Today, more than ever before, there is a great need to create public awareness about conservation of the environment and to ensure the full participation of society in the mitigation of environmental problems. Environment and sustainable development are interlinked and should be regarded as national priorities. The Government, environmental monitoring agencies, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the media must work synergistically to combat pollution and thus create a healthy environment.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
Degradation of the environment and its disastrous consequences have been a matter of great concern for governments all over the world. Several legislations have been passed to provide a legal framework for the management and preservation of the environment.
Environment was first discussed on June 5, 1972 at the United Nations Conference on “Human Environment” held at Stockholm leading to the declaration of June 5 as World Environment Day. Within four years of the historic Stockholm Conference, India enacted legislation aimed at protection of the environment which later formed a part of the Indian Constitution.
The 42nd Amendment Article 48Aof our Constitution provides “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife in the country” and Article 51A (g) provides “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for all living creatures”. Thus environment was given a pride of place in the Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Rights.
The need for integrating environmental factors into the process of planned sustainable development was first highlighted in the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-1974). Thus, in our country the debate between environments versus development was triggered as early as in the 1960s.
The other important milestones in the path of environment conservation are:
1. In 1972 the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination (NCEPC) was set up to serve as a high level advisory body to the government.
2. In 1980 the N.D. Tiwari Committee was appointed which recommended the setting up of an independent Department of Environment under the Government of India, which subsequently became a full-fledged Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985.
3. The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972(and subsequently amended in 2002) for setting up National parks and sanctuaries.
4. The Wildlife Protection Rules were passed in 1973 for the protection of all bird and animal species irrespective of their habitat. As a result, conservation projects were launched for endangered species which have contributed in a large measure to the increase in wildlife in India especially Project Tiger.
5. Forest Conservation Act of 1980 for protection of all types of forests and prevention of non-forest activities was amended in 1998.
6. Environment Rules for Siting of Industrial projects were passed in 1999.
7. The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 laid down clear guidelines for conservation of the biological diversity of the country.
8. The Prevention of cruelty to animals Act of 1960 was later amended to Animal welfare Act in 2006.
9. The State /Union Territory Minor Forest Produce (Ownership of Forest Dependent Community) Act of 2005 was a landmark legislature which recognised the legitimate rights of the forest dwellers to the use of forest produce.
10. The National Green Tribunal Act of 2010 which enables creation of special tribunals for expeditious disposal of cases involving environment.
WATER AND AIR POLLUTION –PREVENTION AND CONTROL
'Over the years, the Government of India has passed several path breaking acts to curb and prevent water and air pollution:
1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 provides institutional safeguards for the prevention and abatement of water pollution. This act resulted in the setting up of the Central Pollution Control Board.
2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977 provides for levy and collection of cess from water consuming industries and establishments.
3. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 defined air pollution in the atmosphere and measures to curb air pollution including noise pollution.
4. In 1970 the Merchant Shipping Act dealing with oil spills from ships near the coastal areas was passed. This act was primarily aimed at preventing marine pollution and to protect the vulnerable marine life.
5. The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 was a comprehensive legislation covering all aspects of protection of the environment. This act was passed by Parliament after the Bhopal Isocyanate gas tragedy of December3, 1984.
6. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification of 1991regulates all activities in the coastal areas including construction and seeks to safeguard backwaters and river estuaries.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (MOEF)
MoEF set up in 1985, implements the various environment protection laws all over the country through the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. MoEF has the mandate to
1. Monitor and control pollution especially in industries,
2. Increase the forest cover in the country,
3. Conserve and increase wildlife and the rich biodiversity of the country,
4. Support research in Environmental Science and Technology.
MoEF works closely with the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and the Department of Ocean Development (DOD). It is also the nodal agency for monitoring climate change in the country. The Forest Survey of India monitors changes in the land and forest resources and implements social forestry programmes. In 1982, MoEF instituted the Environment Information System to provide information to policy planners, decision makers, scientists, industry and the general public through workshops and seminars in regional languages and extensive use of the print and electronic media.
The Government has made Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) compulsory for all proposed developmental projects. EIA is an environment management tool to evaluate the possible impact of projects on the environment and involves sampling of air, water and soil followed by analysis. Technical aspects like effluent emission, air pollution and noise pollution are also studied.
The Central and State Pollution Control Boards are required to ensure the strict implementation of the policies laid down by the government to conserve the environment .
Sadly these well intentioned rules are, more often than not, flouted and unscrupulous elements continue to ravage the fragile ecosystem of the country.
INSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVES
Several national level scientific institutions are engaged in research for finding feasible solutions to environmental problems facing the country.
1. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), one of the 39 laboratories under CSIR with headquarters at Nagpur and five zonal laboratories, is engaged in providing innovative and cost effective solutions in the following thrust areas:
a. Recovery and recycling of waste from industry,
b. Waste water recycling for zero discharge,
c. Air and water pollution,
d. Environmental biotechnology,
e. Toxic waste management,
f. Impact of salinity on soil. NEERI also disseminates information regarding environmental issues through its journal, website, annual reports, publications and newsletter
2. The Energy Research Institute (TERI) (earlier Tata Energy Research Institute), located at Delhi is a premier institute devoted to energy related studies and has handled numerous projects dealing with climate change, biodegradable materials, biodiesel and insecticides from plants and recovery of oil from oil wells using bacteria. TERI University offers PhD programmes in climate change, forest ecology, biodiversity assessment and conservation and wetland management . TERI is deeply involved in the development of clean technologies which will be energy efficient and will have minimum adverse environmental impact.
3. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), based at Goa is involved in the chemical, physical and biological studies of the oceans. One of the major areas of research is marine pollution and impact of land reclamation on marine life.
NNRMS carries out the following tasks:
· Mapping of forests and grasslands.
· Monitoring of forest encroachment and shifting cultivation Forest fire surveillance.
· Mapping and monitoring of biosphere reserves.
· Eco-system management related studies for environmentally fragile/sensitive regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats etc.
· Development of Environment/Forest Resources Information System (ERIS/FRIS).
· Establishment of State Forest Data Management Centres (S17DMCs), with linkages to National System.
· Resources assessment of fuel wood.
· Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) involving land, water and air pollution
· Environmental hazard related studies (landslide, volcano, earthquake).
· Mapping/monitoring of Coastal Regulation Zone/coastal areas, etc.
NNRMS helps in:
· Identifying zones which could yield ground water and the suitable locations for recharging water
· Monitoring command areas.
· Estimating crop areas and yields
· Assessing deforestation
· Mapping urban areas for planning purposes
· Delineating ocean areas with higher fish catch potential and
· Monitoring of environment and scene specific spot imagery
·
Training educationists
about GIS technologies.
Different day observations to promote awareness and participation in environment conservation
June 5 World Environment Day On this day, in 1972, the Stockholm Conference on human environment was held in Sweden. There was a large gathering from all over the world and people expressed their concerns about the increasing environmental problems. The ‘World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.
June 17 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought The World Day to combat desertification, since 1995 promotes public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1994, June 17 as the ‘World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought’ to promote public awareness of the issue. Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, began.
September 16 World Ozone Day The United Nations declared in 1994 this day as the ‘International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer’. It is the day the Montreal Protocol was signed. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. On August 26, 1987, it was proposed and entered into force on 26 August 1989. Montreal is the most populous city in Quebec and the second most populous municipality in Canada. It is named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city.
October 2-8 National Wildlife Week In order to orient the common man towards the protection of wildlife, the Indian Board of Wild Life (IBWL) decided to observe Wildlife Week and since then from October 2 – 8, every year organize different activities related to wildlife conservation to commemorate this week. Wildlife Week celebrated all over the country, offers to preserve fauna means the animal life of India.
Reference
INDIAN INITIATIVES FOR ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION D. V. Prabhu Department of Chemistry, Wilson College (University of Mumbai) Mumbai, Chief Editor Green Chemistry & Technology Letters, India
Green Chemistry & Technology Letters eISSN: 2455-3611, Vol 4, No 1, 2018, pp 01-05
https://geographyandyou.com/17-important-days-indias-environment-buffs/
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