MOEF Statement On Activities and Achievements in 2013

BRIEF STATEMENT ON ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2013
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
BRIEF STATEMENT ON ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2013
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

(http://www.moef.gov.in) (http://www.envfor.nic.in)
CONTENTS
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. Role, Functions and Mandate of the Ministry ........................................ 1 Natural Resources Survey and Exploration......................................... 5 Conservation ....................................................................................................13 Environmental Impact Assessment ...........................................................31 Abatement of Pollution .................................................................................34 Conservation of Water Bodies ....................................................................45 Regeneration and Eco-development .........................................................47 Research ............................................................................................................50 Education and Awareness ............................................................................62 Centres of Excellence .....................................................................................67 Fellowships and Awards ...............................................................................69 Environmental Information ........................................................................72 Legislation and Institutional Support ......................................................74 Sustainable Development and Climate Change ....................................75 International Cooperation ...........................................................................78 Administration and Civil Construction ...................................................78 Plan Coordination and Budget ...................................................................82
Activities and Achievements
I. 1.1.
Role, Functions and Mandate of the Ministry

Role and Functions
The Ministry of Environment & Forests is the nodal agency in the Central Government for planning, promoting, co-ordinating and overseeing environmental, ecological, forestry and wildlife policies and programmes. The Ministry is also the nodal agency for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). On matters pertaining to the environment, it coordinates with multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) and regional bodies such as the Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The institutional set up of the Ministry includes a number of Directorates and Divisions assembled around the main thematic sectors of environment and ecology, national river conservation, forestry and wildlife, afforestation and eco-development, and animal welfare. There are six Regional Offices; eight Subordinate Offices (e.g. Botanical, Zoological and Forests Surveys of India, and Directorate of Forestry Education); Boards and Authorities (e.g. Central Pollution Control Board, National Biodiversity Authority, National Ganga River Basin Authority, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Central Zoo Authority and Animal Welfare Board of India); Autonomous Institutions (e.g. Society for Integrated Coastal Management, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education and Wildlife Institute of India); and one Public Sector Undertaking, namely, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest Plantation Development Corporation Ltd. at Port Blair. Its main activities include conservation and survey of natural resources including flora, fauna, forests, wildlife, aquatic bodies and water resources, and eco-systems, prevention and control of pollution and management of hazardous substances, protection of the environment and forests, including their biodiversity, mitigation and adaptation to climate change through measures that include afforestation, regeneration of degraded areas, and adoption of cleaner technologies, and promoting sustainable development and better environmental governance while protecting human, plant and animal life, health and welfare. 1.2. Mandate As per Allocation of Business Rules, the Ministry is responsible for the following: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) Environment and ecology, including environment in coastal waters, in mangroves and coral reefs but excluding marine environment on the high seas. Environment research and development, education, training, information and awareness. Environmental health. Environmental Impact Assessment. Forest Development Agency and Joint Forest Management Programme for conservation, management and afforestation. Survey and exploration of natural resources particularly of forest, flora, fauna, ecosystems etc. Biodiversity Conservation, including that of lakes and wetlands. Conservation, development, management and abatement of pollution of rivers
Ministry of Environment & Forests
which shall include National River Conservation Directorate. (9) Wildlife conservation, preservation, protection planning, research, education, training and awareness including Project Tiger and Project Elephant. (10) International cooperation on issues concerning environment, forestry,and wildlife. (11) Botanical Survey of India and Botanical Gardens. (12) Zoological Survey of India. (13) National Museum of Natural History. (14) Biosphere Reserve Programme. (15) National Forest Policy and Forestry Development in the country, including Social Forestry. (16) All matters relating to Forest and Forest Administration in the Union Territories. (17) Indian Forest Service. (18) Wildlife preservation and protection of wild birds and animals. (19) Fundamental and applied research and training including higher education in forestry. (20) Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. (21) National Assistance to Forestry Development Schemes. (22) Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, Bengaluru. (23) Afforestation and Eco-Development which shall include National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board. (23A) Bio-fuel plantations in forest, wastelands and environmental issues concerning bio-fuels. (24) Desert and Desertification. (25) Forest Survey of India. (26) Indian Institute of Biodiversity, Itanagar. (27) Central Pollution Control Board. (28) G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development. (29) Wildlife Institute of India and Indian Board for Wildlife. (30) Indian Institute of Forest Management. (31) Central Zoo Authority including National Zoo Park. (32) Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education. (33) Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corp. Ltd. (34) Prevention of cruelty to animals. (35) Matters relating to pounds and cattle trespass. (36) Gaushalas and Gausadans. (37) The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960). (38) The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 (27 of 1995). (39) The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 (22 of 1997). (40) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974). (41) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 (36 of 1977). (42) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (14 of 1981). (43) The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927). (44) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) (45) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980). (46) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986). (47) The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (6 of 1991). Its responsibilities include overall policy in relation to forests, except all matters including legislation, relating to rights of forest dwelling Schedule Tribes on forest lands.
The main tools used to discharge its mandate include, inter alia, conducting surveys; collecting, compiling and disseminating data and information; undertaking scientific research, extension services and analyses; carrying out impact assessment of developmental projects and programmes; regulating use of natural resources; undertaking regeneration programmes; providing technical, scientific, financial and administrative support to organisations and institutions; imparting education, training, building capacity and generating awareness among stakeholders and the public at large; and promoting international cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives in environment and ecology. 1.3. Vision, Mission and Goals
In the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) document, the vision for the Ministry has been stated as Managing environment, forests, wildlife and challenges due to climate change for faster and equitable growth, where ecological security for sustainability and inclusiveness is restored, equity in access to all environmental goods and ecosystem services is assured through institutionalization of peoples participation; and a future in which the nation takes pride in the quality of its environment, forests, richness of its biodiversity, and efforts by the State and its people to protect, expand and enrich it, for intra and inter-generational equity and welfare of the local and global community. The primary objectives are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the countrys natural resources including lakes and rivers, bio-diversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring welfare of animals and prevention and abatement of pollution. The objectives are supported by necessary policy framework and legislative and regulatory measures aiming at preservation, conservation and protection of environment. Some of these are the National Forest Policy 1988, National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992, Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992, and National Environment Policy 2006 and associated legislation, including the Forests (Conservation) Act, 1980, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995, National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2001, Bio-Diversity Act 2002 and National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. Ministry has formulated various regulatory instruments (environmental standards, consent administration, authorization, environmental and forestry clearances etc.) and created institutional infrastructure at the National, regional, and State level in the form of Regional Offices of the Ministry, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees, State Departments of Environment and Forest, and various environmental research institutions/ organizations etc. The Ministry has also launched several Plan schemes to strengthen the regulatory mechanism for environmental management. Towards programmatic strategies for environment and forestry sectors, it lays emphasis on improving forest cover, preserving wetlands, treatment of municipal solid waste and urban sewage, restoration of mining areas, community involvement in forest management, protection and preservation of biodiversity and wildlife and community rights and appropriate pricing of minor forest produce and addressing the challenges involved in mitigation and adaptation actions under climate change. The Twelfth Plan has identified 13 monitorable socio-economic targets for the Ministry and 14 goals which should receive special attention as in Box 1 and Box 2 respectively below.
Box 1: MONITORABLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC TARGETS Environment and Climate Change (1) Assess and remediate 12 identified contaminated sites (hazardous chemicals and wastes) with potential for ground water contamination by 2017. (2) Clean 80% of critically polluted stretches in rivers by 2017 and 100% by 2020. (3) States to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in urban areas by 2017. (4) Reduce emission intensity of GDP in line with target of 20-25% reduction over 2005 levels by 2020. Forests and Livelihood (5) Greening 5 mha. under Green India Mission including 1.5 mha. of degraded lands, afforestation and ecorestoration of 0.9 mha. of ecologically sensitive areas. (6) Technology-based monitoring of forest cover, biodiversity and growing stock including change-monitoring on periodical basis through dedicated satellite by 2017; establishment of open web-based National Forestry & Environmental Information system for research and public accessibility by 2015. (7) Engagement of Village Green Guards/ Community Foresters for every Joint Forest Management (JFM) village by 2016. (8) Establish forestry seed bank in forest circles and Model Nursery in every district with information on public portal by 2014. Wildlife, Ecotourism and Animal Welfare (9) 20% of veterinary professionals in the country will be trained in treating wildlife. (10) Integrated Ecotourism District Plans covering 10% of all potential Protected Areas (PAs) by 2017. (11) Promote participation of private sector, civil societies, NGOs and philanthropists in animal welfare. Ecosystem and Biodiversity (12) Restore 0.1 mha. of wetlands/ inland lakes/ water bodies by 2017. (13) Map and prepare biodiversity management plans for deserts, coastal areas, important coral zones, wetlands, mangroves and so on to be completed by 2017.
Box 2: GOALS Environment (1) Epidemiological studies to assess improvement in health status due to better management of environment and ecology. (2) Promotion and adoption of cleaner technology, strengthening and initiation of reforms in regulations, policy making and enforcement institutions for environmental governance. (3) Move towards cumulative and strategic EIA. (4) Ensure ecological flows in rivers by regulating abstractions to allow conservation of riverine eco-systems by developing a legal framework and management strategy for conservation of river basins. (5) Promote recycling and reuse of treated sewage in urban projects such as sanitation, landscaping, central air conditioning and so on. Forests and Livelihood (6) Improve forest productivity, production and sustainable management of biodiversity (equity in access to benefit sharing with local people). (7) Restoration and intensification of forest-rangelands/ grazing-land management and establish community grazing land around forest fringe villages. (8) Build capacity of Village Forest Committees/ JFMCs for management of forest resources incl. ecotourism. (9) Revive seed orchards and silviculture plots for various forest types of the country as well as for enlisted species under Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/ Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) including genetic improvement of and establishment of clonal orchards. Wildlife, Ecotourism and Animal Welfare (10) Reducing and managing human-wildlife conflict. (11) Commercialise permissible marine products rich in poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamins, etc. (12) Promotion of ecotourism and participatory eco-development support livelihood of local population. Ecosystem and Biodiversity (13) Develop national targets and indicators related to biodiversity and support actions to strengthen implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and ensure bio-safety for economic and social development of local communities. (14) Assess coastal biodiversity resources, ensure sustainable management, restoration of mangroves, coral reefs and wetlands and support livelihood.
II.
2.1.
Natural Resources Survey and Exploration

Survey of Flora Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
BSI is the Ministrys apex research organization for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country. Established on 13th February 1890 with the objective of exploring the plant resources and identifying the plants species with economic virtues, it was reorganised in 1954 (after independence)for scientific development. During successive Plan periods, its functional base was expanded to include inventorying,multiplication and maintenance of endemic, rare and threatened plant species, wild ornamentals, etc. in Botanic Gardens and Orchidaria; evolving conservation strategies; carrying out studies on fragile ecosystems and PAs (like wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves); documenting traditional knowledge associated with plants; and developing a National Database of herbarium specimens/live collections/botanical paintings/illustrations/ plant distribution,nomenclature and uses, etc. Progress/Achievements: (a) Survey and exploration activities towards collection, preservation, identification and incorporation of the plant specimens in the herbaria under 105 projects carried out in the current financial year so far resulted in collection of ca 9,541 (incl. 1,976 of non-flowering plants) specimens, out of which ca 8,204 specimens were identified into ca 4,201 species, subspecies and varieties. This resulted into the discovery of 28 species and 01 variety as new to science; 39 species and 01 subspecies as new to India and 122 new distributional records for different geographic regions/ States. The specific activities were as follows: 75 field tours for collection of plant specimens/materials for floristic, ethnobotanical and pharmacognostical studies on flowering and nonflowering plants, including three biodiversity hotspots (Himalayas, Indo-Burma and Western Ghats-Sri Lanka). These include 26 PAs and 07 Sacred Groves. 09 tours for collections of live germplasm:(i) Western Himalayas; (ii)Eastern Himalayas; (iii) NorthEast India; (iv)Arid/ Semi Arid;(v)Gangetic Plains;(vi)Deccan Peninsula;(vii)Western Ghats;(viii)Coastal Region;and (ix)Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 25 herbarium consultation/study tours for identification of critical specimens conducted in different Herbaria, within and outside BSI.
(b)
Documentation of phytodiversity towards inventorisation of the collected plant specimens at National/ Regional/ State/ District/ Ecosystem levels covered taxonomic descriptions for: 1,201 taxa of flowering plants (Landfall Island:Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Lohit, Kameng, Lower Dibang Valley districts:Arunachal Pradesh; Impatiens:Arunachal Pradesh; Upper Ganga Ramsar site; Bihar; Jharkhand; Chhattisgarh; Wetland flora of Bihar:from Buxar to Katihar; Grasses and bamboos of Eastern India; Flora of Grasses of Odisha; Gesneriaceae of NE India; Flora of Uttarakhand, Vols. 2, 3 & 4; Flora of Sikkim, Vol. 2; Endemic Orchids of Maharashtra); and
172 taxa of non flowering plants towards Algal flora:Jharkhand; Liverworts and Hornworts: Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (Anjaw and West Siang districts); Mosses:Darjeeling district; Lichens:Rajasthan, Kutch and Gujarat; Wild Mushrooms:North Sikkim; Wood-Rotting Fungi:Rajmahal Hills and Koderma WLS; Pteridophytic Flora:Sikkim and Maharashtra. The manuscripts of (i) Flora of West Bengal, Vol. II; and (ii) Flora of UP, Vol. III were submitted for publication.
(c)
Documentation of traditional knowledge of plants was carried out for various ethno-botanical (healthcare, food, oil, fuel wood, timber, fodder and forage), socio-religious, rope-making, agricultural implements, biofencing, insecticide/ pesticide, piscicide, gum, beverages, musical instruments, and other uses associated with plants from Dang district (Gujarat) and Balasore and Koraput districts (Odisha). Manuscript Traditional knowledge associated with plants of Junagarh district, Gujarat, comprising 241 species, is under finalisation. Development of Indian Virtual Herbarium (IVH) and Digital Herbarium (DH): 7,507 herbarium specimens were bar-coded and digitized. Ex situ conservation and maintenance of live germplasm of RET and economically important species: About 3,027 saplings, seeds, propagules belonging to 432 species of rare, threatened, endemic and economic plant species, including wild relatives of cultivated plants, aquatic plants, orchids, palms, canes, bamboos, ferns and fern-allies, etc., were collected for introduction in AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden (Howrah) and associated Botanic Gardens of different Regional Centres. Publications: For dissemination of information on Indian plant diversity, 11 books and 03 periodicals were published by BSI. BSI scientists also published, 149 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 03 book chapters, and communicated 72 research papers for publication. 51 popular Hindi articles were also published.
(d) (e)
(f)
2.2.
Survey of Fauna Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
ZSI was established on 1st July 1916 primarily to explore and inventorise the faunal resources (diversity) of the country and to collect and document the baseline data with regard to taxonomy, distribution, bio-ecology, traditional knowledge associated with fauna, etc., of all available animal groups. During the last over 96 years, it has grown from a small unit at the Indian Museum, Kolkata, to a premier National institution with Headquarters at Kolkata and 16 Regional Centers country-wide. 11 Regional Museums have been established, besides two Marine Aquaria, which are being further developed during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan through addition of regional fauna and by establishing galleries, showing the importance of animal life and their conservation. 02 Regional museums in Gangetic Plain Regional Centre, Patna and Sunderban Regional Centre, Canning are being initiated during this Plan period. Over the recent years, functions of ZSI have also expanded gradually encompassing areas like Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with regard to fauna; survey of Conservation Areas; Status Survey of Endangered Species; Computerization of data on faunal resources; Environmental Information System (ENVIS) on faunal diversity, etc. It also has a regular training and extension service for creating public awareness for the conservation of
environment and wildlife through exhibitions, training programmes and interaction with governments and NGO organizations, as well as universities, colleges and schools. ZSI is the Custodian of the National Zoological Collections which comprise more than two million specimens belonging to about 82,000 species, including about 10,000 species of neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The main objectives and functions of ZSI are: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (a) Exploration, survey, inventorisation, and monitoring of faunal diversity in various States, select ecosystems and PAs of India. Taxonomic studies of all faunal components collected. Status survey of Threatened and Endemic species. Preparation of Red Data Book, Fauna of India and Fauna of States. Bio-ecological studies on some important communities/ species. Preparation of database for the recorded species of the country. Maintenance and development of National Zoological Collections. Training, capacity building and human resource development. Faunal identification, advisory services and library services. Publication of results, including Fauna of India and Fauna of States. GIS and Remote Sensing studies for recorded animal diversity as well as for selected threatened species. Chromosomal Mapping and DNA finger-printing. Environmental Impact Studies. Maintenance of Museums at Headquarters and Regional Stations Development of ENVIS and CITES Centers. Research Fellowship, Associateship and Emeritus Scientists Programme. Collaborative research programmes on biodiversity with other organizations. 90 extensive surveys were undertaken, across various States, Biosphere Reserve and National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and as a part of the State Fauna Programme. Identification of 1,100 species was completed. 21 publications, including pictoral handbooks, have already been brought out. Fauna of important ecosystems were studied and determined. Rendered identification and advisory services free of cost to research and teaching institutions in India and abroad, Central and State Governments/Agencies, NGOs, industries and also individuals on zoological matters. Acted as a National repository of Zoological collections and maintained identified species belongs to all animal groups in the country.
Its other objectives and functions are:
Progress/ Achievements:
(b) (c) (d) (e)
(f) 2.3.
Forest Survey of India (FSI)
FSI, a national level organization for forest resource assessment of the country under the Ministry, succeeded (in June 1981) the "Pre-Investment Survey of Forest Resources" (PISFR), which was a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with sponsorship of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP). The mandate of FSI was revised in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country. Major activities of FSI are Forest and Tree Cover Assessment and Estimation of Growing Stock of Wood within and outside the countrys forests. So far since 1987, with the release of the India State of Forest Report 2011, 12 cycles of forest cover assessment have been completed. In addition to forest cover, assessment of tree cover of the country is also being carried out using the TOF inventory data. More than 80% forest area stood inventoried by 2000.A new inventory design was adopted since 2002 to generate national level estimates of growing stock both for forest and TOF resources on a two-year cycle on the basis of selected sampled districts. This estimate is further improved in the subsequent cycle with the increase in the numbers of sampled districts enabling progressive improvement in estimation with each cycle.FSI also provides training to State Forest Departments personnel in application of Remote Sensing and GIS in forest resource assessment. In 2013-14, about3,500 forestry personnel have been trained, besides another 500 forestry personnel at various outreach customized training courses for them. It is also working on various projects assigned by Government of India some of which are as follows: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) 2.4. National Forest Type Mapping Monitoring of Area Coverage and Survival Percentage of Plantations/ Afforestation under National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Mapping of change in land use in Aravalli Hills of Haryana Assessment of Coral Reefs in India Near real-time monitoring of active Forest Fires (MODIS Web Fire Mapper) Analysis of eligibility of lands for afforestation and re-afforestation projects under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Assessment of Mangroves in India Coastal Zone Studies project
Network of Regional Offices
The Ministry has six Regional Offices located at Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Shillong, with Headquarter in the Ministry at New Delhi. Their primary function is to monitor and evaluate the ongoing forestry projects and schemes with specific emphasis on conservation of forests and follow up action on implementation of the conditions and safeguards laid down while granting clearance to development projects under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA). (a) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 related functions include: (i) Assisting States/ Union Territories in preparation of proposals involving diversion of forests land for non-forestry purposes for expeditious processing and disposal of such cases; Undertaking physical inspection of site in cases of diversion of forests land involving an area of over 100 ha, and as required in other cases. Monitoring the implementation of conditions and safeguards stipulated by Central Government in the approval. Approval of diversion of forest land to the extent of 5 ha (except mining and regularization of encroachment) and to process cases between 5 ha to 40 ha (and mining and regularization of encroachment cases) in consultation with the State Advisory Groups; Uploading on the websites the Stage-I (In-principle), Stage-II (Final) approvals, the site inspection/monitoring reports, Agenda and Minutes
(ii) (iii) (iv)
(v)
of the SAG meetings held. (b) Assisting States/ UTs in the preparation of management/ working plans for working of forests under their control within the framework of guidelines issued by Central Government from time to time, and monitoring their implementation. Monitoring and evaluating all ongoing forestry development projects and schemes with specific emphasis on conservation of forests, including the utilization of CAMPA funds. Environmental Management and Pollution Control functions include: (i) Follow up on implementation of conditions and safeguards laid down for projects/activities when environmental clearance is given, including taking action on the basis of analyses of the Six Monthly Progress reports from the Project proponents; Carrying out surprise and random checks/verifications of EC conditions of various projects and conducting enquiries; Follow up on pollution control measures taken by industries local bodies, Government (State/Centre); Collecting information relating to EIA of projects, pollution control measures, methodology and status, legal and enforcement measures, environmental protection for special conservation areas like wetlands, mangroves and biosphere reserves; Maintaining liaison/ linkage with the State Government concerned, Central Government agencies (including Regional Offices of BSI, ZSI and FSI),Project authorities, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)/ State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), andNGOs involved in implementation of programmes relating to environment; and Organising workshops for SPCBs/ State Department on the application of Hazardous Management Rules and Public Liability Act.
(c)
(d)
(ii) (iii) (iv)
(v)
(vi) (e)
Miscellaneous functions include verification of nominees for the annual Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puruskar and other Awards of the Ministry:
In pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of Indias Order dated 6th July 2011, delivered its final judgment in LA. No. 1868 of 2007 filed by Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd and other related LAs in Writ Petition No. 202 of 1995 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India & Others, and the decisions of the Expenditure Finance Committee at its meeting held on 4th March 2013 to strengthen and expand the Regional Offices, preparatory activities were undertaken towards establishing four new Regional Offices at Chennai, Dehradun, Nagpur and Ranchi with effect from 01.04.2014. 2.5. National Forest Information System (NFIS)
The NFIS is envisaged to collate and disseminate information from autonomous sources in support of sustainable forest management through a set of conventions for shared information management by independent parties as network nodes via web-enabled interactive GIS support system, made accessible through FSI Geoportal. Its main objectives are to provide ready access to the most current, consistent and reliable forest resources information on spatial and non-spatial data base on forest cover and forest types and other forestry layers of the country collected through satellite imageries, GIS and ground surveys. The types of information covered include forest growth and classification in the
country over a time line, health and assessment of forests for varied stress factors and climate monitoring and carbon sequestration in forests. The Decision Support System (a subset of NFIS), under preparatory stage presently, will provide information of forest cover, forest type and biodiversity richness of recorded forests of the country. It will also provide information about PAs, including corridors, for all the States of the country. After developing the methodology and scheme, FSI conducted four regional meetings with participation of 30 States/ UTs, who have also conveyed in-principle agreement for the development of NFIS. NFIS is to prepare a blueprint towards the development of a comprehensive National Forestry Database Management System (NFDMS) to effectively monitor various programmes, develop an appropriate forest database and network with the State/ UT Forest Departments. Its purpose is to assist in planning, implementation and real-time monitoring of various schemes and to serve as an effective administrative tool for transparency, aiding in socially inclusive and responsive public service. It will also be useful for validation and dissemination of forestry statistics required for satisfying the national and international commitments. The architecture of NFIS will be compatible with organizational and management needs and will be flexible enough to allow for the incorporation of improved corrective processes, new data, and new technologies. 2.6. Forest Certification of Timber, Non-Timber Forest Products
Forest Certification has emerged as a voluntary market-driven mechanism in support of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). The Ministry constituted a National Working Group/ Governing Body to frame the policy guidelines for forest certification for timber and non-timber forest products along with three Committees to prepare a road map and necessary criteria and processes for the development of the National Certification mechanism. These Committees were merged to form the National Forest Certification Committee for the development of Certification Criteria, Certification Process and Accreditation Criteria and Process towards Forest Certification of Timber, Non-Timber Forest Products. In-principle approval has been accorded to setting up the Indian Forest Certification Council. A draft Cabinet Note is under preparation towards obtaining final approval. 2.7. National Coordinated Programme for Assessment of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Resources
States have varying priorities for NTFPs, which have different economic roles to play in the livelihood and socio-economic amelioration of various communities. Some NTFPs have been nationalized whereas a large number of NTFPs are being allowed to be collected as usufruct rights of the tribal and other communities living inside or in the vicinity of forests. Due to the lack of any authentic data about the available NTFP resources, it is very difficult to formulate any policy regarding prices, establishment of markets and other such mechanism to safeguard the interest of the people who collect and trade them. Moreover, the contribution of NTFPs towards Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has remained unreported. It is therefore, necessary to assess the NTFP resources under a coordinated programme at the national level with the active participation of the States. Thus, the main objective of this Scheme in the Twelfth Plan is to carry out assessment, monitoring and evaluation studies in the broad areas of forest trade, production and disposal of NTFPs in the country, towards which the following have been identified so far: (a) (b) Price related issues of NTFPs especially in context of import-export of forestry products and domestic potential. Survey of the removals of fuel-wood and NTFPs from the forest areas.
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(c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
Survey of removals of head-loads from the forest areas. Feasibility of establishment of regulated timber markets (haats) in select towns (major timber sale points), etc. Production and consumption studies in forestry sector mainly NTFPs. Socio-economic dimensions of NTFPs for the livelihood and socio-economic benefit of the people. Identification of number of species being collected, their periodicity and their marketability.
Although the Planning Commission has suggested that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should be the nodal and administrative Ministry for operationalizing the Minimum Support Produce (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce, and that the Allocation of Business Rules of that Ministry should be amended to include the subject Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce and other related matters, the responsibility for information regarding data related to Minor Forest Produce has been placed with this Ministry, such as for the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Regeneration of dwindling Minor Forest Produce Resources Quick assessment of condition of 12-14 important Minor Forest Produce Making available planting material Training on sustainable productivity Management plans and working plans of Minor Forest Produce to be drawn up in a transparent manner in consultation with Gram Sabhas
During 2013, the Ministry organized the Asia Regional Bamboo and Rattan Workshop (10-13 December, 2013; New Delhi) in collaboration International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR).Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun,has been assigned the task to submit the proposal covering NTFPs/ Minor Forest Producefor the next cycle of Forestry Sector Report India. 2.8. Export and Import of Forestry Products and their Tariff Structure:
The Ministry deals with the formulation of guidelines and directions for domestic and international trade in forest produce and the necessary regulation of export and import of forest produce as per the Foreign Trade Policy as well as the applied Tariff rates. It also deals with the issue of NOC for grant of export license for export of wood and wood products on applications received through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), established in 1983 with Headquarter at Yokohama, Japan, and governed by the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), is a commodity organisation bringing together producer and consumer Member countries to discuss and exchange information and to develop policies on all aspects of the world tropical timber economy. India, as a signatory to ITTA 1994, has ratified and deposited the instrument of ratification for the successor ITTA 2006, with the UN Secretary General in New York on 25th July 2008.Its governing body, the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC), composed of Member countries, is supported by four Committees: (a) (b) (c) (d) Committee on Economic Information and Market Intelligence Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management Committee on Forest Industry Committee on Finance and Administration
In 2013-14, from the available funds, the Ministry has released US $ 41,844/- to
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ITTO, being arrears for annual contribution for Calendar Year 2011, US $ 30,387/- as part payment towards Calendar Year 2012, and US$ 1,69,704/- being full annual contribution for Calendar Year 2013. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) The Ministry organised the Asia Regional Bamboo and Rattan Workshop in collaboration with INBAR from 10-13 December 2013 in New Delhi,which was attended by the representatives of the States Forest Department and INBAR Member countries.The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange and disseminate the overall scientific and technical human resource potential for green growth and inclusive development based on Bamboo and Rattan resources in the Asia region. It helped to charter a road map for the bamboo and rattan Sector for the next decades. 2.9. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
SFM is of significance due to its contribution towards sustainable development. India remains committed to the goals of SFM and is a signatory to the Objective 2000 of ITTO. The Ministry had sanctioned the three projects on Criteria and Indicators for SFM to the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, the reports for which were received in 2012. In 2013, based on discussions with the Ministry, IIFM has submitted concise reports to the Ministry which are now under examination. FRI, Dehradun, entrusted with the responsibility to execute a project for revising Working Plan Code by incorporating final Criteria and Indicators for SFM and annexing micro-plan processes for JFM areas and Eco-Development areas, has also submitted its report to the Ministry on Revision of National Working Plan Code. The Report was circulated to all State/UT Forest Departments and Regional Offices of the Ministry, and a National Workshop on Draft Revised National Working Plan Code submitted by FRI was held on 16thMay 2013. On the basis of comments/suggestions received in the Workshop, the Draft Code has been further revised and is under consideration for approval. 2.10. Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Ltd. (ANIFPDCL) ANIFPDCL, a Government of India Public Sector Undertaking, was set up in 1977 with the broad objectives of development and managing forestry plantations on the Islands. The Honble Supreme Court of India, vide its Orders dated 10.10.2001 and 07.05.2002, imposed various restrictions on felling and sale of timber from naturally grown trees in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Since then the obligatory expenses of the Corporation, like payment of salaries, wages etc,are being made using interest bearing loans sanctioned every year by the Government of India since 2003-04. In 2012-13, 11.00 crore was sanctioned and released to ANIFPDCL as an interest bearing loan for the purpose. For 2013-14, for loan to ANIFPDCL only 1.00 crore has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance, which has been released. Towards meeting balance requirements, after approval of the Ministry of Finance the Ministry has sanctionedthe same to ANIFPDCL. The Ministry had also prepared a draft Cabinet Note onthe revival plan for ANIFPDCL through transfer of its ownership to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration with effect from 1stApril 2014. Andaman & Nicobar Administration,citing theOrders of the Honble Calcutta High Court, has suggested closure of the Corporation. Thedetailed proposal for closure of the Corporation from Andaman & Nicobar Administration is awaited.
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III.
3.1.
Conservation
Environmental Conservation
3.1.1. Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs The National Environment Policy, 2006 recognizes Mangroves and Coral Reefs as an important coastal environmental resource, which provides habitats for marine species, protection from extreme weather events and a resource base for sustainable tourism. It underlines the need to mainstream their sustainable management in the regulatory regime for forestry sector and in the comprehensive approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management. (a) Mangroves
India is home to some of the best mangroves in the world. West Bengal has the maximum of mangrove cover in the country followed by Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, not all coastal areas are suitable for mangrove plantation as mangrove requires an appropriate mix of saline and freshwater, and soft substrate like mudflats to be able to grow and perpetuate. 38 mangrove areas have been identified on a countrywide basis for intensive conservation and management. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011, recognizes the mangrove areas as ecologically sensitive and categorizes them as CRZ-I(i), which implies that these areas are accorded protection of the highest order. FSI has been assessing the mangrove cover using remote sensing since 1987. The current assessment shows that the mangrove cover is 4,662.56 km2 or 0.14% of total geographical area. The very dense mangrove comprises 1,403 km2 (30.10%) and moderately dense mangrove 1,658.12 km2 (35.57%), with open mangroves 1,600.44 km2 (34.33%). Compared with 2009 assessment, there has been a net increase of 23.34 km2 in Indias mangrove cover, attributable to increased plantations, particularly in Gujarat, and regeneration of natural mangrove areas. The project entitled Mangroves for the Future (MFF): AStrategy for Promoting Investment in Coastal Ecosystem Conservation is being coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) covering, initially, eight countries(including India since 2006) in South Asia, South East Asia and Western Indian Ocean. It is a partnershipbased initiative, involving government agencies, NGOs, research institutes, UN agencies and other multilateral bodies, for promoting investment in coastal ecosystems for sustainable development. To oversee and guide the IUCN-MFF (India) Programme and review, monitor and evaluate its implementation, a National Coordination Body (NCB) has been constituted by the Ministry. MFF has adopted mangroves as its flagship ecosystem in recognition of the important role that mangrove forests played in reducing the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the severe effect on coastal livelihoods caused by the loss and degradation of mangroves. However MFF embraces all coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, wetlands, beaches and seagrass beds. This inclusive approach reflects the ecosystem-based, or reef to ridge, management approach. The second phase (2010-2013) has been underway guided by the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) which is organised into two categories: Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for mangroves and Resotration Strategy and Action Plan for potential and/or degraded mangrove areas, with four priority areas: (i) environmentally sustainable livelihoods to reduce pressure on coastal ecosystems; (ii) plantation of mangroves for creating green
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belts; (iii) civil society awareness, participation and coastal decision making and sustainable financing; and (iv) improving knowledge gaps. MFF (India) has also published several knowledge products on Indias coastal and marine diversity. These include Soldiers of our Coast, Towards Conservation and Management of Mangrove Ecosystems in India, and Coral Reefs in India - Status, Threats and Conservation Measures. MFF (India) also produced an educational movie Guardians of the Coast, in partnership with Mr. Mike Pandey (Riverbank Studios), which showcased the fascinating web of life that surrounds these tidal forests, including the regulatory and provisioning services they provide and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on them. A large grant project (USD 299,600/-) of IUCN titled Alternative Livelihood Options for Vulnerable Mangrove Resource Users in the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal,signed on 16th November, 2011, has been under implementation over the last two years. As of 1st January 2013, MFF India has initiated its third cycle of small grant projects, with the awarding of 5 projects from a selection of 52 proposals by the NCB, focussing on one or more of the following: (i) promote innovative community based coastal rehabilitation projects; (ii) build community resilience; (iii) build local capacity to implement sustainable development strategies; (iv) create public awareness on environmental issues as integral to the project; (v) address livelihood, income, equality and gender based concerns; (vi) demonstrate potential for replication or scaling-up, and co-financing; and (vii) create an impact on policy at National/ State/ District level, for ICZM.The projects formally commenced in midDecember 2013 and will be carried out over the next 18 months.
Partner Center for Environment Education (CEE) Gujarat Institute for Desert Ecology (GUIDE) Save the Children, India Project Education for coastal and marine biodiversity conservation through schools Developing a practicable model through corporate-community participation for successful mangrove restoration activities in Kachchh, Gujarat Strengthened capacity of children, communities and local government by better preparedness and mitigation of climate change and disaster risks in Kendrapara district, Odisha Participatory community engagement and education for conservation of mangroves in Palk Bay areas of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu Rehabilitation of degraded seagrass areas in Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu to support long term conservation of seagrass habitat
Society for People Education and Economic Development (SPEED) Suganthi Devadson Marine Research Institute (SDMRI)
(b)
Coral reefs
The Indian reef area is estimated to be 2,375 km2 for encouraging targeted research on both hard and soft corals. Four major coral reefs areas identified for intensive conservation and management are: (i) Gulf of Mannar, (ii) Gulf of Kachchh, (iii) Lakshadweep, and (iv) the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The emphasis is on preventive aspects through monitoring and surveillance as the restoration work is both costly and time consuming. The Ministry has established a National Coral Reef Research Centre at Port Blair. A two-tier system at National and State level is in operation for effective coordination to implement the Scheme on Mangroves and Coral Reefs. The Ministry provides financial assistance to the State Forest Departments of all the four identified coral reefs areas for
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activities like monitoring, surveillance, education and awareness. R&D activities with emphasis on targeted research on coral biodiversity and its management, including various aspects of pollution in these areas, is also supported. 3.1.2. Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems some of which are internationally recognized within the framework of the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO. These Reserves are required to meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to a minimal set of conditions before being admitted to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The Network is devoted to conserving biological diversity, promoting research and monitoring as well as seeking to provide models of sustainable development in the service of human kind with special reference to the local communities which mostly consist of traditional societies. It is a pioneering effort at pursuing the increasingly difficult yet urgent task of conserving ecological diversity under mounting pressures. The programme was initiated in 1986 and till date 18 sites have been designated nationally as Biosphere Reserves (BRs). Out of these, so far 09 have been included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO viz., Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka), Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Sunderban (West Bengal), Nanda Devi, (Uttarakhand), Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh), Similipal (Odisha), Nokrek (Meghalaya), Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh) and Great Nicobar. The Ministry through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Biosphere Reserve provides 100% financial assistance to the State/UT Government concerned for conservation and management of the designated Biosphere Reserves. The Indian National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee is the apex body to oversee the programme, provide policy guidelines and review the programme.
Progress/Achievements
During 2013-14, Management Action Plans (MAPs) submitted by the States/UTsconcerned were scrutinized and sanctioned for implementation of approved items of activities. From 2014-15 onwards, the State/ UT Governments concerned are to submit Comprehensive Management Action Plans of 3-5 years duration along with annual requirements of funds. The services of Space Application Centers could be utilised for keeping track of impact of restoration measures in the core area of the Reserve. Livelihood opportunities generated in the buffer of transition zones must be sustainable. Further, a dynamic linked website for the Biosphere Reserves in the Ministry and at State/ UT level would be developed. Additional information in respect of Periodic Review 2011 Report of Gulf of Mannar BR, ten years after its inclusion in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves has been conveyed to the MAB Programme, UNESCO, for recommendation of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves and thereafter to accept the same by the International Coordination Committee of the MAB Programme, UNESCO. 3.1.3. Biodiversity Conservation (a) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
CBD, a key agreement with near universal membership with 193 countries as its Parties, including India, was adopted during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It is the first comprehensive global agreement which addresses all aspects relating to
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biodiversity. It sets out commitments for maintaining the world's ecological underpinnings while pursuing economic development. It reaffirms sovereign rights of nations over their biological resources, and establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources. The main activities undertaken include the following: (i) Implementation of obligations arising from various agreements reached and Declarartions of CBD and development of related issues at national and international levels. Preparation and putting forth of country position in meetings of CBD and its Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. Implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002, through the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP): Preparation of national targets within the framework of CBDs Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity targets. Undertaking activities for Biodiversity Conservation including bio-safety during Indias Presidency of Conference of Parties-11 (COP-11) by way of: Hosting/ participating in inter-sessional national and international workshops/ meetings on biodiversity conservation and biosafety. Organizing/ facilitating training/ capacity building programmes for knowledge-sharing on different aspects of biodiversity conservation and biosafety in India and abroad for national/ regional/ international participants for promoting South-South Cooperation. Sponsoring training programmes for specific groups such as the least developed countries, which are Parties to the CBD/ CPB. Publishing/ distributing materials on biodiversity conservation/ biosafety. Any other activity as decided by the President of CoP-11 and CoP-MOP-6 for promoting South-South Cooperation.
(ii) (iii) (iv)
(v)
Progress/ Achievements
(i)
(ii) (iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
India as the President of CoP-11, chaired the Seventh Trondheim Conference held in Norway from 27- 31 May 2013. The outcomes of the Conference along with a request to expedite ratification of Nagoya Protocol on ABS were transmitted to Ministers in charge of all Member countries. India as the President of CoP-11 chaired two meetings of CoP Bureau on 31May and 1 June 2013 (Trondheim) and on 6 October 2013 (Montreal). India as the President of CoP-11 worked with the CBD Secretariat and well as directly with various countries through Indian Missions abroad for expediting ratifications of Nagoya Protocol on ABS, so that the Protocol enters into force during Indias Presidency. India as the President of CoP-11 chaired the meeting of CBDs Working Group on Article 8j on traditional knowledge from 7-11 October 2013 (Montreal). Contributed USD 90,000/- towards this meeting. India as the President of CoP-11 contributed USD 10,000/- towards Indias support to International Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for the year 2013. Successfully hosted three meetings of CBD in Chennai, viz. (a) Second Meeting of the High Level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources for
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Implementing Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from 2-4 December 2013; (b) Second Meeting of the Expert Group on Biodiversity for Poverty Eradication and Development from 4-6 December 2013; and (c) Sub-Regional Capacity Building Workshop for East, South and South East Asia from 3-6 December 2013. (vii) It has been decided to adopt the logo of CoP-11 as the logo of this Ministry. (viii) Published Hosting of CoP-11: A Pictorial Presentation. (ix) In the run-up to CoP-11, special efforts were made to create awareness and local capacity building on biodiversity related issues. The brand Ambassador of CoP-11, namely, the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS), a 16 coach train exhibiting Indias biodiversity was flagged off on World Environment Day on 5 June 2012. Travelling across India to cover 57 stations, the train received 2.2 million visitors. This innovative train played an important role in creating mass awareness on biodiversity. (x) Process is under way for establishment of National Biodiversity Museum, and Garden at Hyderabad on the site where Prime Minister unveiled the commemorative Pylon and planted the first tree on behalf of India. Agreement for preparing Detailed Project Report for the Museum was signed on 27 December 2013. (xi) Action is underway to prepare national targets in line with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for updating the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and for preparation of Indias Fifth National Report to the CBD. Towards this, a zero draft of the document was prepared and discussed in a National Consultation on 30 July 2013. Thereafter a meeting of the Technical Review Committee was held on 27 December 2013. (b) Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Taking cognizance of CBD, and to address the excessive pressure on biodiversity, the Government of India has enacted Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA 2002). National, State and local level mechanisms have been provided for implementation of the Act. At the national level, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established by Government of India on 1 October 2003 at Chennai (Tamil Nadu) under Section (8) of the Act. Following their establishment in Bihar, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) have now been established by all State Governments.Seventeen States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have notified the State-specific rules in accordance with the Section 63(1) of the Act. In accordance with Section 41 and Rules 22, every local body shall constitute a BMC within its area of jurisdiction. The BMC as constituted under sub-rule (1) shall consist of a Chairperson and not more than six persons nominated by the local body of whom not less than one third should be women and not less than 18% should belong to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes. The process for benefit sharing with the BMC, Self-Help Groups etc., accruing from accessed bio-resources is being firmed up.So far, 33,353BMCs have been constituted by the local bodies in 26 States. The main activities centered onconsidering appropriate amendments to the Act and Rules for enhanced conservation of biodiversity in India, and implementation of various extant provisions, such as conservation of Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS), conservation
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and rehabilitation of threatened species on verge of extinction, eco-restoration, etc.

(i)
Strengthening the institutional capacity of NBA, SBBs and BMCs to enable them to undertake developmental and regulatory activities, as per their respective mandate. The incumbent of non-official members in NBA were appointed in October 2013. An enforcement wing was established at NBA. (ii) The Expert Consultant engaged by NBA to work out the modalities for setting up Regional Offices in five regions based on flora and fauna has submitted the Working Paper, and based on it Expression of Interest for establishment of Regional Office for the North East has been received from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Tripura. (iii) 1,901 PBRs have been documented on bio-resources and associated traditional knowledge in 14 States (Andhra Pradesh, Aurnachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal), of which 110 PBRs have been prepared during the year. (iv) Under the UNEP-GEF-ABS project, a model PBR has been developed for Yeragollapahad Grama Panchayat, in Warangal Disrict, Andhra Pradesh. Five model PBRs are under preparation. (v) ABS-related capacity building and awareness raising activities were initiated in five Project States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal, and 05 Stakeholder Consultations as well as a number of Discussion Meetings organised with BMCs in various locations, were held in each of them. (vi) Three publications relevant to ABS, BD Act, and economic valuation of bioresources were developed and disseminated. (vii) Towards inter alia finalizing the guidelines for Access and Benefit Sharing and also revising the extant agreement, four Meetings of the Expert Committee on ABS were held. (viii) Fourth Expert Committee Meeting on Agrobiodiversity was held on 8-9 April 2013 at Hyderabad. (ix) Expert Committee/ Key Stakeholder Consultation on Strategies for up-scaling domestic and international trade in Herbal Products & Medicinal Plant Resources as part of the preparation of an Intersectorial Strategy and Action Plan for the Management of Medicinal Plant Resources of India in the XII FYP was held on 26 April 2013 at Chennai. (x) Supported NBA for setting up of Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL) to address policy and legal issues. Technical Assistance Contract was signed between NBA and Norwegian Environment Agency in April 2013, which identified 10 thematic areas for collaboration. The Norwegian counterpart has identified and signed an agreement with a service provider in India to facilitate implementation of the project. Its Project Steering Committee meeting was held on 21 October 2013 and initiated activities in India. (xi) Under the GEF Direct Access Project for National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and Fifth National Report to WII, about USD 145,200/-, which is 60% of project cost was released to NBA for implementation of the project for preparing the Report. National Stakeholder Consultation on its preparation was held in July 2013 at New Delhi, and a Draft Report has been prepared and circulated for comments. Two Project Steering Committee
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meetings were held, and a set of 12 Draft National Biodiversity Targets has been developed. Prototype for developing National Clearing House Mechanism has been prepared aimed at providing effective information services to facilitate the implementation of NBSAP. (xii) Assisting the States in notifying threatened species in their areas of jurisdiction. So far the species which are on the verge of extinction have been notified in 15 States and 1 UT (A&N Islands). (xiii) So far, four BHS sites have been notified in the State of Karnataka. Twelve SBBs have identified another 123 sites for declaring as BHS. (xiv) Facilitating projects related to digitations of biodiversity-related data. Designing/ implementing the Indian Biodiversity Information System (IBIS). (xv) Undertaking/ facilitating projects related to biodiversity conservation such as INBIF, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), etc. (xvi) Increasing awareness through a number of communication and outreach activities. Educational materials were developed in regional languages such as Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati and Hindi. (xvii) Three capacity-building initiatives were undertaken: (a) a programme on Strengthening the implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002, leading to establishment of robust ABS mechanism at Local Body Level was organized by SBB Gujarat in May 2013; (b) an interactive meeting on Strengthening Implementation of BD Act & ABS " was organized by SBB Himachal Pradesh in July 2013; and (c) a Panel discussion on Gap analysis on Policy Issues and Awareness for Implementation of ABS Provisions within the BD Act was organized by SBB West Bengal in July 2013. (xviii) During the year, four meetings of the Authority were held, and important decisions were taken on different matters. For regulation of access of biological resources, 78 applications were received during first half of the financial year, which are at various stages of processing. Further, NBA placed 77 applications (which includes applications received during previous years) before the Expert Committee for examination, of which 14 were recommended for approval and 29 recommended for closure. Six agreements were entered during first half year till 31 December 2013. (xix) Acquiring 5.0 acres of land from State Government of Tamil Nadu for constructing a building to house the NBA. (xx) International Day for Biodiversity with the theme Water and Biodiversity was celebrated on 2 May 2013. A poster on the theme was also released. (xxi) Instituting awards for best performing SBB/ BMC/ biodiversity conservers; breed savior award and such awards to recognize contributors who help in implementing the Act effectively. (c) Biodiversity Scheme/ Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)
Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989 (Rules, 1989) have been notified. The Rules also cover application of hazardous microorganisms which may not be genetically modified, but include those which are pathogenic to animals as well as plants. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the apex body under the Rules, 1989 has the mandate to approve the large scale trials and environmental release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and ensure that research and development and
19
testing of GMOs prior to environment release are conducted in a safe and scientific manner through appropriate implementation of Rule 1989 and biosafety guidelines.
(i)
GEAC has been reconstituted, which held one meeting on April, 2013. Decision on GM crop field trials and holding of further meetings of GEAC stand deferred in view of issues pending before the Honble Supreme Court. (ii) Phase-II of UNEP-GEF Capacity Building Project on Biosafety has commenced; Project Coordination Unit (PCU) has been set up; Biotech Consortium India Limited has been appointed; Consultants and Experts for implementing various activities have been identified; Guidance document for generation of biosafety data, environmental risk assessment guidelines, strengthening pre- and post-release monitoring mechanism, notification of accredited laboratories for LMO detection etc. have been initiated. (iii) Two reports of Technical Expert Committee constituted by the Honble Supreme Court have been received. The matter is also pending final decision of the Honble Supreme Court. Union of India is filing a counter affidavit in respect of each of recommendations made in the two reports of TEC. (iv) Cabinet Note for Ratification of the Nagoya Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress has been circulated to all Ministries/ Departments concerned. Comments from a few are awaited. (v) Development of biology documents in respect of 8 crops (chickpea, pigeon pea, sorghum, papaya, mustard, tomato, rubber and potato) is in progress. (vi) Development of the State-of-Art GEAC website has been completed. Audit of the website by NIC has been completed and is ready for launching. (vii) Indian delegation attended Asia Regional National Project Coordinators Meeting of UNEP held from 1-5 July 2013 at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to discuss experience and challenges faced in execution of UNEP-GEF biosafety project. (viii) South Asia Biosafety Conference was convened jointly with DBT and SABP during 18-20 September 2013. India participated in the ASIA BCH Workshop in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 18-20 November 2013 organized by Korea Biosafety Clearing House (KBCH) in partnership with UNEP. (ix) India chaired the online and regional real time conferences on socio economic considerations for Asia-Pacific. (d) Biodiversity Scheme/ Cartagena Biosafety Protocol (CPB)
CPB has come into force on 11 September 2003. The Conference of Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to the Protocol (COP-MOP) currently meets every two years in conjunction with the regular meetings of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the CBD. Six meetings of the COP-MOP have been held so far. The Sixth meeting of COP-MOP hosted by India from 1-5 October 2012 at Hyderabad provided India with an opportunity to consolidate, scale-up and showcase our initiatives and strengths on biosafety. The Seventh meeting of COP-MOP is scheduled in South Korea in October 2014. As a follow-up to COP-MOP decisions taken so far, several initiatives including capacity building and awareness programs to facilitate compliance have been undertaken. In compliance with the reporting requirements, India has submitted its first and second National Reports on implementation of CPB, which were finalized following a consultative approach. Several consultative meetings of experts and stakeholders have also been convened prior to each COP-MOP meeting to finalize the country position and negotiating briefs. During 2013,
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Indian experts participated in online discussion forum and other preparation meetings on various thematic areas pertaining to COP-MOP-7 agenda. Consultations for preparing the country positions are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2014. (e) Nagoya Kula Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress
COP-MOP-5held at Nagoya, Japan in October 2010 adopted the Nagoya Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the CPB after six years of intense negotiations. India made significant positive contributions in its finalisation, which is being considered as a milestone achievement in multilateral environmental negotiations. India signed the Supplementary Protocol on 11 October 2011. So far, 51 countries are its signatories and 10 countries have ratified it. The Protocol will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the 40thinstrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. The study to probe the legal implications of its ratification and to identify legislative amendments required in the domestic law has been completed. The process of seeking Cabinet approval for ratification has been initiated. An international workshop on ABS and Liability and Redress in the context of CPB for capacity building of Africa region was held in February 2013 at Bengaluru. 3.1.4. All India Coordinated Project on Capacity Building in Taxonomy (AICOPTAX) AICOPTAXs mission is enhancement of countrys capabilities for inventorying, monitoring, conserving and utilizing biodiversity as well as for establishing leadership in the field of taxonomy at regional and global levels. It is an active programme channelized at the national level to address the problems of inadequate taxonomic knowledge due to limited number of taxonomists available in the country. It is fully funded by the Ministry. To start with, 30 thematic areas were chosen for investigation. Of these, 15 could be implemented so far, with work assigned to 15 coordinators along with 61 collaborators. The remaining 15 thematic areas are being taken up for investigation in a phased manner. 3.1.5. GOI-UNDP-CCF-II project Biodiversity Conservation through Community-based Natural Resource Management The project was being implemented in four States (Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha) with the following objectives: (a) to facilitate the process of making the national and state-level policies and programmes more responsive to linkages between sustainable rural livelihood; and (b) to enhance the capacity of communities and institutions of decentralized governancefor integrating sustainablebiodiversity-basedlivelihoods through participatory micro planning, while ensuring equity, transparency and accountability. In-situ conservation interventions were carryied out in more than 23,000 ha area, three new nurseries including one high altitude established and more than 15 skill strengthening and capacity building programmes organized in all four States. Fourteen NTFP and agro-forestry based micro-enterprises were established during previous year. The project was formally closed on 31 December 2013. 3.1.6. Assistance to Botanic Gardens The scheme was initiated in 1992 to augment facilities for ex-situ conservation of rare, endangered, threatened and endemic plants. One-time financial assistance is provided to the
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existing botanic gardens for improvement of their infrastructural facilities to facilitate ex-situ conservation of rare and endemic plants. The achievements made in these botanic gardens are periodically monitored with the help of BSI, which also helps in identification of rare endemic plants requiring priority attention for ex-situ conservation. Comprehensive guidelines have been issued in May 2013 outlining the goals and objectives; need for lead gardens in different phytogeographic zones, terms and conditions, and role of State and Central Governments, besides promoting education awareness, ex-situ conservation and reintroduction of rare plants in natural habitats. Under the new guidelines for financial assistance, the process of scrutiny of proposals has become more objective resulting initially into higher rate of revision/rejection. Under the scheme, 268 projects have been supported so far to various organizations maintaining botanic gardens and Centres of ex-situ conservation. In 2013, 50 threatened plant species were taken up for ex-situ conservation. 16Botanical Gardens were supported, which included one Lead Garden. Infrastructure strengthening of 12 existing Botanical Gardens was taken up, including designations of 4 lead gardens. 3.2. Forest Conservation
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 came into effect from 25 October 1980 and provides for prior approval of the Central Government for diversion of forest lands for nonforestry purposes. Its objective is to regulate diversion of forest lands for non-forestry uses and to maintain balance between developmental needs and conservation of natural heritage. Guidelines are issued under the Act from time to time, to simplify the procedures, to cut down delays and to make the process transparent. Heads of Regional Offices of the Ministry at Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Shillong and Chandigarh are empowered to grant approvals under the Act for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes up to 5 hectare in each case (except for mining and regularization of encroachments) and to process and make recommendations to the Ministry in cases between 5 hectare and 40 hectare in consultation with the State Advisory Committee. Proposals involving areas more than 40 ha are to be submitted by the State Governments to the Ministry, and they are examined by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), constituted under the Act,which meets once a month. In the cases where area involved is more than 100 ha, a site inspection by Regional Office is mandatory before the proposal is examined by FAC. The Ministry takes the final decision on diversion proposals stipulating appropriate mitigation measures keeping in view the recommendations of FAC. In 2013, a total of 1,007 proposals were received, of which 645 involving about 17,253 ha. forest land have been approved or granted in-principle approval. 8 proposals were closed/ rejected, while 94 are pending consideration with State Governments concerned. To mitigate impacts of diversion of forest land on ecology, environment, biodiversity and overall forest cover, the Central Government while according approvals under the Act stipulates appropriate conditions. In addition to the requirement that User Agency provides land in compensation at prescribed scales, it is also incumbent on them to provide compensatory levies for Afforestation (Compensatory/ Additional Compensatory/ Penal Compensatory)/ Treatment (Safety Zone/ Catchment Area)/ Net Present Value of forest land diverted. Forest area which are notified as part of national parks/ sanctuaries are allowed to be diverted only with express approval of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, and the User Agency is required to pay 5 times/ 10 times of Net Present Value of the forest land diverted.
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The Ministry has initiated a web-based system of Online Monitoring of Forest Clearances based on work flow-based application for monitoring the proposals submitted by User Agencies for seeking forest clearances for diverting forest land for non-forestry purposes. This application is amenable to use, including updating of data pertaining to their competence, by State Forest Departments, Regional Offices and Headquarter at the Ministry. 3.2.1. Forest Establishment (FE) The Forest Establishment Division is handling the establishment matters relating to the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry, and its Institutes/Centers; Forest Survey of India (FSI) and its Regional Centers; National Zoological Park (NZP); Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and its Regional Offices; Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA); Directorate of Forest Education (DFE), three Central Academies and one Ranger College; State Forest Colleges of all the Union Territories of India (except Andaman & Nicobar Forest Plantation Development Corporation), general references relating to frontline staff of State Forest Departments including court cases, RTI applications and Parliament Matters concerning the above. In 2013, Consultancy Rules of ICFRE are being streamlined so that maximum revenue generated by consultancies is utilised to reduce the dependence of ICFRE on grants in aid. Further, efforts are underway towards making the corpus fund of Pension Fund Trust of ICFRE self-sustainable. 3.2.2. Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) The National Forest Policy 1988 aims at bringing 33% of countrys geographical area under the forests/ tree cover. While aiming to expand the forest cover in the country, it is equally important to improve the state of existing forests and protect them against various threats. The threats to forests include encroachments, forest fires, illegal felling for timber and firewood grazing, diseases and incursion of weeds and other invasive species. In addition, there are problems related to unique vegetation and eco-systems either due to high value or peculiar nature of their management. Examples of this include forests with species such as Sandalwood, Red Sanders and Bamboo to name a few. IFMS intends to address both the general problems of forest protection and protection of unique vegetation.Its mandate includes (a) prevention and control of forest fires; (b) protection of existing forests against illicit fellings and encroachment, etc, and demarcation of forest boundaries; (c) providing financial assistance to States/ UTs for improving the infrastructure; (d) using modern technology in scientific management of forests and preparation of working plans; (e) protection and conservation of sacred groves, and unique vegetation and ecosystems; and (f) control and eradication of forest invasive species. The financial assistance is provided on cost-share basis. All North Eastern States including Sikkim and Special Categories States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) share 10% of the cost while the rest of the States/UTs share 25% of the cost of the annual plans of operations. State Forest Departments are the implementing agencies. The total outlay for the Scheme for the XII Plan is 600 crore. During 2012-13,against anoutlay at RE stage of 53.25 crore, 51.0582 crore was released. During 2013-14 so far, against an outlay at RE stage of 51.55 crore, 51.1418 crore has been released to States/ UTs. In 2013, the operational guidelines for the scheme in its revised shape have been issued, which include a provision for signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the implementing States and Central Government. The Annual Work Plan proposals are to be
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submitted to the Ministry by States, which after scrutiny by the Screening Committee, are approved for implementation. A greater emphasis is being laid on States identifying gaps in their efforts in forest protection. This is expected to improve the impact of the scheme in fulfilling its mandate. In order to promote transparency, GPS co-ordinates of all infrastructure works financed in this scheme have been made mandatory. Details of the allotment and expenditure together with the Annual Work Plan are also being put on the Ministrys web site. The major components of the scheme include: (i) Forest fire control and management. (ii) Strengthening of Infrastructure. (iii) Survey, Demarcation and Working Plan preparation. (iv) Protection and Conservation of Sacred Groves. (v) Conservation and Restoration of Unique Vegetation & Ecosystems. (vi) Control and Eradication of Forest Invasive Species. (vii) Preparedness for Meeting Challenges of Bamboo Flowering and Improving Management of Bamboo Forests. The Scheme is also being monitored at the level of Centre and States. Principal Chief Conservator is responsible of the implementation as well as monitoring of the Scheme at the States level. Fresh instructions have been issued regarding monitoring of the Scheme at their level. A third party has been initiated to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Scheme and suggest change to increase the effectiveness of the Scheme. During 2013-14 as on 31 December 2013, status with regard to three major montitorable targets is as follows: (i) Creation and Maintenance of fire lines (kms.): 49,874.50 km (target 68,000 km) (ii) Construction of Boundary pillars (Nos.): 38,905 (target 78,000) (iii) Construction of Building for frontline staff (Nos.): 279 (target 600) Overall, the scheme has helped the State/UT Forest Departments in modernizing the forestry sector by way of creating infrastructure such as field offices, forest stations, residential facilities for frontline staff; construction of roads and patrolling paths; introduction of modern technology including use of PDA for field surveillance and reporting; providing field vehicles, arms and ammunitions. Introduction of advanced technology helped in bridging the backlog in preparation of working plans. Forest fire control has become progressively effective by way of creation and maintenance of firelines for prevention of forest fires, early detection, reporting and quick mobilization of force for forest fire control. Modern technology has also helped in improving planning for forest fire control and management. This scheme has also provided incentives for involvement of local people through Joint Forest Management Committees in forest protection. There are 2,74,134 JFMCs managing 671,42,757 mha involving 38,62,811 people of forest area. 3.2.3. Forest Policy Forest Policy Division coordinates all aspects of the National Forest Policy, 1988, including its implementation issues;the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and policy and legislative issues of other Central Ministries/ Departments related to forests and Scheduled Tribes, besides coordinating the State Forest Policies, State Forest Acts/Amendment etc. It liaises with Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Planning Commission on the matters related to various Acts and Policies. It is the nodal Division for Forestry in relation to Climate Change and REDD+ Cell. It also acts as a National Focal Point on international cooperation in forestry. In 2013, some major activities coordinated were as follows:
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) (v)
(vi)
Creating a facilitative Regulatory Regime for felling in transit of trees grown on non-forests land in order to encourage people participation. The Report of the Bansal Committee constituted to study the Regulatory Regime and recommend measures, has beenuploaded on the Ministry's website for widespread suggestions and comments. Pursued with State Forest Departments for creating enabling environment and relaxation of regulatory regime for felling and transit of bamboo grown on private/ farm land. Advisories issued to all States/ UTs in this regard. Among activities in support of International Arrangement on Forests (IAF), National and 4 Regional Workshops for Capacity Building and Awareness on Non-Legally Binding Instrument on all types of forests and current IAFwere organised, with financial support of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Country views on the post-2015 IAFhave been prepared for submission to United Nations Forum on Forests. Contributed in discussions on Agroforestry convened by National Advisory Council and in formulation of draft National Agroforestry Policy, 2014. Towards preparation of Draft Reference Document for REDD+, National and Regional Workshops for REDD+ awareness and preparedness are being organised. The Kishwan Expert Committee was constituted to prepare the REDD+ Reference Document. Meeting of the Consultative Group on Forestry Matters was organised for preparing countrys views for the 10thSession of United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) which was held at Istanbul (Turkey) from 8-19 April 2013.
3.3.
Wildlife Conservation
Government of India provides technical and financial support to States/ UTs for wildlife conservation under some Centrally Sponsored Schemes: (i) Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, (ii) Project Elephant, and (iii) Project Tiger, and also through Central Sector Schemes: (i) Strengthening of Wildlife Division and Consultancies for Special Tasks, and (ii) Grants-in-Aid to Central Zoo Authority and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. 3.3.1. Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats The scheme has the following components: (i) Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves); (ii) Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas; and (iii) Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats. At present, India has a network of 670 Protected Areas (102 National Parks, 517 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 47 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community Reserves). During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 800.00 crore, of which 74.62 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 55.17 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013.Activities covered under the Scheme are as follows: (i) Management Planning and capacity building Strengthening wildlife research, educationand nature awareness Staff development and capacity building Monitoring and evaluation Management Planning (ii) Anti-poaching & infrastructure development
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(iii)
(iv)
Anti-poaching activities Strengthening of infrastructure Strengthening Wildlife veterinary care Strengthening Staff welfare activities Restoration of habitats Habitat improvement activities Safeguards / Retrofitting measures Eco-development and community oriented activities Addressing man-animal conflict Strengthening co-existence agenda Deciding inviolate spaces and relocation of villages from crucial wildlife habitats Fostering ecotourism Assistance to activities in Trans-boundary Protected Areas
In 2013, financial assistance was released to 335 PAs, and support to four endangered species viz, Snow Leopard, Swiftlets, Dugong and Wild Buffalo under the Recovery Programme. 3.3.2. Project Elephant Project Elephant was launched in 1991-92 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, and now has the following objectives: (i) To conserve and protect viable population of wild elephants in their natural habitats in the country; (ii) To conserve and protect and, where necessary, to restore natural habitats and traditional corridors/migratory routes or movement paths used by the elephants, through eco-restoration, acquisition etc; (iii) To take concrete measures to protect elephants from poaching and other threats by taking suitable measures like deployment of patrolling squads, intelligence gathering etc; (iv) To create a viable mechanism to ensure inter-state and regional and national level coordination in protecting and conserving the elephant and its ranges; (v) To create infrastructure and other facilities for conservation support activities like veterinary care, management training, humane methods of capture, tranquilizing and translocation etc of wild elephants, as and when required; (vi) To improve and create infrastructure for the welfare of elephants in domestic use, including their veterinary care, training of mahouts and supervisory staff in proper treatment of elephants in captivity; (vii) To encourage and create facilities for research related to the management and ecology of elephant, and also with respect to its veterinary care; (viii) To take appropriate steps to mitigate man-elephant conflict through suitable measures, such as eco-development, public education and awareness programmes, scientific management, ex-gratia payments, deployment of antidepredation teams etc. (ix) To take measures for detection and prevention of diseases in wild elephants. Financial and technical support is being provided to major elephant bearing States, with 100% financial assistance to the State concerned for undertaking various activities for
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scientific management of elephant habitats. The Project is being implemented in 17 States/UTs (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Haryana (where an elephant rescue centre has been set up). There are 28 notified, and 4 proposed Elephant Reserves which are still to be notified by the State Governments concerned, covering approximately 60,000 sq. km. area. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 200.00 crore, of which 18.34 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 17.22 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. Main activities undertaken in 2013were as follows: Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants; Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of elephant habitats and viable population of Wild Asiatic elephants in India; Promotion of measures for mitigation of man elephant conflict in crucial habitats and moderating pressures of human and domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats; Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephants form poachers and unnatural causes of death; Research on Elephant management related issues; Public education and awareness programmes; Eco-development; Veterinary care; and As a specific task, it was proposed to hold the First International Elephant Congress and Ministerial Meet of 50 Elephant Range countries in November 2013 at New Delhi, which now stands postponed to 2014. 3.3.3. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) The Centrally Sponsored Scheme Project Tiger was launched in April 1973 with the objective to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.The National Tiger Conservation Authority was constituted with effect from 04.09.2006 for strengthening tiger conservation by,interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual/ audit report before Parliament, constituting State-level Steering Committees under the Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation. The Scheme was revised in February 2008, and approval of CCEA was obtained to implement major recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. It now includes, interalia, funding support to States for enhanced village relocation/rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (up from 1.00 lakh/family to 10 lakh/family), rehabilitation/resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation. Its implementation shows that the endangered tiger is now on an assured path of recovery by saving it from extinction, as revealed by the recent findings of the All India Tiger estimation using a refined methodology. It shows that viable tiger population exists only in tiger reserve areas, which are under the jurisdiction of Project Tiger, while the status of outside populations are highly depleted. At present there are 43 Tiger Reserves in 17 States,
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covering an area of 54,659.616sq. kms. In-principle approval for creation of four new Tiger Reserves has also been accorded, based on viable spatial occupancy of tiger, as determined in the recent All India Tiger estimation. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 1,245.00 crore, of which 163.87 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 170.88 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. In 2013,funding support was extended for protection and development of Tiger Reserves in 43 tiger reserves in 17 States,and also for relocation of 490 families from tiger reserves including payment of compensation for extinguishing their rights on forest land. 3.3.4. Strengthening of Wildlife Division and Consultancies for Special Tasks The Scheme "Control of Wildlife Crime" was started in 1986 for supporting activities like strengthening of Central Wildlife Division and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a multidisciplinary organization constituted by the Government under Section 38(Y) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, on 6 June 2007. The Bureau has its Headquarter in New Delhi. It has 5 Regional Offices (Chennai, Delhi, Jabalpur, Kolkata, and Mumbai), 3 Sub-Regional Offices (Amritsar, Kochi, and Guwahati), and 5 Border Units (Gorakhpur,Moreh, Motihari,Nathula, and Ramanathapuram). The powers and functions of the Bureau have been defined under section 38z of the Act. The Regional Deputy Directors are Assistant Management Authorities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) and these offices assist Customs authorities in CITES enforcement and legal trade. The objectives of the Scheme are: To strengthen the Central Wildlife Organization by creating additional posts. To strengthen the existing Regional Offices and opening of new Regional Offices for better enforcement of Wild Life (Protection) Act,and CITES. To award consultancies for Special Tasks. To provide for Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award and Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award. To provide for Dr. Salim Ali and Dr. Kailash Sankhla National Fellowship Awards. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 70.00 crore, of which 5.48 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 4.45 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. In the activities undertaken in 2013, special focus is sought to be given to the strengthening of the Bureau with a view to setting up 2 new Regional Offices, 52 field units and a Wildlife Forensic Laboratory and a Training Centre for capacity building of field staff in enforcing wildlife laws. Three ongoing research projects were supported.Standing Finance CommitteeMeeting for Strengthening of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was held, which recommended additional 113 posts in the Bureau.However, the matter has been taken up with Finance Wing to vacate the ban of creation of new posts. 3.3.5. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) CZA, with its headquarters in New Delhi, was established in 1992 under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country, including the development of the National Zoological Park at New Delhi, with the view to enhance their role in conservation. Its main objective is to enforce minimum standards and norms for housing, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals kept in zoos. It also identifies endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding and assigns responsibility in this regard to a zoo. It also provides technical and other assistance to zoos for their proper management and development on scientific lines.
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CZA is a twelve-Member body, with the Minister of Environment & Forests as the exofficio Chairperson. For carrying out its functions, the Administrative Committee under the chairpersonship of Director General of Forests & Special Secretary, and the Technical Committee under the chairpersonship of the Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife), and an Expert Group on Zoo Designing, have been formed for advising the Authority on improvement of the zoos. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 220.00 crore, of which 21.25 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 25.84 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. In the activities undertaken in 2013, 07 Zoos; 06 Rescue Centres; and 16 Ongoing Research Projects were supported financially. Three new Research Projects were initiated, and training was imparted to 240 zoo personnel. 3.3.6. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun WII, established in 1982 under the Ministry, was granted autonomous status by the Government in 1986. The Institute has emerged as a premier training and research institution in the field of wildlife and protected area management in South and South East Asia. Its mandate is to generate quality information and knowledge products in wildlife science and mainstream it in capacity building programmes for various target groups and provide advisory support to Central and State Governments. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 120.00 crore, of which 18.28 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 14.22 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. Major activities in 2013 were:(i) 20 officers underwent advanced PG Diploma course which concluded on 30 June 2013, and 20 officers are presently undergoing training in this course, which will conclude in June 2014; (ii) 20 officers are undergoing in Training in Certificate Course in Wildlife Management; (iii) 13 students completed M.Sc. in June 2013 and another batch of 14 students will conclude it in June 2014; and (iv) ongoing 13 Research Projects and 03 new Research Projects will be completed during 2013-14. 3.3.7. National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) NBWL, constituted as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2003, is chaired by the Honble Prime Minister and has 47 members including Members of Parliament, Chief of the Army Staff, Member, Planning Commission, representatives of NGOs, eminent environmentalists/ conservationists/ecologists and other official members. It is reconstituted every three years, with its last constitution done on 4thSeptember 2010. Till date five meetings of this Board have been convened since its constitution. The Board functions to promote conservation and development of wildlife and forests and framing of policies. It advises Central and State Governments on ways and means of promoting wild life conservation and effectively controlling poaching and illegal trade of wild life and its products.Its further powers and functions are as follows: Setting up, and management, of national parks, sanctuaries and other PAs. Matters relating to restriction of activities on wildlife and its habitat. Impact assessments of projects/ activities in areas inhabited by wildlife. Preparing status reports. The Chief Wild Life Warden may issue a permit to a person to remove wildlife from a National Park, divert the habitat of any wild animal or stop or enhance the flow of water into or outside the park only if the State Government authorizes the
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issue of such permit in consultation with NBWL, if it believes that such removal of wildlife from the sanctuary or the diversion of flow of water is necessary for the improvement and better management of wildlife. Board may constitute a Standing Committee and sub-committees or study groups as may be necessary, from time to time, and may assign duties and functions to it. Recommend alteration of boundaries of a sanctuary/ National Park to the State Government. No alteration of boundaries of a tiger reserve can be made except on recommendation of NTCA and NBWL. No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of NTCA and NBWL. Approve or disapprove of construction of commercial tourist lodges, hotels, zoos, safari parks inside a sanctuary/ National Park by the Chief Wild Life Warden.
The NBWL has also a Standing Committee,chaired by the Minister-in-charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, first constituted in November 2003. It was last reconstituted on 14thSeptember 2010 for a period of three years.Till date it has met 30 times.The Standing Committee considers issues relating to conservation and protection of wildlife and their habitat, as well as proposals involving non-forestry activities in wildlife habitats. 3.4. Animal Welfare
The broad objective of activities relating to animal welfare is to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals, through the implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.The Animal Welfare Plan Scheme is in operation for implementation of the statutory obligations under this Act. Two statutory bodies viz, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and Committee for the Purpose of Supervision and Control of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) have also been set up under this Act. Under this Act, a number of Rules have also been framed, including the following: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, as amended. Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, 2001 and 2009 Prevention of Cruelty (Slaughter Houses) Rules, 2001 and 2010. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment & Regulation of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2001. Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001. Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control & Supervision)Rules, 1998, as amended.
Financial assistance is provided to registered NGOs/ AWOs through AWBI for construction of Shelter Houses, Dispensaries, etc. for stray, infirm and abandoned animals, besides grants for ambulance and vehicles in connection with treatment and transportation of sick, injured and rescued animals. Another developmental programme is immunization and sterilization of stray dogs. Workshops, seminars and conferences are organized from time to time. Information is disseminated through the Ministrys website and Newsletters of AWBI. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 119.00 crore, of which 25.09 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 5.23 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. Major activities in 2013-14 (by 31 December 2013) were: (a) 295 AWOs were
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assisted under AWBI Plan; (b) 15 AWOs were funded, including for construction of 8 Shelter Houses, under Provision of Shelter Houses for Animals; (c) 47,430 cases were approved under Animal Birth Control and Immunization of Stray Dogs; (d) 32 ambulances were funded under Provision of Ambulance Services to Animals in Distress; (e) 03 AWOs, 47 Registrations, and 55 Renewals were approved under Relief to Animals during Natural Calamities and Unforeseen Circumstances; (f) 02 Animal Houses were funded under CPCSEA; and (g) 23 courses ofNational Institute of Animal Welfare were funded.
IV.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
EIAis used as a management tool to minimize adverse impacts of developmental projects on the environment and to achieve sustainable development through timely, adequate, corrective and protective mitigation measures. The Ministry has notified the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 to regulate rapid industrial development of the country for minimizing the adverse impact on environment and reversing any trends which may lead to climate change in long run. EIA Notification, 2006 Developmental projects have been re-categorised into Category 'A' and 'B' depending on their threshold capacity and likely pollution potential under the EIA Notification, 2006, which require prior Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Ministry or relevant State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs). The Ministry has so far constituted 25 SEIAAs under Section 3[3] of EPA, 1986 for grant of ECto Category B projects and activities which have been appraised by SEACs. In 2013, SEIAA/SEAC have been reconstituted in Manipur (10 January 2013), Uttarakhand (8 March 2013), Assam (30April 2013), Maharashtra (29 October 2013; 30 January 2014), West Bengal (9December 2013), and Goa (9 December 2013). The Notification also provides for screening, scoping, public consultation and appraisal of project proposals. The notification has been amended from time to time to further streamline the EC process. Policy reform taken up in 2013 included the following: (i) EIA Notification, 2006, amended (13.03.2013) clarifying that no fresh EC shall be required for a mining project or activity at the time of renewal of mining lease, which has already obtained EC. Procedure for consideration of EC for linear projects which involve forest land clarified (19.03.2013), as per the Hon'ble Supreme Court Order of 12.03.20l3. Ministrys O.M. dated 09.09.2011 partially amended (19.03.2013) to provide that pending grant of Stage-I approval under FCA, 1980 for non-forestry use of forest land, EC for linear projects may be issued subject to certain conditions. Streamlinedthe process for EC for buildings and real estate projects to avoid duplication of work between SEIAAs and Local Bodies/ State Government Departments (O.M. dated 19.06.2013). Guidelines issued (24.06.2013) categorizing brick earth and ordinary earth projects with area less than 5 ha as Category B2 projects. Lifted the moratorium for consideration of proposals for EC for iron ore mining operations in the districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga in Karnataka in pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Courts Order of 18.04.20l3 (W.P.(C) No.562 of 2009 allowing resumption of mining operations in aforesaid three districts in all Category) (O.M. dated 01.07.2013).
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) (v)
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(vi)
Notification published (19.07.2013) amending EIA Notification 2006 for providing accreditation of consultants with Quality Council of India/ National Accreditation Board for education and training with a view to ensure that the EIA/ Environment Management Plan (EMP) Reports are of good quality. (vii) Dispensation provided (O.M. dated 01.08.2013) for hydro power projects to the effect that such projects can apply for ToR without filing an application for FC subject to the condition that they will do so within six months of issuance of TORs. (As per earlier instructions, projects involving forest land had to apply for FC for ToR for obtaining EC). (viii) Notified (22.08.2013) amendment to EIA Notification, 2006, giving special dispensation under EC process for highway expansion projects. (ix) Lifted moratorium (17.09.2013) in respect of 10 industrial clusters/areas of Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Asansole (West Bengal), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan), Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Haldia (West Bengal), Howrah (West Bengal), Korba (Chhattisgarh), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Manali (Tamil Nadu) and Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), based on CPCB monitoring conducted in the Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) during February-April 2013. Moratorium re-imposed in respect of 8 CPAs[Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jharsuguda (Odisha), Ludhiana (Punjab), Panipat (Haryana), Patancheru-Bollaram (Andhra Pradesh), Singraulli (Uttar Pradeshand Madhya Pradesh) and Vapi (Gujarat)] from where moratorium was lifted earlier vide O.Ms. dated 26.10.2010, 15.02.2011, 31.03.2011 and 05.07.2011). (x) Moratorium (imposed on 16.08.2010) lifted (17.10.2013) on consideration of projects from non-Western Ghats area of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Districts except in Talukas, Khed, Chiplum, Sangameshwar, Lanja and Rajapur in District Ratnagiri and Kankavli, Sawantwadi, Dodamarg, Deogad, Vaibhavwadi and Kadul in District Sindhudurg which fall in Western Ghat Area in Maharashtra. (xi) Increased validity period of Hydroelectric and River-Valley projects from 3 years to 4 years due to location of projects in difficult locations and, at times, poor accessibility and preparation of DPR/EIA/EMP may take more time (O.M. dated 12.12.2013). (xii) Amendment (24.12.2013) to certain provisions in EIA Notification, 2006 [all Category B projects further categorized into Category B1 and B2 (except for township and area development projects). Projects categorized as B1 require EIA report for appraisal and have to undergo public consultation process (as applicable). Projects categorized as B2 are appraised based on an Application in Form-1 accompanied with pre-feasibility report and any other document] were announced as follows: (a) Mining projects of brick earth and ordinary earth having lease area less than 5 ha. categorized as B2 (O.M. dated 24.06.2013). (b) Mining projects of brick earth and ordinary earth having lease area (5 < ha. < 25) and all other minor mineral mining projects with mining lease area < 25 ha., except for river sand mining projects, will be appraised as Category B2 projects based on Form-I, Prefeasibility Report, Mining Plan approved by authorized agency of State Government concerned. (c) In the case of Mining projects in a Cluster i.e. if periphery of one lease area is less than 500 m from the periphery of another lease area and total
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lease area equals or exceeds 25 ha, the activity will become Category B1 project, and cluster will require EIA/EMP and public hearing as per EIA Notification, 2006. (d) In the case of river sand-mining project, with mine lease area less than 5 ha, authority (SEIAA/SEAC) concerned should not consider granting EC. (e) River sand-mining projects with mining lease area more than 5 ha would be categorized as B2 and appraised based on Form-1, Pre-feasibility Report, Mining Plan approved by authorized agency of State Governmentconcerned. Besides, mining activity will be done manually; maximum permissible depth of mining will be 3 mtr. below the water level; mining in areas close to embankments/ bridges can be undertaken only after a safety zone is worked out; no in-stream mining will be permitted; developers have to provide replenishment plans. Their EC will be valid for maximum period of five years. (f) Projects (like small thermal power, mineral beneficiation, metallurgical, cement, chlor-alkali, leather/skin/hide processing, chemical fertilizers, manmade fiber manufacturing, aerial roadways, etc.) have also been recategorized as B2. All thermal power plants based on coal/lignite/naphtha and gas of capacity < 5 MW are categorized as B2, requiring no EIA and public hearing. Similarly, mineral beneficiation activity with throughput < 20,000 TPA involving only physical beneficiation, are categorized as B2. All non-toxic secondary metallurgical processing industries involving operation of furnaces only (such as induction and electric arc furnaces, submerged arc furnaces and cupola) with capacity 30,000 <TPA <60,000 located within notified industrial estates are categorized in B2 requiring no EIA and public hearing. (xiii) As per EIA Notification, 2006, public hearing can be exempted for expansion of projects under its Clause 7(ii) subject to certain conditions. Public hearing for capacity expansion proposals of existing coal mining projects, which have obtained EC and which are for one-time capacity expansion of up to 25%, within existing mine lease area, has been exempted (O.M. dated 19.12.2012). But now, as per revised guidelines (07.01.2014), expansion proposals of existing coal mining projects having production capacity up to 8 MTPA as per EC letter, the limit of one time capacity expansion may be considered as 50% or incremental production upto 1 MTPA, whichever is more, in the existing mining operation, within the existing mine lease area for exempting public hearing under Clause 7(ii). If the production capacity of coal mining projects is more than 8 MTPA, O.M. dated 19.12.2012 will continue to apply in toto. Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 Ministry has issued the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 in supersession of Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 after a series of consultations with the various stakeholders, including the fishermen community. Its objective is to ensure livelihood security to fishing and other local communities living in coastal areas, to conserve/ protect coastal stretches and to promote development based on scientific principles. Performance/ Achievements In 2013, several meetings of the Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) were convened for appraisal of Category A projects from sectors of industry, thermal power, infrastructure,
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river valley and mining. As part of appraisal process, wherever required, EACs also visited project sites for first hand information about the ground level realities and response of people living in the vicinity. EC was accorded to 256 projects (April 2013 to December 2013), the sector-wise distribution of which is as below: Industry (81) Coal Mining (17) Thermal (07) Non-Coal Mining (75) River Valley and Hydroelectric (06) Nuclear, Defence & Strategic Projects (02) CRZ, Infrastructure, Construction, Industrial Estates (68) Post-Project Monitoring of Environment Clearance Conditions The objectives of Post-Project Clearance Monitoring are (i) to ensure that actions have been taken to incorporate the environmental safeguards during the project cycle in accordance with the conditions stipulated in EC letter; and (ii) to take appropriate corrective measures to check adverse impact on environment during operation of the respective projects. Monitoring of projects with respect to conditions stipulated in EC issued under EIA Notification, 2006 and Coastal Regulation Zone, 2011 is carried out through the six Regional Offices as per policy guidelines of the Monitoring Cell in the Ministry. On the basis if scrutiny of the Monitoring Report by the Monitoring Cell, appropriate action is contemplated under EPA, 1986, for violation of EC conditions. In cases of major non-compliance further follow up action is taken for effecting compliance, including issue of show cause notice followed by directions on case to case basis. Till December 2013, 796 projects were monitored. Based on observations made during field visits, necessary follow up action has been taken up with project proponents to ensure an effective compliance withEC conditions. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Plan Scheme on "Activities under Environmental Impact Assessment" is 30.00 crore, of which 3.15 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 1.17 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project In view of the livelihood security of coastal communities, the Ministry has initiated an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project with World Bank assistance at an outlay of about 1,153 crore. The Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), a registered body, has been implementing the its four major components: (i) National Coastal Management Programme, which has various sub-components, including mangrove afforestation, coral restoration, shoreline protection, hazard mitigation, and alternative livelihood; and (ii) three ICZM projects in three States (Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal). During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for the Scheme is 500.00 crore, of which 25.00 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 75.00 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. The major activities taken up in 2013-14 were: (i)(a)Mapping, delineation and demarcation of hazard lines; (i)(b) Delineation of coastal sediment cells for the entire coast of India; (i)(c) Mapping,delineation and demarcation of Ecological Sensitive Areas(ESAs); (ii)(a) Establishing the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management; (ii)(b) Capacity building measures; (iii)Capacity development and pilot investment in SPMUGujarat; (iv)Capacity development and pilot investment in SPMU-Odisha; and (v)Capacity development and pilot investment in SPMU-West Bengal.
V.
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Abatement of Pollution
The concern for environmental quality has heightened in the present scenario of rising population, increasing urbanization, industrial pollution, shipping, aviation and vehicular emission as well as pollution of water resourses due to discharge of industrial effluents and sewage without conforming to the environmental norms and standards apart from agriculture run-off. The Government had adopted the Policy for Abatement of Pollution in 1992, which provides multi-pronged strategies in the form of regulations, legislations, agreements, fiscal incentives and other measures, to prevent and abate pollutionin various environmental media like air, water, soil, etc. The Government also adopted the National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992. These were followed by the National Environment Policy (NEP-2006) which seeks to extend the coverage, and fill in gaps that still existed, in light of extant knowledge and accumulated experience, laying emphasis on a number of new issues. 5.1. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
CPCB performs functions as laid down under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. CPCB plays a vital role in abatement and control of pollution by generating environmental quality data, providing scientific information, rendering technical inputs for formulating national policies and programmes, training and development of manpower and organizing activities for promoting awareness at different levels of Government and public at large. It also provides support to various committees and authorities constituted by the Government, such as the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for the National Capital Region.It co-ordinates activities under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and also enforcement and implementation of Rules framed under EPA, 1986 with SPCBs/ PCCs. Its functions broadly include: (i) Advising the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air; (ii) Co-ordinating activities of SPCBs/ PCCs and resolve disputes among them; (iii) Planning and organizing training of persons engaged in programmes for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; (iv) Providing technical assistance and guidance to SPCBs/ PCCs, carrying out and sponsoring investigation and research on problems of water and air pollution and prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; (v) Organizing a comprehensive mass awareness programme on prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution through mass media; (vi) Collecting, compiling and publishing technical and statistical data relating to water and air pollution and measures derived for their effective prevention, control or abatement, preparing manuals, codes and guides relating to prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution; (vii) In consultation with State Governments, laying down, modifying or annulling standards for streams and wells, as well as standards for the quality of air; (viii) Planning and causing to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention and control or abatement of water and air pollution; and (ix) Establishing or giving recognition to laboratories to enable it to perform its functions efficiently including analysis of water from any stream or well or of samples of ambient air or trade effluents and emissions. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay for CPCB is 380.00 crore, of which
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25.50 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 43.29 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. The Annual Action Plan (Work Plan) for 2013-14 laid emphasis on strengthening environmental monitoring network, carrying out random checks of industries for compliance verification, review of existing standards and development of new standards and inventory of wastes. Capacity development of SPCBs/ PCCs, through trainings and organizing/ participation in mass awareness programmes continued into 2013-14. Specific attention is being given to strengthening of existing Zonal Offices and opening of two new Zonal Offices (at Chandigarh and Chennai). Performance/ Achievements (i) Assessment of Pollution: National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP): Operated 571 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) covering 238 cities/ towns. Twenty Six (26) AAQMS added. Operated 15 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in 4 cities. Another 14 CAAQMS were set-up in major cities on 50:50 cost sharing basis. Ambient Dioxin/ Furan monitoring undertaken during pre-Deepawali, Deepawali and post-Deepawali periods at two locations in Delhi. Installed ten (10) Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations (RTWQMS) on river Ganga and Yamuna. National Water Quality Monitoring Programme: Water samples analysed for 9 core and 19 general parameters, and also trace metals at few locations. (a) Operated Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) at 2,500 stations covering 445 rivers, 154 lakes, 12 tanks, 78 ponds, 41 sea water, 45 drains, 10 water treatment plants and 807 wells. (b) Presently the inland water quality-monitoring network is operated under a three-tier programme i.e. Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS), Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources System (MINARS) and Yamuna Action Plan (YAP). Water quality-monitoring program at the river stretch of Interstate Boundaries since 2005: Monitoring is carried out 4 times a year at 82 locations spread over 40 rivers. It was observed that in 26 rivers at 40 locations the water was polluted due to high Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), one of the most important indicators of water quality. The entire stretch of River Ganga from Haridwar to Tarighat has been designated as conforming to category B, which implies that water quality should be fit for bathing, swimming, water contact sports etc. Monitoring during Mahakumbh 2013 at Allahabad: Water quality of River Ganga observed at Sangam, Allahabad during the Mahakumbh improved with respect to color and BOD, indicating organic load on river Ganga had reduced mainly due to (a) measures taken by local Government at different levels; (b) order of the Honble High Court of Allahabad for release of more than 2,500 cusec water from Narora Barrage to Ganga from time to time during Mahakumbh; (c) pre-emptive approach for enforcement followed by the CPCB/ SPCBs in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to restrict industrial discharge into River Ganga through strict vigil over the industrial activities; and (d) before the Mahakumbh period all the distilleries and tanneries in upper reaches of River Ganga were directed to either achieve zero discharge
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or restrict their operations to eliminate any chance of adverse impact. Prepared Status Report of Water Quality in India-2011. National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network(NANMN) Programme: Noise monitoring at 5 stations each in 7 cities (Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai); 35 stations under incorporation. (ii) Industrial Pollution Control: Notified one emission standard for new generator sets (upto 19 KW) run on petrol and kerosene (07.08.2013). Finalised four environmental standards, of which (a) emission limits for new diesel engine (upto 800 kW) for generator set application were notified (11.12.2013); and (b) ash content not exceeding 34% on quarterly average basis in the coal supplied to coal-based thermal power plants were notified (02.12.2013). Inspected one hundred thirty nine (139) industries, with action taken, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Waste Management: Trial run for disposal of waste of Union Carbide is under progress at Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. Guidelines for Management and Handling of Phosphorus waste are under preparation. Inspections of Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs), Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBMWTFs) and Secured Landfill Facilities (SLFs) carried out. Report prepared for Study on Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic Products. Report finalised for Study on Quantification and Characterization of Plastic Waste in 60 major cities in India. Prepared and presented Status Report on implementation of Plastic Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 to the Honble Supreme Court. Uploaded Report on performance study of Plasma Pyrolysis Technology for Disposal of Plastic Waste on CPCBs website. Training, Mass Awareness and Environment Data Bank: Published technical and scientific reports and mass awareness materials. Implemented Raj-Bhasha (Hindi); and organized Hindi Diwas, Workshop and Training Programmes for CPCB officials. Conducted national training programmes on various environmental pollution and prevention areas for the staff of CPCB and SPCBs/ PCCs. Web-enabled Environmental Data Bank has been set up to facilitate online entry and quick retrieval of data on various environmental parameters. Online data entry of air quality under NAMP and water quality under NWMP is being updated on regular basis by SPCBs/PCCs. These data are made available through CPCBs website (http://cpcbedb.nic.in).
(iii)
(iv)
5.2.
Development and Promotion of Clean Technology and Waste Minimisation Strategies (a) Development and Promotion of Clean Technology
Clean Technologies, as distinct from end-of-pipe abatement technologies, minimize generation of waste streams in production processes and utilize waste from other consumption
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goods and production processes, rather than treating the waste after generation. In general, clean technologies are less intensive in use of raw materials and energy than conventional technologies, which rely on pollution abatement after generation. For this reason, they may also offer significant cost advantages to the producer. A grant-in-aid Scheme on Development and Promotion of Clean Technologies was initiated in 1994 with the following objectives: Development & Promotion of Cleaner Technologies. Development of Tools and Techniques for Pollution Prevention. Formulation of Sustainable Development Strategies. Important activities undertaken in 2013-14 included: (i) Demonstration projects. Three cleaner technologies have been developed in collaboration with the research institutions: (i) Derivation of engine fuel from waste plastics and its performance evaluation by Annamalai University; (ii) Development of Fly Ash-based Geopolymer Concrete Pre-cast elements by Annamalai University; and(iii) Effective removal of arsenic from groundwater by Central Salt and Marine Research Institute. 25 demonstration projects continued during the period and their progress was monitored through Monitoring Committees, which held seven meetings, followed by workshops and field visits. 10 projects are likely to be completed in the current year. Seven meetings of the Progress Review Committee were organized on the site to monitor the progress of the projects. Scheme was widely publicized through leading national newspapers as well as Ministry's website to obtain project proposals in a transparent manner. Life Cycle Assessment. Studies in Thermal Power Plants, Steel, Pulp and Paper, Cement and Construction Studies have been completed, while those in Wood and Bamboo Composite Products are likely to be completed soon. Carrying Capacity Studies. Studies of Greater Kochi Region, Doon Valley, Damodar River Basin, Tapi Estuary and National Capital Region (NCR), Natural Resource Accounting Studies for Upper Yamuna Basin have been completed. New studies are in the pipeline. Creation of data base for Clean Technologies. The project on Data Base on the available cleaner technologies" in the country as well as in abroad, evolving a Networking Mechanism of the Research Institutions of the country, Capacity Building in the financial sector and application of fiscal instruments for adoption of clean technologies by the Small Scale Industries are in progress. Ministry has awarded the project to CPCB with 18 months duration. Training programmes for Adoption of Clean Technologies. Three national workshops were organized to disseminate the 3 technologies developed for their adoption and implementation. One awareness workshop was organised by the National Productivity Council on Waste Minimisation Strategies.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
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(b)
Industrial Pollution Abatement through Preventive Strategies (Waste Minimisation)
The policy statement on abatement of pollution of 1992 of the Ministry lays emphasis on preventive aspects of pollution abatement and promotion of technical inputs to reduce industrial pollution. Asimple preventive strategy is waste minimization in production processes aimed at optimizing consumption of raw materials and reducing waste generation by adopting techniques which are cleaner and can be adopted by existing units without changing production processes or unit operations.The objectives of thisScheme are: To assist (but not through procurement of equipment and hardware)primary small units and some medium scale units who do not have access to requisite technical expertise to achieve waste minimization. Establishing and running Waste Minimization Circles (WMCs) in clusters of Small and Medium Industries. Capacity building in Waste Minimization/Cleaner Production through training. Waste Minimization demonstration studies in selected industrial sectors. Preparation of sector specific technical manuals on waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Awareness programs and preparation of compendium of success stories on cleaner production/waste minimization. The following important activities were undertaken in 2013-14: (i) Demonstration projects: Waste minimisation strategies have been developed in the Textile Dyeing Industries, Electroplating Sector, Bulk Drugs (in and around Hyderabad), Vegetable Oils industry (in Andhra Pradesh), and Basic Chrome Manufacturing Unit (at Kanpur). There are 10 on-going projects that would continue in the next financial year. Establishment of WMCs:157 WMCs were established in various cities and towns by 41 WMC Facilitator Organizations Organisation of Training programmes/ Workshops/Seminars: WMC facilitator training programs were held, and 162 organisations were trained. The Evaluation and Monitoring Committee has recommended a project to M/s Ramky Enviro Engineers, New Delhi for organizing 20 training programmes in the CPAs during a two year period. Publications of News letters:NPC has published 27 News letters which have been sent to stakeholders, WMCs, State Boards and policy makers. Developing Awareness Material on Waste Minimization: Compendium of success stories for mass awareness was prepared and brought out through Central/ State level organizations or Consultants.
(ii) (iii)
(iv) (v)
SFC,and Guidelines, of the merged scheme Development and Promotion of Clean Technology and Waste Minimisation Strategies"were finalized. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 55.00 crore, of which 2.79 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 1.56 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. 5.3. Assistance for Abatement of Pollution Scheme Under the Central Plan Scheme Assistance for Abatement of Pollution (which
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includes Policy & Law and Environmental Health Cell) financial assistance has been extended to six SPCBs/ UT PCCs during the current financial year. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 60.00 crore, of which 4.04 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 0.93 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. Major activities undertaken and achievements were: (i) Standards in respect of following category of industries have been evolved and are being finalized for notification: Effluent and Emission Standards for Pulp and Paper Industry; Emission Standards for Cement Plants; Emission Standards for Generators (Diesel); Emission Standards and Noise Norms for Generators (LPG & CNG); and Effluent and Emission Standards for Electroplating Industry. Source-specific environmental standards have been notified for the following industry/process: Effluent and Emission Standards: Copper, Lead or Zinc Smelters, Pesticide Industry, Grain Processing Industry, Integrated Iron and Steel Plants, Electroplating, Anodizing Industry. Effluent Standards: Soda Ash Industry. Emission Standards: Petrochemicals Industry. First phase of National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network has been commissioned in accordance with NEP-2006 during the year, starting from seven cities, namely, Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai by establishing 70 stations to monitor ambient noise on 24 X 7 basis. Monitoring data is available on the website of respective State Pollution Control Board and CPCB.
(ii)
(iii)
5.4.
Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP)
Financial assistance to establishment of CETPs is intended to engender a co-operative movement for pollution control by enabling small-scale industries to set up new and/or upgrade their existing CETPs. The financing pattern consists of 20% promoters contribution, 30% loan from financial institutions, and subsidies in the form of grants to the extent of 25% by the State Government concerned and 25% by Central Government. CETPs main objective is to reduce the treatment cost to be borne by an individual member unit to a minimum while protecting the water environment to a maximum, notably, through wastewater treatment and water conservation. By treating the effluent from clusters of compatible small-scale industries, the burden of various Government authorities working on controlling pollution and monitoring water pollution is also reduced once CETPs are commissioned and implemented. The salient features of revisions of the Scheme introduced with due approval of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and M/o Finance are as follows: (i) (ii) Central subsidy enhanced from 25% to 50% of project cost. All three levels of treatment (primary, secondary and tertiary) covered for assistance. Progressive technologies like Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) will also be considered for assistance, subject to a ceiling.
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(iii) (iv)
Management of a CETP is to be entrusted to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registered under an appropriate statute. Performance guarantee at full design load is to be ensured upfront.
During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 100.00 crore, of which 4.20 crore was spent in 2012-13. During 2013-14, an allocation of 2.70 crore in RE was made for providing financial assistance to on-going CETP projects and for new projects, and assistance was provided to CETPs at Pandesara (Gujarat) and Waluj (Maharashtra). 5.5. Hazardous Substances Management (HSM)
The mandate for planning and overseeing implementation of policies and programs on management of chemical emergencies and hazardous substances entails promoting safe handling, management and use of hazardous substances (hazardous chemicals, hazardous and other wastes), with activities in the following five major thrust areas: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Hazardous Waste Management. E-waste Management. Chemical safety. Municipal Solid Waste Management and Plastic Waste Management. Bio-Medical Waste Management.
It covers Multilateral Environment Agreements/ Conventions, viz. (i) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), (ii) Basel Convention on Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, (iii) Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals & Pesticides in International Trade, and (iv) Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM). Creation of Management Structure for Hazardous Substances A World Bank-assisted Project on Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management is being implemented since 13.10.2010 with the objective of establishing a national programme for remediation and rehabilitation of 10 identified polluted sites in Andhra Pradesh (2 sites) and West Bengal (8 sights) on a pilot basis. Besides, the project enables supporting development of an institutional and methodological framework for rehabilitation of highly polluted abandoned sites and building human and technical capacity in State agencies for taking projects for reducing risks from contamination to nearby population. It also enables supporting measures for public awareness and community education. The total cost of the project is USD 75.39 million (~ 339.26 crore) for a period of 5 years. It is being funded on joint-sharing basis in the ratio of 85:15 between the World Bank (IBRD: 113.45 crore; IDA 175.23 crore) and M/o Environment & Forests ( 3.51 crore) and State Governments of Andhra Pradesh ( 27.45 crore) and West Bengal ( 19.62 crore). In order to take up remediation and rehabilitation works of contaminated sites, 04 studies were awarded and conducted under the preparation phase of the project. These studies have since been completed and are: (i) Need Assessment for Implementation of Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) & Preparation of National Program for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites, by M/s SENES Consultants India Pvt. Ltd., Noida Support to Improved Implementation of MSW Management, by TERI, Delhi
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(ii)
(iii) (iv)
Institutional Gap Assessment for Strengthening of SPCBs by M/s. Planning and Development Collaborative International Inc. (PADCO), Delhi Environmental and Social Assessment of MSW and HWM, by Intercontinental Consultants & Technocrats Pvt. Ltd, Delhi
The World Bank has been reviewing the project, through Supervision Missions which were held between April 4-7, 2011, October 14-28, 2011 and June 18-29, 2012. A mid-term review is to be carried out after 3 years. The Scheme has the following main objectives: (i) (ii) (iii) Creation of Hazardous Substances Management Structure in the States. Chemical Safety - management of chemical accidents. Proper handling and disposal of wastes.
During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 186.00 crore, of which 24.63 crore was spent in 2012-13 and another 2.01 crore during 2013-14 by 31 December 2013. The Budget Estimate (BE) for 2013-14 was 32.00 crore, and RE 1.00 crore in view of cut of overall plan expenditure of the Ministry and progress of the project. It is expected that expenditure on projects from both the States and MoEF would be about 1.00 crore. Major activities undertaken and achievements were: (i) Under the National Programme for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites (NPRPS) Consultancies, three consultancies, viz. (i) Inventory and Mapping of Probably Contaminated Sites in India; (ii) Development of Methodologies for National Programme for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites; and (iii) Development of National Programme for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites, have already been awarded and reports are expected soon. Consultancies have been awarded for detailed re-assessment/ engineering studies and bid document preparation and supervision in Andhra Pradesh PCB and West Bengal PCB. Works under the main component, viz. Investment in Priority Remediation and Environmental Improvements, have started from 2013-14 onwards. TOR for several consultancies, purchase of equipment/ instruments etc. were finalized. Several consultancies were awarded and some equipment procured.
(ii)
(iii) (iv)
Hazardous Waste Management Strategy A National Strategy on Hazardous Wastes Management has been formulated to facilitate effective management of hazardous wastes and implementation of the action plan brought out in NEP, 2006, so as to avoid environmental pollution and adverse health effects due to their improper handling and disposal. These strategies prescribe approaches and action points for regulatory bodies, generators of hazardous waste, recyclers and operators of facilities in order to minimize, recycle, treat and dispose of left over hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner. This strategy will also facilitate fulfilling obligations under the Basel Convention and disposal of hazardous waste, including its minimization, environmentally-sound management and active promotion of cleaner technologies. National Inventory of Hazardous Wastes As per data of CPCB, there are about 40,000 industries in the country generating about 7.66 million MT of hazardous waste every year, of which landfillable waste is 3.39 million MT (44.26%), incinerable 0.65 million MT (8.50%) and Recyclable Hazardous Waste is 3.61
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million MT (47.13%). The Ministry has sponsored a project on GIS-based National Hazardous Waste Information System. It is an online web based system, which can give the status of hazardous waste management in the country. The database is required to be regularly updated by all SPCBs/ PCCs on web to ensure updated status at all times. Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) Common Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) have been developed for disposal of land disposable hazardous waste at 29 different places in 16 States namely, Andhra Pradesh (2), Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Havel (1), Gujarat (8), Haryana (1), Himachal Pradesh (1), Karnataka (1), Kerala (1), Madhya Pradesh (1), Maharashtra (4), Orissa (1), Punjab (1), Rajasthan (1), Tamil Nadu (1), Uttar Pradesh (3), Uttarakhand (1) and West Bengal (1). Total waste handling capacities (disposal capacity) of these facilities is 34.21 million MT. Out of these, 14 facilities in eight States have incinerators with incineration capacity of 0.2 million MT per annum (28.05MT/hr). In 2013, financial assistance has been released to UPPCB for setting up of TSDF at Village Khumbi, Kanpur Dehat. The notification of draft Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2013 has been published for public comments, for which a public notice was issued in leading News papers across the country. Co-incineration of High Calorific Value Hazardous Wastes To promote co-processing/co-incineration of hazardous wastes, the Ministry has approved a project on Trail runs for Co-processing of Hazardous Wastes and other wastes in Cement Plants, Power Plants, Iron and Steel industries for a cost of 5.04 crore. Among the initiatives, funds were released to CPCB for carrying out trial runs for eight category of hazardous waste in 4 plants each ineach industry.In 2013-14, financial assistance was released for a study to evolve ZWM Plan in municipalities of Tamil Nadu. E-waste Management E-Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 have been published to provide guidance to the stakeholders, i.e. Producers, Consumer, Bulk Consumer, Collection Center, Dismantler, Recycler and Regulatory agencies (SPCBs/PCCs)on setting up collection mechanism, dismantling and recycling operations. E-waste recycling based on environmentally-sound recycling principles is permitted under The Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. Guidelines for environmentally sound management (ESM) of e-waste were notified in 2008, which provide a comprehensive framework for e-waste collection, transportation, recycling and disposal. As an outcome of this regulatory intervention, there are seventy seven (77) e-waste recycling facilities which were granted registration by CPCB/SPCBs in 9 States in the country with a total recycling capacity of about 2.4 lakh MTA. Chemical Safety The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules, 1989 and the Chemical Accident (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 are the main instruments for ensuring chemical safety in the country. There are 1,905 Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units in the Country, located in 304 districts. A sub-scheme entitled Industrial Pocket-wise Hazard Analysis has been in operation since the Eight Five Year Plan. The Ministry had initiated preparation of Hazard Analysis and Off-site Emergency Plan for 46 districts earlier. For ensuring chemical safety, the following
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documents have been published and circulated: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Guidelines for Off-site Emergency Plan preparation National Chemical Accident Database National Profile on Major Accident Hazard Installations Handbook titled Dos and Donts of Highly Toxic and Flammable Chemicals
The Ministry hadalso initiated the development of Web-based Emergency Planning and Response System for selected districts of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh State. It has also developed the National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 New Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 have been notified under EPA, 1986 in supersession of the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 and 2003. In the new rules, the minimum thickness for manufacturing plastic carry bags has been increased from 20 micron to 40 micron. Use of plastic material in any form for packing gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms has been banned. No carry bags shall be made available free of cost to consumers by retailers. The municipal authorities are required to determine the minimum price for plastic carry bags in order to encourage their re-use so as to minimize plastic waste generation. Municipal Authority has been made responsible for setting up, operationalisation and coordination of the waste management system and for ensuring safe collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste. To create awareness on the various provisions of these rules, the Ministry provided financial assistance to SPCBs (Assam, Madhya Pradesh,Nagaland, and Sikkim) for conducting training programs on plastic waste management. Training of Trainer (ToT) was also organized for various stakeholders. Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management As per the information received from SPCBs/ PCCs, there are 188 Common BioMedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (CBMWTDFs) in operation and 17 CBMWTDFs under installation. Besides, there are 688 incinerators, 2,710 autoclaves, 179 microwaves, 13 hydroclaves and 4,250 shredders as captive treatment equipments being operated by the individual health care facilities. To create awareness among the persons, who are involved in handling of biomedical waste, the Ministry provided support to some SPCBs for conducting training programmes on various aspect of Bio-medical waste management. The Ministry notified the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules in 1998, as amended (2000, 2003) to ensure that the bio-medical waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and environment. The Rules contain provisions relating to segregation, packaging, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of bio-medical waste. The Rules are applicable to all persons and institutions involved in generation and handling of biomedical waste in any form. As per these Rules, it shall be the duty of every occupier of an institution generating BMW, to take all steps to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and environment. The Prescribed Authority for enforcement of provisions of these Rules is the SPCB/ PCC. The Prescribed Authority for enforcement of provisions in all health care establishments of Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defence is the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services.
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The Ministry notified the draft Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 on 24.08.2011 inviting comments/suggestions from the public. These have been compiled and analyzed in consultation with various stakeholders such as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, SPCBs/PCCs, representatives of Health Care Establishments, operators of common biomedical waste treatment and storage facilitates and civil societies. The draft Rules are being finalized and will be notified to supercede the 1998 Rules. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management The Ministry has notified the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 for effective management of MSW management. The Rules,inter alia, provide for criteria and procedure for MSW management by the municipal authority in the respective area of its municipality. The Rules apply to every municipal authority, which are responsible for collection, segregation, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of MSW. A notification of the draft Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2013 have been notified by the Ministry inviting objections and suggestions from the public. The comments received are being analysed. The Rules will be finalised after a considered analsis and will be notified to supercede the 2000 Rules. Remediation of Contaminated Hazardous Waste Dump Sites This Ministry has simultaneously initiated a project for Remediation of contaminated Hazardous Waste Dump Sites under the National Clean Energy Fund. Twelve contaminated areas have been identified as priority sites in the country. This supplements the work being taken under the World Bank project.
VI.
6.1.
Conservation of Water Bodies

National River Conservation Directorate
The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) functioning under the Ministry administers two Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA). National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) The main objective of NRCP, which includes National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), is to supplement the efforts of State Governments for improving water quality of polluted stretches of rivers by preventing pollution loads reaching the rivers by undertaking various pollution abatement works. The works include (i) interception and diversion works to capture the raw sewage flowing into the river through open drains and divert them for treatment, (ii) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for treating the diverted sewage, (iii) low cost sanitation works to prevent open defecation on river banks, (iv) electric and improved woodbased crematoria to conserve use of wood and help in ensuring proper cremation of bodies brought to burning ghats, (v) river front development such as improvement of bathing ghats, and (vi) other minor miscellaneous works such as afforestation etc. The NGRBA was established in 2009 under the chairpersonship of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to take up the Mission Clean Ganga under a comprehensive basin-based approach. It has been mandated as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for strengthening the collective efforts of the Central and State Governments for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of River Ganga.
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The works programme of NGRBA has been divided into two broad components: Externally Aided Projects (EAP) and Non-Externally Aided Projects (Non-EAP) i.e. from Government's own resources. The EAP component is presently comprised of World Bank aided projects and JICA assisted program in Varanasi. The World Bank has also joined hands with the Government of India since August 2011 by extending loan assistance of US $ 1 billion (IDA: $199 m, IBRD: $ 801 m) (about 4,600 crore) for the NGRBA Project having a duration of 8 years. Under NGRBA, while the comprehensive basin management plan being prepared will form the basis for project formulation, work on initial portfolio of priority schemes has been initiated. A Standing Committee of NGRBA has been constituted, headed by the Union Finance Minister to meet more frequently and review implementation.An empowered Steering Committee headed by Secretary (Environment & Forests) has been set up for fast track clearance of projects on the lines of JNNURM. Major activities and achievements in 2013 were as follows: (i) Three institutional development projects ( 188.55 crore) and 8 investment projects in 4 towns in Ganga States ( 948.13 crore) have been sanctioned. These include projects in Uttarakband ( 95.60 crore), Uttar Pradesh ( 248.95 crore), Bihar ( 504.22 crore) and Jharkhand ( 99.36 crore) for laying of sewerage networks, treatment plants, pumping stations, electric crematoria, community toilets, development of river fronts, etc. A treatment capacity of 95.90 MLD shall be created on completion of sanctioned sewerage projects. Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) has appraised 6 investment projects (l,682.06 crore), which aim to create treatment capacity of 51.50 MLD. 275.03 crore has been released by the Centre and States during calendar year 2013, against which expenditure incurred is 246.89 crore for implementation of 4 institutional (one ongoing and 3 new) and 61 investment (53 ongoing and 8 new) projects. Inspection of Indnstries: 764 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPls) have been identified. NGRBA Cell of CPCB has completed one round of inspection of 337 industries and directions under Section 5 of EPA, 1986 have been issued to 112 GPIs. Setting up of Ganga Knowledge Centre has been initiated, which includes recruitment of 2 Staff and 4 Research Officers, purchase of hardware and GIS software, and data, development of library and database, research collaboration and short-term consultancies, etc. In order to have a scientifically validated view,NGRB Management Plan is under preparation through a consortium of IITs, which will further strengthen the programme. 18 draft reports have heen submitted by the consortium during 2013, which cover review, analysis, assessment, mapping, overview, etc. of completed and ongoing sewerage projects, hydropower projects, industries, agriculture and agriculture practices, applicable legislation, river pollution by urban sewage etc. in Ganga basin and review of international case studies. For conservation of bio-diversity of River Ganga including Dolphins, a project titled "Educating Schools and Communities for sustainable actions for conserving habitat of Ganga River Dolphin" has been initiated in consultation and collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry.
(ii) (iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
Presently, NRCP (including NGRBA) is under implementation in 195 towns along polluted stretches of 42 rivers spread over 20 States, at a sanctioned cost of 9,852.51 crore
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on 70:30 funding pattern. Sewage Treatment Capacity of 188 mld. was targeted to be created during 2013-14 (combined for both NRCP and NGRBA), against which 53 mld has been created so far and balance will be created by March 2014. The STPs are normally commissioned within three years of sanction. They would treat raw sewage to the prescribed discharge standards and at an average capacity utilization of more than 70% on an annual basis. In the area of policy and regulatory measures, the problem of pollution in major rivers has been engaging the attention of Government. Concerted and focused efforts are required to achieve the goal of restoration of the water quality of rivers, lakes and Wetlands to acceptable standards. This task requires involvement of all stakeholders including Central and State Governments and general public at large. Government is evolving a strategy for a holistic approach, involving infrastructure development and redesigning of institutional arrangements. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA) Earlier, for conservation of lakes and wetlands, two separate Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely, National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) were under implementation. To avoid overlap, promote better synergies and to ensure conservation/ management works for lakes and wetland, these schemes have been merged into a new scheme NPCA in February 2013. The main objective of NPCA is conserving aquatic ecosystems through implementation of sustainable conservation plans, governed by uniform policy and guidelinesin the Twelfth Plan period on 70:30 funding pattern. NWCP was initiated in 1987 with the following objectives: (a) to lay down policy guidelines for conservation and management of wetlands in the country; (b) to provide financial assistance for undertaking intensive conservation measures in the identified wetlands; (c) to monitor implementation of the Programme; and (d) to prepare an inventory of Indian wetlands. Under NLCP, works for conservation of 61 lakes in 14 States have been taken up at a sanctioned cost of 1,030.20 crore. Under NWCP, an amount of 132.65 crore has been released to the State Governments for conservation of 80 identified wetlands. Under NPCA, in 2013-14, conservation/ rejuvenation works in 4 lakes, sanctioning of MAPs of 26 identified wetlands, and release of grant for 4 ongoing R&D wetland Projects has been envisaged.Projects for conservation of 4 lakes in Karnataka, which are to be completed in the current financial year, are under implementation.
VII. Regeneration and Eco-development

7.1. National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) NAEB is involved in the operation of the following three major Schemes: (i) (ii) (iii) 7.2. National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme. NAEB Scheme. Eco Development Forces (EDF) Scheme.
National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme
It is the flagship scheme of NAEB, as it provides physical and capacity building support to the Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) which in turn are the main organs to move forward institutionalisation of Joint Forest Management (JFM). The FDA has been
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conceived and established as a federation of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at the Forest Division level to undertake holistic development in forestry sector with people's participation. From 2010-11, State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) has been constituted at State level to smoothen the fund flow to FDAs. This decentralised three-tier institutional structure (SFDA, FDA and JFMC) allows greater participation of the community, in planning and implementation, to improve forests and livelihoods of the people living in and around forest areas, besides significantly empowering the local people to participate in the decision making process. The village is reckoned as a unit of planning and implementation and all activities under the programme are conceptualised at village level. Under Entry Point Activities, community assets are created with a 'care and share' concept. As on 31.3.2013, 800 FDA projects were operationalised (4,475.70 crore) to treat a total area of 1.94 mha. Rehabilitation of shifting cultivation (Jhum) areas was given specific focus under the progaramme, and 33 Jhum projects were sanctioned, 32 in NE States and one in Odisha. State Governments and FDAs have also been advised and encouraged to take up suitable project areas for plantation of bamboo and medicinal plants under this programme. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 2,500.00 crore, of which 193.37 crore was spent in 2012-13. During 2013-14(up to 31.12.2013), 26 SFDA projects have been approved. Against an annual target of 75,000 ha, actual coverage is already 82,000 ha. Approved outlay of 2013-14 is 257.62 crore out of which 257.62 crore had been released. Implementation of NAP is supported by sound Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) mechanisms. Two percent of the project cost is earmarked for M&E by FDAs. In addition, independent evaluations are commissioned directly by NAEB. The State-level Steering Committee (SLSC) under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary and National-level Steering Committee (NLSC) monitor the programme at their respective levels. With a view to improve the delivery of the scheme and further decentralize its administration, the Ministry has taken up some modifications in the guidelines, which include among others, modification of institutional arrangements and fund flow mechanism, harmonization of cost norms in respect of certain components, viz. Soil and Moisture Conservation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Micro planning, overheads and addition of two new components, viz. Training and Capacity Building and Value Addition and Marketing of Forest Produce. 7.3. NAEB Scheme
The major components of the Scheme are (i) Grants-in-Aid for Greening India Scheme,(ii) Support to Regional Centres, (iii) Monitoring Evaluation, and (iv) Communication. In terms of outcomes, usually, 5 years after sanction, new plantations would, for each bio-geographic region, show the prescribed survival rates. 6 years to 12 years after sanction, depending on the species, the new plantations would be revealed as either new area under Forest/Tree Cover or enrichment of forest cover in Satellite Imagery. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 135.00 crore, of which 10.11 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 7.02 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). Seven Regional Centres were supported for carrying out research and extension works. Concurrent evaluation of 34 FDA projects assigned to Regional Centres was carried out. 7.4. Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme
EDF Scheme was initiated by Ministry of Defence in 1982 with a view to securing involvement of ex-servicemen in afforestation and eco-development in remote and difficult areas to undertake restoration of degraded ecosystems through afforestation, soil conservation
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and water resource management.It also serves as a mechanism to rehabilitate ex-servicemen for productive work and create employment for retired army personnel mainly in rural areas.At present six ETF battalions are being supported under the Scheme in Assam (2), Jammu & Kashmir (1), Rajasthan (1),Uttarakhand (1), and Shivaliks (1).All ETF Battalions have undertaken works like raising nursery, plantation and protection measures to protect the plantation area, and constructed stone dams for soil and moisture conservation works. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 145.00 crore, of which 20.60 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 20.60 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013-14, all 6 ETFs were supported. Financial assistance was also provided for preparation of Eco-Tableau for Prime Ministers Territorial Army Day Parade 2013. 7.5. Green India Mission (GIM)
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlines the strategy and approach to be adopted to meet the challenge of the impact of climate change in India. It includes institutionalization of eight National Missions including, inter alia, a National Mission for a Green India or the Green India Mission (GIM). The Ministry had drafted a comprehensive GIM document through a consultative process involving relevant stakeholders, aimed at (a) increased forest/tree cover on 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands and improved quality of forest cover on another 5 mha (a total of 10mha); (b) improved ecosystem services including biodiversity, hydrological services and carbon sequestration as a result of treatment of 10mha; (c) increased forest-based livelihood income of about 3 million households living in and around forests; and (d) enhanced annual CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnes in the year 2022.GIM envisages a holistic view of greening and creating new forest cover using a landscape approach in which the interventions at a scale of 4,000 to 6,000 ha is done at a time which is prioritized based on criteria including climate vulnerability to achieve integrated actions on a scale, and focuses on multiple ecosystem services, especially, biodiversity, water, biomass, etc., with carbon sequestration as a co-benefit.Forest and non-forest areas are simultaneously treated and the drivers of degradation are effectively addressed. It was approved by the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change on 22.02.2011. The local communities will play a key role in project governance and implementationwith a bottom-up participatory approach. It brings primacy to Gram Sabha as an overarching institution to oversee Mission implementation at village level. Committees set up by the Gram Sabha, including revamped JFMCs, CFM groups, Van Panchayats, Committees set up under Forest Rights Act, Biodiversity Management Committees etc., will be strengthened as the primary institutions on the ground for nested decentralized forest governance in rural areas. It will invest in development of a cadre of community foresters from amongst educated community youth, who will facilitate planning, implementation and monitoring of activities at local level, thereby providing skilled employment opportunity to about one lakh youths. Several cross activities have been incorporated. To effectively address the livelihood enhancement, a provision of 15-20 lakh for each village is envisaged. The wildlife corridors will be indentified and an array of stakeholderswould serve to maintain the cover and also seek rapid agency response in case of crop raiding. The Mission also strives to support the community conserved area and protecting areas/catchments of hydrological importance. In addition to on-ground self-monitoring by multiple agencies and communities and audit by Government bodies, the Mission will support use of Geomatics (remote sensing with
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GPS mapping of boundaries) for monitoring at output/outcome level. Pilot areas will be intensively monitored to assess the impact and efficacy of various old and new practices, in tandem by implementing agency, Forest Department, and a support organization. The Mission will require that the Gram Sabha also carries out a social audit of all expenses incurred by the Committees constituted by it,with placing of these reports in public domain. EFC meeting held on 01.10.2013 has considered and recommended implementation of the scheme with a proposed expenditure of 13,000 crore, consisting of additional funding of 2,400 crore and convergence of 10,600 crore with other Schemes including MGNREGS and NAP during XIIPlan, and with an overlap of one year in XIII Plan. It provides funding of 2,000 crore under XII Plan outlay, along with 400 crore from XIII Finance Commission Grants towards States share, for supporting a total of 1,130 landscapes. The draft CCEA Note for the proposed National Mission for Green India Scheme is under consideration.
VIII. Research
8.1. Environmental Research
8.1.1. Research and Development Scheme: The Ministry funds research through Grant-in-Aid projects in identified thrust areas to universities, colleges recognised by UGC, institutions of CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, ICSSR and recognised non-governmental scientific organisations in environment protection and management. Guidelines for Support to Environmental Research were brought out in 2012.New initiatives to strengthen scientific research in environmental sciences have been taken, which include Fellowships and Awards in fields like biodiversity, ecology and environment. The objectives of the scheme are to: (i) Generate information and knowledge required for developing strategies, techniques and methodologies for better environmental management. (ii) Find practical solutions to problems of environment protection and management (eg. eco-regeneration of degraded areas, management of plastic wastes, bioremediation of contaminated sites, etc.). (iii) Build endogenous capacities and strengthen scientific manpower in multidisciplinary and emerging areas of environment and ecology. (iv) Promote development of infrastructure facilities, where necessary, for undertaking Environmental Research. (v) Generate, document and analyze information for taking policy decisions relating to environment and natural resources, including preparedness for international negotiations. (vi) Support basic research which leads to applied research in environment and ecology with the aim of development of management and policy interventions. (vii) Facilitate database management at one single point in the Ministry. (viii) Nurture trained scientific manpower and recognize established scientists through National Fellowship programmes, Chairs, National Environmental Sciences Fellows Programme and Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme. Environmental Research Programme (EnvRP) It deals with Brown Issues related to pollution, climate change, hazardous waste management, agro-chemicals, waste minimization and reuse, carrying capacity studies, development of eco-friendly and cleaner technologies providing scientific inputs to address
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policy problems relating to environmental pollution control and management, ecological restoration and bioremediation, environmental health and toxicology. Ecosystems Research Programme (EcRP) It deals with Green issues related to ecology, conservation of natural resources, Eastern and Western Ghats, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, Mountain ecosystems, tropical rainforests, wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs, biosphere reserves, biodiversity and the study of inter-relationships between man and environment and seeks to generate scientific knowledge needed to manage natural resources wisely. Research Programme in Socio-Economic issues of Environment (RPSE) It supports research on environmental and ecological economics, socio-economic issues arising out of extant and contemplated legislation(s), tribal, rural, urban issues vis-a-vis legislation, role of gram panchayats and civil society in implementation of such legislation. National Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (NEPTRI) The Detailed Project Report for establishment of NEPTRI as joint venture between the Ministry and State Government of Andhra Pradesh has been approved by the Ministry. The processing of SFC Memo for upgradation of Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) to NEPTRI is underway. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 37.00 crore, of which 4.21 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 2.61 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). New initiatives proposed to be taken up during XII Plan under the R&D Scheme include (a) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme in Environment and Ecology; (b) Chair in the name of an eminent scientist in frontier areas of environment and ecology; and (c) launching of online tracking and monitoring system for new research projects and database of research projects. In 201314 (as on 31.12.2013), major activities and achievements included: (a) initiation of 12 ne projects; (b) servicing of 95 on-going projects; (c) review of 90 on-going projects; (d) preparation of Executive Summary of 20 completed Projects; (e) recommendation of 3 for award of National Environment Sciences Fellowship; (f) approved continuation of incumbent Mahatma Gandhi Chair for Ecology & Environment in 2013-14; (g) constituted Expert Committee Post Doctoral Fellowship programme; (h) issued revised guidelines for the Pitambar Pant and B.P. Pal National Fellowship Awards; and (i) established the new Chair in the name of an eminent scientistas the Dr. T.N. Khoshoo Chair. 8.1.2. National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS) NNRMS Scheme is a part of an Umbrella Scheme of the Planning Commission called the Planning Committee National Natural Resources Management System (PC-NNRMS), which involves utilisation of remote sensing technology for accurate inventory of resources such as land, water, forests, minerals, oceans, etc. and to utilise this information for monitoring changes in an ecological system. A Standing Committee on Bioresources and Environment (SC-B) has been constituted by the Planning Commission under the Chairmanship of Secy. (E&F) for: (a) optimal utilisation of natural resources by a proper and systematic inventory of resource availability; (b) reducing regional imbalances by effective planning and in tune with their environmental efforts; and (c) maintaining the ecological balance with a view to evolve and implement the environmental guidelines. SC-B has met 27 times, and approved support for about 120 projects addressing key environmental and ecological issues. Out of these, 98 projects have been completed.Potential
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user agencies for utilizing the outcome/ information generated in the completed projects include Central Government Departments/Agencies, this Ministry and bodies under its administrative purview such as FSI, ZSI, and BSI.Some mega projects undertaken and completed under this programme include: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Country-wide Forest Type Mapping on 1:50,000 scale (coordinated by FSI). Mapping of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks on 1:25,000 scale (coordinated by WII). Coastal Studies (Land use, Mangroves, Coral Reefs, etc.) for Indian Coast (1:25,000 scale). Snow and Glaciers mapping of the Himalayas (1:250,000/50,000 scale) [coordinated by SAC (ISRO)]. National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (1:50,000 scale) [coordinated by SAC (ISRO)]. National Wetland Information System and National Coastal Zone Information System in GIS Platform has been developed and is being extensively used in the implementation of Wetland and CRZ notification. SC-B has constituted a Technical and Financial Sub-Committee to scrutinise/review all proposals before these are considered by SC-B. The Committee also oversees and monitors the progress of 29 on-going sanctioned projects funded under NNRMS programme of the Ministry.
(vii)
Performance/ Achievements During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 26.00 crore, of which 4.71 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 0.91 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), major activities and achievements included: (i) Two Meetings of Technical and Financial SubCommittee of SC-B held, which considered 58 new/ revised projects and accepted 11 Final Technical Report (FTR) of the completed projects. One Meeting of SC-B held, which approved 5 projects for funding. 4 new research projects initiated; 11 research projects completed, and outcomes of some published and disseminated among scientific community as well as displayed on the Ministrys web-site. Released on the occasion of the World Environment Day on 05.06.2013, a book on Coastal Zones of India and two Atlases:(a) National Wetlands Atlas: High Altitude Lakes of India, and (b) National Wetlands Atlas: Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention, which have been brought out by SAC (ISRO).
(ii) (iii)
(iv)
8.1.3. G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) GBPIHED, established in August 1988 as an autonomous Institute with the aim of achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), has its Headquarters at Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand)and four Regional Units [Mohal-Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Srinagar-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Pangthang (Sikkim), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh)]. The Institute designs and implements R&D activities on priority environmental problems; develops and demonstrates best practices; and delivers technology packages for improved livelihood options for the people of IHR. The R&D programmes are drawn through frequent consultations with a variety of stakeholders
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across IHR. All activities are need-based, target-oriented, and time-bound.Research, demonstration, and dissemination are underlying elements of all project activities geared towards development of environment-friendly technology packages. In addition GBPIHED also provides guidance ontheir policy implications. Performance/ Achievements During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 49.95 crore, of which 11.40 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 11.44 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), major activities and achievements included: (i) Implementation of transboundary project Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative: Developing a Transboundary Framework for Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Greater Mt. Kailash Region of China, India, and Nepal Capacity building through participatory action conducted by Research and Training Centers (RTCs) at Triyuginarayan and Kosi on various rural technologies either introduced or developed by the Institutein the field of offseason vegetable cultivation and bioprospecting of wild bioresources. Drafted Arunachal Ecotorism Policy jointly with the State Government. Consultative meetings/ workshops organised on occasion of Silver Jubilee year; celebrated important days such as International Biological Diversity Day (May 22), Environment Day (June 5), Annual Day (September 10), Wildlife Week (October 1-7), Mountain Day (December 12), etc. Plantation of some multipurpose trees carried out (19 August, 2013) as part of project to strengthen collaboration between different group of stakeholders for greening the ITBP campus at Kosi. National Workshop-cum-Brainstorming organized towards developing policies and plans for Himalayan environment and development (Almora;8-9 September, 2013) and at INSA (New Delhi;19-20 December 2013). Research and Development: (i) Watershed Processes and Management (WPM) & Knowledge Products and Capacity Building (KCB): 7 basic projects are underway: Long term project to address the ecological, social and policy implications of changing water resource scenario in IHR. Towards strengthening food and nutritional security in IHR, detail documentation of food crops and cropping patterns was done. To delineate the deformation field in IHR, operation of permanent and campaign mode GPS stations initiated. After field campaign, data collected from 7 stations were recorded and indexed, and processed data for baseline using GAMIT/GLOBK. Monitoring of snow and glaciers continued, with field verification (Dhauliganga and Goriganga valleys). Runoff and sediment load of Gangotri Glacier systems is being estimated. To mitigate climate change impact on village ecosystem of north-west Himalaya, detail documentation on (a) farmer's perception and response to climate variability; (b) impact on various food production systems (agriculture, animal husbandry, etc.), village ecosystem (forests, wild
(ii)
(iii) (iv)
(v)
(vi)
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(ii)
(iii)
bioresources and water resources); and (c) local evidences of climate variability/change as well as factors responsible for change and major future climate change risk as perceived by villagers, have been carried out. Community based adaptation particularly in agriculture and livestock sectors with regard to climate change were documented and analysed. The cost-benefit analysis of adaptation is being worked out. Socio Economic Development (SED) & Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM): Detailed analysis of tourist inflow in IHR carried out for developing ecotourism as a tool for biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood. Examined/ analysed heavy metal contamination of vegetables and their risk to Human Health in Himachal Pradesh. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of hydropower projects in IHR focused on Sutlej basin catchments. Generated baseline data on several physico-chemical parameters of soil and water in and around HEPs of Satlaj basin, and analysed ionic components and transition metals chemically analysed through Ion Chromatography in water samples. To understand the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystem of IHR and to cope up with changing situation, 4 representative forest communities (viz., Shorea robusta, Pinus roxburghii, Quercus leucotrichophora and Quercus floribunda) selected to carry out studies on different structural and functional parameters, particularly phonological observations. Also, community perception on climate change impacts and adaptation measures was recorded and is being analysed. Remote Sensing and GIS technology were used for inventorization and monitoring of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (approximately 7,770 km2), Himachal Pradesh of which core zone (36.02%), buffer zone (49.46%) and transition zone (14.52%) is categorised. Biodiversity Conservation and Management (BCM) & Biotechnological Applications (BTA): Towards understanding biodiversity patterns and processes under changing resource use and climate scenario, various studies undertaken, including: (a) participatory identification and selection of traditional crops for long term studies in Uttarakhand Himalaya, (b) qualitative assessment and economic valuation of floristic diversity in Kanawar wildlife sanctuary, (c) socio-economic/resource survey in south-west Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, and (d) dependency of household on biodiversity at West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh. Towards documenting sacred groves and their role in ecosystem services, detailed assessment of 17 sites was made, of which five (Hidimba Mata, Kalinag, Jamadagni Rishi, Bhirghu Rishi, and Sangchul Rishi) were taken up for detail study. Recognizing the dimensions of a "pollination crisis" and its linkages to biodiversity and human livelihoods, a detail study on pollination conservation and management were conducted through UNEP/GEF/FAO project in three sites (Uttarakhand; Himachal Pradesh; Sikkim). Application of biotechnological and physiological approaches for biodiversity conservation and its sustainable utilization initiated.
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(iv)
Developed seed germination protocols of high value medicinal plants. Micropropagation method developed for R. nevieum (State tree of Sikkim) from the cotyledonary nodal segments of 7-week-old seedlings, and more than 200 tissue culture raised plants were transferred to pots containing peat moss and garden soil for hardening. Physiological studies carried out on imposition of drought stress in potted Panicum miliaceum plants. Towards investigating ecological resilience of extremophiles from Himalaya, initiatives were undertaken on their phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Leaf and rhizome extracts from a medicinal herb (Berginia ligulata) analyzed for biochemical constituents. Application of R & D Outputs in Demonstration and Dissemination: Under Integrated Eco-development Research Programme (IERP), funds for 32 ongoing/completed projects were released, of which 11 were completed whose FTRs were sent to various Government/user agencies. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre on Himalayan Ecology regularly collected and updated parametric information from district information centres, universities, research centers, government institutions, NGOs and experts/individuals.62 Abstracts were published. Institute has strengthened the facilities of physico-chemical, biological, heavy metal analysis of drinking, raw, waste water and quantification of volatile compounds of soil and plant samples. Assessment of resource availability of potential wild edibles along with its value addition and cost benefit analysis of product developed for income generation were undertaken. Exhibition of wild edible products, regional and village level business workshops were organized bi-annually and annually. Awareness generation done through print/ electronic media. About 23 ha of village common degraded land were developed under 7 prototypes (2 MPTs and 5 Horticulture models) in three village clusters of Tehri Garhwal districts. In addition, fodder bank model was developed on the 5 ha degraded wasteland in Maikhanda village in Rudraprayag district. Agrotechniques developed for 26 commercially viable medicinal plants were disseminated/ demonstrated to stakeholders.
8.2.
Forestry Research
8.2.1. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun ICFRE, an apex body in national forestry research system, has been undertaking holistic development of forestry research through need based planning, promoting, conducting and coordinating research, education and extension covering all aspects of forestry, with the following objectives: (i) (ii) (iii) Undertake, aid, promote and coordinate forestry education, research and applications thereof. Develop and maintain a National Library and Information Centre for forestry and allied sciences. Act as a clearing-house for research and general information related to forests and wildlife.
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(iv) (v) (vi)
Develop forestry extension programmes and propagate the same through mass media, audio-visual aids and extension machinery. Provide consultancy services in the field of forestry research, education and allied sciences. Undertake other jobs considered necessary to attain these objectives.
Performance/ Achievements During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 395.58 crore, of which 110.25 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 105.16 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), major activities and achievements included: (i) XIV Research Policy Committee Meeting (RPC) held on 30-31 May 2013, approved 76 new proposals ( 6.3123 crore) in four Research Thrust Areas. (ii) 4th Meeting of National Steering Committee (NSC) of Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM) Project held 4-5 April 2013, at Hyderabad, with NSC, World Bank, UNDP, FAO, SLEM-TFO members, Project partners SPACC and CARE, Soil and Land Use Survey (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Forest Biodiversity, Desertification Cell (MoEF) and NGOs. (iii) Seminar organised on 17 June 2013 to commemorate World Day to Combat Desertification, and two flyers titled Rain water Harvesting and Augmentation of Water Resources for Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management and 'Rejuvenation of Gharats (Water Mills) for Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management in Uttarakhand were released. (iv) Executed the consultancy awarded by the State Government of Karnataka for preparing Reclamation and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan for 166 mines in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts. R&R Plans for 71 Mines of Category A and B (based on illegalities) prepared and submitted to the Honble Supreme Court of India through the Government of Karnataka. Out of these, 67 R&R plans have been approved by its Central Empowered Committee (CEC). (v) ICFRE: Vision 2040 prepared by ICFRE, which addresses Food Security and Livelihood Support, Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Security, Forest Genetic Resource Management for Improving Productivity and Climate Change, its impact and mitigation strategies. (vi) Published a book on Forest Types of India Revisited as a baseline for monitoring climatic changes in the forests of the country. (vii) Published a booklet titled "Forestry Research ICFRE: Supporting Rural & Tribal Livelihoods" containing significant ICFRE research highlights, viz. recent technologies, products, procedures and extension strategies. (viii) Revisited its thrust areas to make research people-centric, primarily focusing on the livelihoods of the rural tribal population, along with a focus on food and water security. Six thrust areas and 43 themes were identified. (ix) A new innovative scheme, Direct to Consumer, for quick transfer of technologies to consumers/stakeholders on completion of research projects was launched. Seventeen projects from ICFRE were identified for extension. Technology developed by FRI for Reshaping of exudates gums was transferred to M/s Anand Gond Udyog, Nagpur on a license fee of 1.4 lakh. (x) Prepared HRD Plan for Capacity Building of Scientific Personnel for XII Plan.
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(xi)
(xii)
Networking of Van Vigyan Kendras (VVKs) with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of ICARis in process.Activities including publication of literature, training and exposition, etc. have been undertaken in VVKs, and also in collaboration with KVKs. To encourage young Forestry Researchers from SAARC countries, 10 Fellowships were announced. Creation of SAARC research network proposed to be hosted by ICFRE by SAARC Secretariat.
ICFRE has four Advanced Research Centres: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation (CSFER), Allahabad Advanced Research Centre for Bamboo and Rattans (ARCBR), Aizawl. Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resource Development (CFRHRD), Chhindwara Forest Research Centre (FRC), Hyderabad, which has been upgraded to Institute level and renamed as Institute of Forest Biodiversity with a mandate to focus on the biodiversity of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Eastern Ghats.
In 2013, the major achievements of ICFREs eight Regional Research Institutes were:
Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun
(i)
FRI, Dehradun has filed a patent on A process for obtaining phyto ecdysteroids from weeds of amaranthace for the synchronized maturation of mulberry silkworm vide Indian Patent application No. 1401/DEL/2013. (ii) Two Field Germplasm Banks of important indigenous fodder tree species i.e. of Grewia optiva at Dudhli, Lachhiwala, Dehradun, and of Quercus leucotrichophora at Magra Forest Division, Musssorie, were established. (iii) Natural Dyes were extracted from Pinus roxburghii and Mallotus philippensis under different medium. Dyes were also extracted from the culture of Fusarium monaliform obtained from NTCC, FRI by using distilled water as solvent and Pycnoporous sanguinius collected from field. (iv) Biological control of Eucalyptus gall wasp in Punjab: Work was started and the parasitoid which was reared on eucalyptus galls was released in Hoshiarpur. (v) Hispine bamboo borer-Estigmena chinensis: Attack of Estigmena chinensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its intensity on different bamboo species were observed in the field. Eight green standing bamboo species were recorded to be damaged by it for the first time. (vi) Screening of salt-tolerant forest species especially for northern India was done. Effect of using brackish water for seed germination and survival of tree species was studied and brackish water tolerant species were screened based on their performance in the field. (vii) Taxonomic studies of insects: National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC) at FRI holds more than 18,000 identified species of forest insects andthis collection is being enriched by identifying the unidentified collection of parasitic Hymenoptera and new collection of Thysanoptera. Two new species were described from Dehradun. (viii) Interaction between Pseudomonas fluorescens and AM Fungi on Dendrocalamus strictus: In vitro interactions between pathogens of poplar was conducted using Dual Culture method. (ix) Development of molecular diagnostic kits for identification and early detection
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of nursery and plantation pathogens of Eucalyptus: From diseased eucalyptus samples, isolation of associated fungal species was made. (x) Field trials of superior 30 clones of Populus deltoides (poplar) at 8 sites are being monitored and maintained.Nursery of 30 clones is being maintained. Germplasm bank of 350 clones of this species in form of stool bed is also being maintained. The germplasm maintained has been augmented to establish national germplasm bank of this species under the Forest Genetic Resources Management Network programme of ICFRE. (xi) Developed low-cost technology for preparing handmade paper with good strength from Pine needle pulp and Jute fibres from recycled waste gunny bags. (xii) Organised a five-day Training-cum-Workshop on Essential Oils, Perfumery & Aromatherapy in collaboration with Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj. (xiii) Organized a five-day specialized training on Bamboo/ ringal handicrafts under National Bamboo Mission/ BTSG-ICFRE for farmers/ artisans of Uttarakhand from 24-28 June 2013. (xiv) Organized "Asia pacific workshop on forests hydrology water and forestsbeyond traditional forest hydrology" from 23-25 September 2013. (xv) Provided Consultancy Services on conservation of heritage sites to: (a) APSARA Authority, Cambodia, and ASI for conservation of trees at Ta Prohm temple, Cambodia; (b) Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee for maintenanace and conservation of Bodhivriksha at Bodhgaya; and (c) Kurukshetra Development Board for the conservation of Vatvriksha at Jyotisar, Kurukshetra.
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore
(i) (ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v) (vi)
Products developed (Hy-Act, Tree PAL(H) and Tree rich biobooster pellets)were positively evaluated for efficacy against pest anddiseases. Hy-Act and Tree PAL(H) was sprayed at the interval of 15days at early stage on commercial crop plants, with positive results. According to farmers report, it was found that Tree rich biobooster efficiently enhanced the growth oftested plant species. Research on effect of coir pith-based organic biocomposts with bioinoculants(Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) on growth performance of Casuarnia equisetifolia seedlings in nursery was observed. The Institute has established a Mother Bed Chamber Facility in an area of 180 sq. mt for vegetative multiplication of Eucalyptus, Casuarina Ailanthus, Melia, Bamboos, Thespesia and Acacia, which is useful for mass multiplication of superior clones developed by the Institute. A National workshop on "Eucalyptus Gall Wasp - Present Status and Future Strategies" was arranged on 10 June 2013 at Coimbatore. Organised a five-day refresher training programme for IFS officers on "Forest Genetic Resource Management" at IFGTB from 16-20 September 2013.
Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru
(i)
Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. eurograndis and Acacia hybrid clones were studied for various anatomical, physical and mechanical properties. Studies on wood working qualities carried out to evaluate their suitability as alternate material to
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(ii)
(iii) (iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
the wooden handicrafts. Few prototypes were made with the help of artisans. A microprocessor controlled vacuum oven for thermal modification of wood under different inert environments was designed and got fabricated. One computer and LVDT-based swellometer equipment was also designed and installed for measuring the swelling profile of wood samples in real-time to evaluate their dimensional stability. Heat treatments of wood were carried out and various physical and mechanical properties and durability against termite and fungi were studied. Heat treated wooden planks have shown improved dimensional stability, water resistivity, darker pleasant colour and enhanced durability and were demonstrated for usage as flooring tiles. Survey of sandal tree bearing areas of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Acacia auriculaeformis logs of two different age groups of known year plantation were converted into planks for air seasoning. Assembly of joint and curing of adhesives work done. Test panels of different materials immersed at test sites at Kakinada and Narsapur ports for making observations on settling behavior of different fouling organisms. Exhibited the technologies at the Vendor Development and Technology Show organized jointly by Peenya Industries Association and State Government of Karnataka from 6-8 June 2013. Conducted Workshop on Recent Advances in Biofuels in collaboration with Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board (KSBDB) and Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) from 22-23 November 2013.
Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
Study on carbon sequestration conducted in 139 forest blocks in Jodhpur. Bruchidius bilineatopygus identified as major pest on Prosopis cineraria seeds. Study on three litter decomposing fungi for rapid composting process. Germplasm of C.Wightii, a threatened medicinal plant, collected for ex situ conservation from identified 117 CPPs. Guidelines for seed germination in nursery bed and vegetative propagation have been developed of C. Wightii. (v) To develop a methodology for enhanced/non-destructive gum production, Ethephon (a plant growth regulator) injection based method is worked upon in aridconditions and method gave very encouraging results. (vi) Demonstration trial of male/ female plants of A. excelsa revealed that female plants are taking lead in growth and difference is also increasing gradually. (vii) For cloning of CPT of P. cineraria, shoot multiplication has been achieved from mature stem nodal segments from axillary buds and in vitro rooting was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 3mg/l IBA. (viii) Eco-biology of khejri root borerAcanthophorus serraticornis completed. An artificial diet for rearing of larvae in laboratory condition was standardized. (ix) Identification of soil-vegetation relations and indicator species for assessment and rehabilitation in lower Aravalli of Rajasthan were carried out.
Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur
(i)
Organized one-week specialized training programme on Bamboo Handicrafts for Farmers & Artisans of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from 24-28 June 2013 under BTSG-ICFRE (NBM) programme.
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(ii)
Organized a 3-day training programme on "Cultivation of Medicinal Plant for other stakeholders", from 8-10 July 2013, sponsored by the Ministry.
Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) (v) (vi)
(vii)
Carried out a survey of Kohima district of Nagaland to collect wild edible mushrooms under the project Studies on ecological and ethno mycological aspects of wild mushrooms of Nagaland. Studies on Effect of endomycorrhiza along with other bio-agents on biomass production, conservation and accumulation of some phytochemicals in Abroma augusta L. were carried out. Completed socio-economic survey of 14 villages of Chandel district (Manipur); 9 villages of Cachar district (Assam); 15 villages of Lower Dibang valley (Arunachal Pradesh); 16 villages and vegetation sampling of 6 fringe forests in Tamenglong district (Manipur); 11 villages with 3 vegetation sampling in Ri-Bhoi district (Meghalaya); 13 villages with 4 vegetation sampling in Ukhrul district (Manipur);and 11 villages with 3 vegetation sampling in Karmganj (Assam) under the project Identification forest lands in forest fringe village under NRAA. Trap culture of elite strains of entophytes collected from 3 samples initiated, and sub-culturing of useful rhizospheric bacteria and fungi is under progress. Field survey at Mokokchung (Nagaland), when 62 species of mushroom were collected, out of which 16 species were identified. A species of pathogenic bacteria Bacillus sp. was detected from the naturally infected cadavers of Pyrausta coclesalis Wlk. a major defoliator of Bambusa tulda and B.balcooa. The record of this native pathogenic bacteria on the host P.coclesalis was found to be a new record. RFRI, Jorhat and SAARC Forestry Centre, Bhutan organized expert group meeting on Adaptation to climate change impacts and risks to different forest types of South Asia from 22-24 October 2013 for delegates from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Srilanka.
Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla
(i) (ii) (iii)
(iv)
(v)
A new species under the genus Nesticellahas been recorded under the Spider family Nesticidae in India at HFRI. Effect of field trial of Baculovirus on IGM was evaluated in the field by counting per cent of egg-mass produced in the oak forest at Charwag, Sarahan. Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, Shimla,awarded a consultancy titled Redrafting of Catchment Area Treatment Plan for Shongtong-Karchham Hydroelectric Project, which is being executed. Organized 3-day training and demonstration programme on Cultivation of Important Temperate Medicinal Plants sponsored by the Ministry for Pradhans of Gram Panchayats, NGOs, representatives from herbal industry, etc. at Manali from 22-24 May 2013. Organized a one-day meeting on Networking of Van Vigyan Kendras with Krishi Vigyan Kendras on 30 August 2013 for Programme Coordinators of KVKs of Jammu, Kathua, Mandi, Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan, Kullu.
Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP), Ranchi
(i)
Conducted one-week training programme on "Rural livelihood promotion
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(ii)
through scientific lac cultivation and management" sponsored by the Ministry from 24-28 June 2013 for Panchyat Mukhia, NGOs and farmers. Participated in Rural Exhibition-cum-Fair Sunderban Kristi Mela O Loko Sanskriti Utsab organized by Kultali Milon Tirtha Society, West Bengal.
8.2.2. Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bengaluru Established in 1962 as a co-operative research laboratory at the initiative of the Indian Plywood Industry with participation of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, IPIRTI is now an autonomous research and training institute under the Ministry. The Institutes activities are industry-needs based. It is basically mandated to carry out research and development, training and education, testing and standardisation and extension in the field of plywood and panel product manufacturing. The multidisciplinary research projects based on the problems identified by industrial representatives, Institute Scientists and other similar interested organisations, are taken up. An important and unique aspect of R&D works at the Institute is that lab-scale findings are upscaled to industrial level to facilitate their adoption by the industries. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 27.59 crore, of which 7.35 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 4.72 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), major activities and achievements included the following research projects on panel products, adhesive, housing standards and training courses: (i) Research Studies completed: Development ofUV & Weather Resistant Coating for Wood based Panel products and Bamboo Composites. Development of alternative preservative treatment procedure for marine/shuttering grade plywood. Development of Soya Based Resin for Manufacturing Plywood. Evaluation of New Boron Fixation System for Wood Preservation. Effect of cassava flour as an extender in UF and PF resin on the bond quality of Plywood. Life Cycle assessment of Plywood and Bamboo Composite Products Sponsored by CT division of MoEF, Govt. of India Study on Substitution of conventional Extender/Filler with XTRA BOND of different grades. Exploratory studies on the Utilization of Industrial waste for the development of wood-plastic composites Training Courses conducted: Post Graduate Diploma in Wood and Panel Industry Technology for graduates in Science and Engineering: 26 candidates of 24thTraining Course completed it successfully with 100% placement through campus selection process; 25thTraining Course was started with 28 students. Short Term Vocational Training courses: (a) 14 training courses on Resin manufacture and inall aspects of Plywood Technology conducted in Bengaluru, and in Field stations Kolkatta and Mohali for fresh graduates and technicians from plywood factories; (b) Special Training Courses for Students of Kannur University; (c) One Training course being conducted on Saw milling and Saw Doctoring for PG students in WoodScience and
(ii)
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8.3.
Technology of Kannur University. Training Workshop for IFS Officers: Two training courses for senior IFS officers from various States/UTs.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
Wildlife research at the Institute covers ecological, biological, socio-economic and managerial aspects of wildlife conservation. The research projects generate valuable scientific data, help evolve study techniques relevant to the Indian ground condition, and also create a group of trained field biologists, socio-economists and wildlife managers.The scientific information generated is utilised for management of protected areas. Research also enables the Institutes faculty to keep abreast of the current field situations, management needs and research trends in the field and thus constantly enhance its professional skills and update its teaching inputs. The research agenda is decided and guided by the Training, Research Advisory Committee (TRAC) comprising eminent conservationists, academicians and representatives of scientific organisations as well as state wildlife organisations, which ensures that research conforms to the national conservation priorities. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 69.41 crore, of which 18.28 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 14.22 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). During 2013, 16 research projects were completed and 40 research projects were ongoing in the Institute.
IX.
9.1.
Education and Awareness

Environmental Education, Awareness and Training
The Scheme is a flagship scheme of the Ministry, launched in 1983-84, for enhancing the understanding of people at all levels about the relationship between human lives and the environment and to develop capabilities/skills to improve and protect the environment. Its objectives are to: (i) (ii) Promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society; Spread environment education, especially in the non-formal system among different sections of the society; (iii) Facilitate development of education/training materials and aids in the formal education sector; (iv) Promote environment education through existing educational/ scientific/research institutions; (v) Ensure training and manpower development for environment education, awareness and training; (vi) Encourage non-governmental organisations, mass media and other concerned organisations for promoting awareness about environmental issues among the people at all levels; (vii) Use media (films, audio, visual, print, etc.), theatre, drama, advertisements, hoarding, posters, seminars, workshops, competitions, meetings, etc. for spreading messages concerning environment and awareness; and (viii) Mobilise peoples participation for preservation and conservation of environment. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 428.20 crore, of which 49.29 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 37.59 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). During
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2013, the major achievements were as given below. 9.1.1. National Green Corps (NGC) Programme The Ministry initiated a major initiative for creating environmental awareness among children by formulating the NGC in 2001-02, which has seen a phenomenal response since with the establishment of 1,30,931 Eco-Clubs in NGC schools across the country, making it one of the largest conservation networks. The unique partnership between the Ministry, State/ UT Government agencies and the dedicated NGOs working in the field of environmental education has contributed to the success of the programme. During financial year 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), 80,497 Eco-clubs were supported by the Ministry across the country. Also in order to strengthen monitoring mechanism of NGC programme, MoEF is in process to establish Management Information system (MIS) which will open up vistas in sharing and accessing the information on NGC among all stakeholders. The MIS reporting and monitoring would be interactive and creative in ensuring NGC mobility and services. 9.1.2. National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) Under NEAC, launched in 1986 with the objective of crating environmental awareness at the national level, nominal financial assistance is provided to schools, colleges, universities, research institutes, women and youth organizations, army unites, government departments etc. country-wide for conducting awareness raising activities. These could be seminars, workshops, training programmes, camps, padyatras rallies, public meeting, exhibition, essay/debate/painting/poster competitions, folk dances and songs, street theatre, puppet shows, preparation and distribution of environmental education resource materials, etc., and followed by action like plantation of trees, management of household waste, etc. Diverse target groups (students, youths, teachers, tribal, farmers, other rural population, and professionals) and the general public are covered. The programme is implemented through designated Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) appointed for specific States/regions. During 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013), 10,104 organisations were involved in the campaign across the country. 9.1.3. Science Express: Biodiversity Special (SEBS) The Ministry, in a unique partnership with Department of Science & Technology (DST), launched an innovative exhibition mounted on a 16-coach air conditioned train rake. Eight coaches of SEBS are solely dedicated to showcasing the myriad biodiversity spread across the bio-geographical zones, viz. Trans-Himalaya & the Himalayas, Gangetic Plains, North East India, the Desert & Semi-Arid Zone, Western Ghats, Deccan Peninsula and Coasts & Islands with a focus on range of Biological diversity, critically endangered species, biodiversity hotspots, domesticated biodiversity, biodiversity & livelihoods, bio-culture; threats/challenges, conservation measures, success stories & unique experiences. Four other coaches have interesting & informative exhibits on Climate Change, Energy and Water conservation while another coach has the Joy of Science Lab in which students are guided to perform various experiments and activities to understand concepts in science besides a demonstration-cum-training facility for capacity building of teachers. About 40 young Science/Biodiversity Communicators remained on-board in another coach throughout the journey and explained the content and purpose of the exhibition to curious visitors. It envisaged running this innovative train mounted exhibition in two phases to cover at least 100 locations on Broad Gauge network of Indian Railway across the country. SEBS was launched on World Environment Day (05 June 2012) from Delhi Safdarjung. The train made
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halts for 3-4 days each at 51 locations and over 23 lakh people attended against the envisaged target of 15 lakh. This included 6 lakh students and 32,000 teachers from 7,000 schools. The train was also stationed at Secunderabad during 9-19 October 2012 to showcase it to delegates to CoP-11. The train also reflected the dedication, diligence and dynamism of the knowledge partners who contributed immensely to bring forth the essence of biodiversity and conservation practices as well as issues of climate change in our country. 9.1.4. Seminar/Symposia/Workshops/ Conferences This programme provides a platform to scientists/environmentalists/ University professionals/ technocrats/ etc, to share their knowledge on various subjects related to the environment. Financial assistance is provided to Universities/other institutions/NGOs to organise events and to publish the proceedings. The programme facilitates the transfer of technical know-how to different people including local population. Universities/professional bodies/technical institutionsand other R&D organisations are very responsive to the programme as is evidenced by the higher number of proposals being received by the Ministry. Thrust areas as identified under the programme are under constant review and regularly expanded to include new areas. During 2013-14, twenty four organisations were approved for financial assistance for conducting Seminars/Symposia/Workshops/Conferences. 9.1.5. Mass Awareness (Media) The Media Cell of the Ministry is mandated to take up awareness campaigns using print and electronic media besides other mass media to enhance awareness about various environmental issues which would in turn facilitate better compliance with environment regulations. Media Cell is guided by an Advisory Committee of Experts on Media Matters under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F). 9.1.6. National Nature Camping Programme This is an initiative of the Ministry which is aimed at creating greater awareness, understanding and empathy among children for the environment. Through this initiative, it is aimed that every child who goes through middle school (Classes VI to VIII) will get at least one 2-3 day camping experience. The Nature Experience of children and teachers has high potential to trigger sensitivity towards appreciation of nature and conservation, leading to positive environmental actions at different levels. This Programme funds proposals for promoting conservation and environmental awareness through the conduct of Nature Camps for students of schools. During 2013-14, eighteen proposals were considered for financial assistance for conducting nature camping. 9.1.7. Library The Library is the documented repository of the Ministry for dissemination of information in environment and its associated areas. It has a collection of over 25,000 books and Technical Reports etc. It also received 29 national/international journals covering diverse areas of environment. Being the scientific Ministry, the Library is one of the richest documentary bases for scientific journals in the field of environment and its associated areas. The Library performs an important role in the planning, promotion, implementation and coordinator of the Ministrys objectives by providing timely access to relevant and comprehensive information to its users in the Ministry, external organizations (both governmental and non-governmental), research students, decision makers, etc. During 201314, numerous research scholars from various organizations, institutions and other professional bodies also visited the library for a variety of information required by them from time to time.
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9.1.8. Global Learning & Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) A process to consolidate further the activities under the GLOBE programme in all the 1,800 schools started in the financial year 2006-07. It facilitates research through a worldwide research team comprising of students, teachers and scientists. 9.2. National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
NMNH, New Delhi,a subordinate office of the Ministry, is devoted to conservation of natural heritage and non-formal environmental education, through conducting of Exhibition programmes and Educational activities. NMNH today is widely recognized for its thematic exhibit galleries and innovative educational programmes. Exhibit galleries and innovative educational programmes and activities are the most important means of the NMNH to disseminate information on ecology, environment and nature conservation. NMNH today has three full-fledged permanent exhibit galleries dealing with different aspects of natural history, ecology, conservation, a Discovery Room for children, an Activity Room for pre-school children. There is a temporary exhibition area in the 4thFloor. The Museum has a well-stocked reference library of 15,225 books on nature and environment along with an audio-visual library with a large number of video-cassettes and DVDs/CDs. Even though the primary target audience of the Museum is school students, it has developed programmes for other categories of people as well. NMNH is a pioneer Museum which has initiated several specialised programmes to cater to the needs of persons with different abilities. It undertakes many outreach programmes such as Temporary Exhibitions, Mobile Exhibitions and a large number of Nature Camps. It also organises many competitions, including the Young Environmentalist of the Year Award (YEYA). In addition, NMNH has excelled in Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) about Biodiversity. It has also developed thrust areas on Museum Accessibility (Social Inclusion) and Traditional knowledge about biodiversity (intangible natural heritage). In order to expand the geographical coverage of its activities, NMNH has established Regional Museums of Natural History (RMNH) in South India (Mysore) in 1995, in Central India (Bhopal) in 1997, and in Eastern India (Bhubaneswar) in 2004. New RMNH are being established in Western India (Sawai Madhopur), and in North-East India (Gangtok). During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 100.00 crore, of which 14.70 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 8.83 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). During 2013, the major activities and achievements wereundertaking various Environmental educational programmes through the means educational activities. These also include various programmes and competitions on the following occasions: World Environment Day, Summer Programme-Green Teens and Green Cubs, Earth Day, International day for Preservation of Ozone Layer, Wildlife Week, Teacher orientation workshop, Programme for disabled children, World Wetland Day.NMNH attracts about three lakh people per annum through its various programmes and activities. 9.3. Forestry Education, Training and Extension
The present system of forestry education and training is tailored to produce skilled forest managers to manage, protect and conserve the forests in consonance with National Forest Policy, 1988, forestry action programmes, etc. The activities are performed by the different institute of the Ministry like Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun; Directorate of Forest Education (DFE), Dehradun; and IIFM, Bhopal.
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9.3.1. Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun IGNFA, constituted in 1987 by renaming the erstwhile Indian Forest College, is engaged in imparting Induction Training to IFS (Probationers) and in-service training to service officers. Brief objective/activities of the Academy are as under: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) Conducting initial training of IFS Probationers extended over a period of three years (changed to two years from 2005). Organizing professional skills upgradation training programme for officers of SFS promoted into IFS, and also for other services, including judiciary. Conducting compulsory course for in-service middle/senior level IFS officers. Organizing thematic seminars/workshops on relevant sectoral issues. Conducting Advanced Forest Management Courses for in-service officers with 10,17 and 21 years of service in IFS. Organizing Senior Foresters Workshop for senior IFS Officers of 50 years (retired foresters) and 30 years of service. Conducting Mid-Career Training Programme for IFS officers of 7-9(Phase-III), 16-18(Phase-IV) and 26-28 years (Phase-V) of service.
During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 146.00 crore, of which 29.31 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 22.21 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). In 2013, 65 IFS probationers of 11-13 Course (and two foreign trainees from Bhutan)successfully completed their probation course and joined their respective States.Three Phase-V MCT, one Phase-IV MCT, three joint training programmes, one for Higher Judiciary, one for IRS and IRTS, and one workshop each for officer of 30/50 years of service were organised. 9.3.2. Directorate of Forest Education (DFE), Dehradun DFE, under the Ministry, is responsible for imparting professional/technical training/education to State Forest Service (SFS) Officers and Forest Range Officers (FROs). The Directorate also supplements efforts of various States for training and capacity building of Forest Frontline Staff (Deputy Rangers, Foresters and Forest Guards) through the respective Forest Training Institutes. There are three Academies and One College under the Directorate, as below, with intake capacityof 40 per batch (except Eastern College of a capacity of 30): (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Central Academy for State Forest Service, Dehradun. Central Academy for State Forest Service, Coimbatore. Central Academy for State Forest Service, Burnihat. Eastern Forest Rangers College, Kurseong.
Their mandate includes: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

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To ensure standard and quality of training being imparted to the forestry personnel concerned of all levels. To help develop capacity and infrastructure of desired standard for training of various levels of personnel in forestry sector. To assist develop appropriate and relevant training modules/ content/ evaluation formats for forestry training of various levels of personnel. To sensitize the stakeholders about forestry and forest conservation through conducting custom made training modules. To assist Government of India and State Governments to develop training
(vi) (vii)
policy for efficient human resource management and development. To assess the changing Training Needs of forestry personnel for srandard and quality training. To ensure a pool of professionally competent and qualified Forestry Personnel.
During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 38.30 crore, of which 4.81 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 4.65 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). 9.4. Training of IFS Officers
The Scheme provides capacity building of IFS Officers through sponsoring of shortterm refresher courses of one/ two week(s) duration in the premier institutions in the country for keeping them up to date on latest technologies, new ideas and change of the attitude for managing the natural resources of the country.The thrust of this scheme is on capacity building of the IFS Officers through organising mid-career short-term refresher courses. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 17.50 crore, of which 2.08 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 2.22 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013).During 2013, the Ministry sponsored 21 one-week courses in the premier training/management institutions in the county on a wide range of disciplines including management and administration of forests, wildlife, environment and general administration, and 16 workshops. 9.5. Wildlife Education and Training
Wildlife education and training is primarily looked after by WII, Dehradun, an autonomous institute of the Ministry for imparting training to government and nongovernmental personnel to carry out research and training activities and advice on matters of conservation and management of wildlife resources (refer Section 3.3.6. above).
X.
Centres of Excellence
Enhancement of peoples awareness about environment requires capacity building at institutional and individual level for providing adequate support to the efforts in the fields of environment education, research and training. To serve this end, the Ministry launched the scheme Centres of Excellence in 1983 to promote institutions in priority areas of Environmental Sciences and Management. So far, 10 Centres of Excellence have been set in different areas as elaborated below. During the XII Five Year Plan, the total outlay is 110.00 crore, of which 10.42 crore was spent in 2012-13, and another 12.88 crore in 2013-14 (as on 31.12.2013). 10.1. Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad CEE launched Paryavaran Mitra, one of the largest sustainability and climate change education programmes in the world on 24 July 2010. It is a programme for students that envisions creating Paryavaran Mitra (Friends of the Environment) in schools across India.The goal of the programme is to create a network of young people across the country who have the knowledge, awareness and commitment to meet the challenges of global citizenship and Climate Change.CEE also implements NGC programme in 15 States and 2 UTs as resource agency. CEE also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.2. CPR Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Chennai The objective of CPREEC is to create awareness among various stakeholders about
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current environmental issues and responsibilities towards the preservation of the environment. The programmes are conducted in States of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. CPREEC also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.3. Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru CES conducts research, education, extension and training for field managers in the broad area of ecology with special emphasis on the Western Ghats with practical application in conservation and sustainable development of natural areas of Western Ghats. CES also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.4. Centre of Mining Environment (CME), Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad CME was inducted as a Centre of Excellence in 1987 on a project mode. It is supported by Ministry of Human Resource Development for its staff and revenue expenditure for running the Centre. The Centre has been mainly engaged in R&D activities and associated research publications, and in training personnel in mining sector and involved in issues of academic interest pertaining to mining and environment.CME also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.5. Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore SACON was established in 1990 as a fully funded Centre of Excellence covering all aspects of ornithology and Natural History with the objectives of research, develop and conduct regular courses, create a data bank on Indian ornithology and natural history, and disseminate knowledge relating on the subject for the benefit of the community. SACON also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.6. Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Ecosystem (CEMDE), University of Delhi, Delhi This Centre of Excellence has been engaged in: (i) development of technologies for ecological restoration of abandoned mined out sites, overburden dumps (OBDs) of coal mined areas and degraded forest ecosystems of Aravalli, (ii) management of invasive species especially Lantana in forests ecosystems, (iii) management of grasslands in protected areas, (iv) preparation of new flora of Delhi and (v) training of stakeholders as a part of capacity building in action research in the areas of environment and ecology. 10.7. Madras School of Economics (MSE), Chennai The Centre of Excellence in Environmental Economics was set up in 2002 with the objectives of carrying out research on issues related to Environmental Economics in project mode, maintain a state-of-the-art website on environmental economics and provide policy assistance to the Ministry. 10.8. Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bengaluru The Centre of Excellence on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge at FRLHT was initiated in 2002-03 to bring to the focus and address various issues related to conservation and sustainable utilisation of medicinal plants. In the course of its activities, the Centre has created a national bio-cultural herbarium of medicinal plants and an ethnomedicinal garden, both of which have very rich collections of Medicinal plants. Besides, the
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Centre engages in: (a) pharmacognostic studies on controversial plant raw drug groups in trade, (b) building capacities of stakeholder groups on issues related to medicinal plants, through its capacity building courses, workshops and training, (c) preparing a GIS-based Atlas of distribution maps of medicinal plants to help forest managers in planning conservation action, and (d) preparation of well-referenced educational CD-ROMs on medicinal plants used in Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic systems of medicine.FRLHT also hosts an Environmental Information (ENVIS) Centre for the Ministry. 10.9. The Tropical Botanic Thiruvananthapuram Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI),
TBGRI, established by the State Government of Kerala as an autonomous R&D organisation in 1979 to facilitate conservation and research on tropical plant resources in general and of the country and Kerala State in particular, was brought under the society established under Cochin Travancore Literary and Societies Act, 1956 by the State Government, namely Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in 2003. It maintains a 300 acre conservatory garden for wild tropical plant genetic resources of India, besides a well integrated multi-disciplinary R&D system dealing with conservation, management and sustainable utilisation of tropical plant resources. 10.10. Centre for Animals and Environment, CARTMAN, Bengaluru The Project on Centre of Excellence for Animals & Environment (CAE) awarded by the Ministry to CARTMAN, Bengaluru in 2000 and discontinued after two years for administrative reasons, was resumed during 2009.The main objective of the Centre is to study mutual dependence and inter-relationship between Animals (Livestock) and Environment (Plant Life) and initiate steps to preserve environment and to improve the health and welfare of animals by making them more productive.Another activity envisaged is to eliminate pollution of environment caused by City-based Abattoirs by providing alternate locations where animals are born and reared.This would also result in development of rural areas by retaining the value added in the process in villages and nearby towns.
XI.
Fellowships and Awards
11.1. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP) The Ministry, in the year 1987, instituted the Award called Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar to give recognition to those having made or have the potential to make the measurable and major impact in the protection of environment. The award comprises of two prizes under Organisation Category and three prizes under Individual Category. Under the regulations governing IGPP revised from 2010 onwards, any eligible citizen of India having at least 10 years work experience in the field of Environmentcan propose a name of any citizen or organisation of India who has at least five years working experience in the field of environment. The advertisement is to be issued on 15 July every year. The last date for receipt of nominations shall be 29 August every year. Shortlisting of nominations received for IGPP is carried out by three Expert Members, selected by the Prime Minister, out of a panel of 9 eminent environmentalists/persons prepared by the Ministry. Selection of awardees out of the shortlisted nominations is done by the Environmental Prize Committee headed by the Honble Vice President of India. In 2013, the meeting of the Prize Committee was held on 30 July, 2013 and the awardees of IGPP-2010 were finalised. The process of selection of 3 Expert Members for the
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IGPP Prize Committee has been completed, who have been mandated to shortlist the nominees for IGPP-2011 and IGPP-2012. The process for inviting nominations for IGPP2013was launched on 15 July, 2013, and the briefs of the nominations, once prepared, would be sent to the 3 Expert Members for shortlisting, so that the conferment of the Awards can be concluded in 2014 pursuant to the selection of awardees by the Prize Committee which has also been now re-constituted as per the regulations. 11.2. Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra (IPVM)Awards The Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra (IPVM) Awards were instituted in 1986 to recognise the pioneering and innovative contribution made by individuals and institutions in the field of afforestation/wasteland development every year.IPVM Awards were given in four categories since 2006.From 2011, seven categories of Awards are given to enhance the response and prestige.The Awards for 2010 were conferred on 19November 2010. The exercise for IPVM Awards for 2011 as well as 2012 is under process. IPVM Awards for States and Union Territories were instituted in 2008 for enhancing the percentage of Forest and Tree Cover in States/UTs.The Awards are divided into three categories, with one award given in each category. The Awards for 2010 have been conferred. Next IPVM Awards for States/UTs for 2012 are under process. 11.3. Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship This Fellowship, instituted in 1978, is awarded every year to encourage and recognize excellence in any branch of research on environmental sciences. It is intended to encourage talented individuals to devote themselves to R&D pursuits in the field. The duration of the fellowship is two years. So far, 27 Fellowship Awards have been givento Scientists all over the country. Fellowship Awards for 2007 and 2008 have been announcedand nominations have been obtained and are under process for 2009 and 2010. 11.4. B.P.Pal National Environment Fellowship Award for Biodiversity This Fellowship, instituted in 1993, is awarded annually with a view to further develop, deepen and strengthen expertise on Biodiversity available in the country. It is given in recognition of significant/ important research and development contributions and is intended to encourage talented individuals to devote themselves whole-time to R&D pursuits in the field. The duration of the fellowship is two years. So far, 10 Fellowship Awards have been given to Scientists all over the country. Fellowship Awards for 2007 and 2008 have been announced and nominations have been obtained and are under process for 2009 and 2010. 11.5. National Environmental Sciences Fellows Programme The Fellows Programme, launched in 2009-10, aims to be a flagship programme for young Scientists desirous of undertake research in environmental sciences. The re-constituted Management Committee is chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission. Three Scientists selected as Fellows, are working on Climate Change Mitigation-Adaptation and Ecosystem Services in the context of GIM and REDD+, quantitative framework for conservation landscape planning of dry grasslands and community-wideseed dispersal patterns in human-modified landscapes and prediction of forest cover changes. 11.6. Mahatma Gandhi Chair for Ecology and Environment The Chair, instituted in 2009-10at the Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmi, would require the incumbent to work
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on one of the thrust areas of research identified by the Ministry. The Fellow could be from any discipline of Science, Engineering, Social Work, Art and Humanities. There is no upper age limit, with eligibility among University Professors or equivalent grade Scientists in parent institution, either serving or superannuated. An eminent scholar in the area of biodiversity has been selected and after joining has initiated studies on plant diversity of Rajouri, Poonch and adjoining areas of Pir Panjal Himalayas. 11.7. E.K. Janaki Ammal National Award on Taxonomy In order to encourage works of excellence in taxonomy and also to encourage young students and scholars to work in this field of science, this award, named after the late Prof. E. K. Janaki Ammal was instituted in 1999. Initially there was one Award on Taxonomy covering all three fields, viz. Botany, Zoology and Micro-organisms. It has since been enlarged in scope and number of Awards to two, one each for excellence in Plant and Animal Taxonomy. Outstanding work done in Microorganisms is also be eligible for consideration under either of the two categories, as the case may be. The two Awards known as E.K. Janaki Ammal National Award on Plant Taxonomy and E. K. Janaki Ammal National Award on Animal Taxonomy, are usually given on 5thJune, coinciding with the World Environment Day. Each award carries a cash prize of 1,00,000/- along with a citation, scroll and Medallion. The Awards is given to Taxonomists selected by a Selection Committee, under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F), constituted for this purpose. 11.8. National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology The National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and the Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology are given each year, in the identified categories of highly polluting industries, which have made a significant and measurable contribution towards development or use of clean technologies, products or practices that prevent pollution and find innovative solution to environmental problems. 11.9. Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award is given annually for significant contribution in the field of wildlife conservation which has made, or has the potential to make, a major impact on the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country. Two awards of Rupees One lakh each are given to education and research institutions, organisations, forest and wildlife officers/research scholars or scientists/wildlife conservationists. 11.10. Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award The Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award is given to persons for significant contribution in wildlife protection, who are recognised as having shown exemplary courage or having done exemplary work for the protection of wildlife. Two cash awards of Rupees One lakh each are presented to individuals and institutions involved in wildlife protection. 11.11. Salim Ali Fellowship and Kailash Sankhla Fellowship Awards In order to commemorate the memory of the two great wildlife conservationists of the country, Shri Kailash Sankhla and Dr. Salim Ali, the Ministry awards these two fellowships alternatively each year. The objective is to inspire and promote the country's wildlife managers and scientists to take up research or experimental projects aimed at conserving the rich wildlife heritage of India. The fellowship is awarded for two years with a stipend of
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Rupees 4,000 p.m. An amount of Rupees 18,000 p.a. is given for meeting contingency expenses.Dr. Salim Ali National Wildlife Fellowship has been conferred for 2011.
XII. Environmental Information

12.1. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) ENVIS, by providing scientific, technical and semi-technical information on various environmental issues since its inception in 1982-83 (Sixth Plan), has served the interests of policy formulation and environment management at all levels of Government and decisionmaking aimed at environmental protection and its improvement for sustaining good quality of life of all living beings. The purpose is to ensure integration of national efforts in web-enabled environmental information collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to all concerned, including policy planners, decision-makers, researchers, scientists and the public. Functionally, it is a decentralized system of ENVIS Centres mandated to develop a distributed network of subject-specific databases. With the association of State Governments/ UT Administrations in promoting the ENVIS network to cover a wide range of subjects, 28 ENVIS Centres are operating from State/UT Departments/ SPCBs/ PCCs on State/ UT-wide status of environment and related issues. ENVIS network at present consists of a chain of 68 ENVIS Centres out of which the remaining 40 are thematic in scope. Thematic Centers are hostedby notable organizations/institutions/State/UT Government Departments/ Universities throughout the country. The Focal Point of ENVIS is located in the Ministry and assists the EI Division in coordinating the activities of all the ENVIS network partners. Progress/ Achievements In 2013-14, the ENVIS networkcontinued its mandated annual information-related activities, database development, publication of requisite information packages through newsletters, abstracting services, etc. It also continued its query-response services during the year. This has entailed, inter alia, updating and maintaining an information database that includes both descriptive information as well as numerical data. Descriptive information in the form of publications, reports, reprints and abstracts on related subjects was stored for dissemination. Numerical data on the subject concerned was collected, compiled, processed and analyzed for the purpose of dissemination through the Centres. Documentation in the form of publications and reports were brought out. All the information thus compiled was made available on the websites of the respective ENVIS Centres. The ENVIS Scheme was appraised by the SFC on 25 March 2013 and 9May 2013, and approved to for continuation in the XII Plan period. Revised Guidleines for the Scheme approved by the SFC have since been implemented The meeting of 10-member re-constituted SAC under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Environment & Forests) was held on 2425June 2013, and 39 Thematic Centres were reviewed in detail. A new thematic ENVIS Centre on Forest Genetic Resources and Tree Improvement was set up at Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore. ENVIS Focal Point maintained and continuously updated the Website of the Ministry and disseminated information through the Website to all concerned throughout 2013-14. The Website was also linked with the various Divisions of the Ministry in order to have up-to-date information on the subjects concerned. It was upgraded to an open-source Content Management System (CMS), in accordance with the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) in 2013-14, and also rendered bilingual from 27 May 2013. Real-time verification and updation of the Website has been enabled with decentralisation of updating procedures to the Divisions of the Ministry. In 2013-14, an average of 2.6 lakh hits per month
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was recorded on the Ministrys website. A Portal of ENVIS connecting all ENVIS network partners is updated regularly. The Portal acts as a catalyst for inter-Centre interaction. Query-Answer service is one of the major responsibilities of the ENVIS Network. So far in 2013-14, 62 ENVIS Centres have also been supported with recurring grant and 45 Centres for procuring IT equipments. India State-Level Basic Environmental Information Database (ISBEID) In order to develop databases on environment and its related parameters and to make it online for to-and-fro information flow, a web-enabled application, namely, India State-Level Basic Environmental Information Database (ISBEID) was developed by the Division in collaboration with NIC. ISBEID is especially intended to help the ENVIS Centres hosted by States/ UTs to collect, compile and disseminate information on a centralised server and to fill their gaps in environmental data dissemination. The developments of the system are based on a pilot project conducted in two States (Odisha and Madhya Pradesh) with 6 modules of the proposed 23 modules, which was extended to 7 more States with 6 additional modules. Based on its results, it was decided to review the 23 modules down to 17 in consultation with the ENVIS Centres and to extend ISBEID to all States/UTs. A User Workshop on ISBEID and ENVIS Network websites organised on 18-19 February 2013 at New Delhi, deliberated on inter-linking and unifying various environmental databases of the ENVIS network. 23 State ENVIS Centres were advanced to the stage of entering data into the 17 modules, which is close to completion. Annual Report of the Ministry The Annual Report of the Ministry for 2012-13 was published in 2013 and got distributed to Central/ State Government Departments, professional institutions, universities, research organizations, embassies/ High Commissions of various countries in India, etc. State of Environment Reporting (SoER) Scheme Since the Tenth Plan, 100% Central Assistance is provided to States/UTs to prepare their SoE Report highlighting the upstream and downstream linkages with environmental issues, besides creating a baseline document in each State/UT. SoER reporting was merged with the ENVIS Scheme in 2008-09. Since 2004-05, one National SoE Report and 31 States/ City/ Hot Spots Reports have been published which include SoE Reports for Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir published in 2013-14. SoE Report for Lakshadweep is under preparation. 12.2. Statistical Cell The role of Statistical Cell in the Ministry inter alia includes assistance to different Divisions of the Ministry in providing Statistical inputs and also to liaise with other Central Ministries/ Organizations/ other national and international agencies in the matter of environment and forestry statistics. During the year the Cell provided inputs for various publications of Central Statistical Organizations on environment and forests. Environmental Information Division has been representing the Ministry and providing inputs in various Committees of the Government, especially those constituted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation such as Development of Database on Climate Change, Issues in the Estimation of GDP of Forestry Sector etc. It also provided necessary information for publication of Compendium of Environmental Statistics, Statistical Abstracts, etc., periodically as per the recommendation of the National Statistical Commission.
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Statistical Advisor served as a member of the Organising Committee constituted by the CSO for the International Seminar on Green GDP to be held during 5-6 April, 2013. Statistical Advisor has been nominated by the Ministry to act as Nodal Officer for the Development Information System (DevInfo), a database system for monitoring human development. It is a tool for organizing, storing and presenting data in a uniform way to facilitate data sharing at the country, regional and global levels across government departments, UN organizations, civil society organizations and development partners. It is funded by eight UN organizations. 12.3. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Cell A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Cell has been set up in the Ministry to handle various matters relating to NGOs working in diverse fields of environment. The basic functions of the Cell are: (a) collection and dissemination of information to various NGOs; and (b) liaison with different Ministries/Departments and other Government agencies on various issues including creating a database relating to NGOs working in the field of environment and its associated areas. Besides replying to Parliament Questions/Assurances, the NGO Cell also disposed of 16 number of RTI applications. 12.4. Information and Facilitation Counter (IFC) IFC at Paryavaran Bhawan has been functioning for over 6 years with the assistance of CEE, a Center of Excellence supported by this Ministry. It is equipped with a helpdesk, touch screen computer and open display area to guide the visitors. In 2013, IFC continued to disseminate the Ministrys publications such as Annual Reports, Brochures, Journals, Newsletters, Research Guidelines, Awards Guidelines, and Funding Schemes etc. It is also providing guidance regarding application procedure for various schemes of the Ministry along with information about the status of various applications submitted to the Ministry. Priced publications of the Ministry are available at IFC, which helps in receiving RTI applications from applicants under the in-person option.
XIII. Legislation and Institutional Support

13.1. Assistance for Abatement of Pollution, Environment Policy and Law The Policy and Law Division of the Ministry is partly implementing the Schemes Assistance for Abatement of Pollution, Environment Policy and Law and Establishment of Environment Commissions and Tribunals and providing legislative and Institutional support to other thematic Divisions whenever needed for any amendment to EPA, 1986 or implementation of the NEP, 2006, National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010, Ecomark Scheme and work relating to setting up of National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA). 13.2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) NGT has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 on 18 October 2010 for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
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NGT is being operationalised/ set up with offices at five places of its sittings (Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Pune). The Benches at Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, and Pune have already become functional. Kolkata Bench of the Tribunal will be operationalised shortly. The infrastructure and refurbishment of the places of sitting of the Tribunal is underway. The Loss of Ecology (Prevention and Payment of Compensation) Authority (LOEA) for the State of Tamil Nadu; and Dhanu Taluka Environment Protection (Prevention and Control) Authority for the National Capital Region (DTEPA), were constituted for implementation of various regulations and/or compliance with the directions of the Honble Supreme Court. DTEPA was notified on 19.12.1996. LOEA, initially constituted for 2 years on 30.09.1996, has been regularly extended on yearly basis. Presently, its term stands extended until further orders. 13.3. Trade and Environment Trade and Environment (T&E) Cell of the Ministry undertakes the following items of work: (a) provision of technical inputs to the preparatory process in the area of Trade and Environment; (b) formulation of Ministrys position on trade-related matters referred to it by other Ministries, including views on issues relating to Regional/Bilateral/Multilateral Trade Agreements and other trade-related issues; (c) acting as Nodal Cell within the Ministry to deal with references received from M/o Commerce & Industry; (d) implementation of any ongoing Project on Trade and Environment; and (e) acting as Export Promotion Cell in the Ministry. In 2013, the Division regularly furnished comments and materials from environment, ecology, forestry and wildlife points of view to the Department of Commerce for drawing up Indias position and contributing to the on-going multilateral negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in particular, the negotiations under trade in goods and services and domestic regulations. In addition, issues emerging from the lack of availability of data in services which hinders policymaking in the area as well as adversely affects bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations in services were also taken up in the context of environmental services. Certain classification issues relating to environmental services in the context of WTOs questionnaire on Services are presently under scrutiny. In coordination with Economic Cell of the MoEF, the Division has brought out a working paper on the Trade in Environmental Services. Various regional trade agreements under negotiation by India were examined and Ministrys contributions were provided, including on the (i) India-Chile PTA; (ii) IndiaAustralia Free Trade Agreement (FTA); (iii) India-New Zealand FTA; (iv) India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and (v) India-Israel FTA in Environmental services. The Division also contributed to the ongoing negotiations on various bilateral investment treaties and bilateral investment protection agreements. On the request received from the Lok Sabha Secretariat for the comments on Expanding Trade through Innovation and the Digital Economy for the Annual WTO Forum, 1-3 October 2013, Geneva, the Division has provided its critical inputs on the Innovation & Trade and Green the Economy: What role for innovation.
XIV. Sustainable Development and Climate Change

14.1. Sustainable Development Division NEP, 2006 has Sustainable Development as its core principal. The theme of XII Five
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Year Plan (2012-2017) is to Foster More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth. Sustainable Development calls for economic well being, social cohesion and environmental protection to go hand in hand with each symbiotically dependent on each other. Sustainable Development is one of the thrust areas of the Ministry and International Cooperation and Sustainable Development Division (IC&SD) is responsible for interacting with the various UN Agencies, International Bodies and try to ensure that the sustainable development programmes and policies at international level are in line with national reality, capacity, level of development and national policies and priorities. 14.2. Climate Change India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The main objective of the Convention is to stabilize concentration of Green House Gas (GHG) of anthropogenic origin in the atmosphere at safer levels. Recognizing the countrys vulnerability to human induced climate change, the Ministry has taken several actions to address climate change at the national level besides fulfilling its obligations under the UNFCCC. The Government has conducted periodical assessments of climate change from scientific perspective with a view to determine domestic response to it. The Second National Communication (NATCOM) was prepared and submitted to the UNFCCC in May 2012. The NATCOM provides GHG emission inventory by sources and assessment of the projected vulnerability due to climate change on various sectors of the economy such as water, agriculture, forests & biodiversity, human health etc. Many other activities are being initiated under the new thematic scheme titled Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) include the National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme (NCAP), Long Term Ecological Observatories (LTEO), Coordinated Studies on Climate Change for North East Region (CSCCNER), National Institute for Climate Change Studies and Action (NICCSA), as a autonomous body of MoEF, to support the Ministry/ Government in the area of scientific, technical and analytical studies relating to climate change and act as a nodal institution for Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA). This institute will also conduct various scientific programmes on Climate Change; prepare NATCOM and Biennial Update Report (BUR), GHG inventory; develop projects on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) and provide technical and analytical support to policy makers. Besides, the Ministry has actively participated in review process and finalization of Working Group Reports of fifth Assessment Report prepared by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group-I AR5 titled Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis was approved at the Twelfth Session of IPCC Working Group-I meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden, during 23-26 September 2013 and was released on 27 September 2013. Working Group-II on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability and Working Group-III on Mitigation of Climate Change are likely to be released in March 2014 and April 2014. The synthesis report comprising of key findings emerging from the three Working Groups of AR5, will be published by IPCC in October 2014. Government of India is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which comprises of eight National Missions in specific areas of Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic knowledge for Climate Change. The Missions are under constant review of the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change. Now, an Executive Committee on Climate Change under the Chairmanship of Principal
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Secretary to Prime Minister has been set up for assisting the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change in evolving a coordinating response to issues relating to climate change, regular monitoring of the implementation of eight National missions and other initiatives on Climate Change and coordinating with various agencies on issues relating to climate change. Prime Ministers Office has entrusted the responsibility of convening and servicing the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change as well as the Executive Committee to this Ministry. This Ministry is coordinating the implementation of envisaged activities under NAPCC and other initiatives by various Central Ministries. At the instance of the Ministry, all States and Union Territories are preparing State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with the objectives of NAPCC. So far, 24 States have submitted the SAPCCs to the MoEF, out of which 9 SAPCCs were endorsed by the National Steering Committee on Climate Change. Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) a new thematic/umbrella Scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has been approved by the Planning Commission for the XII Five Year Plan. The scheme aims at creating and strengthening the scientific and analytical capacity for assessment of climate change in the country. This scheme has a tentative outlay of Rs. 290 crore for 2012-17. The components of the scheme include supporting scientific assessments and studies relating to climate change, preparation and implementation of SAPCCs and NAPCC, creation of institutional structure for implementation and capacity building at the national and state level for implementing a low carbon strategy of development. Government of India also participates in the negotiations on climate change under the auspices of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. Besides, Government has also participated in other international fora on climate change, such as the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) group, Major Economies Forum, Petersburg Dialogue, and such other bilateral and plurilateral initiatives to protect Indias long term interests. At the recent negotiations held from 11-23 November 2013 in Warsaw, a package of decisions were adopted with a view to advance the implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. India contributed constructively to these negotiations to ensure that future arrangements are built on equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR). Carbon markets are an important mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol to stabilize the GHG emissions across the globe as also to foster sustainable development in developing countries. India is a leading participant in the international carbon markets and, today, India projects represents a significant component of the global CDM market. As on 31 December 2013, India has the 2ndhighest number of registered projects: 1,465 out of total 7,407 projects registered by the CDM Executive Board are from India. 14.3. Ozone Layer Protection Government of India has entrusted the work relating to Ozone layer protection and implementation of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer to the Ministry. The Ministry has set up the Ozone Cell as a National Ozone Unit to render necessary services for effective and timely implementation of the Protocol and its ODS phaseout program in India. The Ministry has also established an Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) Chaired by the Secretary (E&F) which is supported by two Standing Committees, Technology and Finance Standing Committee (TFSC) and Standing Committee on Monitoring. The ESC is overall responsible for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol provisions, review of various policy and implementation options, project approval and monitoring. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the
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Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, consumption, trade, import and export of ODSs and the products containing ODSs. These Rules, amended from time to time, prohibit the production and consumption of CFCs, CTC and Halons beyond 1st January, 2010 except use of pharmaceutical grade CFCs in manufacturing of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs). Further, the use of methyl bromide has been allowed upto 1st January, 2015. Since, HCFCs are used as interim substitute to replace CFCs, their production and consumption is allowed upto 1stJanuary 2030.
XV. International Cooperation

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal Ministry in the Government of India for all Multilateral Environmental Agreements. These include the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer; Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer; Conventions on Biological Diversity; UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; UN Convention to Combat Desertification; Kyoto Protocol; the Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Substances; Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Rotterdam Convention; Ramsar Convention; etc. International Co-operation Division is the nodal point within the Ministry to coordinate all international environmental cooperation and sustainable development issues. It is the nodal Division for United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, UNIDO, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and regional bodies like Economic & Social Commission for Asia & Pacific (ESCAP), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), Asian Development Bank and European Union (EU), India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Summit on Environment, etc. The Division also handles bilateral country to country co-operation in the areas of environment protection. This Division also provides funds for deputation of officers for participation in meetings organized by UNEP, UNDESA, GEF and other UN Agencies and international organizations. The Division supports annual contribution to International Organizations such as ASEAN Green Fund, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), SAARC, SACEP, etc.
XVI. Administration and Civil Construction

16.1. Personnel Administration Staff Position The staff strength of the Ministry including NAEB, NRCD is given below: Group of Post A B C Total Sanctioned Strength 191 285 392 868 Number in position 178 230 272 680 Scheduled Caste 13 29 89 131 Scheduled Tribes 3 7 15 25 OBCs 9 9 11 29 Physically Handicapped 2 4 4 10
The Ministry have outsourced some clerical/office support jobs to tide over the shortage of the staff during the year.
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Review and Promotion under FCS The screening/interviews of Scientistswere conducted during the current year under the Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS), involving a two-tier system of evaluation for review/assessment of the Scientists for their promotion. 16.2. Indian Forest Service (IFS) Cadre Management The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Cadre Management Division is enjoined upon to handle the business of the Ministry as the Cadre Controlling Authority for the IFS (one of the three All India Service). Besides serving the 31 Forest Departments in the States and Union Territories managing the country's natural resources, a good number of the IFS officers are in various Ministries and institutions both in the State and at the Central Deputation. 16.3. Vigilance The Vigilance Division is responsible for all vigilance/disciplinary matters relating to the IFS officers in the Ministry and its attached and subordinate offices including autonomous organizations/PSUs and IFS officers posted in State Governments. The Vigilance Division functions under the direct control of Joint Secretary & Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) with overall supervision by Secretary, Environment & Forests. The Division is responsible for examination and processing of disciplinary cases, appeals, reviews and memorials of IFS Officers of all States/Union Territories, Investigation of Complaints, Obtaining & Maintenance of Annual Immovable Property Returns, (APRs) placing the APRs in public domain i.e. on the website of the MoEF etc.Cases filed in various Benches of Central Administrative Tribunal and Courts in India in connection with the disciplinary matters are also handled in the Division. The prosecution cases launched against IFS Officers by various States/Union Territories and also other Officers/Staff of the Ministry are also dealt with. During 2013-14, 14 Disciplinary Proceedings cases, 20 appeal cases and 6 Prosecution cases were processed. Court cases were pursued in the respective court/CAT Bench. Counter Reply was filed in about five cases. 54 complaints were received during the year. 9 were finally disposed off after obtaining and considering the investigating reports. 37 numbers of applications/appeals were received under RTI Act and replies sent in all the matters. About 1,675 Annual Property Returns for the year 2012 (as on 01.01.2013) were received from Group 'A' & 'B' officers of the Ministry, including organizations under it, as well as autonomous/subordinate/statutory organisations under it. The APRs of IAS and CSS ofiicers were sent DOPT, the APRs of IFS officers were placed in the public domain on the website of the Ministry. Vigilance Awareness Week was observed in the Ministry during the period from 28 October 2013 to 2 November 2013 and a pledge was administered by Secretary (E&F) to the officers & staff to bring about integrity and transparency in all spheres of activities and to work unstintingly for eradication of corruption. 16.4. Parliament The Parliament Division in the Ministry is responsible for co-ordination of all parliament matters related to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. During the year 201314, a total number of 1,103 Parliament Questions pertaining to various aspects of environment were answered by the Ministry (706 questions in the Lok Sabha, out of which 50 were starred and 656 were un-starred. A total of 397 questions were asked in the Rajya Sabha, out of
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which 47 were starred and 350 were un-starred). The questions covered a wide range of issues with which the Ministry is concerned, prominent among them being questions related to water and air Pollution, Wildlife Management, Forest Conservation, EIA, Freshwater and Marine Conservation, Environmental Conservation, Climate Change and Meteorology, Energy Studies, Environmental Education, NGOs and Media, Water Management, Health and Sanitation etc. 16.5. Information Technology (IT) and e-Governance The Government has recognized IT as a major tool for speedy implementation and monitoring of various schemes and decisions in public interest. Accordingly, Ministry has embarked on a comprehensive exercise to implement various e-Governance activities/ projects with the objective of transforming the functioning of the Ministry, and also to transform the way the Ministry serves its various stakeholders. In 2013, the IT infrastructure of the Ministry and Zoological Survey of India was strengthened; Unicode based bilingual software was installed at Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India for bilingualisation of all computer systems; Photographic digitization of Economic Herbarium at Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata has been undertaken; re-structuring and re-designing of existing website of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata and Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata into CMS based website is being undertaken. In addition, digitized and updated the Annual Property Returns (APR) of Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officers in the website of the Ministry for the year 2012-13; Coordination of IT Related services in the New Indira Paryavaran Bhawan; and re-structuring and re-designing of the IFS Cadre Management System (IFSCMS) website into .NET platform from the existing ASP platform have been undertaken. IT Division also examination of all policy issues pertaining to Information Technology. 16.6. Protocol Section In 2013, the Protocol Section dealt with following major activities: (a) Providing comprehensive protocol arrangement for the Minister/Minister of State of Environment and Forests and senior officers of this Ministry. This included working out the itinerary, booking of passage, baggage handling, customs/ immigration/ security checks both at the time of Departure/Arrival of VIPs as well as Security Passes for Airport and Reserved/Ceremonial Lounge for MEF. Protocol provided 746 Air tickets for domestic and International Sectors and arranged visas and visa notes for various countries during the period.
(b)
16.7. General Administration The General Administration (GA) Division of the Ministry is entrusted with the responsibility of procurement of stationery, stores, equipments and providing logistics and support services to the officials of the Ministry including transport, communication, general upkeep etc. Some of the major initiative/activities of the Division during the year 2013-2014 are (i) the Ministry has acquired 9565 sq. mtr. of land at Aliganj, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi for construction of its own office building. The GA Division is working in tandem with various agencies involved in the project to complete the building by the end of 2013-14; (ii) the Division has hired 9754.78 sq. ft office space from NDMC at Palika Bhavan to decongest the office space at Paryavaran Bhavan. Some Divisions/Sections of the Ministry are expected
80
to be shifted to Palika Bhavan soon; (iii) Bio-metric attendance system including face detection facility has been installed in the Ministry to ensure proper attendance. 16.8. Public Grievance Cell A Grievance Cell has been functioning in the Ministry to attend to the complaints of public regarding forestry, environmental matters etc. The general public can meet the Public Grievance Officer every Wednesday from 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM. The main function of the Cell is to ensure timely redressal of public grievances by taking up the matter with the concerned authorities such as District Magistrates, Municipal Corporations, Pollution Control Boards, State Governments, etc. Most of the complaints related to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Unauthorized industries located in residential areas discharging harmful gases and hazardous effluents in the immediate neighbourhood. Environmental degradation due to mismanagement of civic amenities like location of waste dump, water logging etc. Poor maintenance of open areas and parks; Commercial establishments operating illegally in the residential buildings causing nuisance to people living in the immediate vicinity; and Non-settlement of payment of salary dues and retirement dues, benefits like pension etc. to staff.
16.9. Implementation of Official Language Policy Sustained efforts were made to ensure proper compliance of the Official Language Policy of the Union as enshrined in the Constitution of India, the Official Languages Act, the Official Languages Rules, the Annual Programme and orders issued from time to time. All documents coming under the purview of Sec. 3(3) of the O.L. Act were issued in Hindi and English bilingual form. The letters received in Hindi and representations/appeals signed in Hindi were replied to in Hindi ensuring 100% compliance of Rule 5 and Rule 7 (2) of the O.L. Rules. Actions were taken on the decisions taken in the meeting of Hindi Salahkar Samiti was organised under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge). Under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (OL), the meetings of Official Language Implementation Committee were organised in every quarter, wherein position of implementation of Official Language Policy in the Divisions/Sections of the Ministry was reviewed. Hindi Workshop was organised for the Officers and Staff in every quarter to enable them to carry out their day to day transaction in Hindi. Incentive schemes were implemented in the Ministry to encourage and motivate the employees to increase the use of Hindi. In 2013, the High Powered Committee of Parliament on Official Language inspected GBPIHED and NRCD. In addition to these inspections, Attached/Subordinate Offices were also inspected by OL Division to review the position of implementing Official Language Policy of the Union. 16.10. Civil Construction Unit (CCU) The Civil Construction Unit (CCU) was established in March 1987 for execution of civil works in the Ministry. This unit undertakes construction works for all the attached and subordinate offices of the Ministry such as BSI, ZSI, FSI, NMNH, IGNFA and autonomous bodies like IIFM, IPIRTI, WII, ICFRE and GBPIHED. The CCU has constructed a number of office buildings, laboratories, museums and residential accommodation at various places such
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as Almora, Dehradun, Bhopal, Delhi, Bangalore, Jabalpur, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Kozhikode. There are three divisions looking after construction activities throughout India. Two divisions are located at Delhi for works in Northern Region and the third division is located at Bengaluru for works in Southern Region. Some of the important works in progress during the year 2013-2014 are: (a) (b) (c) Construction of museum and auditorium blocks for Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History at Sawai Madhopur. Upgradation, improvement, and maintenance of National Zoological Park, New Delhi. Construction of Indira Paryavaran Bhawan at Aliganj, New Delhi.
XVII. Plan Coordination and Budget

Plan Coordination Division is responsible for coordination of all Plan Schemes and Programmes of the Ministry, and works in close association with Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs Budget Division and Department of Expenditure). Its work involves preparation, monitoring and review of the Ministrys Five Year Plans, Annual Plans and Annual Action Plans as also the Annual Union Budget and the Outcome Budget of the Ministry. The Division also looks after monitoring of progress reports and reports under the 20-Point Programme (Point XV item Nos. 52 & 53). Activitiesundertaken during year 2013-14: The progress of the programmatic variegated Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Sector (CS) Schemes is reviewed regularly in the Ministry and necessary corrective action is taken to ensure proper and meaningful deployment of resources with a view to build up the capacities of the State Governments in Environment and Forestry and Wildlife sectors as well as implementing agencies. From 2012-13 onwards, the Ministry has rationalized eight CSS of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) to five in the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) by suitable merger/ clubbing, thereby reducing the total number of thematic/ umbrella schemes from 22 to 18, comprising of five CSS and 13 CS Schemes, including one on Climate Change which has been approved by the Planning Commission. Amongst sub-Schemes, the Schemes of Industrial Pollution Abatement through Preventive Strategies and Clean Technologies have been merged into a single scheme under the thematic scheme of Pollution Abatement. Similarly, the schemes of NLCP and Wetlands have been merged into a single scheme on National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA) under the thematic scheme of Conservation of Natural Resources & Eco Systems. The Scheme of Taj Protection has also been clubbed under this thematic Scheme. Under the thematic Scheme of International Cooperation Activities, a new sub-Scheme on Desertification Cell has been added. The Civil Construction Unit Scheme is a non-Plan Scheme and has been shown to account for Plan expenditure on construction of New Building of the Ministry (Indira Paryavaran Bhavan), which is likely to be completed by June 2014. Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017) The Twelfth Plan Document, approved by the National Development Council (NDC) on 27thDecember 2012, has the basic theme of Faster, Sustainable, and more Inclusive Growth, and lays out major targets, key challenges to meet them, and the broad strategy that
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may be followed to achieve the stated objectives. Ministry of Environment & Forests has been allocated an outlay of Rs 17,874 crore, which works out to 0.41% of the Plan allocation across various Ministries/ Departments as against a share of 0.42% or Rs 9,231.00 crore in the Eleventh Plan. At current prices, the enhancement in this Ministrys Twelfth Plan outlay over the Eleventh Plan outlay, however, works out to 109%. Annual Plan 2013-14 and Annual Plan 2014-15: In the current financial year 2013-14, the second year of the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the Ministry has been allocated an outlay of Rs 2,430.00 crore which has subsequently been reduced at RE stage to Rs 1,850.00 crore. The Annual Plan (BE) outlay of the Ministry for 2014-15, the third year of this Plan, is Rs. 2,480.00 crore. The sectoral summary of the two Annual Plans is given below:
Sector-wise Summary of Twelfth Plan Outlays/ Actual Expenditure (as on 31st January 2014) ( crore)
Sector Period XII Plan Approved Outlay 2012-13 Outlay (BE) Actual Expenditure 2013-14 Outlay (BE) Outlay (RE) Expenditure as on31.01.2014 2014-15 Outlay (BE)
#
Environment
NRCD#
Forests & Wildlife 4,818.80
NAEB@
Animal Welfare 200.20
Total
3,802.00
4,273.00
4,780.00
17,874.00
580.42 388.13
771.80 421.02
606.09 577.81
446.49 224.08
25.20 25.09
2430.00 1636.13
614. 37 431.10 349.59
619.80 530.26 505.79
719.14 580.31 553.35
451.49 300.93 285.62
25.20 7.40 5.73
2430 1850 1700.08
678.01
632.79
713.11
432.89
23.20
2480.00
National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco Systems (NPCA). @ National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board (NAEB), National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and Green India Mission (GIM).
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MOEF Statement On Activities and Achievements in 2013

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BRIEF STATEMENT ON ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2013

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

BRIEF STATEMENT ON ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2013

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Activities and Achievements

Role, Functions and Mandate of the Ministry

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Natural Resources Survey and Exploration

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Survey of Fauna Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

Activities and Achievements

Its other objectives and functions are:

(b) (c) (d) (e)

Forest Survey of India (FSI)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Network of Regional Offices

(ii) (iii) (iv)

Activities and Achievements

(ii) (iii) (iv)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

(c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

(ii) (iii) (iv)

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

and rehabilitation of threatened species on verge of extinction, eco-restoration, etc.

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Industrial Pollution Abatement through Preventive Strategies (Waste Minimisation)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP)

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Activities and Achievements

Ministry of Environment & Forests