[Commission on Sustainable Development, World Summit on Sustainable Development, United Nations Environment Programme, Global Environmental Facility, UNDP, UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme, India-Canada Environment Facility, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, World Bank Aided Projects]
The Ministry acts as the nodal agency in the country for United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Colombo, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and European Union. Annual financial contributions where needed, are made to these organizations. The Ministry also functions as the nodal agency and participates actively in international agreements relating to environment such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, Convention on Wetlands of International importance, especially as waterfowl habitat, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal, Vienna, Convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Conventions on Biological Diversity and Climate Change, the Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Substances, Convention to Combat Desertification, etc. The Ministry also handles bilateral issues and matters, pertaining to multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development, UNEP, Environment Support Programme of UNDP under Country Cooperation Framework-I and the regional bodies like ESCAP, SAARC and SACEP. In addition, Ministry also handles the work relating to the National Environment Council and the India Canada Environment Facility.
India has been pursuing its commitments under various conventions vigorously by initiating several measures nationally and by taking various important initiatives in the region. Environment related multilateral conventions and protocols etc., are being handled by the Ministry’s respective technical and scientific divisions and International Cooperation Division plays a catalytic role in this regard.
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
Agenda 21, adopted during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Brazil in 1992 is a blue print for achieving sustainable development. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was set up in 1993 under ECOSOC, UN for the purpose of review of progress of implementation of the Agenda 21. CSD meetings are held every year in New York during April. During the 9th Session of CSD, held from 16-27th April, 2001 the following major issues were considered for review :
Atmosphere/Energy (sectoral theme);
Information for decision making and participation/International cooperation for an Enabling Environment (cross-sectrol themes); and
Energy/Transport (economic sector/major group)
The Indian delegation, headed by Hon’ble Minister of Environment and Forests, participated in this Session.
Ministry of External Affairs is the nodal Ministry for the CSD matters. However this Ministry plays a role for providing technical support and for implementation of Agenda 21. For each of the session, every country has to present its National Report on progress achieved on the themes selected for the session. This is done alternately by Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Would Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) is to be held during August-September, 2002 at Johannesburg, South Africa to mark the 10th year post UNCED held at Rio in 1992. The Summit will review and appraise progress towards sustainable development and the commitments made ten years ago at Rio. Preparatory meetings for this important event, both at international level and regional levels are being organized. India is actively participating in these meetings.
The Preparatory Committee meetings are expected to negotiate some kind of agenda for the Summit. With reference to Agenda 21 and other Rio agreements, the following issues would continue to be important pointers to the discussion at the Summit from India’s and developing countries’ point of view:
Agenda 21 and Rio Declaration should not be renegotiated,
Common but differentiated responsibility among the comity of nations,
Thematic clusters for assessment in place of chapter by chapter approach,
Role of GEF in transferring resources to developing nations,
Action oriented decisions where further work is needed to implement Agenda 21
At the national level, the Ministry has also initiated the following preparatory process for the WSSD:
Assessment of our performance on the baseline of Agenda 21 in selected thematic areas included in Agenda-21.
Preparation of a National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) on the basis of critical appraisal of this assessment.
Initiating a programme of triennial State of Environment Reports (SoE) at national and state levels and building institutional capacities at various levels for preparing such reports.
To take up preparation of National Environment Action Programme (NEAP) after carrying out multi-stakeholder problem identification followed by prioritisation of these problems and identifying their cost-effective solutions. This programme will be our Agenda for future action. NEAP is likely to be an action oriented practical document, with multi-stakeholder acceptability. While NSSD will cover a wide spread of sustainable development, NEAP will cover specific identified interventions in environmental management.
Report is being brought out through Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) incorporating the following objectives:
To carry out an assessment of the extent to which sustainable development priorities are reflected in national and sectoral planning and to identify the missing sector and intersectoral links.
To evolve sustainable development strategies at the national and sectoral levels.
To identify programmes for the operationalisation of the above strategies.
To develop Sustainable Development Indicators suitable for the country.
In addition to the above, the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad has been assigned the task of preparing a document "India on the Path of Sustainable Development’. CEE is also organizing multi-stakeholder consultations at the national and regional levels with the objectives to identity and discuss issues relevant for India at the Summit.
National Museum for Natural History, New Delhi and CEE Ahmedabad have been selected for conducting national level essay, quiz, photographic and poster competition for children of various age groups. In addition, it is proposed to fully utilize existing network of National Green Corps (NGC) and Eco-clubs for creating wider environmental awareness in the country.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The Untied Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has established an open ended Intergovernmental Group of Ministers or their representatives to undertake a comprehensive policy oriented assessment of existing institutional weaknesses as well as future needs and options for strengthened international environmental governance, including the financing of the UNEP. The Group is meeting periodically. Special Secretary in the Ministry led the Indian delegation in the third meeting of the Group held in Algiers in September, 2001.
The Seventh Special Session of Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF) of UNEP has also been held from 13-15 February, 2002 in Cartagena, Columbia for discussion on the subject of international environmental governance and preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a financial mechanism to meet the agreed environmental costs of measures to developing countries to help them carry out programmes to relieve pressures on global ecosystems. The GEF was created to fulfil a unique niche-that of providing financing for programmes and projects to achieve global environment benefits in the focal areas of Biodiversity, Climate Change, International Waters and Land Degradation as it relates to these focal areas. The Facility supports international environment management and the transfer of environmentally benign technologies. It is a cooperative venture among national governments, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the specific areas of concern. The Ministry is the technical nodal point for this facility in India.
So far twelve projects are being implemented while one has been completed. Besides, fifteen projects have also been approved in principle under GEF and are in the preparatory phase.
A Global Environment Cell (GEC) with UNDP assistance has been set up in the Ministry to provide technical and scientific inputs into the process of project formulation including those for GEF assistance.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The Ministry has signed the Programme Support Document under the Country Cooperation Framework-I (CCF-I) with the UNDP to enhance cooperation between the Government of India and the UNDP in the environment sector with outlay of US $ 8.1 million. The programme, which would be valid upto 2002, focuses on growth with equity, poverty alleviation and human development as the central concerns. The CCF-I strategy places emphasis on technology upgradation, poverty eradication and environmental preservation etc. The four thrust areas of the Environment Programme are:
Management of natural resources,
Strengthening of capacity for decision making.
Management of development, and
Spread of information, advocacy and participation.
To recommend, implement and monitor the projects under this programme, a Programme Management Board (PMB) has been constituted in the Ministry which comprises of senior officers of the Ministry, representatives of other concerned Ministries, representatives of UNDP and four NGOs, one each for the four identified thrust areas. Twenty one projects approved under the programme are at various stages of implementation and are being implemented by several agencies including non-government organizations.
UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme
The Small Grants Programme (SGP) started in 1992 is implemented worldwide by UNDP on behalf of GEF. It provides support to small scale and community based activities which address the four GEF thematic areas . Institutions eligible for funding include non-governmental organizations, community based organization, people’s associations and others. The pilot phase of the programme has been successfully completed in India.
The outlay for the subsequent operational phase of approximately five years duration has a committed outlay of US $ 12,00,000 of which the GEF component is US $ 500,000 and the UNDP CCF-I component is US $7,00,000. The objectives of Small Grants Programme India are to promote innovative local responses in one or more of the four GEF thematic areas, build the capacities of people, particularly women and tribals and their local institutions, to design and implement development projects that are sustainable, demonstrate the effectiveness and potential for wide application of small-scale, decentralized community based initiatives and create public awareness on global environmental issues. On an average the project budget has a ceiling of Rs. 15 lakhs. So far, 68 projects of GEF/Small Grants Programme have been funded in principle. A National Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (IC) of the Ministry has been constituted in this regard.
India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)
The India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the Government of Canada created by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Governments on October 20, 1992 for the purpose of undertaking projects related to the environment.
The funding is provided by the Canadian International Development Agency. It is managed jointly by representatives from the two Governments (India and Canada). The primary focus of ICEF is to develop natural resources and enhance the environmental managerial capacity of Government/Non-government/community organisations to undertake and to manage environmentally sound development in land, water and energy sectors in India.
While projects approved by ICEF so far have focused on watershed management, future projects will concentrate on water quality and energy fields. So far 20 projects have been approved for funding under the ICEF with a total outlay of Rs.162.56 crores. The Joint Project Steering Committee is co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) from the Indian side and by Counsellor, Canadian High Commission.
India’s Initial National Communication (NATCOM) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
India is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize Greenhouse Gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human induced interference with the climate system. The Convention enjoins upon the Parties to communicate to the Conference of Parties through its Secretariat the following elements of information:-
A national inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removal by sinks of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, to the extent its capacities permit, using comparable methodologies to be promoted and agreed upon by the Conference of Parties;
A general description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the Convention;
Any other information that the Party considers relevant to achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in its communication, including, if feasible, material relevant for calculation of global emission trends.
The Ministry is the executing and implementing agency of the project. A National Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F) oversees the implementation of the project. A Technical Advisory Committee advises on the scientific and technical aspects of the various components of the work programme.
The meetings of the National Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee were held on May 10, 2001 and September 4, 2001 respectively. A facilitating Agency has also been appointed by the Ministry in this regard.
The following workshops/seminars were held during the year to discuss on issues connected with the components of the National Communication relating to preparation of Inventory of Greenhouse gases and to familiarize the participating organisation with the procedure and guidelines for Inventory Development. In all more than 300 participants belonging to R&D institutes, Government Institutions, Universities, Autonomous and Non-governmental organisations across the country participated in these workshops.
Inception workshop on India’s Initial National Communication to UNFCCC, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi (November 22, 2001)
Seminar on Climate Change on Issues Concern and Opportunities (November 23,2001)
Targeted Research Workshop at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi (Nov, 26, 2001)
Workshops on Good Practices in Inventory estimates at National Physical Laboratory New Delhi (November 27-30, 2001),
Meeting on reducing uncertainties in inventory estimates at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi (November 18, 2001)
Workshop on Inventory Development at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (December 3-5, 2001)
Workshop on Future Socio-economic Scenario generation and emission projections at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (December 6-7, 2001)
Training Workshop on Climate Change Impact Assessment Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies at Jadavpur University, Kolkata (December 17-19, 2001).
During the year, the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reached a significant agreement at Bonn in July on implementation of the key elements of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol and made further progress at Marrakech that led to Marrakech Accord which paves the way to the ratification of Kyoto Protocol. The Third Assessment Report of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change was also brought out.
Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP-7)
The Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP-7) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Marrakech, Morocco, from 29 October-9th November 2001. The Indian delegation to the conference was led by Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests, Secretary (E&F) was the alternate leader. The Conference came close to the historic agreement at the second part of the Sixth Conference of the Parties Bonn, (16-27 July). Germany which had made significant progress in a number of areas and reached an agreement on "Core elements for the implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action" which comprises four basic elements relating to detailed rules and modalities pertaining to mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. These are
Joint Implementation,
Clean Development Mechanism and Emission Trading,
Resource Transfer from developed to developing countries and including those pertaining to Transfer of Technology, and
Adaptation, Compliance Mechanism and Response Measures.
The main agenda of the Seventh Conference of the Parties included finalization of detailed rules and modalities of the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation and Emission Trading under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries having emission limitation and reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol can undertake such reductions outside their own domestic environment at relatively lower costs; reporting and review requirements relating to provisions under the Protocol and compliance mechanism of the Protocol. The Conference ended with Marrakech Accord, which contains agreement on key elements relating to implementation of the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol and the convention.
The agreement provides for prompt start of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Elections to the CDM Executive Board were held for this purpose. The agreement further provides that the certified emission reductions under the CDM can be transferred as well as banked (with an upper limit). Afforestation and reforestation have been included in the list of permissible activities under CDM while nuclear option has been excluded. Simplified modalities and procedures for a small scale clean development mechanism project activities for renewable energy project activities up-to 15 MW and energy efficiency projects of 15 Giga-watts per year have also been agreed to.
An Expert Group on Technology Transfer has been constituted. A framework for enhancing cooperation on technology transfer has been adopted that emphasizes, among other things, need for country driven and integrated approaches at national and sectoral levels and involvement of all the stakeholders. Framework for advancing cooperation on capacity building in developing countries has been also adopted.
Decisions relating to resource transfer include increased replenishment of global environment facility to address specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from the adverse effect of climate change and impact of implementation of response measures; establishment of special climate change fund for supporting activities relating to adaptation, transfer of technology and energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; increased funding of climate change related activities through bilateral and multilateral channels and establishment of a least developed country fund. An adaptation fund under the Protocol has also been established .
India is hosting the Eighth Conference of the Parties scheduled for 23 October-1st November, 2002 in New Delhi. It would be an important capacity building exercise in the country and would also provide an opportunity to show case efforts made by India in the environmental arena.
Ozone is an extremely rare component of the earth’s atmosphere and in every ten million molecules of air, only three are ozone. Most of the ozone (90%) is found in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere), between 10 and 50 kilometers (6-30 miles) above the Earth’s surface. This ozone layer absorbs all but a small fraction of the harmful ultraviolet radiation emanating from the sun. It therefore, shield plant and animal life from uv radiation which in high doses can be particularly damaging. UV radiation has the potential to cause skin cancer, eye damage, suppress body’s immune system, decrease crop yield, cause damage to forests and affects ocean life. Global effort to protect the Ozone Layer started in early seventies, led to the adoption of the Vienna Convention in 1985 and the Montreal Protocol in 1987. With a view to strengthening the global efforts, India acceded to the Montreal Protocol along with its London Amendment. Its provisions become effective for India from 17.9.1992.
To ensure compliance with the provisions of the Montreal Protocol, several fiscal measures were taken up urgently to discourage use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and encourage use of ODS substitutes. Thus Government grants customs and excise duty exemption on goods required for ODS phaseout projects and new investments with non-ODS technologies. The Reserve Bank of India has issued directions to all financial institutions and commercial banks not to finance new estabishments with ODS technology. Licensing system has been adopted to regulate import and export of ODS. A ban has also been imposed on trade of ODS with non Parties.
The Notified Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, provide a legal framework for ensuring compliance of the Montreal Protocol. They set the deadlines for phasing out of various Ozone Depleting Substances, besides regulating production , trade, import and export of ODS. The rules prohibit the use of CFCs in the manufacture of various products beyond 1.1.2003 except in metered dose inhalers and for other medical purposes. Similarly, use of halons is prohibited after 1.1.2001 except for essential uses. Other ODS such as carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform and CFC for metered dose inhalers can be used upto 1.1.2010. Further the use of methyl bromide has been allowed upto 1.1.2015. Since hydrochlorofluorocarbons are used as interim substitutes to replace CFCs, these are allowed to be used upto 1.1.2040. The Rules also provide for compulsory registration of ODS based products, importers, exporters, stockists and sellers and the same provision is applicable to manufacturers, importers, and exporters of compressors. They are also required to maintain records and file periodic reports for monitoring production and use of ODS. Enterprises which have received financial assistance from Multilateral Fund for switchover to non-ODS technology have to register the date of completion of their project and to declare that the equipment used for ODS has been destroyed. Rules also regulate production of ODS and the use of ODS for manufacturing product containing ODS as per the specified time schedule. Creation of new capacity or expansion of capacity of manufacturing facilities of ODS and ODS based equipment has been prohibited.
A number of activities were also undertaken during this year to bring about awareness regarding the harmful effects of Ozone Depleting Substances. The International Day for the Protection of Ozone Layer was celebrated at Hyderabad on 16th September 2001, and on this occasion a set of newly designed posters, special covers, stickers and the fourth edition of a book entitled ‘The Montreal Protocol, India’s Success Story" were released. An exhibition of ozone friendly products developed by industry with assistance from Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund was also organised. One of the companies exhibited refrigerators operating very efficiently with hydrocarbon as a refrigerant. A number of competitions (debates, elocutions, plays, banner painting etc.) all designed to increase awareness regarding harmful effects of ODSs were held and children from schools all over the State participated.
Workshops were conducted jointly with State Environment Departments and Pollution Control Boards in 17 State capitals including Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Bangalore, Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Kohima, Gangtok, Jaipur and Chandigarh etc. These have helped the state authorities to understand and appreciate the actions to be initiated towards phasing out of ODS’s used by industries.
During the year, 36 Investment Projects, costing US$ 11,135,153 and 12 non- investment projects costing US$ 915,131 were approved by the Executive Committee of Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund. These projects will help in phasing out 1635.0 ODP MT when completed. Of the projects approved earlier, 39 have been completed phasing out 1877.3 ODP MT.
A Project Management Unit (PMU) to oversee the phased closure of CFC producing plants in India has been set up. The compensatory fund received earlier for phased closure of CFC producing plants has been utilised to stop production of 1882 MT of CFCs and US$ 9.7 million has been disbursed as compensation upto December , 2001.
Progress has been made in almost all the industry sectors using ODSs to change over to non-ODS technology. A strategy for the refrigeration service sector and phase out of ODSs in the chiller sub sector is being prepared as a part of the programme to achieve the phase out schedule of Ozone Depleting Substances as per the Montreal Protocol.
Ministry also plays coordinating role in the matters relating to environment and forests. MoUs/Agreements with Germany, Austria , Vietnam, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Russia and China and Letter of Intents with Brazil and USA have been signed by India during the year.
Training abroad
Several officials from Ministry, State governments, SPCBs were nominated for training abroad in the filed of environment.
World Bank Aided Projects (Externally Aided Projects)
Industrial Pollution Prevention Project (IPPP)
The objective of the ongoing scheme is to promote cost-effective pollution abatement from industrial sources. The project focuses on the most polluting industrial sectors as defined by the Government (17 industrial sub-sectors) and comprises three components, viz., (i) Industrial (ii) Investment (iii) Technical Assistance.
Under this Scheme, funds released by the government are reimbursed by the World Bank. The participating States under this Scheme ate- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. A total sum of US$ 23 million (Rs. 98.90 crores) has been allocated for IPPP by the World bank. The main thrust areas/ achievements etc under this scheme are
Procurement of equipment for SPCBs.
Provision of facilities for the laboratories in the State Pollution Control Boards of the participating States mentioned above.
Imparting training to the personnel of Pollution Control Boards.
Provision of funds to industries for waste water recycling plants.
Provision of funds to Gujarat for software procurement and training under the GIS project.
Upgradation of training package under the Waste Minimization Circle.
Analytic and monitoring equipment for the Pollution Control Boards as well as for small regional laboratories have been acquired . Most of the procurement activity has been completed.
Funds have already been sanctioned to the four SPCBs for refurbishing laboratory facilities including upgradation of existing facilities and provision of additional space for infrastructure.
Funds have already been provided for one IWRP Project and two CETP Projects.
Two training programmes have been conducted and 39 Waste Minimization Circles have been established till date.
Environmental Management Capacity Building (EMCB) Project
With a view to improving the environmental appraisal process and to incorporate compliance of the already approved projects in decision making, Ministry has undertaken capacity building programme in the areas of environmental clearance of projects, development of manuals and guides for preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/ Environmental Management Plan (EMP) related matters under the World Bank assisted EMCB projects. The primary focus of this project is to enable:-
Improved Process for Environmental Clearance of Projects;
Improved Quality of EIA Reports generated as part of the Clearance Procedure;
Improved Level of Environmental Compliance with conditions prescribed in the Environmental Clearance and other regulatory requirements.
As per the objective of the project, the flowing tasks have been identified by the Ministry.
Component-A : Review of procedures and practices of environmental clearance in India to identify problems, bottlenecks and constraints and recommended measures for making the EIA process more effective.
Component-B : Develop a National Guidance Manual on EIA practice with support manuals on select developmental projects for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of Indian EIAs.
Component–C : Examine the feasibility of establishing National Level Environmental Data Centre(s) for providing validated / certified environmental information.
Component-D : Effective availability of standard data and information relating to the environmental clearing process and dissemination thereof to stakeholders (Web management).
Component–E : Comprehensive development of training needs and institutional strengthening for achieving a more effective EC Process.
Ministry has undertaken "India Environmental Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project" with the objective of developing national capacity in environmental management in key sectors so as to achieve the growth of adopting environmentally benign systems and processes and for effective implementation of environmental policy, laws and standards. The Mining sub-component of the project deals with non coal mining activities and comprises of the following activities:-
Review of existing mining and environmental policies, legislation, standards and mechanism for monitoring compliance:
Institutional strengthening:
Training; and
Demonstration projects.
Interaction with premier mining institutions such as Central Mining Research Institute, Centre for Mining Environment in Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Indian Bureau of Mines, is also a part of the exercise. So far, review of existing mining and environmental policies has been completed and recommendations made by national and international consultants are being considered by the Ministry.
Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Sub-Component
The sub-component of "Ambient Air Quality Monitoring" in the World Bank Environmental Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project is implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board. The objectives of the project include:-
To strengthen air quality monitoring capability with reference to specific pollutants like Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter having aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micron (PM), Benzene, Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC), Trace Metals, Poly Aromatic Hydro-Carbon (PAH) etc. in ambient air.
To develop strategy to control respirable particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of Metropolitan cities.
To support a training programme of the personnel of the Central/State Pollution Control Boards to keep the scientist/engineers up-to-date with the state-of-the-art practices of monitoring and control of air pollutants.
Under the Project various activities initiated so far are:-
Development of strategy for reduction of respirable particulate matter in ambient air of Delhi and Kanpur.
Feasibility study of private participation in ambient air quality monitoring, reporting and dissemination of data.
Determination of emission factors and development of simple inspection and maintenance test procedure with possible emission reduction for on road vehicles.
Conducting need assessment study for procurement of laboratory instruments/equipment.
Strengthening of ambient air quality monitoring capability and enforcement through training.
Strengthening of ambient air quality monitoring capability of the Pollution Control Boards/Committees through acquisition of air quality monitoring instruments/equipments.
Development of Standards Sub-Component
"Development of Standards" under the World Bank Environment Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project is being implemented by Central Pollution Control Board with the following major objectives:
To review and develop guidelines for evolutions of national and location-specific standards and strategies for their implementation.
To develop /review industry specific standards for identified sectors (relatively critical and requires studies on the approach/standards considered by other countries and state-of-art technologies).
To review the ambient air and water quality criteria and standards.
To review the control technologies for specific pollutants.
The activities taken up under the project so far include the following:
Review/Guidelines for development of national standards
Rationale for prescribing location specific standards
Development of Industry specific standards
National Emission Standards for Pesticides Industry
National Emission Standards for Petrochemical Industry
National Emission Standards for Oil Refineries
Development of Effluent (review) and Emission Standards for Basic Organic Chemical Industry.
Review of ambient quality standards
Review of water quality criteria
Review of air quality criteria
Review of Control Technologies for specific pollutants
TDS in Industrial Effluents
VOCs in Industrial Emissions
According to the Development Credit Agreement (DCA) between India and the International Development Association, Government of India has decided to undertake the Environmental Management Capacity of the country with the assistance from the IDA.
The Project consists of strengthening the implementation of Environmental Law in India. The Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India is the implementing agency for the Environmental Law Component which attempts to strengthen the following:-
Environmental planning, policy formulation and implementation
Strengthen environmental monitoring and compliance enforcement at Centre, State and Local Government levels and
Supporting community and non-governmental organisations.
Under the Environmental Law Component, a number of training/workshop/seminars have been organized by National Law School of India University (NLSIU) to strengthen the legal framework. Training programmes for Forest Officers and Judges have been undertaken by NLSIU. More such training programmes are scheduled for other target groups.
The main objectives are to enhance competence of the research staff engaged in promotion of environmental research and to improve infrastructure facilities with an ultimate aim at providing scientific basis for environment management and economic development.
Important activities under the project are:-
Review of the existing schemes, priority setting procedure, procedure for funding, dissemination of the results of research , monitoring etc.
Prepare Environmental Research Management Plan (ERMP) based on the review as mentioned above.
Provision of Hardware and Software for management of information on environmental research.
Training in Research Management and Methodology.
Improve infrastructural facilities in Research Division.
Achievements under the project are as follows:
The Environmental Research Management Plan has been prepared and action is being taken on the important recommendations.
An exclusive room has been constructed to house the N.T. Server with air conditioning facilities. The computer hardware and software have been procured. Basic training has been imparted to the research staff. Other equipment like photocopier, slide projector, overhead projector, dust-proof steel cabinets, multi-media projector and fax machine, have been purchased.
In order to provide better environment in the division, sitting cabins are being constructed and the flooring is being upgraded.
TOR and Contract for domestic training in research management as well as for study/observation tour abroad were prepared and cleared by the World Bank.
A training course in Research Management was organized at the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad on January 7-11, 2002. Thirty-four participants including Principal Investigators of ongoing /completed projects in various research institutions of the country as well as staff of the Ministry attended the training. List of 2nd batch of 30 participants is being prepared for undergoing the trainging. First batch of officers of the Ministry and other organizations like CPCB and State councils for Science, Technology and Environment who are concerned with Research Management, is expected to join a study/observation tour to Sweden, U.K and USA shortly.
Summaries of the results of completed research projects of the last five years are being compiled and will be put on internet for wider dissemination/accession by all concerned.
The priority areas for research are being reviewed and status reports on issues of major importance are being prepared.
The ENVIS sub- component as approved under World Bank assisted EMCB Project aim to strengthen Environmental Information System (ENVIS) in the Ministry by expanding its reach by involving additional institutions/ organizations in State Government, Academic, Corporate and NGO sectors. The main objectives of this sub-component are:
to broaden the ambit of ENVIS by including varying subject areas, themes, local conditions, issues, information/data needs of the country pertaining to environment .
To establish a nation wide web enabled network for environmental information covering wide variety of subject areas.
In order to meet the above-mentioned objectives of the projects, the Ministry has identified the following tasks:
Identification of information/data gap in the existing ENVIS
Identification of institutions/ organizations in the State Government, Academic, NGO and corporate sectors with relevant expertise for fulfilling the information/data gap and to form the part of the network.
Establishment of 90 nodes in various \subject areas related to environment and its associated fields.
Organisation of workshop/ training programmes for the node staff as well as the core staff in web-based information systems development, knowledge management etc. and
Sponsoring of workshops/ conferences on issues relating to environmental information, problems/ concerns and solutions.
A comprehensive action plan to implement the project has been prepared as envisaged in the objectives. Steps have also been initiated to recruit the project staff and to identify the nodes in various sectors. A Monitoring Committee has also been constituted to guide, monitor and implement the project.