comprised of three atoms of oxygen found about 10-50 km above the earth’s surface that protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or UV-B rays of sun. Scientist in the 1970’s discovered that the layer was thinning as a result of the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), consequently, the Ozone Hole developed. In 1985, nations around the world convened at Vienna in an attempt to develop a framework for co-operative activities to protect the Ozone layer. This signed agreement became known as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

The UNEP is monitoring compliance with the programmes of the international treaties aimed at eliminating the projection and use of ozone-depleting substances, including (CFCs), used as industrial refrigerants and in aerosols, and the pesticide methyl bromide.

Specifically, developing countries need to focus on eliminating the use of methyl bromide as an agricultural pesticide and they must halt illegal trade in CFCs.More than 130,000 new cases of melanoma are reported around the world and some 66,000 people die from skin cancer every year.

Montreal Protocol

In 1987, representatives from 24 countries met in Montreal and announced to the world that it was time to stop destroying the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been recognized as the most successful international environment treaty in history. Another testimony to its remarkable accomplishments, the Montreal Protocol has received universal ratification; all countries in the world have now ratified this landmark agreement. This brings together the whole international community to protect the ozone layer.

The Protocol was the culmination of decades of research, which established that chemicals containing chlorine and bromine released in the atmosphere could damage the ozone layer. A depleted ozone layer in the stratosphere allows the ultraviolet rays of the sun to reach the earth exposing mankind, flora and fauna to its harmful effects. According to the World Health Organization, each year between 12 to 15 million people become blind from cataracts worldwide, of which up to 20% may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure.

Initially on the basis of very definite empirical findings, the Protocol enjoined upon all the signatory nations to completely phase out the major Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and carbon-tetrachloride (CTC) in a given time schedule. Later, other studies have brought more ODSs such as hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methyl bromide under the ambit of the Protocol for phasing out within the given deadlines.

The Montreal Protocol which is in operation for more than twenty years had an extraordinary international cooperation and has led to complete phase-out of production and consumption of several ODSs. As of 1st January, 2010, the production and consumption of major ODSs like CFCs, CTC and halons have already been phased out globally. This has not only protected the stratospheric ozone but it has also immensely benefited the climate system.

India Shares Concern

India, being a Party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, have been sharing the global concern for protecting the ozone layer and phase out of ODSs like CFCs, halons, CTC, methylchloroform, methylbromide and HCFCs. These chemicals are used in industrial and pharmaceutical aerosols, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipments, foam manufacturing, fire extinguishing equipment, metal-cleaning, garment cleaning, soil fumigation and quarantine and pre-shipment applications etc.

Since 1993 with the continued efforts made by stakeholders responsible for implementation of the Montreal Protocol activities, India has successfully phased-out completely the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and halons except the use of pharmaceutical grade CFCs in manufacturing of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) for treatment of Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other respiratory ailments under the Essential Use Nomination (EUN) provisions of the Montreal Protocol.

India- Ahead of Schedule

India also proactively ceased the production and consumption of CFCs from 1st August, 2008, 17 months ahead of schedule of the Montreal Protocol. However, adequate steps were taken to ensure the supply of pharmaceutical grade CFCs for the critical sector, manufacturing of MDIs continue to serve millions of Asthma and COPD patients in our country through EUN provisions of the Protocol especially during the transition period. India got it approved of 343.6 MT of pharmaceutical grade CFCs for 2010 for manufacturing of MDIs in the country. The Indian MDI manufacturers have made an excellent progress in developing CFC-free formulations for most of the MDIs and placed CFC-free MDIs in the market. As a result, India did not seek any amount of CFC during 2011.

Recognizing the success of the Montreal Protocol in phasing out the ODSs like CTC, CFC and halons, the 19th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) held in September, 2007 had taken a decision to advance the phase-out of HCFCs by 10 years. The baseline for production and consumption of HCFCs will be determined on the average of the years 2009 and 2010 for production and consumption respectively. The freeze will be from 2013 and 10% reduction from the baseline in 2015 for stage–I reduction as per the accelerated phase-out schedule. The HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) is being prepared in close cooperation with the industry, concerned industry associations, research institutions, institutional user organizations, NGOs etc. The Sectoral Working Groups Meeting was organized in September 2009. Based on the outcome of the meeting, a Roadmap to Phase-out HCFCs in India was launched in October, 2009. The finalization of HPMP for Stage-I is in progress in consultation with the industry and other stakeholders.

Early Adoption of New Technologies

The Government has also taken a number of policy measures, both fiscal and regulatory, to encourage early adoption of new technologies by existing and new enterprises. The Customs and Excise duty exemption is granted on capital goods required to implement ODS phase out projects funded by the MLF and these physical incentives are also extended for new industrial establishments and expansion of existing capacities using non-ODS technologies. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 regulating ODS production, consumption and trade have also been put in place. These Rules are being enforced under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with effect from 19th July, 2000. These Rules have been, further, amended from time to time to facilitate execution of national phase-out plans so as to meet the reduction targets as specified in the Protocol.

Initiatives taken by the Government of India for Strengthening Tiger Conservation

2011-09-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

1. Implementing a tripartite MOU with tiger States, linked to fund flows for effective implementation of tiger conservation initiatives.

2. Rapid assessment of tiger reserves done.

3. Special crack teams sent to tiger reserves affected by left wing extremism and low population status of tiger and its prey.

4. Chief Ministers of tiger States addressed at the level of the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests on urgent issues, viz. implementation of the tripartite MOU, creation of the Tiger Conservation Foundation, stepping up protection etc.

5. Chief Ministers of States having tiger reserves affected by left wing extremism and low population status of tiger and its prey addressed for taking special initiatives.

6. Steps taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection, besides launching ‘M-STrIPES’ for effective field patrolling and monitoring.

7. Steps taken for involvement of Non-Governmental Experts in the ongoing all India tiger estimation.

8. Special independent team sent to Similipal for assessing the status, besides constituting State level Coordination Committee for redressing the administrative problems.

9. Issue of tiger farming and trafficking of tiger body parts discussed at the level of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests with the Chinese Authorities.

10. Action taken for amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to ensure effective conservation.

11. Initiatives taken for improving the field delivery through capacity building of field officials, apart from providing incentives.

12. Steps taken for the independent Monitoring and Evaluation of tiger reserves.

13. Action initiated for using Information Technology to strengthen surveillance in tiger reserves.

14. Providing special assistance for mitigation of human-tiger conflicts in problematic areas.

15. As an outcome of the fourth Trans-border Consultative Group Meeting held in New Delhi, a joint resolution has been signed with Nepal for biodiversity / tiger conservation.

16. Regional Offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority have been sanctioned at Nagpur, Bengaluru and Guwahati.

Monsoon Withdrawal Delay

2011-09-09T22:57:00.001-07:00

Monsoon is not likely to be withdrawn during the next week as per normal pattern. Normally, the southwest monsoon starts withdrawing from western parts of Rajasthan around 1 September. However, current and prognostic meteorological conditions indicate that withdrawal of the monsoon will be delayed. Eastern end of the axis of monsoon trough would remain south of its normal position during many days of the week, but its western end would oscillate north-south to its normal position.There will be fairly widespread rainfall over Western Himalayan Region, central and adjoining peninsular India and also along the west coast during many days of the week. Fairly widespread rainfall would also occur over east India during the 1st half of the week and decrease thereafter. Scattered rain/thundershowers would occur over plains of northwest India and northeastern states. Subdued rainfall activity is likely over southeast peninsula.

From 17th of this month,rainfall activity would decrease over northwest India. There is also some possibility of commencement of withdrawal of monsoon from parts of northwest India towards the end of the week. Remaining parts would receive scattered to fairly widespread rainfall activity.

Current synoptic conditions as on today suggests that A low pressure area lies over south Pakistan and adjoining southwest Rajasthan & Kutch area with associated upper air cyclonic circulation extending upto midtropospheric levels tilting southwestwards with height. Another low pressure area lies over Jharkhand & adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.This is associated with upper air cyclonic circulation extending upto mid tropospheric levels. A western disturbance as an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over Jammu & Kashmir and neighbourhood. he axis of monsoon trough at mean sea level passes through centre of low pressure area (near Jaisalmer), Bharatpur, Allahabad, central of low pressure area (near Jamshedpur), Diamond Harbour and thence southeastwards to northeast Bay of Bengal. A feeble off shore trough ran from Gujarat coast to Kerala coast.

Seasonal rainfall from 1st June till today shows out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, the rainfall has been excess over 08, normal over 24 and deficient in 04 (mainly over east & northeast India) sub-divisions. In area-wise distribution, 91% area of the country received excess/normal rainfall. 464 (77%) out of 603 districts of the country have received normal to excess rainfall.

Fast Flow of Fund to Developing Nations to Address The Challenge of Climate Change

2011-09-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

During the second Petersberg Climate Dialogue organized by the Government of Germany and South Africa in the form of an informal Ministerial consultations on climate change in Berlin on July 3-4, 2011, India underscored the importance of actual disbursement of fast start finance as the most important confidence building measure in the climate change negotiations. India emphasized that a gap in the promised flows and actual disbursements as well as lack of transparency in the information relating to the flow of funds was likely to undermine the confidence in the process and effectiveness of actions aimed at addressing climate change. In this context, the need to urgently institute a mechanism that ensures and records the actual disbursements in a transparent manner was stressed.

Climate Change Finance forms a core issue in the on-going climate negotiations under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). According to the UNFCCC, provision of financial support to developing countries to address the challenge of climate change is an obligation that the developed country parties should urgently fulfill in order to address the problem of climate change. In this background, India and other developing countries have been stressing in the negotiations that the timely and transparent delivery of finance to developing countries holds key to addressing climate change. India is actively working with the members of G77 and China, the group of developing countries in the climate change negotiations under the UNFCCC to develop consensus on the issue of fast start finance, long term finance, the reporting mechanism of the fund flows and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) that has to be set up as per the Cancun decisions.