Unit-7

Environmental Management in India

• In recent years, India's economy has grown, giving hope to reduce poverty. But this growth is
overshadowed by a worsening environment and fewer vital resources needed for more growth and
less poverty. Poor areas are also places where the environment is in trouble, like eroded land, dirty
water, and damaged forests. At the same time, as we grow fast, more people care about protecting
things like air, water, forests, and nature. Keeping the environment safe is becoming a big
challenge for India's development and plans for the next five years.
Challenges
• Pollution: Water, land and air contamination associated with growth are increasing exponentially.
• Rapid investment in the manufacturing sector, that includes 17 highly polluting industries that are
on the Central Pollution Control Board’s “Red List”, has fueled this growth.
• The share of the most polluting sectors in India’s exports has increased dramatically during the
last decade suggesting that India could be emerging as a net exporter of pollution-intensive
commodities. These trends indicate the need for greater investment in environmental
management.
Natural Resources, Ecosystems and Biodiversity: In rural areas, poverty has become intertwined with resource
degradation - poor soils, depleted aquifers and degraded forests. To subsist, the poor are compelled to mine and
overuse these limited resources, creating a downward spiral of impoverishment and environmental degradation.
There is growing pressure to better protect India’s pockets of mega-biodiversity which are increasingly recognized
as being of immense significance for global biodiversity, yet are increasingly threatened. Greater investment in the
protection of these natural assets would yield a double dividend of poverty alleviation and the improved
sustainability of growth.

Coastal Zone Management: India’s coastal zone is endowed with fragile ecosystems including mangroves, coral
reefs, estuaries, lagoons, and unique marine and terrestrial wildlife, which contribute in a significant manner to the
national economy. Economic activities such as rapid urban-industrialization, maritime transport, marine fishing,
tourism, coastal and sea bed mining, offshore oil and natural gas production, aquaculture, and the recent setting up
of special economic zones have led to a significant exploitation of these resources. In addition to the contribution
of increased economic activity, coastal development and livelihoods are under stress due to a higher incidence of
severe weather events, which have the potential to inflict irreversible damage to lives and property, for
communities that are traditionally poor and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Environmental Governance: The pace of infrastructure investments, which could reach $500 billion in the
12th Five Year Plan, calls for integrated and coordinated decision-making systems. This is made especially
challenging by fragmented policies and multiple institutional legal and economic planning frameworks, with
often conflicting objectives and approaches.

Environmental Health: The health impacts from pollution are comparable to those caused by malnutrition and
have a significant impact on the productivity, health and the quality of life. Environmental health challenges are
largely caused by poverty related risks associated with poor access to basic services, such as safe drinking water
and sanitation, and poor indoor air quality. The contamination of surface waters and the spread of pathogens are
promoted by the alteration of catchments and watersheds that have accompanied rapid urbanization and
intensive farming. Despite significant improvements in rural water supply and sanitation over the past few
decades, water-related diseases still account for a large number of avoidable child deaths every year.
Climate Change: India is highly vulnerable to climate change due to a combination of;
(i) high levels of poverty,
(ii) population density,
(iii) high reliance on natural resources,
(iv) an environment already under stress (for instance water resources). Reflecting the size of its economy and
population, India is ranked as the sixth largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. However,
by most measures, India would be classified as a low carbon economy.
• It has: (i) a low intensity of emissions per unit of GDP ( on par with the world average); (ii) per capita emissions
that are among the lowest in the world (at about 10 percent of the developed country average) and (iii) forest cover
that has stabilized. However, India’s emissions are set to grow substantially due to its sustained economic growth.

Government Priorities
• India has made a substantial effort in attempting to address environmental challenges. It has enacted stringent
environmental legislation and has created institutions to monitor and enforce legislation. The National
Environmental Policy (NEP) recognizes the value of harnessing market forces and incentives as part of the
regulatory toolkit, and India is one of only three countries worldwide which has established a Green Tribunal to
exclusively handle environmental litigation. On environmental governance, the GOI is contemplating the
establishment of the National Appraisal and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA) to carry out environmental
appraisals.
• During the current 11th Five Year Plan, the Government issued regulations to promote an integrated and inclusive
approach to coastal zone planning and the sound management of hazardous wastes, issued a number of critical
policies (e.g. revised river conservation strategy and the National Biodiversity Plan), and established a Wildlife
Crime Control Bureau to supplement existing conservation measures for species at risk, such as tigers.
• In response to the threat of climate change, the Prime Minister’s National Council on Climate Change issued
India’s first comprehensive National Action Plan in June 2008. In the run-up to Copenhagen, India also
volunteered its own target to reduce carbon intensity by 20 to 25 percent by 2020 against a 2005 baseline and
established an Expert Group on Low Carbon Growth to identify how best to meet this challenge.
World Bank Support
• Responding to these pressures, the World Bank has developed a multi-pronged approach to address
environmental issues and mitigate its lending risks:
• A Sound Program of Knowledge Products and Lending: This seeks to improve the knowledge base for
environmental solutions, and to pilot a number of programs to address key environmental challenges.
• Risk Management and Mainstreaming through Cross Support Activities: Through the World Bank’s safeguard
policies, a sound mechanism for decision making has been developed. A number of tools to enable the
integration of environmental management in project design and minimize the environmental footprint of the
Bank’s operations have also been developed.
• Country Systems and Capacity Building Initiatives help build institutional capacity, and include the piloting of
country (state) systems for managing risks of World Bank projects.

List of Active Projects

The World Bank has a growing relationship and portfolio in the environment sector. Projects under implementation
include the following.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project ($222mn approved June 2010) to help build the appropriate
institutional arrangements, capacity and advanced knowledge systems needed to implement the national
program on integrated coastal zone management. It will also help pilot this approach in three coastal states,
Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal, through a range of complementary pilots in select coastal stretches to build
state-level capacity
• Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management Project ($65mn approved June 2010) to build
tangible human and technical capacity in state agencies in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal for undertaking
environmentally sound remediation of polluted sites and to support the development of a policy, institutional
and methodological framework for the establishment of a National Program for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites
(NPRPS).
• The National Ganga River Basin Authority Project ($1bn approved in May 2011): to build capacity of its
nascent operational-level institutions, so that they can manage the long-term Ganga clean-up and conservation
program; and implement a diverse set of demonstrative investments for reducing point-source pollution loads
in a sustainable manner, at priority locations on the Ganga.
• Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihoods Project (GEF/IDA $23m approved in May 2011): to
develop and promote new models of conservation at the landscape scale through enhanced capacity and
institutional building for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation outcomes.
• Pipeline project:
In November 2002, the government made a significant decision to deregulate the oil sector and encourage
investment in petroleum product pipelines. They introduced a new policy for laying pipelines across the country,
based on the common carrier principle. Expansion of India’s Pipeline Network: India’s underground pipeline network
has significantly expanded in recent decades, aiding in the seamless supply chain of oil, petroleum, and gas.
• India’s Prominence in Oil Pipeline Development: India ranks among the top five developers of oil pipelines, with
significant projects under construction and proposed, according to Global Energy Monitor.
• Current Status: The country is constructing 1,630 km of oil transmission pipelines, ranking second globally in
ongoing pipeline projects. Proposed an additional 1,194 km, securing the 10th spot internationally.
• Leading Companies in Oil Pipeline Development: include both government-owned and private
firms: Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum, China National Petroleum Corporation, Iraq’s Ministry of Oil,
India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited (India), and France’s TotalEnergies. Proposed Longest Oil
Pipelines in India: The Paradip Numaligarh Crude Pipeline is currently being built, and the New
Mundra-Panipat Oil Pipeline is planned. These pipelines will rank among the longest in the world.
Key Pipeline Networks in India
• There are three important networks of pipeline transportation in the country:
• Asia’s First Cross-Country Pipeline: Asia’s first cross-country pipeline was constructed by OIL from
the Naharkatiya oilfield (Assam) to the Barauni refinery (Bihar) via Guwahati.
• It was further extended up to Kanpur in 1966.
• Salaya to Jalandhar: From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in Punjab, via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi
and Sonipat.
• Hazira(Gujarat)-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur(UP) HVJ: First interstate natural gas pipeline, constructed by
GAIL, linked Mumbai High and Bassein gas fields with various fertiliser, power and industrial
complexes in western and northern India.
• The project started in 1986.
• Environmentally Sustainable Development Policy Loan in the State of Himachal
Pradesh: The proposed Development Policy Loan will seek to establish a framework for environmental
sustainability, which will promote the participation of the state public and private sectors in the National
Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, develop a policy and institutional framework for the further
development of environmentally sound hydropower development, and enable sustainable development in a
number of key sectors of the economy including: tourism, industry, and agricultural development and
horticulture.

• Global Environmental Facility (GEF): Following the recent replenishment, the World Bank has
been requested to prepare a number of projects to be financed by the GEF, namely: Climate Resilience through
Community-Based Approaches in Semi-Arid Areas, Integrated Biodiversity Hotspots and Improvements,
Adaptive Management Tools in Sustainable Land Management, and Integrated Ecological Management of the
Lakshadweep Sea.

• Energy Intensive Sectors of the India Economy: Options for Low Carbon Development: The
study looks at five sectors of the Indian economy that accounted for three quarters of India’s CO2 emissions
from energy use in 2007 – power generation, energy-intensive industries (like iron and steel, cement, fertilizer,
refining, pulp and paper etc), road transportation, commercial buildings and residential housing. It presents
three carbon emission scenarios, outlining the different growth paths that India could follow from 2007 to
2031 -- the end of the Fifteenth Five Year Plan.
Sundarbans Sustainable Socio-Economic Development: The objective of the Non-Lending
Technical Assistance is to assess measures that would build resilience of the socio-economic and biophysical
system and achieve long term sustainable development. Resilient systems are those having a capacity to adapt
when faced with persistent stresses, but the adaptive capacity of those residing in the Sundarbans has been
undermined on an ongoing basis. Historic sea level rise from deltaic subsidence, salinity intrusion, flooding and
nutrient loss in local soils have all conspired over the past century to render this one of the most hazardous areas
in the Indian sub-continent.

India 2030: Vision for an Environmentally Sustainable Future: This study deals with a broader debate on the
implications of rapid economic growth on environmental sustainability and the need to rethink India’s current
institutional arrangements in light of promoting long-term environmentally sustainability. The primary objectives
of the study are to identify environmental challenges, opportunities and constraints to growth that will emerge in
India over the next few decades and suggest policy responses and develop strategies to harmonize the twin
objectives of growth and environmental sustainability in urban and ecologically fragile hill areas.
Emerging technologies for sustainable development in India
India is actively exploring emerging technologies to foster sustainable development and address various socio-
economic and environmental challenges. Here are a few key emerging technologies with the potential to drive
sustainable development in India:
1. Renewable Energy Technologies: India is increasingly investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind
power. Advanced photovoltaic technologies, concentrated solar power, and efficient wind turbines are helping to
meet the country's growing energy demand while reducing carbon emissions.

2. Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Charging Infrastructure: The adoption of electric vehicles is on the rise in India.
Development of EVs and charging infrastructure is key to reducing air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.

3. Smart Grids: Smart grids enable efficient energy distribution and consumption, reducing wastage and integrating
renewable energy sources. These grids can help address energy access challenges in rural areas.

4. Waste-to-Energy Technologies: Technologies that convert organic waste into biogas or other forms of energy are
helping to manage waste more sustainably while generating clean energy.

5. Water Purification Technologies: Advanced water purification and desalination technologies are crucial for
ensuring a sustainable and safe water supply, especially in water-scarce regions

6. Precision Agriculture: Technologies like IoT, drones, and data analytics are being used for precision agriculture,
optimizing resource use and increasing crop yields.
7. Biodiversity Conservation Tools: Technology aids in monitoring and protecting biodiversity. Examples
include remote sensing and AI for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.

8. Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Blockchain technology is used to create transparent and secure
supply chains for products like organic food and sustainable goods, ensuring fair trade practices and reducing
fraud.

9. Air Quality Monitoring: Advanced sensors and AI-based models help monitor and predict air quality, which is
critical for addressing air pollution and its health impacts in India's cities.

10. E-Governance and Digital Services: The digitization of government services improves efficiency and
accessibility, reduces corruption, and promotes transparency in various sectors, including healthcare, education,
and public welfare programs.

11. Healthcare Technologies: Telemedicine, wearable health devices, and AI-based diagnostics are making
healthcare more accessible and efficient, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

12. Waste Management Technologies: Innovative waste sorting and recycling technologies help manage India's
growing waste problem, turning it into a resource rather than a burden.
13. Affordable Housing Technologies: Sustainable construction technologies, like using recycled materials or
3D printing, are making affordable and eco-friendly housing solutions more accessible.

14. Clean Cooking Technologies: Cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions, such as induction stoves and
biogas, are reducing indoor air pollution and dependence on traditional biomass fuels.

15. Fintech for Financial Inclusion: Digital financial services and fintech innovations are promoting financial
inclusion and reducing poverty in rural and underserved areas.

These emerging technologies, when strategically implemented and integrated into various sectors, hold the
potential to drive sustainable development in India, addressing environmental challenges, promoting economic
growth, and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
Environment Policies and Practices:

Climate Change and its effect:

• Change in the rainfall pattern, temperature changes in dangerous to the biodiversity especially aquatic animal.
• Rising fossil fuel burning, increasing the quantity of greenhouse gas, Co2 (Carbon dix-oxide), Ch4 (Mithene),
and nitrogen oxide (No2),rise of these gases in atmosphere causing increasing heat because of the trapping pf
heat generated form the sun.

Acid Rain: When fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are burned, chemicals such as sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides are released into the air. Acid rain is one of the consequences of air pollution. It occurs when
emissions from factories, cars or heating boilers contact with the water in the atmosphere. These emissions
contain nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, which when mixed with water becomes sulfurous
acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. This process also occurs naturally through volcanic eruptions.
The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are:
1. Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere
come from electric power generators.
2. Vehicles and heavy equipment.
3. Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.
Ozone layer depletion:
• The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3).
This layer absorbs 93-99% of the sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to life
on earth.
• Over 91% of the ozone in Earth's atmosphere is present here. It is mainly located in the lower portion of the
stratosphere from approximately 10 km to 50 km above Earth, though the thickness varies seasonally and
geographically.
• The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. The ozone
layer in the stratosphere absorbs a portion of the radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the
planet's surface. Most importantly, it absorbs the portion of UV light called UVB. UVB has been linked to
many harmful effect, including skin cancers, cataracts, and harm to some crops and marine life.
• Scientists have established records spanning several decades that detail normal ozone levels during natural
cycles. Ozone concentrations in the atmosphere vary naturally with sunspots, seasons, and latitude. These
processes are well understood and predictable. Each natural reduction in ozone levels has been followed by a
recovery. Beginning in the 1970s, however, scientific evidence showed that the ozone shield was being
depleted well beyond natural processes.
• Atmospheric concentrations of ozone vary naturally depending on temperature, weather, latitude and altitude,
while substances ejected by natural events such as volcanic eruptions can also affect ozone levels. The
"Dobson unit", a convenient measure of the total amount of ozone.
• However, these natural phenomena could not explain the levels of depletion observed and scientific evidence
revealed that certain man-made chemicals were the cause. These ozone-depleting substances were mostly
introduced in the 1970s in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications, mainly refrigerators, air
conditioners and fire extinguishers.
• When chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with ozone in the stratosphere, they destroy ozone
molecules. One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the
stratosphere.
• Ozone can be destroyed more quickly than it is naturally created. Some compounds release chlorine or bromine
when they are exposed to intense UV light in the stratosphere. These compounds contribute to ozone depletion,
and are called ozone-depleting substances and methyl bromide. Although ODS are emitted at the Earth’s
surface, they are eventually carried into the stratosphere in a process that can take as long as two to five years.
• Ozone measurements fluctuate from day to day, season to season and one year to the next. Ozone
concentrations are normally higher in the spring and lowest in the fall. In spite of these fluctuations, scientists
have determined, based on data collected since the 1950’s, which ozone levels were relatively stable until the
late 1970’s. Observations of an Antarctic ozone "hole"[1] and atmospheric records indicating seasonal declines
in global ozone levels provide strong evidence that global ozone depletion is occurring.
• Severe depletion over the Antarctic has been occurring since 1979 and a general downturn in global ozone
levels has been observed since the early 1980's. The ozone hole over the Antarctic reached record proportions
in the spring of 2000 at 28.3 million square kilometers and vertical profiles from stations near the South Pole
showed complete ozone destruction in the lower stratosphere. Ozone decreases of as much as 70% have been
observed on a few days.
Wildlife protection act 1972:
• An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or
ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country.
• The rapid decline of India's wild animals and birds, one of the richest and most varied in the world, has been a
cause of grave concern. Some wild animals and birds have already become extinct in this country and others are
in the danger of being so.
• Areas which were once teeming with wild life have become devoid of it and even in Sanctuaries and National
Parks the protection afforded to wild life needs to be improved. The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act,
1912 (8 of 1912), has become completely outmoded.
• The existing State laws are not only outdated but provide punishments which are not commensurate with the
offence and the financial benefits which accrue from poaching and trade in wild life produce.
• Further such laws mainly relate to control of hunting and do not emphasis the other factors which are also prima
reasons for the decline of India's wild life, namely, taxidermy and trade in wild life and products derived there
from.
• The bill mainly concern to the:
1. Constitute a wild life advisory board for each state
2. Regulating the hunting of wild animals and birds
3. Lay down the procedure for declaring areas as sanctuaries, national par etc.
4. Regulate possession, acquisition or transfer of, or trade in wild animals, animal articles and trophies and
taxidermy thereof;
5. Provide penalties for contravention of the Act
FOREST CONSERVATION ACT, 1980
• An Act to provide for the conservation of forests and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental
thereto. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a unique piece of legislation, and a regulatory mechanism that
reflects the collective will of the nation to protect its rich biodiversity and natural heritage and that permits only
unavoidable use of forest land for various developmental purposes. It embodies the firm commitment of the
Government of India to balance the conservation of forests with the sustainable development need of the
country contributing to better environment, health and economy. The remarkable feature of this Act is that it is
regulatory and not prohibitory. Concurrent to regulated forest land diversions, the Government of India in the
Ministry of Environment and Forests has also made efforts to consolidate the forest area and regenerate the
forest cover through compensatory afforestation process.

1. Objectives: The primary objective of this Act is to control and regulate diversion of forest land for non-forest
purposes. It ensures that any forest land required for non-forest purposes like mining, industry, or infrastructure
development is used judiciously, and afforestation measures are taken to compensate for the loss of forest cover.

2. Central Approval: The Act mandates that any proposal for diversion of forest land must receive prior approval
from the Central Government. This means that state governments or any other authorities must seek permission
from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change at the central level before diverting forest land
3. Afforestation: The Act emphasizes the importance of afforestation and regeneration of forest areas. If forest
land is diverted for non-forest purposes, the Act requires compensatory afforestation to be undertaken. This
ensures that an equivalent or greater area of non-forest land is afforested to maintain ecological balance.

4. Inviolate Areas: The Act identifies certain categories of forests as "inviolate" areas, where no diversion is
allowed. These areas include wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and areas with high conservation value.

5. Safeguards for Tribal and Forest Dwellers: The Act includes provisions to protect the rights of tribal and
forest-dwelling communities. It requires that the rights and interests of these communities are not adversely
affected when forest land is diverted.

6. Environmental Impact Assessment: Any project that requires forest land diversion must undergo an
environmental impact assessment (EIA) to evaluate its potential environmental and social impacts.

7. Stringent Penalties: The Act imposes penalties for violations, including imprisonment and fines, for illegal
diversion of forest land without proper approvals.

8. Amendments: Over the years, the Act has been amended to strengthen forest conservation efforts and to align
with international agreements and conventions related to biodiversity and climate change.
The Forest Conservation Act, 1980, plays a vital role in balancing the developmental needs of the country with the
imperative to protect its forests and natural resources. It ensures that the utilization of forest land for non-forest
purposes is carried out responsibly and in a manner that does not harm the environment or the rights of indigenous
communities.
Water Prevention and control of pollution act, 1974

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is an important piece of environmental legislation in
India. It was enacted to address the growing concerns about water pollution and its harmful effects on public health
and the environment. Here are some key points about this act:
1. Objective: The primary objective of the Act is to prevent and control water pollution. It empowers the central
and state pollution control boards to take measures to improve the quality of water and set standards for the
discharge of pollutants into water bodies.
2. Applicability: The Act applies to the whole of India. It extends to both surface water and groundwater and
covers all forms of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, streams, wells, and coastal areas.
3. Pollution Control Boards: The Act establishes Central and State Pollution Control Boards, which are
responsible for implementing and enforcing the provisions of the Act. These boards have the authority to grant
and revoke permits for the discharge of pollutants.
4. Standards and Regulations: The Act empowers the pollution control boards to prescribe standards for the
quality of water. These standards set limits on various pollutants to ensure that the water remains safe for various
uses, such as drinking, agriculture, and industrial purposes.
5. Prohibited Activities: It prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water bodies without the proper consent
and adherence to prescribed standards. Violation of these provisions can lead to penalties, including fines and
imprisonment.
6. Inspections and Monitoring: The Act allows for inspections, sampling, and monitoring of water bodies to
ensure compliance with the standards. It also provides for the collection of samples and analysis to determine
the quality of water.
7. Penalties and Offenses: The Act outlines penalties for various offenses, including non-compliance with
standards, failure to obtain consent for discharge, and obstruction of authorized officers in the performance of
their duties.
8. Amendments: The Act has been amended several times to strengthen its provisions and align with changing
environmental concerns and international commitments.
9. Role in Environmental Protection: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 plays a
significant role in protecting water resources and maintaining their quality. It is part of a broader framework of
environmental laws in India aimed at sustainable development and conservation.
In summary, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is a crucial legal instrument in India's
efforts to combat water pollution, ensure the sustainable use of water resources, and safeguard the environment
and public health.
Environmental protection act 1986
The Environmental Protection Act of 1986 is a significant piece of legislation in India that was enacted to
address environmental concerns and promote sustainable development. Here are some key points about the
Environmental Protection Act, 1986:
1. Objective: The primary objective of this act is to protect and improve the quality of the environment and
control pollution. It provides a legal framework to safeguard the environment and natural resources.
2. Pollution Control: The Act empowers the central and state governments to take measures for the
prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution. It covers various types of pollution,
including air, water, and land pollution.
3. Regulatory Authorities: The act establishes regulatory authorities at both the central and state levels
to enforce environmental laws. These authorities have the power to grant permissions and set standards for
industries, projects, and processes that may have an environmental impact.
4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): The act makes it mandatory to conduct Environmental Impact
Assessments for certain projects and activities. This helps in identifying and mitigating potential
environmental consequences before a project is approved.
5. Penalties and Punishments: The Act prescribes penalties and punishments for violations of
environmental laws. Offenders can face fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the nature and severity
of the violation.
6. Public Participation: The legislation encourages public participation in environmental decision-making
processes. It allows citizens to have access to information, participate in public hearings, and voice their concerns
related to environmental issues.
7. Regulation of Hazardous Substances: The act provides for the regulation of hazardous substances and the
management of hazardous wastes. It aims to prevent accidents and minimize the harmful effects of such
substances on the environment and human health.
8. Environmental Standards: The Act empowers regulatory authorities to set and enforce environmental
standards. This includes emission standards for industries, water quality standards, and more.
9. Amendments: Over the years, the Environmental Protection Act has undergone amendments to align with
evolving environmental challenges. These amendments have expanded the scope of the act and strengthened its
provisions.
10. International Agreements: The Act also enables the Indian government to fulfill its obligations under
international agreements related to the environment and pollution control.

In summary, the Environmental Protection Act of 1986 is a vital piece of legislation that empowers the
government to take actions to protect the environment, prevent pollution, and ensure sustainable development. It
plays a crucial role in addressing environmental issues and maintaining a balance between economic growth and
environmental preservation in India.
Biodiversity act 2002
The Biodiversity Act of 2002 in India is a crucial piece of legislation aimed at conserving and regulating the use of
biological diversity, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Here are some key points about the Biodiversity
Act 2002:
1. Objective: The primary goal of the Biodiversity Act is to conserve India's rich biological diversity, promote
sustainable use of its components, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.
2. Regulation of Biological Resources: The act regulates access to biological resources and associated traditional
knowledge by requiring individuals, institutions, and companies to obtain prior approval before accessing these
resources for research, commercial use, or any other purpose.
3. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): The act mandates the establishment of BMCs at the local
level to promote conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. These committees play a critical role
in granting approvals and monitoring activities related to biological diversity.
4. Benefit Sharing: The act emphasizes the principle of fair and equitable benefit sharing with local communities
and indigenous people who have conserved and protected biological resources and traditional knowledge
associated with them.
5. Protection of Traditional Knowledge: The act recognizes and protects the traditional knowledge and practices
of local communities related to biodiversity. It ensures that these communities are fairly compensated for any
commercial use of their knowledge.
6. Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreements (ABS): ABS agreements are central to the act. These agreements
specify the terms and conditions under which biological resources can be accessed and how the benefits will
be shared. They are legally binding and must be followed by those seeking access.
7. Penalties and Offenses: The act includes provisions for penalties and legal actions against those who
violate its provisions, including unauthorized access to biological resources and non-compliance with ABS
agreements.
8. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): The NBA is the central regulatory authority established under
the act. It plays a key role in overseeing the implementation of the act and in the issuance of guidelines and
policies.
9. International Commitments: The Biodiversity Act 2002 aligns with India's international commitments
under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic
Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.

In summary, the Biodiversity Act 2002 in India serves as a vital legal framework for the conservation of
biological diversity, protection of traditional knowledge, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from
the use of biological resources. It plays a significant role in safeguarding India's diverse ecosystems and
promoting sustainable development while respecting the rights of local communities and indigenous people.
MONTREAL PROTOCOL

• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol) is an
international agreement signed on 16th September 1987. It was designed to stop the production and import of
ozone depleting substances and reduce their concentration in the atmosphere to help protect the earth's ozone
layer.
• The Montreal Protocol sits under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (the Vienna
Convention). The Vienna Convention was adopted in 1985 following international discussion of scientific
discoveries in the 1970s and 1980s highlighting the adverse effect of human activity on ozone levels in the
stratosphere and the discovery of the ‘ozone hole’. Its objectives are to promote cooperation on the adverse
effects of human activities on the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol is widely considered as the most
successful environment protection agreement. It sets out a mandatory timetable for the phase out of ozone
depleting substances.
• The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) became an implementing agency of the
Montreal Protocol in 1992 and is proud to be associated with its success. Since then UNIDO has recognized
the significance of meeting the global environmental challenge of ozone depletion while observing national
priorities, and of making meaningful technological adjustments resulting in a higher standard of living.
KYOTO PROTOCOL

• The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997. Owing to a complex ratification process, it entered into force on
16 February 2005. Currently, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is an international
agreement that aimed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the
atmosphere. The essential tenet of the Kyoto Protocol was that industrialized nations needed to lessen the amount of their
CO2 emissions.
• The Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, when greenhouse gases were rapidly threatening our climate, life on
the earth, and the planet, itself. Today, the Kyoto Protocol lives on in other forms and its issues are still being discussed.
The Kyoto Protocol is significant because it introduces, for the first time, legally binding greenhouse gas emission
commitments for the developed countries (this includes most of the developed countries listed in Annex I of the
UNFCCC). The commitments agreed to should, according to the Protocol, lead to an overall global reduction of at least
five per cent in 1990 levels of greenhouse gases by 2008-2012.
• The most important greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), and its biggest source by far is the burning of fossil fuels
(coal, oil and gas) for energy. Six billion tons of carbon is released as carbon dioxide every year from this source. Burning
fossil fuels also gives off two other greenhouse gases: methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Carbon dioxide, methane
and nitrous oxide are also given off as a result of deforestation, removal of grassland cover and agricultural practices.
• Deforestation is responsible for about 1.6 billion tons of carbon released as CO2 per year. Methane is also emitted during
the management and disposal of waste. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons are
chemical gases which cause both ozone depletion and global warming. They are being phased out or controlled under the
Montreal Protocol and so are not included in the UNFCCC or its Kyoto Protocol.
• The three industrial global warming gases controlled under the Kyoto Protocol are hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), per
fluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally binding treaty with three main goals:
➢ conservation of biodiversity;
➢ sustainable use of biodiversity;
➢ fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
• Its overall objective is to encourage actions, which will lead to a sustainable future. It was adopted at the Earth Summit, in
Rio de Janeiro, in 1992. One of the CBD's greatest achievements so far has been to generate an enormous amount of interest
in biodiversity, both in developed and developing countries.
• Biodiversity is now seen as a critically important environment and development issue. The Convention sets out general
principles for action to achieve its main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its
components and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources.
• Over the years, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention—the body responsible for reviewing and guiding
implementation—has adopted a number of programs of work on a range of thematic and cross-cutting issues. The thematic
issues focus on the biodiversity of particular biomes or ecosystem types, such as marine and coastal areas, agricultural lands,
dry lands, mountains, inland waters, and so forth. The cross-cutting issues are of a more general relevance and aim both to
support the implementation of the thematic programmes of work and to implement specific articles of the Convention.
• The programs of work on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing and indigenous and traditional knowledge fall into
the latter category. The Conference of the Parties has also a number of tools and mechanisms to advance implementation of
the Convention, such as operational guidance and principles for using the ecosystem approach and guidelines for
incorporating biodiversity considerations into environmental impact assessment.
Disaster Management in India
Disaster management in India is a comprehensive approach to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from
natural and man-made disasters. Here are some key points on disaster management in India:
1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): NDMA is the apex body responsible for formulating
policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management in India. It ensures a coordinated and effective response
to disasters at the national level.
2. State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs): Each state and union territory in India has its own SDMA
responsible for implementing disaster management measures at the regional level.
3. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs): At the district level, DDMAs play a crucial role in
disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
4. National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): NDMP is a comprehensive document outlining the approach,
strategies, and guidelines for disaster management in India. It covers a wide range of natural and man-made
disasters.
5. Early Warning Systems: India has established early warning systems for various disasters, including cyclones,
floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis, to provide timely alerts to vulnerable communities.
6. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): NDRF is a specialized force trained and equipped for disaster
response and rescue operations. It plays a key role in disaster response.
7. Capacity Building: Disaster management agencies focus on building the capacity of first responders,
government officials, and communities to effectively respond to disasters. Training, drills, and mock exercises
are conducted regularly.
8. Community Participation: India emphasizes community-based disaster management, involving local
communities in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and response efforts.
9. Risk Assessment: Comprehensive risk assessments are conducted to identify vulnerable areas and populations,
enabling targeted disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.
10. Public Awareness and Education: Public awareness campaigns and educational programs are conducted to
inform citizens about disaster risks and safety measures.
11. Disaster Relief Funds: The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds
(SDRFs) are set up to provide financial assistance for disaster response and recovery efforts.
12. Crisis Management and Communication: India has established crisis management centers and
communication systems to coordinate responses during disasters.
13. Technology and Innovation: The use of technology, including GIS and remote sensing, is leveraged for
disaster monitoring and response.
14. Legislation: The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides the legal framework for disaster management in
India and empowers authorities to take necessary measures for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.
15. International Cooperation: India collaborates with international organizations and neighboring countries to
enhance disaster preparedness and response, especially in the context of transboundary disasters.

Disaster management in India is a dynamic and evolving field, with a strong focus on reducing vulnerabilities,
enhancing preparedness, and ensuring a swift and effective response to a wide range of disasters, including floods,
earthquakes, cyclones, droughts, and industrial accidents.
Disaster Management in India - An Environmental Science Perspective:
Disaster management in India is a multifaceted approach that encompasses various aspects of environmental
science to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters. Here's a brief
overview of how environmental science is crucial in this context:
1. Risk Assessment and Monitoring: Environmental science plays a vital role in assessing the risk of disasters.
Scientists use data on climate, geological features, and ecological systems to identify vulnerable areas and
predict potential disasters such as floods, earthquakes, cyclones, or landslides.
2. Early Warning Systems: Environmental science is essential for the development of early warning systems
that can help alert communities about impending disasters. These systems rely on meteorological,
hydrological, and seismic data to provide timely warnings.
3. Ecosystem Resilience: Understanding ecosystems' resilience to disasters is a key component of disaster
management. Environmental scientists study how natural habitats can absorb the impact of disasters and help
in recovery. Healthy ecosystems can act as buffers against disasters.
4. Climate Change Adaptation: Climate change, a significant environmental concern, is contributing to the
increasing frequency and intensity of disasters. Environmental science informs strategies for adapting to these
changes, including modifying infrastructure and land use practices.
5. Disaster Response: Environmental science plays a role in ensuring that disaster response and relief efforts
are environmentally responsible. This includes managing hazardous materials, preventing water
contamination, and minimizing ecological damage in the aftermath of disasters.
6. Rehabilitation and Recovery: Environmental considerations are crucial during the rehabilitation and
recovery phases. This involves restoring ecosystems, reforestation, and rebuilding infrastructure with climate-
resilient and environmentally friendly practices.
7. Community Awareness: Environmental science helps in educating communities about disaster risks,
preparedness, and sustainable practices that can reduce vulnerability.
8. Government Policies: Environmental science influences government policies related to disaster
management, including zoning regulations, land-use planning, and the conservation of critical habitats to
reduce disaster risk.
9. Research and Innovation: Ongoing research in environmental science is vital for developing innovative
solutions to disaster management, such as flood-resistant crops, disaster-resistant building materials, and
sustainable energy sources that can be used during emergencies.

In conclusion, disaster management in India, viewed through the lens of environmental science, underscores
the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with practical strategies to protect the environment, reduce
disaster risk, and promote sustainable recovery. A holistic approach that considers the natural world's resilience
and fragility is essential for safeguarding lives and the environment in the face of disasters.