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(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Conservation of Natural Resources

[November-2022]

Conservation of Natural Resources

Introduction:

The term “environment” was introduced in the Constitution of India for the first time in the year 1976 through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.
The State’s responsibility with regard to environmental protection was laid down under Article 48-A of the Constitution which says that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
Further, Article 51-A (g) which deals with the fundamental duties mentions that “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures”.
The “Environment” in its definition encompasses all entities, natural or manmade, external to oneself, and their inter relationships, which provide value, now or perhaps in the future, to humankind.

Objectives of National Environment Policy 2006

The National Environment Policy 2006 of India formulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the protection and conservation of environment identifies the following seven objectives:

Conservation of Critical Environmental Resources: To protect and conserve critical ecological systems which are essential for life support, livelihoods and economic growth.
Intra-generational Equity-Livelihood Security for the Poor: To ensure equitable access to environmental resources for all sections of society, in particular, to poorer communities that are most dependent on environmental resources.
Inter-generational Equity: To ensure judicious use of environmental resources to meet the needs and aspirations of the present and future generations.
Integration of Environmental Concerns in Economic and Social Development: To integrate environmental concerns into policies, programmes, and projects for economic and social development.
Efficiency in Environmental Resource Use: To ensure efficient use of environmental resources in the sense of reduction in their use per unit of economic output, to minimise adverse environmental impact.
Environmental Governance: To apply the principles of good governance to the management and regulation of the use of environmental resources.
Enhancement of Resources for Environmental Conservation: To ensure higher resource flows, technology, traditional knowledge, and social capital, for environmental conservation through mutually beneficial multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Environment related interventions by the government

For the protection and conservation of the environment, several legislations have been passed by the government namely: the Environment Protection Act, 1986; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Water Cess Act, 1977; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Laws passed with respect to forests and biodiversity include: Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; Indian Forest Act, 1927; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; and Biodiversity Act, 2002.
Recently the Government of India also unveiled LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative which aims to promote environment conscious lifestyle.
To combat climate change, Panchamrit (five goals) were announced at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow.

Technological Interventions by MoEFCC

PARIVESH: In line with the spirit of “Digital India”, a single-window integrated environmental management system named PARIVESH (Proactive and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single window Hub) was launched by the MoEFCC in August 2018. It has an automated process starting from submitting of application, preparation of agenda, preparation of minutes to grant of clearances. It facilitates sound and informed decision-making, realtime information about the status of application.
Decision Support System (DSS): DSS is a web GIS application developed to provide qualitative and quantitative information with respect to forest area. It uses different spatial layers for providing the information like state and district boundary, tiger reserves, tiger corridors, forest type maps, biological richness, hydrological layer, etc.
Climate Change Knowledge Portal: India’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal is a single point information resource that captures sector-wise adaptation and mitigation actions that are being taken by the various ministries in one place. The portal helps in disseminating knowledge among citizens about all the major steps the Government is taking at both national and international levels.
National Mission on Himalayan Studies: National Mission on Himalayan Studies is a Central Sector Grant-in-aid Scheme that addresses key issues relating to conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in the Indian Himalayan Region. The key objective is to focus on enhancing livelihoods of local communities in line with the National Environment Policy, 2006.
Wetlands of India portal: This portal is an initiative to provide a single point access system that synthesises information dissemination regarding wetland sites of India.
The portal provides a platform for the people of the country to learn more about wetlands and get involved in their conservation and management.

Conclusion

Environmentalist and green activist Dr. Anil P. Joshi has rightly stated that the true capital of a nation lies in its natural resources, and future demands balance between economy and ecology.
Through science and technology, environment conservation can be achieved in a holistic manner as environmental attitude is directly linked with the level of knowledge regarding environmental issues.
As the climatic conditions are changing, there is a need to spread awareness about the use of technology for environment protection as it will play an important role in sensitising people about environmental issues and facilitate people to adopt green social responsibility for the protection of the environment.