Misc.

Topic by Sudarshan Gurjar

India Institution & NGOs ................................................................................................................... 310
India Institution & NGOs→ for Survey ........................................................................................... 310
India Institution & NGOs→ for Biodiversity ................................................................................... 313
India Institution & NGOs→ for Wildlife ......................................................................................... 314
Legislative Institutions .................................................................................................................... 319
Other Institution/NGOs/Organization ............................................................................................. 321
Sustainable Development Goals........................................................................................................... 323
2030 Agenda – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ................................................................... 323
Millennium Development Goals ....................................................................................................... 326
How are SDGs different from MDGs? ............................................................................................. 327
SDG India Index 2020-21: ............................................................................................................... 327
Environmental Impact Assessment...................................................................................................... 329
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 329
Concept Of EIA............................................................................................................................... 329
Objectives of EIA ............................................................................................................................ 329
EIA In India .................................................................................................................................... 330
Environmental Clearance ................................................................................................................ 330
Environmental Components of EIA ................................................................................................. 330
Air Environment ......................................................................................................................... 330
Noise............................................................................................................................................ 330
Water Environment ..................................................................................................................... 330
Biological Environment ............................................................................................................... 331
Land Environment ...................................................................................................................... 331
Steps In EIA Process ....................................................................................................................... 331
Main Participants of EIA ................................................................................................................ 332
EIA notification, 2006...................................................................................................................... 333
Issues With EIA .............................................................................................................................. 335
Issues with the provisions of draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), 2020 ............................. 336

✍Conclusion................................................................................................................................... 338

Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA) ............................................................... 338

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 Bio-Fertilizers and Their Use In Agriculture ................................................................................... 338
ALL ACTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................... 344
General ........................................................................................................................................... 344
Forest and wildlife ........................................................................................................................... 344
Air .................................................................................................................................................. 345
The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 ............................................................................................ 345
Salient Features of Wildlife Protection Act ................................................................................... 345
Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.............................................................................................. 347
Salient Features ........................................................................................................................... 348
Powers of Central Government under EPA.................................................................................. 348
Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989 ................................. 349
The Ozone Depleting Substances Rules ............................................................................................ 349
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) ............................................................................ 350
Composition of NGRBA............................................................................................................... 350
Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980.................................................................................................... 350
Biodiversity Act 2000....................................................................................................................... 365
Salient features of the biodiversity legislation ............................................................................... 365
Forest Rights Act, 2006.................................................................................................................... 366
FRA is tool................................................................................................................................... 366
Salient Features ........................................................................................................................... 366
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and Amendment, 1988) ..................... 368
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977 .................................................. 368
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 and amendment, 1987 ............................ 368
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)....................................................................................................... 369

International Summits and Organizations

United Nations ● It was an international conference convened under United Nations auspices.
Conference on The ● It was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972.
Human ● It was the UN's first major conference on international environmental issues,

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Environment and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental
politics.
● The meeting agreed upon a Declaration known as the Stockholm Declaration.
Principles of Stockholm Declaration
1. Human rights must be asserted, apartheid and colonialism condemned.
2. Natural resources must be safeguarded.
3. The Earth's capacity to produce renewable resources must be maintained.
4. Wildlife must be safeguarded.
5. Non-renewable resources must be shared and not exhausted.
6. Pollution must not exceed the environment's capacity to clean itself
7. Damaging oceanic pollution must be prevented.
8. Development is needed to improve the environment.

World Commission ● The UN General Assembly, through a resolution in 1983, welcomed the
on Environment establishment of a special commission.
and Development ● This commission was to make available a report on the environment and the
global problematique to the year 2000 and beyond, including proposed strategies
for sustainable development.
● The commission later adopted the name World Commission on Environment
and Development.

⦁ United Nations • UNEP is an agency of the United Nations.

Environment • It coordinates the UN’s environmental activities.
Programme • It assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies
(UNEP) or UN and practices.
Environment • It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment 1972.
• It has overall responsibility for environmental problems among United Nations
agencies.
• Addressing climate change or combating desertification, are overseen by other
UN organizations, like the UNFCCC and the United Nations Convention to

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 Combat Desertification.
• UNEP's activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine
and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy.
• The World Meteorological Organization and UN Environment established the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988.
• UN Environment is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of
the Montreal Protocol.
• It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.
• UNEP has registered several successes, such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol, and
the 2012 Minamata Convention, a treaty to limit toxic mercury.
• UNEP has sponsored the development of solar loan programmes. The solar loan
programme sponsored by UN Environment helped finance solar power systems in
India

Intergovernmental • IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United
Panel on Climate Nations.
Change (IPCC) • It was first established in 1988 by two United Nations organizations, the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP).
• Membership of the IPCC is open to all members of the WMO and UNEP. • The
IPCC produces reports that support the UNFCCC.
• IPCC reports cover all relevant information to understand the risk of human-
induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and
mitigation.
• The IPCC does not carry out its own original research.
• Thousands of scientists and other experts contribute on a voluntary basis.
• The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was shared, in two equal parts, between the IPCC
and an American Environmentalist.
⦁ The aims of the IPCC are to assess scientific information relevant to:

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 • Human-induced climate change,
• The impacts of human-induced climate change, Options for adaptation and
mitigation

Brundtland - after the Chairperson of the Commission, Gro Harlem Brundtland, appointed by
commission the United Nations Secretary-General in December 1983.
● The mission of the Brundtland Commission is to unite countries to pursue
sustainable development together.
● This commission was officially dissolved in 1987 after the release of the
Brundtland report, ‘Our Common Future’.
● The term ‘sustainable development’ was popularised from this report.
● The report highlighted three fundamental components to sustainable
development: environmental protection, economic growth and social equity.
● The commission was replaced with the centre for our common future in 1988.

United Nations ● UNCED is also known as the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, the Rio Summit,
Conference On the Rio Conference, and the Earth Summit.
Environment And ● It was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14
Development(UNC June 1992.
ED) • 190 countries pledged their commitment to achieve by 2010, a significant
reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and local levels.
• As a follow-up, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10)
was held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was also
held in Rio and is also commonly called Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit 2012.
Issues discussed and addressed in UNCED
● Systematic scrutiny of patterns of production— particularly the production of
toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste including
radioactive chemicals.
● Alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked
to global climate change.

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 ● New reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle
emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and
smoke.
● The growing usage and limited supply of water.
Documents agreed upon at the UNCED:

Legally binding agreements Non-binding agreements

CBD: The Convention on Biological Rio declaration: It contains a set of 27

Diversity is a binding treaty requiring principles for sustainable development
nations to take inventories of their throughout the world.
plants and wild animals and protect
their endangered species.

UNFCCC: The United Nations Agenda 21: Agenda 21 is a

Framework Convention on Climate comprehensive plan of action to be
Change (UNFCCC), or Global taken globally, nationally and locally
Warming Convention, requires nations by organizations of the United Nations
to reduce their emission of carbon System, Governments, and Major
dioxide, methane, and other Groups in every area in which human
“greenhouse” gases. impacts on the environment. It is
related to sustainable development.

The Statement of Principles on

Forests, aimed at preserving the
world’s rapidly vanishing tropical
rainforests, is a non-binding statement
recommending that nations monitor
and assess the impact of development
on their forest resources and take steps
to limit the damage done to them.

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Agenda 21 ● Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to
sustainable development.
● It is a product of the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and
Development).
● It is an action agenda for all the stakeholders that can be executed at local,
national, and global levels.
● The "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st Century.
● Its aim is achieving global sustainable development.
● One major objective of agenda 21 is that every local government should draw
its own local agenda 21.
● It has a preamble, four sections and a total of 40 chapters. It also includes a
Statement on Forest Principles.

Barbados ● The Barbados Programme of Action, adopted during the Global Conference on
Programme of the Sustainable Development of SIDS held in Barbados in 1994, defines the
Action (BPOA) priorities, the cross-sectoral areas as well as the actions and strategies to be
undertaken at national, regional and global level to ensure the sustainable
development of Small Island Developing States.

United Nations • The Convention stemmed from a direct recommendation of the Rio
Convention to Conference's Agenda 21 in 1994.
Combat • UNCCD is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of
Desertification drought through national action programs (NAP).
(UNCCD) • National action programs (NAP) incorporate long-term strategies supported by
international cooperation.
• It is the only internationally legally binding framework set up to address
desertification.
• It was adopted in Paris, France in 1994 and entered into force in 1996.
• It has 196 parties, making it truly global in reach.
• 2006 was declared "International Year of Deserts and Desertification".
• The UN Convention to Combat Desertification has established a Committee on

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 Science and Technology (CST).
• CST is composed of government representatives competent in the fields of
expertise relevant to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of
drought.
• UNCCD collaborates closely with the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD).

Rio+5 (1997) • In 1997, the UN General Assembly held a special session to appraise the status
of Agenda 21 (Rio +5).
• The Assembly recognized progress as "uneven" and identified key trends,
including increasing globalization, widening inequalities in income, and
continued deterioration of the global environment

Rio+10 (2002) or • Rio+10 (2002) or Earth Summit 2002 or World Summit on Sustainable
Earth Summit 2002 Development.
• Took place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
• Rio+10 affirmed UN commitment to Agenda 21, alongside the Millennium
Development Goals.
• Johannesburg Declaration: committing the nations of the world to sustainable
development.

Rio+20 (2012) • Rio+20 (2012) or United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

• Rio+20 was a 20-year follow-up to the Earth Summit 1992 and 10-year follow-
up to the Earth Summit 2002.
• It is also known as Rio 2012 or Earth Summit 2012.
• Hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
• It reaffirmed the commitment to Agenda 21.
• It was the third international conference on sustainable development.

Partnership for • PAGE, launched in 2013, is a direct response to the Rio+20 Declaration, The
Action on Green Future We Want.
Economy (PAGE) • Rio+20 Declaration called upon the UN system and the international community

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 to aid interested countries in developing, adopting and implementing green
economy policies and strategies.
• PAGE supports nations in reframing economic policies and practices around
sustainability.
• PAGE seeks to assist countries in achieving SDG (2030 Agenda), especially
SDG 8: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment.”
• PAGE brings together the expertise of five UN agencies – UNEP, ILO, UNIDO,
UNDP and UNITAR.
ILO: International Labor Organization
UNIDO: UN Industrial Development Organization
UNITAR: UN Institute for Training and Research.

⇒ Earth Summit 1992 (Rio de Janeiro) = UN Conference on Environment and Development

(UNCED)
⇒ Earth Summit 2002 (Johannesburg) = World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
⇒ Earth Summit 2012 (Rio de Janeiro) = UN Conference on Sustainable Development
(UNCSD)

??? What is the Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?

(a) It is the United nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization
(c) It is a Conference of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity
🔠? With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements :

1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.

2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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🔠?

India Institution & NGOs

India Institution & NGOs→ for Survey

Zoological ● ZSI was established in 1916 to promote the survey, exploration and research of the
Survey Of fauna in the country.
India ● It is headquartered in Kolkata.
● Comes under MoEF&CC.
● The objectives of ZSI are classified as follows:
1. Primary Objectives
● Exploration, Survey, Inventorying and Monitoring of faunal diversity in various
States, Ecosystems and Protected areas of India.
● Periodic review of the Status of Threatened and Endemic species.
● Preparation of Red Data Book, Fauna of India and Fauna of States.
● Bioecological studies on selected important communities/species.
● Preparation of databases for the recorded species of the country.
● Maintenance & 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.
2. Secondary Objectives
● Environmental Impact Studies.
● Maintenance and Development of Museums at Headquarters and Regional Stations.
● Development of ENVIS and CITES Centers.
● Research Fellowship, Associateship and Emeritus Scientist Programmes.

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 ● Collaborative research programmes on Biodiversity with other Organizations.
● GIS and Remote Sensing studies for animal diversity as well as for selected
threatened species.

Botanical ● Estd. in 1890.

Survey of India ● BSI is a premier research institute actively involved in the survey, exploration and
research of the immensely rich floral diversity of our country.
● BSI is headquartered in Kolkata.
● BSI publishes Flora of India series books, states floras, flora of Protected
regions and Red Data Book of Indian Plants.
Primary Objectives:
● Exploration, inventorying and documentation of phytodiversity in general and
protected areas, hotspots and fragile ecosystems in particular; publication of National,
State and District Floras.
● Identification of threatened/red list species & species rich areas needing
conservation; ex-situ conservation of critically threatened species in botanical
gardens.
● Survey and documentation of traditional knowledge associated with plants.
● Develop a National database of Indian plants, including herbarium and live
specimens, botanical paintings/ illustrations, etc

Forest Survey ● Founded in June 1981 and headquartered at Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

of India ● It is a premier national level organization engaged in the assessment of the
country’s forest resources on a regular basis.
● Works under MoEF&CC.
● FSI assesses forest cover of the country every 2 years through digital interpretation
of remote sensing satellite data and publishes the results in a biennial report called
'State of Forest Report' (SFR).
Objectives:
● To assess the forest cover of the country through Remote Sensing technology,
analyze the changes and prepare State of Forest Report biennially.

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● To conduct inventory in forests and non forest areas at national level and develop
a database on wood volume and also estimate tree cover.
● To function as a nodal agency for collection, compilation, storage and
dissemination of spatial databases on forest resources.
● To conduct training of forestry personnel in application of technologies related to
resources survey, remote sensing, GIS, etc.
Forest Survey report 2019
● Total Forest and Tree Cover rises to 24.56 percent of the total geographical area
of the Country.
● As compared to the assessment of 2017, there is an increase of 5,188 sq. km in
the total forest and tree cover of the country.
● The increase in the forest cover has been observed as 3,976 sq km and that in
tree cover is 1,212 sq. km.
● The top three states showing an increase in forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq.
km) followed by Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
● Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed
by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
● In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States
are Mizoram (85.41%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%),
Manipur (75.46%) and Nagaland (75.31%).
● The total growing stock of India’s forest and TOF is estimated at 5,915.76 million
cum of which 4,273.47 million cum is inside the forests and 1,642.29 million cum
outside. There is an increase of 93.38 million cum of total growing stock, as
compared to the previous assessment. Out of this increase in growing stock, there is
an increase of 55.08 million cum inside the forests and 38.30 million cum outside the
forest areas.
Forest Survey report 2021
● The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectares which is
24.62 percent of the geographical area of the country.
● As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the

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 total forest and tree cover of the country. Out of this, the increase in the forest cover
has been observed as 1,540 sq km and that in tree cover is 721 sq km.
● Top three states showing an increase in forest cover are: Andhra Pradesh (647
sq km) followed by Telangana (632 sq km) and Odisha (537 sq km).
● Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed
by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
● In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five
States are: Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya
(76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%).
● Total carbon stock in the country's forest is estimated to be 7,204 million
tonnes and there is an increase of 79.4 million tonnes in the carbon stock of the
country as compared to the last assessment of 2019. The annual increase in the
carbon stock is 39.7 million tonnes.

🔠? Which of the following statement is INCORRECT about Forest Survey of India:

1. Its Headquarter at Kolkata

2. It is established before ZSI
3. It published ‘State of Forest Report’
The options are as given:
(a] 1 & 2 only (b] 2 only (c] 3 only (d] 1, 2 & 3

India Institution & NGOs→ for Biodiversity

National ● Statutory autonomous body under MoEF&CC.

Biodiversity ● The NBA has its headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Authority ● Estd. in 2003 to implement the provisions of Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The
(NBA) Act and the Rules are implemented in India through a decentralized system.
● NBA advises the State Governments in the selection of areas of biodiversity
importance to be notified as heritage sites and measures for the management of such
heritage sites.
● It performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions for the Government of

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 India on issues of:
1. Conservation,
2. Sustainable use of biological resources and
3. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.

State ● The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) advises the State Governments on the
Biodiversity above mentioned three matters.
Boards (SBBs) ● The SSBs also regulate, by granting of approvals or otherwise upon requests for
commercial utilization or bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resource
by the Indians.

GEAC ● GEAC= Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

● Works under MoEF&CC.
● It was established as per Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and
Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells
notified in 1989 under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
Functions
● It is responsible for approval of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous
microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the
environmental angle.
● The Committee is responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of
genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including
experimental field trials.
● The committee or any persons authorized by it has powers to take punitive action
under the Environment Protection Act.
⇒Recently The Minister of MoEF announced his intention to change the name of
the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee to Genetic Engineering Appraisal
Committee .

India Institution & NGOs→ for Wildlife

IBWL/NBWL ● Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) was set up in 1952

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 ● Under WPA, 1972- IBWL was replaced by the National Board for Wildlife
(NBWL).
● NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister.
● 47 members including Chairman; 19 ex-officio members.
● It advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for
conservation of wildlife in the country.
● Apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and
around national parks and sanctuaries.
● No alteration of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done
without approval of the NBWL.

Wildlife ● Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was established in 1986 as an autonomous

Institute of India institute of the MoEF&CC.
(WII) ● The Institute has emerged as a premier training and research institution in the
field of wildlife and protected area management in South and Southeast Asia.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
Aims and Objectives
● Build up scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
● Train personnel at various levels for conservation and management of wildlife.
● Carry out research relevant to management including the development of
techniques appropriate to Indian conditions.
● Provide information and advice on specific wildlife management problems.
● Collaborate with international organizations on wildlife research, management
and training.
● Develop as a regional centre of international importance on wildlife and natural
resource conservation.

Animal Welfare ● Estd. in 1962 under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960;
Board of India ● Animal Welfare Board of India was started under the stewardship of Late Smt.
(AWBI) Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian.
● Statutory, advisory body under MoEF&CC.

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 ● The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period
of 3 years.
● Frames rules to ensure humane treatment of animals and litigates for stricter laws
against animal torture.
● It also grants recognition to AWOs and provides financial assistance to
recognised Animal Welfare Organisations(AWOs).

Wildlife Crime ● Statutory multi-disciplinary body under MoEF&CC to combat organized

Control Bureau wildlife crime in the country.
● The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi and five regional offices at Delhi,
Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur.
● WCCB successfully coordinated Operation Thunderbird (INTERPOL’s
operation for wildlife protection).
● It also launched Operation Save Kurma to protect turtles from illegal trade.
● Tasks assigned under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972:
1. To collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities.
2. To disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate
action so as to apprehend the criminals;
3. To establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank;
4. Coordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of
the provisions of the Act;
5. Assist foreign authorities and international organizations concerned to facilitate
coordination and universal action for wildlife crime control;
6. Capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and
professional investigation into wildlife crimes.
7. Assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife
crimes; and
8. Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having
national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.
9. It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the
consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act,

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 CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.
⇒ UNEP Award for WCCB (2018)
● Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was awarded with Asia Environment
Enforcement Awards, 2018 by the United Nation Environment Programme in
2018.
● The award was given for excellent work done by the Bureau in combating
transboundary environmental crime.

National Tiger ● Estd. in 2005 following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, constituted
Conservation by the Prime Minister of India.
Authority ● Constituted for reorganised management of Project Tiger and the many Tiger
Reserves in India.
● Statutory status given by 2006 amendment of the Wildlife Protection Act, under
MoEF&CC.
● Chaired by the Union minister of environment, forest and climate change.
● Its main function is to approve the Tiger Conservation Plan prepared by the
State Governments.
● It also regulates any ecologically unsustainable land use such as mining, industry
and other projects within the tiger reserves.

Central Zoo •The CZA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Authority Climate Change. It was constituted in 1992 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972.
● Objective: Oversight of India’s zoos and bring them up to international standards.
● Chaired by the Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate
Change.
● Functions:
1. Recognition of the Zoos.
2. Evaluation of the Zoos.
3. Providing assistance in conservation breeding programmes for endangered
species in Indian zoos.

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 4. Central Zoo Authority also regulates the exchange of animals of endangered
category listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife (Protection Act) among
zoos.
5. Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the
Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES
permits are issued by the competent authority.

National ● The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB), set up in

Afforestation August 1992, is responsible for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological
And Eco- restoration and eco-development activities in the country.
Development ● It gives special attention to the degraded forest areas and lands adjoining the forest
Board areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas as well as the
ecologically fragile areas like the Western Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats,
etc.
Role and functions of the NAEB:
● Evolve mechanisms for ecological restoration of degraded forest areas and
adjoining lands.
● Restore the forest cover in the country.
● Restore fuelwood, fodder, timber and other forest produce on the degraded forest
and adjoining lands.
● Create general awareness and help foster people's movement for promoting
afforestation and eco-development.
● Coordinate and monitor the Action Plans for afforestation, tree planting,
ecological restoration and eco-development.

NEERI-Council ● The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-

of Scientific & NEERI) is a research institute created and funded by GoI.
Industrial ● It was established in Nagpur in 1958 with focus on water supply, sewage disposal,
Research communicable diseases and to some extent on industrial pollution and occupational
Nagpur, diseases.
Maharashtra ● NEERI is a pioneer laboratory in the field of environmental science and

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 engineering and part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
● Note: It falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology (India) of the
central government.

🔠? Which of the following organizations comes under Ministry of Science & technology:
(a] WCCB (b] NEERI (c] NTCA (d] NBWL (e] GEAC

🔠? Arrange them with CORRECT sequence:

1. BSI
2. GEAC
3. IBWL
4. WII
5. NEERI
Options are as follows
(a] 1→ 2→ 3→ 4→ 5 (b] 1→ 3→ 5→ 4→ 2 (c] 3→ 2→ 5→ 4→ 1 (d] 2→ 1→ 4→ 5→ 3
🔠? The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the-

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
🔠? Which of the following is Correct about ‘Asia Environment Enforcement Award’:

1. It was given by UNEP

2. In 2018 WCCB was awarded
3. It was given for the excellent work in combating transboundary environmental crime.
The options are: (a] 1 only (b] 2 only (c] 1 & 2 only (d] 1,2 & 3

Legislative Institutions

NGT ● Statutory body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
● Principal Bench: Delhi
● Regional benches: Bhopal, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata.
● Members:
○ A full time Chairman

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 ○ At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Judicial members
○ At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Expert Members
● Objective: Effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to
1. Environmental protection.
2. Conservation of forests.
3. Compensation/relief for damages caused to people or property due to violation of
environmental laws.
Legal Jurisdiction of NGT
NGT can hear all civil cases related to following Acts:
1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
2. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
3. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
4. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1981
5. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
6. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
7. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Note: NGT has no powers to hear cases related to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and
Indian Forest Act, 1927.

National ● NGRBA= Set up in 2009, as a financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and

Ganga coordinating authority for the Ganges River.
Council ● It functions under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga
Rejuvenation.
● Mission: To safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by
protecting it from pollution or overuse.
● Chairman: Prime Minister of India
● A new body named "National Council for River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and
Management)" NCRG replaced the existing NGRBA in 2017.
● NMCG is the implementation wing of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection
and Management of River Ganga (also referred as National Ganga Council).

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🔠? How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board

(CPCB)?
1.The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of
the Government.
2.The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts
whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the
country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Institution/NGOs/Organization

BNHS ● The Bombay Natural History Society was founded in 1883.

● It is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India engaged in
conservation and biodiversity research.
● It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the
Bombay Natural History Society.
● BNHS is the partner of BirdLife International in India.
● It has been designated as a 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation' by the
Department of Science and Technology.

TERI (The ● TERI is a non profit public interest research and advocacy organization formally
Energy and established in 1974.
Resources ● It works with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the rapid depletion of the earth’s
Institute) finite energy resources which are largely non-renewable.
● TERI has been actively working to develop solutions to global problems in the fields of
energy, environment and current patterns of development, which are largely
unsustainable.
● TERI not only has offices in different parts of the world, but its activities have wide
geographical relevance.
● It organizes the annual World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), a major
event focusing on sustainable development, the pursuit of the Sustainable Development

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 Goals (SDGs) and assessment of worldwide progress in these critical areas.
● TERI has also established a World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF), which is
guided by the patronage of a group of select world leaders

Wildlife ● Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a leading Indian nature conservation organisation
Trust Of committed to the service of nature.
India Noida ● It is a non profit trust/organisation.
● Its mission is ‘to conserve wildlife and its habitat and to work for the welfare of
individual wild animals, in partnership with communities and governments’.
● WTI has been credited for achieving conservation milestones such as Recovering
population of critically endangered species, Translocation of Species, Reducing Human-
Animal Conflict, Rescue and Rehabilitation of Animals including Elephants, Tigers,
Leopards, One-horned Rhino and Bears.
● 12-15 August, WTI celebrated ‘Gaj Mahotsav’.

CSE ● The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) is a public interest research and
advocacy organization based in New Delhi.
● CSE makes efforts to create awareness about problems and propose sustainable
solutions.
● Their tools for creating awareness are periodicals, publications, films, exhibitions and
other products.
● Two of their interesting publications are ‘Down to Earth’ and ‘Gobar Times’
magazine for children

Kalpavriks ● NGO established in 1979.

h (Pune) ● It works on environmental awareness, campaigns, litigation, research, and other
areas.
● It has taken a position on a number of environment-development issues, sometimes by
protest letters to street demonstrations.
● It has continued to participate in mass movements challenging the state and its
policies.

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Sustainable Development Goals

2030 Agenda – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was launched in 2015.

• The UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) aim at eradicating poverty in all forms
and “seek to realize the human rights of all and achieve gender equality”.

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals, and their 169 targets, set
by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030 (UNGA resolution “2030 Agenda”).
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4: Quality education
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt
biodiversity loss
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Goal No. & Name Details

Goal 2: Zero hunger ⦁ "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and
promote sustainable agriculture".
• This would be accomplished by

✓ doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-

scale food producers (women and indigenous peoples),

✓ ensuring sustainable food production systems, and

✓ progressively improving land and soil quality.

• Other targets deal with maintaining genetic diversity of seeds,

increasing access to land, preventing trade restriction and distortions
in world agricultural markets, eliminating wastage and ending
malnutrition.

Goal 6: Clean water and ⦁ "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and
sanitation sanitation for all."
• Safe drinking water and hygienic toilets.
• Toilets in schools and workplaces.
• Equitable sanitation for addressing the specific needs of women
and girls, disabled, aged persons.

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Goal 7: Affordable and ⦁ "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern
clean energy energy for all."
• 2030 target: access to affordable and reliable energy while
increasing the share of renewable energy

Goal 11: Sustainable ⦁ "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and
cities and communities sustainable."
• 2030 target is to ensure access to safe and affordable housing

Goal 12: Responsible ⦁ "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns."

consumption and • The targets of Goal 12 include:
production ✓ using eco-friendly production methods

✓ reducing the amount of waste.

✓ Increase national recycling rates.

Goal 13: Climate action ⦁ "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by
regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable
energy."

Goal 14: Life below water ⦁ "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development."
• The targets include

✓ preventing and reducing marine pollution and acidification,

✓ protecting marine and coastal ecosystems and regulating

fishing.

• Microplastics come from a variety of sources, including from

larger plastic debris.
• Microbeads, a type of microplastic (tiny pieces of polyethylene),
are very tiny pieces of plastic that are added to health and beauty

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 products, such as some cleansers and toothpastes.

Goal 15: Life on Land ⦁ “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and
halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss."
• Goal 15 calls for more attention to preventing invasion of
introduced species and more protection of endangered species.

Millennium Development Goals

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) replaced the MDGs in 2016.

• The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals for the year
2015.
• MGDs had been established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000. at the
United Nations headquarters in New York
• The United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted.
⇒ Millennium Development Goals by 2015
1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. To achieve universal primary
education
3. To promote gender equality and
empower women
4. To reduce child mortality
5. To improve maternal health
6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and
other diseases
7. To ensure environmental
sustainability
8. To develop a global partnership for development

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How are SDGs different from MDGs?

● The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets are broader in scope and go further than
the MDGs by addressing the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development that works for
all people.
● The goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and
environmental protection.
● Building on the success and momentum of the MDGs, the new goals cover more ground, with ambitions
to address inequalities, economic growth, decent jobs, cities and human settlements, industrialization,
oceans, ecosystems, energy, climate change, sustainable consumption and production, peace and justice.
● The new Goals are universal and apply to all countries, whereas the MDGs were intended for action in
developing countries only.
● A core feature of the SDGs is their strong focus on means of implementation—the mobilization of
financial resources—capacity-building and technology, as well as data and institutions.
● The new Goals recognize that tackling climate change is essential for sustainable development and
poverty eradication. SDG 13 aims to promote urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG India Index 2020-21:

By NITI Ayog(estd: 2015, Chairman: PM, Vice chairman: Rajiv Kumar, CEO: Amitabh Kant, ThinkTank,
replace PC),
Parameter: Health, Education, Gender, Economic Growth, Climate Change;
Top performer: 1) Kerala, 2) TamilNadu & Himachal Pradesh;
Worst performer: Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam.
Index is developed in India with collaboration of the UN. It tracks performance of States & UTs in 115
indicators aligned with the National Indicator framework by MOSPI.
⇒ Side Note: India’s rank has slipped by two places from last year to 117 on the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in
2015. (last year ranking 115)
⇒ Further Self Study about own state ranking through http://sdgindiaindex.niti.gov.in

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Sudarshan Gurjar’s Environment Compiled Handout Page No→328
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club
of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2

Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduction
● A country’s progress generally depends on economic development through activities such as
manufacturing, trading etc.
● Development projects in the past were undertaken without any consideration to their environmental
consequences.
● EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental activities on the environment, if
any, well before the developmental project is implemented.

Concept Of EIA
● EIA is a tool which helps to evaluate the environmental impacts of proposed developmental projects or
programs.
● It ensures that the mitigation strategies are included in the plan and the project under construction is
environmentally sound and within limits of the capacity of assimilation and regeneration capacities of the
ecosystem.

Objectives of EIA

● To serve as a primary environmental clearance tool.

● To assess consistently all proposals for potential environmental impacts.
● To suggest the use of scientific practice and strategies for mitigation.
● To address all possible factors such as short term, long term, small scale and large scale impacts.
● To include mechanisms for monitoring, auditing and evaluation.

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EIA In India

● EIA was introduced in India in 1978, with respect to river valley projects.
● EIA Notification comes under the provisions of Environment(Protection) Act, 1986.
● EIA is now mandatory for Red category projects, and other such categories as per notification of the
Ministry released in 2016 and these projects get Environmental Clearance (EC) only after the EIA
requirements are fulfilled.
● EIA comes under Notification on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of developmental projects
1994 under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Environmental Clearance

● Environmental clearance or the ‘go ahead’ signal is granted by the Impact Assessment Agency in the
MoEFCC.
● All projects that require clearance from central government can be broadly categorized into the
following:-
(1) Industries
(2) Mining
(3) Thermal power plants
(4) River valley projects
(5) Infrastructure and CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone)
(6) Nuclear power projects.

Environmental Components of EIA

Air Environment Noise

• Quality of ambient air. • Levels of noise present and predicted.
• Wind speed, direction, humidity etc. • Strategies for reducing noise pollution.
• Quantity of emission likely from project.
• Impact of the emission on the area. Water Environment
• Pollution control desires/air quality standards. ● Existing ground and surface water resources,
their quality and quantity within the zone.
● Impact of proposed project on water resources.

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Biological Environment Land Environment

● Flora and fauna in the impact zone. ● Study of soil characteristics, land use, and
● Potential damage (likely) due to the project, due drainage pattern, and the likely adverse impact of
to effluents, emissions and landscaping. the project.
● Biological stress (prediction). ● Impact on historical monuments and heritage
sites.

Steps In EIA Process

1. Screening.
2. Scoping and consideration of alternatives.
3. Baseline data collection.
4. Impact prediction.
5. Assessment of alternatives, delineation of mitigation measures and environmental impact statements.
6. Public hearing.
7. Decision making.
8. Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan.
● Screening: The project plan is screened for scale of investment, location and type of development and
if the project needs statutory clearance.
● Scoping: The project’s potential impacts, zone of impacts, mitigation possibilities and need for
monitoring. The EIA agency has to follow the published guidelines by the Ministry of Environment and
Forest (MoEF) of the government of India.
● Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental status of the study area.
● Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and irreversible and temporary and permanent
impacts need to be predicted which presupposes a good understanding of the project by the assessment
agency.
● Mitigation measures and EIA report: The EIA report should include the actions and steps for
preventing, minimizing or by passing the impacts or else the level of compensation for probable
environmental damage or loss.
● Public hearing: On completion of the EIA report, public and environmental groups living close to the
project site may be informed and consulted.

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● Decision making: Impact Assessment (IA) Authority along with the experts consult the project-in-
charge along with the consultant to take the final decision, keeping in mind EIA and EMP (Environment
ManagementPlan).
● Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan: The various phases of
implementation of the project are monitored. ○ Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability
and index also form part of EIA procedures.
Environmental Appraisal Procedure In India
● Once an application has been submitted by a project authority along with all the requisite documents
specified in the EIA Notification, it is scrutinized by the technical staff of the Ministry prior to placing it
before the Environmental Appraisal Committees.
● The Appraisal Committees evaluate the impact of the project based on the data furnished by the project
authorities.
● If necessary, site visits or on-the-spot assessment of various environmental aspects are also undertaken.
● Based on such examination, the Committees make recommendations for approval or rejection of the
project, which are then processed in the Ministry for approval or rejection.
● In case of site specific projects such as Mining, River Valley, Ports and Harbors etc., a two stage
clearance procedure has been adopted whereby the project authorities have to obtain site clearance before
applying for environmental clearance of their projects.
● This is to ensure avoiding areas which are ecologically fragile and environmentally sensitive.
● In case of projects where complete information has been submitted by the project proponents, a decision
is taken within 90 days.
Monitoring
● After considering all the facets of a project, environmental clearance is accorded subject to
implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards.
● Monitoring of cleared projects is undertaken by the six regional offices of the Ministry functioning at
Shillong, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Lucknow and Bhopal.
● The primary objective of such a procedure is to ensure adequacy of the suggested safeguards and also
to undertake mid-course corrections required, if any.

Main Participants of EIA

EIA applies to public and private sections. The six main players are:

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1. Those who propose the project.
2. The environmental consultant who prepared EIA on behalf of the project proponent.
3. Pollution Control Board (State or National).
4. Public has the right to express their opinion.
5. The Impact Assessment Agency.
6. Regional center of the MoEFCC.

EIA notification, 2006

The objective of EIA Notification 2006 is to address the limitations in the old EIA Notification (1994).
Salient features:
● More number of projects brought within the purview of the environmental clearance process.
● A revised list of projects and activities has been redrawn that requires prior environmental clearance.
● Doing away with the categorisation of projects requiring EIA based on investment.
● Now the size or capacity of the project determines whether it is cleared by the central or state
government.
● The major difference in the New EIA Notification 2006 from the earlier one (1994) is its attempt to
decentralise power to the State Government.
● Earlier all the projects under schedule 1 went to the Central Government for environmental clearance.
● However, as per the new notification, a significant number of projects will go to the state for clearance
depending on its size/capacity/area.
● The EIA Notification, 2006, broadly divides all projects into two categories— Category A and Category
B —based on potential impacts over an area and on human health and natural and man-made resources.
● All Category A projects (with potentially significant impacts) are required to carry out an EIA and
undertake a public hearing before an EC (Environmental clearance) may be granted by the Union
environment ministry.
● Category A projects include all physical infrastructure whose size and cost is greater than certain
minimum levels as defined in the Schedule.
● Environmental Clearances for these projects are granted at the Central level.
● Physical infrastructure includes projects in the ports, highways, water and sanitation, urban transport,
and solid waste management sectors.
● All new National Highways are classified as Category A.

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● In addition, expansion of National Highways greater than 30 KMinvolving land acquisition and passing
through more than one State are categorized as Category A.
● Category B covers projects with lesser size or capacity, and smaller impacts than Category A.
● Category B projects (with potentially less significant impacts) are evaluated and given a clearance by
state level authorities, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert
Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
○ Projects under Category B1 also require an EIA and public consultation, but those falling under B2 are
exempted from requirements of both EIA and public consultation.
● The new notification also talks about ‘Scoping’, which was completely missing earlier. Issues pertaining
to draft EIA Notification 2020
Post-Facto Approval
•The new draft allows for post-facto approval for projects. It means that the clearances for projects can be
awarded even if they have started construction or have been in the running phase without securing
environmental clearances.
•Post facto approval is the derogation of the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence and
violation of the “precautionary principle,” which is a principle of environmental sustainability.
Public Consultation Process
•The draft notification provides for a reduction of the time period from 30 days to 20 days for the public
to submit their responses during a public hearing for any application seeking environmental clearance.
•The danger is that if adequate time is not given for the preparation of views, comments and suggestions
to those who would be affected by the project, then such public hearings would not be meaningful.
•Unless a public hearing is meaningful, the whole EIA process would lack transparency and credibility.
Bypassing EIA Process
•Through the draft notification, the central government gets the power to categorize projects as “strategic.”
•Once a project is considered as strategic, the draft notification states that no information related to such
projects shall be placed in the public domain.
•Further, the draft notification states that the new construction projects up to 1,50,000 square meters
(instead of the existing 20,000 square meters) do not need “detailed scrutiny” by the Expert Committee,
nor do they need EIA studies and public consultation.
Compliance Report Issue

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•The 2006 notification required that the project proponent submit a report every six months, showing that
they are carrying out their activities as per the terms on which permission has been given.
•However, the new draft requires the promoter to submit a report only once every year. New
Categorisation Of Industries, 2016
● Based on their pollution load.
● MoEFCC has developed the criteria of categorization of industrial sectors based on the Pollution Index
which is a function of the emissions (air pollutants), effluents (water pollutants), hazardous wastes
generated and consumption of resources.
● The new category of White industries which is practically non-polluting will not require Environmental
Clearance (EC) and Consent and will help in getting finance from lending institutions.
● The Pollution Index PI of any industrial sector is a number from 0 to 100 and the increasing value of PI
denotes the increasing degree of pollution load from the industrial sector.
1. Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 60 and above- Red category
2. Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 41 to 59- Orange category
3. Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 21 to 40- Green category
4. Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score incl. & upto 20- White category
● Screening: In the EIA notification released by the govt. in 2006, there is a lack of clarity in overall
conductance of the Screening process.
● Sometimes the EIA reports are too technical and often prepare lifting content and data from other
sources, thus presenting contradictory, inconsistent and outdated information.
● Moreover, there is no process for punishing the agencies involved in plagiarism and preparing such
dishonest EIA reports.

Issues With EIA

● Sometimes the agencies or project proponents include incomplete surveys, improperly demarcated EIA
study areas and publish unsubstantiated statements.
● Many agencies hire local and incompetent professionals at a cheaper cost which results into poor quality
of EIA reports.
● Generally the local people are unaware of the process of EIA, its significance for them, role of various
players and their own rights and responsibilities.

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● They are also unable to comprehend the reports as the reports are seldom published in local languages.
The technical language of the report further makes understanding them difficult.
● Corruption and negligence of officials involved in public hearing committees.
⇒ Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has published the draft
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020, which replaces the existing EIA Notification,
2006 brought under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

Issues with the provisions of draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), 2020

• Public Consultation: It proposes to reduce the period of public consultation hearings to a maximum of
40 days, and reduce from 30 to 20 days the time provided for the public to submit their responses during
a public hearing for any application seeking environmental clearance. This can particularly pose a problem
to those affected people who are forest dwellers or otherwise do not have access to information and

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technology and those that are not aware of the process itself. Unless a public hearing is meaningful, the
whole EIA process would lack transparency and credibility.
• Wide discretionary powers to government: It also allows the central government to declare some areas
as “economically sensitive areas” without a public hearing or environmental clearance, and several “red”
and “orange”-classified toxic industries could now operate as close as 0-5 km from a Protected Area. o
The government also gets to decide on the “strategic” tag for any projects for which no information on
such projects shall be placed in the public domain. This opens a window for summary clearance for any
project deemed strategic without having to explain why.
• Provisions for post-facto project clearance: Projects that have commenced operations – by way of
construction, installation, excavation, production, etc – without obtaining necessary clearances can be
legalised after payment of a penalty o Post facto clearance is the violation of the fundamental principles
of environmental jurisprudence and is contrary to both the precautionary principle as well as the need for
sustainable development.
• Extended period of clearances: The increased validity of the environment clearances for mining
projects (50 years versus 30 years currently) and river valley projects (15 years versus 10 years currently)
raises the risk of irreversible environmental, social and health consequences on account of the project
remaining unnoticed for long.
• Exemptions: The new draft exempts a long list of projects from public consultation and prior clearance.
For example, linear projects such as roads and pipelines in border areas will not require any public hearing.
All inland waterways projects and expansion/widening of national highways including roads that cut
through forests and dredging of major rivers, will be exempt from prior clearance.
• Baseline data: The latest draft EIA notification does away with the need to carry out studies covering
all seasons in a year. This will lead to less reliable data and projections for pollutants affecting air and
water, according to several experts. The end result of the EIA will mask the full environmental impact of
a project.
• Private consultation: The notification allows project proponents to engage private consultants for
preparing the EIA reports propelling a situation where expertise and technicalities would be adopted to
obscure the process and make it difficult to understand – something that should have been open and
comprehensible to the communities for the process to be remotely transparent.

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• Compliance Report Issue: The draft notification reduces the frequency of compliance reports required
from project owners from once every six months to once every year. During this period, certain irreversible
environmental, social or health consequences of the project could go unnoticed.

✍Conclusion

Various provisions of Draft EIA aimed at facilitating the government’s doctrine of “ease of doing
business”. Environmental regulation must balance damage to the environment with sustainable
development and possible benefits. Government must incorporate the concerns of all stakeholder before
finalizing the regulation

(Mains Question)
Q. (GSM3-2020)- How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ
from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?

Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)

• GACSA is promoted by FAO along with various governments.

• Its vision is to improve food security, nutrition and resilience in the face of climate change.
• GACSA works towards three aspirational outcomes:
1. Improve farmers’ agricultural productivity and incomes in a sustainable way;
2. Build farmers’ resilience to extreme weather and changing climate;
3. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture, when possible.

Bio-Fertilizers and Their Use In Agriculture

• For a sustainable agriculture system, it is essential to use renewable inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, water
etc.) which can benefit the plant and cause no or minimal damage to the environment.
• One of the energy efficient and pollution free methods is to exploit the ability of certain microorganisms
like bacteria, algae and fungi to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus, decompose organic
material or oxidize sulfur in the soil. When they are applied in the soil, they enhance growth and yield of
crops, improve soil fertility and reduce pollution. They are known as “bio fertilizers''.

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 Bio fertilizer name Detail

Rhizobium biofertilizer • Rhizobium is a symbiotic bacterium forming root nodules in legume plants.

• These nodules act as miniature nitrogen production factories in the fields.

• The nodule bacteria fix more nitrogen (N2) than needed by legume plant
and the bacteria.

• The surplus fixed nitrogen is then secreted and fertilizes the soil.
Rhizobium is more efficient than-free living nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Azotobacter biofertilizer • Azotobacters are aerobic free living nitrogen fixers.

• They grow in the rhizosphere (around the roots) and fix atmospheric
nitrogen non-symbiotically and make it available to the particular cereals.

These bacteria produce growth promoting hormones which helps in

enhancing growth and yield of the plant

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Azospirillum • These are aerobic free living nitrogen fixers which live in associative
biofertilizer symbiosis.

• In this type of association bacteria live on the root surface of the host plant
and do not form any nodule with roots of grasses.

• It increases crop yield and its inoculation benefits crops.

• They also benefit the host plants by supplying growth hormones and
vitamins.

• These bacteria are commonly used for the preparation of commercial

inoculants (vaccines, culture medium).

Blue green algae • Blue green algae (BGA or cyanobacteria) like Nostoc and Anabaena are
free living photosynthetic organisms also capable of fixing atmospheric
nitrogen. In the flooded rice fields blue green algae serves as a nitrogen
biofertilizer

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Azolla biofertilizers • Azolla is a water fern inside which grows the nitrogen fixing blue green
algae Anabaena.

• It contains 2-3% nitrogen when wet and also produces organic matter in
the soil.

• The Azolla-Anabaena combination type biofertilizer is used all over the

world.

• The only constraint in Azolla is that it is an aquatic plant and water becomes
a limiting factor in growing it particularly in summer.

A fern is a member of a group of plants that reproduce via spores and have
neither seeds nor flowers.

Phosphorus solubilizing • Phosphorus is an important element required for plant growth.

biofertilizer
• This element is also needed for nodulation by rhizobium.

• Some microorganisms are capable of solubilizing immobilized phosphorus

making it available to plants for absorption.

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Mycorrhizal fungi • Mycorrhizal fungi act as biofertilizers and are known to occur naturally on
biofertilizer roots of forest trees and crop plants.

• Mycorrhizal fungi resist disease in plants. The plants also show drought
and salinity resistance. Plants can tolerate adverse soil, pH, high temperature
and heavy metal toxicity.

• In soils low in available nutrients there is an increased absorption of

nutrients by plants infected with Mycorrhiza.

The fungus has the ability to dissolve and absorb phosphorus that plant roots
cannot readily absorb

Compost Tea • Compost Tea is a liquid fertilizer for flowers, vegetables and houseplants.

• Compost tea is an aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) water solution that
has extracted the microbe population from compost (dead and decaying
matter) along with the nutrients.

• In simple terms, it is a concentrated liquid created by a process to increase

the numbers of beneficial organisms as an organic approach to plant/soil
care.

can be sprayed directly onto the leaf surface.

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Biochar • Biochar is charcoal that is used as soil amendment (minor improvement).

• It is created using a pyrolysis process (decomposition brought about by

high temperatures), heating biomass in a low oxygen environment.

• Once the pyrolysis reaction has begun, it is self-sustaining, requiring no

outside energy input.

• By-products of the process include syngas (H2 + CO), minor quantities of

methane (CH4 ), organic acids and excess heat.

• Once it is produced, bio char is spread on agricultural fields and

incorporated into the top layer of soil.

• The syngas and excess heat can be used directly or employed to produce a
variety of biofuels.

• It increases crop yields, sometimes substantially if the soil is in poor

condition.

• It helps to prevent fertilizer runoff and leaching, allowing the use of less
fertilizers.

• It retains moisture, helping plants through periods of drought more easily.

• Most importantly, it replenishes exhausted or marginal soils with organic
carbon

• It promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

• to retain water for a longer time.

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ALL ACTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT
The environmental legislations in India can be categorized as follows

General

● 1986- The Environment (Protection) Act

● 1989- The objective of Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules
● 1989- The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically
Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules
● 1991- The Public Liability Insurance Act and Rules and Amendment
● 1995- The National Environmental TribunalAct
● 1997- The National Environment Appellate Authority Act
● 1998- The Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules
● 2000- The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules
● 2000- The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules
● 2002- The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Rules
● 2010- National Green Tribunal Act

Forest and wildlife

● 1927- The Indian Forest Act and Amendment,1984

● 1960- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960
● 1972- The Wildlife Protection Act, Rules 1973 and Amendment1991
● 1980- The Forest (Conservation) Act and Rules, 1981
● 2001- Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001
● 2002- The Biological Diversity Act 3. Water
● 1882- The Easement Act
● 1897- The Indian FisheriesAct
● 1956- The River Boards Act
● 1970- The Merchant Shipping Act
● 1974- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)Act
● 1977- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) CessAct
● 1978- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules

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● 1991- The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification
● 2010– Wetland Rules

Air

● 1948– The Factories Act and Amendment in1987

● 1981- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)Act
● 1982- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)Rules
● 1982- The Atomic EnergyAct
● 1987- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act
● 1988- The Motor VehiclesAct

The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972

● The Wild Life Act (Protection) Act, 1972 was enacted for the protection of plants and animals.

Salient Features of Wildlife Protection Act

• This Act provides for the protection of a listed species of animals, birds, and plants, and also for the
establishment of a network of ecologically-important protected areas in the country.
• It helped India become a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES).
•It provides for the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc.
•Its provisions paved the way for the formation of the Central Zoo Authority.
•The Act created six schedules which gave varying degrees of protection to classes of flora and fauna.
•The National Board for Wildlife was constituted as a statutory organization under the provisions of this
Act.
• This is an advisory board that offers advice to the central government on issues of wildlife conservation
in India.
• It is also the apex body to review and approve all matters related to wildlife, projects of national parks,
sanctuaries, etc.
• The chief function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
• It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
•The Act also provided for the establishment of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

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•The Act also provided for the establishment of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
• It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with an overall
supervisory and coordination part, performing capacities as given in the Act.
• Its mandate is to strengthen tiger conservation in India.
• It gives statutory authority to Project Tiger which was launched in 1973 and has put the endangered tiger
on a guaranteed path of revival by protecting it from extinction.
● It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection.
● Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection; offences under these are prescribed
the highest penalties.
● Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.
● Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted.
● The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting.
Schedule I •They cannot be hunted except under threat
•This Schedule covers endangered species. to human life.
•These species need rigorous protection and •Examples: Kohinoor (insect), Assamese
therefore, the harshest penalties for violation Macaque, Bengal Hanuman langur, Large
of the law are under this Schedule. Indian Civet, Indian Fox, Larger Kashmir
•Species under this Schedule are prohibited Flying Squirrel, Kashmir Fox, etc.
to be hunted throughout India, except under Schedule III & IV
threat to human life. •This list is for species that are not
•Absolute protection is accorded to species endangered.
on this list. •This includes protected species but the
•The Trade of these animals is prohibited. penalty for any violation is less compared to
•Examples: tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan the first two schedules.
Brown Bear, BrowAntlered Deer, Blue •Examples: hyena, Himalayan rat, porcupine,
whale, Common Dolphin, Cheetah, Clouded flying fox, Malabar tree toad, etc.
Leopard, hornbills, Indian Gazelle, etc. Schedule V
Schedule II •This schedule contains animals that can be
•Animals under this list are also accorded hunted.
high protection. •Examples: mice, rats, common crow, fruit
•Their trade is prohibited. bats, etc.

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Schedule VI •Examples: pitcher plant, blue vanda, red
•This list contains plants that are forbidden vanda, kuth, etc.
from cultivation.
🔠? According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted

by any person except under some provisions provided by law?

1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
🔠? If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what

is the implication?
(a) A license is required to cultivate that plant.
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
🔠? Consider the following statements:

1. Animal Welfare Board of India was established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. The National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 2 only D. 1, 2 and 3

Environment (Protection) Act of 1986

• In the wake of the Bhopal tragedy, the government of India enacted the Environment Act of 1986.
• The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment of 1972.
• The decisions relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of
hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.
● “Environment” is defined to include water, air and land and the interrelationships which exist among
water, air and land and human beings and other living creatures, plants, microorganisms and property.

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● “Environmental pollution” is the presence of pollutants, defined as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance
present in such a concentration as may be or may tend to be injurious to the environment.
● “Hazardous substances” include any substance or preparation, which may cause harm to human beings,
other living creatures, plants, microorganisms, property or the environment.

Salient Features

● Section 3(1) of EPA: Center is empowered to “take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient
for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and
abating environmental pollution”.
● The Central Government can set new national standards for the quality of the environment (ambient
standards) as well as standards for controlling emissions and effluent discharges:
1. To regulate industrial locations,
2. To prescribe procedures for managing hazardous substances;
3. To establish safeguards preventing accidents, and
4. To collect and dismantle information regarding environmental pollution.

Powers of Central Government under EPA

1. Coordination of action by state,

2. Planning and execution of nation wide programmes,
3. Laying down environmental quality standards, especially those governing emission or discharge of
environmental pollutants,
4. Placing restriction on the location of industries
5. Handling of hazardous substances,
6. Prevention of environmental accidents,
7. Inspection of polluting units,
8. Research and establishment of laboratories,
9. Dissemination of information.
🔠? The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to

1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the
procedure and manner in which it is sought.
2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.

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Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989

• Biosafety concerns have led to the development of a regulatory regime in India. Aim of ‘Rules 1989’ is
to protect the environment, nature and health in connection with application of gene technology and micro-
organisms
1. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC): The functions are of an advisory nature. It
recommends safety regulations for India in recombinant research, use and applications.
2. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) established under the Department of
Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, to monitor the safety related aspects in respect of
ongoing research projects.
3. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC): it is the apex body constituted in the MoEF under
‘Rules 1989', under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
4. The State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC’s) have a major role in monitoring. It also
has powers to inspect, investigate and take punitive action in case or violations of statutory provisions.
5. District Level Committees (DLCs) have a major role in monitoring the safety regulations in
installations engaged in the use of genetically modified organisms/hazardous microorganisms and its
applications in the environment.
6. Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) is established under the institution engaged in GMO
research to oversee such research and to interface with the RCGM in regulating it.

The Ozone Depleting Substances Rules

• The rules are framed under the jurisdiction of Environment (Protection) Act.
• These Rules set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, trade import
and export of ODSs and the product containing ODS.

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National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

• National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is a financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and
coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Ministry of Water Resources.
• The mission of the organization is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by
protecting it from pollution or overuse.
• In 2014, the NGRBA was transferred from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of
Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
• It was established by the Central Government of India, in 2009 under Section 3(3) of the Environment
Protection Act, 1986, which also declared Ganges as the ‘National River’ of India.

Composition of NGRBA

• The Prime Minister chairs the authority. • Minister of Power

▪ Members belonging to the government • Minister of Sciences and Technology
sector are as follows: • Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar
• Prime Minister of India Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal
•Minister of Environment and Forests (Union • Ministry of Environment and Forests (state
Minister) minister)
• Minister of Finance • Ministry of Environment and Forests,
• Minister of Urban Development secretary
• Minister of Water Resources

Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980

• The First Forest Act was enacted in 1927.

• Alarmed at India’s rapid deforestation and resulting environmental degradation, the Centre
Government enacted the Forest (Conservation) Act in1980.
• Forest officers and their staff administer the Forest Act.
• Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central Government is required for
diversion of forestlands for non-forest purposes.
• An Advisory Committee constituted under the Act advises the Center on these approvals.
• The Act deals with the four categories of the forests, namely reserved forests, village forests,
protected forests and private forests.

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⦁ Reserved forest
• A state may declare forestlands or waste lands as reserved forest and may sell the produce from
these forests.
• Any unauthorized felling of trees quarrying, grazing and hunting in reserved forests is punishable
with a fine or imprisonment, or both
⦁ Village forests
• Reserved forests assigned to a village community are called village forests.
⦁ Protected forests
• The state governments are empowered to designate protected forests and may prohibit the felling
of trees, quarrying and the removal of forest produce from these forests.
• The preservation of protected forests is enforced through rules, licenses and criminal
prosecutions.

Biodiversity Act 2000

• India’s richness in biological resources and indigenous knowledge relating to them is well
recognized.
• The legislation aims at regulating access to biological resources so as to ensure equitable sharing
of benefits arising from their use.
• The Biological Diversity Bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2000 and was passed in 2002.

Salient features of the biodiversity legislation

• The main intent of this legislation is to protect India’s rich biodiversity and associated knowledge
against their use by foreign individuals and organizations without sharing the benefits arising out
of such use, and to check biopiracy.
• This bill seeks to check biopiracy, protect biological diversity and local growers through a three-
tier structure of central and state boards and local committees.
• The Act provides for setting up of a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity
Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in local bodies.
• While granting approvals, NBA will impose terms and conditions to secure equitable sharing of
benefits
• Before applying for any form of IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) in or outside India for an

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invention based on research on a biological resource obtained from India, prior approval of NBA
will be required.
• The monetary benefits, fees, royalties as a result of approvals by the NBA will be deposited in
the National Biodiversity Fund.
• NBF will be used for conservation and development of areas from where resources has been
accessed, in consultation with the local self-government concerned.
• There is provision for notifying National Heritage Sites important from the standpoint of
biodiversity by State Governments in consultation with local self-government.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,
2006.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006 provides for the restitution of deprived forest rights across India.
• The Act is providing scope of integrating conservation and livelihood rights of the people.

FRA is tool

• To empower and strengthen the local self-governance

• To address the livelihood security of the people
• To address the issues of Conservation and management of the Natural Resources and
conservation governance of India.
⦁ For the first time Forest Rights Act recognizes and secures
• Community Rights in addition to their individual rights
• Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which the
communities have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
• Right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural
diversity
• Rights of displaced communities & Rights over developmental activity.

Salient Features

• Nodal Agency for the implementation is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
• This Act is applicable for Tribal and Other Traditional Forest Dwelling Communities.

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• The maximum limit of the recognizing rights on forest land is 4 ha.
• National Parks and Sanctuaries have been included along with Reserve Forest, Protected Forests
for the recognition of Rights.
• The Act recognizes the right of ownership access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest
produce by tribals.
• Minor forest produce includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin.
• As per the Act, the Gram Sabha has been designated as the competent authority for initiating the
process of determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights.
⦁ Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH)
• The Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH) have been envisaged in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
• Critical wildlife habitats (CWHs) are areas inside wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger
reserves – known as ‘protected areas’ – where people’s activities like cattle grazing or collecting
leaves compete with the needs of wildlife.
• MoTA is the nodal authority for FRA.
• The Chief Wildlife Warden of a state will notify a seven-member expert committee, chaired by
a chief conservator of forest in-charge of a national park or sanctuary, for the purpose of
identification of CWH in a national park or sanctuary.
• The Expert Committee will identify areas within national parks and sanctuaries, based on
scientific and objective criteria relevant to the protected area.
• The Expert Committee shall issue a public notice 15 days in advance on the intention to notify
CWH.
• The public notice shall include details of areas required to be kept inviolate, criteria adopted for
CWH identification, implication of the notification, and options of resettlement and rehabilitation
schemes.
• The Expert Committee shall carry out open consultations with all stakeholders, and the
proceedings and objections will be documented appropriately.
• The committee will submit the CWH proposal to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
• The decision on the proposal will be taken by the Standing Committee of the National Board for
Wildlife.
• A MoTA representative would be invited during the deliberation of the proposal by the standing
committee.

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• Following the committee’s recommendation, the notification of CWH will be published in the
official gazette.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and Amendment, 1988)

Some important provisions of this Act are given below:

• The Act vests regulatory authority in State Pollution Control Boards to establish and enforce
effluent standards for factories.
• A Central Pollution Control Board performs the same functions for Union Territories and
formulates policies and coordinates activities of different State Boards.
• The Act grants power to SPCB and CPCB to test equipment and to take samples for the purpose
of analysis.
• Prior to its amendment in 1988, enforcement under the Act was achieved through criminal
prosecutions initiated by the Boards.
• The 1988 amendment act empowered SPCB and CPCB to close a defaulting industrial plant.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977

• The Water Cess Act was passed to generate financial resources to meet expenses of the Central
and State Pollution Boards.
• The Act creates economic incentives for pollution control and requires local authorities and
certain designated industries to pay a cess (tax) for water effluent discharge.
• The Central Government, after deducting the expenses of collection, pays the central and state
boards such sums, as it seems necessary.
• To encourage capital investment in pollution control, the Act gives a polluter a 70% rebate of the
applicable cess upon installing effluent treatment equipment.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 and amendment, 1987

• To implement the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
held at Stockholm in June 1972, Parliament enacted the nationwide Air Act.
• The main objectives of this Act are to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control and abate
air pollution in the country. Important provisions of this Act are given below:
• The Air Act’s framework is similar to that of the Water Act of 1974.

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• The Air Act expanded the authority of the central and state boards established under the Water
Act, to include air pollution control.
• States not having water pollution boards were required to set up air pollution boards.
• Under the Air Act, all industries operating within designated air pollution control areas must
obtain a “consent” (permit) from the State Boards.
• The states are required to prescribe emission standards for industry and automobiles after
consulting the central board and noting its ambient air quality standards.
• The Act grants power to SPCB and to test equipment and to take the sample for the purpose of
analysis from any chimney, fly ash or dust or any other.
• Prior to its amendment in 1988, enforcement under the Act was achieved through criminal
prosecutions initiated by the Boards.
• The 1988 amendment act empowered SPCB and CPCB to close a defaulting industrial plant.
• Notably, the 1987 amendment introduced a citizen’s suit provision into the Air Act and extended
the Act to include noise pollution.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

•. The coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and back waters which are influenced
by tidal action were declared "Coastal Regulation Zone '' (CRZ) in 1991.
• India has created institutional mechanisms such as National Coastal Zone Management Authority
(NCZMA) and State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA) for enforcement and
monitoring of the CRZ Notification.
• These authorities have been delegated powers under Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection)
Act, 1986 to take various measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal
environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in coastal areas.
⦁ Classification Criteria and Regulatory Norms
• The coastal regulation zone has been classified for the purpose of regulation of the permitted
activities.
⦁ CRZ-I:
• Ecologically sensitive area and the area between High Tide Line (HTL) and Low Tide Line
(LTL).
• No new construction is permitted except for a few specified most essential activities like support

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activities for Atomic Energy Plants and Defence requirements, facilities required for disposal of
treated effluents and other port related waterfront activities.
⦁ CRZ-II:
• The area that has been developed up to or close to the shore line which includes the designated
urban areas that are substantially built up.
• Buildings permitted only on the landward side of the existing authorized structures as defined in
the notification.
⦁ CRZ-III:
• The areas that are relatively undisturbed and those which do not belong to either CRZ-I or CRZ-
II which includes mainly the rural area and those not substantially built up within designated urban
areas.
• The area up to 200 meters from HTL is earmarked as "No Development Zone".
• No construction is permitted within this zone except for repairs to the existing authorized
structures.
• Development of vacant plots between 200 and 500 meters of HTL is permitted in CRZ III for the
purpose of construction of dwelling units and hotels/beach resorts subject to certain conditions.
⦁ CRZ-IV
• The activities impugning on the sea and tidal influenced water bodies will be regulated except
for traditional fishing and related activities undertaken by local communities.
• No untreated sewage, effluents, pollution from oil drilling shall be let off or dumped.
Two separate categories for CRZ-III (Rural) areas
CRZ-III A: The category of CRZ-III areas are densely populated rural areas with a population
density of 2161 per square kilometer as per 2011 Census. Such areas have a No Development Zone
(NDZ) of 50 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL) as against 200 meters from the High Tide
Line stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011.
CRZ-III B - The B category of CRZ-III rural areas have population density of below 2161 per
square kilometer as per 2011 Census. Such areas have a No Development Zone of 200 meters from
the HTL.
Environment Ministry notifies CRZ Regulations 2019; replaces CRZ norms of 2011
Tourism infrastructure permitted in coastal areas
The new norms permit temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms,

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drinking water facilities, etc. in Beaches
Streamlining of CRZ Clearances
The procedure for CRZ clearances has been streamlined. Now, the only such projects which are
located in the CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and CRZ IV (area covered between Low Tide
Line and 12 Nautical Miles seaward) will be dealt with for CRZ clearance by the Ministry. The
powers for clearances with respect to CRZ-II and III have been delegated at the State level.
CRZ-IV, which includes the shallow belt of coastal waters extending up to 12 nautical miles, is
not only a crucial fishing zone for small fishers but also bears the maximum brunt of waste from
offshore activities, such as oil exploration, mining and shipping. The 2011 notification had thus
laid importance on regulation of pollution from such offshore activities. Instead of strengthening
the regulation, the 2018 notification allows land reclamation for setting up ports, harbours and
roads; facilities for discharging treated effluents; transfer of hazardous substances; and
construction of memorials or monuments.

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