Managing the Environment - 12th Plan Approach Paper

Printed version is available in the following link:
http://12thplan.gov.in/12fyp_docs/10.pdf

Introduction

The Planning Commission has identified twelve Strategy Challenges for the 12th Plan Approach Paper.  “Managing the Environment and Ecology” with the following five components is one of the Challenges:

. Land, mining, and Forest Rights

. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy for Climate Change

. Waste management and Pollution Abatement

. Degradation of forests and loss of biodiversity

. Issues of Environment Sustainability

Expectations

The general expectations of the citizens with respect to environment are: Access to clean air, water, and soil; Right to Natural resources; Sustainable Livelihoods and healthy surroundings.  

Suggestions

Detailed below are some suggestions in respect of, Policy, legislation, both national and international, institutional mechanisms, infrastructure, and Science and technology in the management of Environment and Ecology and specific suggestions with respect to the five components.

a) Institutionalize a holistic, integrated approach for the management of environment and natural resources, converging national regulations and international protocols in relevant sectoral and cross-sectoral policies, through review and consultation. 

b) Evolve schemes to encourage trading in air and water pollutants in industrial complexes.  Establish on-line continuous monitoring systems to enable trading of pollutants and encourage public and private sector participation in GHG emission trading. 

c) Identify emerging areas for new legislation, including our obligations under multilateral environmental regimes and review the body of existing legislation.

d) Ensure accountability of the concerned levels of Government (Centre, State, Local) in implementing existing legislation and introducing necessary legislation, wherever required in a defined time-frame, ensuring the livelihoods and well-being of the poor and improved access to the necessary environmental resources.

e) Promote research and the use of information technology based tools, together with necessary capacity-building.  Bring about transparency through public web-portal for national resource accounting for Non Wood Forest Produce ( NWFP) , common property resources, usufruct rights etc on GIS platform.

f) Encourage Industrial Associations to shoulder greater responsibility of environmental management, implementation of regulation, including drafting strategy on issues on environment and trade that affect industry. 

g) Develop multiple models, for rapid and effective restoration, of open and degraded forests, wastelands and urban areas through PPP and community participation.  

h) Introduce Performance monitoring and development of Environment performance linked financial devolution mechanisms to states.

i) Setup regional databases on natural resources to support the information requirements of planning and prepare inventory through land cover mapping (Remote Sensing, 1;4000 scale ).

j) Review the list of International Conventions to which India is a signatory and party to fix a timeframe to ratify and fulfill obligations under these Conventions. 

k) Put in place rules and guidelines in the Area of Access and Benefit sharing , trade especially exports in LMO’s and GMO’s in respect of Biological Resources. 

l) 12th plan should focus on leadership role for India in SAARC, ASEAN, and SACEP, including serving as repository of information and help train in early warning systems for disasters.  A Strategy and action plan should be drawn up to forge partnership among countries in the region. 

m) TIFAC be commissioned to list 10 cutting edge technologies for possible exhaustive studies and field trials in environment sector.

n) Strengthen Scientific Research, Technology Development and Human Resource in areas of environment and ecology which are critical for Sustainable Development

Specific Suggestions

1.  Land, Mining and Forests Rights

1.1 The key suggestions identified for effective land management include the following:

a) Land development/diversion for various uses, be based on a national policy. 
b) A national strategy based on scientific understanding of the natural resources  both above and below ground, resettlement and livelihood requirements is necessary,
c) Existing policy, in respect of Energy, Raw materials etc., to indicate the various  source options taking into consideration availability, cost and environmental impact, be modified. 
d) Conduct Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for vulnerable regions and Carrying capacity studies in selected river-basins, and
e) Adapt remediation techniques developed elsewhere for de-contamination of  contaminated sites.

1.2 The key issues identified in respect of mining include the following;-
a )Effective land management to restore degraded lands .
b) promote, more efficient metals recycling industry by adopting modern  technology,
c) formulate, a sustainable Development Framework which addresses issues  related to economic viability, environmental impact and social concerns, and
d) Take action to check illegal mining activities

1.3 Forests Rights 

The livelihood rights of forest-based communities need to be respected in conservation efforts, even as new livelihood and revenue options are explored.  Following are some key issues :-
a) Current schemes of compensation needs to be reviewed, and
b) Payments for Environmental Services (PES) schemes needs to be introduced and proposals developed to prevent poaching of flagship species like tiger, rhino, elephants, etc; to check fragmentation and degradation of wildlife habitats and corridors; to reduce instances of human–wildlife conflict; to control illegal trade in wildlife products; Creation of inviolate areas for tiger and other flagship species, and; Voluntary relocation of people from core areas.  In PES schemes, locals be paid to conserve and manage resources.

2.  Mitigation and Adaption Strategy for Climate change

 
1. The two key challenges that have to be addressed by various stakeholders in the short term on Climate Change are:
 a) Ensuring, involvement of various stakeholders, including the State  Governments, in implementing the National Action Plan for Climate Change  (NAPCC), and
 b) Achieve a low-emission sustainable development growth model using a  voluntary approach. 

2.  The strategy/ guidelines of NDMA be modified to draw up regional disaster preparedness and mitigation plans, which should also address pre and post disasters migrations.

3. States need to prepare the State Level Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC) within a time frame, which can be dovetailed with the NAPCC.

4.  The eight National Missions documents needs to be finalized, adopted, and actions initiated.  

Waste Management and Pollution Abatement

 Waste Management
1. Encourage 4 R’s (Recycle, Reuse, Reduce and Remanufacture ) and co-processing of HW for recovery of energy

2. Incentivize public-private partnership for creating the required infrastructure for Setting up of Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) for hazardous waste management across the country. 

3. Ensure Segregation of Bio-medical wastes as per existing rules and the infectious and hazardous wastes treated in dedicated facilities.  Common facilities be setup. 

4. Enhance recycling facilities for E-wastes in the country. 

5. Ensure Municipal Solid Waste segregation ,collection and setting up of facilities for complete disposal.  Where ever possible recycling and processing has to be ensured during the 12th Plan to protect our people and the environment

6. Green belt for dust and Noise abatement and odour mitigation is considered essential.

Water environment

 
The key challenges for maintaining acceptable water quality and quantity across the country are:-Water Pollution and overuse; Indiscriminate use of Wetland/lakes, Agricultural run-offs as residual fertilizer, pesticides and feedlot wastes.  Following are suggested:
1. Improve coverage and efficiency of sewage treatment systems , encourage use of low-cost decentralized measures for treatment of wastewater e.g use of microbes for sewage treatment in open drains. 

2. Clean critical rivers state wise and all polluted rivers in the country by 2020.

3. No Net loss (NNL) of wetlands acres be set as the goal and a system of permits be introduced to provide replacement wetlands. 

4. A National Action Plan to remediate contaminated sites be drawn up. 

5. Massive Plantation drives, including other methods for recharging ground water levels be propagated.

Degradation of Forests and loss of bio-diversity.
  Forests
1. The target should be to increase Forest and Tree cover (FTC) by 5%.

2.  Encourage efficient use of forest products and alternative sources of fuel, fodder, and timber.

3. Provide Legal backing for JFMCs. 

4. Evolve a comprehensive national policy for non-destructive extraction and marketing of both timber and MFP.

5. Organize markets, Build infrastructure, Capacity and upgrade skill for carrying out trade in MFP. 

6. Prepare Master greening plans/Roadmaps for all cities with over 1 million populations.
 

Biodiversity and wildlife

1. The major challenges of the sectors include: 1. Preventing poaching of flagship species like tiger, rhino, elephants, etc.; 2. check fragmentation and degradation of wildlife habitats and corridors; 3. reduce instances of human–wildlife conflict; 4. control illegal trade in wildlife products; 5. Creation of inviolate areas for tiger and other flagship species, and; 6. Voluntary relocation of people from core areas.

2. Draft a national action plan on the management of biological invasion., and

3. Create proper institutional mechanisms for involving local stakeholders, including local communities, in coastal and mangrove restoration and conservation programs. 

Monitorable targets for the 12th Plan

1. To increase forest and tree cover by 5 percentage points. 

2. To reclaim wetlands/inland lakes /ponds (of ------ Ha) by 2017

3. To identify, assess and remediate contaminated sites (hazardous chemicals and wastes) with potential for ground water contamination.

4. To improve forest production and maintain biodiversity.

5. To establish continuous on-line monitoring systems using GIS & GPS for air and water pollution.

6. To create Common Infrastructure for Environment Protection viz; CETP, TSDF etc. 

7. To clean all critically polluted rivers by 2020. 

8. To reduce 20-25 percent energy use per unit of GDP by 2020.

9. Epidemiological studies to assess improvement in health status due to better management of Environment and ecology.

Reasons for the Gap between Irrigation Potential Created and Utilised: A Case Study of West Bengal and Seven North-Eastern States

Reasons for the Gap between Irrigation Potential Created and Utilised: A Case Study of West Bengal and Seven North-Eastern States

 Authors:
1. Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Associate Professor, Public Policy and Management Group, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, Joka, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata 700 104.
2. Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, Professor, Public Policy and Management Group, IIM Calcutta
3. Suman Nath, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Haldia Government College, Purba Medinipur,West Bengal 721657and
4. Annapurna Shaw, Professor, Public Policy and Management Group, IIM Calcutta

Abstract
India’s thrust in improving food production is challenged by the increasing gap between Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) and Irrigation Potential Utilised (IPU). The available literature focuses on utilisation of irrigation water, but there is a scarcity of study of the reasons that give rise to the IPC-IPU gap. Through an analysis of issues faced by implementers and end-users for a total of 33 major, medium and minor irrigation schemes, this paper explores the reasons behind the gap. The paper argues that the reasons lie in problems of miscalculation, poor maintenance of irrigation systems, problems of water tax collection and power interruption, as well as socio-political and institutional factors. The paper suggests that the definition of IPC and IPU based on area irrigated needs to be revised, with periodical reassessment of the IPC, and creation of proper distribution system to avoid water loss. Effective coordination among departments, with a focus on maintenance and operation, especially through water user associations need to be done.

Keywords
Irrigation Potential Created, Irrigation Potential Utilised, Gap between IPC and IPU

Introduction
Post-independent India has made constant attempts to increase food production with a major thrust on expansion of irrigation (GOI, MoWR 1999). In the late 1990s, India decided to increase food grain production by over 50% for the next two decades (Kumar 1998). Effective and extensive irrigation will play an important role to fulfil this requirement. In response to this daunting task, development of major irrigation-related schemes received high priority from the first five-year plan (GOI, MoWR 1999). More focus on technical and infrastructural development, less focus on management issues (Maloney and Raju 1994) and a gap between Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) and Irrigation Potential Utilised (IPU) are visible in the country today. IPC is defined as the area (taking into account multiple cropping) which can be provided irrigation through the facilities which have already been created. In the case of surface water projects, irrigation potential is said to be created when the system is capable of supplying water at the outlet through main canal / branch canal / distributaries / minors. IPU is defined as the total gross area actually irrigated during the year under consideration (GoI, MoWR 2008). With the development of irrigation projects, the cumulative value of the IPC is increasing. However, the created irrigation potential is not utilised fully. The gap between the irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilised is increasing

Ideally, there should be none, or a minimal gap between IPC and IPU. To reduce the increasing gap, the Government of India (GoI) started the Command Area Development programme (CAD) during the Fifth Plan (1974-79). The Ninth Plan (1997-2002) recommended Irrigation Management Transfer (GOI, MoWR 1999), positive impact of which is now established (Naik et al. 2002; Asian Development Bank 2008).

This paper is an outcome of a study of the issues that give rise to the gap between IPC and IPU in the particular context of West Bengal and seven North-eastern states in India. Gaining insights from the existing literature on the problems of the irrigation system and through the collection of primary data in these states, the authors analyse the nature of issues that create the existing gap.

Conclusion
The study shows local and multiple issues that create the gap between IPC and IPU. A policy that incorporates local variation is needed for an effective utilisation of the potentials already available. Apart from correcting measurement errors and fixing definitional issues, a serious attempt to renovate the existing schemes up to the last outlet with proper distribution system is needed. The authors feel that measurement of IPC and IPU should be based on volume, and not on the basis of area. Regular update of IPC and IPU should be practised. Before initiating a new scheme, effective interactions between different stakeholders and concerned departments are necessary. The local governments should be involved in planning and decision-making as they can provide knowledge inputs in the absence of Water User Associations. A proper needs-assessment and feasibility estimation should be practised. Decentralisation and encouragement of users’ participation to the management is needed. This can ensure regular collection of water tax, proper operation and maintenance, proper distribution of irrigation water, judicious and rational use of the water, reduction of illegal water usage, better conflict resolution, minimisation of water politics, improvement of the co-operation, and better interaction between the stakeholders.

Full Paper published in 
Review of Development & Change, 
Vol. XVIII No.2, July-December 2013, pp.115-130

June 17 is observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification

In New Delhi on June 17, 2014 Environment Minister Sree Prakash Javadekar said India will become desertification neutral by 2030, adding that 32 percent of India's total land is facing the threat of desertification. 

He said "In India, 69 percent of the land is dryland, and 32 percent of the land is undergoing desertification……… Land degradation is directly linked to poverty, and its reversal will provide livelihood options for thousands of people. India will be made desertification neutral by 2030".

Sree Prakash Javadekarji said integrated plan will be launched with agriculture, land resource and water ministries to address the issue, and the process of desertification of the land would be reversed by 2030. He said the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change would collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Water Resources to achieve this target.

Desertification refers to the process of land degradation by which fertile land, especially dry regions, become increasingly arid, losing water bodies, vegetation and wildlife. Deforestation, drought and improper or inappropriate agriculture are typically considered to be the main causes of such land degradation. India has about 105 million hectares of land classified as dry land.

The objective of achieving land degradation neutrality is to maintain or improve the condition of land resources through the sustainable management of soil, water and biodiversity, the Honourable Minister told in the meeting on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification organised by the Environment Ministry and the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education. 

"In India, we are facing the problem of degradation of land, desertification of the land and creation of wasteland. All these are major challenges as it impacts the livelihood. As the (Sree Narendra) Modi government has decided that poverty eradication is the main objective of this government, to that end we must make the country degradation neutral by 2030," Sree Javadekar said.

Drawing on his experience of working on 11 watershed projects in Maharashtra, Javadekar said that desertification of land could be stopped or reversed through integrated land use planning on landscape basis and through collective efforts. Coordination among the different stakeholders was the key to achieve the goal of a land degradation neutral India. Reclaiming the waste land has a direct effect on poverty eradication and makes communities prosperous.

The government plans to take people's organisations and other stakeholders on board in addressing this challenge. "Our government does things differently. We will take people's movement, people's participation in development and environment protection...Together we can stop desertification... Together we can make India land degradation neutral," the Honourable Minister said in a series of tweets.

Land degradation neutrality is an idea that owes its origin to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) held in Rio in 2012, where member states recognised the need for urgent action to reverse land degradation. The concept also embraces the restoration of degraded natural and semi-natural ecosystems that provide vital, albeit indirect, services to people and working landscapes. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which focuses on desertification, land degradation and drought.

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES ON DESERTIFICATION AND LAND DEGRADATION IN INDIA

In India, 69% of the land is dry land and 32% of the land is undergoing desertification.

The land area facing desertification threat is 81 million hectares, while 105 million hectares are dryland. 

It is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dryland region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. 

Increasing population is resulting in one-third of the country's land area becoming barren or getting desertified. Climate change and resulting disturbances such as floods also have a negative effect on the land.

Twenty-five per cent of India's total land is undergoing desertification while 32 per cent is facing degradation that has affected its productivity, critically affecting the livelihood and food security of millions across the country.

As much as 105.19 million hectares (Mha) of the country's total geographical area of 328.73 Mha is being degraded, while 82.18 Mha is undergoing desertification.

The major forms of land degradation include soil erosion (which accounts for over 71 per cent of the total degradation), and wind erosion (10.24 per cent). The other major forms of land degradation are water-logging and salinity-alkalinity. 

CAUSES OF LAND DEGRADATION

LAND DEGRADATION: Loss of vegetation due to deforestation, cutting beyond permissible limits, unsustainable fuelwood and fodder extraction, shifting cultivation, encroachment into forest lands, forest fires, overgrazing, inadequate soil conservation measures, improper crop rotation, indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, improper management of irrigation systems and excessive extraction of ground water.

DESERTIFICATION: Overgrazing, over-exploitation, deforestation, inappropriate irrigation, population pressure, urbanisation, poverty, inequitable sharing of resources.

Rajasthan accounts for the most desertified land (23 Mha), followed by Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir (13 Mha each) and Orissa and Andhra Pradesh (5 Mha each).

68 per cent of the country is prone to drought, and this will be further heightened because of the impact of climate change, particularly in dry lands.

Desertification and loss of biological potential will restrict the transformation of dry lands into productive ecosystem.
Climate change will further challenge the livelihood of those living in these sensitive ecosystems and may result in higher levels of resource scarcity," the report warns.

146.82 Mha of the country's total area is suffering from different kinds of land degradation, including water erosion (93.68 Mha), wind erosion (9.48 Mha), waterlogging (14.30 Mha), salinity or alkalinity (5.94 Mha), soil acidity (16.04 Mha) and other complex reasons (7.38 Mha).
 

The degradation was the result of loss of vegetation due to deforestation, cutting beyond permissible limits, unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction, shifting cultivation, encroachment on forest lands, forest fires and overgrazing. 

Other factors leading to largescale degradation comprise "extension of cultivation to lands of low potential or high natural hazards, non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures, improper crop rotation, indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, improper planning and management of irrigation systems and excessive extraction of groundwater.

FOR FURTHER STUDY – SUGGESTED LINK
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Desertification_The%20invisible_frontline.pdf

Research Gaps in Climate Change Adaptation Activities in India

Research Gaps in Climate Change Adaptation Activities in India according to a study by Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group Post Box No. 60, 224, Purdilpur, M G College Road, Gorakhpur -273001 (U.P.) India, supported by UNDP, in 2008.


1. Systematic investigation of the linkages between vulnerability due to climate risk (in each distinct agro-economic zone within each state) and environmental, socio-economic and political factors.

2. Estimating potential losses (both stock and flow).

3. Scientific and technical research to understand the links between climate change and inter-annual variability at smaller resolution, such as by downscaling global climate models (GCM).

4. Identification of the drivers of poverty in climate change in specific contexts; that is, research on changing patterns and types of poverty dimensions due to climatic extremes, through quantitative and qualitative approaches.

5. Mapping of current and future vulnerability, taking into account the different dimensions across states.

6. Identification of priority sectors and cities.

7. Financial mechanisms for risk spreading and pooling, such as insurance instruments with public- private partnership in the agricultural sector.

8. Indigenous technologies of, not only water harvesting, but also crop management and indeed the whole gamut of agrarian practices that can be supported to enhance adaptation strategies.

9. Indigenous water harvesting systems and management patterns.

10. Traditional seed varieties requiring less water and other pest resistant crop systems.

11. Up scaling successful examples of NGOs working on bringing about change through soft options or institutional mechanisms, essentially giving primacy to people's participation and process ownership. These projects can be researched with a view to understanding the required structural changes in the state-level institutional mechanisms.

12. Research on the locale specific impacts of climate change on the industrial sector and vice-versa; this would also enable better locating of the industries.

13. Researching low cost technologies that promote employment but at the same time mitigate global warming and promote climate change adaptation.

14. The above research would also enable the determination of the optimum mix of the hard and soft options for building up resilience, and also help determine realistic time lines for the actualisation of the mix of options in an informed way.

Brief speech of Tarun Debnath - 5th June, 2014 at BIT, Kolkata

Sree Tarun Debnath

Sree Tarun Debnath, a social activist and lead in SHGPF [SHGPF is a state level network of SHG promoters including widely recognized Self Help Promotional Agencies (SHPs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Capacity building Institutions (CBIs) and prominent individuals who strongly believe in Self Help movement towards sustainable development by empowering rural and urban women especially from deprived, backward and marginalized sections of our society. SHGPF provide a wide platform for sharing, learning and addressing policy and operational issues of the sector towards improving the operational environment for SHG based development approach. This is done by bringing in SHGs, Clusters and Federations, Civil Society Organizations, Banks, Government Departments, Local Self Governments, NABARD, SIDBI and Insurance Companies under one umbrella in rural and urban West Bengal [weblink: http://www.shgpromotionalforum.org/index2.html] thanked BITM Kolkata chapter for organising this seminar for observance of World Environment Day. But he emphasised that we must not restrict ourselves in mere observing this day as a ritual. While deliberations on this day is important, but more important is to act now to save earth, save us and save our civilisations. Einstein said “if we keep doing the same thing what we are doing, we are going to keep getting what we are getting. One definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect different results. So we have to act now and act differently”.

The earth is in very critical stage. Due to anthropogenic causes, the earth has lost its regenerative capacity. We all are aspiring to emulate western development level i.e. their consumption levels. But this target is not only unreachable, but also unsustainable. “'We should live in a simple way for others to be able to live as well', Mahatma Gandhi.   We must find new definitions of “development” beyond materialist consumptions. His point was to think differently and new paradigm must emerge.

He said that a new study sponsored by Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center has highlighted the prospect that global industrial civilisation could collapse in coming decades due to unsustainable resource exploitation and increasingly unequal wealth distribution. The study challenges those who argue that technology will resolve these challenges by increasing efficiency: The study warns that: "While some members of society might raise the alarm that the system is moving towards an impending collapse and therefore advocate structural changes to society in order to avoid it, Elites and their supporters, who opposed making these changes, could point to the long sustainable trajectory 'so far' in support of doing nothing."

In this regard, he referred to the new thinking going on in Latin America. Bolivia and Equador have constitutionally recognised that nature has rights.  Buen Vivir as an emerging concept breaks with conventional concepts in several ways, in that it relies on indigenous traditions and visions of the cosmos; it breaks with traditional concepts of development; it focuses on the relationship to nature.” Living Well is not the same as living better, living better than others, because in order to live better than others, it is necessary to exploit, to embark upon serious competition, concentrating wealth in few hands. Trying to live better is selfish, and shows apathy, individualism.“Our Living Well proposal emphasizes on harmony between humans and with nature, and the preservation of 'natural capital' as primary concerns. Living Well also means unplugging the TV and internet and connecting with the community. It means having four more hours a day to spend with family, friends and in our community, i.e., the four hours that the average person spends watching TV filled with messages about stuff we should buy. Spending time in fraternal community activities strengthens the community and makes it a source of social and logistical support, a source of greater security and happiness....“Among presently over-consuming societies, less really will be more. Basic compliance with Living Well conditions include sufficient food, shelter, clothing; good health and the values of strong community engagement; family security; meaningful lives; and the clear presence and easy access to a thriving natural world.”

But how we can initiate change through our acts? Especially when the “aspiring Indians” do not let go the chance to consume like the Americans do. Individual and exclusive life styles disregarding any environmental considerations.  See our bye-pass where the road space is occupied by 95% individual passenger cars carrying 5% commuters, whereas 5% public vehicles struggle with 95% passengers. 

Let us face the challenge and identify at least few actions for a beginning to change. 

Raise Your Voice Not The Sea Level

Prof. R. T. Goswami, Director, BIT, Mesra, Kolkata Campus

Sree Tarun Debnath, Social Activist, Lead, SHGPF

KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM BIT, MESRA, KOLKATA CAMPUS

Everybody present here and those who are not able to make their presence due to other engagements and distance are most welcome here at Birla Institute Of Technology, (Mesra- 835215, Ranchi) India, Kolkata Campus, Southend Conclave, 1582, Rajdanga Main Road, 4th Floor, Kolkata –700 107. As we all know the occasion is to Observe World Environment Day or “WED”, in tune with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is celebrated every year on this day, i.e., June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.

The 2014 theme for World Environment Day will focus on 'Small Islands and Climate Change', the official slogan for the year 2014 is ‘Raise Your Voice Not The Sea Level’.

In millions of places in the world this day is being celebrated under this theme, with the goal of raising awareness of their unique development challenges and successes regarding a range of environmental problems, including climate change, waste management, unsustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources, and extreme natural disasters.

The slogan ‘Raise Your Voice Not The Sea Level’, is self explanatory enough to focus on the issues of Global Warming, Climate Change and Sea Level Rise. Global warming is the most important science issue of the 21st century, challenging the very structure of our global society. The problem is that global warming is not just a scientific concern, but encompasses economics, sociology, geopolitics, local politics and individual’s choice of lifestyle.

The most recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change or IPCC, amounting to nearly 3000 pages of detailed review and analysis of published research states that there is clear evidence for a 0.75 degree centigrade rise in global temperature and 22 centimetre rise in sea level during the 20th Century. The IPCC also predicts that global temperatures could rise further by between 1.1 degree centigrade to 6.4 degree centigrade by 2100 and sea level could rise by between 28 cm to 79 cm, more if the melting of Greenland and Antarctica accelerates. In addition, weather patterns will become less predictable and the occurrence of extreme climate events, such as storms, floods, heat waves and droughts will increase.

Global warming is caused by the massive increase of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons. Though carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, others have also variable impact in increase in global temperature.

The first major source of the principal greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels, since four-fifths of global carbon dioxide emissions comes from energy production, industrial processes and transport. These are not evenly distributed around the world because of the unequal distribution of industry and wealth. North America, Europe and Asia emit over 90% of the global industrially produced carbon dioxide. Historically, the developed nations have emitted much more than less developed country.

The second major source, accounting for one-fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions, is as a result of land-use changes. These are emissions come primarily from the cutting down of forests for the purposes of agriculture, urbanization, or roads. When large areas of rainforests are cut down, the land often turns into less productive grassland with considerable reduced capacity for storing carbon dioxide. South America, Asia and Africa are responsible for over 90% of present day land use change emissions.

In terms of the amount of carbon dioxide released, industrial processes still significantly outweigh land use changes. But the golden rule of development will accompany both at the same time in developing world. This golden rule of development is always accompanied by an expansion of the amount of energy used. The cheapest route for development in developing countries are to produce energy using carbon based technologies such as coal, gas and oil. For example China is building a new coal fired power station every four days. This raises important ethical issues because it is difficult to tell these countries to stop deforesting and stop producing energy in cheapest way, when historically this has already occurred in much of North America and Europe before the beginning of the 20th century.

At this point, we can share Professor Mark Maslin, Director of the University College London and executive Director of Carbon Auditors Ltd, a leading climatologist, as he wrote in his book on Global Warming published from Oxford, that there are two major problems facing humanity in the 21st century, Global Poverty and Global Warming. He wrote that “…to deal with global warming , we must deal with developing countries, and thus we must for the first time in humanity’s history tackle the unequal distribution of global wealth. Hence, global warming is making us face the forgotten  billions of people on the planet, and we must make the world a fairer place. In the 21st century, we must deal with both global poverty and global warming.”

Many scientists believe that the human-induced, or anthropogenic-enhanced, greenhouse effect will cause climate change in the near future. Even some of the global warming sceptics argue that though global warming may be a minor influence, natural climate change does occur on human timescales. Climate change can manifest itself in a number of ways, like, changes in regional and global temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, expansion and contraction of ice sheets and sea level variations. How this Global Climate System will respond to this change triggered by an internal or external forcing agent? There are four possible responses predicted by experts.

1. Linear and synchronous response

2. Muted or limited response

3. Delayed or non-linear response

4. Threshold response 

As we know that climate cannot be the subject of a single projection but requires an assessment of probabilities, because greenhouse gas concentrations at this level are way beyond the range of historical experience. Although we generally talk about global warming and climate change interchangeably, climate scientists and policy makers are increasingly conscious that the issues are not simply limited to a general rise in global temperatures. Some of the most important issues concern the uneven geographical distribution of climate changes and the likely increase in climate instability. While global temperatures may rise on average, some areas may become very much warmer, while others may experience less rise in temperature. Effects on the pattern of rainfall may be large and uneven, with possibly drastic effects on the viability of agriculture in some areas. Above all, there is now recognition that global climate change may involve increased instability in climate patterns and increased frequency and severity of extreme events like cyclone and hurricanes, storm surges, floods, forest fires etc.

There is no doubt that increase in global temperature will be accompanied by sea level rise and coastal zone natural hazards. Coastal areas and inhabited islands are the most vulnerable with respect to the human population. At the same time uninhabited islands and coastal zones are rich in biodiversity which will also be affected by this event. Therefore, island nations around the world are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters and rising seas. The impact of climate change on small islands states around the world are the central platform to learn a number of environmental problems with only limited resources.

Climate change impacts in India

For their survival and livelihoods, 700 million Indians living in rural areas directly depend on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, forests and fisheries and natural resources such as water, biodiversity, mangroves, coastal zones, and grasslands. Furthermore, the adaptive capacity of dryland farmers, forest dwellers, fisher folk and nomadic shepherds is very low. Climate change is likely to impact all natural ecosystems as well as socio-economic systems in India.

In addition, poverty is a critical factor that limits the adaptive capacity of rural people in India (GoI 2008). The Indian Government's National Communications (NATCOM) report of 2004 identifies the following as the impacts of climate change most likely to affect India between now and 2100:

• Decreased snow cover will affect snow-fed and glacial systems such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra. 70 % of the summer flow of the Ganges comes from melt water.

• Erratic monsoons will affect India’s rainfed agriculture, peninsular rivers, water and power supply

• Wheat production will drop by 4-5 million tonnes, even with a rise in temperature of only 1 ºC.

• Rising sea levels will cause displacement along one of the most densely populated coastlines in the world, also threatening freshwater sources and mangrove ecosystems.

• Floods will increase in frequency and intensity. This will heighten the vulnerability of people in the country's coastal, arid and semi-arid zones.

• Over 50 % of India’s forests are likely to experience shift in forest types, adversely impacting associated biodiversity, regional climate dynamics and livelihoods based on forest products.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Government of India released India’s first National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlining existing and future policies and programs addressing climate mitigation and adaptation on June 30, 2008. The plan identifies eight core “national missions” running through 2017 emphasizing the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rates to raise living standards, the plan “identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively.”  It says these national measures would be more successful with assistance from developed countries, and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.”

These National Missions are (1) National Solar Mission (2) National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (3) National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (4) National Water Mission (5) National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (6) National Mission for a “Green India” (7) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (8) National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change with other programmes.

Accordingly, the state governments also prepared their own climate change adaptation programmes in various states.

As it was mentioned earlier that climate cannot be the subject of a single projection but requires an assessment of probabilities, we should avoid analyses and decision-making procedures, that collapse the wide range of possible developments too quickly into a single ‘best guess’ forecast, on which our attention then focuses. Indeed, scientific uncertainty is one of the key distinguishing features of climate change policy. This uncertainty is not the result of bad science, or inadequate research effort. It is inherent in the fact that we are moving into unknown territory, and can only speculate about the effects on the complex and possibly precarious balance of the earth’s ecosystem using what we know from the past and current experience. Devoting massive additional resources to a scientific research effort of the highest quality would certainly help us learn more about what is likely to happen, but it would not transform the basic situation.

Under this policy and perspective, as an academic institution, BIT proposes here to discuss on the related issues and some decisions to be taken for future action programmes.

World Environment Day (WED) 2014 - a note

World Environment Day ('WED') is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The 2014 theme for World Environment Day will focus on 'Small Islands and Climate Change', the official slogan for the year 2014 is ‘Raise Your Voice Not The Sea Level’.

The UN General Assembly declared 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). World Environment Day (WED) 2014 will be celebrated under the theme of SIDS, with the goal of raising awareness of their unique development challenges and successes regarding a range of environmental problems, including climate change, waste management, unsustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources, and extreme natural disasters. UNEP is also soliciting votes for the 2014 WED slogan through 5 March 2014. The winning slogan will be used to call on the global WED community to take action for islands. 

Island nations around the world are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters and rising seas. The impact of climate change on small islands states around the world are the central platform to learn a number of environmental problems with only limited resources.

There are over a thousand islands in India which are grouped according to their locations in (1) Bay of Bengal (2) Arabian Sea and (3) Indian Ocean.

In Bay of Bengal, there are two sub groups of islands. The largest group is Andaman & Nicobar Islands with 572 islands, though only 34 of these are inhabited permanently and next comes The Sundarban group of islands with 102 islands in Indian part, amongst which 54 islands are inhabited and 48 islands are declared as World Heritage Site - Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. There are about 200 islands separated by India's West Bengal and Khulna division of Bangladesh with mangrove coverage and Bay of Bengal fed saline water, separated by about 400 interconnected tidal rivers, creeks and canals.

National Action Plan on Climate Change, Government of India released India’s first National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlining existing and future policies and programs addressing climate mitigation and adaptation on June 30, 2008. The plan identifies eight core “national missions” running through 2017 emphasizing the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rates to raise living standards, the plan “identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively.”  It says these national measures would be more successful with assistance from developed countries, and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.”

These National Missions are (1) National Solar Mission (2) National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (3) National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (4) National Water Mission (5) National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (6) National Mission for a “Green India” (7) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (8) National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change with other programmes.

Under this background, Birla Institute Of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, India will observe 5th June, 2014 at its Kolkata Campus.

From Birla Institute Of Technology, (Mesra- 835215, Ranchi) India, Kolkata Campus FUTURE PROGRAMME OF ACTION - DRAFT PROPOSAL

1.    FORMAL DECLARATION OF “FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENT FROM ACADEMIA AND SOCIETY” @ FEAS

2.    OPENING ONE INTERACTIVE BLOG ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MOST VULNERABLE REGIONS OF EASTERN  AND NORTH-EASTERN INDIA

3.    SENSITIZATION PROGRAMMES ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN REGIONAL BASIS

4.    CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN REGIONAL BASIS

5.    MICRO-LEVEL SCIENTIFIC STUDY AND RESEARCH PROGRAMMES ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN REGIONAL BASIS

6.    ENDORSING KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MOBILISATION AND NETWORK BUILDING, GROUND TRUTHING ON LIVELIHOOD ISSUES, ENABLING POLICY AND GOVERNANCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN REGIONAL BASIS

World Environment Day – Issues and Slogans

Year	Theme
1974	Only one Earth during Expo '74
1975	Human Settlements
1976	Water: Vital Resource for Life
1977	Ozone Layer Environmental Concern; Lands Loss and Soil Degradation
1978	Development Without Destruction
1979	Only One Future for Our Children – Development Without Destruction
1980	A New Challenge for the New Decade: Development Without Destruction
1981	Ground Water; Toxic Chemicals in Human Food Chains
1982	Ten Years After Stockholm (Renewal of Environmental Concerns)
1983	Managing and Disposing Hazardous Waste: Acid Rain and Energy
1984	Desertification
1985	Youth: Population and the Environment
1986	A Tree for Peace
1987	Environment and Shelter: More Than A Roof
1988	When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last
1989	Global Warming; Global Warning
1990	Children and the Environment
1991	Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership
1992	Only One Earth, Care and Share
1993	Poverty and the Environment – Breaking the Vicious Circle
1994	One Earth One Family
1995	We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment
1996	Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home
1997	For Life on Earth
1998	For Life on Earth – Save Our Seas
1999	Our Earth – Our Future – Just Save It!
2000	The Environment Millennium – Time to Act
2001	Connect with the World Wide Web of Life
2002	Give Earth a Chance
2003	Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It!
2004	Wanted! Seas and Oceans – Dead or Alive?
2005	Green Cities – Plan for the Planet!
2006	Deserts and Desertification – Don't Desert Drylands!
2007	Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?
2008	Kick The Habit – Towards A Low Carbon Economy
2009	Your Planet Needs You – UNite to Combat Climate Change
2010	Many Species. One Planet. One Future
2011	Forests: Nature at your Service
2012	Green Economy: Does it include you?
2013	Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint