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INTRODUCTION AND THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW


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Role and Organisation

The Ministry of Environment & Forests, is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government for planning, promotion, coordination and overseeing the implementation of the various environmental and forestry programmes. The Ministry is also the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and looks after the follow-up of the United Nations’ Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).

The broad objectives of the Ministry are:

These objectives are sought to be fulfilled by the Ministry through:

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures, aiming at the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment. Some of them are the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995, the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997, Wildlife Protection act, 1972 and Forests (Conservation) Act, 1980. Besides the legislative measures, a National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992, National Forest Policy, 1988 and a Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992 have also been evolved.

The organizational structure of the Ministry indicating various divisions, associated and autonomous offices/agencies is given in Annexure-1.

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Allocation of Business

An overview of the activities undertaken during the year by the Ministry and its associated offices/agencies, is as follows:

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Survey of natural resources

Flora

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Fauna

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Forests

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Conservation of Natural Resources including Forestry and Wildlife

Bio-sphere Reserves

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Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs

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Bio-Diversity Conservation

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Medicinal Plants

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Assistance to Botanic Gardens

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Combating desertification

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Forest Conservation

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Wildlife Conservation

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Environmental Impact Assessment

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Prevention and Control of Pollution

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Hazardous Substances Management

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Regeneration and Development

National River Conservation Directorate

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National Afforestation and Eco-development Board

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Research

Environmental Research

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Forestry Research

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Wildlife Research

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National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS)

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Education, Training and Information

Forestry Education, Training and Extension

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Wildlife Education and Training

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National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)

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Fellowships and Awards

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Environmental Education, Awareness and Training

Formal Environmental Education

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Non-formal Environment Education and Awareness

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Centres of Excellence

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Environmental Information

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Legislation and Institutional Support

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International Cooperation

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Administration, Civil Construction, Plan Coordination and Budget

Administration

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Civil Construction Unit

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Plan Coordination and Budget

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