Environment & Forests

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is primarily concerned with the implementation
of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country’s natural resources
including lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of its
animals and prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these policies
and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and
enhancement of human well-being. The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the
country for the United Nations Environment Programme (External website that opens in a
new window)(UNEP), South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (External
website that opens in a new window) (SACEP), International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (External website that opens in a new window) (ICIMOD) and
for the follow-up of the United Nations’ Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED). The Ministry is also entrusted with the issues relating to multilateral bodies
such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (External website that opens in a
new window) (CSD), Global Environment Facility (External website that opens in a new
window) (GEF) and of regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and
Pacific (External website that opens in a new window) (ESCAP) and South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (External website that opens in a new window)
(SAARC) on matters pertaining to environment.

The main objectives of Ministry are conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forest and
wildlife, prevention and control of pollution, afforestation and regeneration of degraded
areas, protection of environment and ensuring the welfare of animals. These objectives
are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures aimed at the reservation
and protection of environment. Beside these legislative measures, a National
Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992 (85
KB) (PDF file that opens in a new window) ; National River Policy-1988, a Policy
Statement on Abatement of Pollution-1992, and National Environment Policy-2006
(External website that opens in a new window) have also been evolved. These objectives
are sought to be fulfilled through environmental impact assessment, eco-regeneration,
assistance to organisations implementing environmental and forestry research, education
and training, dissemination of environmental information and international cooperation
and creation of environmental awareness.

General Overview
 The primary concerns of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (External website that
opens in a new window) under the Government structure and Implementation of policies
and programmes relating to conservation of the country’s natural resources including
lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals and
prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these polices and
programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and
enhancement of human well-being. The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the
country for the United Nations Environment Programme (External website that opens in a
new window) (UNEP), south Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP),
International Centre for integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for the follow-
up of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The
Ministry is also entrusted with the issues relating to multilateral bodies such as the
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF)
and of regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP)
and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) on matters pertaining
to environment.

The broad objectives of the Ministry are:

• Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife.

• Prevention and control of pollution.
• Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas.
• Protection of the environment and
• Ensuring the welfare of animals.

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures,
aimed at the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment. Besides the
legislative measures, a Natural Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on
Environment and Development, 1992, National Forest Policy. 1988, a Policy Statement
on Abatement of Pollution, 1992 and a National Environment Policy 2006 have also been
evolved.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 31-03-2009

Policies and Plans

Indian Government, at all levels, announces Policies and Plans from time to time. In this
section, we have attempted to provide you with easy and single point access to
information about several policies and schemes of the Government

Foreword
Hazardous wastes generated by the industries are required to be managed as per the Foreword Team Contents
Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, as amended. About 4.4% Annexure- I
of hazardous waste generated in the country is of the nature, which has to be
incinerated. Besides, segregated organic residues, highly concentrated effluents such
as mother liquors and toxic effluents not feasible for physico-chemical, biological
treatment also require proper disposal through incineration.
Hierarchy of options in hazardous waste management, in sequence, is to switchover to cleaner technologies, cleaner production
options and exploring the potential for re-using, recycling, recovering, renovation before sending to incineration and secured land
filling.

Common incineration facilities are now in operation in the country. Incineration of hazardous waste from many industries is a task
that requires comprehensive knowledge & skill in respect of chemistry, thermal engineering and environmental engineering.
Therefore, the Central Pollution Control Board studied the common incineration facilities and formulated guidelines for proper
design, operation and to meet the standards. While framing the guidelines, CPCB considered the preliminary draft prepared by the
Committee constituted by the Chairman, CPCB, technology & operation of Indigenous incineration facilities and experiences of
European incineration facilities. I take this opportunity to register the sincere efforts made by Er. N.K. Verma and Er. N. Sateesh
Babu in bringing out the guidelines with the association of GTZ-ASEM experts, in particular, Prof. Thomas Kolb, Karlsruhe
University, Germany.

I understand this publication will be highly useful for the existing common incineration facilities, for those planning to set-up new
facilities, regulatory officers and all others concerned to the pollution control and hazardous waste management in the country.
(V. Rajagopalan)
Chairman

Ministry of Environment and Forests

This section provides important links on the Ministry of Environment and Forests sector.
Below is a selection of links to various departments as well as links to important
government wide programs or initiatives.

Ministry of Environment and Forests (External website

that opens in a new window)
Subordinate Offices

• Botanical Survey of India (BSI) - External website that opens in a new window
• Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) - External website that opens in
a new window
• National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) - External website that opens in a
new window
• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) - External website that opens in a new window

Autonomous Bodies

• C. P. Ramaswamy Ayar Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC) - External

website that opens in a new window
• Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development
(GBPIHED) - External website that opens in a new window
• Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) - External website that opens in a
new window
• Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI)
• Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and NaturalHistory (SACON) - External
website that opens in a new window
 • Wildlife Institute of India (WII) - External website that opens in a new window

Divisions/Units/Wings/Branches...

• Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) - External website that opens in a new
window
• Environmental Information System (ENVIS), Gujarat - External website that
opens in a new window
• Environmental Information System (ENVIS), Tamil Nadu - External website that
opens in a new window
• Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) - External website that
opens in a new window
• Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST) - External website that opens
in a new window
• Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh - External website that opens in a new
window
• Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala - External website that opens in a new window
• Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI) - External website that opens in a new
window

Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002

1. Wildlife and forests shall be declared priority

sector at the national level for which funds should be
earmarked.
2. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that
those engaged in poaching, illicit trade in wildlife and
wildlife products, destruction of their habitat, and such
other illegal activities are given quick and deterrent
punishment.
3. We should fully tap the potential in wildlife
tourism and at the same time take care that it does
not have adverse impact in wildlife and protected
areas. The revenue earned from increased tourism
should be used entirely to augment available
resources for conservation.
4. Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living
around protected areas should be handled with
sensitivity and with maximum participation of the
affected people. They should have access to the
minor forest produce, in the forest outside of national
parks and sanctuaries .Employment and means
generation for these people is crucial for maintaining
symbiosis between the forests, wildlife and the
people. People should be encouraged to take up
afforestation and conservation in new areas.
5. While strengthening protective measures
against traditional threats to wildlife, we should also
respond to newer threats such as toxic chemicals and
pesticides.
6. There should be greater governmental as well
as societal recognition and support for the many non-
governmental organisations engaged in wildlife
conservation. Mainstream media to better highlight
their activities as also successes of governmental
initiatives that have worked.
7. Creatively produced Television Programmes on
wildlife and ecology are widely appreciated by young
and old as seen from the popularity of dedicated T.V.
channels like , Discovery, National Geographic and
Animal Planet. It is proposed that Prasar Bharati and
our private channels alongwith with agencies like
WWF for Nature should collaborate and increase
original Indian content in different languages on our
television.
8. No diversion of forest land for non-forest
purposes from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife
habitat shall be allowed.
9. Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of
National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as
eco-fragile zones under section 3(v) of the
Environment ( Protection ) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule
5(viii) & (x) of the Environment ( Protection ) Rules.
10. Removal of encroachments and illegal activities
from within forest lands and Protected Areas.
11. No commercial mono-culture to replace natural
forests.
12. The settlement of rights in National Parks and
Sanctuaries should not be used to exclude or reduce
the areas that are crucial and integral part of the
wildlife habitat.
13. More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline
staff of Protected Areas shall be filled immediately
and provided basic infrastructure for efficient
discharge of duties. Ban on recruitment of staff
against vacant post should be lifted on lines with the
Police Department. Innovative initiative such as
redeployment of surplus employees in other
departments, hiring local people on voluntary or
honorarium basis, raising donations from business
houses and other members of the public in return for
a greater role for them in implementing programmes
need to be explored.
14. Every protected area should be managed by
forest officers trained in wildlife management.
15. Mitigation measures for human-animal conflict
and mechanism for crop insurance as also
expeditious disbursements of ex-gratia payments,
should be instituted by States.
16. Forest Commission should be set-up to look
into restructuring, reform and strengthening the entire
forest set up and affiliated institutions in the country.
17. A working group shall be constituted to monitor
implementation of Wildlife Action Plan.
18. Most importantly let us all resolve that we
should end the relative neglect of wildlife conservation
in recent years. To begin with Board should meet
more often. Wildlife conservation is too important a
task to be treated