Wednesday 1 April 2015

Prime Minister to Inaugurate Two-Day Conference of Environment and Forest Ministers

PM to Launch Air Quality Index: Prakash Javadekar 
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will inaugurate a two-day Conference of Environment and Forest Ministers of States and Union Territories on April 6 at Vigyan Bhawan. Interacting with mediapersons at Paryavaran Bhavan here today (31.03.2015), the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the Prime Minister will launch the National Air Quality Index (AQI) i.e. one number, one colour and one description to inform the public about air quality in a simple and an easily understandable form. The AQI would be available for 10 cities, on a real-time basis from that day. 46 cities, with a population of more than one million and 20 state capitals will be covered in the next couple of years. This will enhance public awareness and involvement in air quality improvement.

The programme of the Conference reflects the growing awareness of various issues concerning environment, forest and climate change. A combined session on “Waste to Wealth” on the first day will discuss rules regarding solid waste, e-waste, hazardous waste, plastic waste and bio-medical waste. A copy of the latest report on Tiger Census will be presented to the Prime Minister during the inaugural session of the Conference.

Another combined session on April 6 will focus on “Ease of doing Business and TSR report” covering forest and wildlife issues. At present, there are six laws under Environment and Forest, viz Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EP Act); Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FC Act); Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLP Act); The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Water Act); The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (Air Act); and The Indian Forests Act, 1927 (IF Act). All these Acts are being reviewed. The second combined session will have a detailed discussion on strengthening of environment and forest laws, rules & processes.

On April 7, there will be three break-out sessions on issues related to forest wildlife and GIM issues, pollution-related issues and issues related to bio-diversity and climate change, including eco-sensitive zones and Western Ghats. As air and water pollution directly impact the health of the people and need stringent action, there will be a separate four-hour deliberation on the issue during the Conference.

The two-day Conference will also provide the States an opportunity to share the best practices on various laws, rules and procedures related to environment. The Conference is important, as it is the first such conference being organized after the new Government assumed office under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. 

Courtesy: pib.nic.in

No comments:

Extension of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme through ECLGS 2.0 for the 26 sectors identified by the Kamath Committee and the healthcare sector

Extension of the duration of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 1.0 The Government has extended Emergency Credit Line Guarantee ...