Environmental Challenges, Emerging Trends and

Recent Initiatives – An Over view

Dr. G.V. Subrahmanyam

Advisor

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Government of India

Paryavaran Bhavan,

CGO Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi – 110 0014

16th May, 2014

Environmental Ethics in India

• Ancient philosophy

• Respect for environment

• Tribals and adivasis

• Living in harmony with nature

• Cultural practices and knowledge systems

• Nurture biodiversity

• No accumulation of waste

• Human being – one of the species – ecosystem

• Human being – dominant species

• Accumulation of waste- environmental degradation

• Conflict with nature

• Prakruti and Purush – harmony

• No single species encroach over other species

• Indian culture - compassion for animate and inanimate

Contd…Environmental Ethics in

India

Environmental Challenges

• Balancing economic development with

conservation of environment and forests

• Biotic pressures : population and urban

growth, changing life styles, waste

management

• Limited Environmental Infrastructure

• Strengthening Compliance and Enforcement

• Restoring Ecosystems; protecting wildlife

• Finance and Technologies 4

Trends

• Inter-sectorality : Mainstreaming Environment

• Institutional and Regulatory Build-up

• Mixed Success in Environmental Protection

• Renewed Impetus to Scientific Base

• Wide Differential in Technology Adoption

• Corporate Responsibility and Accountability

• Growing International Obligations

• Increasing Civil Society and Media Engagement

5

Recent Initiatives

• National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management

And Planning Authority (CAMPA)

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC)

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National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• NGT Act Notified in June, 2010.

• Original & Appellate Jurisdiction - Seven Legislations

• To Settle Civil Environmental Disputes to Award

Compensation to the Victims of Pollution on

Substantial Questions Relating to Environment

• Specialized Body - Judicial and Technical Members

• Wide Locus to Approach Tribunal

• Effective and Expeditious Disposal of Cases

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• Set up in February, 2009 Chaired by PM

• Empowered under EPA, Joint Centre-State

Structure, strong presence of civil society

• Holistic approach Flow augmentation and

Development of river basin management plan

• Mission Clean Ganga; No untreated waste water

to be discharged into the river

• World Bank Project under preparation

National Ganga River Basin Authority

8

• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification

was issued in February, 1991 for

conservation and protection of coastal areas

• Notification regulates activities requiring

water front and foreshore facilities

• CRZ Notification, 2011 issued

Coastal Area Conservation

9

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management

and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

• Constituted by Supreme Court order of 30.10.2002

for Afforestation, protection and conservation of

Forests & Wildlife

• Fund created with receipts against diversion of

forest land for non-forestry purpose

• Fund reserve of Rs.16,358 crore as on August 20,

2010

• Annual release of funds to States / UTs, based on

Annual Plan of Operation (APO)

• Monitoring of CAMPA fund utilization by web-

based technology

National Tiger Conservation Authority • Project Tiger launched in 1973 as a centrally sponsored

programme to support the states for better protection of tigers

• 39 Tiger Reserves now in 17 States covering an area of around

32000 sq kms

• The forests / tiger habitats are under the State /UT government

ownership and management

• National Tiger Conservation Authority constituted in 2006,

through amendment in Wildlife (Protection) Act, for implementing

the urgent recommendations of the Tiger Task Force

• Population of tigers now estimated at 1411, as per All India tiger

estimation, conducted by Wildlife Institute of India and NTCA,

using refined methodologies

• Funding support to States for village relocation/rehabilitation

package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats

increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakhs/family inter alia various

conservation measures 11

• TRENDS IN AIR POLLUTION : PM10 – Major Pollutant and NOx –

Emerging Pollutant

• SOURCES : Industry, Construction, Transportation, Domestic &

Biomass Burning

• MONITORING NETWORK (427 Manual Station + 48 Continuous)

• ACTIONS TAKEN :

Industry / Process Specific Emission Standards

Revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards : 12 Pollutants

Source Apportionment Studies in six cities

SC Orders in 2002 & 2003 : City Specific Action Plans for 17 cities

Cleaner fuels

Air Quality Management

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The River Ganga

• Ganga: the largest river basin; spread over 11

states, (43% population), 2525 km main stem

• Challenges

− Treatment capacity deficit; 12,000 mld domestic

wastewater (only 1/3rd treated)

− Industrial pollution; weak compliance

− Non-point sources of pollution (e.g. littering)

− Competing demands: diminishing flows

Water Quality Threats

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Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The CBD provides for:

• Conservation of Biodiversity

• Sustainable use of Biodiversity and leaving

• Enough for the future generation

• Fair and equitable share of profits arising out of

the use of Biodiversity

Implementation of obligations

• Biological Diversity Act, 2002

• Biological Diversity Rules, 2004

• National Biological Authority, Chennai 14

National Biodiversity Authority

Established under the Bio-diversity Act,2002

A three-tiered structure at the national, State and local level:

• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

• State Biodiversity Board (SBB)

• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

NBA deals with requests from foreign individual companies

and institutions

SBB deals with requests from Indians

BMCs are consulted by NBA and SSB on all matters on

biological resources/knowledge within their jurisdictions

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Judicial Initiatives in Environment • 1986 - Principle of „absolute liability‟ in hazardous units

• 1991 - Right to life under Article 21 includes the right of enjoyment of

pollution-free water and air

• 1996 - Polluter pays principle, precautionary principle and principle of

sustainable development held as integral part of law of the land

• 1999/2000 - Need for separate Environmental Courts and Law

Commission asked to undertake study

• Landmark judgment in T. N. Godaverman case dated 12/12/1996

• 2000/2002 - Diversion of forest land for non forest use attracts

provisions of Forest (Conservation Act), 1980. Central Empowered

Committee set up thereafter

• 2000/2006 – Restrictions on mining and other activities within and

around NP/WLS, Supreme Court approval required

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Global Dimensions

MoEF – Nodal Ministry for Multilateral

Environmental Agreements under four

major cluster namely:

•Nature Conservation e.g. CBD, Biosafety

•Hazardous Material e.g. POPs, PICs,

Basel

•Atmospheric Emissions

– UNCCC

– Montreal

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Chemicals & Hazardous Wastes Conventions

• Basel (1992) / Rotterdam (2001) / Stockholm

(2004) Conventions

• Dealing with Transboundary Movement of

Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals

Main Issues

• Aligning Domestic Legislation with Conventions.

• Balancing Environmental, Health and Economic

Imperatives

• Regulating illegal traffic of chemicals & wastes.

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Ozone and Montreal Protocol • The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone

layer is one of the most successful Multilateral Environmental

Agreements (MEAs) with universal ratification

• It is also an example of successful global cooperation between

North and South

• The Protocol has helped in protecting the Ozone Layer which

acts as an umbrella to filter harmful UV-B radiations from the

Sun

• The protection of Ozone Layer has considerable impact on

human health and environment particularly protection from skin

cancer, eye cataract and weakening of immune system

• India has phased-out the consumption and production of major

Ozone Depleting Substances(ODS) such as CFCs, CTCs and

Halons as on 01-01-2010 as per Montreal Protocol Schedule 19

Climate Change • UNFCCC - a soft framework convention does not

provide for definite reduction commitments of

industrialized countries

• Kyoto commitment period is up to 2012

• Emissions of developing countries are growing

• Pressure on emerging economies

• Accordingly emphasis is on –

– Enhancing Energy Efficiency

– Devising low carbon pathways for Sustainable

Development

– Reduction of Uncertainties in Assessments

– Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA)

– National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme 20

National Action Plan on Climate Change

Missions

• Solar Mission

• Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

• Mission on Sustainable Habitat

• Water Mission

• Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

• Mission for a “Green India”

• Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

• Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Institutional Arrangement for Implementation

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India has more than 70 million hectares under Forest Cover

India added around 3mn hectares of forest and tree cover during the

last decade.

Forests neutralize ~11% of India‟s GHG emissions.

India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries with 4 global

biodiversity hotspots.

200 million people are dependent on forests for livelihood in

India.

Conserving, expanding and improving the quality of our forests is a

major national priority. This has enormous domestic and transnational

mitigation benefits in the context of climate change.

INDIA’S FORESTS: A RICH NATURAL HERITAGE

WHAT ARE REDD AND REDD+?

REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)

Global endeavour to create an incentive for developing countries to

protect, better manage and save their forest resources, thus contributing to the

global fi ght against climate change

REDD+ goes beyond merely checking deforestation and forest

degradation,and includes incentives for positive elements of conservation,

sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

o Creating a financial value for the carbon stored and enhanced in

biomass and soil of standing forests.

o Countries that reduce emissions and undertake sustainable

management of forests will be entitled to receive funds and resources

as incentives.

o REDD+ approach incorporates important benefi ts of livelihoods

improvement, biodiversity conservation and food security services.

BENEFITS OF REDD+

The incentives received from REDD+ would be passed to the local

communities involved in protection and management of the forests. This

will ensure sustained protection of our forests against deforestation.

It is estimated that a REDD+ programme for India could provide capture

of more than 1 billion tonnes of additional CO2 over the next 3 decades

and provide more than USD 3 billion as carbon service incentives under

REDD+.

MAJOR INITIATIVE UNDER REDD AND REDD+

Green India Mission programme under its National Action Plan on Climate

Change

GREEN INDIA MISSION

to increase forest and tree cover in 5 m ha and improve quality

of forest cover in another 5 million ha.

Mission will help in improving ecosystem services in 10 million

ha of land

Increasing quality of forest cover and improving provision of

ecosystem goods and services

Enhancing biodiversity, restoring ecosystems and habitat

diversity.

Certification of energy savings that could be traded in energy-intensive

large industries and facilities

Promoting shift to energy efficient appliances in designated sectors

through affordable innovative measures

Developing fiscal instruments to promote energy efficiency.

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

National Mission for Sustainable Habitat

Focus on energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste

and mass transport

National Solar Mission

To increase the share of solar energy in the total energy mix

National Mission on Strategic Knowledge

for Climate Change

Funding of high quality and focused research into various aspects of

climate change

The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA)

Impacts of climate change on four sectors – water resources, agriculture,

forests and human health – in four critical regions of India – the Himalayan

region, North east, Western Ghats and Coastal India

INCCA is a network comprising 127 research institutions tasked with

undertaking research on the science of climate change and its impacts on

different sectors of the economy across the various regions of India.

Launch of Indian satellite to monitor GHG emissions by 2013

Pursuing accelerated social and economic development

while ensuring adaptation and mitigation actions through the

implementation of National Action Plan on Climate

Change.

Way forward

• National Environmental Sciences Fellows

Programme

• Global Advisory Network Group on

Environmental Sciences

• Expert Committee to Strengthen the Scientific

Capacity of MoEF

• Action Plan to enhance Forestry Science

• Indian Network for Climate Change

Assessment

• GIS based Natural Resources Management for

Environment, Forests and Coastal Areas

Impetus to Science

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Science Application for Policy

• Controlling Vehicular Pollution - Identifying cleaner auto fuels and setting emission standards

• Identifying critically polluted areas for regulating Industries

• Source apportionment for prioritizing pollution Control Efforts

• Co-processing for waste management

• Evolving environmentally sound technologies for application in highly polluting industries

• Eco-restoration technologies to reclaim mined out areas

• Development of health centric standards for different sources and ambient environment under the EP Act.

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Action Oriented Research

Four success stories of ecosystem redevelopment through

restoration technologies developed by the Centre of

Excellence Programme at Delhi University

• Restoration of limestone mined out area at Bhatta in

Mussorie Hills to subtropical semi evergreen forest

• Restoration of limestone mined out area at Lambidhar in

Mussorie Hills to meadows

• Restoration of morrum mined out area at Bhatti in Delhi

to a mosaic of dry deciduous forest and grassland

• Restoration of desertified landscape at Asola in Delhi to

a mosaic of Acacia woodland and grassland

Limestone Mined out Areas at Bhatta (Mussoorie Hills)

After 20 years of Ecological Restoration

Limestone Mined out site at Lambidhar (Mussoorie Hills)

After 12 years of Ecological Restoration

Morrum Mined out site at Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (Delhi)

After 12 years of Ecological Restoration

Desertified landscape at Asola Wildlife Sanctuary (Delhi)

After 12 years of Ecological Restoration

Anticipating Pollution for Planning

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for

Environment Management

•EIA : A tool for predicting pollution from industrial

activities

•Re-engineered EIA Notification, 2006 for further

streamlining of appraisal process

•Incorporates necessary environmental safeguards at

planning stage

•Involves stakeholders participation during Public

Consultation Process

•Identifies Developmental Projects based on Impact

Potential 40

Anticipating Pollution for Planning

EMP helps in

• Optimization of resource utilization

• Minimization of emissions and waste

generation

• Recycling and reuse of waste

• Promotion of energy efficiency technologies

• Addressing Social Issues

• Estimation of Environmental Mitigation cost

for pollution control 41

Environment Protection contributes not only to

conservation but also to survival of mankind

THANK YOU