Table of Contents
Context
- The annual meet of the National Green Corps ‘Ecoclub’ programme of the MoEF&CC was recently organized.
About the programme
- Environment Education Awareness and Training (EEAT) is an established central sector scheme of the Environment ministry continuing since 1983-84.
- Under the scheme, National Green Corps (NGC) ‘Ecoclub’ programme was initiated in 2001-2002 with the objective to impart knowledge to school children
- To build young cadres of students and trigger their sensitivity towards environment protection and conservation.
Objectives
- Hands-on experience, about their immediate environment
- Observation, experimentation, survey, recording, analysis and reasoning for conserving the environment
- To promote logical and independent thinking
- To motivate and stimulate young minds
- The scheme is being operated through Eco-clubs of 50- 60 students having an interest in environment related issues, formed in member schools.
- Eco clubs are supervised by a Teacher In-charge who is selected from among the teachers of the member schools on the basis of his/her interest in environment related issues.
- The NGC is the largest programme in the world. The programme targets that the children participating in the programme will grow up and take care of the environment.
- The NGC cadets are given pride places at celebrations of national days when they participate in their NGC uniform. Also, when NGC cadets take up environmental activities they attract huge public attention.
- Consider the following statements with respect to National Green Corps (NGC) ‘Ecoclub’ programme
- It aims to inculcate proper attitude towards environment and sensitize children on issues related to environment and development.
- It was initiated under the Environment Education Awareness and Training (EEAT) Scheme of Ministry of Human Resources and Development.
- Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- a. 1 only
- b. 2 only
- c. Both 1 and 2
- d. Neither 1 nor 2
Laws related to environment conservation in India
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981
- The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 an Act of the Parliament of India to control and prevent air pollution in India
- It was amended in 1987
- The Government passed this Act in 1981 to clean up our air by controlling pollution.
- Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986
- Environment Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India
- In the wake of the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution
- Passed in March 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986
- The Act is an “umbrella” for legislations designed to provide a framework for Central Government, coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous Acts, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
- The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 17 July 2000
- The rules are framed under the jurisdiction of Environment (Protection) Act.
- Objectives and Key Features
- These Rules set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, trade import and export of ODSs and the product containing ODS.
- These Rules prohibit the use of CFCs in manufacturing various products beyond 1st January 2003 except in metered dose inhaler and for other medical purposes.
- The Energy Conservation Act of 2001
- As a step towards improving energy efficiency, the Government of India has enacted the Energy Conservation Act in 2001.
Objective
- The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 is the most important multisectoral legislation in India and is intended to promote efficient use of energy in India.
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- In order to implement the various provisions of the EC Act, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was operationalised with effect from 1st March, 2002. The EC Act provides a legal framework for energy efficiency initiatives in the country. The Act has mandatory as well as promotional initiatives.
- Forest Conservation Act of 1980
Background
- First Forest Act was enacted in 1927.
- Alarmed at India’s rapid deforestation and resulting environmental degradation, Centre Government enacted the Forest (Conservation) Act in1980.
Objective
- It was enacted to consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest produce and the duty livable on timber and other forest produce.
- The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
Background
- During the Rio de Janeiro summit of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992, India vowed the participating states to provide judicial and administrative remedies for the victims of the pollutants and other environmental damage.
Key Feature
- It was enacted under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Background
- In 1972, Parliament enacted the Wild Life Act (Protection) Act.
Objective
- The Wild Life Act provides for
- state wildlife advisory boards,
- regulations for hunting wild animals and birds,
- establishment of sanctuaries and national parks, tiger reserves
- regulations for trade in wild animals, animal products and trophies, and
- judicially imposed penalties for violating the Act.
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Background
- The Biological Diversity Bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2000 and was passed in 2002.
Objective:
- India’s richness in biological resources and indigenous knowledge relating to them is well recognized
Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999
- Objective
- A rule notified in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (viii) of Sub Section (2) of Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) with the objective to regulate the manufacture and use of recycled plastics, carry bags and containers;
Key Features
- Thickness of the carry bags made of virgin plastics or recycled plastics shall not be less than 20 microns.
- Carry bags and containers made of virgin plastic shall be in natural shade or white.
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