National Implementation of Agenda 21
|
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
|
This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office: Ministry of Environment and Forests Date: 19 December 1994
Submitted by: Keshav Desiraju, Director (IC)
Mailing address:
Telephone: 4360769
Telefax: 4360678
E-mail:
Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.
All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
|
APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
GEF | Global Environment Facility |
GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
GIS | Geographical Information System |
GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
GSP | generalized system of preferences |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
ILO | International Labour Organisation |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
IMO | International Maritime Organization |
INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
IPM | integrated pest management |
IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
ITC | International Tin Council |
ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
UNU | United Nations University |
WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
WFC | World Food Council |
WHO | World Health Organization |
WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
India has a land frontier of 15,200 kms., a sea coast length of 7, 500 kms. It is the second most populous and seventh largest country in the world. The total geographical area of the country is 3.28 million sq. kms. The total forest area in the country is 0.76 million sq. kms. which constitutes 23.2 per cent of its total geographical area. Over 45,000 plant species are found in the country. The vascular flora which form the conspicuous vegetation cover itself comprises about 15,000 species. Several thousands of them are endemic to this country and they have so far not been reported from anywhere else in the world. The biological diversity of the country is so rich that it may play a very important and crucial role in future for the survival of entire mankind if it is conserved and used with the utmost care. Today, two hot spots in biological diversity have been identified in the country, namely, Eastern Himalayan region and the Western Ghats. Since independence, India has paved the way through democracy for social development. India has been implementing national strategies and plans through various multi-faceted development schemes and programmes. These programmes, backed by large human and financial resources, have been successful in achieving the predetermined goals in the areas of sustained economic growth, education, health, sanitation, housing and employment, as well as other related fields, so that minimum needs are duly taken care of and a decent standard of life attained. Eradication of poverty and provision of basic minimum services are integral elements of any strategy to improve the quality of life. No developmental process can be sustainable unless it leads to visible and widespread improvement in these areas. India believes that poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere and that concerted international action is essential to ensure global prosperity and better standards of life for all. Based on this belief, India has actively played a positive, constructive role, inter alia, in the deliberations of the UN, its specialised agencies and various intergovernmental mechanisms. The Eighth Plan (1992-1997) had identified "human development" as its main focus. During this plan period, the indicators of social development have shown a significant improvement. 1995-96 witnessed a very satisfactory growth rate in GDP of 7.1 per cent. The momentum of growth has been maintained in 1996-1997, thus providing increasing evidence that the growth potential has improved as a result of the processes of deregulation and globalisation initiated by the government. The Ninth plan (1997-2002) is being launched in the 50th year of India's Independence. The objectives of the Ninth Plan arising from the Common Minimum Programme of the Government are as follows:
Priority to agriculture and rural development with a view to generating adequate productive employment and eradication of poverty; Accelerating the growth rate of the economy with stable prices; Ensuring food and nutritional security for all, particularly the vulnerable sections of society; Providing the basic minimum services of safe drinking water, primary health care facilities, universal primary education, shelter, and connectivity to all in a time bound manner: Containing the growth rate of population; Ensuring environmental sustainability of the development process through social mobilisation and participation of people at all levels; Empowerment of women and socially disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes and Minorities as agents of socio-economic change and development; Promoting and developing people's participatory institutions like Panchayati Raj institutions, cooperatives and self-help groups; Strengthening efforts to build self-reliance.
|
India has signed and ratified various international conventions and agreements on environment and related issues and has been effectively implementing them. India realises the vital need for international cooperation, bilateral and multilateral programmes and regional initiatives in dealing with issues of environment and development. India believes that regional as well as global environment problems can only be solved through international cooperation and appropriate mechanisms. As an active participant in the international debate on environment issues, through the Rio process, negotiation of the conventions and restructuring of the Global Environment Facility, India remains concerned about the inadequate availability of funds for the financing of sustainable development. In the Indian context, projects and programmes for sustainable development call for considerable coordination given the complexity of the many organisations, both private and governmental, that are involved. This report outlines some of the major initiatives undertaken for the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national level as also the priorities for immediate action to achieve the goals of sustained economic growth and sustainable development.
|
1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s). National Environmental Council
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Mr. N. R. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests Telephone: 4360721 Fax: 4360678 e-mail: Mailing address: Paryavaran Bhawwan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003, India
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson:
2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: Prime Minister (Chairman); Minister of Environment and Forests (Vice-Chairman); Members: Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests; Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests; Secretary, Department of Power; Secretary, Ministry of Surface Transport; Secretary, Ministry of Industry; Secretary, Department of Minerals and Petro-Chemist; Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation; Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development; Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development; Finance Secretary; Secretary, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources; Secretary, Ministry of Mines; Secretary, Ministry of Mines; Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Director General, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education; Director General, Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Director General, Department of Tourism; Director General, Archeological Survey of India; Director, Industrial Toxicological Research Centre; Director, Botanical Survey of India; Director, Zoological Survey of India; Director, National Institute of Oceanography; Director, National Environment Engineering Research Institute; Director, Tata Energy Research Institute; Director, Indian Institute of Forest Management; Director, Wildlife Institute of India; Director, G.B. Pant Himalavan, Environment and Development Institute; Director, National Museum of Natural History; Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board; Chairman, National Thermal Power Corporation; Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development; Chairman, University Grants Commission; Member of Planning Commission, dealing with Environment; President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; President, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry; President, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India; President, Confederation of Indian Industry; Chairman, Federation of Small Industry; Chairman, National Hotel Federation; Chairman, World Wide Fund for Nature India; Chairman, National Consumers' Federation (Any 5 from amongst persons who have been awarded prizes/fellowships by the Ministry for special achievements in Forestry or pollution control: Shri Sant Kumar Bishnoi, Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Sri Annasaheb Hazare, Shri M.C. Mehta, Smt. Vandana Shiva); 3 members of the Lok Sabha to be nominated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; 2 members of the Rajya Sabha to be nominated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; 5 representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations: (Centre for Science & Environment), Shri Anil Agarawal, (Dev. Alternatives), Shri Ashok Khosla, (Bombay Env. Action Group), Shri Shyam Chainani, (CPR Environment Centre) Smt. Nandita Krishna; (Sulabh International) Shri B. Pathak; 3 Eminent Environmentalists: Shri Duleep Mathai, Shri B.B. Vohra, Shri M.N. Buch; 3 Eminent Scientists: Shri M.S. Swaminathan, Shri S. Ramachandran, Shri Madhav Gadgil; 3 Eminent Journalists/Media Persons: Shri Daryll D'Monte, Shri Vir Sanghvi, Shri Ramesh Agarwal; 3 Eminent Industrialists: Shri H.S. Singhania, Shri A.L. Muthaiah, Shri Ratan Tata; Non-official members from the following Authorities/Boards to be nominated by the Chairman: National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Shri Biplab Basu; National Waste Management Council, Mrs. Usha Rai; Animal Welfare Board, Shri Bittoo Sehgal; Central Zoo authority, Shri Ashok Kumar; Central Ganga Authority, Dr. T.N. Khoshoo; Central Board of Forestry (not constituted as yet); Indian Board for Wildlife, Shri Deb Roy; Environment Ministers of all States/UTs.
2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies: as 2(a)
2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved:
3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council: The Council will act as a `think tank' on important environment policy matters and also provide planning and other inputs in an advisory capacity on issues/matters placed before it by MOEF.
4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries: |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES (with special emphasis on
TRADE)
Restrictive trade barriers and practices must be curtailed and
tariffs on exports of products and services from
developing countries reduced so that the benefits of global
economic growth are equitably distributed among all countries.
Greater trading opportunities can enable developing countries to
invest more in environmental protection.
India is among the countries which are in the vanguard of
environmental protection. India has environmental standards
for products and processes, has environmental impact assessment,
and has introduced environmental audit as an
eco-labelling scheme. India believes that environmentally harmful
processes should be stopped and that over-exploitation
of non-renewable resources should be controlled, but the solution
lies not in unilaterally banning trade, but rather in
transferring technology and offering prices to developing countries
for such commodities, which would not then
necessitate their overexploitation or jeopardise their development
priorities.
The trade policy components of the reform process undertaken
since July 1991 have been motivated by a full
recognition of the important role that trade can play in promoting
sustained economic growth in the context of sustainable
development. The utilisation of the expanded scope for specialising
in areas of comparitive advantage is manifest in the
improved growth performance of the economy. Furthermore, while
exports have vigorously responded to the removal of
the anti-export bias of a protectionist environment, domestic
industry appears to have been stimulated by the expanded
availability of imported inputs and capital goods, as well as the
challenge of competing in the international market place.
The positive response of Indian industry to deregulation is amply
demonstrated by the capital goods sector. The capital
goods industry which witnessed a negative growth of 12.8 per cent
in 1991-92, registered an average growth of about 23
per cent during 1994-96.
India has had modest, but increasing, success in attracting a
growing part of private capital flows. Furthermore, much
of these private capital inflows into India has been of the
non-debt creating variety, and helped boost the balance of
payments as well as the availability of investable resources in the
economy. The international community is very positive
about India's effort to achieve a high rate of growth.
India believes that in order to make trade and environment
mutually supportive, an open multilateral trading system
makes possible a more efficient allocation and use of resources and
thereby contributes to an increase in production and
incomes and lessening demands on the environment. It also provides
additional resources needed for economic growth and
development and improved environmental protection. Trade measures
should be applied for environmental purposes only
when they address the root causes of environmental degradation so
as not to result in an unjustified restriction on trade.
Further, environmental standards valid for developed countries may
have unwarranted social and economic cost in
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: India realises the vital need for
international cooperation - bilateral, multilateral and regional
initiatives - in implementing Agenda 21. India is committed to
developing and strengthening the process of international
cooperation, which would cover not only cooperation among
governments and international agencies but also among other
major actors such as the private sector, civil society and
voluntary organisations. The international community should
develop the appropriate enabling environment at the international
level through the establishment of open, equitable, rule
based, cooperative, non-discriminatory and mutually beneficial
economic environment. The international community
should take into account the special needs of the developing
countries, in line with the concept of common but
differentiated responsibilities which was affirmed in Agenda 21.
The international community should, therefore, aim to
attain the target of 0.7 per cent of GNP of developed countries
towards Official Development Assistance (ODA). There is
also an urgent need for the provision of new and additional
financial resources in a predictable and assured basis from the
international community to developing countries. These resources
should be available commensurate with the needs and
priorities of developing countries and without any
conditionalities.
developing countries. The WTO Committee on Trade and Environment
has undertaken many of these activities. In its two
years work, it has promoted a dialogue between trade, development
and environment communities and stressed the need for
transparency, avoidance of unilateral action to deal with
environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing
country and avoidance of the use of trade restrictions or
distortions as a means to offset the difference in costs arising
from
environmental distortions and protectionism. Further work required
in the CTE and UNCTAD on a priority basis should
include elaborate studies for better understanding of the
relationship between trade and environment, particularly for
sustainable
development in the developing countries.
Today, the world stands at a cross road of history. Five years
after Rio, and as we approach the third millennium, it falls
on us to create a world where there is greater justice and lesser
deprivation. Any models based on uneven rewards will not be
supported by those members who are not beneficiaries. Credibility
and realisation of the potential of all international activities
can only be achieved through the full participation of all
countries in their formulation, implementation and in enjoying the
benefits to be derived from them. India is willing to work with all
countries in a constructive manner to realise our common
aims.
In an effort to remove the anti-export bias of existent
policies, improve efficiency of resource allocation as well as
competitiveness of domestic markets, India has made steady progress
in eliminating quantitative restrictions, licensing and
discretionary controls over imports since 1991. Imports of capital
goods, raw materials and components have been delicensed,
tariffs on such imports have been reduced substantially, and tariff
categories have been reclassified with an eye on streamlining
and simplification. As a result, all goods can now be freely
imported and exported, except those belonging to two negative
lists.
With the objective of accelerating the pace of reforms,
sustaining high export growth and enhancing the opportunities for
the domestic economy's participation in the dynamics of foreign
trade, The EXIM Policy 1992-97 has been reviewed and
revised in several ways during the current year to further phase
out quantitative and qualitative restrictions. The revisions
include measures for trade promotion, as well as further
simplification of procedures.
A number of items from the negative/restricted list have been
permitted free for import and many others have been shifted
to the list of items which can be imported under the special import
license (SIL) scheme. For example, 40 items were removed
from the negative list and made freely importable and 14 others
shifted to SIL list on 21st August, 1996. Similarly, a
notification was issued on 13th September, 1996, whereby two
restricted items were made free for imports and 55 restricted
items were permitted against SIL. By another notification issued on
10th February, 1997, as many as 69 items in the SIL list
have been moved to the free list and another 95 items have been
taken off the restricted list and placed on the SIL list.
Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) was the only
canalising agency for import of urea until October 1,
1996. In an effort to bring about progressive decanalisation, the
State Trading Corporation (STC) and Indian Potash Ltd. (IPL),
apart from the MMTC, were also authorised to import urea from
October 1, 1996.
Given the domestic demand/supply imbalance in wheat in the
current year, export of wheat products, which had been
earlier allowed without any restriction, was subjected to a
quantitative ceiling from October 1, 1996. For the period October,
1996 to March, 1997, a ceiling of 0.15 million tonnes has been
announced for export of wheat products.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: To give a fillip to
indigenous manufacturers of capital goods and to help
improve infrastructure facilities in the power sector, the supply
of capital goods to power projects which are done under
the procedure of competitive bidding have been made eligible for
refund of terminal excise duty as also for special import
licenses.
3. Major Groups: To encourage eradication of child labour
in the carpet industry and for rehabilitation of carpet
weavers, the export of hand-knitted carpets and floor coverings
excluding cotton durries and floor coverings, was again
subjected to production of Registration-cum-Membership certificate
from the Carpet Export Promotion Council, New
Delhi, from August 1, 1996.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: In an effort to
promote trade with Latin America, a notification has listed
forty-three South American countries, and made exports undertaken
after April 1, 1996 to these countries eligible for
double weightage benefit for recognition as export house/trading
house/star trading house/super star trading house.
In accordance with the terms of the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade, a country is required to lift quantitative
restrictions on imports imposed for Balance of Payments reasons
when the position improves. As the position of foreign
exchange reserves is comfortable, India is bound to phase out
quantitative restrictions in respect of all items.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Focus of national strategy
Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the
environment
Rio Declaration on environment and development adopted at
UNCED in 1992 states, inter alia, that "Eradicating
poverty and reducing disparities in living standards in different
parts of the world are essential to achieve sustainable
development and meet the needs of majority of people." Agenda 21,
the blueprint for sustainable development, emphasises
that the actions of individual governments in combating poverty
require the support of the international community as the
struggle against poverty is a shared responsibility of all
countries. A favourable international economic environment,
combined with financial and technical assistance, favourable terms
of trade, debt relief, access to markets and transfer of
Environmentally Sound Technologies, will help pave the way for
poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Poverty has so many causes that no single solution will solve the
problem in all countries. Poverty eradication remains the
overriding priority for India. The challenge is to find a
development path that is not only sustainable but is also socially
just and culturally acceptable.
Many of the programmes and activities outlined in the
Programme of Action adopted at the World Summit for Social
Development held in Copenhagen in 1995 are already in place in
India, particularly the policies geared towards
eradication of poverty, generation of employment, etc. India has
taken a range of measures to implement the Programme
of Action at the national level. India has established a National
Committee for Social Development in the Planning
Commission and the State Governments are also being encouraged to
establish similar committees. While the primary
responsibility for implementation of the Programme of Action rests
with the States, the national efforts would need to be
enforced and supplemented by the efforts of the international
community. It is, therefore, necessary for the international
community to dedicate itself to the task of fulfilling the
commitments undertaken at Copenhagen.
The Government of India has adopted various schemes and
programmes for accelerating the rate of economic growth,
eradication of rural poverty through wage employment and
self-employment, redistribution of land and security of land
tenures, enhanced purview for Minimum Needs Programme, protection
of minorities and availability of opportunity for
socio-economic uplift, and infrastructural development for uplift
of urban poor.
India has a three pronged strategy for poverty eradication:
The pro-poor components of the Plan are fully integrated with the
overall development plan of the country and the
pro-poor perspective is fully harmonised with the strategy of
market-oriented open-economy industrialisation and the
requirements of structural adjustments. Economic growth enables
expansion of productive employment and also generation
of resources which are vital to support any form of intervention
for eradication of poverty. Since 1991, India has
undertaken trade reforms, financial sector reforms, and removal of
controls and bottlenecks. These reforms were
introduced with the objective of improving efficiency and
productivity, in order to further accelerate growth by improving
competitiveness in international markets. The ultimate objective of
such reforms is to ensure expeditious eradication of
poverty. Adequate precaution was taken to protect the poorer
sections of society against short term effects
of these changes. This has been done through increasing the
resources for programmes for the poor in the National Plan
and sharpening the focus of such programmes on the poor.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Economic growth and overall development;
ii) Human development with emphasis on health, education and
minimum needs, including protection of human rights and
raising the social status of the weak and the poor; and
iii) Directly targeted programmes for poverty alleviation through
employment generation, training and building up asset
endowment of the poor.
Removal of poverty has always been one of the main objectives
of India's Five Year Plans. The Eighth Five Year
Plan of India (1992-97) envisaged human development as the ultimate
goal of the development process. Towards the
achievement of this goal, employment generation, population
control, illiteracy, education, health, provision of drinking
water and adequate food are listed as priorities.
The estimated proportion of population below the poverty line
is sensitive to the estimation procedure adopted.
However, according to a variety of estimates, the decline in the
proportion of population below the poverty line was
between 2.9 and 8.7 percentage points in the six year period ending
1993-94. The appropriate methodology for estimation
of poverty is also currently under review by the Planning
Commission.
The Common Minimum Programme (CMP) announced by the Government
in June, 1996 has shown strong
commitment to the development of Social Sectors for achieving
distributive justice. The Government has also accorded
high priority to poverty alleviation programmes. The Central Plan
allocations for social sectors and poverty alleviation
programmes show highest increase in 1996-97 over 1995-96. The
weaker sections of society have been given importance
in special programmes of poverty alleviation and employment as well
as in several other programmes. The Public
Distribution System has been recently streamlined recently in order
to target the poorer sections of the population. Poverty
alleviation programme is one of the main thrust areas of the Common
Minimum Programme. A strategic attack on
poverty is an important element of the development policy pursued
by the Government. A two- pronged attack on rural
and urban poverty has been launched through wage employment and
credit linked self-employment schemes.
Basic Minimum Services
The Conference of Chief Ministers on Basic Minimum Services held at
New Delhi during 4-5 July, 1996, recommended
the adoption of the following objectives with an all out effort for
their attainment by the year 2000.
100 per cent coverage of provision of safe drinking water in rural
and urban areas.
100 per cent coverage of primary health service facilities in
rural and urban areas.
Universalisation of primary education.
Provision of Public Housing Assistance to all shelterless poor
families.
Extension of Mid-day Meal Programme in primary schools to all
rural blocks and urban slums and disadvantaged
sections.
Provision of connectivity to all unconnected villages and
habitations.
Streamlining the Public Distribution System targeted to families
below the poverty line.
The Conference recommended that all centrally sponsored
schemes relating to the above seven Basic Minimum
Services should be continued and the States' annual entitlement
should be increased by 15-20 per cent every year. It also
endorsed that the funds allocated for these Basic Minimum Services
in the States' and the Central Plan should not be
diverted.
The Budget for 1996-97 provides an additional amount of Rs.
24.66 billion with a view to increase the availability
of funds for State level social programmes for safe drinking water,
primary education, primary health, housing, mid-day
meals for primary school children, rural roads and strengthening
public distribution system.
India has set a target for the eradication of absolute poverty
by the year 2002. Some of the new initiatives in the
area of poverty eradication and social sector include:
i) National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). This covers:
National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS).
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).
National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS).
ii) Nutritional Support Primary Education (NSPE). This is mid-day meal scheme for school children and covers all Government, local body and private aided schools (classes I to V).
iii) Indira Mahila Yojana. This has three components: iv) Pension Scheme for Provident Fund Subscribers (PSPFS). v) Social Security for Construction Workers. vi) Rural Group Life Insurance Scheme. This scheme has a subsidised policy available to one member of a rural poor family below the poverty line. The subsidy is to the extent of 50 percent. vii) Prime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme. viii) Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme. ix) Revamped Rural Employment Programme. There are four programmes under this category
Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY). Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY). Million Wells Scheme (MWS).
x) Revamped Integrated Rural Development Programme.
|
Ministry/Department/ Scheme | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(BE) | EDUCATION
| Elementary
Education
| Adult Education
| HEALTH
| FAMILY
WELFARE
| WOMEN AND
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
| Integrated Child
Development
Services
| WELFARE
| RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
| Jawahar Rozgar
Yojna (JRY)
| Employment
Assurance
Scheme
| National Social
Assistance
Programme
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Integrated Rural
Development
Programme
| Rural Water
Supply and
Sanitation
| Indira Awas
Yojna
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Million Wells
Scheme
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| OTHER
PROGRAMMES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nehru Rozgar
Yojna (NRY)
| Scheme for Self
Employment
for Educated
Unemployed
Youth
(SEEUY)
|
|
|
|
|
| Prime
Minister's
Rozgar Yojna
(PMRY)
| |
* Provision made at RE stage as the schemes were launched on
October 2, 1993. RE for EAS was Rs. 6000 million and Rs 350
million for PMRY.
** Integrated with PMRY.
** BE as per the Department of Rural Development and Planning
Commission. It was revised upward within total BE for the Dept.
of Rural Development. In the Budget Papers BE were Rs. 6300 million
in 1993-94, Rs. 6240 million in 1994-95, Rs. 6400 million
each in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
+ The scheme was announced on 15th August 1995, Rs. 5500 million
was provided at RE stage
+ + The Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and the Million Wells Scheme (MWS)
were earlier the sub schemes of JRY. From 1.1.1996
they have become separate schemes.
The substantial Increase is mainly due to Nutritional Support to
Primary Education for which an outlay of Rs. 6120 million was
provided in the revised budget for 1995-96 and the same has been
raised to Rs.1400 million in 1996-97 (BE).
Source: Budget Papers and concerned Departments.
Programmes | ||||||||
Programmes in Rural Areas | ||||||||
JRY Mandays of employment generated | ||||||||
EAS Mandays of employment generated | ||||||||
IDRP Families assisted | ||||||||
TRYSEM Youths Trained | ||||||||
DWCRA (a) Groups formed | ||||||||
DWCRA (b) Membership | ||||||||
Programmes in Urban Areas | ||||||||
NRY (a) Families assisted | ||||||||
(b) Mandays of employment generated | ||||||||
(c) Persons trained | ||||||||
Other Programmes | ||||||||
SEEUY - Beneficiaries | ||||||||
PMRY (a) Micro Enterprises | ||||||||
(b) Employment generated $ |
* - Upto Sept.96 S - Estimated @ 2 per case disbursed for the concerned programme year
- Upto Aug.96 xx - Including Backlog
** - Targets are not fixed as it is need based *** - Up to Nov.96
@ - Integrated with PMRY
Social Sector | |||
Infrastructure Sector | |||
Total Plan |
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
NB: Developed countries, where domestic poverty alleviation is not
a major concern may wish to briefly describe their
position regarding global poverty alleviation.
Latest 199_ | |||||
Unemployment (%) | |||||
Population living in absolute poverty | |||||
Public spending on social sector % | |||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
National policy objectives/focus Not long ago, limits to
growth were seen in the inexhaustible nature of material
resources. Advancement in technology pushed the outer limit of
growth in consumption. Protection and conservation of
environment requires intra-generational equity and the need to curb
the excessive over-consumption by industrialised
countries and the rich sections within the developing countries.
The relatively recent realisation of the adverse impact on
environment of ever increasing consumption has brought the focus on
unsustainable patterns of consumption and
production.
The environmental stress resulting from unsustainable
consumption and production can only be arrested if consumption
patterns are changed keeping the requirements of the future in
mind. Developing countries obviously do not boast of
extravagant life styles or of a vastly unsustainable demand for
consumer goods. However, with expanding trade and the
growth of communication, patterns of demand even in developing
countries are being altered. Consumption patterns,
therefore, need to change primarily in affluent countries, for it
is only then that more resource optimal pattern of
production can be set in motion.
India believes in a lifestyle which blends harmoniously with
Nature. What is clear is that there has to be an increased
consumer consciousness of the enormous environmental costs of
immoderate consumption. The Government of India has
been trying to create an awareness for moderation of demand and
adoption of a consumption pattern which would not
leave a deleterious impact on the environment. This is in
conformity with the importance given by Mahatma Gandhi in his
thinking on nation and character building.
Though the consumption levels in India are still low, we
recognise the pressure on environment in certain urban areas
and due to demands for energy. India's per capita income is Rs.
9321.4 per annum. For the majority of the population,
consumption levels are very low. Economic growth leading to higher
consumption levels is essential for people to lead a
better quality of life. The Government of India has embarked on an
extensive awareness campaign through print and
television media to stress the need for saving scarce water, energy
and petroleum resources. New norms for emissions of
motor vehicles have been introduced to reduce atmospheric
pollution.
National targets
Recycling/reuse has long been an established tradition in
Indian society. Deposit and refund practices have been quite
widespread in the consumer industry in India. An extensive and
effective collection and recycling system for wastes such
as glass, tin scrap iron, brass, rubber, paper, plastics thrives in
the non-formal sector. Consumers are increasingly aware
of health effects of residual pesticides, fertilizers, etc. The
textiles, leather and other industries are switching to cleaner
technologies.
The ongoing initiatives of Government to improve environment
include preventive as well as promotive measures.
Fiscal incentives are provided by the government to encourage the
installation of appropriate pollution abatement
equipment in the form of customs waive off and soft loans. While
the industries are encouraged and the fiscal incentives
are provided for installing equipment for control of pollution,
punitive measures including legal action is taken against
defaulting units.
To achieve the goal of pollution abatement, emission and
effluent standards for air, water and noise have been
notified. Regular monitoring is carried out and the enforcement
efforts have been intensified. At present, a majority of
identified units have already installed the requisite pollution
control equipment According to the data collected by the
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on September 30, 1996, out
of 1,551 units belonging to 17 categories of highly
polluting industries, l259 units have facilities to comply with the
environmental standards, 112 were closed and, 180 were
not having adequate facilities. Show Cause notices under Section 5
of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 have been
issued to all the defaulting units.
Apart from notifications of effluent and emission standards
for the major categories of polluting industries, national
ambient air quality standards including ambient noise standards
have been notified. Industries have been directed to instal
necessary pollution control equipment within a stipulated time
frame. More stringent norms for vehicular emissions have
been notified under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules which have
come into effect from April, 1996.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Supply of unleaded petrol in four metropolitan cities of Mumbai,
Calcutta, Delhi and Chennai has been introduced with
effect from April 1,1995 for use in four wheel vehicles fitted with
catalytic converters. The use of unleaded petrol will be
gradually extended to other cities in the country.
Twenty-four critically polluted areas in the country have been
identified and action plans have been drawn up to
improve the quality of environment in these areas. Adoption of
Cleaner Production Technologies and formation of Waste
Minimisation Circles is being encouraged to minimise environmental
pollution. Under the World Bank aided Industrial
Pollution Control Project, technical and financial assistance is
provided for setting up Common Effluent Treatment Plants
(CETPs) in clusters of small scale industrial units. An "Eco-Mark"
scheme has been launched to certify various products
of the industries which fulfil the prescribed standards of
environment-friendly production, packaging and waste disposal.
To increase public awareness, campaigns on effects of pollution and
measures to control it, have been launched.
The process of development is sharply raising the consumption
of household energy. It is imperative that importance is
given to developing non-conventional or renewable sources of energy
for sustaining the development process. Sun, wind,
water and biomass are renewable, perennial, dependable and widely
available sources of energy. Generation and
utilisation of energy from renewable energy sources in
non-polluting and environmentally benign non-conventional sources
of energy have tremendous potential .
According to available statistical data, India accumulates
every year 300 million tonnes of agro residues out of which
only a small quantity is utilised as direct fuel. The potential of
bio-mass energy is placed at 17,000 MW and of solar
energy at SX10l: KWHr/year. On a conservative assessment, wind
power potential in the country is around 20,000 MW
and of mini hydro-energy at 5,000 MW. The total wave power
potential from ocean energy along India's 1600 km
coastline is 40,000 MW The major programmes for new and renewable
sources of energy which were developed and
enlarged during the Seventh Plan included national projects on
bio-gas development, improved Chulhas, solar, thermal
energy utilisation, Solar Photo Voltaics (SPV), wind energy and
conversion of bio-mass into energy, energy plantation and
bio-mass gasifiers.
Patterns of consumption by the very poor, even when
unsustainable in the short term, must be regarded primarily as
survival consumption. Over use of agricultural land, over-grazing
of pasture land, and the depletion of forests for fuel
wood are all manifestations of a survival economy. To speak of such
consumption as being unsustainable, and hence
requiring change, without addressing the human condition that leads
to such consumption, is not only unethical but also
impractical. There is perhaps a misplaced emphasis on population
growth in developing countries as posing the major
threat to the future sustainability of the planet. There is at the
same time a definite resistance to discussing the question of
excessive consumerism in economically advanced societies. If one
person in rich countries depletes the earth's energy
resources by 20 units, as compared to one unit in South Asia, one
could well divide the South Asian population growth by
20 in an assessment of comparative impact. The primary need
therefore is to change the patterns of excessive over
consumption in the developed societies, so that the limited
resources of our planet can be beneficially used by all.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199_ | |||||
GDP per capita (current US$) | |||||
Real GDP growth (%) | |||||
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | |||||
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | |||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND
SUSTAINABILITY
India participated in and is a party to the Programme of
Action (POA) of the International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD), held at Cairo in 1994. In keeping with the
global vision of population programmes contained
in the Programme of Action of ICPD, a paradigm shift has taken
place in the National Family Welfare Programme.
From April, 1996, the Family Welfare Programme is being implemented
on the basis of the "Target Free Approach
(TFA)". This approach envisages replacement of the system of
setting contraceptive targets from the top by a system of
decentralised participatory planning at the Primary Health Centre
(PHC) level.
Decentralised participatory planning stresses quality of care
and assessment and provision of services on the basis of
needs of clients. Voluntary and informed choice which has always
been the underpinning of the population programme,
is stressed Service providers/managers at the level of the Primary
Health Centre are expected to draw up a health care
and family welfare plan at their level after carrying out
assessment of community needs and in consultation with the
community and community leaders. An integrated system of monitoring
has been devised and transmission of information
will be done using the country-wide governmental information
network known as the NIC-NET. While the reporting
system is still to be put into place, it is expected that this
system of reporting will relieve service providers of excessive
record keeping and free their valuable time resource for providing
services to and making contact with the community.
The mobility of service providers is being enhanced, to facilitate
greater and more frequent contact with the community.
As much as 132,285 sub-centres at the peripheral level have a
female para-medical (known as the Auxiliary Nurse
Midwife or ANM) and the medical doctors at Primary Health Centre
(PHC) level include a fair number of women, the
women s perspective is expected to be taken care of by this
empowerment of service providers and managers.
Major public health interventions were undertaken in the year
1995 to 1997. In keeping with the goal of eradication
of polio by the year 2000 AD, the first round of Pulse Polio
Immunisation (PPI) was carried out for children in the age
group 0-3 years in December, 1995 and January, 1996. On the first
(9th December, 1995) National Immunisation Day,
87 million children were immunised and in the second (20th January,
1996), 93 million children were immunised against
polio. The exercise has been repeated on 7th December, 1996 and the
coverage in 490 districts which have reported so
far, out of total 510 districts, is 115 million children.
Similarly, a check-up of primary school children was carried
out over the period July/October, 1996. Coverage of
children enrolled in schools was about 85 per cent. This check-up
aimed to detect common health problems among school
children, refer those needing treatment, and to build health
awareness in the community.
Both these initiatives attracted tremendous community
response. Based on the experience of the Pulse Polio
Immunisation, the Department of Family Welfare has plans to use the
Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign (PPIC) posts
on regular basis for reproductive and child health care including
Immunisation. The check up of school children has since
been mandated by law to become a regular annual feature,
particularly for detection of incipient disabilities. The
screening will be followed up by referral and treatment as
necessary.
In keeping with the policy shift in the population programme,
the IX Plan (19972002) will contain a large project,
named the "Reproductive and Child Health Project" (RCH). This will
contain two components. The first of this would be
a national component in continuation of the ongoing Child Survival
and Safe Motherhood' (CSSM) project. The CSSM,
which has been extended to cover all districts in the country, aims
to provide universal immunisation to children against
six vaccine preventable diseases, namely polio, pertussis,
tuberculosis, measles, tetanus and diphtheria, as well as
Immunisation against tetanus for pregnant w omen. Other activities
are control of diarrhoea - a major cause
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Population
stabilisation is an essential prerequisite for sustainable
development. In India, the
National Family Planning Programme was launched in 1952 with the
objective of "reducing birth rate to the extent
necessary to stabilise the population at a level consistent with
requirement of national economy". The technological
advances and improved quality and coverage of health care resulted
in a rapid fall of the mortality rate from 27 in 1951
to 9.8 in 1991. In contrast, the reduction in birth rate has been
less steep, declining from 40 in 1951 to 29.5 in 1991. As
a result, the annual exponential population growth has been over 2
per cent in the last three decades. During the Eighth
Plan period (1992-97), the fall in birth rate has been steeper than
that in the death rate; consequently annual growth rate
is around 1.9 per cent during 1991-95. The rate of decline in
population growth is likely to be accelerated during the
Ninth Plan period (1997-2002).
of infant and child mortality, control of anaemia in children and
women, control of blindness in children and control of
acute respiratory infections in children. Under the safe-
motherhood component, enhancement of percentage of delivery by
trained personnel, training of traditional birth attendants,
provision of emergency obstetric care etc. are being provided.
The national component of the RCH project will continue to provide
all these services.
1. Decision-Making Structure: In keeping with the move
towards integration of social sector services, a coordination
mechanism has been established at the Central level, and States
have been advised to set up similar mechanisms at
State/Union Territories, district and block levels. Training of all
service providers at the last level will be integrated from
1st April, 1997 to enable appreciation of the interlinkages between
various aspects of development like literacy, poverty
alleviation, and environment with population.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Information
Education and Communication (IEC) is carried out through a
variety of modes of dissemination including interpersonal
communication, electronic and print media, and animation
groups, peer groups, population education through schools,
colleges, adult literacy campaigns, youth clubs, etc. and
events. Required software for the IEC effort is designed and
supplied. Efforts are being made to build capacity at State
level to design and create software more appropriate to local
needs. IEC has been diversified from being contraception
oriented to encompassing issues like the status of women, child
survival, age at marriage etc. Correspondingly, messages
pertaining to fertility are also being carried in the IEC efforts
of other Departments like education, rural development etc.
3. Major Groups: The number of government assisted NGOs
participating in the population programmes during 1995-96
was about 900. During the current year, i.e., 1996-97, about 650
NGOs have been given assistance upto January,1997.
This excludes private sector for profit providers (individual
doctors and facilities), who also provide a wide range of
reproductive and child health services.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: It is estimated
that in the IX Plan period (1997-2002), external assistance for
the population programme will be at a level of about Rs.30 billion.
Agencies like UNFPA and UNICEF have and are
continuing to provide valuable technical, monetary and material
(including UN) and bilateral agencies are providing
financial support for the population programme. The PPI initiative
has attracted widespread international support.
Extensive research has been undertaken in India on the reproductive
health of the population. The National Family Health
Survey (NFHS), conducted in 199293, covered 89,777 married women in
the age group 13-49 years in 88562 households
in 24 States and the Union Territory of Delhi. The Survey has
yielded a vast amount of data, which is being used for
policy and programme purposes.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | ||||
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993) | ||||
Surface area (Km2) | ||||
Population density (people/Km2) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
National Malaria Eradication Programme
National Tuberculosis Control Programme
National AIDS Control Programme
National Blindness Control Programme
The "Health for all" strategy is being re-oriented towards "Health
for Under Privileged". In view of the importance given
to medical and health care in the economic reforms, the Central
Plan outlay for programmes of the Department of Health
has been stepped up.
The National Health Programmes aimed at prevention, control
and eradication of communicable and
non-communicable diseases have been taken up by the Government for
implementation. Efforts have been made to ensure
that the ongoing reforms do not lead to any adverse effect on the
provision of essential care to meet the health needs of the
disadvantaged segments of the population. Some of the measures
include allocation of funds under the Social Safety Net
Scheme to improve Maternal and Child Health (MCH) infrastructure
beginning with 90 poorly performing districts in a
phased manner
Under the "Basic Minimum Services", the Government is
committed to provide credible primary health care at 5000
population level. In addition to the Centrally Sponsored Schemes,
funds will be devolved to States for meeting the
requirement under the Basic Minimum Services, including health and
family welfare.
The strengthening of rural health infrastructure has been
undertaken over the years by the Department of Family
Welfare through provision of buildings, equipment drugs and
vaccines and training of all levels of Personnel.
To augment the resources for health care, user charges have
been introduced with exemption for the poor for
medical/diagnostic services in certain hospitals in some of the
States. This would also help in providing better quality
services, for which demand is increasing with the rise in income,
besides facilitating public funding of basic health
facilities .
The focus of the Eighth Plan in Health Sector has been to
improve access to health care for the underserved and under
privileged segments of the population. This is being achieved
through:
i) consolidation and operationalisation of the primary, secondary
and tertiary health care infrastructure for optimal
performance and building up appropriate referral services, with
emphasis on primary care.
ii)effective implementation of national programmes for combating
major public health problems.
Communicable diseases continue to be a major cause of morbidity and
mortality in India. In addition to the existing
bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, there are newer
additions such as HIV infection, re-emergence of some infections
such as kala azar, so that the disease burden due to communicable
diseases continue to be very high. There
are National Programmes for control of vectors, but performance in
many of these has been suboptimal, an important
factor being the lack of key personnel such as lab technicians and
multipurpose workers. Many of these programmes
were initiated at a time when primary health care infrastructure
was not fully operational and hence had their own
vertical infrastructure. In the Ninth Plan period, a major effort
will be initiated for horizontal integration of these
programmes at the district and below district levels within the
existing framework of primary health care infrastructure.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The strategy of Indian Health
Planning is two pronged - first to build up a primary health care
infrastructure, and the other for tackling specific diseases. The
primary health care infrastructure, consisting of
Sub-centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health
Centres, has been built with a population of 30,000
as unit. This mechanism provides for a sustained and continuous
outreach of all health and family welfare programmes in
the country. The disease specific strategy consists of programmes
aimed at prevention and control of specific diseases.
These programmes are targeted for specific regions depending upon
the circumstances/spread of the disease. Some of the
Programmes are:
For AIDS, a National Control Programme has been taken up with
blood safety measures and Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STD) control through National AIDS Control Organisation.
During the last four years of implementation of the
programme, 154 Zonal Blood Testing Centres have been established
all over the country to provide HIV testing facilities.
199 blood banks have been modernised during 1995-96. 128 medical
officers, 747 blood bank technicians and 37 drug
inspectors have been imparted training under the Programme. The
"One World, One Hope" theme that was adopted for
the World AIDS Day on December 1, 1996 reflects coming together of
various groups to prevent the spread of HIV.
Until poor sanitation, contaminated water supply and lack of
adequate facilities for solid and liquid waste management
both in urban and rural areas are corrected, it may not be possible
to completely prevent periodic outbreaks of infectious
diseases. Nevertheless, if outbreaks are detected early enough, it
will be possible to control the epidemic and reduce the
morbidity and fatality rates. The strategy during the Ninth Plan
will be to strengthen health surveillance, early alert and
rapid response mechanisms at district and below district level.
This would necessitate provision of epidemiological
expertise and diagnostic laboratory services as an essential
component of existing health care system.
Changing lifestyles, longevity and dietary habits have
resulted in increased prevalence and earlier age of onset of
diabetes, cerebro- and cardio-vascular disease over the last decade
and a concomitant rise in disease burden and DALY
(disability adjusted life years) due to non-communicable diseases.
The overall cancer incidence in the country is low. Even
though the two common cancers of the oropharynx and uterine cervix
are easy to diagnose and treat, the available data
indicate that majority of cases are detected at a late stage when
palliative rather than curative treatment remains the only
possible therapeutic modality. There is thus a need to improve
facilities for early detection of cancers so that effective
treatment could be provided.
It is neither possible nor feasible to initiate and support
vertical programmes for control of every non-communicable
disease. During the Ninth Plan period, integrated noncommunicable
disease control programmes will be implemented
utilising the experience gained from pilot projects such as
diabetes control programme launched during the Eighth Plan.
Urban migration over the last decade has resulted in rapid
growth of urban slums. In some cities, the health status of
urban slum dwellers is worse than that of rural population. During
the 9th Plan period, steps will be initiated to develop a
well structured organisation of urban primary health care to ensure
basic Health and Family Welfare dwellings.
Appropriate referral linkages between primary, secondary and
tertiary care facilities in defined geographic area will be
established to promote optimal utilisation of all the available
facilities. Increasing involvement of the Nagar Palikas in the
implementation of health, water supply and sanitation programmes is
expected to improve the health status of urban
population specially slum dwellers and those living below the
poverty line.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There are over 0.65
million of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) practitioners
in the country. They work in remote rural as well as urban slum
areas and could play an important role in enhancing
outreach of health care. There is a need to improve pre-service
training and provide periodic updating after graduation so
that there is improvement in the quality of services and greater
participation in meeting health care needs of the
population.
It is important to increase the efficiency of the health
system as also of all categories of health manpower during the
Ninth Plan period. The recommendations contained in the National
Education Policy on Health Sciences as approved by
the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare in 1993 shall be
implemented to ensure growth and development of
appropriate mix of Health manpower. Optimal utilisation of the
human resources for health will be made through:
creation of a functional, reliable health management information
system and training and deployment of health managers
with requisite professional competence
multi-professional education to promote team work
skill upgradation of all categories of health personnel, as part of
structured
continuing education
increasing accountability of responsiveness to health needs of the
people
by assigning a rightful role to the Panchayati Raj institutions
making use of available local and community resources.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Life expectancy at birth Male Female | ||||
Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | ||||
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | ||||
Access to safe drinking water (% of population) | ||||
Access to sanitation services (% of population) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN
SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT
Urban India has 25.7 per cent of the national population,
equivalent to 217.6 million, one of the largest urban systems
in the world. During the last four decades, annual incremental
population has averaged 5-6 million, about three-fourth of
which is through natural population growth, and two-fifth through
out-migration from rural areas and administrative
changes in classification of urban and rural areas. Urban processes
have been varied. The conventional routes of large
industry, trade and seat of governance are still important but
other routes are evident all over the country, typical of
processes in developing countries. Urbanisation through development
of "mandi" (village marketing outlet) towns, small
towns, social and cultural activities, including educational and
medical centres of excellence, religious, cultural and
historical centres, tourism, and induced growth of new economic
activity centres have been some other urban processes
that have successfully developed sustainable urban settlements.
Urban India has four mega cities (population 5 million
plus), 19 metro cities (1 million plus), 3000 large towns (0.1
million plus) and 3,396 small and medium towns (less than
0.1 million). By the turn of the century, India will have some 40
metro cities.
Urbanisation has had a distinct impact on human settlements
and people's lifestyle. Construction technology and land
constraints have changed the housing typology in urban areas from
single-unit plotted development to vertical structures
and multi-household complexes. This changing pattern is seen in
mega and metro cities as well as in large towns, but is
not so evident in small towns and rural areas. There is, however,
clear improvement in services and the durability of the
dwelling units in these places as well.
In spite of rapid and widespread urbanisation, India still has
a large rural population, 629 million, living in 580,706
villages. The average population of an Indian town is 60,297 and
that of an Indian village 1,083. The attractiveness of
rural development programmes has been a contributory factor for
villages with 10,000 plus population preferring to
remain in the rural category. These include, in particular, the
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Rural
Labour and Employment Generation Programme (RLEGP), Jawahar Rozgar
Yojna (JRY) and Indira Awaas Yojna (IAY),
which have improved housing conditions, income opportunities and
accelerated economic growth. Rural areas have
contributed to the sustainability of urbanisation by providing
inputs for urban industry, trade and services, a large market
for urban products, a source of competitively priced labour and
household savings to the financial system. The
strengthening of rural-urban continuum is high on the habitat
agenda.
The major concerns of city managers include the widening gap
between the needs and supply of urban services, which
has had a deteriorating impact on the urban environment, inadequacy
of urban planning, urban poverty and degradation.
The parallel development of formal and informal housing has
produced the multiple-city syndrome in urban India: a city
of the poor and a city of the rich, with distinct variations in
levels of amenities, types of structures, level of income and
quality of life.
Housing has been a citizen-driven activity, with private
sector investment contributing 70-80 per cent of total
investment in housing during the first 20 years of planning and
even higher, around 90 per cent, subsequently. Public
housing activity has been largely directed towards the lower
segments of the housing market and a wide range of options
have been provided, including site and services, core housing and
complete units. The Indian housing stock comprises 148
million units in 1991, including 39.3 million units in urban areas
and 108.8 million in rural areas. The value of this
housing stock is estimated at Rs. 3258 billion. There has been
visible improvement in the housing structure and quality
and more of market-sourced materials are being used. The major
actors in the housing delivery system are state
parastatals, cooperative housing societies, the private sector
builders and the people themselves.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The current state of human
settlements in India presents a mixed scenario. There have been
significant improvements in the coverage of the population's basic
human settlement-related amenities and the quality of
the habitats has improved, with longer durability and more use of
market-sourced materials in both urban and rural areas,
suggestive of higher levels of affordability. At the same time,
housing costs are rising, floor area per capita is falling and
a growing number of people are being pushed out of the formal
housing market. The impact of the situation is reflected in
the proliferation of urban slums.
While housing shortage is modest at around 5 million units in terms of new construction, the problem is serious in terms of upgradation and renewal of existing housing stock. Development of housing infrastructure and services has not kept in tune with the growth of housing. The problem of upgradation and renewal of basic services like potable water and sanitation is serious. A similar situation of inadequacy is seen for social services, particularly for the poorer segments, slum settlements, women, children and others in the vulnerable groups. The National Plan of Action places special attention to meeting the backlog in housing and infrastructure assets, including upgradation activities. Land remains the most critical constraint in the development of the housing sector, particularly in the larger cities. Legislative provisions like the urban land ceiling and rental laws and planning codes are among the major constraints and conservative landuse norms have restricted the supply of land into the market. Apart from these constraints, there are substantial vacant land holdings in the possession of government departments, educational institutions, religious and charitable trusts and corporate organisations and bringing them into the land market would help to augment land supply. While the proportion of people below the poverty line has declined, in terms of numbers, poverty remains a major concern in urban and rural areas. There are also significant disparities in income distribution. Supporting informal economic activities and improving access of the poor to development inputs is a major issue for the national habitat agenda. A closely-related concern is of the special needs of children in settlement planning and access to basic services, particularly children belonging to the most vulnerable groups identified in several national and international documents in recent years. As one of the original signatories to the Vancouver Action Plan, 1976, India has introduced approaches in its human settlements programmes that seek to effectively access the people, especially in the vulnerable groups, to adequate and affordable shelter in human settlements that encompass the shelter unit and basic physical, economic and social services, including access to livelihood programmes. India initiated the process through formulation of the National Housing Policy (NHP) and the long term goal of the policy is to reduce houselessness, to improve the housing conditions of the inadequately housed and to provide a minimum level of basic services and amenities to all. The foundation that has been strongly laid down in the last 20 years, would enable the activities to gather momentum and take the directions that are considered necessary to implement the Habitat II (Istanbul, 1996) National Plan for Action. Major priority issues are identified to form the base for the National Plan of Action. The objective is to create the enabling environment in which actors outside the government system can become more active in the delivery of housing solutions and provision of services, so that the outreach is extended to all segments of the market, especially the vulnerable groups. The National Plan of Action (NPA), a consensus effort of all the key actors has two critical objectives, namely, enabling people access to adequate and affordable shelter and social infrastructure and services, and developing sustainable settlements in an urbanising world covering both urban and rural areas. |
The NPA has, specifically, the following major activities:
Creation of an enabling environment;
Development of all types of housing and related services;
Eradication of poverty and strengthening the activities in the
informal sector;
Accessing women, children and other vulnerable groups to housing
and basic services;
Monitoring and evaluation systems;
State shelter policies and action plans.
All the key actors are committed to the implementation of the NPA
and the Global Plan of Action, to which the NPA is
closely linked. The Government of India, in particular, reaffirms
to promote and strive to ensure the realisation of the
rights set out in the relevant international instruments and
documents relating to education, food, shelter, employment,
health and information, particularly in order to assist people
living in poverty. The Ninth Plan strategy (1997-2002) will
be to provide housing for all by the terminal year of the Plan.
The Habitat II goal of adequate shelter for all in sustainable
human settlements is an international responsibility. A
healthy, safe, more equitable and sustainable human settlement
would contribute directly to achieving world peace,
harmony, justice and stability. An innovative framework for
international cooperation must be developed to ensure timely,
appropriate and responsive technical and financial cooperation to
meet the needs and priorities of the developing countries
views without any conditionalities.
The international community should establish linkages with the
informal sector activities and credit mechanisms so that
this growing segment of the economy, which is a major component in
the countries of the South, gets access to the global
pool of resources. In this endeavour, the participatory efforts of
the NGOs, CBOs and the community must be developed.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: Urbanisation has improved the status of
women in the Indian society because of accessibility of
education, health services, information and better employment
opportunities. Deficiencies in terms of access to basic
services necessary for congenial habitats particularly for women in
low income settlements, is a major concern. Equally
important is the need to bring in gender-sensitivity in human
settlements planning and development.
4. Finance: Financial intermediation in housing has been
developed, especially to promote home ownership programme,
but the reachout to the lower segments of the market has not been
adequate; credit instruments for rental and upgradation
programmes have to be developed. The financial intermediation for
infrastructure sector is also not adequately developed.
Reducing the transaction costs and risks, as well as accessing
low-cost funds in the country and abroad are major
concerns. Initiatives in these directions will be taken up during
the next two decades, including appropriate fiscal and
legislative measures to improve the financial environment and
bringing new credit instruments for specific activities and
groups.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Urban population in % of total population | |||
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | |||
Largest city population (in % of total population) | |||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING
Environmental protection cannot be isolated from the general
issues of development and must be viewed as an integral
part of development efforts. Accordingly, the concept of
sustainable development must include the fostering of economic
growth, the meeting of basic domestic needs (including in the
fields of health, nutrition, education, housing, etc.), and the
eradication of poverty so as to provide to all a life of dignity in
a clean, safe and healthy environment. Stress needs to be
placed equally on the "development" dimension of the concept of
sustainable development as on its "sustainable" aspect.
The integration of environmental concepts into policies and
programmes concerning economic development should be
carried out without introducing a new form of conditionality in aid
or development financing.
India is of the view that there is no conflict between
environment and development. Various efforts have been made to
integrate environmental concerns into the decisionmaking process.
Environmental standards and environmental
management plans prescribed are important measures taken to protect
environment. The same applies to environment audit
which is being made mandatory for major industries.
An important element of sustainability pertains to the
protection of the environment and preservation of the natural
resource base of the nation. Rapidly growing population,
urbanisation, changing agricultural, industrial and water resource
management, increasing use of pesticides and fossil fuels have all
resulted in perceptible deterioration in the quality and
sustainability of the environment. It needs to be realised that
environmental protection does not only involve a prevention
of pollution and of natural resource degradation, but has to be
integrated with the overall development process and the
well-being of people.
The need to integrate environmental and developmental decision
making process has been recognised as contributing to
economically efficient, socially equitable and responsible
environmental management. More extensive use of analytical
tools, such as environmental impact assessment (EIA) and
environmental health impact assessment (EHIA) of strategic
policies and development programmes which have an adverse effect on
environment or on human health, environmental
risk assessment (ERA) of industrial units and environmental audit
(EA) to increase efficiency in the use of energy and
resources and reduce wastes etc. can contribute to policy
integration by making decision makers aware of the
environmental consequences of their actions.
A very far-reaching notification by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests gazetted in 1994 makes it obligatory for
almost all developmental activities, small and large, to conduct an
environmental impact assessment study which has to be
evaluated and assessed by an impact assessment agency (Ministry of
Environment and Forests) who may consult a
Committee of Experts, if deemed necessary. The assessment shall be
completed within a period of 90 days and the
decision on the approval conveyed within 30 days after completion
of public hearing, wherever required. As per the
Notification, no developmental activity can be taken up unless the
conditions stipulated under the respective environmental
and forestry clearance have been complied with.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: India's development objectives as
reflected in the planning process have consistently emphasised the
promotion of policies and programmes for economic growth and social
welfare. The alleviation of poverty and the
development of the country's economic and social infrastructure
have been emphasised in the country's successive Five
Year Plans. Investment resources were targeted to ensure the
realisation of these concerns. Environmental issues which
have been an integral part of Indian thought and social processes
are reflected in the Constitution of the Republic of India
adopted in 1950. The Directive Principles of State Policy enunciate
principles which, though not enforceable by any
Court, are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the
country and it is the duty of the State to apply these
principles in legislation. The commitment of the State to protect
environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife is
reflected in the inclusion of specific provisions as a part of the
Directive Principles of State Policy. Further, the
Constitution provides that it shall be the fundamental duty of
every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment,
including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have
compassion for living creatures. By a Constitutional amendment
in 1976, the subject of forests and Wildlife was brought under the
Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule, thereby
enabling Parliament and the Central Government to also legislate on
these subjects. The roots of the growing trend
towards popular participation in the conservation and natural
resource development programmes lie in these Constitutional
provisions.
Having achieved substantial progress in terms of the software
and the hardware the emphasis now on would have to be
on enforcement and performance evaluation of assets created.
Monitoring mechanism will, therefore, need to be
reoriented in the case of major projects and programmes to achieve
this objective.
The National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on
Environment and Development, adopted in June, 1992,
provides the basis for the integration and internalisation of
environmental considerations in the policies and programmes of
different sectors. It also emphasises sustainable lifestyles and
the proper management and conservation of resources. The
policy statement announced by the Government in 1992 on Abatement
of Pollution reiterates the Government's
commitment to arrest deterioration of environment. The Statement
reflects a shift in focus from problems to
implementation of measures with both short-term and long-term
considerations. The statement recognises that pollution
particularly affects the poor. The complexities are considerable
given the number of industries, organisations and
government bodies involved. To achieve the objectives, maximum use
is made of a mix of instruments including
legislation and regulation, fiscal incentives, voluntary
agreements, educational programmes and information campaigns.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact sheet): The National Environmental Council is the key sustainable development coordination mechanism.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: In India, the need for community participation in development activities has been fully appreciated and recognised. It is realised that developmental activities undertaken with the active participation of major groups have a greater chance of success and can also be more cost effective. In the area of education, health, family planning, land improvement, efficient land use, minor irrigation, watershed management, recovery of wastelands, afforestation, animal husbandry, dairy and sericulture, considerable progress has been achieved by creating people's institutions and community participation. Enabling people to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and equipping them with necessary skills and capabilities is an important step in the empowerment of the people. Voluntary action helps this process. Traditionally, voluntary organisations have played an important role in India. The Government's intention is to create an environment in which the role of major groups is expanded and strengthened. There are over 10,000 NGOs in India ranging from national agencies to local groups, from research organisations to mass-based field organisations. Many of these are engaged in popularising eco-development, waste management, forest conservation, preservation of genetic diversity and eco-friendly technologies in industry and agriculture. Voluntary agencies have developed a variety of innovative approaches that could help secure the involvement of local communities, particularly the poorer sections, in various developmental activities. Voluntary organisations have largely been responsible for ensuring the better delivery of rural environmental services that include drinking water facilities, sanitation, road development programmes, etc. The costs of providing basic services have consequently been reduced due to the successful mobilisation of local resources at low costs for implementation of development programmes. The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) is the agency for financing and assisting voluntary action in the area of rural development. The adoption of the 72nd and 73rd Constitutional Amendments in 1992 by the Parliament is a landmark event in the lives of Indian women, as they ensure one-third of the total seats for women in all elected offices in local bodies both in rural and urban areas. As a result of this, women have been brought to the centre-stage in the nation's efforts to strengthen democratic institutions at the grassroots levels and to enter into public life through 2,30,000 local bodies all over the country. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF) has instituted "Paryavaran Vahinis" with effect from 1992-93 with the basic objective of creating environmental awareness through people's participation. In addition, 3,000 eco-clubs have been set up in schools with ministry's assistance. The Eighth Plan had identified people's initiative and participation as a key element in the process of development. It had also recognised that the role of the Government should be to facilitate the process of involvement of major groups by creating right types of institutional infrastructure.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol and its Amendments was signed in
1992.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
signed in 1993.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter India has
signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC),
which enjoins signatory country parties to take precautionary
measures to anticipate, prevent and minimize the causes of
climate change and mitigate its adverse effects. India will
continue to participate in international efforts find a
coordinated,
equitable and effective set of actions to combat the threat of
climate change. India is of the view that countries should
share the burden of abatement in a way that fairly reflects their
contribution to the problems as well as their capabilities to
help solve it. India's past and present contributions to global CO2
emissions are negligible.
India acceded to the Vienna Convention in 1991, and to the
Montreal Protocol in 1992. India's efforts at protecting the
ozone layer are guided by the need to integrate environmental
protection with development while formulating policy and
implementing programmes. The objectives of Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) phase-out need to be achieved with
minimum economic dislocation and minimum obsolescence costs.
Indigenous production of products and substitutes
requires encouragement, and technological choices need to be
carefully made. The special requirements of small and
medium enterprises will have to be addressed. This may be achieved
by a mix of instruments that include information
dissemination, fiscal measures, regulations, etc. The
implementation of ODS phase-out programmes will however be
contingent upon the availability of assistance, including
technology, from the Multilateral Fund.
The current gross CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions per capita in
India is 0.2 T/yr., which is one-sixth the world
average of 1.2 T/yr. At present, coal accounts for about 60 per
cent of fossil fuel use in caloric terms, followed by liquid
petroleum at 30 per cent and by natural gas at 10 per cent. Steel,
Power and Cement industry and the Railways consume
70 per cent of the total domestic production of coal. Studies show
that carbon emission in India is being offset by carbon
sequestration leading to zero net carbon emission.
Preliminary studies on the impact of a rise in sea level of 1
mm on the Indian coastline indicate that 0.41 per cent of
India's coastal area will be inundated. Some studies suggest that
as the greenhouse effect gains strength, the cyclones will
become more frequent and more destructive making island
archipelagos such as Lakshadweep highly vulnerable. The
danger of frequent Storms which generally originate in the Bay of
Bengal is, however, higher in the Andamans and
Nicobar than Lakshadsweep. Also as the sea level rises, the fresh
water aquifers of the islands will be subjected to saline
intrusion.
Both Government and voluntary organisations are involved in
Climate Change Research in India with the former
supporting a wide variety of projects in the area of Global Change
research. India Meteorological Department (IMD)
monitors the climate to detect change, predict climate change,
determine the effects of climate change and contribute to
global observational efforts. Since 1983, IMD has maintained a
meteorological observatory at the Indian permanent station
in Antarctica. The Department has actively participated in various
international and national observational efforts. A
National Climate Centre (NCC) has been established at IMD's
research wing in Pune which undertakes climate research,
applications, data collection and management, and impact awareness
studies. Data collected from the extensive network of
observations are archived at the department's National Data Centre
in Pune. The Centre holds over 60 million records in
its archives. About 2.5 million records are currently being added
to the archives.
The problem of C02 emissions is a major concern in the Indian
energy sector where coal accounts for over 60 per cent
of total energy resources used in the country. In order to minimize
C07 emissions, efforts are on to improve efficiency
levels in the generation and utilisation of energy and promote
renewable energy technologies and afforestation measures
with a view to extend areas that could function as a "carbon sink".
Coal India Limited (CIL), a holding company of seven
coal producing companies, handles the implementation of sustainable
development programmes in the Indian Coal Sector.
There is a special focus on ensuring the conservation of coal
sources during exploitation and beneficiation, and conserving
energy used in the production and transportation of coal.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
The Government of India through the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) has undertaken several projects
to promote technologies that will reduce pollution of the
atmosphere. Technologies that use Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) as fuel in internal combustion engines have been developed
for generating electricity in remote hilly areas. To help
promote the utilisation of waste, the production of fuel pellets
from waste has been successfully demonstrated to industrial
users in Mumbai. DST supports R&D efforts aimed at promoting
environmental conservation that are conducted by
several autonomous institutions and service organisations.
Considerable research work has been carried out on Climate
Modelling, Air Pollution and Studies of Atmospheric Ozone at the
Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, which has
climate change as one of its major thrust areas.
The total installed capacity of power in India is 80,000 MW
with a per capita consumption of about 300 KWHr/year.
Thermal and conventional hydro power contributes about 96 per cent
of the total installed capacity. India has a total
renewable energy potential of about 126,000 MW comprising Wind
(20,000 MW), Micro-hydro ( I 0,000 MW),
Biomass/Bioenergy (17,00() MW) Ocean Thermal Power (50,000 MW),
Tidal Power (9000 MW) and Sea Wave Power
(20,000 MW). In addition, India receives a total solar insulation
of the equivalent of 5 x 101' KWHr/year. Besides the
potential energy that can be derived from these sources, there is
a drive to achieve the target of installing 12 million
family type biogas plants and 120 million improved cookstoves that
will further the cause of energy conservation. Several
major renewable energy programmes are being undertaken in these
areas across the nation. Over 2.2 million biogas plants
and 22 million improved woodstoves have been installed in rural and
remote areas of the country resulting in the saving of
the equivalent of 21 million tonnes of fuelwood per annum.
Moreover, the biogas plants are producing about 30 million
tonnes of enriched organic manure per annum.
Power plants of l5-100 MW capacity based on biomass are being
set up and bio-fuels used to generate electricity as
well as for thermal application. So far over 1500 biomass gasifiers
with aggregate capacity equivalent to 16 KW have
already been set up. Considering the resources available in the
country in terms of agricultural residue, agro-industrial
residue and wasteland for energy plantation, the total exploitable
energy potential in the country has been estimated at
about 17 000 MW.
In order to meet basic lighting requirements in rural areas,
about 32,000 solar street lights, 30,000 domestic lights and
37,000 solar lanterns have been made available in rural and
semi-urban areas. Solar photovoltaic systems are also being
used for a variety of other applications in rural areas. A total of
about 1.25 solar photovoltaic systems with a total capacity
of 14 MW have been installed under the programme.
The projects are expected to add 202 MW to installed capacity.
As sugar is a major industry in India, the potential for
power generation through bagasse based cogeneration is estimated at
3500 MW. The programme will set up capacity for
the generation of 300 MW based on bagasse within the next three
years. Demonstration projects on biomass combustion
based power generation units are being carried out at the block
level. The projects use locally available biomass including
agro-waste for power generation. Several programmes for the
recovery of energy from urban, municipal and industrial
wastes, and alternate energy for transportation, and tapping of
ocean energy have also been initiated.
With a view to mitigate the pollution problem in the cities of
India, more stringent norms for vehicular emissions have
been notified under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules which have come
into effect from April, 1996. Supply of unleaded
petrol in four metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi and
Chennai has been introduced with effect from April
1995 for use in four wheel vehicles fitted with catalytic
convertors. The use of unleaded petrol will be gradually expanded
to other cities in the country. To reduce the utilisation of fossil
fuel, the Government has launched a programme for
alternate modes of surface transportation. The programme
demonstrates the use of electrical vehicles in major metro cities
with encouraging signs of interest from a number of private
companies who would like to manufacture such vehicles. A
new programme to replace petroleum by methanol has also been
launched by the Government.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact
sheet): No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: See "Status" for
this chapter.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- CO2 emissions (eq. million
tons)
SOx "
NOx "
CH4 "
Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons)
Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$
equivalents (million)
Other data
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO
THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND
RESOURCES
National Land Use Policy Outlines have already been prepared
which take into account the environmental, social,
demographic, economic and legal issues. The policy has been
circulated to all concerned for its adoption and
implementation. State Governments are responsible for the
implementation of policies and the formulation of laws to
conserve and manage land resources with encouragement to local
communities, panchayats, and districts authorities. State
Governments have been directed to enact suitable legislation in
this regard.
States have their own legislation such as the land revenue
code which apart from dealing with issues of land
administration also regulate the use of land resources. With regard
to agrarian relationship there are several statutes
dealing with tenancy, prescribing ceilings on the holdings of land
etc. A major programme for the consolidation of
fragmented plots of land has also been taken up as a means for
effective and scientific management of land resources,
though progress has been uneven in different states.
It has been generally the policy of the State to conserve good
agricultural lands and this is reflected in the guidelines
regarding acquisition of land under the Land Acquisition Laws.
Diversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural use is
also regulated under the land revenue codes. One major effort of
the Central Government for effective management of
forest resources was to bring the subject under the concurrent list
and to enact the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980.
Under this Act, all cases of diversion of forest lands are required
to be approved by the Central Government.
The State Land Use Boards were established in the 1970s for
ensuring that scarce land resources are put to optimal
use. Progress in this matter varies between states. An apex body,
the National Land Resources Conservation and
Wastelands Development Council, was set up under the Chairmanship
of the Prime Minister in 1985-86. It has been
recently been decided to change this to a Central Land Use Council.
Under this initiative, the National Land Use and
Conservation Board and the National Wastelands Development Boards
have been established. These two bodies are
expected to deliberate on the evolution of effective guidelines for
planning and management of land resources including
such modifications in existing legislation as may be necessary. The
recommendations of these bodies would be discussed
with State Governments.
For over a century, the State has been concerned with the
effective survey and settlement of land. Detailed village
records are maintained which also include the use to which the
lands are being put. It is only in a small part of the country
that there are no formal reporting systems based on detailed survey
and settlements. The Government through several
agencies such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), the National Bureau of Soil Surveys and Land Use
Planning, etc. has been attempting to prepare a detailed GIS on
land resources. Much of these use satellite imagery for
generation of information and preparation of detailed maps.
In order to strengthen the planning and management system, the
existing National Land Use & Conservation Board
(NLCB) is being restructured. To adopt a strategic framework for
sustainable land use planning and integration of both
development and environmental goals, the NLCB is engaged in the
preparation of zonal perspective plans for
conservation, development and management of land resources. In all
developmental programmes, planning is done on a
watershed basis. Remote sensing techniques are adopted for
interpretation and integrated analysis of data on land use and
land resources.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The National Land Use &
Conservation Board (NLCB) is considering the enactment of a
composite
Land Resources Management Act encompassing various aspects of land
use.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Under India's federal
structure, land is a State subject, and there is so far no national
legislation. The National Land Use & Conservation Board (NLCB)
in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
functions as the policy planning, coordinating and monitoring
agency for issues concerning the health and scientific
management of the country's land resources. The Board has been
assigned the task of formulation and implementation of
National Land Use Policy, Perspective Plan for land resources
generating awareness about the conservation of land
resources. The State Land Use Boards (SLUB) are set up in each
State to implement the policies and guidelines issued by
NLCB.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Awareness raising
campaigns to educate and inform people about scientific
land use planning and management are conducted by the NLCB and the
State Level Boards. Guidelines issued for the
National Watershed Development Programme and catchment treatment
programme of Soil Conservation, envisage the
active involvement of the beneficiaries/communities in planning and
project formulation as also in the execution of
projects and maintenance of assets.
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education is
responsible for research in improved approaches to the use
of land resources. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use
Planning, Nagpur and the Central Soil Conservation
research and Training Institution, Dehradun conduct training
programmes. It is proposed to include the subjects of land
use and land resources conservation in schools, technical and
vocational and university education.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
India's National Forest Policy of 1988 formulated four years
before the Earth Summit, embodies many of the
highlights which have been repeatedly emphasized in the Rio
Principles. The Government's commitment to the
management of forests through the participatory process is
reflected in the active involvement of tribal and village
communities, especially women and persons belonging to the weaker
sections of society, and voluntary agencies in
strengthening the activities of the State Forest Departments in
forest protection and regeneration initiatives. Various
problems and conflicts arising out of the tribal forest interface
are sought to be resolved through administrative measures
including the setting up of village-based Forest Protection
Committees - an experiment which has met with remarkable
success in some parts of the country.
Review of the social forestry programme launched during the
1980s has resulted in a consolidation of its gains and a
strengthening of the weaker links. Increasing focus has been given
to the conservation of the existing natural forests with
emphasis on natural regeneration. The current approach towards
afforestation and forest conservation is to integrate
activities and expertise of different sectors so that various
pressures which are responsible for degradation of forests are
adequately addressed.
The assessment of forest cover in first three cycles
(1987,1989 and 1991) was based only on visual interpretation of
satellite imagery, while the fourth cycle (1993) has been subjected
to computerised analysis. As a result, it has become
possible to bring under systematic interpretation a substantial
area left uninterpreted during the third cycle. The present
1993 assessment (IV cycle) gives the forest cover of the country at
6,40,107 sq.km. It is mentioned that in the third
assessment, a total of 19,093 sq km. was uninterpreted but in the
present assessment no area has remained uninterpreted.
The 1993 assessment of the forest cover includes the actual forest
cover to the extent of 700 sq.km. in the uninterpreted
area also. Besides, there has been interpretational correction to
the extent of 203 sq.km. Thus while comparing the forest
cover figures of IV and III assessment, it is revealed that though
there has been an overall increase of 925 sq.km. of forest
cover in the IV assessment the real increase is only 22 sq.km.
Analysis of the State-wise changes in the forest cover,
reveal that owing to the peculiar situation of shifting
cultivation, the country can be broadly classified into two
regions, namely, the North-Eastern region and the rest of the
country. While there has been a decrease of 635 sq.km. of forest
cover in the North-Eastern region, there has been an
overall increase of 1560 sq km. of forest cover in the rest of the
country, thus resulting in a gross increase of 925 sq.km.
in the forest cover in the IV cycle. However, if we look at the
qualitative forest cover loss, then we find that the dense
forest in almost all the major states have gone down. On the whole,
the country has achieved a partial success in the
protection of forests.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 and its amendments up to
1991 provide the legal framework for conservation of
wildlife in the country. The amendment of 1991 is significant in
that it provides protection not only to wild animals and
birds but also to plant species and hence addresses forest ecology
in its totality.
The Wildlife scenario in the country is not very encouraging.
According to the All India Tiger census in 1993, the
tiger population has gone down in number. There has been a loss of
553 tigers in between two censuses carried out in
1989 and 1993. In spite of provisions of the Wildlife Act (amended)
being very stringent and tough in content, poaching of
wildlife still continues. There has been a change in the demand
pattern, from tigers' skins to their bones, and full analysis
of this is required so as to prevent poaching at the initial
stages. Wildlife Conservation has assumed new dimensions under
Eco-Development Scheme in and around national parks and
sanctuaries.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: India's policies and programmes
in the realm of forestry, particularly the developments during the
last fifteen years have been largely in consonance with the Forest
Principles adopted during the UNCED. India has
actively participated in the deliberations of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Forests, established by the Commission on
Sustainable Development. The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980
initiated a process by which India's forests were treated
as an environmental and social resource rather than as a revenue or
commercial resource. The strictest controls have been
placed on diversion of forest land to other uses and in the rare
cases when this is permitted for developmental purposes,
compensatory afforestation is a prior requirement. Biodiversity
conservation has been made an integral part of forest
conservation. Various conservation measures have been taken through
strengthening of legislation as also through ecodevelopment
efforts.
A National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) has
been created for promoting afforestation, tree
planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities.
The NAEB pays special attention to regeneration of
degraded forests. The NAEB serves as a vital interface between
external agencies and the State Governments. Tree
planting is the main focus, particularly through the following two
schemes of NAEB: (i) Area Oriented Fuelwood and
Fodder Scheme (ii) Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development
Project. Efforts are being made to ensure that weaker
sections and women emerge as the major beneficiaries of the
activities of NAEB. Till 1994-95, about 237,781 ha
degraded forests has been taken up for plantation under Area
Oriented Fuelwood and Fodder Project of the NAEB. The
monitoring and evaluation of the plantations done so far requires
to be taken up so as to assess the survival of the seedlings
planted.
Participatory Forest Management as an effective means in
regenerating degraded forests has been increasingly gaining
ground in India. In 1990, the Government of India issued guidelines
to the State Governments highlighting the need and
the procedure to be adopted for the involvement of village
communities and voluntary agencies in the protection and
development of degraded forests. In response to these guidelines,
17 States have so far issued relevant orders/resolutions
enabling people's participation in management of degraded forests.
The participatory Forest Management approach
envisages active participation and involvement of the people in the
programme of forest conservation and development in
the development of micro-level plans and in their implementation.
At present, approximately 2.0 million hectares of forest
areas are being maintained through 20,000 Forest Protection
Communities. Although many States have taken the initiative
in regard to participatory management, operationalisation of the
new approach in the field level has taken effective root
only in a few States. In the coming years, more emphasis will be
given to field level implementation of this new concept.
Introduction of the Eco-Development Programme has been one of
the recent developments in the field of wildlife
management which aim at economic development of the people residing
in and around sanctuaries and national parks, in
order to reduce their dependence on forest products so that the
ecological health of the protected areas can be developed
and sustained. The scheme aims at increasing productivity of land
and forest resources in the immediate neighbourhood of
the people so that alternative avenues of employment and income are
made available.
Eco-Development Programme envisages a package of activities
including developing agriculture, improvement of land
productivity and minor irrigation, raising of fodder and fuel
plantation, livestock care and improvement, introduction of
fuel saving devices, medical care including family planning and
creation of environmental awareness. It is increasingly felt
that the concept of eco-development should not be limited to
protected areas alone and that the scope and content of such
schemes should be further extended to cover other villages lying in
the immediate vicinity of forests. The comprehensive
State Forestry Projects which have been launched by a number of
States recently incorporate elements of eco-development
as a means of ensuring sustained development of forests.
India's economic and trade policies which have a bearing on
forest and forest products are being progressively
fine-tuned with a view to facilitating conservation and sustainable
development and use of forests. This is reflected in
liberalisation of imports of forest products to relieve pressures
on forests, nationalisation of trade of certain forest
products, incentives for wood substitution, subsidies in use of
fuel-saving devices and alternative sources for energy
supply like biogas and solar energy and financial incentives
through supply of seedlings free of cost or on subsidised rates.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: Considering the symbiotic relationship
between tribal people and forests, and in order to ameliorate
the socio-economic conditions of the tribals, various issues
related to forest-tribal interface were examined and detailed
guidelines have been issued by the Government of India to the State
Governments in 1991. These guidelines encompass a
number of subjects including regularisation of old encroachments of
forest lands, review of disputed claims over forest
land, elimination of intermediaries to stop exploitation,
conservation of forest villages to revenue villages, payment of
compensation for loss of life and property due to depredation by
wild animals.
One of the important elements in the Participatory Forest
Management System related to making use of indigenous
capacity and local knowledge regarding various aspects of
conservation, development and use of forests. The rural people,
particularly women, have an intimate knowledge about various
species, growth characteristics, utility and medicinal value.
They are also well informed about the species to be planted in a
given locality to satisfy the specific requirements of fuel,
fodder, timber and other nonwood forest products. In participatory
forest management, planning and implementation of
most of the activities related to regeneration and protection are
done with the active involvement of the rural people and
thus, the traditional knowledge base of the people is fully
utilised for the benefit of the community.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
Protected forest area | ||||
Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3) | ||||
Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND
DROUGHT
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in
Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa was signe in 1996.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter About 10
percent of the 329 million hectares of land area of India is arid.
This zone is located in the western region. Rajasthan accounts for
61 per cent and 20 per cent is located in adjoining State
of Gujarat. Cold deserts located in the High Himalayas of the North
West account for the rest. Semi-arid areas account for
30.56 per cent of the area and are located in 127 districts in 10
States. There is a well defined desert region consisting of
the great desert and little desert. The great desert extends from
Rann of Kutch beyond Luni river northwards. The little
desert is located between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer and the two are
divided by a zone of sterile rocky land cut up by
limestone ridges.
There is evidence to prove that the arid area had dense forest
cover. Large scale migrations through the North Western
Himalayan passes resulted in clearance of natural vegetation for
settled agriculture. As arid areas are located on routes of
migration, the delicate balance of water and nutrient recycling was
lost with indiscriminate spread of agriculture which
started around three thousand years ago. The river "Saraswati" of
Indian mythology vanished altogether while other rivers
merged into the sand dunes.
The semi-arid regions abutting the arid zone on the North and
North East have a better water regime as a number of
perennial rivers fed by Himalayan snow traverse the area. A well
knit irrigation system makes the area the most
productive part of the country. In the East and South, however,
agriculture is mainly rain-fed particularly in the plateau
region. Periodic cycles of drought due to failure of monsoon rains
is a common feature.
In the National Conservation Strategy particular attention has
been paid to tackling such areas. The strategy, inter alia,
includes classification, zoning and apportionment of land for
designated uses, enactment of laws for appropriate land uses
to protect the soil from erosion, pollution and degradation,
measures for run off losses and wind erosion, development of
suitable agro-silvipastoral techniques, measures for water
conservation, recycling and optimal conjunctive use of surface
and ground water and encouragement to and improvement in
traditional methods of rain water harvesting.
The Desert Development Programme (DDP) was initiated in
1977-78. It covers both the hot desert regions of Gujarat,
Rajasthan and Haryana as well as cold desert areas in Jammu and
Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It is operative in 131
blocks of 21 districts in 5 States covering an area of about 0.362
million sq. kms. and a population of 15 million. The
objectives of the programme include controlling, the process of
desertification, mitigating the effects of drought in the
areas, restoring the ecological balance in the affected areas and
raising productivity of land, water, livestock and human
resources. At least 75 per cent of the allocation is earmarked for
activities which would contribute towards combating the
process of desertification. The programme is implemented with 100
per cent central assistance. The Programme
Evaluation Organisation of the Planning Commission has been
entrusted with the task of evaluating this programme in
order to assess its impact on the control of desertification and on
improvements in productivity and income's of life of the
people living in these areas. From 1990 to 1993, an amount of Rs.
1485 million have been spent under the scheme,
developing an area of 90,412 hectares.
The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched in 1973
in arid and semiarid areas with poor natural
resource endowments. The objective was to promote more productive
dryland agriculture by better soil and moisture
conservation, more scientific use of water resources,
afforestation, and livestock development through development of
fodder and pasture resource and in the long run to restore the
ecological balance. The DPAP covers 615 blocks of 91
districts in 13 States. This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where
the allocations are shared between the Centre and
States on a 50:50 basis. Preparation of development plans on
watershed basis, participation of people in planning and
implementation of the programme, developing effective liaison
between research agencies and implementing agencies are
some of the priority areas of the programme which is being
implemented in the Eighth Plan with renewed thrust. From
1990 to 1993, an amount of Rs. 3066.9 million has been spent under
the scheme, developing an area of 571,633 hectares.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
The basic objective of the integrated Wastelands Development
Project is to enable the start of pilot projects so as to
ensure integrated approach to wasteland development by taking up
area-specific projects, taking into account land
capabilities, site condition and local needs and ultimately aiming
to promote optimal land use for both ecological and
socio-economic needs. The different types of problem lands for
which projects are prepared under the scheme include
saline/alkaline lands, arid/sandy areas, ravenous areas and
Aravallis. The activities taken up are soil and water
conservation, afforestation, silvi-pasture, grazing management,
etc.
The main objective of the Afforestation Project for the
Aravalli (Rajasthan) is to check desertification and restore
ecological status by re-afforestation and also to increase the
production of fuelwood, fodder, timber, non-wood forest
products, etc. to meet the local needs. The project has started
from April 1992 and the project period is 5 years.
Rehabilitation of common lands in Aravallis (Haryana) is being
implemented in the four southern districts of Haryana,
viz, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad since 1990. The
project outlay is Rs.480 million. It aims at
environmental protection and restoration of green cover in the
semi-arid Aravalli Hills and improvement of the living
conditions of the local people in meeting their biomass needs.
In order to integrate the activities aimed at combating
desertification and to intensify these activities it has been
proposed to formulate a comprehensive plan for control of
desertification under the National Forestry Action Programme.
The plan envisages evaluation of the present status of deserts in
the country, assessment of the implementation of ongoing
programmes for development of deserts and desert prone areas,
formulation of broad policy guidelines and action plans
for implementing programmes aimed at control of desertification,
development of strategies involving people in desert
control through various means, including adoption of appropriate
measures related to research and training in desert
control.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Research activities
pertaining to various aspects of arid zone are being
conducted in the Central Arid Zone Research Institute. Majority of
the activities of the institute are oriented towards
agriculture and soil conservation. Central Arid Zone Research
Institute, (CAZRI) Jodhpur was established in 1988 under
the auspices of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
(ICFRE) with the prime object to carry out research,
inter alia, in sand-dune stabilisation, afforestation of arid
saline land of Rann of Kutch, Aravalli Hills and Indira Gandhi
Nahar Project (IGNP) command area, appropriate land use systems,
silviculture of important shrubs and trees with
emphasis on selection and tree improvement, vegetative propagation,
etc. Some important studies that have been
conducted are identification of species most suitable for
restricting the movement of sand-dunes and checking the advance
of desert, influence of moisture conservation practices in the
establishment of plantations in arid and semi-arid areas,
investigation of the influence of farm yard manure and nitrogen and
potassium fertilisers on establishment and growth of
Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata, irrigation management in
forestry plantations in IGNP command area of the
Indian Desert, and Combined Production System (Agri-silvi-pastoral)
in arid regions, etc.
India has built up some degree of expertise in matters that
could be considered relevant to desertification. These, inter
alia, include long range weather forecasting, remote sensing,
research in arid zone agriculture, forestry and pastures, and
dry land farming.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: India has ratified
the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in those
countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification,
Particularly in Africa. The Convention entered into force on
December 26, 1996. India has been taking regular part in the
Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee to Combat
Desertification (INCD) process. In collaboration with the Interim
Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification, Government of India hosted a Regional Conference
on the Implementation of the UN Convention to
Combat Desertification and Drought in Asia from August 21-23, 1996
at New Delhi. The countries resolved to initiate
consultations among themselves with a view to identifying specific
programmes for regional cooperation.
Latest 199_ | ||||
Land affected by desertification (Km2) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
As a major ecosystem representing the complex and
inter-related ecology of our planet, mountain environments are
essential to the survival of the global eco-system. Mountains are,
however, vulnerable to human and natural ecological
imbalance. The Himalayas represent one of the most fragile mountain
eco-systems and, furthermore, sustain a large
human population. This sets them apart from the Alpine or other
ranges, where the human habitation is not so high. They
and their people deserve consideration and attention, so that their
local knowledge can be utilised, so that sustained and
accelerated development becomes a reality for them while ensuring
promotion and protection of the eco-system as a
whole. The role of International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD) located in Kathmandu, in
generating and strengthening the knowledge about ecology and
sustainable development of mountain eco-systems has been
recognised in Agenda 21, which calls on the national governments
and international organisations to support it.
The Himalaya is vast diverse and youngest mountain system in
the world. It occupies l8 per cent of the geographical
area of India and regulates climate of the entire Indian
sub-continent. Existence of valuable flora, fauna and minerals
exclusive to the region is unique. The Himalaya feeds the major
river system in the Indian sub-continent.
As a follow up of the decisions contained in Agenda 21, a
number of important activities have been augmented and
strengthened to promote the priority activities. While a large
number of existing institutions in the region have continued
their efforts,the Government have set up GB Pant Institute for
Himalayan Environment and Development with specific
mandate for generating and strengthening knowledge about the
ecology and sustainable development of the Indian
Himalaya. The Institute is also involved in integrating and
collecting traditional knowledge base for sustainable and
integrated development of watersheds. Some of the major
achievements are as follows:
i) Suitable models for efficient upland farming systems were
developed applying soil, water and nutrient conservation
techniques in watersheds of Sikkim and Garhwal Himalaya.
ii) Integrated approaches on the management of irrigation systems,
keeping in view rural water supply and sanitation,
were developed in selected areas of Kumaun.
iii) Sustainable Natural Resource Management models through
people's participation are being developed in selected
villages of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
iv) Preliminary studies on Biodiversity assessment were completed
in selected Protected Areas of Kumaun and Himachal
Himalaya.
v) Environmental awareness programme and Biodiversity Conservation
through school children was continued in the
district of Pithoragarh of Kumaun Himalaya.
vi) Resource use in Kullu valley has been studied with a view to
evolve sustainable practices.
vii) Conventional and in-vitro propagation protocols for selected
multipurpose tree species were developed.
viii) Microbial interventions for improved plant species were
developed.
ix) Several on-site training programmes on nursery technology,
conservation practices and protected cultivation were
organised in remote villages with participation of farmers, NGOs.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Mountains are important sources
of water, energy, minerals, forests and agricultural products and
areas of recreation. They are store houses of biological diversity,
home to endangered species and an essential part of the
global ecosystem. Therefore, the development of the mountains has
to be viewed in a holistic manner, encompassing
economic development, technological improvement, environmental
protection and human resource development. All these
activities are interrelated and gains in one will produce benefits
in others
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Foodgrain production performed well rising from 168.4 million
tonnes in 1991 to an expected level of 196.0 million
tonnes in the terminal year of the Eighth Plan period (1992-97) .
The production of commercial crops like sugarcane (283
million tonnes), oilseeds (22.4 million tonnes), cotton (13.1
million bales) have been of a record level in 1995-96. From
organised upland tea and coffee plantations to extensive and often
dense coastal strips of coconut trees as also the
subterranean tuber and root crops characterise the variegated
nature of the horticultural potential in the country. The
production of flowers has emerged as a promising area of high
growth in recent years, particularly for its potential of
export of cut flowers. However, due to lack of technology and poor
infrastructural support for handling, packing,
processing and preservation, substantial post harvest losses of
fruits and vegetables still characterises the horticulture
sector. Lack of any significant breakthrough in seed technology is
perhaps one of the main reasons for slow growth in
foodgrains output during the nineties.
The country's irrigation potential created by the end of
1995-96 was expected to be 89.44 million hectares comprising
33.01 million hectares under major and medium projects and 56.43
million hectares under minor irrigation schemes. The
domestic production of fertilizers falls short of requirement.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in India includes pest
monitoring, promotion of biological control of pests, organising
demonstrations, training, etc.
Animal husbandry is an important source of self-employment and
subsidiary occupation in rural and semi-urban areas and
more so for people living in drought prone, hilly, tribal and other
poorly developed areas, where crop production in its
own may not sustain them fully. Agricultural products exported
include foodgrains, tobacco, cashew, groundnuts,
beverages, sugar, mo]asses, horticulture and floriculture products,
processed fruits and juices and meat preparations, etc.
India's share in the world trade in agricultural commodities is
just about one per cent.
Agricultural exports have received special attention from the
Government since it is in this area that there is the
greatest potential for raising farm incomes, tackling unemployment
and earning foreign exchange. A number of policy
changes have been introduced to give an impetus to agricultural
exports.
In the Eighth Plan, the agriculture sector is expected to
register an annual growth rate of 3.5 per cent while foodgrain
production is expected to register an annual growth of 3.0 per
cent. In the accelerated growth scenario for the Ninth Plan
(1997-2002), efforts will need to be made to achieve an
agricultural growth rate of 4.5 per cent per annum. Allied sectors
such as horticulture including fruit and vegetables, fisheries,
livestock and dairy will continue to register acceleration in
growth during the Ninth Plan period. In the Ninth Plan, targets
will be realised through a regionally differentiated strategy
based on agronomic, climatic and environment-friendly conditions.
At the macro level, the agriculture development
strategy will be differentiated by broad regional characteristics
of agro-economic situation.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Agriculture Sector has a
vital place in the economic development of the country as it
contributes
29.4 per cent of GDP and employs about 64 per cent of the work
force. Significant strides have been made in agriculture
production towards ensuring food security. Foodgrain production
registered an annual growth rate of 3 per cent during
1984-85 to 1994-95. There has been a significant improvement in
agriculture productivity which has helped in reducing
rural poverty. Though capital formation (1980-81 prices) in
agriculture grew at the rate of 6.05 per cent during 1989-90 to
1994-95, its share in the total gross capital formation declined to
10.85 per cent from 18.86 per cent recorded in 1980-81.
There is urgent need to reduce dependence on fertilizer
imports by improving output and productivity in fertilizer
production units through better capacity utilisation and
modernisation, wherever necessary. Importance will be given to
improvements in energy efficiency in the fertilizer sector with a
view to reducing the cost of production of fertilizers.
Emphasis will be given to promote a higher seed replacement rate.
In the post GATT period, new plant variety protection
rights make it necessary to augment facilities for registration of
varieties.
The research efforts will be accelerated through
biotechnology, micro-biology, genetic improvement of crops
including
hybrid technology, genetic upgradation of animal harvest
technology, etc. In agricultural education, thrust will be on
human resource development through upgrading teaching facilities.
The existing infrastructure for transfer of technology
will be made more effective and responsive to meet farmers
needs.
Animal Husbandry and Dairying will receive greater attention
for development during the Ninth Plan as this sector
plays an important role in generating employment opportunities and
supplementing incomes of small marginal farmers and
landless labourers, especially in the rainfed and drought-prone
areas. Effective control of animal diseases, declaration of
disease-free zones, scientific management of genetic stock
resources and upgradation, breeding, quality feed and fodder,
extension services, enhancement of production, productivity and
profitability of livestock enterprise will be given greater
attention.
Over the last two decades, there has been a considerable
decline in the incidence of rural poverty. However, a large
number of persons continue to live below the poverty line. Hence,
there is a need for continued direct State intervention
for eradication of poverty. While the programmes for
self-employment and supplementary wage employment would
continue in the Ninth Five Year Plan, these would be redesigned in
order to make them more effective as instruments of
poverty alleviation. They would also be integrated with the various
sectoral programmes as well as the area development
programmes within the umbrella of the Panchayati Raj
Institutions.
To make self-employment programmes more effective in the Ninth
Plan, there will be a shift in strategy under
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), from an individual
beneficiary approach to a group and/or cluster
approach. This would facilitate higher investment levels to ensure
viability of projects. Further, the ingredients of this
approach would include development of skills of the poor through an
inbuilt training component, upgradation of
technology, establishment of forward and backward linkages,
availability of appropriate infrastructure and market tie ups.
A new initiative for social mobilisation will be taken up in the Ninth Plan, for creating self-managed institutions of the poor. A mechanism for training of social animators to assist the poor to form their own organisations and articulate their felt needs and aspirations would be taken up. Rural poverty is largely among the landless and marginal farmers. Therefore, access to land remains a key element of the anti-poverty strategy in rural areas. The programme of action for Land Reforms in the Ninth Plan would include the following: detection as well as redistribution of ceiling surplus land upgradation of land records on a regular basis tenancy reforms providing for recording the rights of tenants and share croppers consolidation of holdings preventing alienation of tribal lands providing access on a group basis to the poor on wastelands and common, property resources. leasing-in and leasing-out of land will be permitted within the ceiling limits preference to women in the distribution of ceiling surplus land and legal provisions for protecting their rights on land.
Agricultural Development in Ninth Plan (1997-98 to 2002-03) Agriculture contributes 29.4 per cent of GDP: employing 64 per cent of the country's workforce. During the Eighth Plan, 1992-97, agriculture registered an annual growth rate of 3.5 per cent, with foodgrain output growth at 3 per cent. In the Ninth Plan the agriculture growth is aimed at 4.S per cent. Targets to be realised through regionally differentiated strategy based on agronomic, climatic and environment-friendly conditions. North-western high productivity regions to promote diversifications and high value crops and to strengthen linkages with agro processing industries and exports Eastern region with abundant water to exploit the productivity potential through flood control, drainage management, improvement of irrigation facilities and, improved input delivery systems. Water scarce peninsular region including Rajasthan, to focus on efficient water harvesting and conservation methods and technologies based on watershed approach and appropriate farming system. Ecologically fragile regions including Himalayan and desert areas to concentrate on ecofriendly agriculture. Seven Basic Services have been identified for priority attention with an all out effort for their complete coverage in a time bound manner. These are safe drinking water, availability of primary health service facilities, universalisation of primary education, provision of public housing assistance to all shelterless poor families, nutritional support to children, connectivity of all villages and habitations by roads and public distribution system targeted to the poor. Policies and programmes relating to these areas would be given a thrust in the Ninth Plan The Panchayati Raj Institutions will function as effective institutions of local self-government and they would prepare plans for economic development and social justice and implement them. The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will be the umbrella for integration of sectoral programmes with poverty alleviation and rural development programmes. Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) will continue to provide projected financial assistance to voluntary Organisations which will have to play a more dynamic role in empowering the poor through advocacy, awareness generation and formation of Self-Help Groups during the Ninth Plan. |
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Increased
mechanisation in agriculture has created demand for more trained
manpower for operation, maintenance and management of agricultural
machinery. To provide better quality equipment to
the farmers, the Government has set up Farm Machinery Training and
Testing Institutes.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) plays a
crucial role in promoting science and technology and its
application in agriculture. A national Gene Bank, which is the
biggest in Asia, was opened at New Delhi. The gross value
of output from livestock sector is estimated to account for 26 per
cent of the total value of output from agriculture sector.
3. Major Groups: The Training of Rural Youth for
Self-Employment (TRYSEM) will be revamped in its design,
curriculum and method of training in order to improve the
employment opportunities of the poor. It will focus on activities
in which the rural youth are already engaged and where there exists
a potential for skill upgradation or else on activities
which would enhance production under group-cluster approach. The
artisans in rural areas, despite their rich heritage and
skills, belong to the poverty group. The existing programme aimed
at upgrading their skills and improving their
production capabilities, by supplying them with modern tool kits,
would be strengthened and expanded in the Ninth Plan.
This would facilitate enhancing the productivity and income levels
of the rural artisans.
Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA),
which is based on a group approach, has been
successful in empowering women and in improving their economic
status, in selected States. A mechanism for replicating
the successful DWCRA groups would be evolved. Thrift will be the
starting point for the formation of Self Help Group
(SHGs). A greater integration of DWCRA with IRDP and TRYSEM will be
attempted to provide womens' groups with
greater access to financial resources and training.
4. Finance: The thrust of agricultural credit policy
continues to be on providing timely and adequate credit support to
farmers with particular focus on small and marginal farmers and
weaker sections. Cooperatives play a significant role in
meeting the short term credit requirement of agriculture. In order
to provide financial support to farmers in the event of
crop failure as a result of natural calamity, and to restore their
credit eligibility for the next season, comprehensive crop
insurance scheme was introduced in April, 1995. The strategy to
increase capital formation in agriculture includes
increased plan outlay and increasing the proportion for development
of infrastructure, more efficient use of resources to
raise productivity and ensuring remunerative prices to farmers to
enable them to use own savings for higher investment. In
the area of agricultural marketing, the Government's role is
limited mainly to protecting the interests of both consumers
and producers through farm support policies and promotion of
organised marketing of agricultural commodities.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199_ Agricultural land (Km2)
Agricultural land as % of total land area
Agricultural land per capita
Latest 199_ Consumption of fertilizers per
Km2 of agricultural land as of 1990
Other data
| ||||||||
Crop |
|
|
|
| ||||
Rice | ||||||||
Wheat | ||||||||
Coarse Cereals | ||||||||
Pulses | ||||||||
Foodgrains | ||||||||
Kharif | ||||||||
Rabi | ||||||||
Oilseeds | ||||||||
Sugarcane | ||||||||
Cotton@ | ||||||||
Jute & Mesta$ | ||||||||
(Percentage variation in production over the previous year) | ||||||||
Rice | ||||||||
Wheat | ||||||||
Coarse Cereals | ||||||||
Pulses | ||||||||
Foodgrains | ||||||||
Kharif | ||||||||
Rabi | ||||||||
Oilseeds | ||||||||
Sugarcane | ||||||||
Cotton@ | ||||||||
Jute & Mesta$ | ||||||||
@ Million Bales of 170 kg each $Million Bales of 180 kg each |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in
1994.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora was signed in 1976.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter India is one of
the 12 mega biodiversity centres in the world, representing
two of the major realms and three basic biomes of the world. The
country is divided into 10 biogeographic regions:
Trans-Himalayan, Himalayan, Indian Desert, Semi-Arid, Western
Ghats, Deccan Peninsula, Gangetic Plains, North-East
India, Islands and Coasts.
The diversity of the Country's biological resources is yet to
be fully surveyed. Approximately 65 per cent of the total
geographical area has been surveyed so far. Based on this, over
47,000 species of plants and 81,000 species of animals
have been recorded. This list is being constantly upgraded,
specially in respect of lower plants and invertebrate animals.
Conservation and sustainable use of biological resources based on
the local knowledge systems and practices is ingrained
in Indian ethos and way of life. Formal policies and programmes for
conservation and sustainable utilisation of
biodiversity resources date back to several decades. The concept of
environmental protection is enshrined in the Indian
Constitution in Article 48(a) and 51(g). Major central acts
relevant to biodiversity are:
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The various central acts are supported by a number of state laws
and statutes concerning forests and other natural
resources.
Policies and strategies directly relevant to biodiversity
include:
National Forest Policy as amended in 1988
National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement for
Environment and Sustainable Development
National Agricultural Policy
National Land Use Policy
National Fisheries Policy (under preparation)
National Biodiversity Policy (under preparation)
National Wildlife Action Plan
Environmental Action Plan
Surveys of the floral and faunal resources in the country are
carried out by the Botanical Survey of India established in
1890 and the Zoological Survey of India established in 1916. The
National Institute of Oceanography and several other
specialised institutions and universities further strengthen the
taxonomic data base.
Approximately 5.3 per cent of the total geographical area of
country has been earmarked for extensive in situ conservation
of habitats and eco-systems through protection area network of 80
National Parks and 44 per cent Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The results of this network have been significant in restoring
viable populations of large mammals such as tiger, lion,
rhinoceros, crocodiles, elephants, etc.
A programme captioned "eco-development" through World Bank's
assistance for in situ conservation of biological
diversity involving local communities has been initiated in recent
years. The concept of eco-development integrates the
ecological and economic parameters for sustained conservation of
eco-systems by involving the local communities with
the maintenance of earmarked regions surrounding protected
areas.
To conserve the representative eco-systems, a Biosphere
Reserve programme is being implemented. Eight
biodiversity rich areas of the country have been designated as
Biosphere Reserves applying the UNESCO MAB criteria.
Programmes have also been launched for scientific management and
wise use of fragile ecosystems. Specific
programmes for management and conservation of wetlands, mangroves,
and coral reef systems are also being
implemented. National and state level committees oversee and guide
these programmes to ensure strong policy and
strategic support.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Attention has been paid to ex situ conservation measures also as they complement the in situ conservation and are even otherwise important. According to currently available survey, Central Government and State Governments together run and manage 33 Botanical Gardens. Universities have their own Botanical Gardens. There are 275 centres of ex situ wildlife preservation in the form of zoos, deer parks, safari parks, aquaria, etc. The Government of India has set up a Central Zoo Authority for overseeing, monitoring, coordinating the management and the development of zoos in the country. Pursuant to the ratification of the Convention by India in February,1994, several steps have been initiated to meet the commitments under the Convention as also to bring the legislative, administrative and policy regime regarding biological diversity in tune with the Articles of the Convention. A National Action Plan on Biological Diversity is under finalisation. While consolidating the ongoing efforts of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, the draft Action Plan aims at establishing a policy and programme regime which brings the National Action on various aspects of the subject including capacity building and biosafety measures in tune with the Articles of the Convention. In addition, the following activities are being undertaken: Biosafety protocol Biodiversity information network Capacity building in taxonomy Consultations with the State Governments Traditional knowledge and benefit sharing Legislation India believes that national action regarding conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources demands appropriate actions on the part of international community. Some key issues in this regard are as follows:
i) Development of suitable enabling environment by the other parties, particularly the developed country parties, to ensure benefits to countries of origin. These benefits should not only include measures like royalty payment or monetary compensation, but also location of research and technologies in the countries of origin in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. ii) Development of an internationally recognised regime for recognising the property rights - both intellectual and physical of the local communities. Development of such a regime may take time. Pending which all patent applications should be required to disclose: (a) the source and origin of the genetic material used; (b) knowledge and practices about the use of the said genetic resources by the local communities and identification of such communities; and (c) give a declaration that laws, practices on guidelines for the use of such material and knowledge systems in the country of origin have been followed. iii) Capacities of biodiversity rich countries should be built to enable them to do bio-prospecting and products develop from genetic resources. iv) Introduction of transgenics, alien species should be only with requisite safeguards. |
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Collection and
preservation of genetic resources is done through the National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources for Wildlife relatives of crop
plants; the National Bureau of Animal Genetic resources
for domesticated animals; and the National Bureau of Fish Genetic
Resources for economically valuable fish species.
These Bureaus are assigned the task of collecting germplasm and
also supplying these on request to Indian and foreign
agencies for research purposes.
A comprehensive status report on biological diversity in India
is also under preparation. The Status Report would
cover the various facets of biodiversity conservation.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199_ | |||
Protected area as % of total land area | |||
Latest 199_ | |||
Number of threatened species | |||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Aquaculture and marine biotechnology
Animal biotechnology
Biological control of plant pests, diseases and weeds
Biotech process engineering and industrial biotechnology
Basic research in biotechnology
Biotechnology based programme for SC/ST population and weaker
sections
Biofertilizer
Crop biotechnology and plant molecular biology
Environment and conservation biotechnology
Food biotechnology
Human genetics
Medical biotechnology
Microbial biotechnology
Medicinal and aromatic plants biotechnology
Plant tissue culture
Sericulture biotechnology
These Task Forces comprise experts in the respective areas from
different parts of the country. All the Task Forces have
identified the need based thrust areas in the Indian context. Based
on the recommendations of the Task Forces, the
Department has supported research in the following areas:
i) Development of stress resistant plant species (crop species,
forest trees and medicinally important plant species) for
higher yields with less inputs.
ii) Transgenic crop plants for higher yields, pest management,
reduction in toxin contents in some crop varieties, etc.
iii) Development of biological pesticides using biotechnological
tools so as to bring down the pollution load of chemical
pesticides.
iv) Development of more efficient biofertilizers which will be
economical to the farmers as compared to the chemical
fertilizers, and ultimately bring down pollution load of chemical
fertilizers.
v) Development of new immunodiagnostic tools for detection of
communicable diseases and certain physiological states,
such as early detection of pregnancy, etc.
vi) Development of new/recombinant vaccines for the control of
different diseases.
vii) Development of new strains for improved production of
antibiotics using/ strengthening the existing infrastructure.
viii) Development of highly efficient strains for treatment of
waste waters (domestic as well as industrial) and
conversion of wastes and agro-residues into useful chemicals for
industrial applications.
ix) Development of ELISA, PCR techniques and DNA probes for the
detection of enteric pathogens in drinking water
so as to avoid epidemic outbreaks by quick corrective measures to
be taken immediately after identification of enteric
pathogens.
x) Development of cleaner technologies using the biotechnological
tools.
xi) Development of biosensors for detection of Xenobiotics in the
environment.
xii) Conservation of endangered/threatened plant species which are
at the verge of extinction and are of
economically/medicinally importance using biotechnological tools,
specifically for the development of protocols for ex
situ conservation, which would be taken up by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests for in situ conservation.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Department of Biotechnology
has constituted 16 Task Forces for generation of R&D projects
for the development of biotechnologies/techniques/ processes, for
the perfection of techniques/technologies developed,
their field evaluation and transfer to the industries for
commercialisation so as to benefit the country in general and the
affected population in particular. These Task Forces are as
follows:
xiii) Establishment of gene banks in different parts of the
country. The purpose of the gene bank is for the preparation of
inventory of important species, preservation of genetic resources
and to optimise their uses. There is also a provision for
networking of gene banks on a regional or inter-regional basis.
Under this programme, three banks have been established
at (1) NBPGR, IARI, New Delhi, (2) CIMAP, Lucknow and (3) TBGRI,
Thiruvanathapuram .
xiv) Development of high-yielding technology packages for
aquaculture including feed development, breeding and seed
production and bioactive compound, health, development of spawning
agents, etc.
xv) Development of embryo transfer techniques, animal feed for
high milching cattle and for development of vaccines and
diagnostics for different diseases in the area of animal
biotechnology.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
the Department has taken the lead responsibility for the
following three activities, in the context of the Convention on
Biological Diversity:
i) Development of modalities for access to and transfer of
technology to identify the institutions and develop measures for
receiving such technologies and utilising them.
ii) Development of modalities for priority access to biotechnology
results and benefits on mutually agreed terms.
iii) Formulation of procedures for advance informed agreements on
safe transfer of GMOs beyond national jurisdiction.
The Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology heralded new opportunities
for beneficial applications in agriculture, animal
and human health, industry and environment. It has also given rise
to the concern about possible unknown hazards from
bridging the natural species barriers and the uncertain effects of
new organisms on environmental and public health. In
order to have the effective and safe release programmes, it is
necessary to have biosafety and regulatory arrangements in
biotechnology. Realising the immediate needs of these arrangements,
the Department of Biotechnology has prepared the
Recombinant DNA Safety Guidelines and Regulations. These guidelines
cover the areas of research involving:
i) GMOs/LMOs,
ii) Genetic transformation of plants and animals,
iii) RDNA technology in vaccine and bioactive molecule development,
and
iv) large scale production and deliberate/accidental release of
organisms, plants, animals and products derived from
RDNA technologies.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 17: PROTECTION OF THE
OCEANS, ALL KINDS OF SEAS, INCLUDING ENCLOSED
AND SEMI-ENCLOSED SEAS, AND COASTAL AREAS AND THE PROTECTION,
RATIONAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR LIVING RESOURCES
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was signed in
1995.
See also the attached tables on the next pages.
India's coastline including major indentations and the shores
of islands is about 7,500 km. long. About 55 per cent has
beaches, which include spits, barriers and sandy stretches. The
rest are constituted by rocky, overhanging cliffs and
prograding shore including deltas. The Indian coastline is
relatively stable with certain marked progradation near river
mouths. These are two groups of islands, the Arabian Sea Islands
(Lakshadweep and Minicoy) and the Bay of Bengal
Islands (Andaman & Nicobar) which differ significantly in
origin and physical characteristics.
The maritime zones of the country are demarcated under the
Maritime Zones Act 1976 as 12 nautical miles of
territorial seas, 24 nautical miles of contiguous zone and 200
nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone. Nine States and
two Union Territories are located along the Indian coastline and
the EEZ of 2.02 million sq. km. is adjacent to these
States and Union Territories. India's population as per the census
conducted in 1991 stood at 846 million. The nine coastal
States and two Union Territories and the islands account for 419
million which is 49.5 per cent of the population of the
country. However, not all the districts of the coastal States are
situated on the coast. The population of coastal areas is 154
million which is 18.2 per cent of the total population of the
country.
The Developmental activities in the coastal zone, coupled with
the population increase in the narrow stretch of land,
have ultimately posed enormous stress on the coastal marine
environment, thus affecting the ecological balance of the
coastal zone. A number of eco-systems like mangroves (estimated
area 681,676 hectares), coral reefs and marine
sanctuaries are situated along the coastal areas. The major
mangrove areas are Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Coringa, and Mahanadi. The coral reefs are present in Gulf of
Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and
Lakshadweep Islands.
The thickly polluted towns and cities like Mumbai, Chennai,
Visakhapatnam are situated along the coastline. The
domestic waste generated from these cities and towns are disposed
as untreated either directly into the sea or through
rivers, creeks, etc. It is estimated that nearly 19,000 million
litres of sewage per day reach the coastal environment of the
country. Attempts are being made to install waste treatment plants
in Mumbai, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. Assistance
from the World bank has already been obtained for treatment as well
as disposal of waste generated from Mumbai.
Major industrial cities like Mumbai, Surat, Cochin, Chennai,
Visakhapatnam are situated along the coastline of the
country. It is estimated that the total quantity of waste
discharged by these cities is approximately 0-7 x 109 cubic metre.
There are 1,551 industries located along the coastline of the
country and all the major industries treat their effluents before
disposal. There are innumerable number of small and medium scale
industries which dispose the untreated waste into the
creeks as well as sewerage. Efforts have been made to set up common
treatment plants at Mumbai. Surat and Chennai to
facilitate treatment of wastes before they are disposed. Several
tanneries located in Calcutta and near Chennai have been
strongly recommended for closure in case these industries do not
install treatment plants within the stipulated period
specified by the Apex Court of the country.
Nearly,100,000 hectare of land is being used for prawn culture
in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal and Orissa. Sizeable area of coastal land, particularly,
within the reach of high tide and also mangrove areas are
being occupied by the aquaculture farms. Standards are available
for regulating the waste discharged from the aquaculture
farms and they are applicable only to large farms.
The western EEZ of India and also Andaman & Nicobar waters
are being used as international tanker routes. It has
been estimated that nearly 3500 tankers ply this area carrying
about 470 million tonnes oil per year. A National
Contingency Plan to deal with oil spill disasters has also been
prepared. Infrastructure to deal with the oil spills are also
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
being augmented. India has ratified Marpol 73/78 and adopted the
provisions in Merchant Shipping Act.
India ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in June
1996. The Government of India have rules and regulations
for dealing with various activities in the coastal zone which
covers the inter-tidal area and the land area of 500 metres
from the high tide line. A coastal zone management plan indicating
various zones have been prepared by the States of the
country so that the rules and regulation as defined in the relevant
notification can be dealt appropriately at these zones.
The government also has proposed to extend these rules to the ocean
part.
The annual potential yield of the marine fishery resources in
the Indian EEZ has been estimated to be 3.92 million
tonnes. About 65 per cent of the total potential available is being
tapped, with hardly 35 per cent left for exploitation.
While the 0.50m depth is almost fully exploited, the resource
available beyond 50m depth still offers scope for expansion
of the level of exploitation by introducing a judicious mix of
small and large/commercial resource specific fishing vessels.
Almost 98 per cent of this production is contributed by the
traditional and mechanised sectors and the remaining 2 per cent
by the deep sea fishing sector.
Some of the marine fin fishes threatened by indiscriminate
fishing pressure are the whale sharks (Rhiniodon typus),
marine catfishes of the genera Tachysurus and Osteogeneosus, the
white fish Lactarius lactarius, the flat head
Platycephalus maculipinna, the threadfins Polynemus indicus (Dara)
and P. heptadactylus, and Sciaenids Pseudosciaena
diacanthus (Ghol) and Otolithoides brunneus (Koth), the perch
Pomadasys hasta and the eel Muraenosox. The marine
catfishes like T. tenuispinis, T. dussumieri and T. serratus form
large shoals during breeding season extending from
September to March, during which period the incubating/breeding
stocks are exploited en masse by purse seiners from the
shallow grounds of Karnataka and Goa regions. In the total catfish
landings during their breeding period more than 50 per
cent of the catch was composed of gestating males, each one
carrying 40-150 eggs/embryos in its mouth. This has resulted
in the overfishing for a number of years from 1979-1986 which had
far reaching effects at other centres since the stock is
migratory in nature.
The all Indian production of catfish thus declined from 64,000
t (1988) to 36,000 t in 1992. The indiscriminate catch
of berried females of deep sea lobster Puerulus sewelli from
selected breeding pockets by a large number of deep sea
trawlers has resulted in the over-exploitation and consequential
depletion in its landings. The sand lobster, Thenus
orientalis and the rock lobster, Panulirus sp. also declined in
production and these area-specific resources need
conservation and protection. The Horse shoe crab (Limulus sp.,) is
a threatened species distributed along Orissa coast. It
is widely exploited for different pharmaceutical use.
Keeping in view the need for sustainability in fisheries
development and environment protection considerations, India's
approach to coastal fisheries has been oriented towards mitigating
the adverse effects of such activities on the environment
as well as the users. Steps towards achieving sustainable
development, inter alia, include enforcement of regulatory
measures to control fishing activities in the inland and marine
water areas, implementation of Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ), enforcement of Marine Fishing Regulation Act (MFRA), and
strengthening infrastructure for monitoring marine
pollution, etc.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unique tropical
eco-system, with an expected diversity and wild germ plasm
as also natural beauty. The biotic conditions and the climate of
the Islands are essentially congenial for high productivity.
The rich mangrove eco-systems, the extremely productive coral reefs
and the hitherto the region, has allowed the develop
d this unique eco-system. Apart from the deep sea fisheries
resources, the shallow water area and
the creeks fringing the Islands offer great potential for the
development of coastal aquaculture Lakshadweep is an
archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks
of its 36 islands, covering an area of 32 sq. km. only
lO are inhabited. The Islands lie between 8 degree and 13 degree
North Latitude and 71 degree and 74 degree East
longitude. Population of these islands is 51,000. Though the Iand
area is extremely small, if the lagoon area of about
4,200 sq. km. of territorial waters and about 0.4 million sq. km.
of the exclusive economic zone are considered,
Lakshadweep is one of the largest territories of the nation. The
annual exploitable resources of Tuna in the Lakshadweep
Sea are estimated at 100,00 tonnes and of shark, 1000,000 tones;
the present operations are minuscule compared to the
potential.
The Government has initiated following steps, inter alia, for
sustainable development of both the island groups:
- Setting up of Andaman & Nicobar Integrated Development
Corporation to undertake developmental activities in an
integrated manner in order to ensure the sustainability of all
economic activities and to avoid conflicts
- Under the Environment Protection Act, l986, rules have been
prescribed to prohibit environmentally destructive
activities including mining of corals in the coral reef areas and
several developmental along the coastlines of the islands
have been regulated
- An apex body namely, the Island Development Authority has been
functioning under the Chairmanship of Prime
Minister of India to ensure performance of various developmental
activities within the framework of sustainable
development
- Research and Development activities are being promoted to develop
eco-friendly technologies like cage culture with
indigenous species for islands
- Promotion of Research for culture of bait fish in Lakshadweep to
sustain the tuna fishery.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: It is proposed to
adopt the concept of Integrated Coastal and Marine Area
management ICMAM) to deal with several coastal and marine related
issues. A new programme of ICMAM is proposed
to be launched from 1997 onwards. Development of a few Model ICMAM
Plans and capacity building exercises are also
proposed to be carried out. The Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972 is
being enforced to protect the endangered species. A
programme on Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System is
engaged in the Systematic monitoring of marine
pollution in the country. Studies relating to waste assimilation
capacity of coastal waters are also proposed to be
undertaken from 1997-98 onwards.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Catches of marine species (metric tons) | ||||
Population in coastal areas | ||||
Population served by waste water treatment (% of
country's total population) | ||||
Discharges of oil into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of phosphate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of nitrate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE
QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
High investments made over the successive Five Year Plans have
resulted in significant achievements in this sector.
While about 82 per cent of the population has access to safe
drinking water supply facility in rural areas, the accessibility
in urban areas is around 85 per cent. However, the access in most
of the cities and towns is still inadequate, particularly in
slums inhabited by the poorer sections of the society.
Five Year Plans and Annual Plans contain the strategy for
organised and systematic development. Important strategies
in the current 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97) are similar to the
programme areas of Chapter 18 of Agenda 21. Many of the
strategies to be adopted in the Plans are based on the strategies
spelt out in the National Water Policy.
There are a number of important ongoing national programmes
and projects with domestic and external assistance in
the direction of the implementation of recommendations of Agenda
21. Some of these are:
i) Guidelines for sustainable water resources development and
management have been formulated. A hydrology project
with World Bank assistance is under implementation for systematic
collection and analysis of data.
ii) Master Plans for river basins for optimisation and inter-basin
transfers are under preparation.
iii) Flood and drought management, environmental and social impact
assessment are integral part of project formulation,
implementation and monitoring in the country in various States and
are continuous processes of all plans.
iv) Documents on non-structural aspects of flood management in
India have been prepared. A draft bill on flood plan zone
has been prepared. A National Flood Atlas is under preparation
v) Human resources development is being implemented through water
and land management institutes and other
organisations and agencies. As part of mass awareness programme
Water Resources Day is being observed every year
vi) Research and development programmes in the water resources
sector are being undertaken through Indian National
Committees by universities, research institutes and other
organisations on different subjects.
vii) Pilot projects on recycling and reuse of waste water and
artificial recharge of ground water are under implementation.
viii) Guidelines on the conjunctive use of surface water and ground
waters have been prepared and are under
implementation.
ix) Command Area Development Programmes are in progress since
1974.
x) Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) through Water Users'
Associations and women's participation is being
actively encouraged and implemented.
xi) A network of hydrological stations, hydrometric observation
stations and ground water measurement stations collect
data including water quality data through organisations under
Central and State Governments on a continuous basis.
Standardisation of involved process is being carried out
continuously through the Bureau of Indian Standards and also by
participation in the of the International Standards Organisation.
Water resources data are collected and transmitted through
the network of National Informatics Centre.
Generally, the projects in the water resources sector are
being implemented under the categories of major, medium
and minor (surface water and also ground water) projects and
schemes, flood control projects and Command Area
Development Programmes.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: India's National Water Policy was
adopted in September, 1987. The National Water Resources
Council (NWRC) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister lays
down the National Water Policy, reviews
development plans and advises on implementation. The Policy aims at
planning, developing and conserving the scarce and
precious water resources on an integrated and environmentally sound
basis keeping in view the needs of the State
Governments. The policy envisages strategies, inter alia, ground
water development, water allocation priorities, drinking
water, irrigation, water quality, water zoning, conservation of
water, flood control and management. The State
Governments in India make their water policies within the overall
framework of the National Water Policy.
India participates in many of the regional programmes sponsored by
ESCAP, particularly, on the flood control and
reservoir sedimentation studies/schemes. The country also imparts
training in water resources development to the
candidates nominated by various developing countries and also
participates in the training programmes of its own persons
in other countries.
Even though important ongoing national programmes are in
progress in various stages, quite a few constraints are
being faced in the implementation. Some of these are:
i) Deficiencies in systematic data collection and establishment of
a good data base - Periodic review and implementation of
hydrology project may improve the situation;
ii) Suitable blend of structural and non-structural flood
management measures - Proper implementation is needed.
iii) Increase in water pollution - Effective control of improvement
in water quality is required to be implemented urgently.
iv) Degradation of fish habitat due to increased water abstraction,
land development and pollution;
v) Soil erosion, mismanagement and other over-exploitation of
natural resources - Improvement and expediting catchment
area treatment and compensatory afforestation is necessary;
vi) Constraint of funds - This is seen as the greatest obstacle in
the implementation of Agenda 21 and needs global
consideration and assistance;
vii) Lack of adequate training - Greater human resources
development in all areas of concern is necessary.
While all the projects and schemes are being implemented in
India with the objective of sustainable development,
presently, a number of policies/guidelines are under finalisation
through national Water Resources Council. These are:
i) Water Information Bill ii) Policy Note on setting up of river
basin Organisation.
iii) National Policy for Resettlement and Rehabilitation of persons
affected by reservoir projects.
iv) Modification of water allocation priorities specified by
National Water Policy.
v) Overall Policy guidelines for water management and pricing of
water for industrial purposes.
vi) An approach to organisational and procedural changes in
irrigation sec-or. vii) Irrigation management policy.
viii) National policy guidelines for water allocation for
inter-State rivers amongst States, and,
ix) Guidelines for planning conjunctive use of surface and ground
water in irrigation projects.
As mentioned earlier, a few policies/guidelines are under
finalisation through the NWRC. After their adoption, the
provisions of which are already under implementation in different
stages will be monitored for ensuring sustainable
development. Other items of sub-policies which are not covered
above, will also be framed by the national Water Board
for adoption by the NWRC in the near future.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Water Resources
Council (NWRC) under the Chairmanship of the Prime
Minister lays down the National Water Policy, reviews development
plans and advises on implementation.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | ||||
Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
Other data
|
| |||
Item/Area | |||
Drinking Water Supply | |||
Rural | |||
Urban | |||
Sanitation facilities | |||
Rural | |||
Urban | |||
Estimated figure Source: Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC
AND DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 emphasises the need for
laying down procedures and safeguards for handling
hazardous substances and preventing accidents. Four sets of Rules
have also been notified under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986. Manufacture, Storage and Import of
Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989, the Hazardous Waste
(Management and Handling) Rules, 1989, the Manufacture, Use,
Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous
Micro-organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, Rules,
1989 and Chemical Accident (Emergencies planning,
Preparedness and Responses) Rules, 1996.
Several work programmes for the promotion of safety in the
handling of hazardous substances have been planned and
operationalised. Risk assessment of chemicals is time and resource
intensive. If the Agenda 21 recommendation that major
pollutants should be assessed by 2000 AD is to become a reality,
data collection and availability have to be fully
organised. India is a member of International Programme on Chemical
Safety (IPCS) and International Register of
Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC). At the national level, the
following efforts are underway:
i) A centrally sponsored scheme to create infrastructure in certain
regulatory organisations.
ii) Hazard analysis and off-site emergency plans in sensitive
industrial pockets.
iii) The establishment of emergency response centres.
iv) Establishment of poison control centres at select places with
some available infrastructure.At present, except for a
limited number of hospitals, cases of chemical poisoning are
treated only in general emergency wards.
v) The promotion of Epidemiological studies in areas of high risk.
This involves collection of data from hazardous
installations, and relating to pollution status, etc.
A data base with full information is essential for the
management of hazardous substances. However, available data on
even certain commonly used chemicals is inadequate for a
comprehensive risk or hazard assessment to be undertaken.
While there are some infrastructural facilities at local, State and
Central levels, the management of emergencies cannot be
satisfactory for the lack of an efficient data base. The Ministry
of Environment and Forests has set up a Central Crisis
Group Alert System with a Central Control Room for the management
of emergencies due to hazardous chemicals. The
Ministry has also established the National Register for Potentially
Toxic Chemicals (NRPTC) for collection, collation,
analysis and dissemination of existing national and international
information on the lines of the IRPTC. However, the
Centre requires a widespread network throughout the country as well
as coordination with other organisations. An effort
in this direction has been made with the establishment of Regional
Registers in three regions.
The risk of poisoning from exposure to dangerous chemicals is
acute and casualties take place each year for this
reason. The adverse effects of pesticide poisoning are well known.
In 1982, it was estimated that while developing
countries accounted for only 50 per cent of the use of pesticides
worldwide, over 50 per cent of pesticide poisonings
occurred in these countries. Legal provisions exist for strict
control measures on chemical poisons under the Insecticides
Act, 1968, the Poison Act, 1990 and the Hazardous Chemicals Rules,
1989. There is a need for institutions that would
treat poisoning cases, with access to the latest information,
detection methods and qualified staff, in view of the
anticipated rise in the number of cases of chemical poisoning.
A global survey undertaken in 1984-86 indicated that while
most developed countries had well-established capabilities
for poison control, very few developing countries had such
facilities. The Ministry of Environment and Forests and the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have felt the need for
setting up a National Poison Control Centre with a network
of Regional Centres. A Poison Control Centre has been set up at the
All India Institute of
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Chemicals occupy an important
place in the effort to meet the social and economic goals of the
community. However, many chemicals are toxic, highly reactive,
explosive or flammable, or have a combination of these
characteristics and represent a potential risk to human, animal and
plant life, and the environment in general. Extreme
care is necessary while handling such chemicals at all stages of
manufacture, processing, transportation or use.
Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi to provide a full range of
clinical, analytical, toxicological and information
services to provide quick response against the effects of chemicals
on human health.
After the Bhopal disaster of 1984, the Government has taken
steps, both regulatory and non-regulatory, to reduce the
environmental risk from exposure to chemicals. The Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 was the first step. The Act, inter
alia, lays down procedures and safeguards to regulate the handling
of hazardous and toxic chemicals. An Act entitled
Public Liability Insurance Act, l 991 was enacted with the
objective to render relief to chemical accident victims. Steps
have been taken to phase out Benzidine and Benzidine based dyes and
intermediates through this instrument. Analogous
provisions exist in the Insecticide Act and the Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act.
To limit the discharge of pollutants into water and into the
air, standards have been laid down under the relevant Acts.
The "Polluter Pays Principle" has also been adopted. Environmental
impact assessment has been made mandatory in the
cases of specified projects and the use of less toxic chemicals,
insofar as it is feasible, suggested before the sanction of the
environmental clearance.
For prevention and control of major chemical hazards, legal
safeguards have been framed under the Hazardous
Chemicals Rules notified in 1989 under the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986. Specific requirements have been
prescribed for safe transportation of hazardous chemicals. Exposure
limits for chemicals and toxic chemicals have also
been laid down. Recently, environmental audit has also been made
mandatory, one of the aims being to reduce
environmental risk. Government is also encouraging the use of
Cleaner Production Technologies by providing fiscal
benefits. The award of the "Ecomark" to consumer products which are
environment friendly also encourages the use of
safer chemicals and technologies.
For reducing risk due to chemicals, the long-term objective of
Government is to eliminate the use of such substances.
However, the experience is that technological information on viable
alternatives is generally not available. Consequently,
the immediate and complete elimination of toxic chemicals seems
difficult. Purification techniques and other end-of-pipe
measures are capital and energy intensive and, taken alone, have
not yielded the success desired in reducing the discharges
of hazardous substances.
There is increasing concern over the movements of products
across the boundaries of developing countries carried out
in contravention of internationally adopted guidelines and
principles. This is especially true of developing countries which
do not have the adequate infrastructure to determine the risks
associated with such products or to adequately monitor their
ingress and egress.
Considerable research expertise exists in India on issues
related to the manufacture, use and handling of toxic and
hazardous materials. However, the difficulty lies in the inadequate
exchange of information and the training of persons
actually involved in such process. It is recognised that capacity
building is essential in industry especially at factory and
plant levels. There is a well established procedure regarding the
export import of various products regulated under the
Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947 implemented by the Director
General of Foreign Trade. Import/Export of many
products are also covered under the Drugs and N framed under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
India participates regularly in the meetings of the London
Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on Chemicals in
International Trade. Modalities for strengthening the legal basis
of these guidelines are being worked out. A voluntary
code of ethics on international trade in chemicals has also been
finalised in consultation with representatives of the
chemical industry.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN
HAZARDOUS WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
signed in 1992.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter With rapid
growth of population and industrialisation during the last two
decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the generation of
domestic, urban as well as industrial wastes. Though a
major part of the wastes generated are of non-hazardous type,
substantial quantities of hazardous wastes are also
generated. In spite of the several steps taken for management of
wastes generated by various sources, only a small
proportion of solid wastes are properly utilised and disposed of,
with the result that some of these wastes cause
environmental degradation and health risks in one way or another.
The Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling)
Rules (HW Rules) were notified by the Ministry of Environment and
Forests in July, 1989 under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986. These Rules provide for regulating the
generation, collection, storage, transport, treatment,
disposal and import of hazardous wastes. 18 categories of hazardous
wastes (to which the Rules apply) have been
identified and listed in the Schedule annexed to these Rules. One
of the important stipulations made under these Rules is
that the import of hazardous wastes from any other country to India
is not permitted for dumping and disposal. However,
import of such wastes are allowed for processing or reuse as raw
material, after examination of the merits of each case by
the competent authorities.
Under Rule 11 of the Hazardous Wastes Rules, 1989, the
exporting country or the exporter is required to communicate
details about the proposed transboundary movement of hazardous
wastes, to the Central Government. The importer is also
required to provide details regarding the wastes to the concerned
State Pollution Control Boards. After examining the
details provided by the importer/exporter, suitable instructions
are issued by the concerned authorities and the Port
Authorities are also advised accordingly.
India is a party to the Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal. Ministry of Environment and Forests has been designated
as the Competent Authority. The Convention seeks to
promote the reduction in the generation of waste and calls for the
international cooperation in development of cleaner
technologies. 4 7 categories of wastes (other than nuclear wastes)
have been included in the Convention.
The 3rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel
Convention held in September 1995 adopted the decision
to amend Article 4(a) of the Convention to ban all transboundary
movement of hazardous wastes from EC & OECD
countries to non-OECD countries for final disposal (i.e. for
dumping) with immediate effect and to phase out such
movements of wastes destined for recycling and recovery by December
31, 1997. This ban would only be applicable to
those wastes that are characterised as hazardous under the
Convention. The task of hazard characterization and evolution
of lists for Basel wastes and non-Basel wastes has been entrusted
to the Technical Working Group of the Basel
Convention.
Developing countries have become major recipients of
hazardous wastes generated in the industrially advanced
countries. Due to the stringent legislations and regulations and
the prohibitive costs of treatment and disposal of such
wastes in the developed countries, producers of such wastes and
their agents find it cheaper to ship hazardous wastes to
developing countries. Ministry of Environment and Forests have been
receiving communications seeking permission to
import hazardous wastes. These include metal containing wastes
(ferrous and non-ferrous), waste oil, oil sludge, etc.
These are processed in accordance with the requirements under the
Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules,
1989 and the Basel Convention. A Committee has been constituted for
the same.
The wastes from other countries are exported in large
quantities and are received in bulk shipments. Such shipments
enter through our ports and the Ports and Customs Authorities have
a major role in checking and granting permission for
entry of these shipments. Such wastes can only be allowed if these
are being imported for processing, reuse and recovery
and to be used as raw materials in our industry in accordance with
the Hazardous Wastes Rules, 1989. The hazardous
wastes are included in the restricted lists of imports requiring a
licence, which is granted subject to the recommendation
under the HW Rules.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Intimations are required to be given by the exporter/importer
in respect of the proposed transboundary movement of
the hazardous wastes. Under the Hazardous Wastes Rules, 1989
complete information on the exporter, importer, source of
generation, type of waste and its constituents, method of disposal,
safety data sheet etc., are required to be furnished by
both the exporter as well as importer in Form 6 of these Rules.
According to the Basel Convention, the exporter should
seek a prior consent in writing from the importing country's
Competent Authority (Ministry of Environment and Forests)
before the commencement of the shipment. A movement document should
accompany the consignment.
Due to indiscriminate exports and exports from non-signatories
to the Basel Convention, huge quantities of hazardous
wastes may reach Indian ports. In order to arrest this phenomena,
waste category No. 1, cyanide waste and waste
category No. 4, mercury and arsenic bearing wastes, as per the
Hazardous Wastes Rules, 1989 have been prohibited for
exports and imports from December 26, 1996.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of hazardous waste (t) | ||||
Import of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Export of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
A National Waste Management Council (NWMC) has been
constituted by Ministry of Environment and Forests to
render advice on various matters related to waste management
including incentives/disincentives required to facilitate
waste utilisation. Representatives of concerned Central and State
Government departments, Municipal Corporations,
Industry Associations, experts, NGOs and media persons meet from
time to time under the Chairmanship of the Minister
for Environment and Forests.
For proper management of urban solid wastes, it is essential
to know the quantity and nature of wastes being generated
and utilised. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated
a scheme for survey of solid wastes generated, utilised
and disposed off in important towns of the country.
With the objective of emphasising waste reduction and
recycling and reuse in industries and better management of
municipal solid wastes, a scheme to initiate setting up of pilot
projects, conduct surveys and funding of promotional
activities in the following areas have been initiated.
i) Municipal solid wastes. a) Survey of urban municipal wastes in
important cities, b) Setting up of pilot plants on
utilisation of municipal solid wastes.
ii) Setting up of pilot plants for utilisation of industrial
wastes.
iii) Development and other promotional activities for municipal and
industrial wastes.
At present, solid wastes are utilised to the extent possible by the
following processes:
Conversion of garbage into energy pellets.
Anaerobic digestion/biogas generation from garbage.
Composting by vermiculture and other means
A pilot plant has been set up in Bombay for conversion of
garbage into energy pellets. It is proposed to set up ten
more such plants for which external assistance is likely to be
sought. The process of anaerobic digestion/biogas generation
from garbage is being utilised at medium and small scale levels at
several places in India, and is being encouraged at other
places also. The conversion of garbage into compost by vermiculture
and other processes is also being promoted. All these
processes not only help in waste utilisation but also in producing
energy or products of utility.
Apart from organic wastes, several other urban wastes such as
waste paper, plastics, glass, rubber, textiles, metals,
coconut shells, etc. are extensively recycled. This is encouraged
by the Government.
Some of industrial wastes such as fly ash, blast furnace slag,
lime sludge, phosphogypsum, red-mud, etc. are
generated in large quantities and are sources of environmental
pollution. Reuse and recycling of these wastes is being
encouraged. Fiscal incentives have been provided in the form of
exemption of excise duty on production of building
materials using fly ash or phosphogypsum and exemption of custom
duty on import of equipment, and machinery, for
utilisation of these wastes for gainful purposes.
The collection and disposal of solid wastes is another area of
concern of city management in India. No city collects
and disposes off its solid wastes in a safe manner and the coverage
is often inadequate. An ORG study of 24 cities in 1989
revealed that, while daily solid waste generation was about 15,000
tonnes, only 11,500 tonnes was collected, leaving
almost one-fourth of the waste to degenerate within the city
environment Even when the collection rate is high, say 90 per
cent, the collection frequency is not satisfactory. There is no
relationship between coverage of solid waste collection and
city size. Furthermore, collection does not necessarily suggest
regular service and the frequency varies from twice a week
in the mega cities to fortnightly collection in the intermediate
towns. This relates to domestic wastes as collection of
industrial and commercial wastes is more regular. The disposal of
wastes is another issue of concern to
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The major environmental concerns
in an urbanising India relate to high levels of water pollution due
to poor waste disposal, inadequate sewerage and drainage and
improper disposal of industrial effluents. The dumping of
solid waste in low-lying areas contributes to land - and
ground-water pollution. All these developments have contributed to
the deterioration of the urban environment, a critical concern that
needs specific interventions for sustainability of human
settlements.
city managers. The method seems to improve with the level of
urbanisation, from open-dump in the small and
intermediate towns to sanitary landfills in the mega cities.
There are three Centrally Sponsored Schemes for pollution
abatement of rivers presently under implementation by the
Ministry. These are Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase I, Ganga Action
Plan Phase II and National River Conservation
Plan. The main objective of Ganga Action Plan is to improve the
water quality of the Ganga to acceptable standards by
preventing the pollution load reaching the river. The Action Plan
primarily addresses itself to the interception and
diversion and treatment of 873 million litres per day (mld) of
municipal sewage out of the estimated 1340 million litres per
day from 25 towns, 6 in Uttar Pradesh, 4 in Bihar and 15 in West
Bengal.
In order to improve the management urban solid wastes and
sewage related issues, there is need for capacity building,
awareness and training, improved technologies and the creation of
infrastructural facilities. The lack of adequate financial
resources, especially at the municipal and local levels remains a
constraint.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Under the Ganga
Action Plan, emphasis has been given for improvement in
the sewage treatment technologies. As a result, the programme has
led to the development of some appropriate
technologies like Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB), improved
oxidation ponds, sewage treatment through
plantation etc. These technologies are cost effective in terms of
operation and maintenance and as such will reduce the
burden on the State Government on this account. These developments
will facilitate Ganga Action Plan and make future
programmes sustainable. The programme also lays thrust on
maximisation of resource recovery from sewage treatment to
improve its sustainability. These include utilisation of biogas for
co-generation of power, sale of treated sewage and sludge
- a bio-fertiliser and nutrient rich treated effluents for
agriculture. Pisciculture is proposed in most of the stabilisation
ponds constructed under GAP. Ganga Action Plan has served as a
model for the adoption of other rivers. On similar lines,
the action plans for rivers Yamuna, Gomti and Damodar etc. are
being been taken up.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | ||||
Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE
WASTES
There is a legal framework for the management of radioactive
wastes and an independent regulatory body with the
responsibilities for carrying out statutory control with regard to
health, safety and environmental protection.
R & D support for updating the ever evolving radioactive
waste management technology is also provided through
identified agencies. Documentation and dissemination of information
regarding waste generation storage and disposal is
also undertaken though there is scope for increased interaction and
exchange of information especially among the
developing countries.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: India is also concerned with the
environmentally sound management of radioactive wastes. The need
for the establishment of a nuclear waste management system in the
country was recognised at an early stage of India's
nuclear programme. The system takes care of all radioactive waste
generated from nuclear facilities as well as in the
applications of nuclear materials in industry, research, medicines,
etc.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| |
Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed in 1993.
24.a Increasing the proportion of women decision makers: No information. 24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge : No information. Curricula and educational material 24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for achievement of equality in all aspects of society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development. Policies/strategies etc.: No information. 24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995 to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The concept of women's development in the initial Five Year Plans was mainly welfare oriented. In the Fifth Plan (1974-79), however, there was a shift in the approach towards women from 'welfare' to 'development'. The new approach aimed at an integration of welfare with developmental services. The Sixth Plan (1980-85), adopted a multi-disciplinary approach with a three-pronged thrust on health, education and employment. In the Seventh Plan (1985-90), the developmental programmes for women continued with the major objectives of raising their economic and social status and to integrate them better, with mainstream national development. The Eighth Plan (1992-97), promises to ensure that the benefits of development from different sectors specifically benefit women, and that these programmes be implemented to complement the general programmes. Women must be enabled to function as equal partners and participants in the development process. This approach marks a shift from 'development' to 'empowerment'. India endorsed the three priority themes of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, i.e., equality, development and peace, and believes that economic independence and equality, in tandem, would create the necessary environment for the realisation of the full potential of women. India also endorsed the Commission on the Status of Women as the most appropriate mechanism to fulfil this task. A national level mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Platform of Action of the Beijing Conference has been institutionalised. India believes that national commitments must be complemented by commitments at the international level. India believes that gender issues cannot be solely left to market forces and remain the responsibility of both, national governments and international community. Gender equality and equity are necessary pre-conditions for fulfillment of the goals agreed upon at the Beijing Conference. India is a signatory to the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Our Constitution and legal framework uphold the dignity and status of women and seek to create an environment where empowerment is facilitated. A National Commission for Women has been established and the National Human Rights Commission has been mandated to look into human rights issues involving women. A Commissioner for Women's Rights is being appointed. Special cells for preventing crimes against women are also there. The Equal Remuneration Act stipulates payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for work of equal value. The Act also prohibits any gender discrimination in recruitment and service conditions. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Bills adopted in 1992 by Parliament for strengthening the Panchayati Raj System, i.e., a system of self-governance at the local level both in rural and urban areas, provide that a third of all elected offices in local bodies (rural and urban) are reserved for women. |
Two new initiatives were launched for women during the Eighth
Plan. The first, Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY)
launched in 1993, attempts to promote the habit of savings by
opening an account in her name.
The second scheme, the National Credit Fund for women called
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) was set up in March
1993 for meeting the credit needs of poor women and particularly of
those in the unorganised sector, who would otherwise
have rather difficult access to formal institutional credit
instruments. Within a short span of three years, the RMK had by
15th November 1996 sanctioned extended credit limits of Rs. 260
million to 129 NGOs for its further lending. This will
benefit over 136,000 women. Out of this amount, Rs. 162.2 million
has already been disbursed
Some of the other activities undertaken during the Eighth Plan
include, adoption of National Plan of Action for the
children and for the girl child; setting up of the National Creche
Fund for child care service; adoption of National
Nutrition Policy, 1993; integrated Child Development Service
(ICDS). ICDS is a major programme for the provision of
nutrition needs for the mother and child. This scheme covers the
welfare of children below the age of six and expectant
and lactating mothers.
With a view to making women economically independent and
self-reliant, a number of interventiOns have been
launched. The programme of STEP (Support to Training and Employment
Programme), seeks to train women for
employment in the traditional sectors of agriculture, animal
husbandry, dairy, handlooms and handicrafts, etc. Launched
in 1987, STEP has benefited more than 250,000 women. The budget
provision of Rs. 160 million has been made for
STEP during the year 1996-97.
The Mahila Samridhi Yojana (MSY), a central sector scheme, was
launched on October 2, 1993. This scheme not
only inculcates the habit of thrift amongst rural women but also
gives them possession and control over their household
resources. The scheme has received an overwhelming response from
all over the country. Upto September 1996, a total of
about 20 million MSY Accounts were opened and total deposits
amounted to over Rs. Two billion
Empowerment of women, being one of the major objectives of the
Ninth Plan (19972002), it will ensure to create an
enabling environment with requisite policies and programmes,
legislative support, exclusive institutional mechanisms at
various levels and provide adequate financial and human resources
to achieve this objective. An integrated approach will
be adopted towards empowering women. This underscores harmonization
of various efforts on different fronts, viz.,
social, economic, legal and political. Further, a special strategy
of earmarking of funds as 'women's component' will also
be adopted with a close vigil to ensure a flow of adequate share of
resources and benefits for women from all
developmental sectors both in the Central and State Sectors. To
this effect, the Ninth Plan recommends expeditious
adoption of the 'National Policy for Empowering Women' along with
a well defined Gender Development Index to
monitor the impact of its implementation in raising the status of
women from time to time
India is committed to increase investment on education to six
per cent of GDP, with the major focus on women and
the girl child. The Government is committed to universalise mother
and child care programmes to reach out every corner
of the country. A National Policy on Women, to guide and inform
action at every level, has been formulated. Efforts will
be made to fulfil the goal 'Education for Women's Equality' as laid
down in the revised National Policy on Education
(NPE) . 1992
Economic empowerment of women is mainly based on their
participation in decision making process with regard to
raising and distribution of resources, i.e, incomes, investments
and expenditure at all levels. The entire effort of
empowering women is to help them to exercise their rights in
decision making at all levels and in every sphere, both
within and outside the household as equal partners in the society.
Efforts will be made to enhance her capacity to earn
besides the access to and control/ownership of all family/community
assets. In support of women in the informal sector,
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh will be further strengthened/expanded to
extend both 'forward' and 'backward' linkages of credit
and marketing facilities.
Considering the strong impact of environmental factors on the
sustenance and livelihood of women, full participation
of women will be ensured in conservation of environment and control
of environmental degradation. Further, women will
be involved and their perspectives reflected in the policies and
programmes of management of eco-system and
natural resources.
Application of science and technology is vital for the
advancement of women. Technology will reduce household
drudgery and provide better working conditions for women,
particularly in rural areas with emphasis on improvement of
the environment and quality of life of women at an affordable
cost.
During the Ninth Plan, a Media Policy will be framed in such
a way that it becomes an Instrument in projecting a
positive image of the girl child and women. Strict ban on the
depiction of demeaning, degrading, negative and
conventional stereotypical images of women and violence against
women will be enforced through legislation, regulatory
mechanisms and media policies.
| |
Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing A21 : No information. Describe their role in the national process: No information. reducing youth unemployment 25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Investment on child development is viewed not only as a desirable societal investment for the nation's future but also as fulfillment of the rights of every child to 'survival, protection, and development' so as to achieve their full potential. The "Convention on the Rights of Child" ratified by India in 1992 is the guiding principle for formulating necessary policies and programmes of child development. There is also a National Policy For Children (1974) which is being suitably reviewed. A significant programme for the development of children during Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) has been launching of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which is one of the world's largest and unique programmes, which aims at providing an integrated package of health, nutrition and educational services to children below six years, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The beneficiary coverage of ICDS is now 18.4 million children and 3.8 million mothers who are reached through 3946 ICDS projects/342,000 Anganwadis. Out of 3946 ICDS projects, 755 projects are being implemented with the World Bank assistance in pre-dominantly tribal and backward areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh providing certain additional services. In 507 ICDS blocks, services such as health, nutrition etc. have been extended to nearly 350,000 adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years, particularly the school drop-outs. Some of the other activities undertaken include: i) Adoption of National Plan of Actions for the children and for the girl child; ii) Adoption of the National Nutrition Policy, 1993; iii) Setting up of National creche fund for child care services; iv) Creches for Children of working/ailing mothers. v) Balwadi Nutrition Programme; vi) Early Childhood Education through Assistance to Voluntary Organisations; vii) Balsevika Training Programme; viii) Assistance to Voluntary Organisations in the field of Welfare of Women and Child Development. During the Ninth Plan (1997-2002), following universalisation of ICDS and ensured availability of basic minimum services for the overall development of the child, emphasis will be on consolidation and content enrichment of ICDS through adequate nutrition, supplemented with necessary health check-ups, immunization and referral services. In this respect, priority will be accorded to focus attention on the child below 2 years. To achieve this, ICDS will continue to be the mainstay of the Ninth Plan to promote all round development of the young child. India has all along followed a pro-active policy in the matter of tackling the problems of child labour. The present regime of laws relating to child labour has a pragmatic foundation and is consistent with the International Labour Conference Resolution of 1979 which calls for a combination of prohibitory measures and measures for humanising child labour, wherever the same cannot be outright eliminated in the short-run. The policy of the Government is to ban employment of children below the age of 14 years in hazardous employments, to regulate the working conditions of children in other employments. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 seeks to achieve this objective. The Government announced the National Policy on Child Labour in August,1987. The Action Plan under the National Child Labour Policy (NCLP) comprises: A Legislative action plan. Focusing of general development programmes for benefiting child labour. Project-based action plan in areas of high concentration of child labour.
|
A major activity undertaken under the NCLP is the
establishment of Special Schools to provide basic needs like
non-formal education, pre-vocational training, supplementary
nutrition, etc. to the children withdrawn from employment.
Voluntary agencies are being financially assisted to the
extent of 75 per cent for taking up welfare projects for working
children under a Grants-in-aid Scheme.
The scheme of day care centres is being implemented through
the Central Social Welfare Board in order to provide
day care services to children below 5 years and belonging to the
weaker sections of society.
The thrust in youth affairs has been to involve youth in the
entire gamut of the developmental process as the youth are
a major resource in the task of nation building. Youth activities
will continue to focus on environmental and health
programmes such as greening of wastelands, solid waste management,
anti-smoking campaign, prevention of drug abuse,
health education with emphasis on reproductive health and
prevention of AIDS, population control as well as various
adventure activities.
Major schemes undertaken during the Eighth Plan include
National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendras
(NYK).
The National Service Scheme (NSS) of Youth Affairs provides
for the development of their personalities through
community services. The programme has successfully taken up
activities which have a social orientation like literacy,
environment enrichment, national integration, significance of
community management of resources, etc.
The scheme of Nehru Yuva Kendras aims at providing the rural
and non-student youth with opportunities to take part
in the process of National development as also to develop their own
personality and skills. During l992-95, the activities
conducted include camps, vocational training, rural sports and
games, rural cultural activities, youth club development
programme, functional literacy implementation and campaign on human
survival value. During the Ninth Plan, greater
access will be given to the rural and marginalised youth in the
vocational training programmes of Nehru Yuva Kendras by
involving the NGOs, self-help groups and community polytechnics in
the task. The thrust in sports will be on providing
greater access to sport facilities through substantial investments
in physical education, infrastructure development
including centres of sports physiology and sports medicine and in
creating widespread awareness for physical fitness
through nutrition, health education and yoga with special focus on
school children. Area specific sports programmes
recognising the traditional sports skills of the inhabitants,
specially tribal population will receive priority consideration.
Rural sports programmes will be revamped in order to tap vast
talents available in the rural areas. Special attention will be
accorded to the promotion of sports and games among the disabled.
The need for a holistic approach that will integrate
youth programmes within the context of education is well recognised
and will guide all actions.
| |
Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a establishing a process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments: No information. 26.b strengthening arrangements for active participation in national policies: No information. 26.c involving indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The whole population of the country is indigenous to India. However, about 7 per cent of the country's population belongs to tribal communities. The Tribal groups are backward both economically and socially. Existing development programmes have not been able to alleviate their condition fully. An Action Plan incorporating total food and nutrition security, health coverage, education facility and financial assistance, etc. in keeping with their socio-cultural conditions is being prepared by the Government. The Action Plan will have in-built flexibility to cater to the specific needs of each Tribe and its environment. The Constitution of India provides special privileges to the Scheduled Tribe communities. The Constitution provides reservation of 7.5 per cent of vacancies for the Scheduled Tribes in the matters of employment and promotion. The 1991 census results show that most of the Scheduled Tribe population living in rural areas have low levels of literacy and are employed mostly in the primary sector. Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) have been designed to channelise the flow of funds out of the State/Central Plans from various sectors of development to benefit the Scheduled Tribes for their socio-economic development. These special plans are being monitored in the sectoral plans for education, health, family welfare, housing and urban development, women and children so that the disadvantaged tribal groups can be better provided for. National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation has been set up with the objective of accelerating economic growth and development of the members of the Scheduled Tribes and assisting them by providing necessary funds at concessional rates for starting projects like Agriculture and Allied activities, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Minor Irrigation, Small Industries, Trades and Services and Transport, etc. The Centrally sponsored scheme of post-matric scholarship for Scheduled Tribe students has been modified with effect from 1995, thereby revising the maintenance allowance rates, income ceiling for eligibility and study charges. The restriction of providing benefits of the scheme to two children per family has been relaxed in the case of girl students pursuing correspondence courses and they are now eligible to get book allowance in addition to earlier reimbursement of non-refundable fees. Tribal Development in the Programme for Special Central Assistance (SCA) for Scheduled Tribes is also an additive to the State Plan efforts for implementation of various socio-economic programmes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. During the Ninth Plan (1997-2002), a high priority will be accorded to empowering the Scheduled Tribes, both economically and socially to enable them to join the mainstream of national development at the earliest. To this effect, efforts will be made to create an environment that is conducive to their being able to lead a life of freedom and dignity and exercise their rights and privileges like any other citizen in the country. The necessary legislative support for this purpose will be provided. The development of these Scheduled Tribes will be consistent with the concept of economic growth with social justice. Efforts will be made by the Government to minimise the gap that exists between these target groups and the rest of the society, by bringing about an all round development of these Groups, in both qualitative and quantitative terms, by taking advantage of inputs from both governmental and non-governmental agencies. Efforts will also be made by the Government to ensure that the tribal economy is protected and supported against threats from the external markets. The ownership/ patent rights of the tribal people in respect of minor forest produce vis-a-vis the use of medicinal plants will be protected. | |
Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively: No information. 27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation: No information. 27.c promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation: No information. 27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): All the programmes and activities in social sector cannot be implemented by Government alone. The participation of the community, its involvement and the efforts of voluntary organisations have always had a significant role in this sphere. Efforts have been made to strengthen the involvement of non-governmental and voluntary organisations in reaching vast sections of population and also to promote community awareness and participation in various programmes in the social sector. In many schemes, the various Ministries/Departments have been providing funds to non-governmental organisations for undertaking developmental activities in sectors relating to drinking water, health, sanitation, education and environment, etc. The Eighth Plan has placed emphasis on people's participation and voluntary action in rural development. The role of voluntary agencies has been defined as providing a basis for innovation with new approaches and integrated development, ensuring feedback regarding impact of various programmes and securing the involvement of local communities, particularly, those below the poverty line. The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) is the agency for providing and assisting voluntary action in the area of rural development. Its funds comprise of grants from the Government of India. Programmes of the Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment like the Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS), Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY), Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA), Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM), Accelerated Rural Water Supply, Central Rural Sanitation Programme, etc. are implemented by voluntary agencies through the assistance of CAPART. In addition, CAPART has taken initiatives in promoting a variety of activities for transfer of technology, people's participation, development of markets for products of rural enterprises and promotion of other developmental activities and delivery systems in the non-government sector. With a view to bring CAPART near to the people and to ensure closer interaction between it and voluntary organisations at the grassroots level, the functioning of CAPART has been decentralised into six regional centres. It is expected that the decentralisation of CAPART would not only result in improving its efficiency and efficacy, but would also be successful in promoting, spreading and strengthening the role of voluntarism in rural development. |
| |
Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21. 28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making. Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): A decentralised approach to planning has been introduced in India through a system of Panchayati Raj and Nagar Palika (local self-governments of urban cities/ towns) institutions. With the enactment of the Constitution Amendment Act (1992), Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been revitalised and a process of democratic decentralisation has been ushered in. Consequent to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, State Governments have enacted enabling legislations providing for elected bodies at the village, intermediate and district levels, with adequate representation from the weaker sections and women. Almost all the States have constituted Panchayati Raj bodies. The State Governments are further required to endow the Panchayats with power and authority necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government with the responsibility of preparing plans for economic development and social justice and implementing them. In the Ninth Plan, it is expected that the 29 subjects identified in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution would be transferred to Panchayati Raj Institutions. Correspondingly, transfer of resources would have to be effected. In addition, they would require personnel and administrative support. Staff engaged in particular works/departments should be transferred along with the work to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. As per provisions of the Constitution 74th Amendment Act, the Urban Local Bodies/ Municipalities prepare plans for the development of urban areas. The municipalities are the focal institutions for the provision of urban infrastructure and delivery of services and the States would have to endow them with commensurate functional and financial powers and responsibilities. While the urban local bodies would have a share in the revenue of the States, they would have to be permitted to levy their own taxes/cesses at the local level. These could include professional tax, property tax, entertainment tax and motor vehicle taxes etc. In addition, they could levy user charges and licence fees, wherever feasible. Some of the municipalities in cities could also raise resources from the market by issue of bonds. As per Article 243 (G) of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Panchayati Raj Institutions will prepare plans for economic development and social justice. Thus the core function of the PRls would be planning at the local level through the institution of the District Planning Committees. The District Planning Committees will provide the umbrella for the preparation of integrated district development plan. However, certain broad principles would have to be laid down for assigning a role to each of the three-tiers; the actual devolution could be based on the rule that what can be done at a lower level should be done at that level, and not a higher level. The Gramsabha would list out priorities and assist in the selection of beneficiaries for various programmes and schemes. In this way, the aspirations of the people would be articulated. Thereafter, the planning process would begin from below (bottoms up approach) with the preparation of village plans which would be incorporated into the intermediate level plans and finally merged into a district plan. In so far as earmarking of resources for decentralised planning is concerned, the recommendation of National Development Council (NDC) that 41 per cent of plan resources be set apart for this is expected to be the objective during the Ninth Plan. This could include a proportion as untied funds and as 'incentive grants' to match the contribution raised by PRIs. Thereafter, sectoral allocations at the State level should be on the basis of demands made from below by the districts and in keeping with national priorities. In this way, it would be possible to bring about both a vertical and a horizontal integration of resources and services. The PRIs would provide an umbrella for the convergence of various sectoral, poverty eradication and area development programmes at each tier and the vertical integration would be facilitated by an integration of area plans from the village to the State level. This would ensure a synergy between macro-level and micro-level objectives. A comprehensive and time bound training policy would be formulated in order to ensure that the Panchayati Raj functionaries are equipped with information regarding various programmes/schemes of the governments, available technologies and other relevant information which have to be disseminated amongst the local people. While the Central Government could provide for training of trainers, the State Government would have to take up training at the more decentralised levels in keeping with the local training requirements. Awareness building among the people will be given top priority. The government machinery, voluntary organisations and self-help groups will be involved in the process of advocacy and in organising the people, especially the poor. Participation of people can be encouraged through beneficiary/functional committees which should be given the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of various programmes. Social audit and transparency in the functioning of PRIs is crucial for the growth and development of these institutions. These will be the important goals of the decentralisation strategy during the Ninth Plan. | |
Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND THEIR TRADE UNIONS. 29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of A21: No information. 29.b (By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Labour policy in India derives its philosophy and content from the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution of India and has been evolving in response to specific needs of the situation to suit the requirements of the planned development and social justice. It has been envisaged that economic growth should not only increase production but also absorb the backlog of the unemployed and add a substantial proportion of additional work force. The majority of the workforce in India is unorganised in nature. 80 per cent of the workforce is living in rural areas, 64 per cent being engaged in agriculture. 85 per cent of the workforce is self-employed or employed on casual wages and only 15 per cent is on regular salaried employment. Access of women to employment compared to men is lower because of their lower access to education and skill development. The Government has implemented many welfare measures for the benefit of workers. In 1995, Government of India implemented a new pension scheme in place of family pension scheme which was launched in 1971 for the workers. The Payment of Gratuity Act was amended in May, 1994 scrapping the eligibility ceiling for its application and enhancing the ceiling on gratuity payment. The labour policy during the Ninth Plan (1997-2002) will rationalise, simplify and integrate Labour Laws to bring them in tune with the needs of the changing socioeconomic scene. At the same time, the existing legislative framework will be strengthened to protect the interests of the labour in the unorganised sector. The following specific steps will be taken: i) In the context of newly emerging labour market scenario, the role of the Employment Exchanges will be reoriented from being mere registration and placement agencies to centres for compilation and dissemination of comprehensive market information, promotion of self-employment, career counselling and vocational guidance. ii) For the improvement of economic and working conditions of the workers in the unorganised sector, a multi-dimensional approach will be adopted with involvement of voluntary organisations and schemes meant for the welfare of the unorganised sector and for bringing about awareness among them of their legislative entitlements. iii) An integrated approach will be adopted to rehabilitate bonded labour by pooling resources from a variety of sources iv) Abolition of child labour will be attempted through a multi-pronged approach involving identification and enumeration of child labour and their eventual emancipation. v) Women will be provided access to education, training and skill development to enable them to improve their productivity, access to employment and to take up new jobs involving technological changes. Necessary legislative protection for home workers to protect and safeguard their interests and promote their well being will also be initiated vi) Social security will be provided to workers both in the organised and un-organised sectors. An Integrated Comprehensive Scheme of Social Security will be evolved by having a single legislation covering all the existing social security schemes. vii) Occupational health and safety measures will be provided at ~:he work place to improve the overall productivity of the workers. viii) Educational and training systems will be reoriented towards improving their capability to supply the requisite skills and introduce greater flexibility in the training system so that it may become responsive to labour market changes. ix) Functional autonomy will be granted to the training institutions to make them responsive to the changing skill requirements of industries. Training, curricula and equipment, tools and other infrastructure will be upgraded. x) Regional Vocational Training Institutes for Women will be expanded and further strengthened. All out efforts will be made to encourage eligible women trainees for enrolment in the Women Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Women Wings of general ITIs through suitable incentives, so that the reservation available to them may be optimally utilised. |
30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY. | 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output : No information. 30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs: No information.
List any actions taken in this area: No information.
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies : No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Indian industry is today on a fast track of growth and with the Government commitment to industrial liberalisation the pace of growth is expected to accelerate. It is a big challenge before the industry to respond to Government's aspirations, so that the economy picks up and the advantages of industrialisation are passed on to the people. Industry is also aware of its responsibilities towards environment and is committed to sustainable development. The compliance levels have gone up which is clearly indicated by the fact that out of 1551 units identified as highly polluting industries under 17 categories, 1259 units have provided requisite pollution control facility. The reasons for the upswing includes pressure on account of mounting legislations, growing awareness and commitment of industry towards social responsibilities, increasing realisation that pollution prevention means good business as also increasing public awareness. Further progress at this stage is not a function of desire or intent but one of technological and other feasibility barriers. In recent years, business and industry have made significant efforts towards)reducing the impact of industrial activities on the environment, including the investment of considerable resources in to the development of environmental management systems and environmentally sound technologies. The concept of green business is result oriented and would have far reaching effect on our environment. The International Standardization Organisation has introduced systems of quality (ISO 9000) control and methods for verifying the environmental soundness (ISO 14000) of the companies. The business community has recognised that in order to stay in business, it will increasingly have to integrate environmental consideration into business strategy and long term planning. Although some improvement in environmental performance can be expected due to the adoption of a systematic approach, it should be understood that the environmental management system is a tool which enables the organisation to achieve and systematically control the level of environmental performance that it sets itself. The establishment and operation of an environmental management system will not, in itself, necessarily result in an immediate reduction of adverse environmental impact. Indian business and industry associations such as Federation of Indian Chamber if Commerce and Industries (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), etc. work in partnership with the Government specially with the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Ministry of Energy (Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources) as well as Pollution Control Boards both at Central and State level. Indian Business and Industry is even promoting the cause of Sustainable Development beyond the boundaries of their enterprises by participating in initiatives, such as population management, social development and community affairs, rural community development, literacy programme, HIV AIDS awareness programmes Industry and the Government, both have started recognising that implementation of normative measures through environmental laws and standards alone would not serve the cause of Sustainable Development. There has to be a prudent mix of fiscal and regulatory approach if use of cleaner production technologies in Indian Industry will have to be induced. In order to adopt best environmental management practices, Indian industry has started framing their corporate environment policies or SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) Policies. Many companies, especially export oriented units now have written environment policies and the trend is picking up. The practices essentially flow out of the key elements of such policies, environmental objectives and targets. |
| |
Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. Scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development: No information. 31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35 (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): As part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) was established in 1971, to formulate policy statements and guidelines in Science and Technology. Consistent with goals and objectives, various programmes and activities of the Department are aimed at encouraging Scientific and Technological Community and promoting new areas of Science and Technology (S&T) . Science and Technology Advisory Committees have been set up in most of the development departments like Steel, Coal, Mines, Petroleum, Transport, etc. for formulation, implementation and monitoring of S&T programmes relevant to the concerned sector. In order to promote science and technology activities at the grass root level, State Science and Technology Councils/Departments have been strengthened and their interaction with various scientific institutions and development departments ensured for effective implementation of location specific projects/programmes. To take an overall view of the scientific efforts and policy guidelines for the development of science and technology in the country, a Cabinet Committee on Science,and Technology was set up at the apex level. For the implementation of the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet, an Empowered Committee of Secretaries on Science and Technology has also been constituted. Recognising the need for accelerating the people's participation in decision making, National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) provides a forum for science and technology popularisation aimed at introduction of value system receptive to S&T and inculcation of scientific temper among the people at large. Programmes of the Department are geared towards generating employment and entrepreneurship skills for motivating University science graduates to participate actively in the economic growth of the country. Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Parks to provide links amongst Universities, Research Laboratories and Industry. The Government has been a major player in capacity building through increasing research support and has achieved full cooperation of S&T community in the decision making process. The financial support to basic research has been more than doubled, in the last five years. Capability enhancement through training programme, contact programmes and fellowships has been encouraged. Efforts have been mounted towards integration of Science and Technology with socio-economic development and the different ministries have set up Science and Technology Advisory Committees (STACs) to identify, formulate and support S&T programmes relevant to the concerned sector with the participation of industry. To accelerate the development and application of indigenous technology in production process, a new fund for technology development and application has been set up. The Department also fosters International Cooperation in Science and Technology leading to exchange visits and establishment of special joint centres/projects. Areas which need strengthening are exchange of knowledge and concerns at all levels and broadening the range of developmental and environmentally sustainable activities leading to models of joint implementation through requisite cooperation and support. For the socio-economic development of Rural and Urban Poor, Women, Weaker Sections, Scheduled Castes and Tribal Population, etc. a number of technologies have been developed on carp breeding, seed raising, rain water harvesting, soak pits, water filters, water testing kits, low cost toilets, etc. Development of technologies apart, efforts have been made through S&T Entrepreneurship Development Programme for the creation of a number of job opportunities through training and awareness. Several science popularisation programmes like Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha, National Children Science Congress, Radio serials and TV serials on science themes have also been initiated. | |
Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies : No information. 32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices : No information. 32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies: No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The major thrust of the agricultural development programmes in India is on improving the efficiency in the use of scarce natural resources, namely, land, water and energy. This can be achieved only through improved productivity in a cost-effective manner, which alone could increase the welfare of the farmers and agricultural labour. Balanced and integrated use of fertilizers, agricultural credit, institutional support, accelerated investments in agriculture, enhancing the competitiveness of agro-exports, creation of additional irrigation facilities, etc. have been given encouragement through various schemes and activities by the Government. Eighth Plan has a major focus on generation of employment opportunities so that by the turn of the century near full employment situation could be created. The main objective of the strategy is to generate sufficient job opportunities to absorb unemployed and under-employed persons in agriculture and also to provide jobs to new entrants to the labour force. For creating larger growth of employment, agriculture sector provides one of the best avenues. Multi-tier infrastructure has been created at National, Regional, State, Divisional and District Levels for training of farmers, farm youth and farm women. The National Institute of Management has been established at Hyderabad to cater to the needs in extension management. Four Extension Education Institutes have been established on regional basis to provide training in communication technology and extension methodology. Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmers' Training Centres also provide grassroots level training facilities to farmers and farm women. Under the scheme titled "exchange of farmers within the country", which has been in operation since 1990, opportunities are provided to farmers to tour from less developed areas to agriculturally developed areas in groups and observe the progress made by their counterparts in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry and allied subjects, so that they could adopt the technology on their own farms. To introduce and build up an institutionalised system of providing direct feedback from farmers to the scientists on problems and constraints in agriculture and communicating relevant technological advances to the farming community, a scheme entitled "Farmers-Scientists Interaction on Agro-Climatic Zone Basis" has been formulated on pilot basis. This regular system of interaction provides a forum for on the spot identification of field problems and suggestions for remedial measures thereto. 17 States are covered by this programme and a proposal for covering other States and Union Territories is under consideration. In order to promote people's participation, the practising farmers, village youth and school dropouts are working as focal points for disseminating low cost technology and producing the plant material for conservation measures. Stress is being laid on organising self-help groups to institutionalise people's participation to improve household production systems (mushroom cultivation, sericulture, bee-keeping etc.) National Cooperative Development Corporation has broad based its Cooperative Farmers' Service Centre Scheme for providing financial assistance to farmers' service cooperatives. Under this scheme, all types of societies engaged in retail distribution of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs and non-credit activities are covered for assistance depending upon their requirement. The main objective of the scheme is development of Cooperative Societies as effective Farmers' Service Centres for undertaking supply of a wide range of agricultural inputs and also to meet the noncredit needs of farmers. In order to bring awareness among farmers and popularise the concept of integrated Pest Management (IPM), Training and Demonstrations have been undertaken for dissemination of IPM technology. Bio-pesticides and pesticides of botanical origin, like neem-based formulations are being encouraged through Farmers' Field Schools. A Central Sector Scheme for Women in Agriculture has been launched in 7 States during the Eighth Five Year Plan which envisages, motivation and mobilisation of farm women to be organised into groups so that the agricultural support, such as input technology and extension could be channeled through them. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AND MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
The goal of Agenda 21 was to raise additional external funds
for sustainable development activities in part by
increasing bilateral and multilateral ODA to 0.7 per cent of GNP
from donor countries. The fact remains that many of the
developing countries are experiencing a net outflow of resources.
The average ODA in the post-Rio period 1993-95 has
been lower than in the period 1990-92, both in absolute terms and
as a percentage of GNP. In fact ODA at an average of
0.29% of GNP in the 1993-95 period has been the lowest in decades.
Global Environment Facility is the only new funding
mechanism made available to meet additional needs identified in
Agenda 21. The amount of about US $ 2 billion with
GEF, besides the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund to tackle
ozone depletion, is almost negligible and has fallen short
of even the most conservative estimates of requirements for
implementation of Agenda 21. At the national level, the other
apparent funding mechanism is budgetary support by developing
countries for environment protection programmes.
However, public expenditure has its limitations. Developing
countries, with their limited domestic savings rely on external
finances to supplement their resources and overcome budgetary
constraints. With the far from favourable trends in
external financing, the ability of developing countries to
undertake large scale public expenditure in this field is doubtful.
Debt servicing commitments further aggravate the situation.
Besides, many developing countries are undertaking economic
policy reform, especially fiscal consolidation and are faced with
even more stringent budgetary constraints. At best only a
modest reallocation of resources is feasible.
While outlining the estimates of financing needs, Agenda 21
fails to identify the mechanisms to ensure their delivery.
Discussions at the four meetings of the Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD), and in the Finance Working
Group, have developed a very useful framework for identifying new
and innovative sources of funding, including a
sectoral approach to mobilising funds from within the economy and
from external sources. Several of the alternatives
highlight the important links between the creation of incentives
for the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption in
the North and potential financing for sustainable development in
the South. More research work on the formulation of
such policy options needs to be undertaken to consolidate the
progress achieved and to address the unresolved issues.
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: In India, since 1991, the
Government has embarked on a macro economic stabilisation
programme. Structural reforms in the foreign trade and
payments regime, the tax system, industrial policy and the
financial sector have been undertaken, all of which are likely to
have implications for the environment. While Government is
attempting to raise resources internally for sustainable
development, the importance of international assistance cannot be
minimized.
India's Eighth Plan had been drafted in the context of severe
resource constraints, and a serious balance of payments
situation. The sources of financing projected in the Plan differ
from earlier Plans in that it seeks to reduce dependence on
borrowings, domestic as well as foreign, and on deficit financing,
placing greater reliance on resource mobilisation and
economy in government expenditure. The Eighth Plan contemplates an
investment of Rs. 7,980 billion ($266,000 million).
Considerable reliance is placed on savings of the household
sector
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: India has always emphasised the
importance of public investment for sustainable
development by providing fiscal concessions and incentives. Since
energy-efficient technologies and non-conventional
energy technologies directly improve the protection level of the
atmosphere, several tax concessions,100 per cent
depreciation allowance and investment subsidies have been made
widely available. Investments under the National River
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Implementation of sustainable
development programmes as detailed in Agenda 21, requires large
amounts of investment. UNCED Secretariat estimated that
implementation of all activities under Agenda 21 during
1993-2000 would require additional resources of US $ 125 billion a
year. This is in addition to the input of US $ 500
billion a year from the national governments and private sector in
the developing countries, to put their countries on a
sustainable development path. The figure was arrived at by
estimating the cost of addressing sector and resource specific
environment and development problems.
Action Plan on Control of River Pollution arising from both municipal and non-municipal waste also produce a major impact on marine and ocean-based resources since they control land-based sources of marine pollution in India. However, additional resources need to be made available through external sources for implementing various programmes and activities listed in Agenda 21.
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No information.
ODA policy issues
|
ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
Other data |
| |||||||
Approvals | |||||||
Rs. million | |||||||
US$ million | |||||||
Actual Inflows | |||||||
Rs. million | |||||||
US$ million | |||||||
Actual as % of Approvals | |||||||
1 Upto September 1996 Note: The approval and actual figures include NRI Direct investment approved by RBI. All figures related to calendar year. |
|
| ||||||
A. Direct Investment | |||||||
a. RBI automatic route | |||||||
b. SIA/FIPB route | |||||||
c. NRIs (40% & 100%) | |||||||
B. Portfolio Investment | |||||||
a. Flls3 | |||||||
b. Euro-equities4 | |||||||
c. Offshore funds & others | |||||||
Total (A+B) | |||||||
1 Figures shown in this table are based on actual
inflows 2 Provisional 3 Represents fresh inflows of funds by FIIs 4 Represents the amount repatriated to India by the corporates from the GDR proceeds. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION
AND CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to
chapter 34.
Issues of natural resource conservation and agricultural growth
cannot be effectively tackled in the absence of an
appropriate technological base. In addition, technology is
essential for increasing the competitiveness of the Indian
economy in international markets. Indigenous development of
technology is therefore of the highest importance and
deliberate planned steps need to be taken to increase technological
self-sufficiency of the nation. Rapid technical progress
is altering fundamentally the skills, knowledge, infrastructure and
institutions needed for the efficient production and
delivery of goods and services. So broad and far-reaching are
current technological developments that many see the
emergence of another industrial revolution driven by a new
technological "paradigm". This paradigm involves, not only
new technologies and skills in the traditional sense, but also
different work methods, management techniques and
organisational relations within firms. As new transport and
communications technologies shrink international 'economic
space', it also implies a significant reordering of comparative
advantage, and trade and investment relations, between
countries.
In India, there is considerable technological activity in a
wide spectrum of firms. What is most impressive is the
number of small and medium sized enterprises that are investing in
new technology based ventures, and often striking out
in world market as exporters. However, the rest of the industrial
sector still needs to invest in technology upgradation.
Experience of many developing and industrialised countries suggests
that a rapid acceleration of industrial technology
development calls for a deliberate 'strategy', in the sense that it
requires the government to coordinate and guide an
essentially market-driven process.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS: Environmentally sound technologies are
essential to achieving sustained economic growth and
sustainable development. They encompass a total system which
includes know-how, procedures, goods and services.
Agenda 21 emphasises the need for the access to and the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing
countries on favourable terms including concessional and
preferential terms as mutually agreed, taking into account the
need to protect Intellectual Property Rights as well as special
needs of developing countries for the implementation of
Agenda 21.The implementation of commitments on transfer of
environmentally sound technologies and technical
know-how, has been disappointing.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: In India, the Department of Science and Technology has played an important role in terms of institutional support for building national strengths in scientific fields and technology assessment and forecasting. A number of technology status reports on Energy efficiency and Environmentally Sound Technologies for pollution control and many other areas have been published. The role of Government has been increasingly facilitating through identification of and support towards development of environmentally sound technologies such as CFC alternatives, Clean Coal Technologies, Energy Efficient technologies and others. In the field of environmentally sound technologies, a number of research and development projects have been identified for support. The Ninth Plan projections have stressed the initiation of measures for reducing the energy intensity in different sectors through changes in technology and industrial processes. A critical mass of R&D capacity is crucial for effective dissemination of environmentally sound technologies and their generation locally. Areas which need attention are access to the information on state of art technologies, a framework for dissemination of information on the source of availability of environmentally sound technologies and development of guidelines for transfer of technologies, as well as training of personnel to undertake technology assessment for the management of such technologies. In order to strengthen the technological capabilities of the Indian industries, both for meeting the national needs and for providing global competitiveness, a number of new initiatives have been launched. A Technology Development Board was established in 1996 with a mandate to facilitate development of new technologies and assimilation and adaptation of imported technologies by providing catalytic support to industries and R&D institutions to work in partnership with each other. Matching grants to R&D institutions showing commercial earnings through technology services was also introduced in 1996 and will be continued and broadened. Already, a long-term perspective called Technology Vision for India 2020 has been prepared which could form the basis of Technology development programmes. Technology development calls for both general and specific forms of human capital, and emerging technologies are highly skill intensive in both technical and managerial terms. While India is endowed at present with large amounts of high-level human capital, investments in the creation of new skills (as measured by enrolment levels in technical subjects at all levels) are low. In addition, firm level investments in training are highly variable, and large parts of industry invest very little in training. The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector in particular suffers from very low levels of skill, while industrial training institutes are often unresponsive to their needs. R&D in Indian industry has been rising, but the overall level is still low and over three-quarters of research effort originates in the public sector. The Government is undertaking an analysis of current technological trends in industry in order to formulate appropriate policies to encourage R&D. Technology upgrading requires that Indian enterprises of all types have information on relevant technologies in international markets and also within the country. Many countries have well-developed systems, computerised on-line technology information and dissemination services, often backed up with consultancy and financial assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises to enable them to know about, test, and implement new technologies. India has a large infrastructure of technology support institutions, some of which are undergoing reform to make them more relevant to industrial needs. A number of universities, especially the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), are increasingly interacting with industry on technological matters, while others are outside this circle. There is a need to strengthen "Technology Foresight Programmes" to analyse the implications of emerging technologies, analyse domestic strengths and weaknesses and target future technologies for local development. Indian technology policies are undergoing significant changes, and on the whole have improved greatly in recent years. They are not, however, ideal.A coherent technology strategy in India must address a number of interconnected elements in the incentive regime and the relevant factor markets and institutions. Technology development generally requires the setting up of clusters of industries that can share information and skills, as in "science parks" or dedicated industrial estates. Some such facilities exist in India, but their efficacy and functioning need to be strengthened. |
Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks. No information.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry. No information.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies. No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal agency in
the Government for environmental protection, and
consequently for Natural Resource Management in the widest sense.
The linkages with Scientific research and
development are clear. The Ministry of Science and Technology
promotes research in emerging areas, contributes to
technology development and its linkages for future
commercialisation, prioritises areas for scientific research and
focuses
on programmes based on developmental needs. The Ministry
participates in international research oriented programmes
and also coordinates national research schemes in earth and
atmospheric sciences, medium range weather forecasting etc.
It is also important to note the activities of institutions
such as National Institute of Oceanography, the National
Geophysical Research Institute, and the large number of
laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), most notably the National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). Several universities
have departments of environmental sciences. There are also major
nongovernmental organisations such as Centre for
Science and Environment (CSE), Tata Energy Research Institute
(TERI), New Delhi etc., which work in the field of
science, environment and development.
Major activities in the Science and Technology include:
support to research and development projects, national facilities,
special technology development programmes,
launching of technology mission-mode projects on sugar production
technologies, advanced composites and fly ash
utilisation and disposal, promoting technology information system,
home grown technologies through Technology
Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC);
international S&T cooperation and joint programmes with
developed countries;
development of technologies for the socio-economic sector largely
directed towards rural and urban poor;
augmentation of facilities for meteorological forecasting,
seismological observations etc.
During the Eighth Plan (1992-97) the major thrust areas have
been on basic research in frontline fields; innovative
research to achieve self-reliance, diffusion of appropriate
technologies and integration of S&T in socio-economic and rural
sectors. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
has made significant achievements in the areas of
drugs, pesticides, chemicals, biotechnology etc. Mechanism for the
export of technologies and the systems of patenting
were strengthened. Future thrust would be on the modernisation of
various CSIR laboratories, upscaling of technologies
and extension of societal programmes.
Under Bio-technology, the thrust has been in R & D product
development, technology transfer and demonstration,
integrated manpower development, augmentation of infrastructural
facilities and their optimal utilisation, special
programmes for specific groups and weaker sections etc. Significant
achievements have been made, besides launching of
Technology Mission-mode projects on bio-fertilizers, biological
pest control and aquaculture. There is a need to formulate
a bio-technology profile for the country as well as to ensure
transfer of technology.
A technology development fund has been created to accelerate
the commercialisation of indigenous technologies. In
future, the emphasis would be to strengthen the R&D efforts
further, transfer of knowhow to industry, strengthening of
international S&T cooperation, operationalisation of the
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting,
selective modernisation of infrastructural facilities of the aided
scientific institutions etc. The need in this area is the
application of research results for technology development leading
to the improvement in the quality of life through the
involvement of industries/users. There is a need for the S&T
entrepreneurship development programmes to be tied up with
the employment generation programmes.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES: The
promotion of Science and Technology for the cause of development
has been one of the guiding principles of planned
development in Independent India. The Ministry of Science and
Technology with its associated Departments of
Biotechnology, Industrial Research and the Departments of
Electronics, Ocean Development, Non-Conventional Energy
Sources, Space, and Atomic Energy all have different
responsibilities in this field.
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG
TERM SCIENTIFIC
ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:
In the area of oceans, emphasis has been laid on stabilising the
Antarctic and polymetallic nodules programmes and the
development of ocean data and information system. Besides the
expeditions to Antarctica, several achievements have been
made in the areas of polymetallic nodules programmes, coastal ocean
monitoring and prediction system, marine satellite
information system, preparation and dissemination of potential
fishing zone and the setting up of a new institute, the
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
The thrust of Space Science and Technology has been on the
development and operationalisation of indigenous
satellites and launch vehicles. Significant achievements include
launching of multi-purpose communication satellites,
development of capabilities for the ASLV, PSLV and GSLV and the
Remote Sensing application for forest mapping, crop
inventory, ground water targeting, flood mapping integrated
management for sustainable development through micro-level
planning, etc. In the future, second generation multi-purpose
communication satellites would be launched. There is a need
for advance action in the indigenous technological development of
strategic items, capability for launching the INSAT
class satellites, building up of necessary inventories by involving
industries and stockpiling of the inventories for future
INSAT systems.
In the context of New Economic Policy, steps taken to
re-orient the S&T activities include: the creation of a
Technology Development Fund, closer interactions with the user
industries for technology transfer and launching of
application oriented R & D programmes. Some additional steps
such as a vigorous market-oriented research, creation of a
corpus fund through 2-3 per cent of the turnover of major
industries for the promotion of industrial R&D so as to reduce
the dependence on the budget support eventually from the Government
are needed. Also required is the awareness,
particularly on the IPR and patents amongst the S &T
institutions and universities and the necessary preparation in the
Post-GATT scenario.
Year | |||
Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development | # | 19-- | |
Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) | $ | 19-- | |
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
The goal of Universal Elementary Education is enshrined in the
Constitution of India. It will be our effort to ensure
that all school-going children in the age group of 6- 14 are
enrolled by the year 2000. Indian system of elementary
education is the second largest in the world with 151 million
children enrolled in 1994-95 in the age group of 6-14 years
covering about 91 per cent of the children in this age group. The
important requirement of supportive infrastructure is
covered under the scheme of "Operation Blackboard" started in
1987-88.
The main problem faced in the implementation of the programme
of elementary education is the high drop-out rates.
Efforts have been made towards universal retention by providing
free elementary education, there is also a scheme of free
textbooks and uniforms. A scheme for mid-day meals (Nutritional
Support to Primary Education) has been recently
launched. The District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) which
became operational in 1994-95, attempts to take a
holistic view of primary education development and seeks to
operationalise the strategy for Universalisation of Elementary
Education, through district specific planning and desegregated
target setting.
The National Policy of Education (NPE), 1986 aims at
eradication of illiteracy in the age group 15-35 by the year
2000. Eradication of illiteracy (EOI), has been accorded a high
priority in the Eighth Plan and is a major thrust area. It is
also one of the components of the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP).
The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was
launched in May, 1988 for achieving universal literacy in the 15-35
age groups. The target is to cover 100 million adult
illiterate persons during the Eighth Plan period (1992-97). The
emphasis in this regard is on sustainability of literacy skills
and the achievement of goals of re-mediation, continuation and
application of skills to actual living conditions. This
programme also concentrates on education of weaker sections of
society like the members of Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes and women.
The Total Literacy Campaign has become the principal strategy
of the National Literacy Mission (NLM) in the
eradication of illiteracy throughout the country. The target for
achieving total literacy is now 2005 AD. As on December
1996, about 417 districts have been covered either fully or
partially under the Total Literacy Campaign. Similarly, 178
districts have also been covered either fully or partially under
the Post Literacy Campaign. Under all the schemes of
NLM, 57.96 million persons have so far been made literate as per
NLM norms against an enrolment of 96.80 million.
The new scheme of Continuing Education for neo-literates (approved
in December 1995) is now under implementation.
The share of both Central and State Governments including
local bodies, etc. in financing educational institutions
continues to be quite high. It accounted for 92.9 per cent of the
total income of educational institutions in 1990-91,
whereas the share from fees and endowments and other sources of
educational institutions declined sharply. While the
Central Government plays an important role for overall policy
directions in education and funding of centrally sponsored
plan schemes, the State Governments provide most of the funding for
the education system. Private initiatives in education
may be encouraged for supplementing the public resources. Further,
resources must be mobilised by revising fees and
other user charges especially for higher levels of education.
In the Ninth Plan, apart from carrying out the directions
given by National Policy on Education (NPE) (1992), and
keeping in view the declaration of education as an aspect of
fundamental human right to life, making the nation fully
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Human Resources Development which
is one of the most important needs of India, is receiving the
desired attention. The important components of the Human Resource
Development include Education, Training,
Awareness, Dissemination of Information and Decision making.
literate by the year 2005 will be a committed goal. Around 6 per
cent of the GDP will be earmarked for the education
sector by the year 2000 and 50 per cent of that will be spent on
primary education. Further, substantial funds will be
earmarked for imparting technical and vocational skills and
training, in order to turn out more employable and
self-employed youths. NLM will achieve the coverage of 100 million
adults by the year 1998-99 with special attention and
effort for the spread of literacy among women and in the States
with high incidence of illiteracy. The Mid-day Meal
Scheme will be implemented in all the States to ensure regular
attendance and retention in primary and middle schools. In
every initiative to promote the spread of education, the girl child
will be a special focus of attention.
a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable
development
Environmental education forms an essential ingredient in
the education process of the country. The National Policy on
Education provides for including, amongst others, environment as an
integral part of curricula at all stages of education.
The National Council of Educational Research & Training
(NCERT), New Delhi has developed syllabi and curricula on
environmental education both for Primary and Secondary School
level.
A Comprehensive Document titled, "Environmental Education in
the School Curriculum", listing the approach and the
concepts covered in different subjects at different stages of
12-year schooling, has been published. During 1996-97, a
National Resource Centre in Environmental Education has also been
established to promote better awareness,
understanding and sharing of experiences and materials in
environmental education. Effort is being made to develop a
Data Bank of various institutions, activities and materials in
environmental education to facilitate better interaction and
dissemination among the different agencies and the school
system.
This country-wide movement of Science Exhibition being
organised at the District, State and National levels has
helped in spreading environmental awareness and motivated the
children to think of the control measures for
environmental protection. The NCERT has also developed Audio-Video
programmes addressed to school children and
teachers on various related themes on environmental education and
sustainable development.
Region-Specific Training Modules for District Institute of
Educational Training which are rich in environmental
concepts have been developed. Environmental Education is made an
essential component of training programmes for
teachers and teacher educators/trainers. The State Boards of
Education have also started follow up action for development
of curriculum with environment education as an important input.
NGOs are also being encouraged through financial
assistance by the government for experimental and innovative work
in the field of environment education
b) Increasing public awareness No information.
c) Promoting training No information.
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: No information.
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: No
information.
Latest 199- | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
% of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | ||||
Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
% of GNP spent on education | ||||
Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS
AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR
CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any
changes in technical cooperation.
The Government of India has laid emphasis on human resource
development, on improving the efficiency of existing
institutions, on promoting the role of nongovernmental
organisations and scientific institutions and in improving the
capacity to evaluate environmental impact. A specific
recommendation of Agenda 21 for capacity building is that countries
should devise their own national strategies including a national
Agenda 21 programme. This is linked to the establishment
of appropriate international arrangements.
Agenda 21 is seen in India as an expression of a major and very
significant commitment to the cause of sustainable
development. The programme areas listed state what is necessary and
desirable, even if not immediately possible. It is
clear that full implementation cannot take place in the short term
and also that both domestic and external resources would
be needed. The concerns expressed in Agenda 21 have, in one form or
the other, been an integral part of the planning
process in India. The Plan documents bring out clearly the
priorities, given the constraints of both material as well as
financial resources. The environment policies, particularly the
National Conservation Strategy, stress effective linkages
being forged in different sectors.
The Planning Commission, involves both academics and the
private sector in its consultation process. Voluntary
organisations are also fully involved with the planning and
implementation of the development programmes. India has a
long tradition of voluntary effort and of involvement of all actors
of development including women in the planning, design
and implementation programmes.
The National Environment Council chaired by the Prime Minister,
is the highest level policy making body on
environmental issues. The Council consists of senior
representatives of Central Ministries, Chief Ministers of States,
representatives of Non-Governmental groups, distinguished
scientists and academics. The Regional Offices of the Ministry
of Environment and Forests, the Central Pollution Control Board,
the Department of Ocean Development and finally the
various divisions in the Ministry of Environment & Forests,
such as the Impact Assessment, Research and
Eco-regeneration, Environmental Information, Environment Education
and the International Cooperation etc. form the
appropriate loci for the critical areas identified for the capacity
building exercises.
Though schemes exist for carrying out activities in the areas
of Research and Ecoregeneration, Pollution Control,
Coastal Zone Management, Environment Education, Training and
Information and for monitoring of projects approved by
the government, these schemes do not have built-in provisions for
capacity building. The aspect of inter-relatedness
amongst these activities needs greater emphasis. The object of the
capacity building exercise would be to design a package
of training and research programmes, equipment and expert services
to raise the capability of the relevant target groups to
achieve better results from their designated functions.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING: The crucial task of institutionalising
sustainable development in India is being achieved by strengthening
institutes and governing structures concerned with
environment and social infrastructure management. There are certain
critical areas in which such activities need to be
specifically pursued with greater vigour than before. The key
national coordination mechanism for implementation of
Agenda 21 is the inter-ministerial process, with the representation
of all relevant Ministries and Departments of the
Government of India. Prime Minister, as the Chairman of the
Planning Commission, is the highest authority reviewing the
implementation of the programme of planned development. The
principal Ministries involved are the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, the Ministry of External Affairs, the
Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Science and
Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, the Department of
Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance.
There is a need to strengthen capacity building efforts at two levels viz. Environmental Policy and Planning, and Monitoring and Compliance. In the Policy and Planning area, focus needs to be on Environmental Economics, Environmental Indicators, Environmental Law, Research and Information Awareness. On the monitoring side, specific emphasis needs to be made in the Coastal Zone Management, Environmental Standards, Environmental Management of Mines, Industrial Siting and Zoning, etc.
These objectives would be achieved through the following components:
i) Improved environmental policy planning would be achieved by providing assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its affiliated institutions including the Central Pollution Control Board by upgrading the quality of Environmental Research and improving access to reliable environmental information, mainstreaming environmental economics including development and use of indicators and indices and updating and developing more appropriate environmental standards. Training in environmental law would be extended to industrial managers, communities and NGOs and legal research and education would be strengthened. A community based environmental decision making mechanism would be developed.
ii) For strengthening, monitoring and compliance in specific high priority environmental problem areas, support would be accorded to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Department of Ocean Development, the State Pollution Control Boards and the Regional Offices of Ministry of Environment and Forests. Such support would aim at mitigating the negative environmental impacts in the Mining Sector, the siting of industry to reduce pollution, better monitoring of ambient air quality and improvement in coastal and marine area management.
iii) Management would be supported by providing assistance to local communities and Non-Governmental Organisations for upgrading the National Environmental Awareness Campaign, expanding the Paryavaran Vahinis (Environmental Brigades Programme) and establishing on a pilot basis, an NGO Environmental Action Fund to support environmental monitoring and mitigation activities.
Capacity building in the form of skills, knowledge, technical cooperation and assistance is needed for developing countries to deal with principal challenges in the area of sustainable development on a long term basis. International community including UN agencies should assist the developing countries through exchange of scientific, technical data and experience as also transfer of environmentally sound technologies and the provision of financial assistance.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN System
response affecting this country/state: No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND MECHANISMS
Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered
under the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21: In order to achieve sustainable
development, it is imperative to address on a priority basis the
principal environmental challenges as contained in Agenda
21, with reference to relevant social, economic and environmental
aspects. Most international agreements are sector
specific in nature, concluded at different times and at uneven
stages of international knowledge and concern. Therefore,
innovative approaches are required in the field of progressive
development and codification of international environmental
law. International law derives from a number of sources, principal among which are international conventions or treaties, international customary law, and the general principles of law recognised by States. In recent years, each of these sources has displayed features of interest to international environmental law. The inherent reservation notwithstanding, treaties and conventions have made a major contribution to developing international environmental law in the last few years. India has become a party to international conventions which contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. India has ratified almost all multilateral environmental conventions including the recent ones such as Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), Convention on Biodiversity, Convention on Straddling Fish and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). Concrete actions have been taken to meet international obligations under these conventions to reaffirm India's commitment to pursue activities leading to sustainable development. Consistent with national goals and objectives and using development planning process as a framework, activities and programmes have been initiated by the Government in the context of Agenda 21. These include legislation to enforce environmental protection, especially in the areas of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), pollution control, hazardous waste management, biodiversity conservation, etc. The following representative cases decided by the Indian judiciary (Supreme Court of India and High Courts), in the recent years, on environment related matters, illustrate the importance given to environmental protection by the Indian legal system: In Mathew Lukose Vs. Kerala State Pollution Control Board [1990 (2) Kerala Law Journal, page 717], the right to healthy environment is referred to as one of the fundamental rights. It also addresses the issues relating to the competing claims, i.e., the growth of industries and to define the outer limit of pollution so that it does not infringe the citizens right to a healthy environment. The court noted that "When the degree of pollution crosses the tolerance limits, it invades the rights... and it cannot pass the mustering right of the Constitution". While considering these competing claims the Court also considered the feasibility of an environment audit preceding the licensing of an industry. It also mooted the creation of a National Environment Agency with powers in areas of planning, enforcement and sanctions. It further noted that "An institutional perspective must prevail in these areas and related questions must be upgraded to concerns of national priority". This, according to it, is necessary, as "The world belongs to us in usufruct, but we owe a duty, to the posterity, to the unborn, to leave this world st least as beautiful as we found it". In M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India {1996 (2) Scale (SP) Page 89}, the construction of the common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in the 28 industrial areas in Delhi has been dealt with. The Court also considered the issues relating to the expenditure involved in constructing these treatment plants. Considering the expenditure involved the Court took the view that the industries for whose benefits the treatment plants are being set up are bound to cooperate.
|
In Subhash Kumar Vs. State of Bihar and Others {(1991) 1 SCC page 598}, the Supreme Court laid down the following Constitutional norms for controlling pollution: (a) Right to life is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution and it includes the right of enjoyment of pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life; (b) If anything endangers or impairs that quality of life in derogation of laws, a citizen has right to have recourse to Article 32 of the Constitution for removing the pollution of water or air which may be detrimental to the quality of life; and (c) A petition under Article 32 for the prevention of pollution is maintainable at the instance of affected persons or even by a group of social workers or journalists. In M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India 1996 (3) Scale (SP) page 58, the relocation of irimlc industries located near Taj Mahal, which is known as "Taj Trapezium", in order to preserve the world famous monument has been discussed. The Court sought a report from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) as to decide whether it is necessary to relocate various industries located in Taj Trapezium. Considering the report from the NEERI, the Court outlined an elaborate plan to relocate the industries. Subsequent to the implementation of this decision, the Court sought to consider the following issues: (a) Whether all the industries operating in the Taj Trapezium are to be relocated irrespective of the nature of the industry that is hazardous/ noxious/polluting/non-polluting: (b) If the answer to the above question is in negative, then which type of industries are to be relocated. (c) Whether the Government of India agrees with the suggestion of the relocated outside the Taj Trapezium; and (d) Relocation scheme may be indicated. The industrial estates - within or outside the Taj Trapezium - where the industries can be shifted, may be indicated. In Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action, etc. Vs. Union of India and Others [1996 (2) Scale 44, page 73], the Court sought to frame special procedure for setting up chemical industries. The court stated, "The Central Government shall consider whether it would not be appropriate in the light of the experience gained, that chemical industries are treated as a category apart. No distinction should be made in this behalf as between a large scale industry and a small scale industry or medium scale industry. All chemical industries, whether big or small, should be allowed to be established only after taking into considerations all the environmental aspects and their functioning should be monitored closely to ensure that they do not pollute the environment around them. It appears that most of these industries are water-intensive industries. If so, the advisability of allowing the establishment of these industries in arid areas may also require examination."
|
2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
3. | Combating poverty | |||||
4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
6. | Human health | |||||
7. | Human settlements | |||||
8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
16. | Biotechnology | |||||
17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
21. | Solid wastes | |||||
22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
25. | Children and youth | |||||
26. | Indigenous people | |||||
27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
28. | Local authorities | |||||
29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
30. | Business and industry | |||||
31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
32. | Farmers | |||||
33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
39. | International legal instruments | |||||
40. | Information for decision-making |
The Government of India and the State Governments, through
several of their organisations, have been collecting
information on natural resources, production patterns and changing
climatic and environmental conditions. These form the
basis for the decision making system in the process of sustainable
development. Various steps have been taken to develop
capabilities in the development of information networks in both
public and private sectors.
The National Information System for Science and Technology
(NISSAT) facilitates coordination of information
services in the country. It has helped in the setting up of
national information centres in various sectors like leather
technology, food technology, machine tools and production, drugs
and pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemical and allied
industries, advanced ceramics etc.
The Biotechnology Information System (BTIS) envisages
establishment of BTIS Network and provision of
bio-information to bridge inter-disciplinary gaps in information
and establish links among scientists involved in research
and development and manufacturing activities in India.
The ENVIS (Environment Information System) has the objectives
of building up a repository and dissemination centre
in Environmental Science and Engineering, and to provide national
environmental information services to the users,
originators, processors and disseminators of environmental
information.
The NIC-Planning Commission Biomedical Information Services
endeavours to provide online/ondisk medical
information-to end users in hospitals, R&D in
pharmaceuticals.
Within the ambit of Technology Information Forecasting and
Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous body set
up by the Government, support has been provided in the setting up
of databases on energy technologies and environmental
technologies at the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), New
Delhi and the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL),
Pune respectively. The National Environmental Engineering Research
Institute (NEERI), Nagpur has a project on the
preparation of information package on cleaner technologies of
industrial production. The experience gained in the
establishment of information networks and databases including
training of manpower and development of necessary skills
to handle these systems is an important strength.
Some of the studies completed with support from TIFAC include
areas like human settlements, industrial raw water
treatment, industrial waste water treatment, water treatment
technologies, technologies for disposal of thermal power
station fly ash, energy conservation technologies (cement
industry), energy saving technologies, biotechnology for waste
water treatment, and technologies for the treatment of molasses
based distillery effluents.
With a well developed space programme, India is fully capable
of collating, collecting, analysing and utilising remote
sensing data obtained through its own and international satellites.
Some of the uses of remote sensing technology already
far advanced in India include:
i) Efforts by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use
Planning to use remote sensing techniques for development
of GIS based upon soils, topography, and underground water
resources; ii) The programme of the Forest Survey of India
for using remote sensing to determine and monitor the forest cover
and its status;
iii) The programme of the national Wastelands Development Board to
map the wastelands in 146 districts which have
more than 15 per cent of their areas under wastelands along with
the areas that may be affected with reference to causative
factors such as wind and water erosion.
Apart from remote sensing State Governments and Government of India
collect other kinds of data. These include:
i) Ground surveys in respect of land resources through assessment
of the physico-chemical properties of soil along with
topography which also leads to the production of useful and
necessary village level maps;
ii) A mammoth project of identification of water resources in the
country undertaken by the Central Water Commission:
iii) The Agriculture Census and the Agriculture Input Survey which
provide information on the classification of land, the
objective to which that land is being utilised, the levels of
application of inputs such as fertilisers, organic manure,
etc.;
iv) The State-wise data compiled by the Ministry of Rural Development on some of the basic rural indicators like the establishment of biogas plants which provide sources of alternative energy; v) Traditional collection of data by the Registrar General of India, through the decennial census; vi) Collection of data on health, mortality and morbidity indices, as well as data for the Physical Quality of Life Indices (PQLI) comprising education, food security, employment and earnings etc.; vii) Lastly, in a large and populous country like India, collection of data based on complete sampling is not fully relevant in all cases. The expenditure both of resources and of time in the collection of such data might decrease its utility for effective decision-making. Hence, a National Sample Survey Organisation has been established to provide trends and useful indicators for decision-making. Recently, the NSSO has also commenced collection of data on a gender-desegregated basis to provide inputs about women's status and suggest mechanisms for improving their role as primary decision-makers and implementors. Some of all this data generated is included as a part of Geographic Information System developed by the National Informatics Centre under the GISTNIC programme. The database is, however, yet to be fully synthesized and is presently available only to Government users. India has a reasonably well developed informatics network with computers in both Government and in the private and public sectors. These are also connected through High Speed Optical Cables within themselves and with international networks. Connections through the use of Satellites for Very High Speed Data Transmission have also become a reality and India is able to effectively use the data that may be available on the international networks. It has been possible to have online access to various international databases and networks through DIOLOG, STN, EASYNET, ESA-IRS, etc. CD-ROM databases are also available from vendors like DIOLOG, UMI, SILVERPLATTER and others.
|
Latest 199- | ||||
Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | ||||
Other data |
ECONOMIC INDICATORS GDP at factor cost | ||||||||||||
i) At current prices (Rs.million) | ||||||||||||
ii) At 1980-81 prices (Rs.million) | ||||||||||||
Per capita net national product, at 1980-81 prices (Rupees) | ||||||||||||
Index of industrial production (Base: triennium ending 1981-82) | ||||||||||||
Gross domestic capital formation (as per cent of GDP) | ||||||||||||
Index of agricultural production (Base: trennium ending 1981-81) | ||||||||||||
Gross domestic savings (as percent of GDP) | ||||||||||||
OUTPUT | ||||||||||||
(a) Foodgrains (million tonnes) | ||||||||||||
(b) Finished Steel (million tonnes) | ||||||||||||
(c) Cement (million tonnes) | ||||||||||||
(d) Coal (including lignite) (million tonnes) | ||||||||||||
(e) Crude oil (million tonnes) | ||||||||||||
(f) Electricity generated (utilities only) (Billion KWH) | ||||||||||||
Wholesale price index* (Base: 1981-82=100) |
Consumer Price Index (Base: 1982=100)@@ | ||||||||||||
Plan outlay (Rs. million) |
|
| ||||||||||
Centre's budgetary deficit (Rs. million) |
| |||||||||||
FOREIGN TRADE | ||||||||||||
(i) Exports | ||||||||||||
Rs. million | ||||||||||||
US $ million | ||||||||||||
(ii) Imports | ||||||||||||
Rs. million | ||||||||||||
US $ million | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange reserves (excluding gold and SDRs): | ||||||||||||
Rs. million | ||||||||||||
US $ million | ||||||||||||
SOCIAL INDICATORS | ||||||||||||
Population (million)a | ||||||||||||
Birth Rate (per 1000)c | ||||||||||||
Death rate (per 1000)c | ||||||||||||
Life expectancy at birth (in yrs d | ||||||||||||
(a) Male (b) Female |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
TOTAL |
EDUCATION | ||||||||||||
Literacy rate (percentage)c | ||||||||||||
(a) Male | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | |||||
(b) Female | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | |||||
Total | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | |||||
HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE | ||||||||||||
Registered medical practitioners (RMP) (thousand) | *** | *** | *** | *** | ||||||||
RMP per 10,000 population | *** | *** | *** | *** | ||||||||
Beds (all types)** per 10,000 | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** |
@@ Figures for the period up to 1988-89 derived by converting indices on earlier bases into base 1982=100.
# Quick estimates.
## Relates to 1951-52.
* Figures for the period up to 1980-81 derived by converting the indices on earlier bases into base 1980-81=100.
** Includes beds in hospitals, dispensaries, P.H.Cs, clinics, sanatoriums, etc.
RE Revised estimates.
*** Not available.
P Provisional.
NOTES
a) As on March 1, 1951 and so on up to 1980-81 and 1990-91 as per Census of India. Figures for the period 1988 to 1990 are based on adjusted projections of the Standing Committee of Experts on Population Projections.
b) Relate to March 1, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 based on projected estimates by Technical Group on Population Projections (August 1996) set up under the Chairmanship f Registrar General of India.
c) Data for 1950-51, 1960-61 , 1970-71 and 1980-81 are census estimates and relate to decades 1941-50, 1951-60, 1961-70 and 1971-80 respectively. The estimates for 1988-89 onwards are based on the Sample Registration System (SRS).
d) Data for 1950-51, 1960-61, 1970-71 and 1980-81 relate to the decades 1941-50, 1951-60, 1961-70 and 1971-80 respectively, centred at mid-point of the decade, i.e. 1946, 1956, 1966 and 1976. The estimates for 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1990-91 refer to the periods, 1986-90, 1987-91 and 1988-92 respectively. For 1992-93, it is based on the extrapolated values of the Standing Committee of Experts on Population Projections centred at June 1992.
e) Data for 1950-51, 1960-61, 1970-71, 1980-81 and 1990-91 relate to the years 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991 respectively. The figures for 1951, 1961 and 1971 relate to population aged 5 years and above and those for 1981 and 1991 relate to population aged 7 years and above. All India literacy rate exclude Assam for 1981 and J&K for 1991.
f) Relate to calender year e.g., 1950-51 pertains to December 1951 and so on.
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997