In Short : The government informed Parliament that it is actively implementing measures to boost climate resilience and pollution control. Initiatives include the National Clean Air Programme, State Climate Action Plans, and Green Credit Programme. Despite challenges in fund utilisation and enforcement, efforts focus on renewable energy, afforestation, and public participation to meet climate goals and improve environmental quality nationwide.
In Detail : The Government of India stands committed to combating climate change and has launched many schemes and programs to scale up India’s action on both, the adaptation and mitigation. Appropriate measures are being taken under these schemes and programs across many sectors including water, agriculture, forest, energy and enterprise, sustainability mobility and housing, waste management, circular economy, and resource efficiency, etc.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) comprises nine national missions in specific areas of agriculture, energy efficiency, green India, Himalayan eco-system, human health, solar energy, strategic knowledge on climate change, sustainable habitat, and water. Six of its nine missions focus on adaptation for enhancing climate resilience of vulnerable communities. All these missions are institutionalized and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/Departments through various schemes and programs across many sectors including water, health, agriculture, forest and biodiversity, energy, housing, etc.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have been launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to improve air quality in 130 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States/Union Territories. It is multi-sectoral initiative involving the coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and other stakeholders. Performance linked grant of Rs. 13,036.52 crore has been provided to 130 cities for implementation of air quality improvement measures under NCAP.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed high pollution potential industries and common waste treatment facilities to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for strengthening monitoring mechanism and effective compliance through self-regulatory mechanism and constant vigil on pollution levels. Real-time values of environmental pollutants of trade effluent and emissions generated through OCEMS are transmitted online to CPCB and concerned SPCB/PCC on 24 X 7 basis. In case of pollutant, parameter exceeds prescribed environmental norms, an automatic SMS alert is generated and sent to industrial unit, SPCB and CPCB, and so that corrective measures can be taken by the industry immediately and appropriate action can be taken by concerned SPCB/PCC/CPCB.
CPCB has issued directions to all the concerned departments in the States for management of sewage and waste water in accordance with the provisions notified under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and for ensuring proper operation of existing STPs, Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and industrial pollution control, under Section 18 (1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as well as under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
CPCB in association with State Pollution Control Board / Pollution Control Committee (SPCBs / PCCs) has established a National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWMP) for assessment of water quality of aquatic bodies in the country. At present, CPCB has Nationwide Water Quality Network comprising 4736 locations spread in 28 States and 7 Union Territories across the country. Distribution of monitoring network includes 2155 locations on rivers, 909 on stagnant water bodies, 1233 on Groundwater, 227 Marine locations and 212 on other water bodies (drains, canals, Water Treatment Plant (WTPs) & Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)). CPCB has identified 311 Polluted River Stretches (PRS) on 279 rivers in the country based on the levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in rivers. For rejuvenation of Polluted River Stretches (PRS), action plans have been prepared by River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) constituted by the respective State Government/ UT Administration.
“Indicative Guidelines for Restoration of Water Bodies” have been issued by CPCB in June 2019 as a guidance to the stakeholders for ensuring restoration/ rejuvenation of water bodies and including all the SPCBs/PCCs.
As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the local authorities and panchayats are mandated to involve communities in waste management and promotion of home composting, bio-gas generation, decentralised processing of waste at community level subject to control of odour and maintenance of hygienic conditions around the facility. The rules also mandate local bodies to create public awareness through information, education and communication campaign and educate the waste generators inter alia on practice home composting, vermi-composting, bio-gas generation or community level composting.
On ‘World Environment Day’ celebrated on 5th June, 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (# Plant4Mother)’, exhorting people to plant trees as a mark of love and respect for one’s own Mother and for protecting and preserving the Mother Earth. Total of 1.64 billion trees have been planted since the launch of this campaign.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
