MEV 017: Unit 03 – Environmental Policy Deliberations

-

 UNIT 3: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DELIBERATIONS

3.1 Introduction

The evolution of environmental policy in India reflects the country's growing awareness of ecological sustainability and its institutional efforts to manage natural resources. In the post-independence era, India began developing formal mechanisms and advisory bodies to assess environmental concerns and suggest policy directions. These deliberations were shaped by committees, commissions, and strategies that played a pivotal role in forming India’s environmental governance structure.

This unit examines key government-appointed committees and policy strategies that laid the groundwork for India’s environmental planning from the 1960s through the 1980s.

3.2 Objectives

By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  • Understand the role of advisory committees in shaping India’s environmental policy.
  • Identify the key features and contributions of the Pitamber Pant Committee, Tiwari Committee, and others.
  • Explore the origins of national environmental planning in India.
  • Learn about the National Conservation Strategy and bodies created for environmental conservation and monitoring.

3.3 Pitamber Pant Committee

The Pitamber Pant Committee, constituted in the early 1970s, was among the first formal efforts in India to integrate environmental considerations into development planning.

Key Contributions:

  • Recommended the creation of a centralized environmental agency.
  • Suggested environmental education in schools and colleges.
  • Proposed environmental clearance mechanisms for development projects.
  • Called for data collection and research on natural resource usage.

Though not widely implemented at the time, this committee laid the intellectual foundation for institutional environmental policy in India.

3.4 National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination (NCEPC), 1972

The NCEPC was established in 1972, just after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference), where India participated as a signatory.

Key Functions:

  • Served as a nodal agency under the Department of Science and Technology.
  • Coordinated environmental planning activities across ministries.
  • Acted as a clearinghouse for environmental data and studies.
  • Advised the government on integrating environmental concerns into economic development.

Significance:

  • It was India’s first central environmental planning body.
  • Though advisory in nature, NCEPC helped build public and bureaucratic awareness on environmental matters.

Later, the NCEPC's functions were subsumed into the newly created Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 1985.

3.5 Tiwari Committee

The Tiwari Committee, officially known as the Committee for Environmental Protection, was formed in 1980 under the chairmanship of N.D. Tiwari.

Purpose:

  • To examine existing environmental laws.
  • To recommend institutional and legal reforms for better environmental governance.

Major Recommendations:

  • Establish a Department of Environment at the central level (implemented in 1980).
  • Develop a national environmental policy framework.
  • Create legislation for air and water pollution control.
  • Strengthen inter-ministerial coordination on environmental matters.

Impact:

  • Led to the formation of the Department of Environment, later elevated to a Ministry in 1985.
  • Influenced the drafting of important laws such as:
    • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
    • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
    • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act

3.6 National Conservation Strategy (1983–84)

In response to increasing environmental challenges, India formulated its National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development in 1983–84.

Highlights:

  • Emphasized sustainable development.
  • Encouraged environmental impact assessments (EIA) for developmental projects.
  • Promoted conservation of biodiversity, forests, and water resources.
  • Called for the decentralization of environmental management and community participation.

Role:

  • Marked a strategic shift from ad hoc approaches to a more systematic national strategy.
  • Integrated environmental concerns into the planning process at both national and state levels.

3.7 Conservation and Monitoring Bodies

India established several bodies and institutions to monitor, regulate, and advise on environmental issues:

a. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

  • Established in 1974 under the Water Act.
  • Monitors air and water quality, enforces standards, and coordinates with State Boards.

b. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)

  • Enforce pollution control norms at the state level.

c. Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)

  • Established in 1985 to consolidate all environmental functions.
  • Responsible for policy formulation, environmental clearances, biodiversity conservation, and international environmental cooperation.

d. Department of Environment (DOE)

  • Predecessor of MoEF, it functioned from 1980–1985.
  • Played a transitional role in institutionalizing environmental protection at the national level.

e. Environmental Appraisal Committees (EACs)

  • Provide expert advice on project clearances based on EIA reports.

f. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)

  • A leading R&D body focusing on pollution control technologies, environmental monitoring, and impact assessment studies.

3.8 Let Us Sum Up

India’s environmental policy deliberations have evolved significantly since the 1970s:

  • The Pitamber Pant Committee laid the intellectual groundwork for future policy.
  • The NCEPC institutionalized environmental planning.
  • The Tiwari Committee introduced structural reforms and led to the creation of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
  • The National Conservation Strategy marked India’s commitment to sustainable development.
  • Various bodies like CPCB, SPCBs, and MoEF continue to play critical roles in environmental governance.

Together, these developments illustrate India’s progressive approach toward environmental management and sustainable development.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more