India Takes Strong Steps Against Single-Use Plastics
The Indian government has made significant strides in its fight against single-use plastic pollution. The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 implemented from July 1, 2022, have led to a ban on several high-littering plastic items, including plastic carry bags below a certain thickness. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) has issued a press release dated July 25, 2024, on current status of this ban.
India Disputes Global Air Quality Report, Highlights Domestic Efforts
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has raised concerns over the methodology used in the World Air Quality Report 2023, which ranked Indian cities among the most polluted globally. The ministry emphasized that the report relied heavily on data from low-cost sensors, which are not officially recognized for regulatory purposes by many countries.
Draft Environment (Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2024
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has proposed significant amendments to the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. These draft amendments aim to enhance environmental protection by strengthening enforcement mechanisms. The draft amendments were published July 18, 2024.
CAQM Enhances Plantation Drive to Combat Air Pollution
Recognizing the effectiveness of vegetation in mitigating dust, a major contributor to poor air quality, CAQM has set ambitious plantation targets. After exceeding the 2022-23 target of 3.85 crore new plantations, the Commission is aiming even higher for 2024-25, with a target of 4.5 crore new trees across NCR states and Delhi.
CPCB Issues Report on Pollution Source Mapping of River Hindon & Its Tributaries And Restoration Plan for Polluted Stretches
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a report highlighting the complex challenges associated with river rejuvenation projects in India. The report aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application for effective river rejuvenation. It focuses rejuvenation efforts to restore a river’s natural self-purification abilities, making it sustainable in the long run.
CPCB Publishes Report On Its Significant Works
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been actively working on various fronts to combat pollution and promote sustainable practices. It has published a report titled ‘Significant Works by
Central Pollution Control Board’ detailing its recent endeavors. The report specifies several initiatives undertaken by CPCB to foster environmental protection.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024
The Amendment Act applies to the States of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan along with Union Territories. It will also apply to such other State which adopt this Act by resolution. It is significant to note that while the amendment Act has increased the upper limit of the financial penalties for contravention of the provisions of the Act, it has also eliminated imprisonment as a form of penalty under the Act.
New Wildlife Rules 2024 Introduced For Transactions & Taxidermy
According to these rules, any licensee intending to acquire, receive, or keep specified animals or animal articles, trophies, uncured trophies, or meat derived therefrom must obtain prior permission from the authorized officer. In the realm of taxidermy, licensed taxidermists or manufacturers must issue vouchers to owners returning trophies or animal articles.
Central Government Designates Ports for Red Sanders Repatriation from Nepal
The Central Government has designated specific ports for the repatriation of red sanders from Nepal. The ports of entry and exist have been designated for the purpose of regulation of International Trade of red sanders between India and Nepal, ensuring strict adherence to environmental regulations and international trade norms.
Enhanced compensation for the victims of Human wildlife conflicts
Government of Tamil Nadu has been taking several steps to mitigate human wildlife conflicts. One of the approaches in human-wildlife conflict mitigation is providing adequate compensation to victims of such conflicts. Tamil Nadu Government had enhanced the compensation from Rs.4lakhs to Rs.5 lakhs for the loss of human life or permanent incapacitation in such conflicts. The Government had also created a corpus of Rs.10 Crores to enable speedy disbursement of the compensation claims.
