The following are the various programs, initiatives, draft acts and policies of Environment & Forest Ministry:
India
Launches Major New Study For Valuation Of Its Natural Capital And Ecosystem
Services
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has
initiated a major new programme to value the immense wealth of natural
resources and biodiversity in India. Collaborating with The Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study, the Ministry has begun the process of
valuating its natural capital and ecosystem services in terms of economic
value.
India
participates in the 10th CoP of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
India made impressive presence in the 10th
Conference of Parties of Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals Held at Bergen, Norway during November 20-25,2011: Nominated as Member
of the Standing Committee of CMS.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve
terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is
an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations
Environment Programme, concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats
on a global scale.
Minister
inaugurates the first Indian Forest Congress, 2011
Mrs. Jayanthi Natarajan appealed for more scientific
analysis of the issues relating to forest management in the country in the
midst of ever increasing pressure on the forests and climate change threat.
Inaugurating the first Indian Forest Congress,2011 in New Delhi today, she urged
for developing reliable data at the state level on forest biomass, increment,
Non-timber Forest Products, Eco-tourism, etc.
Draft
Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011
The MoEF has notified the new Draft Bio-Medical
Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 to replace the earlier Rules (1998) and the amendments
thereof. The darft Rules are notified for information of the public and
suggestions and comments are invited within 60 days.
Draft
Animal Welfare Act 2011
The importance that India accords to the protection
of animals and their rights is reflected in the fact that the Constitution of
the nation recognizes the need for their protection. Article 51A (g) enshrines
and casts upon every citizen of India, the duty to have compassion for all
living creatures, as a Fundamental Duty. In keeping with this commitment, India
was also one of the first countries to enact a law on the subject of animal
cruelty being the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
India has one of the most comprehensive laws on the
subject of Wildlife Protection but unfortunately domesticated animals do not
enjoy specific protections under the same.
There is therefore a need for a comprehensive and
holistic legislation to address this issue. Acknowledging this need, the
Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests, gave a categorical assurance on
the floor of the Lok Sabha on August 11th, 2010 that the Ministry would enact a
law titled the Animal Welfare Act that would provide, among other things, for
steeper penalties for animal cruelty.
This law intends to modify the approach of our
authorities in dealing with animal protection by moving from a defensive
position to a positive, welfare and wellbeing oriented approach through the
Draft Animal Welfare Act, 2011. Some of the salient features of the draft
enactment are:
- Augmenting animal welfare and wellbeing ;
- Strengthening animal welfare organizations, and conscientious citizens who wish to espouse the cause of animal welfare and wellbeing ;
- Enhancing penalties for animal abuse ;
- Altering and enlarging the definition of animal abuse, in keeping with the times, and in keeping with judicial pronouncements.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960,
shall stand repealed when this Act comes into force, but all actions already
taken under the same, and Rules and Regulations already framed, shall be saved
to the extent and in the manner indicated in the Draft Animal Welfare Act,
2011.
SICOM
and MSSRF join hands for Vedaranyam, sign MoU
On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the “Salt
Satyagraha”, the Ministry of Environment and Forests initiated the conservation
and development of Vedaranyam Coastal Zone project based on Gandhian
Principles. The above project is being undertaken by Society of Integrated Coastal
Management (SICOM) under the World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management
project. This project would be implemented by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF), Chennai under the Chairmanship of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.
The above project includes, restoration and
conservation of the coastal resources, promote scientific management of land
and water resources and promote community based joint management and
implementation of the coastal zone management programme.
Under the project the Vedaranyam swamp which has a
vast mangrove, salt marsh and migratory bird population will be restored,
income generating activities for the local communities would be taken up. The
project was officially announced on 26th December, 2010. The Memorandum of
Understanding was signed between Society.
Report
on the All India Tiger Estimation (2010) and MEE of Tiger Reserves
28th
July, 2011, New Delhi, India: The detailed report on the All India Tiger
Estimation (2010) along with the outcome of Management Effectiveness Evaluation
(MEE) of Tiger Reserves were released today.
(i) Detailed
report on the All India Tiger Estimation (2010)
A
detailed report on the 2010 assessment relating to status of tigers,
co-predators and their prey is a sequel to the outcome released in March this
year. This study reports a countrywide increase of 20% in tiger numbers in 2010
with an estimated number of 1706 (1520-1909).
The
2006 estimation was 1411 (1165 – 1657) tigers. This country level assessment is
done once in every four years, and is a collaborative initiative between the
NTCA, WII, tiger States and outside expertise. There is a decline of 12.6% in
tiger occupancy from connecting habitats.
This
has happened in peripheral and dispersal areas having low densities outside
tiger reserves and tiger source populations. The increase in tiger numbers is
due to the fact that tiger populations in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
and Karnataka have shown an increase in tiger density. The inclusion of
Sunderbans, some portions of North East and parts of Maharashtra have also
contributed to the increase. The methodology consisted of a double sampling
approach – Phase I by Forest departments generate indices of abundance, Phase II
– Remotely sensed information on landscape characteristics in a GIS, Phase III
– research biologists sample areas with remote cameras and modern technology to
determine tiger abundance. There has been an unprecedented effort of about
477,000 man days by forest staff, and 37,000 man days by professional
biologists. A total effort of 81,409 trap nights yielded photo-captures of 635
unique tiger from a total camera trapped area of 11,192 km2 over 29 sites.
Tiger
occupied forests in India were classified into 6 landscape complexes: (a)
Shivalik Hills and the Gangetic Plain, (b) Central India (c) Eastern Ghats, (d)
Western Ghats, (e) North-Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, and (f)
Sunderbans.
The
report is not about tiger numbers alone and gives invaluable information on
connectivity, corridors and habitats.
(ii) Management
Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserve
The
MEE report contains the second round of independent assessment based on refined
criteria done in 2010-11 for 39 tiger reserves. This assessment is based on the
globally used framework, as adapted to Indian conditions. Five independent
teams conducted the evaluation using 30 indicators. The framework consists of 6
elements: context, planning, inputs, process, outputs and outcomes.
The
39 tiger reserves were grouped in same landscape clusters as done in tiger
estimation. An additional category comprising of tigers in ‘red corridor’ has
been included, besides a separate category for reserves where tigers have gone
locally extinct. Out of 39 tiger reserves, 15 were rated as ‘very good’, 12 as
‘good’, 8 as ‘satisfactory’ and 4 as ‘poor’.
28
tiger reserves were compared with the MEE ratings of 2005-06. It is inferred
that the ‘very good’ category increased by 4%, ‘good’ category increased by 3%
and ‘satisfactory’ decreased by 7%.
Extensive
Study carried using satellite-based inventory and monitoring methods on ‘Snow
and glaciers of the Himalayas’. Clickhere to View Full Report>>
Minister
reviews plan for strengthening the Indian Forest Service- 30th June
2011
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) came into being in
1966, to manage, conserve and develop the forest and wildlife resources of the
country. However, a lack of long-term planning on annual recruitment, skill
building and training in the past has been a cause for concern.
A five-member committee constituted by the Ministry
in 2010, headed by Shri J.C.Kala, Former DG Forests, undertook an exercise to
draw up a comprehensive recruitment plan for the next 20 years. The report of
the Committee is available on the Ministry’s website.
Highlights
Of 4th National Report Submitted To Unccd Secretariat – 20th June
2011
· About 69 percent of India is dry land – arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid
o These areas are heavily populated
o Degradation has severe implications for livelihood and food security for millions of people living in these areas
· An estimated 32 percent of India’s total land area is affected by land degradation (of which desertification is a major component)
· 81.45 million hectares, or 24.8 percent of the country’s geographic area is undergoing desertification
· Water and soil erosion are major causes of land degradation; water erosion is most prominent in agricultural regions
· The key anthropogenic factors resulting in degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices; diversion of land to development programmes; industrial effluents; mining and deforestation
· Unsustainable resource management practices drive desertification, and accentuate the poverty of people affected by desertification
· Land rehabilitation has been a major priority since Independence, and several policies and government agencies address desertification and degradation.
· About 69 percent of India is dry land – arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid
o These areas are heavily populated
o Degradation has severe implications for livelihood and food security for millions of people living in these areas
· An estimated 32 percent of India’s total land area is affected by land degradation (of which desertification is a major component)
· 81.45 million hectares, or 24.8 percent of the country’s geographic area is undergoing desertification
· Water and soil erosion are major causes of land degradation; water erosion is most prominent in agricultural regions
· The key anthropogenic factors resulting in degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices; diversion of land to development programmes; industrial effluents; mining and deforestation
· Unsustainable resource management practices drive desertification, and accentuate the poverty of people affected by desertification
· Land rehabilitation has been a major priority since Independence, and several policies and government agencies address desertification and degradation.
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