sign in sign up
<<
Home , Air pollution, Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, Water privatization

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated -09-2019

Volume- 31

Green Files

September 2019

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AUDIT AND JAIPUR

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

GREEN FILES

(Newsletter on Environment Audit and Sustainable Development issues)

EDITORIAL Green Files, a quarterly newsletter published by iCED features glimpses of recent environment news, events, publications, persons and environment projects in focus. Emerging trends, innovation, initiatives and efforts of different organizations to protect the environment also find reflection in this newsletter. During the quarter July-September 2019, iCED organized five National Training Programmes (NTPs) on subject such as “Audit of Forestry and issues”, Audit of Air and Environmental issues associated with and sectors”, “Audit of ”, Audit of Pollution and Conservation of Lakes, Rivers and other Wetlands” and “Audit of and Other Extractive Industries”.

A six day Training Programme on Environment Audit for IA&AS Officer Trainees (OTs) of 2018 Batch was also held from 08 – 13 July, 2019 at iCED, Jaipur.

Apart from world environment news and brief about the High Level Political Forum meeting held in 2019, this newsletter also features three articles on Meeting ’s Bonn Pledge, Green Initiatives undertaken by Tarun Bharat Sangh and Making Water and a part of the Nation’s economic development.

We at iCED, look forward to your suggestions to make Green Files more useful and appealing. Contributions in any form within the broad scope of the newsletter are encouraged. These may be mailed to [email protected]

With regards,

Manish Kumar Director General, iCED

1

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

CONTENTS EDITORIAL...... 1 I. iCED News ...... 3 II. ASOSAI/ INTOSAI News ...... 3 III. State in Focus: Andaman & Nicobar Islands ...... 4 IV. Environmental News ...... 5 V. International Event: High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2019) ...... 9 VI. Critical discussion of Rules/Laws: Coastal Regulation Zone Notification ...... 10 VII. National Audit Report: Performance Audit of Pollution by Industries, West Bengal (Report No. 5 of the year 2018) ...... 11 VIII. National Audit Report: Performance Audit of Preparedness for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals [Union government (Civil), Report no. 8 of 2019] ...... 14 IX. International Audit Report: Combating desertification in the EU: A growing threat in need of more action ...... 17 X. Meeting India’s Bonn Pledge ...... 18 XI. Article: Green Initiatives undertaken by Tarun Bharat Sangh ...... 19 XII. Making Water and Sanitation a part of the Nation’s economic development ...... 19

2

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated -09-2019

increasing vegetation and conservation of I. iCED News biodiversity in the hot arid of Rajasthan. Five National Training Programmes (NTPs) were Participants interacted with volunteers of Jheel conducted during July-September 2019 on Sanrakshan Samiti, an NGO actively working for following topics: conservation and cleaning of lakes of Udaipur to Programme Duration understand the role of civil society organizations i. Audit of Forestry and Biodiversity 22 – 26 July,

in conservation of lakes. issues 2019 ii. Audit of and 05 – 09 Two training programmes for teams assigned with Environmental issues associated August, 2019 with Transport and Energy Sectors audits of UNPKO, UNICEF and UNOPS iii. Audit of Waste Management 19 – 23 including remote access support to the teams August, 2019 conducting remote audit were also organised. iv. Audit of and 26 – 30 Conservation of Lakes, Rivers and August, 2019  Ajit Singh Choudhary other Wetlands v. Audit of Mining and Other 16 – 20 Extractive Industries September, II. ASOSAI/ INTOSAI News 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between Six day Training Programme on Environment INTOSAI and UNODC1 Audit for 25 IA&AS Officer Trainees (OTs) of INTOSAI Chair and the Executive Director, 2018 Batch (including 2 officers from Royal United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Audit Authority, Bhutan) was also conducted (UNODC) signed a Memorandum of from 08 – 13 July, 2019. Understanding (MoU) on 30 July 2019 in Vienna recognising INTOSAI as a fundamental partner to the UNODC to oversee the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

INTOSAI has a significant track record in respect of anti-corruption. The MoU provides INTOSAI a greater opportunity for its expertise to be utilized IA&AS OTs with Director General, iCED to contribute to the effective improvement in anti- As part of this training, a study tour to Arid corruption practices. The MoU would also Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur was organised provide an opportunity to open the dialogue with to provide exposure to the participants to scientific the anti-corruption authorities and the UNODC. research activities undertaken by the institute for

1 https://www.intosai.org/news/mou-odc

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

INTOSAI WGEA Assembly Meeting of these islands (about 550) are in the Andaman Group, 28 of which are inhabited. The 19th INTOSAI WGEA Assembly Meeting, was held from 6-9 August, 2019 in , The smaller Nicobars comprise some 22 main . One-day training on Greening the SAIs islands (10 inhabited). A&N island are separated was also organized by the European Court of by the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Km Auditors and the National Audit Office of Estonia wide2. prior to the meeting. Population (2011 Census) Population Male Female Total Panel discussion and WGEA Project presentations on the themes “Sustainable Andaman & 202871 177710 380581 Development Goals” and “Role of IT to accelerate Nicobar Islands the SDGs” was held on 7th August 2019. A presentation on 2017 - 2019 project “Output of Forests3 Training tool in Environmental Data” was made A&N islands have a geographical area of 8249 sq. by SAI India. SAI India also made presentation km, out of which an area of 7171 sq km (87%) is about iCED, Global Training Facility at Jaipur, notified as forest. Out of the total forest area, 70% Rajasthan. Output of INTOSAI WGEA Work is totally protected area. A net decrease of 9 sq km Plan 2017-2019 and the 2020-2022 Work Plan in in 2017 as compared to 2015 is was also discussed during the meeting. mainly due to developmental activities4.  Manoj Kumar Flora5 The South Andaman have a profuse

III. State in Focus: Andaman & Nicobar growth of epiphytic vegetation, mostly ferns and Islands orchids. The Middle Andamans harbours mostly The Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, moist deciduous forests. North Andamans is located in the east of the Indian mainland, float characterised by the wet evergreen type, with in splendid isolation in the Bay of Bengal. Once plenty of woody climbers. a hill range extending from to The north Nicobar Islands (including Nicobar Indonesia, these picturesque undulating islands and Battimalv) are marked by the complete & islets numbering around 572, are covered with absence of evergreen forests, while such forests dense -fed, damp and evergreen forests and form the dominant vegetation in the central and endless varieties of exotic flora and fauna. Most southern islands of the Nicobar group. Grasslands occur only in the Nicobars. While deciduous

2https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/html/andamans.html 4 http://fsi.nic.in/isfr2017/andaman-nocobar-island-isfr-2017.pdf 3 http://ls1.and.nic.in/doef/WebPages/History.html 5 http://www.and.nic.in/andaman/#floral

4

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

forests are common in the Andamans, they are There are 96 Sanctuaries, 9 National almost absent in the Nicobars. Andaman forest is Parks and one Reserve. abound in timber species numbering 200 or more. Environmental Concerns: Wildlife6 Sustainable Tourism Nature has endowed these islands with a unique A&N islands are famous for being one of the most and varied both on as well as in visited tourist destinations. Swaraj Dweep, or sea. Large mammals are absent in A&N islands. Havelock Island, is perhaps the most visited part Geographic isolation of these islands has resulted of this archipelago. in high degree of endemism. The island is struggling with the growing burden Mammals: Out of 55 terrestrial and 7 marine of managing waste7. It has been a challenge as mammal species reported so far, 32 species are there is limited space for landfilling, a high tourist endemic. influx or floating populations, several sources of Birds: As many as 246 species and sub species of waste, and limited options for . birds inhabit these islands. As tourism is among the primary sources of Reptiles: There are 76 terrestrial reptiles, of these income for most local inhabitants and the beauty 24 species are endemic. of the island’s is the main Marine: These islands harbor more than 1200 attraction for visiting travelers, it is important that species of fish, 350 species of echinoderms, 1000 urgent steps may be taken to make ensure that the species of molluscs and many more lower forms tourism is ecologically sustainable. of life. So far 179 species of corals have been  Virendra Jakhar reported. Coral reefs are important breeding and nursery ground for fish and many other organisms IV. ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS and have been aptly called "tropical rain forests in Composite Water Management Index the sea." (CWMI), NITI Aayog8 Exotics: A number of animal species have been The National Institution for Transforming India introduced in the forests of these islands from time (NITI) Aayog has developed the Composite to time like cheetal or the spotted deer, five striped Water Management Index (CWMI) to enable palm squire, hog deer, barking deer, leopard, effective water management in Indian states. The elephant, common mynah, house sparrow, grey Index comprises nine themes (each having an patridge, peafowl, giant snail etc. attached weight) covering and restoration, major and medium

6 http://ls1.and.nic.in/doef/WebPages/wildlife.html 8https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2019-08/CWMI-2.0-latest.pdf 7 https://thebastion.co.in/politics-and/environment/swaraj-dweep-is-now- waste-deep-the-dirty-side-of-tourism-in-the-an-islands/

5

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

, watershed development, participatory (DDW&S), Ministry of Jal Shakti 12 for water irrigation management, on-farm water use, rural conservation and water security. As part of this and urban , and policy and initiative, officers from the central government governance. The themes are further sub-divided visited and worked with district administration in into 28 indicators. The Index is expected to: 1592 water stressed blocks in 256 districts 13 to (1) Establish a clear baseline and benchmark for ensure five important state-level performance on key water indicators9; interventions: (2) Uncover and explain how states have  Development of Block and District Water progressed on water issues; and Conservation Plans (To be integrated with (3) Identify areas for deeper engagement and the District Irrigation Plans). investment on the part of the states.  Krishi Vigyan Kendra Melas to promote Eventually, NITI Aayog plans to develop the efficient water use for irrigation (Per Crop Index into a composite, national-level data More Drop), and better choice of crops, for management platform for all water in water conservation. India.  In urban areas, plans/approvals with time Report also documented state success stories bound targets to be developed for waste (participatory and decentralized rural water water reuse for horticulture and agriculture management) such as Mukhya Mantri Jal purposes. Municipalities to pass by-laws Swavlambhan Abhiyan (MJSA), Rajasthan; for the separation of grey water and black Neeru-Chettu Programme, Andhra Pradesh; water , Maharashtra; Mission  Scientists and IITs will be mobilized at the Kakatiya, Telangana; Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, national level to support the teams. Gujarat; Kapil Dhara Yojana, Madhya Pradesh;  3D village contour maps may be created Pani Bachao Paise Kamao, Punjab and Jakhni and made accessible for efficient planning Village, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh. of interventions. 10 Jal Shakti Abhiyan for Water Conservation All India Tiger Estimation – 201814 11 Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a collaborative effort of On the occasion of International Tiger’s Day, various Ministries of the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the State Governments, coordinated by the results of the fourth cycle of All India Tiger Department of and Sanitation Estimation – 2018 and report of the 4th cycle of

9 https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2019-08/CWMI-2.0-latest.pdf 13 Districts with critical or over-exploited groundwater level as per the 10https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1576574 Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) 2017. For other districts, those with 11https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1581206 the least availability of groundwater in comparison to the rest of districts in 12 https://jalshakti.wordpress.com/jal-shakti-abhiyan/ the State, had been selected. 14https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1580622)

6

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Young (E&Y) to evaluate Indian states based on Tiger Reserves (MEETR). their attractiveness for rooftop solar development. The count of tigers in India has risen from 2226 in SARAL currently captures five key aspects: – 2014 to 2967 in 2018 15, highest ever recorded  Robustness of policy framework between two cycles. India is today among the  Implementation environment  Investment biggest and most secure habitats with almost 3000  Consumer experience tigers. Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of  Business tigers at 526, closely followed by Karnataka at State of Karnataka has been placed at the first rank 524 and Uttarakhand with 442 tigers. in the Index followed by Telangana, Gujarat and Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh scored Andhra Pradesh. highest in evaluation. 42% of the tiger reserves SARAL would incentivize rooftop solar, fell in the ‘Very Good’ management category, encourage states to adopt the best practices, 34% in the Good category, 24% in the ‘Fair’ encourage each state to assess the initiatives taken category while no tiger reserve was rated ‘Poor’. so far, channelize investments that can eventually India achieved its commitment to the St. help in accelerated growth of the sector. Petersburg Declaration of doubling Tiger MNRE has set a target of 175 GW of renewable population much in advance to the 2022 deadline. energy capacity by 2022, of which 100 GW solar Data was collected using an Android based power is to be operational by March 2022 and 40 application- M-STRIPES (Monitoring system for GW is expected to come from grid connected Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological solar rooftops. Status) and analyzed on the applications desktop To achieve rooftop solar targets, it is important to module. develop an ecosystem that ensures information State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index symmetry, access to financing and clear 16 (SARAL) signals. Ministry of New and (MNRE) Development of Indian beaches as per ‘Blue has developed the State Rooftop Solar Flag’ Certification17 Attractiveness Index (SARAL) in collaboration The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate with Shakti Foundation Change has decided to identify beaches for the (SSEF), Associated Chambers of Commerce and purpose of Blue Flag Certification 18 for Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & conservation and protection. Shivrajpur

15https://projecttiger.nic.in/WriteReadData/PublicationFile/Tiger%20Statu 18 https://www.blueflag.global/ : To achieve the internationally recognised s%20Report_XPS220719032%20%20new%20layout(1).pdf highest standard for the purpose of beach management, planning and 16https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1582543) execution of projects for infrastructure development, cleanliness, safety 17 http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/S.O.-2502E-DATED- and security services. 12.07.2019-NOTIFICATION-FOR-BLUE-FLAG-CERTIFICATION.pdf

7

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

(Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat), Bhogave contains tools that strengthen the ability of (Sindhudurg, Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu, countries to anticipate and prepare for Daman and Diu), Miramar (Panjim, Goa), effectively and mitigate their impacts as well as Kasarkod (Karwar, Karnataka), Padubidri (Udpi, enable communities to anticipate and find land Karnataka), Kappad (Kozhikode, Kerala), Eden management tools which may help them to build (Puducherry), Mahabalipuram (Kanchipuram, resilience to drought. Tamil Nadu), Rushikonda (Vishakhapatnam, NITI Aayog Compendium on localizing Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Puri, Odisha), and SDGs23 Radhanagar (Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar) NITI Aayog and the UN India joined hands to beaches have been identified for Blue Flag prepare a compendium of early lessons in Certification. localization of SDGs in collaboration with States Conference of Parties to the UN Convention to and UTs. It presents an analysis of various Combat Desertification (UNCCD)19 initiatives related to SDG localisation such as, 14th Conference of Parties (COP 14) to the UN institutional mechanisms to facilitate whole-of- Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) government approaches, SDG-oriented was held at Greater Noida from 02-13 September, budgeting, capacity building and advocacy, data 2019. Discussion 20 were held on land and analytics for progress monitoring and management, restoration of degraded land, approaches to promote inclusion. drought, , renewable energy, SDG India Index Baseline Report24 developed in women empowerment, gender equality, water December 2018 ranked the States and UTs, scarcity and various other issues. In an showing wide disparities across States and unprecedented global campaign to save reiterates the importance of localised approaches productive land21, country parties agreed to make and an accompanying Dashboard25. This Index the Sustainable Development Goal target of provides the first holistic strategy to measure achieving neutrality by 2030 a progress on socio-economic and environmental national target for action. parameters of development and is also expected to The event highlighted the different causes of keep a real time watch on the trajectory of drought and also saw launch of a toolbox22. The progress. toolbox is a sort of knowledge bank which

19https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1585020 http://catalogue.unccd.int/1202Land%20in%20numbers_2%20new- 20 Full text of the declaration and summary of other key meetings web.pdf. during COP14 is available by clicking link 22 https://knowledge.unccd.int/drought-toolbox http://164.100.117.97/WriteReadData/userfiles/ICCD_COP(14)_L.9- 23https://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/LSDGs_July_8_Web.pdf 1915606E.pdf. 24http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/SDX_Index_India_21.12.2018.pdf 21 Land in Numbers 2019: Risks and opportunities can be downloaded 25 https://sdgindiaindex.socialcops.com/YuJbcq9d44/state-ut- from here: ranking/basic#3/23.00/81.26

8

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

The localisation processes spearheaded by the national reviews, of which 7 were presenting for States have thrown interesting results and there the second time. are several early lessons that need to be captured to further nuance the approach to localisation. India’s Cooling Action Plan gets UN applaud on World Day26 India became one of the first countries in the world to launch a comprehensive Cooling Action plan in March, 2019 having a long-term vision to The forum examined progress in the context of the address the cooling requirement across sectors theme “Empowering people and ensuring such as residential and commercial buildings, inclusiveness and equality”. Key messages from cold-chain, refrigeration, transport and industries. the discussion were: The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) lists out (a) A deeper, more ambitious, transformative and actions which can help reduce the cooling demand integrated response is urgently needed to achieve and help in reducing both direct and indirect SDGs. emissions. ICAP has been appreciated internationally as an (b) Pursue new ways of collective action at a much important policy initiative which has the potential swifter pace for overcoming the challenges to end to provide socio-economic and environmental poverty and achieving sustainable development. benefits related to reduced refrigerant use, climate (c) Platforms for cooperation, new partnerships, change mitigation and Sustainable Development more support for teachers and increased Goals (SDGs). investment in universal quality education is

 Vijendra Singh Tanwar imperative. (d) New technologies such as artificial V. International Event: High-level Political Forum on Sustainable intelligence, automation and robotics offer new Development (HLPF 2019) challenges and opportunities in the area of work High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable and economic growth. development under the aegis of the Economic and (e) Effective polices to reduce inequalities Social Council met from 9-18 July, 201927 at the between and within countries require partnerships UN Headquarters, New York. It included the and political will. three-day ministerial segment from 16-18 July, 2019. Total 47 countries presented voluntary

26https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1585227 27 https://undocs.org/en/E/HLPF/2019/8

9

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

(f) Implementation of existing commitments for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate combatting climate change needs to be Change (MOEFCC) notified the Coastal accelerated and the level of ambition raised Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification29, 2018 on substantially. 18 January, 2019 which was last reviewed and

(g) Substantial gaps remain for financing the issued in 2011, with periodic amendments to some Goals. National mobilization is needed, clauses. significant resources can also be mobilized at the Salient features of CRZ Notification, 2018 regional level. ●Easing of Floor Space Index (FSI) Urban Area Norms: In the CRZ, 2018 Notification, it (h) The Goals must be more systematically has been decided to de-freeze the Floor Space incorporated in plans and policies, with a focus on Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and prioritization and the acceleration of progress permit FSI for construction projects to enable through interventions that have potential redevelopment of these areas to meet the multiplier effects. emerging needs.. (i) Investment in data and capacity is needed for ● New Categories for densely populated rural adequate measurements to inform policies that areas: For CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate ensure no one is left behind; categories have now been stipulated as below: (j) Strengthening the role of non-State actors is (a) CRZ-III A –Rural areas with a vital to the achievement of the Goals. population density of 2161 per square kilometer shall have a No Development (k) Young people should be involved in all their Zone (NDZ) of 50 meters from the High diversity in decision-making, shaping policies Tide Line (HTL). from design to implementation, monitoring and (b) CRZ-III B – Rural areas with review. population density below 2161 per square (l) Science can guide Governments in shaping kilometer shall continue to have an NDZ policies that address the interactions among the of 200 meters from the HTL. Goals in a way that will spur positive systemic ● Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to transformations. be promoted: Temporary tourism facilities such  Ajit Singh Choudhary as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc. have now been permitted at VI. Critical discussion of Rules/Laws: Beaches and also in the “No Development Zone” Coastal Regulation Zone Notification28 (NDZ) of the CRZ-III areas. However, a

28https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186875 29 http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2019/195679.pdf

10

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

minimum distance of 10 m from HTL should be ● Enhanced Risk to Inhabitants: Providing maintained for setting up of such facilities. facilities just 50 m from the coastline ● CRZ Clearances streamlined: Only such would expose the inhabitants to severe projects/activities, located in the CRZ-I events, that too without any buffer. (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and CRZ IV (Area ● Increased Coastal Erosion: Erosion factors get covered between Low Tide Line and 12 Nautical exacerbated by activities like land reclamation Miles Seaward) will be required to be cleared by and other structures on the . MOEF&CC. In respect of CRZ-II (Urban) and III ● The controversial land reclamation allowed in (Rural), authority have been delegated at the State intertidal or CRZ-IB areas disregards fragile level. coastal . ● A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters ● Increased pollution levels may to has been stipulated for all Islands: For islands ecological disturbances. close to the mainland coast and for all Backwater ● Government has relied on imagery to Islands in the main land, in wake of space demarcate CRZ categories with little or no limitations and unique geography of such , corroboration on the ground. bringing uniformity in treatment of such regions, ● Non-Empirical Approach: No study is available NDZ of 20 m has been stipulated. to show the carrying capacity of coastal areas to  All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accommodate such increased development or the accorded special importance through projected impact of such a change on the coastal Specific guidelines. communities.

●Pollution abatement has been accorded  Pawan Meena special focus by permitting pollution treatment facilities in CRZ-I B (the area between the Low tide line and High tide line) area subject to VII. National Audit Report: Performance Audit of Pollution by Industries, West necessary safeguards. Bengal (Report No. 5 of the year 2018) Criticisms30 ● Exemption to flagship and strategic projects The rapid industrial expansion in West Bengal has declared by government. given rise to significant pressure on the ● Enhanced Coastal Vulnerabilities due to rising environment. The State contains diverse sea levels. industries31 which contribute significant amounts of pollution.

30https://www.jatinverma.org/critical-analysis-on-coastal-regulation-zone- 31 Like mining, iron and steel, metallurgy, engineering, petroleum, crz/ chemicals and petrochemicals, thermal power , tanneries, cement, paper etc.

11

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

Audit examined the initiatives taken by WBPCB iii) and action plans for prevention, control and monitoring of for prevention of pollution: industrial pollution and Environment Clearance  WBPCB had not prepared Zoning Atlas32 for process of 64 red category industries. Out of 5452, the State. 51 red category industrial units were also  Industrial siting policy 33 was violated with examined in detail. Audit sought to examine heavily polluting industries being set up in whether: municipal areas of Kolkata and critically polluted areas of Durgapur/Asansol/Haldia.  Steps were taken to prevent industrial Further pollution, in compliance with applicable laws . None of the ecologically sensitive areas and rules; were considered in the siting policy.  Measures undertaken to control industrial . Government failed to find suitable land and pollution achieved the desired objective; and prepare a detailed project report for  Monitoring of industrial pollution was relocation of 170 red category units effective to prevent and control industrial identified by WBPCB in May 2015. pollution. iv) Prevention of pollution through cleaner Audit findings technology options: Study reports for A) Prevention of Industrial Pollution promoting cleaner technology options prepared i) Inadequacy of Data for planning pollution by consultants in 2012-13 and 2013-14 prevention: remained to be implemented. o Inventory of industries giving cognizance to v) Functioning of SEIAA34 and SEAC35: The the Pollution Index. Environment Clearance (EC) procedure of o Mismatch in the data between WBPCB and category ‘B’36 projects were hampered due to CPCB. deficiencies in the functioning of State ii) Environment Policy and Sustainable Environment Impact Assessment Authority Development Goals: The Department did not (SEIAA). have any vision/ plan/ policy for the year 2016- vi) Prevention of pollution through the 17 and onwards to co-ordinate the activities of mechanism of ‘Consent to Establish’: the various agencies of the Government to WBPCB was unaware of the industries conserve and protect the environment. operating without Consent to Establish (CTE),

32 Classifies the environment in a District and presents the pollution 34 State Environment Impact Assessment Authority receiving potential of various sites /zones in the District and the possible 35 State Expert Appraisal Committee alternate sites for industries through easy-to-read maps. 36 Red category industries are further divided into ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories. 33 Policy to set up industries in specific areas considering environmental Environment Clearance to ‘B’ category Red Industries are issued by aspects SEIAA

12

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

which had received EC due to non- ii) Air Quality Monitoring in industrial areas maintenance of centralized database of of the state: CPCB approved installation of six industries. Test check revealed that none of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring these industries had furnished prescribed Systems (CAAQMS) in April 2016. documents; however, the CTEs were issued to Subsequently, it was reduced (February 2017) them. it to two, as WBPCB failed to provide suitable B) Control and Abatement of industrial sites. Further, none of the projects had been pollution. initiated as of January 2018. i) Control of pollution through ‘Consent to iii) Monitoring of Industrial Effluents: WBPCB Operate’ process: Audit observed that out of had monitored only 33 per cent of the 131 5,452 Red category industries in the State Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located 2,797 units i.e. 65 per cent, were running on along river Ganga. It was observed that 80 units CTOs which had already expired. had not complied with the discharge standards. ii) Control of Pollution in Critically Polluted iv) Monitoring of : Areas (CPAs) and Severely Polluted Areas  Authorization of 136 Out of 958 hazardous (SPAs): Remedial Action Plans of three CPAs waste generating units had expired. There was (Haldia, Howrah and Asansol) were not a wide gap, between generation and safe implemented. Action plan for the SPA disposal of Hazardous waste. (Durgapur) was yet to be prepared. Analysis of  During audit period, 77 per cent to 66 per cent air quality monitoring reports prepared by the of the hazardous waste was not treated and third party showed that particulate matter (both disposed at the Common Hazardous Waste PM10 and PM2.5) exceeded permissible limits Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility at in all stations in Howrah, Asansol and Haldia. Durgapur. v) Monitoring by WBPCB: Inspection of the red iii) Regular monitoring of 376 seriously polluting category industries were inadequate due to lack units situated on the banks of the River Ganga of infrastructure and manpower. was not carried out. vi) Upgradation and NABL accreditation process iv) Industrial effluents from 54 drainage channels was not initiated for the laboratories except were released into Ganga. Central Laboratory. C) Monitoring of industrial pollution The fallout of deficiencies in the preventive, i) Post-Environment Clearance monitoring by control and monitoring efforts was that West SEIAA: Out of 64 industries which were Bengal remained one of the largest contributors of granted EC, no industry had ever submitted industrial pollution in India compliance reports.

13

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

Audit recommendations: This audit attempted to assess preparedness of the a. Preparation of a comprehensive inventory of Government, in terms of the extent of adaption of industries and siting policy for the State. the 2030 Agenda in the national context; efforts b. A centralised system to flag the industries made for identification and mobilisation of whose CTOs are due or expiring and action resources for implementation, and arrangements against the industries operating without made for monitoring and reporting progress. The consent to encourage deterrence. specific audit objectives were to assess as follows: c. Compliance with EIA Notification 2006 by • Extent of adoption of the 2030 Agenda into SEIAA. national context; d. Setting up required number of monitoring • Identification and securing resources and stations and CETP37. capacities for implementation of SDGs;  Sandeep Pawar • Robustness of procedures to track allocation of resources against targets; VIII. National Audit Report: Performance • Mechanism to monitor, follow-up, review Audit of Preparedness for the and report on the progress; Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals [Union government Entities covered during audit examination (Civil), Report no. 8 of 2019] included the NITI Aayog, Ministry of Statistics

The 70th session of the United Nations (UN) and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), General Assembly held on 25-27 September 2015, Ministry of and Family Welfare adopted the resolution titled ´Transforming our (MoH&FW) and 14 other Ministries38 of GoI. World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Out of the 17 Goals, preparedness with respect Development’ consisting of 17 Sustainable to implementation of ‘Goal 3- Good Health and Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated Well- Being’ was selected for detailed targets. The 2030 Agenda came into effect from examination. To assess preparedness activities January 2016. for implementation of SDGs in the States, The audit was aimed at contributing to the process seven States (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, of follow-up and review by providing an Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West assessment of the Government’s preparedness for Bengal) were selected on the basis of ranking implementation of the SDGs and making suitable of Health indices for 2015-16. recommendations for augmenting preparedness at Audit criteria were derived from the 2030 various levels. Agenda for Sustainable Development;

37 Common Effluent Treatment Processing Industries, Home Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, 38 AYUSH, Commerce and Industry, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Information and Broadcasting, Panchayati Raj, Transport and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, External Affairs, Finance, Highways, Tribal Affairs, Women and Development

14

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

Reference Guidelines to UN Country Teams- measures for improving expenditure efficiency ‘Mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda for and effectiveness. Sustainable Development’ issued by United While it is recognised that projecting financial Nations Development Group and resources for achieving the Targets by 2030 is a instructions/Orders/Circulars/Policy documents challenging task, Ministry of Finance and State issued by the Central/State Governments on Governments are yet to integrate SDG related preparedness for implementation of SDGs. financial resources in national budgeting. Key Findings C) Monitoring and Reporting A) Adapting the 2030 Agenda i) Institutional Arrangements for Monitoring i) Institutional Arrangements and Reporting: NITI Aayog has been identified as nodal agency NITI Aayog is responsible for overseeing for implementation of SDGs and a multi- implementation of SDGs while MoSPI was tasked disciplinary Task Force has been set up to analyse with preparation of the National Indicator and review their implementation. States have also Framework (NIF). States had also taken initiatives identified nodal agencies for SDGs. for establishing required monitoring frameworks. A roadmap is yet to be aligned with defined Delay in approval of NIF held up finalisation of milestones for SDG targets to be achieved in year monitoring and reporting framework on 2020, 2025 and 2030. implementation of SDGs. Initiatives undertaken ii) Reviewing Plans and Adapting SDGs in selected States were still in progress. NITI Aayog, had released “Three Year Action ii) Indicators, Data Availability, Monitoring Agenda” and “Strategy for New India @75” and Reporting: documents broadly mirroring SDGs and carried NIF consisting of 306 indicators and their base out mapping of Goals/Targets. line data have been prepared by MoSPI. NITI Vision document is still under preparation and the Aayog has also released a “SDG India Index: states are yet to prepare policy documents. Baseline Report” containing 62 priority iii) Building Awareness and Stakeholder indicators. Involvement There was no proposal to identify milestones for Efforts to raise public awareness about SDGs and the national indicators. Out of 306 indicators initiatives undertaken in the selected States were included in NIF, data for 137 indicators were not not comprehensive, focussed or sustained. yet available. B) Resource Mobilisation for the2030 Agenda D) Goal 3: Good Health and Well Being i) Financing and Budgeting SDGs: i) Institutional Arrangement for Integrating Government of India has taken several steps to Goal-3: optimise domestic resource mobilisation and

15

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

Mapping in respect of Goal 3 was not In States, health spending as a percentage of total comprehensive in selected States. States expenditure, ranged from 3.29 to 5.32 per ii) Reviewing Plans and Adopting Goal-3: cent which shows that this needs considerable The Three Year Action Agenda and National augmentation. (NHP) promulgated in 2017 also vi) Monitoring for Goal-3: recognize the pivotal importance of SDGs. MoH&FW had set up a working group for Though States had indicated actions to formulate formulating monitoring framework for Goal 3. plans and policies in line with Goal 3, delays and Data for certain health indicators were not absence of a holistic approach were noted. regularly or uniformly available. iii) Promoting Awareness and Stakeholder Audit showed that although GoI has undertaken Involvement: several initiatives both at the Central and State MoH&FW had organised national consultation levels for mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda, there and State Level Conferences on Goal 3. Electronic are aspects in each area, which require attention and Social Media also used for increasing and remedial action. These represent risks for the awareness. achievement of the key objectives of the 2030 Three Ministries39 linked with Goal 3, were not Agenda. Timely and well-coordinated action by involved in national consultation. Specific and all key stakeholders at the Centre and the States, sustained measures for promoting awareness and for remedying the gaps would thus be critical for stakeholder involvement with Goal 3 were not ensuring time bound and effective seen in the States. implementation of the 2030 Agenda in accordance iv) Policy Coherence: with national priorities. Audit recommended: Ministries associated with Goal 3 were not  Finalization of vision document and a represented in Task Force and working comprehensive charter and action plan groups/sub-groups. Policy coherence initiatives  Assessment of requirement and availability of undertaken were either absent or inadequate in financial resources and integration of SDGs States. into the accounting and budgeting framework. v) Resource Mobilisation for Goal-3:  Stepping up public awareness and sensitization NHP envisage to increase the about SDGs. Expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025.  Expanding and strengthening ‘Direct Benefit Similarly, Three Year Action Agenda projects Transfers’ to avoid leakages and to improve central allocation for health sector to Rs. one lakh efficiency in usage of financial resources. crore by 2019-20.

39 AYUSH, Tribal Affairs and Home Affairs.

16

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

 Expediting tasks critical for monitoring and desertification, drought and , and striving to reporting on implementation of SDGs should achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030. be expedited. Audit conducted by European Court of Auditors  Manoj Kumar examined whether the risk of desertification in the EU was being effectively and efficiently IX. International Audit Report: addressed. In particular it was assessed whether: Combating desertification in the EU: A

growing threat in need of more action  The Commission and the Member States had made adequate use of the available data; Desertification means “land degradation in arid,  The EU had taken steps to combat semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from desertification in a coherent way; various factors, including climatic variations and  Projects addressing desertification in the EU activities”. Desertification can bring about had a positive impact; poverty, health problems due to -blown ,  The EU commitment to land degradation and a decline in biodiversity. neutrality by 2030 was likely to be achieved. In , risk of desertification is most serious in Audit was carried out between September 2017 southern Portugal, parts of Spain and southern and May 2018, collecting audit evidence from the Italy, south-eastern Greece, Malta, Cyprus, and following sources: the areas bordering the Black Sea in Bulgaria and  Documentary reviews and interviews. Romania. Studies have reported these areas to be  Visits to five Member States often impacted by erosion, salinization, loss  Visits to a sample of 25 projects (irrigation of soil organic carbon, loss of biodiversity and investments, forestry projects, crop rotation, landslides. The long period of high temperatures dry-stone walls, dykes). and low rainfall in Europe in the of 2018  Meetings with various stakeholders (UNCCD), reminded us of the pressing importance of this the EEA40 and academic experts, to discuss problem. strategic approaches or techniques for SDG 15 aims to “protect, restore and promote addressing and monitoring desertification. sustainable use of terrestrial , Observations: sustainably manage forests, combat  The Commission and Member States collect desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, data relevant to desertification and land halt ”; it includes a target of degradation, but the Commission does not combating desertification, restoring degraded make adequate use of it. land and soil, including land affected by

40 European .

17

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

 There is no agreed methodology for assessing degradation neutrality by 2030. It referred to desertification and land degradation within the study of Germany’s Environment Agency EU, which makes it difficult to compare the highlighting that there was no clear, shared extent of desertification in the different vision in the EU about how land degradation Member States. neutrality will be achieved by 2030.  The EU is taking steps to combat Recommendations: desertification, but with limited coherence and  Establish a methodology and relevant a good long-term plan to mitigate the risk of indicators – starting with the UNCCD’s three poor value-for-money decisions, and to avoid indicators – to assess the extent of fragmented, uncoordinated actions. desertification and land degradation;  No specific legislation on desertification and  Based on agreed methodology, collate and soil exists at EU level like air and water which analyse relevant data. are governed under various EU directives and  Assessing the need to enhance the EU legal regulations. framework for soil  A number of research projects dealing directly  Achieving land degradation neutrality in the or indirectly with desertification, but neither EU by 2030. Member States nor the Commission have  Gaurav Kumar effectively capitalised on the research results to assess the extent of desertification, to build up X. Meeting India’s Bonn Pledge an effective monitoring system, or to develop any related strategy. Introduction: Restoration of forests was initially  No comprehensive data is available on planned defined by a group of 30 scientists in the year 2000 or actual expenditure on projects relevant for as “a planned process that aims to regain desertification at regional, national, or EU ecological integrity and enhance human well- level. There is no data on how many such being in deforested or degraded ” projects exist in the EU. (WWF & IUCN 2000, Mansourian et al, 2005).  Projects’ performance on desertification and Many studies have demonstrated that ecological land degradation was not assessed by Member State authorities. None of the authorities of the Member States had assessed how effective such projects had been in addressing desertification.  The Commission has not assessed progress towards meeting the commitment to land

18

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

restoration provides critical Ecosystem Services41 (ESS). Among many ESS provided, ecological restoration improves soil conditions by retaining and delivering nutrients to plants, affecting nutrient and bio-geochemical cycles (Amazonas Bonn Pledge by India et al., 2011, Greipsson 2011). Assimilation of The Government of India made a Bonn Challenge biomass potentially increases carbon pledge to bring under restoration 13 million sequestration (Shimamoto et al., 2011; Chazdon hectares of degraded land by 2020 and an 2016), affecting the global carbon cycle. It also additional 8 million hectares by 2030. provides other ESS like clean air and water, food India has already brought an area of 9.8 million security, climate change resilience (World hectares under restoration since 2011. Of this, Resources Institute). 94.4 per cent is contributed by government Bonn Pledge: The Bonn Challenge42 is a global agencies, while the surveyed NGOs and private effort to bring 150 million hectares of companies contributed 3.6 and 2 per cent degraded/deforested land into restoration by 2020. respectively. The target was later extended to cover 350 million Forest Restoration in India: Forest and tree hectares by 2030 at the 2014 UN Climate Summit. cover in India is 24.39 The Bonn Challenge is an implementation vehicle per cent of the for national priorities such as boosting geographical area or productivity, improving water and food security, 80.20 million hectares conserving biodiversity and combating (India State of Forest desertification, while facilitating the Report (ISFR) 2017). implementation of existing international India’s restoration commitments including the Aichi Biodiversity activities comprise of Targets, climate change commitments under the Forest cover in India plantation activities, UNFCCC and the Agreement related to forest restoration in watersheds/ wastelands, emissions reduction as well as the Rio+20 land afforestation activities, joint , degradation target. It will create approximately sustainable management of degraded forest areas US$ 84 billion per year in net benefits that could with focus on improvement in livelihoods bring direct additional income opportunities for (Mudappa, D. and Raman, T. R. S. 2010). Land rural communities. area available for restoration is shown below:

41 The benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as food, fuel, clean air, 42 http://www.bonnchallenge.org/content/challenge , and disease control, and the of crops, as well as opportunities for cultural, spiritual and recreational experiences.

19

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

restoration success44 is greater and more certain when contiguous forest cover exceeds 50 per cent (Crouzeilles & Curran 2016). Forest Biodiversity protection: Biomass production: One of the provisioning ESS that restoration of forests provide is the increased production of biomass for industrial uses, homes and for bioenergy. for bioenergy which is a form of renewable energy and commercial uses can be met by biomass, especially through Land available for restoration plantation activities. India produces about 450- 500 MT (million tons) of biomass per year of Recent estimates show that about 40 per cent of which 120-150 MT is used for energy the wasteland /degraded areas43 in the country production45. India is currently the world’s 2nd are available for reforestation (Garg et al., 2011). largest importer of tropical logs. Objectives Recent estimates show that about 40 per cent of Forest Biodiversity Rejuvenation: Restoration the wasteland / degraded areas46 in the country are of forests directly impacts biodiversity and can available for reforestation (Garg et al., 2011). lead to increase biodiversity from 22 to 196 per Indian surplus land could generate 62–310 MT of cent, when compared with biodiversity in a wood annually, after fulfilment of total degraded area (Ren Y et al. 2007). conventional demand of biomass for industrial Challenges: Restoring a landscape purposefully to wood, sawn wood and domestic fuelwood. meet a range of functions requires negotiating According to these metrics, with a target of trade-offs between short and long-term horizons; meeting 8 million metric tons of forest restoration between different spatial scales, notably sites and additionally, India can sequester almost 53 MT of landscapes; decisions on which species will take carbon, on an average, by 2030. priority; trade-offs among economic priorities, Challenges: When there is an emphasis on greater social welfare, and conservation (Brown 2004). biomass production, there could be more Way Forward: Spatial location (hilly, desert, competition between different service outputs, wastelands) needs to be negotiated with species leading to the possibility that biomass grown for richness as success of biodiversity projects will be energy will have to compete with other productive contingent on this. One meta-analysis suggested

43 The total area under degraded and wastelands in the country stands at 45 Ministry of New and Renewable Energy 2017. 114.01 M ha as mapped by National Remote Sensing Agency in 2015. 46 The total area under degraded and wastelands in the country stands at 44 i.e. recovery of species numbers, abundance, and distribution 114.01 M ha as mapped by National Remote Sensing Agency in 2015.

20

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

(‘provisioning’) uses of wood for pulp or timber. biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, Gasparatos et al. (2011) reviewed the impact of water yield, (Kennedy et al., 2016a). first-generation production systems on Climate Change Mitigation: The impacts of biodiversity, and they found that while some reforestation range from enhancing their role as provisioning (fuel) and regulating services carbon pools, increasing as a source of CO2 when (climate regulation) may be improved, this often they are disturbed by natural/human action and comes at the expense of biodiversity, and other serving as CO2 sinks when they grow biomass or provisioning (food, water) and regulating (air extend their area quality, erosion control) ESS. Carbon Sinks: Carbon sinks remove CO2 from The production of woody biomass usually entails the through absorption. Increasing a trade-off between volume and quality which is forest area and density results in increase in dependent on the demand for different products absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere that and the cost of silvicultural 47 interventions to absorbs approximately 2.3 GtC (giga Ton Carbon) increase either volume or quality. Where more annually. Planted forests today cover around 264 biomass is removed, soil nutrient status may million hectares and absorb an estimated 1.5 progressively deplete, affecting the long term gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere each year. output of the land. Forests are linked with high This represents nearly 30 per cent of all water quality and can also ensure natural flood emissions. Restoring 350 million hectares of management. Such functions are compromised degraded land in line with the Bonn Challenge under more intensive management/ extraction could sequester up to 1.7 GtC equivalent annually methods. (IUCN). Way Forward: Trade-offs between timber harvest Carbon sequestration: change from revenue and multiple species' habitat can be primary to secondary forests decreases both reduced by compromise solutions defined in terms vegetation and soil carbon stocks (Ngo et al., of minimax regret – i.e., minimizing the 2013; Ogle et al., 2005). maximum percentage of deterioration among In India, the carbon sequestered in forests has conservation objectives (Mazziotta et al., 2017). been estimated to be 7083 MT (ISFR, 2017). India Application of multi-objective optimization has nearly 53 mha of degraded which methods to lessen ESS trade-offs (Pohjanmies et combined with wastelands within forest areas al., 2017; Law et al., 2017) can bring together could be potential sites for additional carbon many different stakeholders and align their abatement through forestry options. According to objectives, e.g., crop/timber production, a study by the Institute of Economic Growth, at

47 Silvicultural practice consists of the interventions applied to forests to production of wood and other forest products, biodiversity conservation, maintain or enhance their utility for specific purposes, such as the recreation and the provision of environmental services.

21

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

least 39 mha of the degraded lands mentioned  There is increasing realization that carbon above are feasible for carbon sequestration48. A projects should not affect protection of mix of forestry options can enhance the biodiversity (Canadell & Raupach 2003). sequestration potential by 78 MT of additional Biodiversity concerns can enhance the climate carbon per year by the year 2020. Due to change mitigation initiatives which are based on additional supply of woody biomass, the current carbon sequestration. rate of deforestation would also come down,  An increase in forest area does not necessarily thereby conserving another 69 MT of carbon per imply an increased availability of ecosystem year. In this process, anywhere between 78 to 147 services when landscapes are restored with MT of carbon would be sequestered additionally monoculture plantations of exotic/alien tree as against 150-200 MT of carbon emission from species. Plantations of native biodiversity and the the fossil energy sectors. amount of carbon which is stored in the pulp of Reducing CO2 emissions: According to a study trees should inform decisions before (Griscom et al.), 42 per cent of the total emissions implementing reforestation projects (Hall et al. reductions that could be achieved from 2012). reforestation depend on decreasing pasture land Meeting the challenges and restoring all deforested lands in forested  There is currently no agreement on the ecoregions. This situation may be difficult to elements of a landscape that is resilient to climate achieve due to growing land use for food. Through change effects. Vulnerable areas where significant emissions reductions and carbon restoration or protection is difficult can be removals, the land sector can contribute about 25 identified in landscape ecology (e.g., Buma and per cent of the progress needed to meet the 1.5°C Wessman 2013, Duveneck and Scheller 2015) and 49 goal formulated under the . restoration avoided there. Challenges to Mitigation  Landscape modelling can offer a way for  The potential of forest-based bioenergy scientists and land managers to work together to sources to reduce (GHG) identify and test different management options emissions when replacing fossil-based energy using . This lessens the need sources must be balanced with forest carbon for resource-intensive landscape-manipulation implications related to biomass harvest. experiments (e.g., Buma and Wessman 2013, (McKechnie et al., 2011). Duveneck and Scheller 2015).

48 These estimates are based on land capabilities, forestry options and 49 Climate Focus & the International Institute for Applied Systems demand patterns for different types of forest products Analysis, 2017

22

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

Role of audit in community-based efforts in water The impact of restoration of forests on ESS, harvesting and water management. specifically biodiversity protection, biomass TBS has been instrumental in fighting the mining production and mitigation of emissions can be lobby and has helped villagers take charge of studied by audit in the light of Bonn Pledge made water management in their semi-arid area as it lies by India. India has a huge potential for conversion close to Thar Desert, through the use of johad, of large areas, mainly wastelands to forests. This rainwater storage tanks, check dams and other will not only enhance biodiversity protection but time-tested as well as path-breaking techniques. also reduce emissions by 40 per cent and result in Over the years TBS helped build over 8,600 increased carbon sequestration. This is especially johads and other water conservation structures to important in light of the pledge taken by India collect rainwater for the dry and revive under the Bonn challenge and could be an five rivers in Rajasthan namely; Arvari, Ruparel, important issue to study in audit. . Sarsa, Bhagani and Jahajwali. River Arvari which  Nameeta Prasad became perennial by 1995, and was awarded AG & Fulbright Scholar, grad student, the `International River Prize’. , Seattle Dr Rajendra Singh also initiated National Water March (Rashtriya Jal Yatra) in 2002 stresses on XI. Article: Green Initiatives undertaken linking people to rivers rather than interlinking by Tarun Bharat Sangh rivers. He has also been organizing Pani Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) is a non-governmental Pachayat or Water Parliament in distant villages organization founded in 1975 by a group of of Rajasthan to discuss water management issues students and professors from the University of in villages. Rajasthan at village Kishori-Bhikampura in TBS’s efforts of organizing the villages and local Thanagazi tehsil near Sariska Tiger Reserve, communities across the country have resulted in Alwar. Shri Rajendra Singh, ‘Jal Purush’ or the formulation of the Rashtriya Jal Biradari "Waterman of India" a well-known water (National Water Community). It is a network of conservationist from Alwar district, Rajasthan is various like-minded individuals, farmers groups, Chairman of TBS. He was awarded social groups, Voluntary Organisations (VO’s), the Stockholm Water Prize, an award known as NGO’s, Research Institutions, social scientist, "the Nobel Prize for water", in 2015. He won the water experts. Rashtriya Jal Biradari is working Ramon Magsaysay Award for community on national level issues like influencing Central & leadership in 2001 for his pioneering work State governments for making pro-people water policies, decentralized community driven water

23

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

management, advocacy against of natural resources, creating awareness among XII. Making Water and Sanitation a general mass for water conservation. TBS has also part of the Nation’s economic development launched a nationwide campaign popularly called as Nadi Bacaho Abhiyan. It has also taken up a A major section of a country’s economy is nation-wide campaign along River Ganga and generated through its agriculture, industry and other small rivers. service sectors which undeniably rely on water TBS has also set up Forest Protection Committees True Cost of Sanitation in many villages and districts of Rajasthan. Since A report—True cost of sanitation—was 1986, a Ped-Bachao-Ped Lagao padyatra, is published jointly by the LIXIL Group Corporation, Water Aid and Oxford Economics organised every year during the in 2016. The report states that in 2015, the lack of covering 40 day period. The yatra ends on Raksha access to sanitation cost the global economy US $ 222.9 billion. This amounts to almost 1.2 times Bandhan, with the villagers tying rakhis to the cost incurred in 2010. The lack of access to the trees as a symbol of their determination to water and poor sanitation cost the global economy a burden of US $ 40 billion in just five protect the trees. TBS organised Jungle-Jeevan years. The report attempts to look at economic Bachao Yatra which covered 21 forest sanctuaries development of countries to estimate the global cost incurred due to poor sanitation. It talks about in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, the high economic burden in low-and-middle- Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal income economies. Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. and related resources. United Nations World Documentation of medicinal plants and their uses Water Development Report states that half of the in traditional medicine was undertaken which world’s workers (1.5 billion people) are employed enabled communities in this region. in water and dependent industry. TBS also organised Aravali Bachao Yatra during There is a positive correlation between the October 1993. In 1994, TBS was awarded growing economy and access to safe water supply. the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (Indira A 0.3% increase in investment in Gandhi Environment Award), by GoI. access to safe water is associated with a 1% Recommended YouTube videos increase in GDP (WHO). A. Late 20th Century Folk tale Part 1, Part 2 The economic burden of poor sanitation is the B. Water Gandhi highest in Asia-Pacific, amounting to about 77%  Vijendra Singh Tanwar of the world total followed by Latin America, Caribbean and each amounting to 10% of the global cost. On a national level, in terms of

total cost, India suffers the most, with US $ 106.7

24

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

billion wiped off the GDP in 2015. It is almost half the government’s commitment to reforming the of the total global losses and 5.2 per cent of the health sector and achieving universal health nation’s GDP50. coverage by proposing an increase in the health budget to 2.5% of GDP. The GLOBAL RANKING: Top 10

COUNTRY COST (US$ millions) 2015 government launched Mission Indradhanush in India 106,700 2015 to rapidly increase immunisation coverage. China 35,900 Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) around Brazil 10,600 4.32 million household toilets and 392,817 Pakistan 7,900 community toilets had been constructed. Moreover, Indonesia 7,400 Mexico 5,800 67,085 wards had 100% door-door collection (Solid Bangladesh 5,300 Waste Management Rules). Nigeria 3,800 WHO has estimated that if the Government Turkey 2,500 Thailand 2,300 achieves 100% implementation of its cleanliness (Source: The True Cost of Poor Sanitation, 2016) drive by 2019, the country could be on track to avert 300,000 deaths due to diarrhoeal disease and -energy malnutrition (PEM). A recent study by UNICEF on the economic impact of sanitation has estimated that in an free village, each family saves over ` 50,000 per year on account of avoided medical costs, time savings and

saved. Additionally, there is a huge potential of generating wealth from waste through good solid and liquid resource management. As of 2019, after five years of implementing Swachh Bharat Mission, as against a sum of ~59 billion released to the states, it has been noted that only ~22 billion stands utilised on urban (Source: The True Cost of Poor Sanitation, 2016) development. In 2005, the central government established the National Health Mission and introduced structural A report published by CPCB highlights that only reforms to strengthen health care and sanitation. 23 billion litres of gets treated on a daily The National Health Policy 2017 clearly articulates basis as compared to 62 billion litres of waste

50 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/lack-of-access-to- sanitation-a-drain-on-global-economy-55604

25

Green Files Vol. 31 Dated 15-10-19

water generated daily in the of India. The capacity varies across states. Sources: While Maharashtra generates the highest amount of sewage among states, it treats 63 per cent of it. 1. The True Cost of Poor Sanitation, 2016 2. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Dashboard. Kerala, West Bengal and Bihar treat less than 10 http://sbm.gov.in/sbmdashboard/IHHL.aspx per cent of the sewage they generate. Gujarat as a 3. Business Standard, 2018 (https://www.business- whole treats 75 per cent of the sewage it generates, standard.com/article/economy- the highest among the big states. policy/swachh-bharat-sans-swachh-cities- post-toilet-crisis-scourge-of-urban-areas- 118100100895_1.html) A recent CPCB report shows that about 175 or 4. DownToEarth, half of the 351 select river stretches in India has (https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/ pollution levels higher than the prescribed norm. lack-of-access-to-sanitation-a-drain-on- global-economy-55604) Maharashtra and Gujarat have maximum stretches 5. Green Facts, Wastewater management and with extreme . The BOD sustainable development, (https://www.greenfacts.org/en/wastewater- (Biological Demand) level in Bhadar management/l-2/index.html) River in Gujarat has reached as high as 426 mg/L  Sucheta Deb whereas the CPCB norms suggests that BOD less Young Professional than 6 mg/L is fit for usage (bathing class). In case iCED, Jaipur of , only 55 per cent of the is connected to sewer network. The city generates 600 MLD of sewage whereas the city has a capacity to treat only 500 MLD per day. With rising demand for water and increasing instances of and water stress, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive and sustained wastewater management in combination with sanitation to improved human health, health of aquatic ecosystems and promote economic development, employment and eradication of poverty. However, even after five years of Swachh Bharat Mission, the gaps are still persist in urban areas thwarting the campaign’s objective.

26