PROGRAMME DESIGN COMMITTEE

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute

Cuttack, Odisha
Prof. P.A. Azeez, Director, SACON, Coimbatore
Prof I.S. Thakur, School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi
Prof Uma Melkania, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities,
GBPUAT, Pantnagar
Prof. Nidhi Rai, University College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University,
Udaipur
Prof. Jitendra Pandey, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, BHU
Prof. R. Baskar, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering,
Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana
Prof. Jaswant Sokhi, SOS, IGNOU
Prof Neera Kapoor, SOS, IGNOU
Prof. P.K. Biswas, STRIDE, IGNOU
Prof. S.K.Yadav, SOA, IGNOU
Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapoor, SOITS, IGNOU
Prof. Shachi Shah, Director SOITS, IGNOU
Prof. B. Rupini, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. Surendra Singh Suthar, School of Environment & Natural Resources,
Doon University, Dehradun
Dr. Vijay Kumar Baraik, SOS, IGNOU
Dr.Tanushree Bhattacharya, Department of Civil and Environmental Engi-
neering, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi
Dr. Pulak Das, School of Human Ecology, Ambedkar University, Delhi
Dr.Shubhangi Vaidya, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. Sadananda Sahoo, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr.Sushmitha Baskar, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. V. Venkat Ramanan,SOITS, IGNOU
Dr.Deeksha Dave, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. Y.S.C. Khuman, SOITS, IGNOU

PROGRAMME COORDINATORS:
Prof. Shachi Shah, Director, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. V.Venkat Ramanan, SOITS, IGNOU
Dr. Deeksha Dave, SOITS, IGNOU

167
 BLOCK PREPARATION TEAM:
Course Contributors Content Editors
Dr. Deeksha Dave, SOITS, IGNOU Prof. Meera Mathur, Mohanlal
Sukhadia University, Udaipur

Course Coordinator: Dr. Deeksha Dave, SOITS, IGNOU

Language and Format Editors: Dr. Deeksha Dave, SOITS, IGNOU

MEVE 012 COURSES:

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
BLOCK 4 : Tools for Environmental Management
Unit 12: Corporate Social Responsibility
Dr. Divya Kirti Gupta
Associate Professor,
GITAM-Hyderabad Business School,
GITAM University, Hyderabad Campus
Unit 13: Internet and Environmental Management
Dr. Anita Jain
Lecturer
Dept. of Botany
Vidhya Bhawan Rural Institute
Udaipur (Raj.)
Unit 14: Environmental Governance
Dr. Anita Jain
Lecturer
Dept. of Botany
Vidhya Bhawan Rural Institute
Udaipur (Raj.)
Block Introduction

This block contains 3 units. In this block, you will learn about the tools of
Environmental Management. The importance of environmental management
has been recognized long ago. There are various means and measures which
direct the business organizations to charter out their path towards sustainability.
In Unit 1, you will learn about corporate social responsibility. CSR is widely
undertaken by the companies in order to address environmental and social
concerns. The definitions and concept of CSR has been described in this
unit. Likewise, in today’s times, the role of digital media cannot be ignored.
Unit 2 “Internet and Environmental Management” explains the role played
by internet in improving the management related to environmental issues. In
Unit 3 “Environmental Governance”, you will leaner about the Environmental
Governance measures which can play a role in improving the conditions of
environment.

168
UNIT 12 CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Structure

12.0 Introduction

12.1 Objectives

12.2 Concept and Definition of CSR

12.2.1 Triple Bottom-line and CSR
12.2.2 CSR and Sustainability of Business
12.2.3 Evolution and Scope

12.3 CSR initiative by companies

12.4 CSR in India and Companies Act, 2013

12.5 Standards, Guidelines, Initiatives and Indices

12.5.1 OECD Guidelines
12.5.2 GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines
12.5.3 ISO26000, The International Guidance Standard on
Social Responsibility of Organizations
12.5.4 Dow Jones Sustainability Index
12.5.5 FTSE4GOOD Index

12.6 NGOs and CSR

12.7 Let us Sum Up
12.8 Keywords

12.9 References and Suggested Readings

12.10 Answers to Progress Check

12.0 INTRODUCTION
In this unit, you will learn about Corporate Social Responsibility and its role
in Environmental Management. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has
become a buzz word today. It is being understood as a way to connect with the
society, as a way to give back to society, way to make organizations look more
real and grounded to the reality of the environment in which they operate. CSR
has become something that combines many aspects of organization’s existence
into one. Today corporates and business enterprises, globally, have realized that
business for profit only, looses the confidence and trust of consumers, workforce,
state and the management. This realization is encouraging organizations to
recognize the need of CSR as a tool and as a fountainhead of their business
activities 169
Tools for Environmental
Management 12.1 OBJECTIVES
After reading this unit, you will be able to
● Define CSR and the related terms.
● Relate CSR to sustainable development.
● Explain Indian legislation on CSR.
● Explain the Standards and Guidelines on CSR.
● Describe the role of NGOs in CSR.

12.2 CONCEPT AND DEFINITIONS OF CSR

The section focuses on the meaning and definition of CSR; it’s evolution and
scope; and how CSR is being used in a strategic way by the companies. It will
end by discussion on some of the industry examples on CSR. According to
Manne (as cited in Goralski, 1972), any working definition of Corporate Social
Responsibility requires three aspects:

To qualify as socially responsible corporate action, a business expenditure or

activity must be ‘one for which the marginal returns to the corporate are less
than the returns available from some alternative expenditure’, must be purely
voluntary, and must be an actual corporate expenditure rather than a conduit for
individual largesse.

Anderson Jr. (1989, p. 9) defines Social Responsibility (SR) as:

Obligation of both business and society (stakeholders) to take proper legal,

moral-ethical and philanthropic actions that will protect and improve the welfare
of both society and business as a whole; all of this must be accomplished within
the economic structure and capabilities of parties involved.

According to Ray (2004, p. iii), “CSR is about building relationship with

customers, about attracting and retaining talented staff, about managing
risk and assuring reputation. If viewed this way, it stands out differently from
Corporate philanthropy, which focuses on giving”.

According to World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

definition, "Corporate Social Responsibility” is the continuing commitment
by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while
improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of
the local community and society at large"

ISO26000, the International Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility of

Organizations, has made CSR more generic by saying that CSR is not only for
the corporates, but it is for all kinds and types of organizations. It defines social
responsibility as:

“Responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities

on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behaviour,
170 so that it contributes to the sustainable development, health and welfare of
society; takes into account the expectations of stakeholders; is in compliance Corporate Social
with applicable law and consistent with international norms of behavior; and is Responsibility
integrated throughout the organization and practiced in its relationships”.

Another important entity in the discussion on CSR is stakeholders. Stakeholders

are defined as “Individuals or group that has an interest in any decision or
activity of an organization”.

Earlier the focus used to be only the shareholders, and it then shifted to
stakeholders. In this, more emphasis was given to the external stakeholders,
like Customers, Suppliers, Vendors, Distributors etc. With the enhanced
understanding of the concept of CSR, and expansion in its scope, the internal
stakeholders also made it to the CSR discussion. Today, equal importance is
paid to the engagement and involvement of employees in the CSR programmes
and initiatives of the companies. Organizations are realizing that it is their
responsibility that they identify, engage and appropriately respond to the
internal and external stakeholders’ concerns and interest.

It is the responsibility of the organization to identify, engage and respond to

the expectations and interests of the stakeholders, internal and external, both.

12.2.1 Triple Bottom-line and CSR

The idea of ‘3Ps’- Profit, People and Planet is also called as the concept of
‘Triple Bottom-line’ (TBL), meaning thereby that organizations while doing
business should not only think of increase in profits, but should understand their
responsibility towards society and environment. It suggests that organizations
should make efforts to address all the three through their business operations.

In 1997, Briton John Elkington introduced the term (TBL) which is based on
the premise that business entities have more to do than make just profits for
the owners of the capital. Here People (human capital) refer to the Society,
where the business conducts its operations, Planet (natural capital) refers to the
sustainable environment practices and Profit is shared by all concerned.

In more ways than one, today CSR and TBL are interconnected, because through
TBL is more of an accounting principle, both together help organizations to
address the aspects of sustainability and sustainable development.

12.2.2 CSR and Sustainability of Business

CSR addressed the issues which are beyond earning profits. They relate with
governance of organizations, help in upholding human rights and labour rights,
help in serving larger good of the society and compel organizations to conserve
environment. But, there are not the only reasons. Today the organizations are
ready to embrace and practice CSR because they see a business sense in it. Some
of those aspects which enhance sustainability of the business are as follows:

In the previous section, we have read that the concept evolved over a period of
time and that the way people practice charity and philanthropy in their own way,
the same is possible in CSR. Before we look for the answer to this question, let
us reflect what we read in the previous section. 171
Tools for Environmental When we the concept of CSR has evolved over a period of time. This section
Management captures the attempts that have been made by different organizations and
networks to address the larger issue of organizations connecting with their
surrounding, sustainability and sustainable development and their positive
contribution and impact on society and environment.
1. Reduction in Operating Costs: CSR helps companies to look for ways
and means to reduce their operating costs. It is for the reason that there
are margins for improved solutions in the areas of procurement, product
recycle, water and energy consumption, etc. making organizations opt for
long term sustainable solutions. I also encourage organizations to draw
detailed risk mitigation plans that help in addressing costs. .
2. Right Leadership in Corporate Sector: One reason for taking up CSR is
development of right leadership within the corporate sector. It establishes
the organizations that act as leader and establish practices and benchmarks
for the industry to follow.
3. Higher Productivity and Quality: Company gives importance to its
triple bottom line, focuses on engaging employees in the CSR initiative
and improves organization governance, which has a positive impact on the
people leading to increased productivity and quality.
4. Access to Capital: Such companies also invite those investors, who are
especially interested in investing in firms that are aware of their Triple
Bottom Line and CSR work. Today banks and other financial institutions pay
close attention to the sustainability aspects of business while considering
them for bank loans and other financial supports because this parameter
impacts the repayment capacities of the organizations.
5. Increased Sales and Customer Loyalty: The customers value those
companies which are socially responsible. This helps in increasing sales
and leads to satisfied customers.
6. Enhancing Brand Image and the Brand Value: Currently, organizations
design communication plan around their CSR plans and activities, so that
the consumers know that how care is being taken by the organization to
conduct a responsible business. This not only informs stakeholders of the
work that a company does but also helps in creating a positive image. This
subsequently helps in increasing the brand value of the organization’s
product and service.

12.2.3 Evolution and Scope

As mentioned earlier, CSR has evolved over a period of time into its current
form and shape. It is important for us to understand that it is a concept that is
understood differently by people all over the world, and it is still evolving.

The tradition of CSR in India is quite old, although it has not been pursued in
terms of CSR the corporates here have always been interested in going for good.
Moreover, in comparison to the west it has also been found that the concept of
social good is more deep seated in Asian societies, including India, where it has
evolved more out of the need of the society for longevity and sustenance.
172
A fine illustration of this is the contents of a letter, shared by Ghandy (1995, Corporate Social
as cited in Chakraborty, 1998) that Jamshedji Tata wrote to his son in 1902, Responsibility
“Be sure to lay wide streets planted with shady trees…… Be sure that there
is plenty of space for lawns and gardens…… Reserve large areas for football,
hockey and parks. Earmark areas for Hindu temples, Mohammedan Mosques,
and Christian churches……” and the tradition continue till date, carrying on the
philosophy of social responsibility in the organization.

It is important to understand that CSR is a dynamic concept. It has got defined

by the expectation that society has from the business, and has evolved over a
period of time. All over the world, the practice of Charity, Philanthropy and
Trusteeship are considered as early forms of social responsibility practiced by
businesses.

12.3 CSR INITIATIVES BY COMPANIES

After understanding the concept of CSR, let us learn what companies are doing
under their CSR programmes. This will help in understanding what they are
focusing on; the link between business and CSR practices; the CSR vision and
policy; and how business and society benefit from CSR.

This section covers the examples from Indian and foreign companies. They
are only indicators of what is being done by the companies. The attempt is not
only to take the cause of CSR with internal and external stakeholders in a more
engaging manner, but at the same time use it as a strategic tool also.

Tatas:

Tata Group commands leadership when it comes to understanding the needs

of internal and external stakeholders They have contributed to nation building
through their manufacturing plants and facilities. But, Tata group has also
pioneered in employee welfare schemes and policies, much ahead of any
government of the time. Currently, they are extensively working in the area
of education, health, empowerment and environment through their group
companies.

Birlas:

As a business family, Birlas have practised charity and philanthropy. They have
to their credit many schools, colleges, social welfare institutions, museums all
across India. Currently, they are an active player in area of CSR too. Aditya
Birla Group engages actively in the area of CSR with the following mission:

“To actively contribute to the social and economic development of the

communities in which we operate. In doing so, build better, sustainable way of
life for the weaker sections of society and raise the country’s human development
index”.

Wipro:

For the last many years, Wipro has engaged itself actively into social and
environmental initiatives. In fact, it has built a strong foundation through
173
Tools for Environmental its planned CSR activities in these areas. For the implementation of these
Management programmes, Wipro uses its different channels. First is Wipro Foundation, which
is a trust that got established in April 2017. Second is Wipro cares, which is a trust
for employee contribution. The operations group of the company implements its
bio-diversity projects directly. Wipro has a collaborative approach. It partners
with other organizations that have a good track record of their work and are
accepted by people at the field level. In the year 2011, it started the programme
called Wipro Earthian through which the organization addresses the areas of
education and sustainability. It’s a national level programme and Wipro has
engaged more than 12500 schools and colleges and 6500 educators and has
reached our to 30,000 students since then.

INFOSYS:

Infosys Ltd. is also known for its CSR activities. In the year 2019, it spent 342
Crores on CSR which was 02 Crores more than the prescribed CSR expenditure
of 340 Crores (2% of the net profit of INR 17,018 Cr). Infosys Foundation,
the CSR trust undertakes the CSR activities of the company. This trust was
established in 1996 and networks with NGOs which act as implementation arm
for the trust. Some of the initiatives run by the trust are Aarohan - the Social
Innovation Awards; Restoration of water bodies in Karnataka; Supporting
the construction of a metro station in partnership with Bangalore Metro Rail
Corporation Limited; GoSports Foundation to enable the pursuit of access and
excellence in sports; and participation in relief efforts in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Kerala during calamities.

ITC:

ITC has long worked in making CSR strategic. It has generated models of CSR
which have let to livelihood generation and environmental capital. In 2019, the
Company collaborated with BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pratham
Education Foundation, Ramakrishna Mission, Bandhan Konnagar, SEWA
Bharat, Foundation for Ecological Security, ITC Sangeet Research Academy
(ITC SRA), ITC Rural Development Trust and CII–ITC Centre of Excellence
for Sustainable Development to implement its CSR programmes in 2019 and
has continued its efforts since then.

ADIDAS:

Huge push has been given by the company for ethical and environmentally
aware business practices. In 2019, the company produced more than 5 million
pairs of shoes containing recycled plastic were produced and changes made
in offices and warehouses helped them save 40 tons of plastics. And using
recycled material in football team Bayern Munich's uniform, has clearly paid
off.

MICROSOFT:

Microsoft has ensured that their product range remains competitive, but fair.
This helps in maintain a consistent revenue stream and improves company’s
reputation amongst customers, who don't ever feel like they've been taken
174 advantage of. Also, Microsoft is exceptional at tying their products to a certain
set of ethics and branding. People feel good about purchasing Microsoft Corporate Social
products, even when things go wrong. The company achieved this by making Responsibility
themselves vulnerable, staying devoted to an attitude of transparency and a
willingness to admit to errors on their part. Another thing that might have
positively contributed to Microsoft is the work done by its Founder, Bill Gates,
through ‘Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation’.

Check Your Progress Exercise 1

Note: a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit
Q 1 How would you define Corporate Social responsibility? What are the
essential components of CSR?

.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
Q 2 Cite different practices and CSR initiatives of the companies?

.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................

12.4 CSR IN INDIA AND COMPANIES ACT, 2013

The concept of CSR is not new to India. It business community at large and
organizations in India in recent history have contributed to the social good in
form of donations, charity, philanthropy, trusteeship etc. But, 2013 turned out
a landmark year for business community in India. CSR was made mandatory
by Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India by including it under
Section 135 to Companies Act, 2013 and what constitutes CSR activities under
law are specified in Schedule VII to Companies Act, 2013.

There is a primary condition to through which companies operating in India get

covered under Section 135. Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires the
Board of Directors of every company having a net worth of Rupees 500 Crore
or more, or turnover of Rupees 1,000 Crore or more or a net profit of Rupees 5
Crore or more, during any financial year, to ensure that the company spends in
every financial year at least 2% of the average net profits of the company made
during the three immediately preceding financial years on Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) in pursuance of its policy in this regard.

The Act requires such companies to constitute a CSR Committee and the task
of the CSR Committee is:
a) to formulate and recommend to the Board, a CSR Policy which shall
indicate the activities to be undertaken by the company as specified in
Schedule VII;
b) to recommend the amount of expenditure to be incurred on the activities; 175
Tools for Environmental and
Management c) to monitor the CSR Policy of the company from time to time.

It further states that the Board of company after taking into account the
recommendations made by the CSR Committee, approve the CSR Policy
for the company and disclose contents of such Policy in its report and also
place it on the company's website. The Board in its report needs to disclose
the composition of the CSR Committee. In addition, it is the responsibility
of the board to ensure that the activities, as are included in CSR Policy of the
company, are undertaken by the company.

The Section 135 also provides guidance on the CSR expenditure in a given
financial year. The Board of every company covered under section 135 has to
ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least two per cent
of the average net profits of the company made during the three immediately
preceding financial years, in pursuance of its CSR Policy.

Activities which may be included by companies in their Corporate Social

Responsibility Policies are given in Schedule VII to the Companies Act, 2013
as listed in Table 1. Modification or changes to Schedule VII are periodically
notified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Table 1: Schedule VII to the Companies Act, 2013

1 Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, promoting health care

including preventive and health care sanitation including contribution
to the Swach Bharat Kosh set-up by the Central Government for the
promotion of sanitation and making available safe drinking water;
2 Promoting education, including special education and employment
enhancing vocation skills especially among children, women, elderly
and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects;
3 Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes
and hostels for women and orphans; setting up old age homes, day care
centres and such other facilities for senior citizens and measures for
reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward
groups;
4 Ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection
of flora and fauna, animal welfare, agroforestry, conservation of
natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water2
including contribution to the Clean Ganga Fund set-up by the Central
Government for rejuvenation of river Ganga;
5 Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration
of buildings and sites of historical importance and works of art;
setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional
arts and handicrafts;
6 Measures for the benefit of armed forces veteran, war widows and
their dependents;

176
 Corporate Social
7 Training to promote rural sports nationally recognised sports, Responsibility
Paralympic sports and Olympic sports;
8 Contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or any
other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic
development and relief and welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the
Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women;
9 Contributions or funds provided to technology incubators located
within academic institutions which are approved by the Central
Government;
10 Rural development projects;
11 Slum area development.

It is to be noted that the activities undertaken by a company in pursuance of

its ‘normal course of business’; or CSR projects or programmes or activities
that benefit only the employees of the company and their families; or such
programmes or projects or activities, that are carried out as a pre-condition for
setting up a business, or as part of a contractual obligation undertaken by the
company do not constitute CSR activity as per Section 135, Companies Act,
2013.

With this legislation on CSR, India has shown leadership to the world. In recent
COVID times, corporates have contributed immensely through their CSR
spending. But, there are some difficulties also. One being that the definition of
CSR has got narrowed to the activities listed in Schedule VII and the discussion
on CSR too has got curtailed to CSR budget and spending. It is hoped that in
coming times the scope and quality of work delivered under CSR policy shall
also become an important topic of discussion and execution.
Check Your Progress Exercise 2
Note: a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit
Q1. Write about the motivational factors for funds allocation and execution of
CSR activities, other than CSR being made mandatory for companies in
India?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Q2. Can CSR be a corporate scam? What actions/steps can be taken to ensure
there is no misleading in CSR funds?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

12.5 STANDARDS, GUIDELINES, INITIATIVES

AND INDICES: 177
Tools for Environmental The first question that may come to your mind is - what are Standards,
Management Guidelines, Initiatives, Indices in CSR? Another questions may be, what is their
relevance or what purpose do they serve? These are important questions and
very obvious ones.

Let’s begin with an example of sustainability indices. Sustainability indexes

are instruments to measure the responsibility of a certain company in social
and environmental area. The more these aspects are taken into account by a
company in their business operations, higher is their score, which tends to
impact the stock market ratings, public image, acceptability, reliability, brand
image etc. of a company among its various stakeholders. There are institutional
and retail investors who give importance to the performance of a company on
economic, social and corporate governance dimensions.

Similarly, different Standards, Initiatives, Guidelines etc serve the cause

of CSR. They assist the companies in knowing what is expected of them,
because usually they are a result of multi-stakeholder process and extensive
discussion. Some of them are binding in nature (like: provision under Section
35, Companies Act, 2013 in India). They are mandatory and companies have
to report their performance annually. But, some standards and initiatives are
voluntary in nature (like: ISO26000). They provide guidance to the companies
on CSR and the decision of participation and adoption lies with the organization/
company. Yet, there are some, which are voluntary in nature, but they gain so
much credibility and acceptance in the industry that companies experience the
peer pressure to be part of them (like: OECD Guidelines and GRI Sustainability
Reporting Guidelines).

One may say that CSR is to be deciphered and understood by each company
in its own way, because each company’s nature of business, size, priorities,
supply chain etc is different. It is true, but different CSR Standards, Guidelines,
Initiatives and Indices create a common language, which makes it possible for
companies to address, understand, report and communicate their economic,
social, environmental, corporate governance performance in globalized
business environment.

In this section, we will discuss following prominent Indices, Standards and

Initiatives: OECD Guidelines, GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines,
ISO2600 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

12.5.1 OECD Guidelines:

OECD stands for ‘Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’.
It is an international organisation that works to build better policies to bring
prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. It is not more than
60 years old and has membership of 37 countries, which are primarily the
developed countries.

OECD works with governments, policy makers and citizens, to establish

evidence-based international standards and find solutions to a range of social,
economic and environmental challenges.

178
The OECD Guidelines are recommendations to multinational companies Corporate Social
on responsible business conduct. They are basically from the governments Responsibility
represented in the OECD to the companies operating in the global marketplace.
More than 40 countries, together representing 85% of foreign direct investment,
have endorsed the OECD guidelines.

How the responsibility starts with an individual company and where it ends in a
global context is something that the guidelines emphasize upon. The guidelines
guide companies on how they may minimize the adverse impacts of their
actions and judge the consequences of their actions. They also help them in
understanding the consequences of their actions. These guidelines centre on the
concept of economic, social and environmental progress.

For the fifth time, the guidelines were updated in 2011. They were adopted for
the first time in 1976. The most recent update incorporate a number of new
corporate conduct recommendations, like - incorporation of the UN Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights; and establishing the national contact
points in accordance with the guidelines.

OECD Guidelines constitute the oldest set of guidelines that addressed the role
of business in economic, social and environmental development, much before
corporate embraced the idea of CSR.

12.5.2 GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines:

Headquartered in the Netherlands, "GRI" refers to a global network of
organizations that create the reporting frameworks, use it in disclosing their
sustainability performance, demand its use by organizations as the basis for
information disclosure, or are actively engaged in improving the standard
(www.globalreporting.org). The GRI standards cover topics ranging from
anti-corruption to water, biodiversity to occupational health and safety, tax to
emissions.

Due to consistent pressure from various stakeholder groups – such as

governments, consumers and investors – to be more transparent about their
environmental, economic and social impacts, many companies today publish
Sustainability Report, which is also known as a CSR or Environmental, Social
and Governance (ESG) report.

First launched in 2000, GRI’s ‘Sustainability Reporting Guidelines’ are

extensively used by the MNCs, government organizations, small and medium
enterprises (SMEs), NGOs and industry groups in more than 90 countries for
making Sustainability Repots.

In 2017, 63 percent of the largest 100 companies (N100), and 75 percent of

the Global Fortune 250 (G250) used GRI Reporting Framework for their
sustainability reporting. The aim is of GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines
is to make reporting on economic, environmental and social performance as
routine and comparable as financial reporting in all organizations.

The idea for developing a framework for sustainability reporting was conceived
in1997. The draft GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were first released 179
Tools for Environmental in 1999. Initially twenty organizations based their sustainability reports on
Management the guidelines. In 2006, more than 850 organizations worldwide released
sustainability reports based on the GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework
and Guidelines. Since its first appearance in 2000, the standard has undergone
revisions. The Fourth generation of Sustainability Guidelines, called the GRI
G4 Sustainability Guidelines, were released in May, 2013.

The GRI Reporting Framework Principles are divided into two parts:
1. Principles for defining report content: These describe in detail the
process that is to be applied to identify content of the report based on
organization’s activities, impacts, substantive expectations and interests of
the stakeholders. It has following principles:
• Stakeholder inclusiveness;
• Sustainability Context as defined and adopted by the company.
• Materiality in the context of topics and indicators that reflect
economic, social and environmental impact of the company.
• Completeness in terms of practices adopted to collect the information
and its reasonable and appropriate representation in the report form
the core principles.
2. Principles for defining report quality: This principle guides companies in
ensuring the quality of the information that is reported by the company. It
is for the reason that information produced by the company should enable
stakeholders to sound and reasonable assessment of company’s performance
and take appropriate actions. The principles defining report quality, largely
promote transparency and responsibility on part of organizations in not
only disclosing what they are doing, but also, in owning up the decisions.
The principles to be followed are:
• Balance, wherein the company reports on positive and negative aspects
of organization’s performance and presents an unbiased picture to the
stakeholders.
• Comparability, which means that organizations selects, compiles
and reports information consistently and presents it in a manner
that stakeholders are able to not only track and analyse the changes
in organization’s performance over a period of time, but relate it to
reporting by other companies.
• Timeliness meaning that company reports on regular schedule so that
information is not only available to the stakeholders but it is possible
for them to integrate it in decision-making.
• Clarity meaning that information in not only available but is accessible
and understandable to the stakeholders.
• Reliability meaning that organization should collect, compile analyze
and disclose information in such a manner that it can be reproduced,
examined and audited.

The Sustainability Reports of the companies are available on the company

180
websites as part of mandatory disclosures for easy access and reference by Corporate Social
stakeholders and public at large. Responsibility

12.5.3 ISO26000: The International Guidance Standard on

Social Responsibility of Organizations:
One major attempt to capture the diverse understanding of CSR and give a concrete
shape to it was made by International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
Geneva. The organization is popularly known for its technical standards, but in
the last decade it had came up with a Guidance Standard called ISO26000, The
International Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility of Organizations.

It was developed ISO, Geneva with participation of experts from across the
globe representing different stakeholder groups – Government, Industry,
Labour, Consumers, NGO, and Service, Support Research and others (SSRO).

It was released in 2010 and provides detailed guidance on understanding,

integrating and implementing social responsibility throughout the organization.
The international standard was developed over a period of five years, involving
experts from more than 90 countries and 40 international or broadly-based
regional organizations involved in different aspects of social responsibility. It
is important to understand that this standard is not a certifiable standard, but
a guidance standard that helps organizations to voluntarily make attempt to
integrate CSR.

ISO26000 defines CSR as the responsibility of an organization for the impact of

its decisions and activities on society. It identifies seven core subjects of social
responsibility of organizations, which are:
• Organization Governance,
• Human Rights,
• Labour Issues,
• Consumer Issues,
• Environment,
• Fair Operating Practices,
• and Community Involvement & Development

It also emphasizes seven principles that need to be adopted and followed by

the organizations while integrating and implementing core-subjects in their
functioning. The seven principles are: Accountability, Transparency, Ethical
Behaviour, Respect for stakeholder interest, Respect for rule of law, Respect
for international norms of behaviour and Respect for human rights

(Source: https://www.iied.org/iso-26000-international-guidance-standard-
social-responsibility)

The uniqueness of the standard is that it followed a process of consensus building

as part of decision-making, encouraged the representation of experts from
developed and developing countries and ensured gender balance throughout.
181
Tools for Environmental The standard is aimed at all types of organizations, regardless of their activity,
Management size, or location.

12.5.4 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) are a family of best-in-class
benchmarks for investors, who have recognized that sustainable business
practices are critical to generating long-term shareholder value and who wish
to reflect their sustainability convictions in their investment portfolios. Dow
Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), launched in 1999 is used by thousands of
companies trading publicly. Operated under a strategic partnership between
S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM (Sustainable Asset Management) of
the S&P Dow Jones Indices, they are the longest-running global sustainability
benchmarks worldwide and help in selecting the most sustainable companies
from across 61 industries.

The DJSI uses the analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social
performance, also with assessment of issues like - corporate governance, risk
management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and
labour practices. The companies that do not operate in a sustainable and ethical
manner get removed.

The DJSI family contains one main global index, the DJSI World, and various
indexes based on geographic regions such as: Europe, Nordic, North America
and Asia Pacific. The DJSI also has industry-specific indexes called "blue
chip indexes". In addition, the methodology of DJSI facilitates the design,
development and delivery of customized sustainability indexes, like - indexes
covering different regions, indexes covering different segments of the leading
sustainability companies, indexes covering additional exclusion criteria and
indexes denominated in different currencies.

12.5.5 FTSE4Good Index

The FTSE4Good Index is a series of ethical stock market indices launched
in 2001 by the FTSE group. FTSE International Ltd., which trades as FTSE
Russell is a British provider of stock market indices and associated data services,
wholly owned by the London Stock Exchange (LSE). FTSE4Good is one of the
indexes out of many others offered by the company. FTSE stands for Financial
Times Stock Exchange.

The FTSE4Good Index Series believes that companies will design and demonstrate
demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
The companies are rated for their performance on environmental sustainability,
relationships with stakeholders, attitudes to human rights, supply chain labour
standards and fight against corruption. The index excludes companies that
are involved in tobacco production, nuclear weapons, conventional weapon
systems, or coal power industry.

For creating or assessing sustainable investment products, the clearly-defined

ESG criteria make FTSE4Good indexes appropriate tool to be used by a wide
array of organizations. There are four ways in which FTSE4Good indexes can
182
be used: Corporate Social
Responsibility
• As Financial products – They can be used as tools for creating index
to track investments, financial instruments or fund products focused
on sustainable investment.
• For Research – They can be used in indentifying companies that are
environmentally and socially sustainable.
• As Reference – They can be used as a global ESG standard against
which companies can assess their progress and achievement.
• For Benchmarking – To track the performance of sustainable
investment portfolios, these standards can be used as benchmark index.

Progress Check Exercise 3:

Note: a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit
Q1. Write a note on CSR Standards, Initiatives and Indices?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Q2. Elaborate on the purpose of CSR Standards, Initiatives and Indices?

.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................

12.6 NGOS AND CSR

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have long been in existence across
the globe. NGO is basically a non-profit group that functions independently
of any government. NGOs, sometimes called civil societies, are organized on
community, national and international levels to serve a social or political goal
such as humanitarian cause or the environment (investopedia.com).

Why NGOs are an important part of any society is because they reach those
places, people, and issues that even the governments and organizations are not
able to reach or address. Usually, NGOs have the reputation of working closely
with the people and the communities at large. They also command respect and
trust of the people with whom they work. This is one reason organization tend
to collaborate with the local or regional NGOs. Today NGOs are playing an
active role in CSR. For the implementation of CSR vision of the companies,
NGOs were seen as a natural choice for partnership. NGOs are also seen as the
implementation arm of the companies’ CSR initiatives and programmes.

NGOs can be classified on the basis of their size, composition, nature of

activities, issues they address, the founders, and at times the ideological bias
(Icon Network, May 19, 2013). They also have different names in different
contexts. They may be national or international. Goonj, Childline India, Child
in Need Institute, Katha, Astha, Prayas Sansthan, Pradhan, Urmul, SEWA etc.
183
Tools for Environmental are some of the Indian NGOs, whereas Action Aid, Save the Children, OXFAM,
Management CARE, Mercy Corps etc are some of the international NGOs.

Other reasons for collaboration between NGOs and business organizations is

that NGOs have a better understanding of issues and challenges faced by people
and communities in their local areas and they are also aware of the political
and ideological dynamics of the place, which helps businesses to steer clear of
bottle-necks, obstacles and potential failures.

Cummins, India (Cummins.com) works through Cummins India Foundation

(CIF), which was founded as an independent legal entity in 1990 to direct
organizations corporate responsibility initiatives. Cummins has three focus
areas – Higher education, Energy, Environment, and Equality of opportunity.
All the initiatives cover these three areas.

The projects in each area receive financial support from the Foundation.
Cummins also encourages active involvement of its employees in its CSR
initiatives. As part of ‘Every Employee Every Community initiative (EEEC)’,
every employee has to work for minimum of four working hours on any of
the projects. A Steering Committee oversees the work of Cummins India
Foundation. It is comprised of senior leaders of the management team as the
Board of Trustees. The Foundation engages closely with civic bodies, NGOs,
Government and the communities and believes in working for organization's
mission of “Making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous
world.”

There are many such organizations, which are entering in such partnerships
and collaborations with NGOs in India. On one side, it is good idea to partner
with an entity, which understands people and the communities they are serving,
but this comes with certain challenges. The biggest is to find the appropriate
NGO partner; the one whose own vision and work matches the CSR vision and
programme of the business organization. It is also essential that NGOs have
certain ethical and professional standards, because any misdemeanor on their
part has the chance of impacting the reputation and operations of the company
in the areas.

Since, business organizations have started looking for implementation partners

for their CSR programmes, this it has also generated a pressure on the NGOs
in terms of heightened expectations from them on success of the programmes.
This sometimes also takes a toll on their own freedom of decision-making and
choices. This ease of off-setting the CSR responsibility on the NGOs has also
led to springing up of such NGOs, who only look for being the implementation
partners for the business organizations, in the process compromising on the very
purpose of their own existence. Business organizations need to have screening
processes in place which enable them to short-list the right NGOs.

All things taken together, it is a good start that CSR has brought NGOs and
business organizations together to serve the interest of the society. But, lot
of work needs to be done by both the parties to ensure that their partnership
upholds the interest of the society in the long run, instead of getting converted
into something that is short-term and self-interest serving partnership.
184
Check Your Progress Exercise 4: Corporate Social
Responsibility
Note: a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit
Q1. Elaborate on the role of NGOs in implementing CSR?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Q2. Cite few more examples of NGO-Business organization collaboration and
the areas that they focus on?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Q3. Have the companies created a demand for NGOs as companies require
NGOs to perform their CSR activities?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

12.7 LET US SUM UP

CSR refers to the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its
decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent
and ethical behaviour. As the role of organizations increased in the society, the
concept of CSR also evolved. Today stakeholders are interested in knowing the
CSR performance of the organizations and for this there are many Standards,
Guidelines, Initiatives and Indices that have come into play. They not only
help in assessing holistic performance of the organizations but they also guide
organizations on CSR. India’s legislation on CSR, through Companies Act
2013, is a significant step in the direction of CSR and it encourages direct
connect between organizations and NGOs.

12.8 KEY WORDS

Corporate Social
Responsibility : Responsibility of an organization for
the impacts of its decisions and activities
on society and the environment, through
transparent and ethical behaviour.
Stakeholder : Individuals or group that has an interest in
any decision or activity of an organization
Triple-Bottom Line (TBL) : Introduced by Briton John Elkington in
1997, TBL is based on the premise that
business organizations have more to do than
to make profits for the owners of the capital.
Here, ‘People’ refers to the Society, ‘Planet’
refers to the earth’s nature and resources and
185
Tools for Environmental the activities undertaken by human beings;
Management and ‘Profit’ refers to the gains made by the
organizations from its activities, which also
involve all the use of earth’s resources and
involve human beings.

12. 9 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED

READINGS
1. Anderson Jr, J. W. (1989). Corporate social responsibility: guidelines for
top management. US: Quorum Books.
2. Chakraborty, S.K. (1998). Human Values for Managers. (Ed.), (1st ed., 3rd
reprint), Allahabad, India: Wheeler Publishing.
3. Fernandes, K. (December 20, 2019). The Top 20 Companies for CSR in
2019. Retrieved from https://thecsrjournal.in/top-indian-companies-for-
csr-2019/
4. Goralski, R. (1972). The Modern Corporation and Social Responsibility.
Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.
5. ICAI. (n.d.). Guidance Note on Treatment of Costs Relating to Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities. Retrieved from https://icmai.in/
upload/CASB/GN-Treatment-CSR.pdf
6. Icon Networks (May 19, 2013). Classification of Non-Governmental
Organizations. Retrieved from https://iconphils.wordpress.
com/2013/05/19/classification-of-non-government-organizations-ngos/
7. ICSI. (n.d.). Corporate Social Responsibility. Retrieved from https://
www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/companiesact2013/CSR%20Final%20
02022015.pdf
8. n.d. (July 25, 2019). Top Companies with Leading CSR Reputation.
Retrieved from https://www.sustainabilityvibes.com/ethics-and-
responsibility/2019/7/25/top-companies-with-leading-csr-reputation
9. n.d. (November 13, 2019). What is a Sustainability index Used for?
Retrieved from https://www.bbva.com/en/what-is-a-sustainability-index-
used-for/
10. Ray, S. (2004). Corporate social responsibility - cases. Hyderabad, India:
ICFAI Books, ICFAI University Press.

Websites and Further Readings:

1. Aditya Birla Group (CSR): https://www.adityabirla.com/csr
2. Companies Act, 2013: https://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/
CompaniesAct2013.pdf
3. CSR Compendium: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
csrcompendium2020.cms
186 4. Cummins, India: https://www.cummins.com/en/in/company/corporate-
 responsibility/global-impact/cummins-india-foundation Corporate Social
Responsibility
5. DJSI Index Family: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/indices/djsi-index-
family
6. Dow Jones Sustainability Indices:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_
Jones_Sustainability_Indices
7. FTSE Russell: https://www.ftserussell.com/products/indices/ftse4good
8. FTSE4Good: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTSE4Good_Index
9. FTSE Group: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTSE_Group
10. GRI: https://www.globalreporting.org/
11. GRI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Reporting_Initiative
12. ISO26000 The International Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility
of Organizations, 2010 by ISO, Geneva.
13. ISO26000: https://www.iied.org/iso-26000-international-guidance-
standard-social-responsibility
14. OECD: https://www.oecd.org/about/
15. OECD Guidelines: https://businessconduct.dk/oecd-guidelines
16. OECD Guidelines: https://www.csrcompass.com/oecd-guidelines
17. Target Study: https://targetstudy.com/articles/importance-of-ngo-s-in-
society.html
18. Triple Bottom Line: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line
19. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): https://
www.gaea.bg/about-GAEA/corporate-social-responsibility.html

12.10 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress Exercise 1
Q 1 The answer may include following points:
● Meaning and definition CSR; and the aspects that have got added to CSR
over a period of time.
Q 2 The answer may include following points:
● Name of Indian and Foreign companies from different sectors.
● CSR vision, programmes, initiatives and best practices in CSR.

Check Your Progress Exercise 2

Q.1 The answer may include following points:
● The reason for taking up CSR
● Impact of CSR on Internal and External Stakeholders
Q 2 The answer may include following points:
187
● Malpractices by companies
● Over-reporting and under-reporting
● Provision under law and guidance by government to address malpractices.

Check Your Progress Exercise 3

Q 1 The answer may include following points:
● Different CSR Standards, Guidelines, Initiatives and Indices.
Q 2 The answer may include following points:
● Reasons CSR Standards, Guidelines, Initiatives and Indices are used by
different stakeholders.

Check Your Progress Exercise 4

Q 1 The answer may include following points:
● The benefits of NGO-Business partnership in addressing social and
environmental issues.
Q 2 The answer may include following points:
● Examples of the companies.
Q 3 The answer may include following points:
● Write your opinion on the link between NGOs and Business organizations
and their usefulness and success in addressing TBL.
UNIT 13 INTERNET AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
Structure
13.0 Introduction
13.1 Objectives
13.2 Internet and Environment Protection Organisations?
13.2.1. United Nations (www.un.org)
2.2.1.1 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
2.2.1.2 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources
13.2.2 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
13.2.3 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
2.2.3.1 State pollution control boards (SPCB)
13.2.4 The Legislative Structure

13.3 Monitoring and disaster management system

13.4 The internet of things
13.5 Let us sum up
13.6 Key words
13.7 References & Suggested Reading
13.8 Answers to check your progress

13.1 INTRODUCTION
In the last 30 years of human history, the world of internet has made immense
progress. Information and Communication Technology has revolutionised
human life in myriad ways. Post 2nd world War world was inching towards the
idea of free flow of thoughts, goods, services and labour across the globe without
man made restrictions. This ideological revolution was called globalization in
the economics and political science discourse. However, something that made
globalization or rather the global connectivity an irreversible fact of human life
is the internet technology.

As mentioned earlier, the internet technology has influenced all aspects of human
life. However, it most powerful impact has been felt in the field of knowledge.
An expression that can aptly summarize the role of internet is “democratization
of knowledge.” Environmental management (EM) is one of those domains
where internet has made a tremendous impact.

Today, in a flash of second, one gets to see the live pictures of forest fires
taking place in the US. If there is any major project harming the environment
is being executed in remote parts of the world, within seconds it becomes a
Tools for Environmental major headline, when some environment related NGO does advocacy on social
Management media. EM has become an inalienable part of global discourse on international
relations, human security, food security and scientific progress and the quality
of life. The world’s leading international organization like the UN devotes a
large amount of resources to combat desertification and climate change in Sub
Saharan Africa. Besides, there is large number of NGOs working in various
parts of the world. EM has become an important of political discourse in the
domestic politics.

Having discussed the role that internet plays in empowering the discourse on
EM, we need to move on to the main theme of this chapter which is understanding
and exploring the ways in internet can help us in improving the EM.

EM, a term encompassing environmental planning, protection, monitoring,

assessment, research, education, conservation and sustainable use of resources,
is now acceptable as a major guiding factor for sustainable development. It
leads to enhanced environmental protection, efficiency in natural resource
management, diminished waste and emissions, mitigating climate.

13.1 OBJECTIVES
Environmental Management (EM), a term encompassing environmental
planning, protection, monitoring, assessment, research, education, conservation
and sustainable use of resources, is now acceptable as a major guiding factor
for sustainable development. For sustainable development and EM internet
has tremendous impact. After reading this chapter, the readers are expected
to learn the fundamentals of using internet-based sources in environmental
management including online journals, websites and related research material.
Also, the readers will have basic understanding of disaster management system,
internet of things and NNRMS.

13.2 INTERNET AND ENVIRONMENT

Primarily, the scholars and students of environmental management can surf
internet to keep the track of environment or climate-change related developments
in various parts of the world. Since the environmental events do not follow the
manmade boundaries of nation states, timely awareness of things happening in
other countries, which can affect environmental changes in our country, through
internet, can help us in sounding alarm bells much in advance.

Secondly, EM practices employed by global NGOs, International Institutions

in various parts of the world can be studied through internet. One can visit
their websites critically study their evaluation reports, projects reports and
implementation techniques. Then, we can improvise them or customise them
according to the similar challenges in our country.

Thirdly, one can read the UN documents, best practices’ manuals. Through
internet, one can also establish contacts with national and international funding
agencies. If the government authorities are not paying attention, internet can
play a great role in advocacy and raising awareness.
190
Fourthly, best environment-related journals such as Nature etc. are available Internet and
on the internet, in addition to the documentaries and other technical documents Environmental
Management
needed for environmental management.

Fifthly, students must be given this exposure to the vast resource available on
the internet at an early age only.

Sixthly, due to the increasing awareness on environment, the private sector

players are also investing majorly on environmental management. The scholars
and students can study their innovations, funding procedures and projects in
environmental management.
Major web portal related to environmental management are:
1. United Nations (UN) (www.un.org).
2. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC)
(http://moef.gov.in).
3. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Board
(SPCB) (https://cpcb.nic.in/).
4. Environmental Acts.

13.2.1. United Nations (www.un.org): In response to growing worldwide

concern with environmental issues, the General Assembly organized
the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which was held
in Stockholm in 1972 and led to the creation of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). UNEP established by General Assembly resolution
2997(XXVII) of 15 December 1972.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (https://www.

unep.org/) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global
environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of
the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United
Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global
environment.

Mission of UNEP is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring

for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples
to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP have divisions as well
as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating
centres of excellence. It hosts several environmental conventions, secretariats
and inter-agency coordinating bodies. UNEP categorize its work into seven
broad thematic areas: i) climate change, ii) disasters and conflicts, iii) ecosystem
management, iv) environmental governance, v) chemicals and waste, vi)
resource efficiency, and vii) environment under review. In all of its work, UNEP
maintain its overarching commitment to sustainability. Missions of UNEP
are possible only because of partners of fund. UNEP depend on voluntary
contributions for 95 per cent of its total income. Every year, UNEP honour and
celebrate individuals and institutions that are doing outstanding work on behalf
of the environment.
191
Tools for Environmental UNEP also host the secretariats of many critical multilateral environmental
Management agreements and research bodies, bringing together nations and the
environmental community to tackle the greatest challenges of our time. These
include the following:
● The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
● The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES)
● The Minamata Convention on Mercury
● The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
● The Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer and the Montreal
Protocol
● The Convention on Migratory Species
● The Carpathian Convention
● The Bamako Convention
● The Tehran Convention

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

(IUCN) www.iucn.org

The IUCN's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations was

established on 17 December 1999, as environmental issues continue to assume
a greater role in many multilateral organizations.

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society

organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more
than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 17,000 experts.
This diversity and vast expertise makes IUCN the global authority on the
status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. IUCN
works across a wide range of themes related to conservation, environmental
and ecological issues. These are Business and Biodiversity, Climate change,
Ecosystem management, Environmental law, Forest, Gender, Global policy for
conservation, Governance and rights, Marine and polar, Nature based solutions,
Protected Areas, Science and economics, Species, water, World heritage, etc.

IUCN has offices in more than 50 countries and runs projects all around the
world. IUCN have Member organisations and State Members in more than 160
countries and a network of over 17,000 voluntary scientists and experts spanning
the globe. IUCN's operational regions coordinate projects in States of Asia,
West Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Europe, Mediterranean region,
West and Central Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, Mexico, Central
America and the Caribbean, South America, Washington D.C., Oceania etc.
IUCN prepare conservation databases and tools for Species, Protected Areas,
Key Biodiversity Areas, Law, and Ecosystem databases are proved helpful to
hundreds of organizations these are:
● The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
192
● assesses risk of both plant and animal species extinction Internet and
Environmental
● The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems assesses risk of ecosystem collapse Management
● The IUCN World Heritage Outlook assesses World Heritage sites over
time
● The World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas assesses sites important
for biodiversity
● Protected Planet assesses protected areas
● ECOLEX provides a gateway to environmental law
● PANORAMA provides practical solutions for sustainable development
and one can directly access directly from web link: https://www.iucn.org/
resources/conservation-tools.

13.2.2 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change (MoEFCC):
India is a "Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic" with a
parliamentary system of government. This section seeks to introduce the
Constitution of India, its origin, the Parliament, various Acts and Rules that
govern the nation, Documents, Public Notifications, Welfare Schemes and
Application Forms to avail them, apart from updates on what’s happening
around us. Know the "Who's Who" of the Indian Government and check out a
range of such vital information that may help you in your daily life.

Web portal https://www.india.gov.in/ is the Indian government portal for all

citizens, also known as National portal India /Government of India (GOI) Web
directory. It is onepoint sources to access all Indian government websites at
all levels and from all sectors. On this portal information about Forest and
Environment is get from web link https://www.india.gov.in/topics/environment-
forest

MoEFCC is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central

Government for planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the
implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes.
It provides the information on project clearances and rules and regulation related
to pollution, environmental protection and wildlife. Users can get to know about
actions and reports related to climate change and biodiversity conservation
from web link http://moef.gov.in/. Important divisions & programs made by
ministry, rules and regulation made for the protection of wildlife, forest and
environment are as under:
(a) Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
(CAMPA) http://egreenwatch.nic.in/public/aboutcampa.aspx.

CAMPA promote afforestation and regeneration activities as a way of

compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest uses. The users can get
information related to account openings, establishment guidelines, meetings,
financial statements and annual plans etc.

(b) The Envis centre for Faculty of Marine Science of Annamalai University 193
Tools for Environmental http://www.envis.nic.in/
Management
This website provides detailed information about centre. It gives information
about estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, and lagoons. The users can also access
details of library, newsletters, news clippings, and publications.
(C) Centre for Animals and Environment (NIAW) http://moef.gov.in/about-the-
ministry/organisations-institutions/institute/national-institute-of-animal-
welfareniaw2/; http://www.awionline.org.

This portal has the information on Centre for Animals and Environment (CAE)
of MoEFCC. Details about the responsibility of CAE in fostering the man-
animal-nature relationship are given. Users can get details about the role of
Centre for Animals and Environment in prevention of cruelty to animals,
protection of environment from pollution, conservation of ecology and
promoting vegetarianism and animal welfare.
(d) Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE)
http://moef.gov.in/centres-of-excellence/center-for-environmental-
management-of-degraded-ecosystem/-

The portal gives information about Centre for Environmental Management of

Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) by the MoEFCC. It details about the role of
CEMDE in strengthening awareness, research and training in priority areas of
environmental management of degraded ecosystems. Users can get information
about the function of CEMDE on the issues of biodiversity conservation, habitat
loss, pollution and rehabilitation of displaced.
(e) National Centre for Sustainable costal Management (NCSCM) http://
ncscm.res.in/cms/more/pdf/factsheets/About_NCSCM-0.PDF

NCSCM would aid in the better protection, conservation, rehabilitation,

management and policy design of the coast. It would promote integrated
and sustainable management of coastal and marine areas in India and advise
the Union and States/ Union Territory Governments and other associated
stakeholders on policy, and scientific matters relating to Integrated Coastal
Management (ICZM).
(f) Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT)
http://www.frlht.org/

FRLTH is a centre of excellence on medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.

Users can get detail about the action and research activities taken and done by
FRLHT on various issues related to conservation and management of medicinal
plant resources. Contact address of FRLTH is also available on this website.
(g) Salim Ali Centre for Information on Ornithology and Natural History
(SACON) www.sacon.in

The SACON is a national centre for studies in Ornithology and Natural History.
Users can get contact details like phone numbers, fax number, links to Centre
for Environment Education, CPR Environmental Education Centre and Centre
for Ecological Sciences are available.

194 (h) Centre for Mining Environment (CME) http://moef.gov.

 in/?s=Centre+for+Mining+Environment Internet and
Environmental
Users can get information about the role of CME in carrying out research and Management
training in the area of Mining Environment. Users can get information about
the M. Tech. Programme on Environmental Sciences and E n g i n e e r i n g
offered by CME. Contact address is also available. Links are provided to Centre
for Environment Education and C.P.R.

(g) Animal Welfare Division of MoEFCC moef.gov.in/division/environment-

divisions/animal-2-2/cpcsea/

Users can access information on legislation and schemes of the Division.

Details on good practices in animal experimentation (CPCSEA), scheme for
scholarships to students for study abroad in animal welfare etc. are given.
Detailed information about the procedure of registration of establishments for
breeding of animals and experiments on animals is available.
(i) Demands for Grants, MoEFCC moef.gov.in/.../detailed-demand-for-
grants;

This portal gives details of Demand for Grants for MoEFCC. Users can get
details about the grant amount and related spending details. Users can view and
download the files.
(j) PARIVESH http://moef.gov.in/parivesh-an-environmental-single-
window-hub-for-environment-forest-wildlife-and-crz-clearances-
launched/

PARIVESH (Pro Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous

Environmental Single window Hub) is a web based, role based workflow
application which has been developed for online submission and monitoring
of the proposals submitted by the proponents for seeking Environment, Forest,
Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and district level authorities.
It automates the entire tracking of proposals, which includes online.
(k) Zoological Survey of India & Botanical Survey of India http://
faunaofindia.nic.in; http://bsi.gov.in

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is the premier taxonomic research

organization in India. It was established on 1 July 1916 to promote surveys,
exploration and research leading to advancement of our knowledge of various
aspects of the exceptionally rich animal life of India.

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under the
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India for carrying out taxonomic
and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country. It was established
on 13th February, 1890 with the basic objective to explore the plant resources
of the country and to identify the plants species with economic virtues. The
Botanical Survey of India has the nine regional centres.
(l) Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) http:/sicom.nic.in

SICOM has been established under the aegis of the MoEFCC. Government
of India with a vision for vibrant, healthy and resilient Coastal and Marine
195
Tools for Environmental Environment for continuous and enhanced outflow of benefits to the Country
Management and the Coastal Community. The Ministry proposes to establish a National
Coastal Mission that will not only conserve the coastal environment but also
promote development, generate revenue and provide employment. The National
Coastal Mission will include all Phases of ICZM Project.

(m) Information on fellowships and awards of MoEFCC moef.gov.in/e-

citizen/fellowships-and awards.

Separate link has been given by the MoEFCC for Fellowships and Awards.
Users can get details about Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP), Indira
Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Awards, National Awards for Excellence in
Forestry, Desert Ecology Fellowship, etc. Information on M.Tech. Programme
on Environmental Management of Rivers & Lakes is given. Users can download
annexure, booklet, prospectus of programmes, etc.
(n) Information on Indian Forest Service.

Get information on the Indian Forest Service (IFS) by the MoEFCC. Users can
get details of the rules and regulations for the IFS. Information on the role of
IFS in managing and protecting the forests is provided.
(o) Information about Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam

Get information about Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam. Get details about forest
types, major flora and fauna, main and endangered species, etc. in the reserve.
Information on various special projects is also provided. New initiatives, eco-
development, protection squads and patrolling, etc. are given. Get details
about poaching of fauna and flora, poaching of wildlife, etc.
(p) Information on animal welfare laws

Information about the Acts, rules and notifications on animal welfare are
provided by the MoEFCC. Users can find details of the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act, government notifications and rules related to prevention of
cruelty on animals, animal breeding, experiments and transporting etc.

(q) Information on National River Conservation Plan

The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) by the MoEFCC aims at

preventing pollution of rivers and improving water quality. Users can access
information on specific action plans for various rivers, details of sewage
treatment plants, water quality monitoring and implementing agencies.
(r) Information on National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA)
http://www.lexuniverse.com/environment-laws/india/The-National-
Environment Appellate-Authority.html

National Environment Appellate Authority was established under the provision

of the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 to hear appeals with
respect to restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes
or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall
be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 and for connected and incidental matters. The act provides that if any
196
person aggrieved by an order which has granted environmental clearance in the Internet and
areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, Environmental
Management
operations and processes are prohibited or are permitted to be carried out
subject to certain safeguards may, within thirty days from the date of such order,
prefer an appeal to the Authority in such form as may be prescribed subject to
the provision that on the satisfaction of the Authority that the appellant was
prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time, the Authority may
entertain such appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days but not
after ninety days from the aforesaid date.
(s) Information on wildlife laws www.india.gov.in/information-wildlife-laws

The Government of India enacted Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 with the
objective of effectively protecting the wild life of this country and to control
poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives. Users
can get details related to wildlife protection acts, bills, rules, notifications and
guidelines.
(t) Information on Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management System
(BEAMS)

To plan sustainable tourism and healthy coastal management, MoEFCC has

conceived an integrated coastal management scheme viz. BEAMS (also referred
to as Beach Management Services) to reduce existing pollutants on beaches and
to aspire & achieve such high International Standards in India.
(u) Proforma and forms of Ministry of Environment and Forests https://
parivesh.nic.in/writereaddata/ENV/envlab/envlabguideline.pdf

Download Performa and forms of MoEFCC. Performa for Laboratory

Recognition under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Format for Inspecting
Teams for approval of Animal House Facilities for breeding of animals/conduct
of experimentation on animals, Record of Animals Acquired and Experiments
performed, Application for Permission for Animal Experiments, etc. are
available.

(v) Good practices in environmental regulation http://moef.gov.in/proj-

ect-approvals/geac-clearances/,http://moef.gov.in/rules-and-regulations/
environment-protection/, http://moef.gov.in/rules-and-regulations/envi-
ronment-protection/crz-notifications/

Several regulatory functions are part of the mandate of the MoEFCC, e.g.
Environmental Clearance, Forestry Clearance, Coastal Zone Regulation,
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, Animal Experimentation, etc.
While re-engineering of these regulatory procedures is going on, some "Good
Practices" in regulatory procedures may be adopted to remedy clearly perceived
problems with the regulatory procedures.

National Environment Policy (NEP) 2006 https://www.indiawaterportal.

org/articles/national-environment-policy-nep-ministry environment-and-for-
ests-2006#:

The National Environment Policy, 2006 is the outcome of extensive consultations

197
Tools for Environmental with experts in different disciplines, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament,
Management State Governments, Industry Associations, Academic and Research Institutions,
Civil Society, NGOs and the Public. One can find the detail about the policy,
notification etc. from here.

Policy Statements on environment and forest by MoEFCC www.india.gov.

in/policy-statements-environment

Details about Policy Statements on environment and forest by MoEFCC,

are given. Users can get information on National Environment Policy 2006,
National Zoo Policy, National Forest Policy, Wildlife Conservation Strategy
2002, etc. Access to Policy Statement for Abatement of Pollution and National
Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development
is also available.
National Forest Policy (NFS) 1988
Details about National Forest Policy 1988 by the MoEFCC are given. Users
can get information related to the policy, its objectives, background, essentials
for forest management and strategy. Details on area under forests, afforestation,
social forestry, farm forestry, management of state forests, wildlife conversation,
tribal people, etc. and any change in policy are also available.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) http://moef.gov.in/about-the-ministry/

organisations-institutions/authorities-tribunal/national-biodiversity-authority/

The Act covers conservation, use of biological resources and associated

knowledge occurring in India for commercial or research purposes or for the
purposes of bio-survey and bio-utilisation. It provides a framework for access
to biological resources and sharing the benefits arising out of such access and
use.

Legislations on Environment, Forests and Wildlife https://www.india.gov.in/

legislations-environment-forests-and-wildlife?page=3

One can find the legislation related to the environment, forests and wildlife
protection provided by the MoEFCC. Users can find Acts and Rules pertaining
to water pollution, air pollution, environment protection, public liability
insurance, animal welfare etc.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP-14 http://

unccdcop14india.nic.in

Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

(UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment
and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses
specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the dry
lands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and people can be found.
National Environment Tribunal http://moef.gov.in/?s=National+Environ-
ment+Tribunal
In 1995 the Central Government established the National Environment
Tribunal [through the National Environment Tribunal Act 1995] to provide for
198
strict liability for damage arising out of accidents caused from the handling of Internet and
hazardous substances. Environmental
Management
Green tribunal act https://www.india.gov.in/official-website-national-green-
tribunal

National Green Tribunal is a specialized body equipped with the necessary

expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.

Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 http://moef.gov.in/?s=public+Liability+-

Insurance+Act+1991

The main objective of this act is to provide for damages to victims of an

accident which occurs as a result of handling any hazardous substance. The
Act applies to all owners associated with the production or handling of any
hazardous chemicals. Users can get to know of the Act issued by the MoEFCC,
amendments to the Act, notifications covering list of officers authorized to take
actions.

Rules and regulations on forest conservation https://www.india.gov.in/rules-

and-regulations-forest-conservation

Information about the Acts, rules and guidelines related to the forest
conservation by the MoEFCC are available. Users can also collect information
on the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Forest Rights) Act, the Forest Conservation Act and the Indian Forest Act apart
from the rules and guidelines related to forest conservation.

Major Forest Acts

● State/Union Territory Minor Forest Produce (Ownership of Forest
Dependent Community) Act, 2005 – Draft (51.51 KB)
● Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, amended 1988. (33.12 KB)
● The Indian Forest Act, 1927. (160.23 KB)

Major Forest Rules

● G.S.R.23(E) – Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003. (178.39 KB)
● G.S.R.719 – Forest (Conservation) Rules, 1981, amended 1992.(52.44 KB)
● Revised draft on Inspection, monitoring and verification and overall
procedure relating to Grant of Forest Clearances and Identification of
Forests

Climate Change Division india.gov.in/climate-change-division-ministry-

environment-and-forests/

The Climate Change Division of Ministry of Environment, Forests & climate

change is India's nodal agency for climate change cooperation and global
negotiations. It is also the nodal unit for coordinating the National Action Plan
on Climate Change. You can find information on detailed information on the
mandates of the Division. Users can also find documents, publications and
199
Tools for Environmental details of National Action Plan and State Action Plan on climate change.
Management
Write to Ministry of Environment and Forests

Users can write to send their suggestions or comments to the MoEFCC. One
can fill up this online form with information such as a name, subject category,
email id, feedback to send it to the ministry.

2.2.3 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), https://cpcb.nic.in/

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was

constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and
functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the

Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote cleanliness of streams and
wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of
water pollution, and (ii) to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or
abate air pollution in the country

From this site one can easily access all rules policy, rules & regulations,
amendment and news for the prevention and control of air and water pollution
as well as standards of air and water quality. from this site users can also access
waste management act and noise pollution control act.

State pollution control boards (SPCB)

Besides the Central pollution control board (CPCB) State pollution control
boards (SPCB) are also established in every states of India. SPCB established
Head & regional offices laboratories etc. all these information are uploaded on
their website so users can easily access them.

Directory of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control

Committees (PCCs) (as on 08.08.2019) (Table 1 & 2)
Table 1 List of state pollution control boards website:
S
State Website
No.

Andhra Pradesh State Pollution https://pcb.ap.gov.in/UI/Home.

aspx
Control Board

http://pollutioncontrol-
Arunachzal Pradesh State Pollu- board.com/state/aruna-
chal-pradesh-pollution-con-
tion Control Board trol-APSPCB.html

200
 Internet and
Assam State Pollution Control http://www.pcbassam.org Environmental
Board Management

Bihar State Pollution Control http://bspcb.bih.nic.in

Board
Chhattisgarh Environment Con- http://www.enviscecb.org
servation Board
Goa State Pollution Control http://goaspcb.gov.in
Board
Gujarat State Pollution Control http://gpcb.gov.in
Board
Haryana State Pollution Control http://hspcb.gov.in
Board
Himachal Pradesh State Pollution http://hppcb.nic.in
Control Board
Jammu & Kashmir State Pollu- http://jkspcb.nic.in
tion Control Board
Jharkhand State Pollution Control http://www.jspcb.org
Board

Karnataka State Pollution Control https://www.kspcb.gov.in/de-

fault.asp
Board

Kerala State Pollution Control http://www.keralapcb.nic.in

Board
Madhya Pradesh State Pollution http://www.mppcb.nic.in
Control Board
Maharashtra State Pollution Con- http://mpcb.gov.in
trol Board
Meghalaya State Pollution Con- http://megspcb.gov.in
trol Board
Mizoram State Pollution Control https://mpcb.mizoram.gov.in/
Board

Nagaland State Pollution Control http://www.npcb.nagaland.gov.

in
Board

Odisha State Pollution Control http://ospcboard.org

Board
Punjab State Pollution Control http://www.ppcb.gov.in
Board

201
Tools for Environmental
Management http://environment.rajasthan.
Rajasthan State Pollution Control gov.in/content/environment/en/
rajasthan-state-pollution-con-
Board trol-board.html

Sikkim State Pollution Control http://sikenvis.nic.in/

Board
Tamil Nadu State Pollution Con- http://www.tnpcb.gov.in
trol Board

Telangana State Pollution Control http://tspcb.cgg.gov.in/default.

aspx
Board

Tripura State Pollution Control http://tspcb.tripura.gov.in

Board
Uttar Pradesh State Pollution http://www.uppcb.com
Control Board
Uttrakhand State Pollution Con- http://ueppcb.uk.gov.in
trol Board
West Bengal State Pollution Con- http://www.wbpcb.gov.in
trol Board
Table 2. List of pollution control committees website
S State control commttee Webste
No
Delhi Pollution Control Commit- http://www.dpcc.delhigovt.nic.
tee in/indexdup.php
Puducherry Pollution Control https://ponocmms.nic.in/
Committee
Chandigarh Pollution Control http://chandigarh.gov.in/dept_
Committee cpcc.htm

Daman & Diu and Dadra & Na- http://www.pccdaman.info

gar Haveli Pollution Control
Committee
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Pol- http://andssw1.and.nic.in/swc/
lution Control Committee depts/pcc/

2.2.4 The legislative

The Environment (Protection) Act https://cpcb.nic.in/env-protection-act/

202 It was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for the protection and
improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to Internet and
establish authorities [under section 3(3)] charged with the mandate of preventing Environmental
Management
environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental
problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country. The Act was last
amended in 1991.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act https://cpcb.nic.in/

water-pollution/

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to
provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining
or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended
in 1988. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted
in 1977, to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by
persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities. This
cess is collected with a view to augment the resources of the Central Board and
the State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted
under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Act was
last amended in 2003.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act https://cpcb.nic.in/air-pollution

It was enacted in 1981 and amended in 1987 to provide for the prevention,
control and abatement of air pollution in India.

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 https://cpcb.nic.

in/noise-pollution/ notification S.O. 123(E) - Whereas the increasing ambient
noise levels in public places from various sources, inter-alia, industrial activity,
construction activity, generator sets, loud speakers, public address systems,
music systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices have deleterious
effects on human health and the psychological well-being of the people; it is
considered necessary to regulate and control noise producing and generating
sources with the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in
respect of noise;

Whereas a draft of Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules, 1999 was
published under the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of
Environment and Forests vide number S.O. 528 (E), dated the 28 th June, 1999
inviting objections and suggestions from all the persons likely to be affected
thereby, before the expiry of the period of sixty days from the date on which
the copies of the Gazette containing the said notification are made available to
the pubic;

And whereas copies of the said Gazette were made available to the public on
the 1 st day of July, 1999;

And whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect
of the said draft rules have been duly considered by the Central Government;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (ii) of sub-section

(2) of section 3, sub-section (1) and clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 6 and
section 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with rule 203
Tools for Environmental 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby
Management makes the following rules for the regulation and control of noise producing
and generating sources, namely:-The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control)
Rules, 2000.

13.4 MONITORING AND DISASTER

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS) on Bio
Resources and Environment (http://moef.gov.in/division/environment-
divisions/environment-researcher/nnrms-on-bio-resources-environment-
nnrms-sc-b/)

NNRMS has been established under the aegis of the Planning Commission,
Government of India, in 1983. The mandate of NNRMS has been to
promote the use of high technology inputs such as Remote Sensing (RS),
Geographical Information System (GIS) and GPS (Global Positioning
System) in conjunction with the conventional techniques / methods for
national development applications including natural resources management,
environmental monitoring and disaster management. Sustained availability of
data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellites have been instrumental in realising
the goals of NNRMS, DOS (Department of Space) is the nodal agency for
NNRMS and provides all secretarial support to it. One of the important
elements of this management system is the National Resource
Information Systems (NRIS), which acts as feeder information
system to the larger information system of the Government, which
includes socioeconomic information and models. Policy guidelines as
well as overall progress is monitored by PC-NNRMS (Planning Committee
of NNRMS). The PC-NNRMS is chaired by Members Science, Planning
Commission with the Secretaries of user Ministries, Govt. of India as member.

13.5 The internet of Things (LoT): Casagras defines the IoT as (Casagras,
2011) “A global network infrastructure, linking physical and virtual objects
through the exploitation of data capture and communication capabilities. This
infrastructure includes existing and evolving Internet and network developments.
It will offer specific object-identification, sensor and connection capability as
the basis for development of independent federated services and applications.
These will be characterized by a high degree of autonomous data capture, event
transfer, network connectivity and interoperability”.

Semantically, the IoT means “A world-wide network of interconnected objects,

uniquely addressable, based on standard communication protocols” (Internet of
Things in 2020).

The IoT happens when everyday ordinary objects have Internet-connected

microchips inside them. These microchips help not only keep track of other
objects, but many of these devices sense their surrounding and report it to other
machines as well as to the humans. This is known as 'M2M', term stand for
Machine to Machine, Machine to Man, Man to Machine or Machine to Mobile,
204 the IoT intelligently connects humans, devices and systems. Analysts describe
two distinct modes of communication in the IoT: thing-to-person and thing- Internet and
to-thing communication (Raunio, 2009). Thing-to-person and person-to-thing Environmental
Management
communications encompass a number of technologies and applications, wherein
people interact with things and vice versa, including remote access to objects
by humans, and objects that continuously report their status, whereabouts and
sensor data. Thing-to-thing communications encompasses technologies and
applications wherein everyday objects and infrastructure interact with the
human.

Internet benefits include effective resource management, improved productivity,

and increased quality of life for people so that they can interact with smart
environments such as smart homes, smart health, smart cities, smart factories or
any other surrounding or human activities. In an environmental IoT, nodes can
have internet connectivity allowing them to directly send data to a servers and
users to interact with them more easily and reliably.

In Smart environment, IoT plays a major role in management of the environment

pollution, natural and non-natural disaster, as well as controlling the
management of vegetation in the environment. Environmental monitoring
and environmental management require a means of intelligence technique
to communicate and information exchanging between databases stored by
a huge amount of data that collected from many monitoring devices and
processing systems which they perform the correct decision making to avoid
many environmental problems like water and air pollution, radiations, and
natural disasters. By combining wireless sensors networks, GPS, mobile and
wireless communication technologies, databases, cloud storage to internet in
order to build what is known by the internet of things (IoT), the environment
monitoring and managing will become easier in collecting, sharing data, and
faster in decision making.

Internet of Things (IoT) helps to monitor 24/7 to solve problems especially

for fatal problems like disaster time. By these facts IoT generation is moving
towards environment to support many environmental applications.

Disaster management aims to mitigate the potential damage from the disasters,
ensure immediate and suitable assistance to the victims, and attain effective
and rapid recovery. The IoT technology available today is quite mature and
has the potential to be very useful in disaster situations. Disaster management
planning depends heavily on the topology, climatic conditions, habitat etc. of
the area as well as on the available resources of the machinery.

The society, in general, must be trained to handle and help each other in
case of natural disaster scenarios. If inputs from various sections of society
in combination with the use of IoT technology can help in proper planning
to handle disaster management in countries. The IoT technology, having the
potential for communicating instantaneous information updates, can be a
key player for realizing dynamic workflow adaptations. The natural disaster
system based IoT may consists of many types of environmental sensors to
measure different environmental aspects such as humidity, temperature, air
gases, weather situations, wind speed, sea and river water levels to avoid many
probable disasters like forest fire, water floods, bad transportation and accidents.
205
Tools for Environmental By connecting all these monitoring systems with the decision-making unit, it
Management will be easier to manage the natural disaster situations. In addition, monitoring
systems in chemical and nuclear facilities should be integrated to the disaster
management system to avoid any problems from irresponsible activities.
Check your progress Exercise 2
Note a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit.
Q 1 What do you understand by term Environmental management (EM) ?

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q 2 What is PRIVESH ?

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q 3 Explain how technology helpful in Disaster management

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q 4 Write down brief note on IUCN.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q5 Write full form of NNRMS.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

13.5 LET US SUM UP:

This unit precisely details with internet portal which are related/deals with
Environmental Management like IUCN, UNEP, MoEFCC, CPCB, SPCB and
many more, This unit also gives information about National Natural Resource
Management System (NNRMS) and The internet of things (LoT).

206
 Internet and
13.6 KEY WORDS Environmental
Management
PARIVESH,
NNRMS: National Natural Resource Management System
LoT, : Internet of Things

13.7 REFERENCES & SUGGESTED READING

1. www.un.org
2. http://moef.gov.in
3. https://cpcb.nic.in/
4. https://www.unep.org/
5. www.iucn.org
6. http://moef.gov.in/about-the-ministry/organisations-institutions/
authorities- tribunal/national-biodiversity-authority/
7. http://unccdcop14india.nic.in
8. https://www.india.gov.in
9. https://www.iucn.org/theme/global-policy/our-work/united-nations-
general-assembly
10. https://www.un.org/un70/en/content/history/index.html
11. CASAGRAS, RFID and the inclusive model for the Internet of Things
report, EU Project Number 216803, pp 16-23, 2011

13.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check your progress Exercise 1
Q1 your answer must include the definition of Environmental Management.
Q2 your answer describe the term web portal of PRIVESH.
Q3 your answer must include all the how technology helpful in monitoring and
mitigation of disasters, it must include LoT.
Q4 your answer must include introduction, objectives and broad issues covered
by IUCN.
Q5 Full form of NNRMS is National Natural Resource Management System.

207
Tools for Environmental
Management UNIT 14 ENVIRONMENTAL
GOVERNANCE
Structure
14.0 Objectives
14.1 Introduction
14.1.1 Global Environmental Governance
14.1.2 Sustainable Development
14.1.3 Earth Summits
14.1.4 Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs)
14.1.5 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development
Goals SDGs

14.2 Environmental Governance in India

14.2.1 Evolution of environmental governance in India
14.2.1.1 Constitutional Amendments
14.2.1.2 Actors of governance studies
14.2.2 Environmental Governance: Institutions
14.2.3 Environmental Governance: Processes

14.3 Factors responsible for good governance

14.3.1 Accountability and Transparency
14.3.2 Participation and Consensus
14.3.2.1 Environmental Protection Act

14.4 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

(MoEFCC)
14.4.1 Introduction
14.4.2 Objectives of MoEFCC
14.4.3 Major work allocated to MoEFCC

14.5 CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board

14.5.1 Introduction and objectives
14.5.2 Powers and Functions of CPCB
14.5.3 Activities of CPCB
14.5.4 Organisational Structure of CPCB

14.6 State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)

14.6.1 Introduction and objectives
14.6.2 Functions of the State Boards
14.6.3 Powers of the State Government
208
14.7 National Environment Policy (NEP) Environmental
Governance
14.7.1 Objectives of NEP

14.9 Let us sum up

14.10 Key words
14.11 Answers to check your progress
14.12 References & Suggested Reading

14.0 OBJECTIVES
Environmental governance refers to the processes of decision-making involved
in the control and management of the environment and natural resources.
After reading this unit, readers will have the intermediate knowledge of India's
regulatory and legal framework for Environmental management and sustainable
development.

14.1 INTRODUCTION:
Environment includes water, air, soil, and physical properties and the
interrelationship, which exists among and between them and human beings,
other living creatures, plants, and microorganism. Environment is the sum of all
external conditions affecting the life, development, and survival of an organism
(any form of animal or plant).

Environmental governance is the whole range of rules, practices, polices

and institutions related to management of the environment in its different
forms (conservation, protection, exploitation of natural resources, etc.). All
the processes and institutions, both formal and informal, that encompass the
standards, values, behavior, and organizing mechanisms used by citizens,
organizations, and social movements as well as the different interest groups
are part of environmental governance in terms of accessing and using natural
resources. Good environmental governance takes into account the role of all
actors that impact the environment.

From governments to NGOs, the private sector, and civil society, cooperation
is critical to achieving effective governance that can help us move towards a
more sustainable future. Environmental governance is the concept in political
ecology and environmental policy, which advocates sustainable development
as the highest consideration form aging human activities. It assumes a desirable
future state for human societies in which living conditions and resources meet
human needs without undermining the sustainability of natural systems and
the environment, so that future generations may also meet their needs. It boils
down to the concept of “Sustainable Development.”

14.1.1 Global Environmental Governance

At the international level, global environmental governance is the sum of
organizations, policy instruments, financing mechanisms, rules, procedures,
treaties, conventions and norms that regulate the processes of global
209
Tools for Environmental environmental protection. United Nations Conference on the Human
Management Environment (UNCHE) held at Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972 was a watershed
in the emergence of sustainable development. The major institutional decision
coming out of this conference was the establishment of the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP), which was established to play the lead role
in Global Environmental Governance (GEG) by coordinating environmental
activities within the UN agencies and acting as a catalyst for new initiatives.
Since then, the world has seen hectic activity in global environmental policy
(and, more recently, in Sustainable Development Policy) and a host of treaties,
organizations, and mechanisms have emerged.

14.1.2 Sustainable Development

The Brundtland Commission, in its report, Our Common Future 1987, warned
of the growing threat to Earth from pervasive world of poverty, environmental
degradation, diseases, and pollution. The Commission led by Gro Harlem
Brundtland, the then Prime Minister of Norway, defined “sustainable
development” as the “development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World
Commission on Environment and Development WECD 1987). It contains with
two key concepts: a) the concept of “needs” in particular the essential needs of
the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and b) the idea
of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on
the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs (Haque 2013). At
a minimum, sustainable development must not endanger the natural systems
that support life on the Earth: the atmosphere, the waters, the soils, and living
beings and shall not compromise the future of coming generations.

“Sustainable development is the management and conservation of the natural

resource base and the orientation of technological and institutional change in
such a manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human
needs for present and future generations”. Such sustainable development (in
the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors) conserves land, water, plant
and animal genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically
appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable (FAO 1997).

By “sustainable governance,” we understand a governance, which takes care

of environmental conservation, natural resource management in particular and
“greening” of plans and policies and projects in general. It brings forth the
issue of “green politics” and “green constituencies.” If such a constituency
is established, government would be sustainable. “Sustainable development”
must go arm-in-arm with sustainable governance. Sustainable development
is holistic development. It accounts for the six dimensions of human welfare,
namely, social, economic, ecological, political, cultural, and spiritual, without
letting any dimension unduly dominate the others.

14.1.3 Earth Summits

The “Earth Summit” held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, chart out a course of
actions for habitable planet, called the Earth. The summit marked an important
210 milestone in awakening the world to the need for a development process that
does not jeopardize future generations. The Rio Conference achieved consensus Environmental
in more than one area: Governance

(1) it secured a set of agreements between governments which marks a

significant advance in international cooperation on environment and
development.
(2) it gathered political commitment to these arrangements at the highest level
and placed the issue of sustainable development at the heart of international
agenda.
(3) it opened new paths for communication and cooperation between officials
and non- official organizations working towards development and
environmental goals.
(4) Fourth, it led to an enormous increase in public awareness leading to
adoption of policies and allocation of additional resources to achieve the
desired results.

The Earth Summit offered a unique opportunity to establish the basis for the
major shift required to put this planet on the path towards a more secure and
sustainable future. At the core of this shift, there is a felt need for fundamental
change. Change to our economic life, a more careful and more caring use
of the Earth’s resources and greater cooperation and equity in sharing the
benefits as well as the risks of our technological civilization. Of particular
importance is the need to integrate the ecological dimension into education
and culture as well as in economics. The summit adopted the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aiming at stabilizing
climate change; the UN Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) aiming at
conservation of biodiversity; the Earth Charter; the Forestry Principles; and the
Agenda 21, which is a nonbinding action plan for United Nations, with regards
to sustainable development. .

Targeting global environmental governance, the World Summit on Sustainable

Development (WSSD) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002.
The summit took stock of developments since the Earth Summit 1992 held 10
years ago and implementation status of Agenda 21. Out- come of the summit
was “Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.” The declaration titled, “The
Future We Want”. It called for green development; green growth; and green
economy. It was agreed to enable the countries to undertake nationally driven
greener development. Through out the process leading up to the 2002 World
Summit, the international community endorsed the need to integrate better
three dimensions of sustainable development: the environmental, social, and
economic dimensions of development. Third Summt held again in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil in 2012, and develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), which will build upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
and converge with the post 2015-development agenda.

14.1.4 Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs)

There had been a series of conferences of parties of various multilateral
environment agreements (MEAs) related to climate change, biodiversity
conservation, ozone layer depletion, combating desertification, and so on. 211
Tools for Environmental Intentions of such global environmental governance were to bring this planet
Management Earth back to a habitable situation not only for this generation but also for the
future generations.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its 21st

Conference of the Parties (COP-21) held at Paris, France, in 2015 adopted the
“Paris Agreement” which made it mandatory for all countries to reduce carbon
emission to 350 ppm, to keep the global average temperature well below 2○C
above preindustrial levels and to limit it to 1.5 ○C. The country-parties signing
the Paris Agreement are obliged to undertake country- specific policies and
projects to meet their commitments.

Similarly, COP of other conventions also made substantial progress in biodiversity

conservation, halting depletion of ozone layer, combatting desertification,
withdrawing persistent organic pollutants, etc. Around 500 multilateral
environmental agreements and a plethora of international organizations, doing
the best they can to respond to environmental challenges that range from climate
change to persistent organic pollutants.

MEAs have an important role to play in shaping global environmental

governance. Increasingly, the countries of the world are signing and ratifying
various conventions of global environmental interests and becoming parties to
these conventions. Following ratification of these conventions, they are obliged
to examine their national plans, policies, legislation, and projects and revise and
redraft them in line with the commitments they made to the global community
by becoming parties to these conventions. Often the Convention secretariats
set up “Implementation Committees” in order to help the developing countries
and the Least developed countries (LDCs) in particular to redraft their local
legislation and undertake training programs for the officials. Implementation
Committees of the UNFCCC and Montreal Protocol played an important role
in implementing various provisions of the convention at a local level.

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) established in 1972 is a

watchdog body to ensure that the MEAs are implemented by the signatory
countries in their respective localities. UNEP has been playing a leading role as
a global environmental authority. From delivering expert scientific assessments
to providing international platform for negotiations and decision making, UNEP
has been fulfilling this mandate since 1972. The country-parties (signatory
states) of the MEAs are expected to implement these conventions, treaties,
and protocols at national level by redrafting their national plans and policies
and enactment of legislation in line with the MEAs. Conference of Parties
(COP) being the supreme body of these conventions meet periodically (e.g.,
Conference of Parties of UNFCCC are held annually). Although UNEP with its
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, does not hold much influence these days over
the implementation processes of various MEAs because of establishment of
independent secretariats (e.g., UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn, Germany; CBD
secretariat in Montreal, Canada), the organization was the pioneer UN agency
in upholding the cause of environmental governance globally.

14.1.5 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable

212 Development Goals SDGs
Building on the UN Development Decades in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and Environmental
1990s, the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000 Governance
marked a strong commitment to development; peace and stability; gender
equality; eradication of many dimensions of poverty; and sustainable human
development. MDGs were expected to be achieved by 2015, although poverty,
hunger, illiteracy, maternal deaths, stunting growth of children, mortality, and
morbidity continue to engulf many parts of the planet. Millennium development
goals were followed by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the theme,
Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
adopted in 2015 with 17goals and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. MDGs
focused on both human development and environmental goals, while SDGs
covered all three dimensions of sustainable development–the economic, social,
and environmental and its interdependence. Another important aspect of SDGs
is that it promoted peace and justice (SDG 16). “There can be no sustainable
development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development.”
Governments were entrusted with the responsibility to implement them at a
national level. There are various indicators established by the UN which would
help the global community to evaluate their performance. Many developed,
developing, and LDCs could change their lot to a great extent by maintaining
targeted developments with year wise progress.

14.2 ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE IN

INDIA
14.2.1 Evolution of environmental governance in India
Two international conferences-one at Stockholm in 1972 and another at
Rio de Janerio in 1992 on Environment and Development have influenced
environmental policies in India. Many countries have followed the ‘polluter
pays’ principle, the precautionary principle and the concept of intergenerational
equity as guidelines for framing environmental policies. By and large policies
are influenced by research, culture and tradition and political institution of the
country concerned.

14.2.1.1 Constitutional Amendments

Until 1976 environment protection did not appear anywhere in the Constitution.
Consequently, environmental jurisprudence was also an unknown appellation
for the Indian judiciary. The 42'constitutional amendment, made in 1976,
changed this landscape by inducting Article 48-A5 and Article 51A (g) into this
'enviromyopic' document. Starting from early 1980s, the Court has developed
abody of 'green constitutional law' to safeguard the citizens' health from the
deleterious affects of environmental degradation. In M.C. Mehta v Union of
India (Oleum Gas Leakage case), the Supreme Court propounded the standard
of 'absolute liability' for payment of compensation to those affected by the
accident in case of industries engaged in hazardous or inherently dangerous
activities as opposed to the prevalent notion of 'strict liability' under the
Rylands v. Fletcher standard. The Court has adopted an expanded view of 'life'
under Article 21 and enrich edit to include environmental rights by reading it
along with Articles 48-A and 51A(g) and declaring: Article 21 protects right to
213
Tools for Environmental life as a fundamental right. Enjoyment of life and its attainment including their
Management right to life with human dignity encompasses within its ambit, the protection
and preservation of environment, ecological balance free from pollution of air
and water, sanitation without which life cannot be enjoyed. Any contra acts or
actions would cause environmental, ecological, air, water, pollution, etc. should
be regarded as amounting to violation of Article 21.

By 1990s, it categorically declared that 'issues of environment must and shall

receive the highest attention from this court. India's' Green Constitution'
now guarantees a right to healthy environment, right to clean air, right
to clean water, enjoins the State and its agencies to strictly enforce
environmental laws! Significant environmental principles like polluter
pays, precautionary principle, sustainable development, public trust
doctrine and intergenerational equity have become entrenched in the
Indian law.

The new economic policy initiated in 1991 led Constitutional amendments in

1994 to facilitate decentralization of powers and resources to local bodies.

14.2.1.2 Actors which are commonly mentioned in governance studies are:

1. Public authorities: City governments, national governments, sub-national
governments, public agencies
2. International actors: International organizations, donors agencies,
transnational networks, foreign investors
3. Civil society: NGOs, associations (residents, environmental), individual
citizens, private investors and businesses, trade unions.

14.2.2 Environmental Governance: Institutions

In India at national level, the parliament enacts legislation on environment

and looks out for the affairs on the recommendation and reports of Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Parliament also based
on the recommendations and reports of MoEFCC approves annual budget on
various development projects, including that on the conservation of environment
and natural resources management. MoEFCC is a dedicated “Parliamentary
Committee on Environment” composed of members of the parliament,
entrusted with the responsibility to monitor progress of implementation of
environmental plans, policies, and projects of the government. Various ministries
and departments of the government are responsible for running environmental
governance. The cabinet of ministers headed by the head of the government is
primary responsible in providing overall guidance and ensuring implementation
of various plans, policies, and enforcement of laws on environment.

In India, there is separate department, Department of Environment (DOE)

headed by a Director General, looks into day-to-day enforcement of laws. DOE
is the technical arm of the Ministry, providing technical advices to the ministry
and for enforcement of law and for the conservation of Biodiversity and Forest
“Department of Forests” headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests, tagged
with the MoEFCC was established.
214
Environment being a cross-sectoral issue, a number of sectoral ministries and Environmental
departments are engaged in addressing issues related to environment. The Governance
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and its subordinate organ, the Department
of Fisheries, are for the conservation of fisheries biodiversity and enforcement
of laws halting depletion of fisheries. Similarly, the Ministry of Water Resources
headed by a Minister is responsible for sustainable water management, the
Ministry of Industry is responsible for promoting pollution-free industries, and
so on. Other organizations engaged in guiding the government in environmental
governance are the media (both print and electronic), civil society bodies,
academia, advocacy groups, and right-based groups. They are the watch dog
groups in putting pressure on the government for ensuring good environmental
governance.

14.2.3 Environmental Governance: Processes

Environmental governance could be both centralized and decentralized.

In a centralized, “top- down” approach, the policies and plans are adopted
and decisions are taken by the government following a centralized way of
consultations among the technocrats and bureaucrats of different government
ministries and departments. On the other hand, “decentralized environmental
governance” ensures that decisions are taken; plans and policies are adopted
through grassroots consultation. It is also known as “participatory environmental
governance” following a “bottom” process. In other words, development
planning follows a Multi-stakeholder Integrated Sustainability Planning (MISP)
model. The innovative concept of MISP is a departure from conventional
development planning. It is an integrated approach of planning in pursuit of
sustainable development, involving various sectors and components of the
ecosystem, meaning the stakeholders. MISP is multidisciplinary. It integrates
economic, social, ecological, political, cultural, and spiritual concerns towards
a holistic and sustainable development. For effective running of environmental
governance, participatory planning involving the grassroots people is necessary,
which would ensure “ownership” of the affected people, project victims – the
stakeholders in the planning process. Such a participatory planning process
would ensure that views and concerns of the grassroots people on environmental
degradation, depletion of biodiversity, industrial pollution are reflected through
governance of a country.

14.3 FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR GOOD

GOVERNANCE
Factors responsible for good governance are 1. Accountability and Transparency
2. Effectiveness and Sustainability 3. Participation and Consensus. To work
these factors efficiently and effectively there are some of the criteria to be
fulfilled by each factor in order to work towards sustainable development and
to bring out innovative policies and schemes for protecting environment:

14.3.1 Accountability and Transparency: The decisions in Delhi contributed to

accountability and transparency in two ways: firstly, they pinpointed the duties of
public authorities, according to the law; secondly, they highlighted where those
authorities had failed to fulfil their missions. In Delhi, judicial activism started
215
Tools for Environmental as a response to the apathy of politicians regarding environmental matters. In
Management the vehicular pollution cases, action was initially taken on the grounds that
the Delhi government and central government had failed to fulfil their duties
to implement the Air Pollution Act. For instance, they had defined neither air
quality standards nor measures to abate pollution, although they were supposed
to. The judicial orders dealing with industrial air pollution were also based on
the lack of enforcement by the Delhi government, particularly its failure to
meet the deadlines fixed in the 1990 Master Plan to relocate noxious industries.
Those decisions also encouraged the identification of organisational shortfalls
in the system. In the process, awareness emerged of the lack of resources of the
Pollution Control Boards, leading the government to take measures to allocate
more funds. However, the decisions have also proven to have negative social
impacts. As a result, the actions of the courts have been criticised by many
commentators. It is essential to ensure that judges are accountable as their
decisions have huge impacts. But in India, the judiciary is self-appointing. It
does not answer to the Executive or Legislative powers, neither to the citizens.
Judges may therefore find it easy to abuse their powers and take decisions which
go beyond their legal mandates.

14.3.2 Participation and Consensus: The development of PIL (Public interest

litigation) and the opening up of the rights of standing are important steps taken
by the Indian judiciary to promote participation and consensus. In Delhi, the
activity of the Courts created a dynamic where NGOs and citizens' movements
became aware of these mechanisms and actually organised themselves and
brought new issues into discussion. Environmental activists and organisations
such as M.C.Mehta and the CSE (Centre for Science and education) have filed
several important cases. These new voices continue to contribute to changing
the local political agenda. Filing a case may have important political and
institutional outcomes. Consensus can then be reached through the involvement
of a greater number of actors in the policy process. For instance, new amendments
to the Master Plan included claims of small businesses to change the zoning
system from a separated system to a mixed one. In the land management cases,
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and business associations have also
increased their visibility through their judicial actions. They have thus become
important voices when revising the Master Plan. But it appears that, in spite
of an extended right to stand, the poorest part of the population is still not
represented. The whole process still requires time, commitment and money,
and remains, at present, more beneficial to organized middle-class groups such
as RWAs. The lowest social groups are often not heard, as in the case of the
foreclosure of industries, in which the Court refused to examine the concerns of
workers who had not been compensated for their displacement. The creation of
legal tools and the involvement of the judges, alone, are therefore not enough
to bring the most disempowered people to the courts.

14.3.3 Effectiveness and Sustainability: The concept of "effectiveness and

sustainability" refers to the achievement of expected policy objectives. Judges
contribute here by ensuring the enforcement of legal norms. As mentioned
above, the intervention of the judiciary in Delhi has led the Delhi government to
fulfil its duties under environmental legislation. The courts fixed deadlines and
fines for non-compliance to ensure the effectiveness of the legislation, as the
216
success of the conversion of the entire public vehicle fleet to CNG demonstrates. Environmental
An important limit applies, however - the limit on the scope of the decisions. Governance
Judges are obliged to work on the specific cases submitted to them. Particular
judges cannot therefore act in a comprehensive manner or plan their actions on
a long-term basis. Their decisions are adopted in a special context or sector but
cannot be expected to rule future developments. In fact, the ability of the judicial
process to assess the broader systematic effects of their decisions, particularly
in polycentric cases where everything is connected, is not certain.57 In the air
pollution case for instance, decisions on the conversion of the public transport
fleet to CNG were directed to the Delhi government. But at the same time, the
national government had a policy of low taxation on diesel. As a result, the
automotive industry received mixed signals. On the one hand, they needed to
convert buses to CNG. But on the other hand, diesel engines were still popular
with private car owners because of the low price of diesel. So production of
diesel cars continued. Although the decisions of the court were beneficial in
terms of air pollution for a while, in the long run, the increase in private-car
acquisition negated the positive outcomes of the judicial decisions.

In the evolution of environmental governance in India as seen above, Supreme

Court and High Courts have played a major role in shaping the environmental
institution as we see it today. With the Stockholm Conference and Constitutional
evolution in the country by taking DPSP in more serious sense with Article
48-A5 and Article51A (g) pointing towards environmental governance in
the country, parliament for protection of environment and also a need for a
comprehensive legislation for protection of environment Environmental
Protection Act (EPA), 1986 was enacted in November, 1986. Also, this 1986
Act was general legislation enacted under Article 253 (Legislation for giving
effect to international agreements.

14.3.2.1 The main objective of EPA act was:

● To implement the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human
Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972.
● To enact a general law on the areas of environmental protection which
were left uncovered by existing laws.
● The existing laws were more specific in nature and concentrated on a more
specific type of pollution and specific categories of hazardous substances
rather than on general problems that chiefly caused major environmental
hazards.
● To co-ordinate activities of the various regulatory agencies under the
existing laws
● To provide for the creation of an authority or authorities for environmental
protection.
● To provide deterrent punishment to those who endanger the human
environment, safety and health.

Soon after enacting EPA, 1986 a landmark judgement was decided by Supreme
Court of India in M.C. Mehta v Union of India (Oleum Gas Leakage case),
where the Court propounded the standard of 'absolute liability' for payment of 217
Tools for Environmental compensation to those affected by the accident in case of industries engaged in
Management hazardous or inherently dangerous activities as opposed to the prevalent notion of
'strict liability' under the Rylands v. Fletcher standard. The Court has adopted an
expanded view of 'life' under Article 21 and enrich edit to include environmental
rights by reading it along with Articles 48-A and 51A(g) and declaring: Article
21 protects right to life as a fundamental right. Enjoyment of life and its
attainment including their right to life with human dignity encompasses within
its ambit, the protection and preservation of environment, ecological balance
free from pollution of air and water, sanitation without which life cannot be
enjoyed. Any contra acts or actions would cause environmental, ecological, air,
water, pollution, etc. should be regarded as amounting to violation of Article
21.By 1990s, it categorically declared that 'issues of environment must and
shall receive the highest attention from this court. India's 'Green Constitution'
now guarantees a right to healthy environment, right to clean air, right to
clean water, enjoins the State and its agencies to strictly enforce environmental
laws! while disclosing information in respect of decisions which affect health,
life and livelihood and disallows inadequacy of funds and resources as a pretext
for the evasion of obligations by the State.' Significant environmental principles
like polluter pays, precautionary principle, sustainable development,
public trust doctrine and intergenerational equity have become entrenched
in the Indian law without explicit incorporation in any legislative framework.
In Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v Union of India & Os., the Court employed
the 'precautionary principle' to invent the special principle of burden of proof
in environmental cases where burden as to 'the absence of injurious effect of
the actions proposed, is placed on those who want to change the status quo'
viz. polluter or the industrialist. The Supreme Court has, in clear terms, advised
the State to shed its extravagant unbridled sovereign power' and to pursue a
policy to maintain ecological balance and hygienic environment. The activist
attitude ranges across a gamut of environmental issues viz. banning aquaculture
industries in coastal areas to prevent drinking water from becoming saline,
issuing directions for improving quality of air in the National Capital Territory
of Delhi and protecting Taj Mahal, prohibiting cigarette smoking in public
places, addressing issues of solid waste management, proscribing construction
activities in the vicinity of lakes and directing the lower courts to deal strictly
with environmental offences.

Check your progress Exercise 1

Note a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit.
Q 1 What do you understand by term 'Environmental governance'?

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q 2 What are MDGs & SDG's?

......................................................................................................................
218
 ...................................................................................................................... Environmental
Governance
......................................................................................................................

14.4. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change (MoEFCC)
14.4.1 Introduction

MoEFCC was established in 1985, is the apex administrative body of the

country for the regulating and ensuring environmental protection and lays
down the legal and regulatory framework for the same. The primary concerns
of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to
conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers,
its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the
prevention and abatement of pollution control laws . While implementing these
policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable
development and enhancement of human well-being.

The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative
Environment Programme (SACEP), International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for the follow-up of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Ministry is also
entrusted with issues relating to multilateral bodies such as the Commission on
Sustainable Development (CSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and of
regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP)
and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) on matters
pertaining to the environment.

14.4.2 Objectives of MoEFCC

● Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife
● Prevention and control of pollution
● Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas
● Protection of the environment and
● Ensuring the welfare of animals

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory

measures such as : The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, Wildlife protection
Act, 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, The Air (Prevention and control
of Pollution) Act, 1981, The Water (Prevention and control of Pollution)
Act, 1974, The Environment Protection Act, 1986, The Hazardous waste
management regulation, etc. MoEFCC and pollution control board (CPCB &
SPCB) together form the regulatory administrative core of the sector. Besides
the legislative measures, the National Conservation Strategy and Policy
Statement on Environment and Development, 1992; National Forest Policy,
1988; Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992; and the National
Environment Policy, 2006 also guide the Ministry's work. The organisation
structure of ministry is given in (fig.1).
219
Tools for Environmental
Management 14.5 CPCB: CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL
BOARD
14.5.1 Introduction and objectives

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) performs functions as laid down
under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and The Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It is responsible for planning
and executing comprehensive nation wide programmes for the prevention and
control of water and air pollution, for advising the Central Government on
matters concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and for
coordinating activities of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) / Pollution
Control Committees (PCC) besides providing technical assistance & guidance
to them. CPCB also co-ordinates enforcement and implementation of Rules
framed under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

14.5.2 Powers and Functions of CPCB

● Advising the Central and State Government on matters related to prevention,
improvement and control of Air and Water pollution.
● Planning various programs to control and prevent Air & Water pollution
● Planning and organising training programs for people involved in activities
for the prevention, improvement and control of Air and Water pollution.
● Collecting, compiling, and publishing statistical and technical reports
related to Air & Water Pollution. These reports are used to develop
preventive measures to control and reduce pollution.
● Preparing manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal
of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices,
stacks and ducts.

14.5.3 Activities of CPCB

CPCB coordinate various activities few among them are:

● Coordinating activities of State Pollution Control Board for prevention and
control of pollution;
● Development of industry specific national minimal effluent and emission
standards;
● Development of industry specific environmental guidelines and
comprehensive documents;
● Development of charter/requirements for Corporate Responsibility for
Environmental Protection (CREP) for seventeen major polluting industrial
sectors and monitoring its implementation through eight taskforces and
steering committees;
● Action plans for improvement of environment in eighty-eight critically
polluted areas and monitoring progress;
220 ● Action plans for improvement to fair quality in sixteen polluted cities and
 monitoring progress; Environmental
Governance
● National water quality monitoring and publishing annual water quality
reports;
● National ambient air quality monitoring and publishing annual water
quality reports Carrying out and sponsoring research activities relevant
to environment protection;
● Publishing material relevant to environment protection

14.5.4 Organisational Structure of CPCB

CPCB is led by its Chairman followed by the Member Secretary and other
members. Its organisation structure is given in Fig.2

14.6 STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARDS

(SPCB)
14.6.1 Introduction and objectives
SPCB was constituted under section 4 of the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974 on 7th February 1975, with the objectives of prevention,
and control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness
of water in the states. Later, it was also entrusted with the responsibilities of
prevention, control and abatement of Air Pollution under the provisions of
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and . Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 has been enacted to make the State
Board financially independent. Enactment of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 has further widened the scope of the activities of the Board. This
Act being umbrella legislation, different rules for addressing the problems of
various sectors have been enacted under this Act. The State Board is engaged in
implementation of the rules made under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Under this act the State Board has been given powers to collect Cess on the
basis of water consumed by the industries etc. Under Section-4, of the State
Pollution Control Board may be constituted hav­ing the same constitution as the
Central Board. A person of repute in the field of environment or environmental
scientists heads the SPCB as chairman. The SPCB has its own team of scientists
and laboratories to check quality of air, soil and water of different samples
collected from industrial areas. Under Section-14 of the Act, the Central or
State Governments may constitute Joint Boards for two or more states. Under
agreement between con­tiguous States

The SPCB works with the rules framed by the state governments as well as by
central government from time to time. The various provisions present in Water
Act, Air act and Environmental protection Act are carried out by the industries
and factories in the state with the supervision of SPCB. When necessary, SPCB
send experts to the concerned areas to monitor the implementation of various
guideline of the act. Until 1989 all except the states of Manipur, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have their SPCBs.

221
Tools for Environmental 14.6.2 Functions of the State Boards
Management
Under Section 7-B, the following are the functions of a State Board:
(a) Planning a comprehensive programme for prevention, control and abate­
ment of pollution of streams and wells.
(b) Advising the State Government regarding water pollution control or loca­
tion of industries.
(c) Conducting and encouraging investigations and research relating to differ­
ent aspects of water pollution.
(d) To collaborate with the Central Board for training personnel for handling
water pollution programmes and organising related mass education pro­
grammes.
(e) Inspecting trade effluents and waste water treatment plants.
(f) Prescribing effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents.
(g) Evolving economical and reliable methods of disposal, treatment and reuse
of waste water (in agriculture).
(h) Laying down the standards of treatment of sewage and trade effluents to be
discharged into any stream.
(i) Making, varying or revoking any order for preservation or control of dis­
charge of waste into streams and wells or construction of systems for dis­
posal of effluents.
(j) Establishing or recognising laboratories for analysis of samples.
(k) Performing such functions as may be entrusted by Central Board or State
governments.

Besides the above mentioned acts SPCB also enforces the provisions of the
following Acts and Rules:
● Manufacture, Storage & Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989.
● Manufacture, Use, Import, Export & Storage of Hazardous Micro-
organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules, 1989.
● Public (Liability) Insurance Act, 1991.
● Environmental Impact Assessment (Aravalli) Notification Dated
07/05/1992.
● Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response)
Rules, 1996.
● Bio Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998.
● Fly Ash Act, 1999.
● Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000.
● Noise (Pollution Control & Regulation) Rules, 2000.
● Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Rules, 2000.
222
● Battery (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001. Environmental
Governance
● Taj Trapezium Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authorization Notification,
2003.
● Environmental Impact Assessment Notification Dated 14/09/2006.
● Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement)
Rules, 2008.
● Plastic Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.

14.6.3 Powers of the State Government

(A) Power to Obtain Information:

According to Section 20.2, the State Board may make surveys, take measurements
or obtain information for purpose of performing functions under these Acts.
Failure to comply with any directions un­der the Section is a punishable offence
under subsection (1) of Section 41.
(B) Power to Take Samples:

Under Section 21(1) A, the State Government has the power to take samples of
water of any stream or well or any effluent being discharged into such a stream
or well, for analysis. Under Section 22.4, the State Board further has the power
to obtain a report of the result of the analysis by a recognised laboratory.
(C) Power of Entry and Inspection:

According to Section 23.5, the State Board is empowered by the State Govt.,
with the right to enter any place for the pur­pose of performing any of the
functions entrusted to it.

(D) Power of Prohibition on Disposal of Polluting Matter into a Stream or Well:

Under Section 24.6,

(a) No person shall knowingly allow entry of any poisonous, noxious or pollut­
ing matter directly or indirectly into any stream, well or sewer or on land.

(b) No person shall knowingly allow entry of any matter into any stream, which
may impede the proper flow of water resulting in substantial aggravation of
pollution.

(a) No person shall establish any industry, operation or process or any treat­ment
disposal system, which is likely to discharge any sewage or effluent into stream
or well or on land.
(b) No person shall use any new outlet for discharge of sewage.
(c) No person shall begin to make any new discharge of sewage.

14.7 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY

(NEP)
‘The National Environment Policy, 2006’ is the first initiative in strategy 223
Tools for Environmental formulation for environmental protection in a comprehensive manner. NEP,
Management 2006 can be put into two categories from the standpoint of:
A) Overall Environmental Management, which includes:
I. National Forest Policy, 1988,
National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment
and Development, 1992, and
II. Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992.
B) Sector based policies includes:
● National Agriculture Policy, 2000
● National Population Policy, 2000
● National Water Policy, 2002 and
● National Environment Policy, 2006

have equally contributed to manage the environment. The common focus of

all these policies is on the need for sustainable development in their specific
contexts.

The NEP 2006 identifies all the previous failed policies as well as attempts
to search for a solution to the problems that arise in effectively protecting
and improving the environment. The NEP, 2006 is the outcome of extensive
consultations with experts in different disciplines, Central Ministries, Members
of Parliament, State Governments, Industry Associations, Academic and
Research Institutions, Civil Society, NGOs and the Public. While drafting the
NEP the earlier drafts of this were also taken into account.

Previously, a draft NEP was drafted in the year 2004 which was made available to
the public for their inputs and comments. The draft was posted on the MoEFCC
website after which, recommendations and feedback from the general public
was called for. The NEP, 2006 was drafted keeping in mind all such previous
efforts.

14.7.1 Objectives of NEP

The NEP proposes economic efficiency criterion in environmental conservation.
It stresses on the 'polluter pays principle' as well as 'cost-benefit optimization'.
These concepts are vital in order to solve environmental problems effectively. It
also talks about dealing with environmentally damaging behaviour on the basis
of civil suits, as opposed to the current reliance on criminal suits. Civil cases
are flexible, with sanctions customized on a case- by-case basis. The burden
of proof is reduced, and the cases dealt with relatively speedily. The policy
further explains the failure of command-and- control instruments used for
environmental compliance and enforcement, and proposes the idea of market-
based instruments relying on price incentives.

The National Environment Policy (NEP) is intended to guide the Government in

bringing about regulatory reforms, implementation of programmes and projects
224 for environmental conservation, besides reviewing and enacting legislation.
The dominant theme of the policy is to ensure that the livelihood of people Environmental
dependent on forest products is secured from conservation than from degradation Governance
of the resources. It focuses on conservation of critical environmental resources,
livelihood security for the poor, integration of environmental concerns in
economic and social development and judicious use of the resources. To achieve
sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral
part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) continues to be the principal

methodology for appraisal and review of new projects. Under this policy, EIA
of each project will be looks by central agency NABAT so in NEP there is
significant devolution of powers to the State/Union Territory level.

NEP revisit the Coastal Regulation Zone notifications to make the approach to
coastal environmental regulation more holistic and, thereby, ensure protection
to coastal ecological systems, waters and the vulnerability of some coastal areas
to extreme natural events and potential sea level rise.

Involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies has been
highlighted in the NEP that will include capacity development initiatives. A
large-scale exercise has been done for providing inputs towards a national
biodiversity strategy and action plan.

The fundamental problem in environmental management is that the cost and

benefits are shouldered generally by different parties.

Thus, ownership or stewardship of natural resources by the communities that

are affected directly by these resources creates a framework that is able to
resolve the perceived conflict between humans and the ecology. Its overarching
goal is to find ways to manage the environment so that humans can co-exist
and prosper with it and not against it-the right to economic growth and social
development.
Check your progress Exercise 2
Note a) Use the space below for your answer.
b) Compare your answers with those given at the end of the unit.
Q 1 Write down the objectives of EPA's.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q 2 Write down brief note on CPCB.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
Q3 Discuss in brief National Environmental policy of the Indian Government.
225
Tools for Environmental ......................................................................................................................
Management
......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

14.8 LET US SUM UP

Environmental governance is the whole range of rules, practices, polices and
institutions related to management of the environment in its different forms
(conservation, protection, exploitation of natural resources, etc.). This unit
precisely details Environmental Governance, Sustainable Development,
Earth Summits, Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs), Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
Environmental Protection acts, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate
Change (MoEFCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution
Control Board (SPCB) and National Environmental Policy (NEP)

14.9 KEY WORDS:

Environmental Governance
Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs)
National Environmental Policy (NEP)

14.10 REFERENCES & SUGGESTED READING

1. ARSS-Vol.3-No.2-July-Dec-2014pp.17-20%20(2).pdf
2. Env_Law_and_policy_.pdf
3. FAO. Code of responsible fisheries practice. FAO, Rome 1997.
4. Ganesamurthy, V.S. Environmental Economics in India, New Century
Publications, New Delhi, India 2009.
5. Haque M. Environmental governance: emerging challenges for
Bangladesh. AH Development Publishing House, Dhaka 2013
6. http://moef.gov/in
7. https://cpcb.nic.in/
8. https://twin.sci-hub.se/
9. https://www.naturvardsverket.se/
10. J._Envtl._L.__1995_.pdf
11. National Environment Policy: Ministry of Environment and Forest,
New Delhi, 2006.
12. Sankar, U.: Laws and Institution Relating to Environmental Protection
inIndia, 1989.
13. Sarkar, D.: Ecological Aspects of Mega Cities in India w.s.r to Bombay,
Ph. D. Thesis, submitted to the University of Mumbai, 1994.
226 14. US National Research Council Our common journey: a transition to
 wards sustainability. National Academy Press, Washington, DC 1999 Environmental
Governance
15. World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED),
1987.
16. World Development Report “Development and Environment”
(published for the World Bank by OUP). 1992

14.11 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check your progress Exercise 1
Q1 Your answer must include the definitions of Environmental governance
and general understanding about the subject.
Q2 Your answer describe the term MDG's & SDG's and their goals.
Check your progress Exercise 2
Q1 Your answer must include all the all the objectives of this act.
Q2 Your answer must include structure, governance and activities of CPCB.
Q3 Your answer must include all the rules and policies made by MoEFCC
for the sustainable development and protection and conservation of
environment.

227