Tag: Environmental News

Efforts to Ensure Sustainable Mining

 The National Mineral Policy, 2019 emphasizes on prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental effects due to mining in accordance with the latest scientific norms and modern afforestation practices to form integral part of mine development strategy in every instance. All mining operations have to be undertaken within the parameters of a comprehensive Sustainable Development Framework to ensure that environmental, economic and social considerations are integrated effectively in all decisions on mines and minerals issues. The policy also aims at encouraging use of renewable sources of energy at mining sites with a view to reducing pollution, carbon footprint and operational costs, through appropriate incentives, including sensitization training, workshops about environmental issues to all workers involved in mining operations.

Section 18 of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowers Central Government to frame rules for the mineral conservation, systematic development of minerals, protection of environment by preventing or controlling any pollution which may be caused by prospecting or mining operations. Accordingly, Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017 were framed, wherein Rule 40 and Rule 43 provides for:

(i) Rule 40 – Precaution against air pollution – Every holder of prospecting licence or a mining lease shall take all possible measure to keep air pollution due to fines, dust, smoke or gaseous emissions during prospecting, mining, beneficiation or metallurgical operations and related activities within permissible limits. 

(ii) Rule 43 – Permissible limits and standards – The standard and permissible limits of all pollutants, toxins and noise shall be such as may be notified by the concerned authorities under the provisions of the relevant laws for the time being in force. 

Further, before commencement of mining operations, lease holder has to obtain certain statutory clearances, licenses and approvals including Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC). As per the conditions of Environmental Clearance, the project proponent has to monitor fugitive emissions in the plant premises at least once in every quarter through labs recognised under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Appropriate Air Pollution Control (APC) system shall be provided for all the dust generating points including fugitive dust from all vulnerable sources, so as to comply with prescribed stack emission and fugitive emission standards.

(c) & (d): Pollution levels in mines are monitored by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as per their guidelines. Ambient air monitoring is carried out in core zone as well as buffer zone as per CPCB guidelines through laboratory recognized by MOEF&CC under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. For Core and Buffer zone, for monitoring the fugitive dust emission, the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, 2009 is adhered to. Following practices are in general adopted at the mechanized mines to minimize the fugitive dust emissions: 

  1. Deploying modern fuel-efficient machines.
  2. Eliminating dust at source by maintaining roads in good condition by deploying motor grader and by spraying of water.
  3. Development of green cover along the haul roads.
  4. Emission levels of the mining machinery are kept under check by carrying out timely maintenance as per manufactures recommendations.
  5. Arrangements for wheel wash during exit of trucks/dumpers from mine.
  6. Preventing overloading of trucks and properly covering the cargo with tarpaulin before the truck goes out of mine.
  7. Dedicated manpower to clean the ore spillage on the public road by manual sweeping and washing.
  8. Dust suppression on mines through water sprinkling.
  9. Use of road sweeping machine for cleaning the public road/Mine Haul Road.

Dependence on River Water

 As per the CWC Study “Reassessment of Water Availability in India using Space Inputs, 2019”, the average annual water availability of 20 river basins of the country is 1999.20 BCM. As per the aforesaid report, the average annual water availability of 3 river basins located in the north-eastern region of the country, viz, 1) Brahmaputra, 2) Barak & Others, and 3) Minor rivers draining into Myanmar and Bangladesh is 644.84 BCM, which is quite significant. However, dependence of any area on one source of water, i.e. the surface water exposes it to the vulnerabilities of climate change and erratic precipitation patterns. Therefore, the best strategy to deal with the dynamic nature of hydrological cycle is by ensuring sustainability of groundwater and surface water resources through convergence of various schemes.

Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes. 

Various initiatives have been undertaken by Govt. of India relating to water resources conservation throughout the country including the north-eastern region are as follows:

  1. Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 has been prepared by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in consultation with States/UTs. The Master Plan envisages construction of about 1.42 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country to harness 185 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) of monsoon rainfall. The Master Plan has been circulated to all the States/UTs for implementation.
  2. Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under Section 3 (3) of the “Environment (Protection) Act, 1986” grants No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for ground water abstraction to Industries, Infrastructure units and Mining projects in feasible areas in certain States/UTs where regulation is not being done by the respective State/UTs.
  3. A nationwide programme of “National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)” for mapping of aquifers, their characterization and development of aquifer management facilitate sustainable development of ground water resources. Under NAQUIM 2.0 programme, various studies have been taken up based on ground water related issues including areas with springs in North Eastern Region. The core objective of NAQUIM 2.0 is to present implementable ground water management plans and strategies. Public Interaction Programs are also being organised at grass root level for disseminating the tenets under National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) Programme for the benefit of the stakeholders.
  4. Government has been implementing Pradhan Mantry Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) since 2015-16 in the country including north-eastern states with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc. Central funding is also being provided to schemes for Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies of various State Governments, including north-eastern states.
  5. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) includes water conservation and water harvesting structures as one of the activities under its natural resource management (NRM) component.
  6. Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented for ensuring sustainability of groundwater resources and surface water-based sources through convergence of various schemes.
  7. 15th Finance Commission grants have been released to States to be utilized through Rural Local Bodies. Financial assistance given to various States under 15th Finance Commission tied grants can be inter alia utilised for rainwater harvesting.
  8. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Per Drop More Crop scheme which is operational from 2015-16 in the Country. The Per Drop More Crop scheme mainly focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System). 
  9. ‘Sahi Fasal’ campaign was launched by National Water Mission (NWM) to nudge farmers in the water stressed areas to grow crops which use water very efficiently, are economically remunerative, are healthy and nutritious, suited to the agro-climatic-hydro characteristics of the area, and are environment friendly.
  10. The Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” (JSA:CTR) with the theme “Catch the Rain – Where it Falls When it Falls” on 22nd March 2021, the World Water Day, to cover all the blocks of all districts (rural as well as urban areas) across the country during 22nd March, 2021 to 30thNovember, 2021 – the pre-monsoon and monsoon period. JSA:CTR campaign had five focused interventions-(1) rainwater harvesting & water conservation (2) enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation (3) setting up Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts (4) intensive afforestation and (5) awareness generation. ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2022’ has been launched by the Hon’ble President of India on 29.03.2022. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has been implementing Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) since 2019 on an annual basis except 2020 due to Covid pandemic. In the current year, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2023, 4th in the series of JSA, has been launched for implementation during 04.03.2023 to 30.11.2023.
  11. Mission Amrit Sarovar has been launched on 24th April, 2022 with the aim to construct/rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars (with a pondage area of 1 acre having water holding capacity of 10000 cubic metre) in each district across India to overcome the water crisis.
  12. Mass awareness programmes (Trainings, Seminars, Workshops, etc.) are conducted from time to time each year under the information, Education & Communication (IEC) Scheme of DoWR, RD & GR in various parts of the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water. Posts on awareness on water harvesting and conservation have been shared regularly on the Department’s social media platforms.
  1. The Ministry has instituted National Water Awards to incentivise good practices done in water conservation and management. The first National Water Awards were launched in 2018, the second in 2019, the third in 2020. These awards focused on recognizing good work and efforts by individuals and organisations across all sectors to create awareness among people about importance of water including water harvesting and conservation.
  2. Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UT to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development, which also includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 21 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation including North Eastern States Assam and Nagaland.
  3. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has released Model Building Bye-laws, 2016 which recommends Rainwater Harvesting for all types of Building with plot size 100 sq.m or more. So far, 35 States including North Eastern States Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have incorporated the provisions in their respective building bye laws.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

****

Action Plan to Conserve Rain Water

 Water being a State subject, the responsibility of formulation of action plan to save and conserve rain water primarily lies with the State Governments. Central Government supplements the efforts of States through providing technical and financial assistance. However, Ministry of Jal Shakti has been implementing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” (JSA:CTR) -2023 campaign, the fourth in the series of JSAs, which was launched by Hon’ble President on 04.03.2023 in all districts (rural as well as urban areas) of the country for implementation during 04th March, 2023 to 30th November, 2023 with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water”. One of the focused interventions of the campaign is water conservation and rainwater harvesting. The campaign offers a major opportunity in leveraging convergence and working towards a greater vision of water conservation. 

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 in consultation with States/UTs which is a macro level plan indicating various structures for the different terrain conditions of the country including estimated cost. The Master Plan has provisions for the construction of about 1.42 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country to harness 185 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) of monsoon rainfall.

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has formulated guidelines for the guidance of the States for their adoption suiting to local conditions. Adequate focus has been given on requirement of rainwater harvesting and water conservation measures in Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014. 

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, in partnership with Indo-European Water Partnership has developed a National Framework for the reuse of treated waste water. The framework is meant to develop suitable market and business models for reuse of treated waste water. The framework identifies agriculture as a potential area where reuse of treated water can be explored. The framework envisages and promotes adoption of safer irrigation practices towards use of treated water by farmers in peri-urban and rural areas.

Central Pollution Control Board has formulated and implemented charters for major industrial sectors namely Pulp & Paper, Sugar, Distillery, Textile and Tannery located in Ganga main stem states for adoption of cleaner technology, upgradation of process technology and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) system resulting in reduction in specific fresh water consumption and waste water discharge through recycling and reuse of waste water in the process.

National Water Policy-2012 mandates recycle and reuse of water as general norm and advocates treatment to specified standards before reuse of waste water. It recommends properly planned tariff system to incentivize reuse of treated water in various sectors including industries and agriculture. 

In Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs supports treated water recycling and reuse projects for the non-drinking water needs of industries & agricultural purposes. Reuse of treated used water, tertiary treatment with end-to-end reuse plan (preferably in Public-Private Partnership mode), provision/augmentation and rehabilitation of sewerage systems with end-to-end treatment and reuse, identifying the bulk users of recycled used water and facilitating sale of used water to potential users etc. are admissible elements under AMRUT 2.0 water supply projects.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

****

Quad Achievements under the Climate Adaptation Pillar

 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India along with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) organised a side event under the Adaptation Pillar of Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) on “Capturing the Resilience Dividend: Quad Achievements under the Climate Adaptation Pillar” on 9th December 2023 at the India Pavilion, on the sidelines of the UNFCCC COP 28 India Pavilion at Dubai. 

The panel was represented by all Quad countries in person by Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, JICA (Japan), Ms. Rajasree Ray, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (India); Ms. Nicola Ross, Director-Climate Integration Unit, DFAT (Australia); Mr Toru Yoshida, Senior Deputy Director, and Mr. Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID (USA). The session was moderated by Mr. Krishna Vatsa, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), India. The panel advocated on the need to measure and promote resilience dividend amongst all stakeholders. 

The panellists highlighted the need for integrating resilience into investments, policies, planning and governance to safeguard infrastructure, investments and community. They further stressed on challenges including lack of data, coordination, financing gaps and conceptual and  implementation capacity at local level in integrating adaptation. 

They also shared efforts towards resilience integration including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), community initiatives with nature, locally-led adaptation and resilience projects. These included climate resilient projects from Indo-Pacific region. The panel commended the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), supported by all Quad partners, as an example of effective partnership amongst global stakeholders to advocate for resilience and provide support to countries for accelerating economic growth and helping achieve Sustainable Development Goals.  

****

How to Reduce your Emissions by Using Carbon Footprint Calculator

 Do you know that even the simplest of the tasks, such as, what you pick out to eat, how you choose to dispose of if you travel via road or air, and many more cause greenhouse gas emissions? In 2016, Australia was among the top 15 countries that contributed the most towards carbon emissions per person. This leaves us with no doubt that climate change is indeed an overwhelming concern down under. 

How to Reduce your Emissions by Using Carbon Footprint Calculator

Impacts Of Climate Change In Australia

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour can absorb the heat emitted from the earth’s surface and radiate it back to earth. This leads to an increased concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Due to the heat getting trapped, we experience a rise in the temperature. 

In the last 50 years, the number of days that break heat records has doubled. The heatwaves are only getting intense and frequent each year. Unfortunately, it’s not just the higher temperatures that Australia is experiencing, it’s also witnessing extreme droughts, floods and fire seasons. We can never forget the horrors of the weeklong Wooroloo bushfire in February 2021.

Another important yet worrisome aftermath of greenhouse emissions has been on the oceans and seas. They have become more acidic as they tend to soak up heat along with excess carbon from the atmosphere. 

Having said that, these are just some of the consequences that Australia has observed till now and there are high chances of many that are yet to be discovered. 

What Can Be Done?

As part of a thriving civilisation and country that contributes highly towards carbon emissions, the responsibility of taking care of our planet lies in our hands. If each one of us knows how to reduce carbon footprint and does our bit, we can make our environment healthy once again. All we need to be mindful of is our carbon footprint. Now before you curve your eyebrow into a question mark thinking how you can achieve this, just sit back and keep reading – we’re here with all the answers. 

Decoding Carbon Footprint

An organisation’s carbon footprint is the total amount of its carbon dioxide emission over a period of time. Carbon is the most commonly emitted gas by humans. According to research done by Our World in Data in 2019, Australia has an average per capita footprint of 17 tonnes. This is more than 3 times higher than the global average, which was 4.8 tonnes per person in 2017.

Mostly, an individual’s carbon footprint comes from transport, housing and food. It stands true for organisations as well. Moving of goods and services from one place to another or burning of fuel at factories or preparing meals for employees on a large scale. Almost everything that requires a person’s or company’s life to propel, is contributing to the carbon footprint. It is possible for a product or service to emit greenhouse gases even after its shelf/service life has expired. So, it becomes further critical for organisations to step up and make sure that we leave a healthy world for future generations. 

Crunching Numbers

Now, you must be contemplating how to know your own or your organisation’s carbon footprint. It’s a complex science that calls for numerous permutations and combinations. But you don’t have to worry about any of that, we’ve got it all covered for you. But let’s discuss what are carbon offsetting and carbon credits before we dive any further. Sometimes, carbon offsets and carbon credits are used interchangeably. However, there is a thin line between the two. Let’s find out.

Carbon Offsetting: 

It is a dependable and reckonable way to make up for an individual’s or organisation’s carbon emissions. Those who invest in carefully chosen carbon offset projects, like renewable energy projects or tree-planting activities, extend social and economic benefits to communities along with reduced emissions. Just like a butterfly effect, amirite?

Each year, we see more organisations demanding carbon offsets voluntarily as they factor the risk of climate change into their future planning. It is essential for companies to take up the ownership of saving our climate by identifying the most efficient carbon offsetting solution and developing a tailored action plan for their business.  

Here Are Some Benefits Of Carbon Offsetting:

  • Meet emission reduction targets
  • Alignment with sustainability principles
  • Increased customer loyalty and sales
  • Build capacity to manage climate risk
  • Environmental, social & economic co-benefits and impact on communities

Carbon Credits:

To put it in a simpler way, carbon credits are like allowances for emission, usually received from the government. When an organisation buys carbon emission credits, they are permitted to generate a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions.

To calculate an individual’s or organisation’s carbon footprint, you can use this calculator. It’s transparent and accurate – a carbon footprint calculator Australia has been waiting for, fair dinkum! It also doubles as a carbon credit calculator. With such calculators, apart from determining the numbers, you can also get to know facts, tips and steps to reduce your carbon footprint that can easily be applied to your daily life. So, you can either offset your footprint or calibrate your carbon credit hassle-free. 

Once you start using a calculator, it’ll get heaps convenient to devise ways onhow to reduce the carbon footprint of your organisation or yourself. Remember that carbon footprint is calculated retrospectively as it’s based on the consumption of resources for a particular time period. So, it’s best to keep the data handy. Try to feed in as much information as you can, it helps in determining precise results. 

“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.”

-Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General of the UN

Climate change and its impacts are serious stumbling blocks. We must come together to combat this threat and use our powers for a positive change. Let’s start today and promise a better tomorrow. 

National afforestation programmes to improve the forest cover

 The year-wise details of budgetary allocations and expenditure on national afforestation programmes, through the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) of the Ministry, National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and National Mission for a Green India (GIM) from 2017-18 to 2021-22, are  as under:

(Amount in Rupees in crore)

Year

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

(as on  24th January,2022)

Budget Allocated

NAP 80.00

GIM

47.80

 

176.94*

 

193.63*

 

160.00*

 

220.00*

Expenditure

80.00

46.99

176.73*

193.63*

158.04*

200.13*

*Combined allocation and expenditure for Green India Mission-National Afforestation Programme.

NAP has been the flagship afforestation scheme of the Ministry, implemented since year 2000 on pan India basis, for afforestation in identified degraded forest areas with people’s participation and decentralised forest governance. GIM activities were started in 2015-16. NAP and GIM, along with other afforestation schemes, have been contributing in restoration of degraded forest areas in the country. This has helped in stabilization and increase in the extent of forest cover, which is evident from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) published by Forest Survey of India (FSI). The latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR 2021) revealed that the total forest and tree cover of the country is 8,09,537 square kilometres (which is 24.62 percent of the geographical area of the country) compared to 7,94,245 sq km (24.16 percent) in ISFR 2015. This is an increase of 15,292 sq km of forest and tree cover of the country. The ISFRs also pointed out that the positive change could be attributed to conservation measures or management interventions such as afforestation activities, participation of local people for better protection in plantation areas as well as in traditional forest areas, expansion of trees outside forests, tree plantation drives etc.

In order to achieve the targeted objectives of national afforestation programmes, the Ministry has approved merger of NAP into Green India Mission (GIM) and accordingly financial allocation for both the schemes is provided under one budgetary head so that the overall greening efforts are augmented. The budget allocation for the merged scheme has increased from Rs. 160 crore in the year 2020-21 to Rs. 220 crore during the year 2021-22. Besides, the funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), inter-alia, is used for forest and wildlife management related activities including compensatory afforestation.

The Ministry also promotes tree plantation as people’s movement through School Nursery Yojana and Nagar Van Yojana. Tree plantation/afforestation being the multi-departmental effort, taken up cross sector by various departments of the Centre and State Governments, Non-Government Organizations, civil society, corporate bodies etc. also contributes in achieving the targeted objectives of national afforestation programmes.