Policies, Laws and Regulations

Environment Policy - Department of Environment, Government of Kerala (2007)
A policy document that aims at mainstreaming environmental concerns in all developmental activities in the state of Kerala Posted on 03 May, 2011 09:42 PM

This policy document by the Department of Environment, Government of Kerala highlights the need for conservation of natural resources in the state of Kerala, in the context of increasing exploitation of resources and deterioration of the environment in the state.

The policy aims at mainstreaming environmental concerns in all the developmental activities and  argues that the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependent on resources obtain better livelihoods from conservation, rather than degradation of resources.

Urban development plans formulation and implementation (UDPFI) - Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment (1996)
This report has been formulated after taking into consideration the deficiencies of the Constitution 74th Amendment Act 1992, the Master Plan approach identified during the National Workshop at Delhi and the current policy of economic liberalisation. The report aims at providing guidelines to assist administrators, municipal town planners and consultants for Urban Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (UDPFI). Posted on 03 May, 2011 05:07 PM

The terms of reference of the study for formulation of guidelines included:

India's forests and REDD+ - A factsheet prepared by Ministry of Environment and Forests
The document explains another effort at climate change mitigation which is the concept of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) . Posted on 28 Apr, 2011 04:29 PM

The benefits of working with REDD and the need and benefits of getting more ambitious by accepting REDD+, which is about finding financial value for carbon stored in standing forests which therefore incentivises the positive elements of conservation is also elaborated here.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) – Relevant notifications from the Ministry of Environment and Forests
The National Green Tribunal is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. Posted on 22 Apr, 2011 05:16 PM


The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Act (2011)
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1964 (Karnataka Act 36 of 1964) has been amended in February 2011 to make rainwater harvesting compulsory in the city Posted on 21 Apr, 2011 09:23 PM

. Under the amendment the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is empowered to install rainwater harvesting systems if people do not comply and recover the cost from them.

Development of training module for water safety plan in urban areas - A document by ESCI
A new Risk Management tool to improve Water Safety Plan
Posted on 20 Apr, 2011 03:48 AM

A Water Safety Plan (WSP) is an improved risk management tool designed to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water. It identifies hazards, means to control them, means and actions to identify loss of control and its restoration. It comprises system assessment and design, operational monitoring and management plans (including documentation and communication). Water quality guidelines have been issued by the WHO.

Resistance against the Polavaram dam - An EPW article
Displacement of the tribal population caused by the Polavaram dam under construction on the Godavari river in Andhra has led to substantial number of protests in recent years Posted on 19 Apr, 2011 11:02 PM

 

This EPW paper studies the various forms of resistance against the construction of Polavaram dam, and notes that the main feature of the struggles has been the involvement of people’s organisations due to the failure of traditional as well as statutory bodies, representatives and regional leadership of mainstream political parties.

Forest and environment clearance given to 7 new projects in Uttarakhand - Press release by MoEF
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has granted forest and environment clearances to seven projects in Uttarakhand. This meets a long-standing demand of the State. Posted on 15 Apr, 2011 05:01 PM


Members of Parliament from Uttarakhand had a meeting with the Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests to discuss the matter. The projects have been appraised and approved by the Ministry’s Environmental Appraisal Committees and the Forest Appraisal Committee, after which the decision has been taken.

The projects that have been cleared include:

  • Collection of stone, boulders and other minor minerals from 1497 ha area in river bed of Gola river till the end of next working season i.e. till 31.5.2012
Landmark initiative of Karnataka High Court stops the destruction and degeneration of lakes of Bangalore – ESG's submission and the report of the Committee constituted by the Court
Over 400 lakes spread over 1200 sq kms of Bangalore are to be immediately protected and rehabilitated in an ecologically wise and socially just manner . Posted on 15 Apr, 2011 11:33 AM

Bangalore LakesThe Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in a recent landmark ruling (March 2011) accepted the report of the Karnataka High Court Legal Services Committee, which was constituted by it to examine the ground realities and prepare an action plan for the preservation of lakes in the city of Bangalore.

The issue dates back to 2008 when the Environment Support Group (ESG) filed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the privatisation of lakes in Bangalore by the Lake Development Authority. There were two key prayers in the PIL.

One was seeking "necessary directions directing (the Government) to frame a scheme for the effective administration of lakes and tanks in consonance with the Principle of Intergenerational Equity and Public Trust Doctrine, in line with the recommendations of the Lakshman Rau Committee and also in conformance with principles for wetland conservation and management as laid down by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests".

MoRD announces relaxation in NRDWP guidelines: Sustainability component to be reduced to 10% for 2010-11 and 2011-12
The current NRDWP guideline stipulates that 20% of funds would be earmarked for a "sustainability component", on a 100% Central share basis. Posted on 14 Apr, 2011 05:54 PM

The MoRD has through this order, announced that this will be relaxed to 10% NRDWP funds, on a 100% Central share basis for all States.

This relaxation would be valid for 2010 – 11 and 2011 – 12. The balance 10% of NRDWP funds that will become available is to be spent on coverage of quality affected and / or non – quality affected habitations, on a 50:50 sharing basis.

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