[Ganga Action Plan Phase I and Phase II, National River Conservation Plan, Yamuna, Gomti and Damodar Action Plan, Industrial Pollution Control along River & Lakes, National Lake Conservation Plan, National Afforestation and Eco- Development Board]
Ganga Action Plan Phase –I (GAP-I)
The activities of the GAP- Phase–I initiated in 1985 were declared closed on 31.3.2000. The Steering Committee of the National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F) met to review the progress of the GAP and other on-going schemes relating to river cleaning. The Monitoring Committee of the NRCA under the Chairmanship of Member, Planning Commission reviewed the progress of various schemes and their impact on the river water quality.
Out of the 261 schemes of pollution abatement sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 462.04 crores under GAP Phase – I, 258 schemes have been completed. Of the remaining 3 schemes, 2 are in Bihar and 1 in West Bengal which are likely to be completed by 30.9.2001. The State-wise distribution of schemes sanctioned and completed is given in Table-14. The total expenditure incurred on the implementation of the programme is 451.70 crores. The scheme has been closed on 31.03.2000.
Distribution of completed schemes by type and state in GAP–I
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S.No. Type of Schemes Uttar Pradesh Bihar West Bengal Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Sewage Interception & diversion 40 17 31 88 (40) (17) (31) (88) 2. Sewage Treatment Plants 13 5 14 32 (13) (7) (15) (35) 3. Low Cost Sanitation 14 7 22 43 (14) (7) (22) (43) 4. Electric Crematorium 3 8 17 28 (3) (8) (17) (28) 5. River Front Facilities 8 3 24 35 (8) (3) (24) (35) 6. Other Schemes 28 3 1 32 (28) (3) (1) (32) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 106 43 109 258 (106) (45) (110) (261) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Figure in brackets indicates total no. of schemes). Total number of ongoing schemes (state-wise) is as follows : ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type of Scheme Uttar Pradesh Bihar West Bengal Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Sewage Treatment Plants 0 2 1 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 0 2 1 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of the total sewage generation of 1340 mld from 25 class I towns (as of 1985), it was targeted to intercept, divert and treat 873 mld of sewage under GAP Phase – I. As against this target, capacity to treat 835 mld has been commissioned so far.
The water quality of river Ganga was being monitored at 27 locations from Rishikesh in Uttar Pradesh to Uluberia in West Bengal by reputed academic institutions such as Bhrarat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), Haridwar, CPCB Zonal Office, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Patna University. As a result of the schemes completed under GAP Phase- I, the water quality of river Ganga for the year 1999 shows improvement in respect of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) which is a major indicator of pollution. The summer average values of two important river water quality parameter viz. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) for some of the important monitoring stations on river Ganga is give in Table-15. The Water Quality Monitoring of River Ganga was suspended from October 1999 but is being reviewed from December 2000. Monitoring of rivers under GAP–II namely Yamuna, Western Yamuna Canal, Gomti and Hindon is being continued. Rivers of NRCP are being included in the water quality monitoring programme as and when the core schemes for the towns on that river are sanctioned. Performance monitoring of sewage treatment plants wherever commissioned and operational is an integral part of Water Quality Monitoring.
Summer Average Values for Water Quality on Main Stem of River Ganga under Ganga Action Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Station Name Distance Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Km (mg/1) (mg/1) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1986 1999 1986 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rishikesh 0 8.1 0 1.7 1.0 Hardar D/S 30 8.1 8.6 1.8 1.2 Garhmutkeshwar 175 7.8 7.9 2.2 1.4 Kannauj U/S 430 7.2 7.1 5.5 5.3 Kannauj D/S 433 NA 8.8 NA 4.8 Kanpur U/S 530 7.2 6.8 7.2 4.6 Kanpur D/S 548 6.7 7.5 8.6 6.5 Allahabad U/S 733 6.4 8.8 11.4 1.8 Allahabad D/S 743 6.6 7.9 15.5 3.2 Varanasi U/S 908 5.6 8.2 10.1 2.2 Varanasi D/S 916 5.9 8.4 10.6 3.7 Patna U/S 1188 8.4 7.7 2.0 1.9 Patna D/S 1198 8.1 7.8 2.2 2.4 Rajmahal 1508 7.8 7.5 1.8 1.5 Palta 2050 NA NA NA NA Uluberia 2500 NA NA NA NA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Mean value for the months of March to June when the temperatures are high and flows are low. NA — Data not available. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mean value for the months of March to June when the temperatures are high and flows are low.
NA – Data not a available
A comprehensive evaluation of GAP by independent agencies (universities and R & D institutions) was undertaken earlier. A cost benefit analysis of GAP was also undertaken with the assistance of the Department for International Development (DFID) of U.K. The conclusions and recommendations of these studies are being used to bring about improvement in the subsequent Ganga Action Plan Phase – II and the National River Conservation Plan.
The provision of Rs. 25.30 crores made towards the Central share for operation and maintenance of major GAP assets has now been fully utilized. With this, the responsibility of operation and maintenance of assets rests solely with the concerned State Government.
Reports received from the monitoring agencies indicate that the operation and maintenance of assets is not satisfactory in Bihar due to the inability of the State Government to provide adequate funds for this purpose. In the State of U.P. the impact of the GAP on river water quality is not fully realized due to (a) inadequate municipal infrastructure for maintenance of sewerage systems and (b) erratic power supply for operation of assets like pumping stations, treatment plants, electric crematoria etc. Operation and maintenance of assets is generally satisfactory in West Bengal.
National River Conservation Plan including Ganga Action Plan Phase -II (GAP-II)
GAP Phase- II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) through a Government Resolution dated 5.12.1996. Thus the expanded NRCP covers 149 towns located along 27 inter-State river in 16 States. The total cost of the schemes is Rs. 3080.22 crores. During the 8th Five Year Plan, NRCD and GAP Phase – II were Centrally Sponsored Schemes with 50:50 cost sharing between the Central government and the concerned State Government.This decision of converting NRCP into a 100% centrally funded schemes reduced the share of the states from Rs. 1011.97 crores to Rs. 237.78 crores i.e. a reduction of amount 774 crores. The share of the Government of India is Rs. 1776.18 crores. The operation and maintenance cost will be the responsibility of the State Government.
Pollution abatement works are being taken up in 21 towns under Yamuna Action Plan. Of these 12 are in Haryana, 8 in Uttar Pradesh besides Delhi. The Action Plan is nearing completion.
Out of the poject outlay of Rs. 509.45 crore, the ependiture incurred totals to Rs. 454.05 crore. External assistance of Yen 17.77 billion is being provided by JBIC, Japan to part finance the Yamuna Action Plan. The physical progress achieved under the Yamuna Action Plan so far is 88% and the plan is to be completed by April, 2002. As around Rs. 300 crores of the loan amount is still available after completion of YAP works due to exchange rate of the fluctuations. Efforts are being made o formulate additional works in the existing towns for utilisation of the savings in consultation with JBIC.
Under this component, pollution abatement works are being taken up along the Gomti river in Lucknow, Sultanpur and Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. About 269 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted, diverted and treated under this action plan.
Out of the project outlay of Rs. 61.11 crore, the expenditure incurred totals to Rs. 12.68 crore. The physical progress achieved under the Gomti Action Plan so far is about 21% (through changed formula). Four projects amounting to Rs. 20.00 crore for Lucknow have been approved and an amount of Rs. 2.75 crore has been released.
Subsequent to the CCEA’s approval in 1993, the Gomti Action Plan was posted to the UK Govt. for funding. The UK Govt. agreed to fund pollution abatement works in Lucknow town only in two phases. The First Phase comprising certain emergency works and Master Plan preparation finished in March, 1999. However, the Govt.of UK delayed the decisions for funding the main action programme (under the Second Phase of its project) and finally in August, 1997 declined to fund it. Thus work under the major component of Gomti Action Plan (out of the total CCEA provision of Rs. 58.11 crore for schemes implementation under GoAP, more than Rs. 50 crore is for Lucknow) could not be started. Subsequently, the Govt. of UP submitted revised cost estimates for Rs. 237.40 crore, which was far in excess of the originally approved outlay. These are being updated by Govt. of UP to ensure that the STPs address the issue of microbial pollution standards also. The UP Government have also drawn up a list of priority works which could be taken up initially to utilise the existing CCEA allocation.
Under this Action Plan, pollution abatement works are being taken up in 12 towns. Of these 8 are in Bihar and 4 in West Bengal. Recently few schemes under Damodar Action Plan in Jharkhand have been approved for execution. Earlier schemes were not sanctioned due to poor operation and maintenance of GAP assets in Bihar.
Ganga Action Plan Main Stem (GAP-II, M.S.)
Pollution abatement works are being taken up in 29 towns under this Action Plan. Of these, 10 are in UP, 11 in Bihar and 8 in West Bengal. A total of 41 schemes of pollution abatement have been sanctioned so far. Five schemes have been completed under this Action Plan. About 618 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted, diverted and treated.
This plan includes substantial outlays for scheme implementation in the towns of Allahabad, Kanpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. While the schemes in Kanpur are being taken up under the Indo-Dutch cooperation project and are being progressively santioned, the schemes in Allahabad and Varanasi have been finalised by the Govt. of UP only in July 99 and March 99 respectively. However, in Varanasi the schemes cleared by the Govt. of UP do not have the approval of the local body thus adding further to the delay. Schemes in Bihar are only being sanctioned after due scrutiny and examination owing to the poor performance of the State Govt. in the operation and maintenance of assets created under Ganga Action Plan Phase-I and the diversion of funds released of GAP-I works for other purposes by the State Government. The schemes in West Bengal have been duly prioritized and are proceeding at a steady pace.
On the occasion of Mahakumbh at Allahabad between 07.01.01 and 21.02.01, an amount of Rs. 5.38 crore was released for emergency works for diversion and treatment of 3 major drains namely, Ghaghar nallah, Salori nallah and Morigate nallah. This project was completed in a record time of 1-1/2 months and a quantity of 90 mld of sewage flowing in these drains was prevented from discharging into the river during the Kumbh. The provision included an amount of Rs. 12 lakhs for public awareness campaign during the Kumbh.
Ganga Action Plan – Supreme Court Towns (GAP II S.C.)
Under this Action Plan, pollution abatement works are being taken up in 30 towns. Of these 12 are in UP, 3 in Bihar and 15 in West Bengal. About 162 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted, diverted and treated.
Out of the total project outlay of Rs. 220.95 crore, the expenditure incurred is Rs. 3.00 crore. The slow progress is due to problems of land availability in most of the towns.
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
Under this plan, pollution abatement works are being taken up in 46 towns. Of these 4 are in Andhra Pradesh, 3 in Jharkhand, 1 in Gujarat, 8 in Karnataka, 4 in Maharashtra, 11 in Madhya Pradesh, 4 in Orissa, 4 in Punjab, 2 in Rajasthan and 5 in Tamil Nadu. 181 schemes of pollution abatement have been sanctioned and 60 schemes have been completed so far under this Action Plan. In September 2000, additional component of Chennai waterways for Adyar and Cooum rivers has been approved at a cost of Rs. 491.52 crores. About 2,434 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted, diverted and treated.
Following the initiatives taken by the Ministry and the Government of Tamil Nadu, a new approach of sharing of cost and involving people’s participation in the Programme has been evolved. The approach envisages undertaking the programme in a holistic and integrated manner by addressing not only the issue of river pollution but that of other components like internal sewerage, low cost toilets, solid waste disposal etc. also. The enthusiasm shown by the local public is so high that they are prepared to share the cost of the programme depending upon their capacity to pay. The local bodies have come forward with the proposal of raising funds from the beneficiaries towards water connection charges to meet a significant part of the cost. In some towns local bodies are even prepared to share additional cost by obtaining loans from agencies like HUDCO. Local MPs and MLAs have offered funds out of their local area development allotments for this programme. Finally, State Government has also come forward to meet a significant part of the project cost. As a result, the share of the Government of India in the programme with this new approach will be about 50% only with the remaining half coming from State Government, local bodies, people’s representatives, financial institutions and public. The contribution of the Government of India will be limited towards the cost of components related to the pollution abatement of river. It is the view that with this kind of funding and involvement of public and the State Government, the programme will achieve the much desired sustainability. The Ministry of Urban Development is pursuing a scheme of ‘Rejuvenation of Culturally Important Towns of India’. Under this scheme, apart from the towns like Varanasi, Ujjain, etc., the towns of Madurai and Tiruchirapalli/Srirangam in Tamil Nadu have also been included. As a result the Ministry of Urban Development have also committed a contribution of Rs. 40 crore for each of the two towns.
A project covering pollution abatement works in 7 towns of Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs. 575.30 crore has been approved by CCEA on 24.1.01. In this project the Government of India’s share is limited to Rs. 282.15 crore with a balance of Rs. 293.15 crore coming from the State Government local bodies, elected representatives and public.
Under the Indo-Dutch Sanitation Project, a common conveyance and treatment system continued to be operated for about 175 tanneries at Jajmau in Kanpur. This has helped in preventing the discharge of untreated/partly treated effluent of tanneries into river. A common effluent treatment plant for a cluster of tanneries is also proposed to set up in Calcutta under the Ganga Action Plan Phase-II.
The Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) project in Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) at Kolkatta has been approved for an amount of Rs. 65 crore as per CCEA for setting up 30 mld CETP in 6 modules of 5 mld capacity each for treatment of waste water from tanneries. The cost of the project is to be shared on 50:50 basis between Central and State Governments. The Central Government’s share for the implementation of the project is a refundable loan. The project is likely to be completed by the year 2003.
Industrial Pollution control along the Rivers and Lakes
In addition to 68 identified industries in the GAP Phase I, 119 units have been further identified as grossly polluting industries in the state of U.P., Bihar and West Bengal along the river Ganga. Out of these 119 units, 83 units are in U.P., 3 in Bihar and 33 in West Bengal. According to the status report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 59 units in U.P., 3 in Bihar and 30 units in West Bengal were complying with effluent standards as on 30.9.2000. No industry is defaulting in all these three States. In all, 27 units are closed in these States (UP-24, and West Bengal-3). State-wise distribution of these units has been shown in Table-16.
Statewise Distribution (as on September 30, 2000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sl. State Total No. of No. of No. of No. of No. Industries Industries Industries Industries Complying Defaulting Closed ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Uttar Pradesh 83 59 00 24 2. Bihar 03 03 00 00 3. West Bengal 33 30 00 03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 119 92 00 27 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As per the directive of NRCA, the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committee (PCCs) in Union Territories, were requested by the CPCB to initiate necessary action against defaulting units and send the list of them. The criteria defined for identification of grossly polluting industries was followed which include those which, (i) discharge their effluent into a water course including rivers and lakes, and (ii) are either involved of hazardous substances or discharge effluents with a BOD of 100 kg/day or more of both. This resulted into identification of a total of 851 defaulting industries which included 366 defaulters in the state of Tamil Nadu and 241 in UP. This list has been further revised and number of defaulting industries as on September 2000 has come down to 23 only. The Summary Status of Pollution Control in grossly polluting industries has been given in Table-17.
Summary Status of Pollution Control in Grossly Polluting Industries discharging their effluents into Rivers and Lakes (as on September 30, 2000)
7--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S.No. Name of the State/UT No. of No. of No. of No. of defaulters. Complying Industries defaulters. (as on Industries after Closed August ‘97) issuance of directions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Andhra Pradesh 60 37 17 6 2 Assam 7 0 4 3 3 Bihar 14 10 4 0 4 Delhi 0 0 0 0 5 Gujarat 17 14 3 0 6 Haryana 21 12 8 1 7 Karnataka 20 17 2 1 8 Kerala 36 32 4 0 9 Madhya Pradesh 2 0 1 1 10 Maharashtra 6 3 3 0 11 Orissa 9 4 1 4 12 Pondicherry 4 4 0 0 13 Punjab 18 16 1 1 14 Rajasthan 0 0 0 0 15 Tamil Nadu 366 248 118 0 16 Uttar Pradesh 241 176 59 6 17 West Bengal 30 23 7 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 851 596 232 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The criteria for identification of grossly polluting industries has been further revised after discussion with CPCB and SPCBs. The new criteria for identifying grossly polluting industries are as follows:
Industries discharging effluent into the rivers and lakes directly or indirectly and effluent having BOD load of 100 kg or more before treatment; or
Industrial effluents containing toxicants having the effluent quantity of 2 KLD or more and discharging directly or indirectly into the rivers and lakes; or
Thermal power plants and coal washeries; or
A CETP or a cluster of industry covered/ proposed to be covered under Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).
Besides continuing the water quality monitoring of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Hindon and Western Yamuna Canal under GAP Phase- I and II, water quality monitoring has also been initiated for the rivers viz. Sutluj in Punjab and Betwa, Tapti, Khan, Kshipra, Narmada, Wainganga and Chambal in Madhya Pradesh, Godavari in Andhra Pradesh and Cauvery in Tamil Nadu. Suitable institutions for taking up water quality monitoring in other rivers covered under NRCP have been identified and the process of monitoring is being taken up. All the participating laboratories involved in water quality monitoring have been subjected to Analytical Quality Control (AQC) by the CPCB. The institutes/ universities carrying out the water quality monitoring have been entrusted with the additional responsibility of evaluating the performance of the sewage treatment plants set up.
The environmental standards followed by NRCD have been synchronized with those prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Earlier, the NRCD adopted the following standards for Bio- chemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) for the use of treated waster water on land.
BOD – 50 mg/ litre
TSS - 50 mg/litre
The NRCD has now adopted the standards prescribed by the CPCB as BOD – 100 mg/litre and TSS – 200 mg/litre, thus, (a) reducing the cost of sewage treatment substantially, and (b) conserving valuable organic matter in treated sewage which will be highly useful for irrigation.
At the same time, the standards for levels of microbial pollution in river water and treated wastewater for irrigation have been made stricter in the interest of public health as follows.
River Water
Fecal coliform count of MPN : 500 per 100 ml. (desirable)
Fecal coliform count of MPN : 2500 per 100 ml (maximum permissible)
Treated wastewater
Fecal coliform count of irrigation : (desirable) MPN 1000 per 100ml
Fecal coliform count of MPN –10000 : Per 100 ml (maximum permissible)
Waste stabilization pond technology, which is eco- friendly and simple to operate, will be mainly supported to treat wastewater now onwards. This decision marks a decisive shift from the past. The earlier technologies adopted were power intensive and capital intensive, technologically more complicated and difficult to operate and maintain. The waste stabilization ponds in contrast can be constructed and maintained by the local community and are not power depended. The waste stabilisation pond technology is recognised to be the only cost effective technology, the world over, capable of killing pathogens to make the levels of microbial pollution in treated waste water safe for agriculture, aqua-culture and bathing. Land is the primary requirement for waste stabilization pond technology. The procurement of land should be arranged speedily by the State Government so that additional projects can be executed without and delay. A committee of experts, which examined the technology, options in case sufficient land was not available for adoption of waste stabilization pond technology also recommended that a thorough search followed by a public hearing must be ensured to locate sufficient land. In cases where land is not available then conventional technologies followed by maturation pond and other disinfecting technologies could be considered. In such cases, technology option should be based on the cost benefit analysis of various options and the most economic option selected without compromising the achievements of Standards. Since, river water is extensively used in our country for bathing, this shift in technology with a focus on reducing microbial pollution makes the approach people friendly and relevant for health.
All treated wastewater (treated to appropriate environmental standards) shall be used for irrigation instead of being discharged back into the river. This will have the following impacts:
Protect the river by eliminating the discharge of organic matter into it and, thus, improve its ecology. The river will no longer be used as a dumping ground to receive waster water.
Provide clean and fresh water for bathers and communities dependent on the rivers.
Prevent degradation of the soil by providing the rich organic matter in treated sewage to the fields thus, reducing their dependence on chemical fertilizers for crop nourishment.
Increase agriculture fields by enabling multiple crops to be raised on the same extent of land by making available treated waste water throughout the year for areas which are otherwise starved of water for irrigation.
Ensure a proper ecological balance since organic matter will be taken to its place of origin, namely, land in the rural areas.
Promote in-land aqua-culture and fisheries and, thus help to supplement the income of the rural farmer.
Help in recharging the groundwater table.
Avoid the use of power for exploiting ground water, thus, conserving scarce national resources.
An important objective incorporated in the Ganga Action Plan is to ensure environmental sustainability of the development process through participation of people at all levels. The monitoring reports prepared on important parameters like BOD, DO and Coliform were published as water quality bulletin and distributed to all the implementing agencies, State Pollution Control Boards, Enforcement Agencies and Planning Commission.
Citizen’s Monitoring Committees are also being constituted in every town where the NRCP is being executed. The constitution of the Committee has been a pre-condition for sanction of schemes. In addition, Divisional Review Committees and a Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of the States are also reviewing the progress of works.
A sum of Rs. 7.95 crores has been embarked for public participation in various towns under the NRCP (including GAP Phase-II). Detailed guidelines for taking up activities under public participation were finalised by the NRCD in consultation with leading NGOs. These have been circulated to the State Governments. Detailed Project Reports under the Yamuna Action Plan are now being approved under public participation. Moreover, padyatras, rallies, shramdan activities are also being taken up through directly assisting reliable and effective Non-Government Organisations operating in the towns covered under GAP Phase-II. Since the river action plans/GAP require the support of the public for effective implementation, a committee was constituted for ascertaining the opinions of leading NGOs, public health engineer and environmentalists with regard to the manner of implementation. The reports prepared by the Committee are being given due consideration while formulating the schemes under the river action plan to make them more responsive to the needs of the public.
Improvement in the River Action Plan
The NRCD has undertaken a series of measures to improve the performance. keeping in mind the experience gained by the implementation of GAP – I. The important measures include:
To avoid diversion of funds by State Governments, it has now been decide to make releases of money directly to the implementing agencies.
To minimize slippage on account of delays in land acquisition, the State Governments have been asked to process the schemes of land acquisition first before the schemes of sewage treatment plants etc. are approved.
The matter of continuous supply of electricity for operation of assets has also been taken up at the highest levels with the Governments of Bihar and U.P. Concurrently, on the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Board have issued show cause notices to the local bodies which are responsible for non – operation of assets in Bihar and U.P. under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. CPCB has also issued notices to such local bodies under the Environment (Protection) act, 1986.
In order to address the problem of bacterial pollution, it has been decided to use Waste Stabilization pond based technology for sewage treatment wherever possible and to use the treated sewage for irrigation purposes.
The core schemes of STPs and interception and diversion account for the major expenditure under the River Action Plans. The impact of these programmes on the public will be visible only when non – point sources of pollution as disposal of garbage, cattle sheds along the river banks, cattle wallowing in the river and disposal of dead bodies and animal carcasses are simultaneously tackled by the local bodies. The Ministry has appointed a Technical Group from IIT, Kanpur to carry out a detailed survey at Kanpur to the extent of pollution of the river from non – point sources.
It is proposed to execute Memoranda of Understanding between the Central Government, the State Governments and respective local bodies to ensure operation and maintenance of assets as well as pollution abatement from other non- point sources like garbage, cattle washing in river, cattle sheds and open defecation along the bank on a sustainable basis.
A new criteria has been introduced while examining the project proposals where the financial status of the local bodies of each Action Plan town is being evaluated and schemes are approved only when a firm commitment for appraisal and maintenance is available from them.
Regular consultations with Members of Parliament, MLAs and Mayors. Presidents in the major Ganga Action Plan towns are being held to discuss outstanding problems of operation and maintenance, delay in implementation of the programmes and measures necessary to control pollution from non-point sources.
A scheme of ‘Green Rating’ of municipal towns is proposed to be introduced under which large towns will be rated on the basis of overall cleanliness and hygiene. ‘Green Rating’ proposal for Kanpur and Delhi has already been sanctioned.
The environmental standards for river water quality have been synchronized with those prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board. At the same time, the standards of levels of microbial pollution in treated waste water for irrigation have been prescribed in the interest of public health.
A committee of NGOs, environmentalists and public health engineers has been constituted for suggesting measures improvements in the river action plans. The recommendations of the committee are being given due consideration while formulating the Schemes under the river action plans to make them more responsive to the needs of the public.
National Lake Conservation Plan
National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) was posed to different external agencies for funding, out of which World Bank evinced some interest. A concept paper was made and was sent to World Bank. Terms of reference of the project were finalised. World Bank specifically selected three wetlends viz. Ropar, Kanjli and Harike from Punjab and two wetlands viz. Sambhar and Udaipur Lake Complex from Rajasthan for undertaking conservation programme. However as per recent guidelines of World Bank, the concerned State Govts have been requested to send the proposal to the World Bank. Work on Dal Lake Conservation Programme, approved in principle by Cabinet Committee is in progress, An amount of Rs. 75 crore has been released to the State Government as additional Plan assistance. Meanwhile, as per the direction of Planning Commission, a DPR has been prepared by Roorkee University with the consent of J &K Government and is being put up to CCEA for approval.
National Afforestation and Eco-development Board
The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was constituted in the Ministry of Environment & Forests in August 1992. Prior to this, the National Wastelands Development Board (NWDB) was functioning in the Ministry with the mandate of regenerating forest as well as non-forest lands in the country. In 1992, the NWDB was transferred to the Department of Wastelands Development in the Ministry of Rural Development, with the revised mandate of regenerating degraded non-forest and private lands, while NAEB was given the task of promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country with special attention to degraded forest areas and lands adjoining forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas, as well as the ecologically fragile areas like the Western Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats, etc.
The mandate of the NAEB is to:
Evolve mechanisms for ecological restoration of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands through systematic planning and implementation, in a cost effective manner;
Restore through natural regeneration or appropriate intervention the forest cover in the country for ecological security and to meet the fuelwood, fodder and other needs of the rural communities;
Restore fuelwood, fodder, timber and other forest produce on the degraded forest and adjoining lands in order to meet the demands for these items;
Sponsor research and extension of research findings to disseminate new and proper technologies for the regeneration and development of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands;
Create general awareness and help foster peolple’s movement for promoting afforestation and eco-development with the assistance of voluntary agencies, non-government organisations, Panchayati Raj institutions and others and promote participatory and sustainable management of degraded forest areas and adjoining lands;
Coordinate and monitor the Action Plans for Afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development; and
Undertake all other measures necessary for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country.
The National Forest Policy, 1988, lays specific emphasis, inter alia, on securing the participation of local communities in the management and development of forests, while meeting the subsistence needs, particularly of fuelwood and fodder, of these communities to achieve sustainable environmental development as well as forest conservation. NAEB has evolved specific schemes to promote afforestation and management strategies, which help the States in developing specific afforestation and eco-development packages for augmenting biomass production through a participatory planning process of Joint Forest Management. A brief description of these schemes and the activities taken up thereunder during the year are summarised below.
Integrated Afforestation and Eco-development Projects Scheme (IAEPS)
This is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme intended to promote afforestation and development of degraded forests and adjoining lands by adopting an integrated approach and management of these areas on a watershed basis with people’s participation. The scheme is 100% centrally sponsored. The revised Ninth Plan allocation for the scheme is Rs. 247 crore (proposed physical target is 2.27 lakh ha). 129 projects have been sanctioned so far to the States in the Ninth Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 258.30 crore. Expenditure during 2000-01 (up to February 2001) was Rs. 59.70 crore.
The above approach is being implemented from 2000-01 onwards on pilot basis to establish convergence in flow of funds under the various schemes for development of rural areas for the purpose of maximising the impact of the schemes of this Ministry initially. MoEF is presently implementing four 100% Centrally Sponsored Schemes for promoting afforestation on degraded forests and adjoining lands including national parks and sanctuaries. It is planned to merge these schemes from the 10th Five Year Plan to establish interconnectivity between rural development in the forest fringe villages, forest conservation and employment generation with smooth and timely flow of funds to the field level. This umbrella scheme, called Samanvit Gram Vanikaran Samirddhi Yojana, is being implemented on a pilot basis through a decentralised set up at the field level for forest fringe villages on the pattern of DRDAs, to be called Forest Development Agency (FDA). The FDAs would also take up rural development works in the forest fringe villages which are generally difficult of access by the normal rural development machinery, insitutionalise monitoring of activities closer to the field and have greater flexibility in project formulation, identification of funding sources, thereby meeting local requirements effectively.
The FDAs consist of General Body (comprising chairpersons of all Village Forest Committees, Member Secretary of all Village Forest Committees, one designated woman member from each Forest Committee, Chairperson of District Panchayat Forest Committee, Range Forest Officers, ACFs/SDFs, and an Executive Body (comprising Chairperson – Conservator of Forests (territorial/wildlife), Member Secretary cum Chief Executive Officer - Divisional Forest Officer (territoral/wildlife), co-opted Members (without voting rights) – District Development Officer, District level Officers of Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Soil Conservation, Tribal Welfare, Industries, Panchayat, Public Health & Engineering and Education Departments, Chairperson of District Panchayat Forest Committee, 25 nominees from the VFCs/EDCs including minimum of 14 women.
The Scheme is being implemented in the first phase as pilot project from the year 2000-01 to 2001-02 in selected Territorial/Wildlife Divisions in all States/UTs which have adopted JFM Resolutions. In each selected FDA, works to the extent of 25-50 ha. of afforestation per village in the initial phase would be restricted to suitably identified 25-50 villages. Based on the experience and availability of additional funds from the Planning Commission, the Scheme would be extended to rest of the territorial/wildlife Forest Divisions during the Tenth Plan. The outlay for the execution of this Scheme during 2000-01 is Rs. 10.50 crore. In the initial pilot phase, projects under the scheme are being sanctioned under the existing guidelines and cost norms of the IAEP scheme. Advance work is to be carried over 44,000 ha. in 2000-01. The budget proposed for 2001-02 is Rs. 32 crores, the physical target being 53,000 ha. (plantation over 44,000 ha., and advance work over 9,000 ha.)
Chief Ministers of all States have been requested by Hon’ble MEF for initiating suitable steps for paving the way for the launch of this scheme in their States. So Far, project proposals have been received under the scheme from 17 States, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. The project proposals pertaining to several FDAs of J&K, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have been approved. The other proposals are being processed.
Area Oriented Fuelwood and Fodder Projects Scheme (AOFFPS)
This Centrally Sponsored Scheme is operated on 50:50 sharing basis between the State Governments and the Central Government, with a view to augment production of fuelwood and fodder in the 242 identified fuelwood deficient districts of the country to meet the needs of the communities. The revised central outlay for the Ninth Plan for this scheme is 135 crores. 26 projects have been sanctioned so far to the States in the Ninth Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 195 crore. Expenditure during 2000-01 (up to February 2001) was Rs. 22.04 crore.
Conservation and Development of Non-Timber Forest Produce including Medicinal Plants (NTFP)
Under this 100% centrally sponsored scheme, financial assistance is provided to the State Governments for increasing production of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) including Medicinal Plants. It has a special focus on tribal population for whom NTFP is an important source of livelihood. The revised Ninth Plan allocation for the scheme is Rs. 80.50 crores. 74 projects have been sanctioned so far to the States in the Ninth Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 100.36 crore. Expenditure during 2000-01 (up to February 2001) was Rs. 21.98 crore.
Coastal Shelterbelt Plantation Programme
This programme aims at afforesting coastal areas in the country with suitable tree species to form shelterbelts under the ongoing centrally sponsored Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Projects Scheme, with the objective of mitigating the impact of strong cyclonic winds. 13 projects for coastal shelterbelt plantations have been sanctioned to West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat with total outlay of Rs. 32.88 crore for the Ninth Plan.
Bamboo and Medicinal Plantation Projects
Recently, Bamboo and Medicinal plantations have been identified and declared as one of Thrust Areas of the Ministry. Though such species are planted as part of mixed plantations taken up under the ongoing NTFP scheme, projects solely for Bamboo and Medicinal plantations are now being sanctioned separately under the scheme. Till February 2001, 20 projects with an outlay of Rs. 19.89 crores for covering an area of 28,763 ha. under bamboo plantations, and 17 projects with an outlay of Rs. 8.31 crores for raising medicinal plants over an area of 5,085 ha. have been sanctioned for the Ninth Plan.
Implementation of IAEP, AOFFP and NTFP schemes during the 9th Plan
Four key elements are being emphasised in the above three schemes during the Ninth Five Year Plan. These are: Promotion of Joint Forest Management, Microplanning, incorporation of Improved Technologies, where necessary, during the nursery raising/ plantation, and Monitoring and Evaluation of the projects. The other main features are:
The watershed/catchment area approach will continue to be followed wherever possible.
Planting will be permitted upto the 5th year of the projects to allow full establishment of VFPCs/JFM etc. 5 years of maintenance will be permitted for all plantations as compared to the 2-3 years allowed earlier.
Tree & Pasture Seed Development Scheme
The State Governments are assisted under this 100% centrally sponsored scheme to develop infrastructure facilities to generate quality seeds, which would lead to the growth of healthy and better quality trees. Financial assistance is provided to the states to develop facilities for collection, storage, testing, certification and distribution of quality seeds. From 1998-99, seed production of pasture grasses and legumes including selection of superior stands of endemic grasses, their collection, processing, storage and distribution has also been included in the scheme. A one-time central assistance is provided to the States to meet non-recurring expenses relating to infrastructure development, while State Government meet all recurring expenditure (salary, Wages, TA., training costs etc.). The revised Ninth Plan allocation for the scheme is Rs. 6.00 crores. Nineteen projects have been sanctioned so far to the States in the Ninth Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 7.98 crores. Expenditure during 2000-01 (up to February 2001) was Rs. 1.40 crore.
In tune with the philosophy of eliciting and encouraging people’s participation, the Board provides financial assistance to Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)/Voluntary Agencies (VAs) for afforestation and tree planting activities. The revised allocation for the Ninth Five Year Plan for this scheme is Rs. 8 crore. Central assistance of Rs. 7.70 crore, to 319 projects, has been provided so far under this scheme in the Ninth Plan Period.
Four Ecological Task Forces (ETFs) of ex-servicemen are deployed in remote and difficult areas to undertake restoration of degraded ecosystems through afforestation, soil conservation and water resource management techniques. The scheme also serves as a mechanism to rehabilitate the ex-servicemen for productive work and to create employment for retired army personnel mainly in the rural areas. The BE for 2000-01 is Rs. 9.75 crores against which the expenditure incurred till February 2001 was Rs. 8.05 crore. The ETFs are presently located at Kiarkuli (U.P.), Bikaner (Rajasthan), Samba (J&K), Pithoragarh (U.P.).
NAEB has been designated as the nodal agency in the Centre for monitoring the progress of seedling distribution and afforestation under Points No. 16 (a) and (b) of the Twenty Point Programme. Afforestation and tree planting activities are taken up through the schemes of Ministries of Environment and Forests, Rural Development, Agriculture, Water Resources etc., as also through the funds provided under the State Plans. The performance during the Eighth Five Year Plan, and in the Ninth Plan so far is given in Table-18.
Seedlings in lakhs/area in hectares
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Financial Year Targets Achievements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seedlings Area** Seedlings Area ** Distribution* Distribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eighth Plan 62,585.11 55,22,201.00 55869.67 5156578.09 1997-98 11,166.10 11,46,800.00 10,335.63 9,65,638.15 1998-99 11,166.10 11,75,000.00 9,377.86 11,05,275.67 1999-2000 12,130.35 13,18,480.00 11,814.13 14,24,214.29 2000-01 12,236.35 13,19,680.00 9109.44@ 571450.41@ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Seedling Distribution: for planting on private lands – under Point No. 16A of the TPP. ** Area coverage: on public lands including forest lands – under Point No. 16B of the TPP. @ Progress reports from all States/UTs are yet to be received.
New technologies and methodologies of participatory management, eco-development and regeneration of degraded forests are being progressively developed. In order to share such experiences and technologies widely, NAEB documents such developments and the related information in the form of publications, and shares these with State Governments, NGOs, and all other concerned agencies. The Board has brought out a number of publications for the purposes of dissemination.
The Board has seven Regional Centres located in universities and national level institutions. These Centres help NAEB in promoting extension of replicable technologies and for dissemination of research findings. They provide technical and extension support to the State forest departments in preparing projects for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining lands with people’s participation, and also act as fora for exchange of ideas and experiences amongst the states of the region as well across the regions. In addition, these centres carry out problem-specific studies as well as evaluation of NAEB’s programmes in the field, organise training and workshops on relevant topics. The centres and the state they cover are given in Annexure - II.
In pursuance of the National Forest Policy, 1998, a 100% Centrally Sponsorred Scheme namely "Association of Scheduled Tribe and Rural Poor in Regeneration of Degraded Forests on Usufruct Sharing Basis" was continued to involve the local people in rehabilitation of degraded forests in tribal dominant areas. Besides improving the forest cover of degraded forests, the scheme also aims at providing wage employment and usufructs to the tribal people.
The specific objectives of the scheme are:
To improve forest based biomass resource base in degraded forests and to manage it on a sustainable bases for domestic needs of the identified communities.
To involve local scheduled tribes and other rural poor in protection and development of degraded forests.
To provide gainful employment and a sustainable economic base to scheduled tribes and rural poor in the vicinity of their habitation.
The revised scheme has new components of aided natural regeneration, soil and moisture conservation, entry point incentives and training to tribals. The Scheme is being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tripura and West Bengal. During the year, an amount of Rs. 355 lakhs have been released to various States under the scheme.