Pollution, Prevention & Regeneration
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Pollution – CPCB – Waste management
Regeneration –NAEB-EDF
Policy framework to combat pollution
With rising population migration to urban centres increases and at some point of time surpasses the
carrying capacity resulting in pollution. Needless to say, industrial pollution, shipping, aviation and other
vehicular emission add to the injury of already polluted urban centres. Discharge of industrial effluence and
sewerage directly into the river course pollutes water resources besides the land and atmosphere. In such
a challenging situation the government has adopted the Policy for Abatement of Pollution in 1992 which
lays out multipronged strategies to combat the ill effects of pollution. The Policy for Abatement of
Pollution provides regulations, legislations, agreements, fiscal incentives and policies for control of
pollution at various levels. In addition to sustain the practice of reducing pollution, the government has
adopted National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development in 1992.
Later in 2006, the government adopted National Environment Policy which effectively builds on the former
policies to extend the coverage and fill in the existing gaps.
Central Pollution Control Board
In order to control the water and air pollution, government had enacted the Water (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The Central pollution control
board performs the functions mandated by these Acts apart from the advisory role to Central government
on matters concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution. In spite of coordinating activities
of the State pollution control board and pollution control committees, CPCB provides technical assistance
as well as guidance on prevention of pollution. CPCB also functions in data generation and management
and human resource development. Above all CPCB develops industry specific environmental guidelines and
comprehensive documents on requirements for corporate responsibility for environmental protection in 17
major polluting industrial sectors and 88 other critically polluted areas.
Waste management
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Hazardous waste
e-waste
Solid waste
Biomedical waste
Domain
Hazardous Chemicals
Legislation
Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules, 1989
Chemical Accident (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996
Municipal Solid
Waste
Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000
Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009
Hazardous Substances (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Rule, 2010
Bio Medical Waste
Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste Management Rules-2008
CPCB has permitted the utilisation of hazardous waste under Rule 11 of Hazardous Waste Management
Rules-2008 including land fillable, incinerable and recyclable wastes. Permission was granted for ethylene
glycol residue, carbon slurry, high boiler residue, effluent treatment plant sludge, resin waste, spent
chromic acid, spend acid containing molybdenum compound, spent anode butt, surfer sludge, spent
catalyst- containing precious metals and waste pickling acid. Besides, MoEF has notified e-waste
management and handling rules in 2011. CPCB has issued guidelines for its implementation for stakeholders
like producers, consumers, collection centres, recyclers and other regulatory agencies. Similarly, to manage
municipal solid waste, MoEF has issued Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000.
The CPCB along with the Ministry monitors the implementation of the rule constantly. Due to increased use
of electronic equipment, particularly television, computer and refrigerators the accumulation of e-waste
even across the international boundaries has posed significant threat to the ecological sustenance.
Besides, it has been notified that lead, cadmium, mercury and argon are some of the major pollutants
widely used in paints, distemper, pigments et cetera.
Management of biomedical wastes is another area where the Ministry has notified instructions. CPCB,
SPCBs and PCCs monitor biomedical waste management through incinerators, autoclaves, microwaves,
hydro-claves and shredders. Training is also imparted to personnel involved in handling of biomedical
waste with due consideration about individual healthcare. Government of India, recognising the
importance of impact of waste and treatment of waste, has notified clean technologies and its promotion
as the main intent for reducing pollution. A grant in aid scheme on development and promotion of clean
technologies was initiated in 1994 to promote clean technologies that assist pollution prevention in a
sustainable way. Clean technologies rely upon reduced use of raw materials and energy compared to
conventional methods thereby leaving minimum pollution for treatment.
Mission Clean Ganga/ Namami Ganga
Rajeev Gandhi the then Prime Minister, in 1986 launched the Ganga action plan rejuvenate River Ganga.
Later by Minister Manmohan Singh declared Ganga as national River in 2009. He established National
Ganga River Basin Authority under his chairmanship and comprising of the Chief ministers of Utarakhand,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal along with knowledge personalities. In 2010 Clean Ganga
was started with an objective ensuring that no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents would
be discharged into Ganga. In 2011 World Bank approved a grant-cum-loan package of US$ 1 billion for the
mission. Construction and maintenance of sewage treatment plants, creation of awareness, ensuring
compliance with effluent standards etc are among the objectives of Mission Clean Ganga. Water quality
monitoring, industrial pollution monitoring, wastewater management, developing silt free barrages et
cetera are among the key features of Ganga rejuvenation plan/Mission clean Ganga currently known by the
name Namami Ganga. The current Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi under its Swachch
Bharat Mission has vowed to eradicate the menace of open defecation by 2022. The government has
planned for a zero liquid discharge regime under which the entire industrial and municipal wastewater can
be reused after recycling without discharging a drop into any River. Meanwhile taking a note on a lag and
ineffectiveness of pollution control boards in cleaning Ganga the Supreme Court has entrusted National
Green Tribunal to oversee and constantly monitor the implementation of textural requirements on
discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. NGT has to file a report every six months on the action
taken in controlling the industrial pollution as per the instructions of Supreme Court.
International conventions on Pollution
UN Convention on the Law of sea, Montego Bay
1982
Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Substances
1989
Convention on the Law of non-navigational uses of international watercourses, New York
1997
Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous
chemicals and pesticides in international trade, Rotterdam
1998
Cartagena protocol on biosafety under CBD
2000
Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, Stockholm
2001
International conference on environment pollution prevention
2013
Minamata conference related to addressing the pollution caused by notorious heavymetal-Mercury, Japan
2013
National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board
National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was constituted in 1992 with an objective of
promoting afforestation and eco-restoration in the country. The board also overlooks regeneration of
degraded forest areas and lands adjoining forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected
areas as well as ecological the fragile areas like Western Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats et cetera.
National Afforestation Programme
It is a flagship scheme of NAEB, which supports the three tier structure including Forest Development
Agencies (FDA), Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and State Forest Development Agencies
(SFDAs) which collectively enhance local community participation in developing the forest sector. The main
aim of the programme is to improve the physical asset creation as well as capacity building at the
grassroots level the community participation for development of forest sector.
Eco-Development Forces Scheme
Eco-Development Forces Scheme (EDF) Scheme was established in 1980s and was implemented through
Ministry of defence. The scheme sought for ecological restoration of those terrains which are inaccessible,
severely degraded or with law and order problems. In achieving the objective, eco-task force was created.
INSTITUTIONAL SETUP
National Green Tribunal
the National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It is a court
constituted for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and
conservation of forests. The tribunal also looks into utilisation of natural resources including enforcement
of legal rights related to environment. Further NGT checks the relief and compensation for damages to
persons and property as well. As a body it is equipped with sufficient power in dispute management
related to environmental matters. Guided by the principles of natural justice, the tribunal has a mandate to
provide speedy environmental justice and thereby assisting the higher courts in reducing the litigation
burden. Any application/appeal to NGT shall be cleared in six months from the date of filing. NGT has its
headquarters at New Delhi with other sittings set up in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
Environmental Research
Ministry of environment and forests actively pursues research and development program since 1985. The
research and development program seeks to generate information for development of strategies
technologies and methodologies in effective management of environment. Besides resource management,
conservation and regeneration in some other domains in which research is carried out. The R&D program
also envisages infrastructure development in facilitating research and scientific human resource
development. The major research programs organised by the Ministry include Environment Research
Program, Ecosystem Research Scheme, Eastern and Western Ghats Research Program. Some of the recent
programmes initiated by the Ministry include-Institution of National Environment Fellows Program,
institution of Mahatma Gandhi chair for ecology and environment, collaborative Research Program with
CSIR and Institution of National Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (NEPTRI).
Research Scheme/Domain
Natural resources
management scheme
Description
This scheme involves utilisation of remote sensing technology for inventory
management of resources including land water, forests, minerals, oceans,
flora etc. to monitor changes in the ecosystem
Research on wetlands
mangroves and coral reefs
Indian Council of Forestry
Research and Education
(ICFRE)
Education and awareness
National Museum of
Natural History
Centers of Excellence
36 wetlands have been identified and approved under the National Wetland
Conservation Program for support through financial assistance. The
management action plans of those wetlands will be implemented in the
coastal states and union territories which will be monitored by National
committee of mangroves and coral reefs
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun is
authorised for the holistic promotion of forestry research. The Council
promotes need-based planning, conducts and coordinates research
education and extension covering all aspects of forestry. The Council is head
to affiliated research institutes and many other advanced research centres.
Research Institutes under ICFRE
Location
Forest Research Institute
Dehradun
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding
Coimbatore
Institute of Wood Science and Technology
Bengaluru
Tropical Forest Research Institute
Jabalpur
Rain Forest Research institute
Jorhat
Arid Forest Research Institute
Jodhpur
Himalayan Forest Research Institute
Shimla
Institute of Forest Productivity
Ranchi
Avanced Research Centers under ICFRE
Center for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation
Allahabad
Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resource Chhindwara
Development
Forest Research Centre
Hyderabad
MoEF has launched flagship scheme for education and training on
interrelationship between man and the environment. The scheme named
Environmental Education, Awareness and Training seeks to enhance the
capabilities and skills of humans to improve and protect the environment.
The scheme undertakes programmes like National Green Corps Program,
National Environmental Awareness Campaign, Mass Awareness, observance
of Earth day and global learning and observation to benefit the environment.
The museum was opened in 1978 to create public awareness in preservation
and conservation of environment. The museum conducts exhibitions,
education programs, outreach activities related to biodiversity and
environmental aspects through its regional centers in Mysore, Bhopal and
Bhubaneswar.
The Ministry of environment and forests since 1983 has set up 10 centres of
excellence to strengthen awareness, research and training in priority areas of
environmental science and management.
Centre of Excellence
Location
Centre for Environmental Education
Ahmadabad
CPR Environmental Education Centre
Chennai
Centre for Ecological Science
IISc Bengaluru
Centre for Mining Environment
ISM, Dhanbad
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Coimbatore
History
Centre for Environment Management of University of Delhi
Degraded Ecosystem
Madras School of Economics
Chennai
Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Bengaluru
Traditions
The Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Thiruvananthapuram
Institute
Centre for Animals and Environment
Bengaluru
Awards and fellowships
Recognising the importance of acknowledgement and support to boost research and development
activities, the Ministry has constituted fellowships and awards. These include Indira Paryavaran Puraskar,
Indira Priyadarsini Vriksha Mitra Awards, Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award etc. While Indira
Priyadarsini Vriksha Mitra Award is given annually for recognition of efforts in afforestation and wasteland
development, Pitambar Pal National environment Fellowship is awarded to encourage and recognise
excellence for research related to environmental sciences annually. National awards for prevention of
pollution and Rajeev Gandhi Environmental Award for Clean Technology are other recognitions awaiting
pioneers in research and development. The Ministry has also instituted Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife
Protection award which carries a cash reward of one lakh rupees for institutions/individuals working for the
rural communities. On the literature front, Medini Puraskar has been set up to encourage authors of books
in Hindi in the area of environment.
Environmental Impact Assessment
The question of development over environment has become relevant particularly after the liberalisation of
Indian economy. Environmental conservation is as important as development to sustain the population.
Hence, to minimise the adverse impact of developmental projects on the environment, a management tool
has been devised named Environmental Impact Assessment. EIA seeks to achieve sustainable development
through timely, adequate, corrective and protective mitigation measures. The government has constituted
Expert Committees for projects in various sectors including mining projects, industrial projects, thermal
power, River Valley multipurpose irrigation hydroelectric power projects, infrastructure development
projects, nuclear power projects and other miscellaneous projects. An amendment to EIA notification 2009
simplified procedure for obtaining clearance without compromising or diluting the regulatory framework.
The amendment exempts biomass-based power plants up to 15 MW, power-plant on non-hazardous
municipal solid waste and power plants based on waste heat recovery boilers without using of auxiliary
fuel from EC process.
Environmental Information/Organisations
Environmental Information System (ENVIS) was set up in 1983 with a mandate to collect information,
collate, store, retrieve and disseminate to various stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers,
academicians, research scientists et cetera.ENVIS has developed Indian State Level Basic Environmental
Information Database (ISBEID) in collaboration with National Informatics Centre. Further State of
Environment Reporting Scheme and NGOs cell have been initiated for management of activities of various
NGOs working in the field of environment.
International cooperation
Ministry of Environment and Forests has entered into many multilateral agreements. The international
corporation sustainable development division of the Ministry of environment and forests coordinates
incorporates in the international environmental and sustainable development issues. It is also a nodal
division for United Nations and Environment Programme (UNEP), UNCP, World Bank, UNIDO, CSD, Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and other regional bodies like Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
Pacific (ESCAP), South Asian Association for regional cooperation (SAARC), South Asia Cooperative
Environment Programme (SACEP), Asian development bank (ADB) and European Union (EU) apart from
the bilateral and regional cooperation for environmental and sustainable development.