NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF: INDIA HARI SRINIVAS ROOM: I-312 / International Environmental Policy

India and Japan Land Area: India is about 10 times the size of Japan, It takes three days and four nights to travel from the south of India to the north by train! Population: For every Japanese, there are 10 Indians GDP: India is still a developing country - Japan’s economy is three times bigger than India. One Japanese person produces the same GDP as four Indians!

Environmental Problems in India Pollution. Deforestation. Wildlife trade. The aspirations and lifestyles of more than one billion people. These are some of the critical environmental issues that India grapples with every day. Pollution: Water Air Solid waste Land/Soil Greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 Population growth Poor Environmental quality

Environmental Problems Environmental problems grew out of: Population growth Changes in Lifestyles Lack of awareness of negative impacts on the environment … and not just due to economic growth

Environmental Problems Population size and growth Need more land Need more food Need more resources Need more water Produce more waste Emit more GHGs Create air pollution DEFORESTATION INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE MINING GROUND WATER ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Causes of Environmental Problems Environmental Problems Agricultural Practices Lifestyle Issues Population growth Economic Activity FOOD SECURITY URBANIZATION POVERTY REDUCTION SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Causes of degradation The Underlying Causes of Environmental Degradation in India:  Social Factors  Economic Factors  Institutional Factors

Causes of degradation  Social Factors  Economic Factors  Institutional Factors  Population  Poverty  Urbanization

Causes of degradation  Social Factors  Economic Factors  Institutional Factors Poorly functioning markets for environmental goods and services Market distortions created by price controls and subsidies Manufacturing technology of industries Expansion of chemical based industry Growing transport activities, including expansion of port and harbour activities.

Causes of degradation  Social Factors  Economic Factors  Institutional Factors Lack of awareness and infrastructure makes implementation of most of the laws relating to environment, extremely difficult and ineffective.: Costs Human resources Curruption Other issues

India’s Development Paths Essential focus: economic growth and poverty alleviation Pre – 1970  Asset Creation & Redistribution 1970s and 1980s  Income and Employment Generation 1990s  Liberalization and Globalization  Environment Awareness and Integration Post 2000  Towards Inclusive Growth  Climate Awareness and Integration  Green Economy

Environmental Policy Roots Ancient India: Lifestyle and behaviour Colonial India: Pollution of air, water and land Wildlife trade Modern India: Pollution control, Conservation strategies, Link to development, Green economy

Environmental Policy Roots  The Water Act (1988)  The Constitution of India (1976)  The Air Act (1987)  The Environmental Protection Act of 1986  The Environmental Protection Rules of 1986  The Product Liability Insurance Act of 1991  Agenda 21  Precautionary Principle  Polluter Pays Principle UN Conference on Human Environment, 1972 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, 1984 Earth Summit, 1992

Environmental Policy National Environment Policy  It is the first initiative in strategy- formulation for environmental protection in a comprehensive manner.  It undertakes a diagnosis of the causes of environmental degradation with a view to identifying solutions required.  It recognizes that economic and financial policies need to take account of their unintentional impacts on environmental degradation. Environmental Action: Demo projects Opening markets Partnerships Monitoring Education Technology development …

Legislative Framework Constitution: Fundamental Rights, Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties Legislative Framework: Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 Atomic Energy Act of 1982 Motor Vehicles Act,1988 The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA) The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 Public Liability Insurance Act (PLIA), 1991 National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995

Institutional Framework Central Government Ministry of Environment & Forests and its regional offices Central Pollution Control Board and its regional offices State Government: State Dept of Environment State Pollution Control Board / State Pollution Control Committee

Multistakeholder Participation Government ministries at national and state level High courts and the Supreme Court NGO sector Mass Media Business and Indutry

Example: Judicial Process The High Courts and Supreme Court of India have intervened a number of times to protext the environment: Public Trust Precautionary Principle Polluter Pays Principle Liability Principle Sustainable Development Courts have used these principles to order the government to take action on the environment

Economic Policies Environmental “Protection”? Economic policies Environmental Policies Environmental policies Right now, economic policies and environmental policies are in “conflict” Environmental issues need to be made a part of economic growth and development policies

Integrated Environmental Management Policies Policy Focus Industrial Policies Urbanization Policies Policy Focus

Inclusive Growth and Green Economy Preserving the Environment Emerging Challenges for India Pollution Control

Emerging Challenges for India Steering a Rapidly Developing Economy –Macro-economic Issues –Globalisation and International Trade Integrating Poor and Vulnerable Communities –Internal Security and Inclusive Growth –Migration and Trans-boundary Issues Reducing Ecosystems Damage and Climate Change

Emerging Challenges for India POSITIVE STRENGTHs THAT COULD LEAD TO A “GREEN INDIA” Green Economy strategies Global Image and brand name Strong democratic institutions Aware and educated professionals

India is an Enigma! v/s Pressures of economic growth and development Very aware and democratic society How can India balance …

India is an Enigma! v/s Active roles played by non-state actors, including legal courts Government as a key policy maker How can India balance …

India is an Enigma! v/s Active roles played by non-state actors, including legal courts Government as a key policy maker How can India balance …

India is an Enigma! v/s Pressure from huge population Genuine efforts to protect the environment How can India balance …

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