[Status of Development Projects, Studies Sponsored, Notification on Siting for Industrial Projects and amendments to CRZ, Spl. Committee for Sankosh Multipurpose Project and Carrying Capacity based Regional Planning]
The programme of Environment Impact Assessment was taken up by the Ministry in 1977-78 when the Planning Commission suggested that all the river valley projects which need to be included in the plan programmes of the States should be appraised from environmental angle. Subsequently, in 1980-81 the Finance Ministry issued a circular stating that cost of anti-pollution measures or measures for safeguarding the environment should be treated as an integral cost of all projects. This was followed up with a communication from the Ministry offering its services to appraise the projects from environment angle. In 1983, the Finance Ministry has made it mandatory that all public sector projects, which require approval from the Public Investment Board should obtain environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Besides, in a few selected cases, the Licensing Committee under the Department of Industrial Development and MRTP Commission under the Department of Company Affairs referred the projects to this Ministry to be appraised from environmental angle. All those projects, which require clearance from the Central Electricity Authority also subsequently got included in the environmental appraisal procedure.
In 1992, after consultation with all the Ministries concerned, the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a draft Notification making environmental impact assessment statutory for selected activities. This was finalized in 1994.
Environment appraisal of projects has now been standardized. The project proponent as well as the State Governments are fully aware of the procedure to be adopted. After the issue of 1994 Notification, one major amendment was made to the Notification by making of public hearing an integral part of the assessment procedure. Though the States and Union Territories initially had certain constraints in implementing this, in due course this has been overcome and institutionalised in most of the States and Union Territories. Another amendment to the Notification, which was made in 1997 was with regard to delegation of powers to the State Government in respect of certain categories of thermal power plants.
During the year, the Ministry has updated the questionnaires, which are used for environmental assessment. These have been published and also made available in floppies. All details regarding pending projects, clearance letters issued, schedule of meetings of the Expert Committees as well as their composition are displayed on the Website of the Ministry and could be browsed.
Functioning of the Committee and Status of Appraisal of the Projects
During the year, all the five Expert Committees have met and considered a number of projects, the details of which are given in Table - 6.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sl.No. Expert Committee Number of Meetings Total number of Projects Considered -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Industry 9 47 2 Thermal power 6 28 3 River valley and Hydroelectric 5 15 4 Mining 8 46 5 Infrastructure and miscellaneous development 8 23 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Status of Development projects from January to December 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sl. No Nature of Projects pending Projects received Projects cleared Projects closed/ Projects pending the project at the beginning during the year during the year rejected/exempted at the end of of the year during the year the year ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Industrial 25 62 45 14 28 2 Thermal Power 11 27 17 09 12 3 River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects 07 08 05 06 04 4 Mining 18 41 25 23 11 5 Infrastructure & Miscellaneous projects 21 42 12 33 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total 82 180 104 85 73 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Besides the above, the Aravalli Committee has met twice during the year and considered 132 projects, and recommended 64 projects. The Ministry has empowered the State Governments of Rajasthan and Haryana under section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 vide Gazette Notification S.O.1189 (E), dated 29.11.1999 to consider proposals for environment clearance and also to monitor compliance of conditions stipulated in environment clearance.
Sustainable Development Plan for environmental protection of Kutch District, Gujarat.
National Council for Cement and Building Materials, Ballabhagarh, Haryana has been entrusted with this study with the objective of establishing baseline environmental and ecological status of Kutch region, which is one of the most backward but ecologically fragile regions of the country and has become the focus of development in recent years. Data has been collected and is being analyzed.
Studies on the Evaluation of characterization of Natural and Alternate Sand Resources in selected Zone of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for use in civil work
CBRI, Roorkee has been entrusted with this study with the objective of identifying sand resources outside the CRZ in selected Andaman and Nicobar islands for use in construction and to explore other alternate sources of sand which could be used as part or full replacement of natural sand in construction work. The total cost of the project is Rs. 13.20 lakhs. The CBRI has submitted report of the first phase of the above study covering sand and siliceous resources found in north Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The report identifies specific locations where hard stones are available and can be used in construction. In the next phase, the study will cover other parts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Carrying capacity based Developmental Planning for Tinnakara Island, Lakshadweep
The study was carried by Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) Thiruvananthapuram. The steering committee considered the report submitted and had suggested certain modifications, which were carried out by CESS. Based on the carrying capacity and supporting capacity of Tinnakara Islands, the study has suggested a possible approach to tourism development keeping environmental concerns in view.
Draft Notification on Siting for Industrial Projects
Ministry has issued a draft Gazette Notification S.O.470(E), dated 21st June, 1999 regarding Environment (Siting of Industries) Rules, 1999. The draft rules propose to prohibit/regulate the location of identified industries in proximity to identified ecologically and environmentally sensitive areas including National Parks/Sanctuaries, wet lands, archaeological monuments and human settlements. A large number of objections and suggestions have been received in response to the notification. In order to afford an opportunity for personal hearing, a series of hearings have been held in which NGO’s, Industry associations, State Governments and Central Departments participated. Steps are under way to finalize the notification.
Draft Notification Proposing Amendments to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991
The Ministry had issued a draft notification S.O.629(E), dated 5th August, 1999 proposing amendments to the CRZ Notification, 1991. These amendments seek to permit infrastructural facilities and residential construction, salt manufacture by solar evaporation, liquified natural gas storage and regasification and oil exploration in specified area of the CRZ. The suggestions and objection received from the public are being examined.
Special Committee for Sankosh Multipurpose Project
A special committee for environmental investigation of Sankosh multipurpose project was constituted in November, 1997. The proposal is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan for generation of 4000 MW hydro-power and construction of a 141.7 Km long canal to bring water to Farakka.
The committee has submitted its report and recommended that a dam may be constructed in Bhutan for power generation but construction of canal has to be dropped as it virtually bifurcates the protected areas, which have a biologically rich eco-system.
The Ministry sponsored a Workshop on "Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Coastal area", held from 1-3 November, 1999 at New Delhi. The workshop discussed coastal area management practices adopted by other countries and their relevance to India. The workshop, in the light of discussions held, suggested suitable policy measures.
Carrying Capacity based Regional Planning Studies
All development projects utilize natural resources in one form or the other and also generate wastes. The quantum of wastes generated depends on the level of technology and management skills used. Outmoded technologies result in waste of resources to the extent of 35-40%. It is therefore necessary to develop alternate strategies for sustainable development in the context of a developing country like India. Carrying capacity based regional planning takes into account not merely the availability of natural resources but also the environmental status of the eco-system so that welfare of the human beings as well as the health of the Life Support System is not impaired. To demonstrate the utility of the carrying capacity based planning process, studies have been taken up in a few selected areas considered to be representative of similar problematic areas in the country. The regions selected for these studies are:-
Ecologically fragile Doon Valley;
Environmentally critical National Capital Region;
Industrially and Environmentally sensitive Tapi Estuary;
Industrialized and Resource - rich Damodar River Basin; and
Coastal area, with multi sectoral development of Greater Kochi Region.
Of the above studies, Carrying Capacity Study of Doon Valley and National Capital Region have been completed. The Reports of studies on Damodar River Basin and Tapi Estuary are being finalised.
Review meetings were held during the year to discuss the progress on the Carrying Capacity for Greater Kochi Region. Collection of secondary data for this study is complete and based on the primary data which is under compilation, alternate development scenarios are being worked out for future development of the region. Identification of "Hot Spots" requiring immediate remedial action has also been completed.