Environment ( India 2018 )
Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country.
It was established in 1890 with the basic objective to explore the plant resources of country and to identify the plants species with economic virtues.
The functional base of BSI was further expanded to include various new areas such as inventorying of endemic, rare and threatened plant species; evolving conservation strategies; studies on fragile ecosystems and protected areas, like wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves, multiplication and maintenance of endemic and threatened plant species, wild ornamentals, etc.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a premier research institution under the Ministry was established in 1916.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of the key agreements adopted during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
- The objective of CBD are:
- conservation of biological diversity,
- sustainable use of its components, and
- fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources
India enacted the Biological Diversity (BD) Act in 2002 to give effect to the provision of this Convention. India also prepared a National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) in 2008, and an Addendum to NBAP in 2014 with 20 national targets on biodiversity.
The Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS) adopted under the aegis of CBD in 2010, is aimed at fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
The Government of India in collaboration with the Norwegian Government has established a “Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL)” in the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai, to develop professional expertise in biodiversity policies and laws and develop capacity building.
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 came into force in 2003. The Act extents to the whole of India.
- The objectives of the Act are
- conservation,
- sustainable utilization and
- fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated knowledge.
The Act is being implemented through three-tiered institutional structures (NBA at National level, state biodiversity Boards at state level and Biodiversity Management Committees at local level.
The idea of ‘Biosphere Reserves’ was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
The MAB, launched in 1970 by UNESCO, aims to develop a basis for the rational use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the relationship between man and the environment, to predict the consequences of today’s actions on tomorrows world and thereby to increase man’s ability to manage efficiently the natural resources of the biosphere.
There are 18 designated Biosphere Reserves (BRs). Out of 18 Biosphere Reserves, 10 Biosphere Reserves have been included in the world Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.
The scheme on Biodiversity Conservation was initiated during 1991-92 to ensure coordination among various agencies dealing with the issues relating to conservation of biodiversity, and to review, monitor and evolve adequate policy instruments for the same. The main objective is implementation of Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety.
The scheme on Assistance to Botanic Gardens was initiated in 1992 to augment facilities for ex-situ conservation of rare, endangered threatened and endemic plants. The objectives of the scheme include ex-situ conservation of indigenous; particularly RET species and their multiplication; establishment of seed banks, arboreta and mist propagation facilities; promotion of education and public awareness in respect of above said plants; and reintroduction and rehabilitation of said plants in natural habitats in collaboration with state forest department on project basis.
- Forest (Conservation) Act – 1980
- National Forest policy – 1988
- Indian Forest Act – 1927
The protected area network of the country comprises 733 protected areas (103 national parks, 537 wildlife sanctuaries, 67 conservation reserves and 26 community reserves).
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established under the Ministry, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. It was constituted in 2007.
- Project Elephant (PE) was launched by the Government of India in 1991-92 as a centrally sponsored scheme with the objectives:
- to protect elephants, their habitat and corridors;
- to address issues of man-animal conflict; and
- welfare of domesticated elephants.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the objective to ensure maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.
Orang Tiger Reserve in Assam and Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh were notified 49th and 50th tiger reserves in the country, taking coverage of project tiger to 2.2 per cent of the country’s area.
- Animal Welfare Board of India :
- General Animal Welfare covers the welfare of individual animals, mainly domesticated, as also wild animals in captivity, through Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
- AWBI is a statutory body established with headquarters at Chennai.
- Its basic mandate is to advise the government on animal welfare issues, and create awareness in animal welfare and to implement the regular schemes of AWBI and also the central sector schemes for the welfare of animals
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), is a planning tool to integrate environmental concerns into the developmental process from the initial stage of planning. It was first used in India as early as 1978 with river valley projects, and was subsequently extended to large public sector projects.
Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous waste and its disposal. India is party to the Convention.
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in 1989 in Basel, Switzerland. The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes.
The Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade came into force in 2004. India acceded to the convention a year later.
The Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from POPs.
In 2009, the Governing Council of UNEP adopted Decision 25/5 on the development of a global legally binding instrument on mercury. At the Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in 2013 in Minamata and Kumamoto, Japan, the “Minamata Convention on Mercury”, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury, was formally adopted.
The river conservation programme was initiated with the launching of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in 1985. The Ganga Action Plan was expanded to cover other rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in 1995.
To control degradation and conserve wetlands, the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) was initiated in 1987 and financial assistance is being provided to the state governments for implementing action plans for conservation and management of identified wetlands.
As a commitment for conserving potential wetlands, India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. As per this convention, India is committed for international cooperation and to take national action for conservation and wise use of Wetlands. At present there are 26 Ramsar sites in India.
Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme was established in 1980s as a scheme being implemented through Ministry of Defence for ecological restoration of terrains, rendered difficult either due to severe degradation or remote location or difficult law and order situation. It is based on twin objectives of ecological regeneration in difficult areas, and promotion of meaningful employment to ex-servicemen.Under this scheme, the establishment and operational expenditure on the Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions raised by Ministry of Defence is reimbursed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The National Mission for a Green India (GIM), one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change aims at protecting and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover to counter the perils of climate change.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was established in 1986 in Dehradun as an autonomous institute of the Ministry.
Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a hands on international environmental science and education programme that brings students, teachers and scientists together to study the global environment.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was set up in 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010, for the purpose of effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. The Tribunal is mandated to make an endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is being implemented through the nodal ministries in specific sectors/ areas. Eight national missions in the area of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, sustainable habitat, water, Himalayan ecosystem, Green India and strategic knowledge for climate change form the core of NAPCC.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) is a central sector scheme under implementation in the 12th Five Year Plan with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) as National Implementing Entity.
The UV-B radiation has the potential to cause skin cancer, eye cataract, suppress body’s immune system, decrease crop yield etc., which led to the adoption of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985 and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
The mandate of the Montreal Protocol is to phase out the production and consumption of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs). India is a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its all amendments/adjustment
The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are the international treaties specific for the protection of the Stratospheric Ozone (Ozone layer). The Montreal Protocol has been recognized as the most successful international environmental treaty in history. It has been universally ratified and all the 197 UN member countries of the world are the parties to the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol.
India is a founder member of Global Environment Facility (GEF). Set up in 1991, GEF is the designated multilateral funding mechanism of 183 countries to provide incremental finance for addressing global environmental benefits which are also identified national priorities. The GEF grants are available under five focal areas namely, biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters and chemicals and waste.
