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POSTAL SERVICES IN INDIA
Overview
India Post is the brand name of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
With over 150,000 post offices, the Indian postal system is the largest postal services system in the world
In terms of postal volume, India ranks sixth, behind the UK, Germany, Japan, France and Russia
Postal services in India were introduced in 1837 in principal towns in each Presidency
Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil services, exam, study material, general studies, general knowledge, free
History of postal services
Postal services were introduced in 1837
The Indian Postal Act 1854 established a separate postal department
The first postage stamp, called Scinde Dawk, was introduced in 1852 in Sind
The first Postal Circle was the North West Province Circle in 1839
The post card was introduced in 1879, money order system was introduced in 1880, Post Office Savings Bank in 1882, Railway Mail
Service in 1907, Airmail Service in 1911
Postal services today are governed by the Indian Post Office Act 1898
Organization of postal services
Postal services in India are implemented by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
India has been divided into 22 Postal Circles. Each Circle is headed by a Chief Postmaster General
Each circle is further divided into Postal Divisions, headed by a Postmaster General
In addition to the 22 Postal Circles, there is a special Circle called the Base Circle to cater to the armed forces. It falls under the
purview of the Army Postal Service and is headed by an Additional Director General holding the rank of Major General
Postal Index Number (PIN)
The PIN is the post office identification system used in India
It was introduced in 1972
There are 9 PIN zones in India and one functional zone
The first digit of the PIN indicates the region, second digit indicates sub-region and third digit indicates sorting district
The nine PIN zones covering India are
1 Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Chandigarh
2 UP, Uttarakhand
3 Rajasthan, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
4 Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh
5 Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
6 Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry
7 Orissa, West Bengal, all N.E. states, Andaman & Nicobar
8 Bihar, Jharkhand
9 Army Post Office
IMPORTANT SERVICES OF THE POSTAL SYSTEM IN INDIA
1. Speed Post
1. Introduced in 1986
2. Provides express service for letters and documents
3. Offers a money-back guarantee under which the postal fee will be refunded in case of delay in delivery
2. Logistics Post
1. Introduced in 2008
2. Applicable for sending parcels and large consignments
3. No weight limit
3. Postal Life Insurance
1. Launched in 1884
2. Initially conceived as a welfare measure for the employees of the Post & Telegraph Department
3. Currently open to Central, state and local government employees, banks, PSUs and government-aided educational institutions
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4. Savings Bank
1. Launched in 1882
2. Interest is completely tax free
TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN INDIA
Overview
The Indian telecommunication industry is the third largest in the world
It is the second largest in terms of wireless connections
India is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world
Tele-density in India is around 45%
In Sep 2009, Government announced the availability of Mobile Number Portability from Dec 2009. MNP would allow users to retain
their phone number even if they changed service providers
History of telecommunications in India
Telegraph facilities in India were first introduced between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour in 1850
In 1953, work was started on telegraph lines connecting Calcutta, Agra, Peshawar, Bombay and Madras
The first Telegraph Act was enacted in 1854
Telegraph facilities were opened to the public in 1855
The first telephone exchange in India was opened in Calcutta in Jan 1882. Exchanges were also established in Bombay and
Madras in the same year
The pioneer of telegraph and telephones in India was Dr. William OShaugnessy from the Calcutta Medical College
Telecommunications in India today is governed by the Indian Telegraph Act 1885
Further development of telecommunications
1902: first wireless telegraph between Saugor Islands and Sandheads (West Bengal)
1913-1914: first automatic telephone exchange established in Simla
1927: first radio telegraph system between India and UK with beam stations at Khadki and Daund (Maharashtra)
1960: first subscriber trunk dialing (STD) introduced between Kanpur and Lucknow
1979: first optical fibre system commissioned at Pune
1980: first satellite earth station for domestic communications established at Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
1985: first mobile telephone service started on non-commercial basis in Delhi
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
1. Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
1. TRAI is an independent regulator established in 1997 to regulate the communications sector in India
2. It consists of a Chairperson and two members
3. Objectives of TRAI include
1. To provide policies on communications in India
2. Manage licenses for telecommunications
3. Efficiently manage available spectrum
4. Ensure compliance with provisions
2. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)
1. It is government-owned service provider operating in New Delhi, Bombay, Thane
2. It was established in 1986
3. Headquarters in New Delhi
4. MTNL launched Indias first 3Gmobile services in 2008
5. In 2004, MTNL established a fully owned subsidiary Mahanagar Telephones Mauritius Limited (MTML) for providing basic,
mobile and long-distance operations in Mauritius
6. MTNL functions under the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
3. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL)
1. Established in 1986
2. It is Indias largest telecommunications company in long-distance, enterprise data and internet services
3. Headquarters in Bombay
4. It has the worlds largest network of submarine cables, by means of its subsidiary Tyco Global Network
5. VSNL was renamed as Tata Communications in 2008
4. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
1. Established in 2000 by corporatization of the commercial services of the Department of Telecom
2. Headquarters in New Delhi
3. It is Indias oldest and largest communications service provider
4. It operates in every major city except Bombay and New Delhi, which are run by the MTNL
5. Functions under the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
IMPORTANT PLAYERS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN INDIA
Company
Headquarters Key people Notes
Bharti Airtel
New Delhi Sunil Mittal Largest mobile phone company in India
Reliance
communications
Bombay Anil Ambani Largest optical fibre network in India
Vodafone Essar
Bombay
(Global HQ:
London)
Marten
Pieters
Vodafone is the largest mobile phone
company in the world
BSNL
New Delhi
Kuldeep
Goyal
Indias largest telecommunications company
Idea Cellular
Bombay
Kumar
Mangalam Birla
12 December 2009 | Tags: postal services, telecommunications| No Comments
Mangalam Birla
Tata Teleservices
Bombay Ratan Tata
Tata Indicom, Tata Docomo (with NTT
Docomo of Japan) and Virgin Mobile (Virgin
Group, UK)
Aircel
Madras
Gurdeep
Singh
Venture between Maxis Communications
(Malaysia) and Apollo Hospitals
MTNL
New Delhi RSP Sinha
Loop Mobile (formerly
BPL Mobile)
Bombay Sandip Basu
Sistema Shyam
New Delhi
Vsevolod
Rosanov
Vitaly
Savelyev
Venture between Sistema (Russia) and
Shyam Telelink
PREVIOUS WEEK: EDUCATION IN INDIA
~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEXT WEEK: RADIO AND TV IN INDIA
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EDUCATION IN INDIA
Overview
Overall literacy rate of 66%
Education is a concurrent subject
Private education market in India valued at $40 bn
Indias first education Minister was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
The nodal agency for education in India is the Ministry of Human Resource Development
India has 22 Central Universities
Keywords: ias, upsc, civil service, India, study material, general studies, general knowledge, education
Modern education in India
First IIT was established at Kharagpur (1950). Currently there are 15 IITs, with plans to add 3 more
The Calcutta Madrasah College (1780) is the oldest continuously running Islamic seminary in India. It achieved University
status in 2008
Serampore College, West Bengal was the first institution to grant degrees in theology (1818)
Thomason College of Civil Engineering (1847) is the oldest autonomous engineering school in Asia. It is now known as
the IIT Roorkee
The University of Calcutta (1857) was the first full-fledged multi-disciplinary university in India
The College of Engineering, Guindy (Madras) is the oldest technical institute in India and one of the oldest in the world
(1794)
Achievements
India has the third largest higher education system in the world, after China and the US
Three Indian universities listed in the Times Higher Education list: IITs, IIMs and JNU
Six IITs and BITS (Pilani) listed among the top 20 science and technology schools in Asia by Asiaweek
Indian School of Business ranked 15 in global MBArankings by the Financial Times of London
Ernakulam District in Kerala was the first District in India to be declared 100%literate (1990)
Challenges
40% of population is illiterate and only 15% reach high school
25% of teaching positions vacant and 57% of college professors lack masters or doctorate degrees
EDUCATION BOARDS AND SYSTEMS IN INDIA
The apex body for curriculum-related matters is the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The first
education Board set up in India was the United Provinces Board of High School and Intermediate Education. Currently, the various
curriculum governing bodies are
1. Various State Education Boards
1. The State Education Boards enroll the largest number of students in India
2. The first State Education Board was established in Madras Presidency in 1908
2. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
1. Established in 1952, as the evolution of the UP Education Board. Headquarters in New Delhi
2. CBSEaffiliates all Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Vidyalayas and all schools in NCT Delhi, Chandigarh, Andaman &
Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal. It also affiliates Indian schools in
foreign countries
3. Conducts the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) for class X, the All India Senior School Certificate
Examination (AISSCE) for class XII and the All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE)
3. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)
1. Established in 1956. Headquarters in New Delhi
2. Private, not affiliated to the government
3. Conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examination for class Xand the Indian School Certificate
(ISC) examination for class XII
1. National Institute of Open Schooling
1. Established by the Union Government in 1989. Headquarters in Noida
2. Largest open school system in the world
3. Examinations are held twice a year in April-May and October-November. Students can also appear for On-Demand
Examinations at the Secondary (class X) and Senior Secondary (class XII) levels
4. Has established the International Centre for Training in Open Schooling and Open Schooling Association of the Commonwealth
in association with UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning
2. Other Systems
1. Darul Uloom Deoband
1. Established in 1866 in Deoband (Uttar Pradesh)
2. The syllabus is known as Dars-e-Nizami
3. Curriculum includes Islamic law, Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic spirituality and other Islamic studies
4. Affiliates numerous madrassas in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world
2. International schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Programme and the Cambridge International Examinations
3. Autonomous schools like the Woodstock School, Auroville, Patha Bhavan and Ananda Marga Gurukula
EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Constitutional Provisions
The Constitution of India provides for free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14
Education is listed as a Concurrent Subject, with joint jurisdiction of the Central and state governments. However, the Union
Government exclusively determines the standards in higher and technical education
Local authorities (such as Panchayats and Municipalities) to be assigned suitable roles through legislations at the state level
State governments and local authorities to provide instruction in the mother tongue at the primary education level
The 86
th
Constitutional Amendment to Article 21A made education a fundamental right
National Policy on Education
First National Policy on Education was formulated in 1968
Second National Policy on Education was formulated in 1986
The second Policy was further modified in 1992
Major highlights of the Policy include
National system of education: established a nationwide-standard for various education systems and imposed minimum
learning requirements
Education for equality: Policy emphasizes removal of social disparities by promoting education of women, backward
communities and the disabled
Technical and management education: encourage the adoption of technology and management best practices
Right to Education Bill
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act was passed by Parliament in Aug 2009
The Act describes the modalities for providing free and compulsory elementary and secondary education for children between the
ages of 6 and 14
The Act was enacted in pursuance of Article 21Aof the Constitution, which made education a fundamental right
As per the Act, government schools shall provide free education to all children, and private schools shall admit at least 25%of
their students without any fee. No donation or capitation fee may be charged either
The Act also provides for a School Monitoring Committee a body of elected representatives from the community to ensure proper
functioning
The Act also provides for a school in every neighbourhood
The Act does not establish a uniform standard of education quality. However, it does recommend the constitution of a National
Commission of Elementary Education to address this issue
SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES
All schemes and programmes under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (unless otherwise noted)
1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All)
1. Launched in 2004
2. SSAis the Governments flagship programme for achievement of universalization of elementary education of satisfactory
quality by 2010
3. Emphasizes community participation through decentralized planning and implementation
4. Aims to see all children complete five years of primary schooling by 2007 and eight years of elementary schooling by 2010.
Also aims to achieve universal retention by 2010
5. Provides for a school in every 1 km radius
6. Focuses alternative schooling methodologies, children with special needs, girls education and computer education
7. SSAcontains components such as National Program for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) and Education
Guarantee Scheme (EGS) / Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE)
8. Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments
9. Under the purview of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD
2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RSMA)
1. Launched in 2009
2. Set up following the success of SSA, to provide secondary and higher education for those who have completed elementary
education
3. Provides for a secondary school every 5 km and a higher secondary school every 7-10 km
4. Aims to ensure universal access to quality secondary education by 2017 with universal retention by 2020
5. Provides special support to economically weaker sections, girls, students with disabilities
6. Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments
7. Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD
3. Information and Communication Technology in Schools (ICT)
1. Launched in 2004
2. Aims to help secondary school students develop ICT skills
3. Aims to set up IT-based Smart Schools in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodya Vidyalayas
4. Fully sponsored by the Union government
5. Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD
5 December 2009 | Tags: education| No Comments
4. Mahila Samakhya Programme
1. Launched in 1989
2. Aims to provide women and girls with education as a tool for empowerment
3. Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy
5. Mid Day Meal Scheme
1. Largest school feeding programme in the world, serving over 120 million children every day
2. Mid day meal concept was first introduced by the Madras Municipal Corporation for disadvantaged children in 1925
3. First large scale implementation was by the Tamil Nadu government in 1982
4. Covers all children in primary and upper primary Government, Local Body and Government-aided schools in the entire country
6. Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrassas
1. Launched in 2007
2. Scheme has two main components: infrastructure support and introduction of modern subjects
3. Sponsored by the Union government
7. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)
1. Launched in 2004
2. Provides for setting up residential schools at elementary level for girls belonging to backward communities in difficult areas
3. Aims to address low literacy levels and large gender gaps in educationally backward areas
4. Sponsored jointly by the Union and state governments
5. Implemented by concerned state education departments
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
1. Central Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
1. Launched in 2007
2. Provides financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families
3. Scholarship awarded on the basis of senior secondary examination (class XII)
4. Fully sponsored by the Union government
5. Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD
2. Scheme of Scholarship to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking States for Post-Matric Studies in Hindi
1. Launched in 1955, revised in 2004
2. Scholarship available to students at post-matric to PhD level
3. Sponsored by the Union government
4. Implemented by state education departments
3. Scheme of National Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities
1. Launched in 2009
2. Scholarship available for post-matric professional and technical courses. However, for severely disabled students scholarship
is available from class IXonwards
3. Sponsored by the Union Government
4. Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Sources: Wikipedia, Ministry of HRD, India Development Gateway
Previous Week: Wildlife Conservation in India
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN INDIA
Overview of wildlife in India
India is home to about 60-70% of the worlds
biodiversity
India has about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of
avian, 6.2% of reptilian and 6.0% of flowering
plant species
India contains 172 (around 2.9%) of the worlds
threatened species
Famous mammals in Indian wildlife: Asian
Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard,
Sloth Bear, Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Asian Water
Buffalo etc
Large-scale conservation efforts now underway
Protected areas in India cover 4.5% of territory
Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, general knowledge, wildlife conservation
Recent extinctions
Indian/Asian Cheetah
Javan Rhinoceros
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Pink-headed duck
Himalayan Quail
PROTECTED AREAS IN INDIA
1. National Parks
1. India currently has 96 national parks, with plans to expand it to 166
2. Oldest National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (1935)
3. Newest National Park: Chandoli National Park, Maharashtra (2004). Part of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
2. Wildlife Sanctuary
1. India has over 500 wildlife sanctuaries
2. Among these are 28 Tiger Reserves governed by Project Tiger
3. Biosphere Reserves
1. Protect larger areas of natural habitat than National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries
2. Often include one or more National Parks inside the Reserve
3. Includes buffer zone that are open for nominal economic use
4. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna in the Reserve but also to habiting human communities and their ways
of life
5. There are 15 Biosphere Reserves in India
6. 7 of the 15 are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves
4. Reserved Forests and Protected Forests
1. Declared by the state governments (unlike Wildlife Sanctuaries or National Parks)
2. These are forested lands where human activity (like hunting, logging, grazing etc) may be permitted on a sustainable basis
3. The key difference between Reserved Forests and Protected Forests is that in Reserved Forests explicit permission is
required for such activities whereas in Protected Forests such activities are permitted unless explicitly prohibited
5. Village Forests and Panchayat Forests
1. Forested lands administered by a village or a panchayat on a sustainable basis
2. The flora, fauna and habitat are accorded some degree of protection by the community
6. Private Protected Areas
1. Regions owned by an individual or an organization not affiliated to the government
2. Not legally protected by the government; however, NGOs and land trust help in conservation
3. Most private protected areas before Independence were used as royal hunting grounds by the Princely States; they were
absorbed as Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks following Independence
4. Prominent Private Protected Areas managed by the Wildlife Trust of India include
1. Siju-Rewak Corridor (Garo Hills, Meghalaya): a protected migration corridor between the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary and the
Rewak Reserved Forest. Caters to Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear
2. Tirunelli-Kudrakote Corridor (Kerala): a protected migration corridor for Indias largest elephant population between the
Tirunelli Reserved Forest and the Kudrakote Reserved Forest
7. Conservation Areas
1. Large, well-designated areas where landscape conservation is undergoing, and contains different kinds of constituent protected
lands as well as privately owned lands
2. These were primarily part of a joint Indo-US project on landscape management and protection. The project ran from 1996 to
2002
BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA
S.
No.
Reserve Established State Notes
1
Gyan Bharti
Reserve
2008 Gujarat Largest Biosphere Reserve in India
2
Amarkantak 2005
Madhya
Pradesh,
Chattisgarh
3
Agasthyamalai 2001
Kerala, Tamil
Nadu
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Protects the tiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr
Home of the Kanikaran, one of the oldest
surviving ancient tribes in the world
4
Kanchanjunga 2000 Sikkim
5
Pachmarhi 1999
Madhya
Pradesh
Notified in the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves
Leopard, wild boar, muntjac deer, gaur, chital
deer, sambar, Rhesus Macaques
6
Dehang-Debang 1998
Arunachal
Pradesh
7
Dibru-Saikhowa 1997 Assam
8
Simlipal 1994 Orissa
Notified in the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves
9
Gulf of Mannar 1989 Tamil Nadu
World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Coral Reefs
Sharks, Dugongs, Dolphins, Sea Turtles
10
Sunderbans 1989 West Bengal
UNESCO World Heritage Site (1997)
Largest Mangrove forest in the world
Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger
11
Great Nicobar
Biosphere Reserve
1989
Andaman &
Nicobar Islands
Nicobar scrubfowl, Nicobar long-tailed
Macaque, Saltwater crocodile, Giant
Leatherback Sea Turtle, Reticulated Python,
Giant Robber Crab
12
Manas 1989 Assam
13
Nanda Devi 1988 Uttarakhand
UNESCO World Heritage Site
14
Norkek 1988 Meghalaya World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Now the world's rarest monkey, the endangered
Golden Langur, is found in the Chakrashila Wildlife
Sanctuary in Assam
28 November 2009 | Tags: environment| 5 Comments
15
Nilgiri 1986
Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Karnataka
Tiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr
Under consideration for UNESCO World
Heritage Site
ENDANGERED SPECIES IN INDIA
Critically Endangered
Jenkins Shrew
Malabar Large-spotted Civet: Kerala, Karnatka
Namdapha Flying Squirrel: NE India
Pygmy Hog (wild pig): Assam
Salim Alis fruit bat: Tamil Nadu
Wroughtons Free-tailed Bat: Karnataka, Assam
Sumatran Rhinoceros: NE India
Other important endangered species
Asiatic lion
Asiatic Black bear
Desert Cat
Great Indian Rhinoceros
Golden Leaf Monkey (Golden Langur)
Kashmir Stag
Lion-tailed Macaque
Nilgiri Leaf Monkey
Indian Elephant
Nicobar Shrew
Nilgiri Tahr
Red Panda
Wild Water Buffalo
Woolly Flying Squirrel
SPECIAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN INDIA
All wildlife conservation efforts are implemented by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests unless otherwise noted
Project Tiger
First established in 1972 in the Jim Corbett National Park
First tiger census in 1972 reported existence of only 1827 tigers. By the 1990s tiger population rose to 3500; however, by 2008 it had
dropped to 1411.
By 2005, entire population Sariska Tiger Reserve had been wiped out
Re-population of Tiger Reserves started in 2008 when Sariska Tiger Reserve received two tigers via a translocation scheme
41 Tiger Reserves covering an area over 37000 sq km
Cover the following tiger habitats
Shivalik-Terai Conservation Unit
North-east Conservation Unit
Sunderbands Conservation Unit
Central Indian Conservation Unit
Eastern Ghat Conservation Unit
Western Ghat Conservation Unit
Largest Tiger Reserve is the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. Established in 1982, it suffers from a poor
density of tiger population attributed to left-wing extremism
Project Elephant
Launched in 1992
Latest Elephant Reserve is Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnatka (2010/11)
Currently there are 25 Elephant Reserves covering a land area 58000 sq km
Largest Elephant Reserve is the Mysore Elephant Reserve in Karnataka (2002)
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN INDIA
Major Issues
India supports 16% of world population in 2.4% of area
60% of cultivable land estimated to suffer soil erosion, waterlogging and salinity
From 1947 to 2002, average per capita availability of water decreased 70%
Overexploitation of groundwater in Haryana, Punjab and UP
Net result: rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, increased frequency of drought
Environmental degradation is estimated to cost the equivalent of 4%of Indias GDP. After environmental corrections, Indias
economic growth rate falls down to about 4.5%
Water Supply
No city in India with population more than 1m distributes water for more than a few hours a day
Longest duration of supply: Chandigarh (12 hrs/day). Shortest: Rajkot (0.3 hrs/day). Average: 4.3 hrs/day
Continuous water available in: Jamshedpur (population 570000), Navi Mumbai (for about 50% of its 1m population), Badlapur in
Greater Bombay (30% of its population)
Water Degradation
Only 30%of wastewater is treated. Rest flows into rivers or groundwater
Of 3119 cities in India, only 209 have partial wastewater treatment facilities, only 8 have full treatment facilities
114 cities dump untreated sewage and partially cremated bodies into the Ganges
Fecal bacteria in the Ganges is 3000 over safety limit. In the Yamuna it is 10000 times over safety limit
Around 65% of the rivers had Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) below 3mg/l, while 15% rivers had BOD more than 6mg/l. The
situation has been improving over the last decade but remains critical.
Atmospheric Degradation
Vehicular emissions cause up to 33% of air pollution in India
In Bangalore, around 50% of children suffer from asthma
Consistent haze and smoke is caused in northwestern India due to the burning of biomass
Land Degradation
Almost 50%of cultivable land affected by soil erosion
Deforestation of Shivalik Hills, Himalayas, Western and Eastern Ghats resulting in frequent floods
Increased sedimentation of rivers and silting of water reservoirs
Extensive illegal quarrying and mining
INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN INDIA
ADDRESSING RURAL SANITATION
Community-led Total Sanitation
Public-private partnership
Introduced in Maharashtra in 2002
Primarily aims to create Open Defecation Free communities in rural areas
Communities mobilize themselves to construct latrines and achieve total sanitation
Currently active in about 2000 gram panchayats over Maharashtra
Only urban local body where CLTS has been implemented is Kalyani near Calcutta
Initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development
ADDRESSING WATER DEGRADATION
Ganga Action Plan
Launched by GoI in 1985 to reduce pollution
1.0 MLD of sewage treatment targeted
Plan failed to decrease pollution after spending Rs 900 crore over 15 years. Declared closed in 2000
Yamuna and Gomati included in GAP Phase II
Implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
Launched in 1993 to clean up major rivers
Involves
Interception and diversion of sewage
Sewage treatment plants
Construction of crematoria and sanitation facilities
River front development
Fully funded by Central government
Currently covers 37 rivers
Created sewage treatment capacity of 3070 MLD
Implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
ADDRESSING LAND DEGRADATION
Programme for Reclamation and Development of Alkali & Acid Soils
Aims to reclaim develop lands affected by alkalinity and acidity and to improve soil fertility
Area of 0.66 m Ha out of 3.5 m Ha of alkali land reclaimed
Financed by Union (90%) and State (10%) governments
Impact
pH of reclaimed soil decreased from 10.5 to 9.2
increased paddy yield by two times
75% increase in household income
Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture
Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA)
Launched in 1995
Aims to reclaim land used for shifting agriculture and to encourage these farmers to switch to settled agriculture
Primarily implemented in NE states, where shifting agriculture is causing acute deforestation
Scheme is designed to protect and develop the hill slopes through soil and water conservation measures in order to prevent further
land degradation
Fully funded by Central government
Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture
ADDRESSING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
Action plan for the tannery sector
Chrome recovery: All tannery units in the country to have chrome recovery facility, either individually or on a collective basis.
Recovered chromium is to be used in the tanning process
Waste minimization measures: waste minimization circles to be formed in all tannery clusters. To be made obligatory gradually
Reduction of water consumption: All tanneries to install water meters. Water consumptions rates to be lowered using waste
minimization measures
Compliance of standards: Installation of automatic monitoring equipment, open anaerobic lagoons to be converted into closed
systems with gas recovery, all units to take up environmental auditing on an annual basis
Management of Total Dissolved Solids: all units to employ cleaner technology for less use of salt, desalting, effluent treatment
Solid waste management: all units to use process sludge for by-product recovery (esp. biogas), chromium recovery, and safe
21 November 2009 | Tags: environment| No Comments
disposal of hazardous waste
All units to reuse recovered salts and employ safe disposal measures
All units to eliminate use of Boron
Ground water quality monitoring to be strengthened
Implemented by the CPCB (MoEF)
OTHER INITIATIVES
Environment Atlas
Scheme called State of Environment Atlas launched by Union Govt. in 2002
Streamlines the process of data collection and reporting regarding the environment
Objective: to bring out an overview of the environmental scenario of the states and UTs for policy and decision-making
Implemented by four host institutes: Energy and Resources Inst. New Delhi, Development Alternatives New Delhi, Environment
Protection Training Inst. Hyderabad, and Administrative Staff College of India Hyderabad
Initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests
Global Environment Monitoring Stations (GEMS)
Nationwide network of 1019 monitoring stations in 27 states and 6 UTs
Covers rivers, lakes, canals and wells
Water samples are analysed for chemical and bacteriological parameters, trace metals and pesticides
Water quality data is reported in the Water Quality Status Year Book
Established by the Central Pollution Control Board in tandem with state PCBs . Comes under the Ministry of Environment and
Forests
National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
Nationwide network 342 monitoring stations covering 26 states and 4 UTs
Aims to determine the status and trend of air quality in various cities and to develop measures to correct and prevent air quality
deterioration
Four air pollutants are monitored regularly: sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, Suspended Particulate Matter and Respirable
Suspended Marticulate Matter
Implemented by the CPCB in association with state PCBs. Comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests
Ecocity Programme
Launched in 2003
Created to address unplanned development, poor sanitary conditions and pollution in urban areas
Aims to provide innovative and unconventional solutions that do not require large financial investment
Initiated by the CPCB. Comes under the MoEF
UPSC IAS :: Study Material :: General Studies :: General Knowledge #1
ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA: POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND IMPLEMENTATION
Administration
Administered by Ministry of Environment and Forest
Central Pollution Control Board established to assess and control water and air pollution
Botanical Survery of India (BSI): established in 1980 for surveying and identifying plant resources
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI): established in 1916 to survey endangered species and undertake conservation efforts
Forest Survey of India (FSI): established 1981, to survey forest resources
International environmental agreements that India is party to
Domain Treaty Enacted Objectives Highlights
Atmosphere
UN Framework
Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC)
Rio de Janeiro,
1992
(Earth Summit)
Stablize greenhouse
gases levels
National
greenhouse gas
inventories
Atmosphere
Kyoto Protocol
(protocol to
UNFCCC)
Kyoto, 1997
Combat global
warming
Carbon credits
Clean
development
mechanism
U.S.A. only
prominent
country to not
ratify
Atmosphere Vienna Convention Vienna, 1985 Protect ozone layer
Atmosphere
Montreal Protocol
(protocol to Vienna
Convention)
Montreal, 1987 Protect ozone layer
Ratified by all
UN members
Hazardous
substances
Basel Convention Basel, 1989
Reduce movement of
hazardous waste
between nations
Does not cover
radioactive
waste
Not ratified by
USA
Hazardous
substances
Rotterdam
Convention
Rotterdam, 1998
Procedures for
hazardous chemicals in
international trade
Proper labeling
of hazardous
products
Restrict the
Bans DDT for
Hazardous
substances
Stockholm
Convention
Stockholm, 2001
Restrict the
production and use of
persistent organic
pollutants
agriculture,
permits for
mosquito
control
Marine Environment
UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS)
Jamaica, 1982
Regulations for
national use of oceans
Set limits for
territorial waters,
exclusive
economic zone
etc
Set economic
and military
rights in these
zones
Marine environment
Convention for the
Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living
Resources
1982
Protect the ecosystem
of the seas surrounding
Antarctica
Marine environment
International
Convention on the
Regulation of Whaling
Washington DC,
1946
Protection from
overhunting, regulation
of whaling industry
Implemented by
International
Whaling
Commissions
Nature conservation Antarctic Treaty
Washington DC,
1959
Regulate international
relations wrt Antarctica
Set aside
Antarctica as
scientific
preserve
Established
freedom of
scientific
investigation
Banned military
activity
Nature conservation
Convention on
Biological Diversity
Rio de Janeiro,
1992
(Earth Summit)
Conservation
Sustainable use
Cartagena
Protocol
Nature Conservation
Cartagena Protocol
(supplement to CBD)
2000
Protect from risk
posed by Living
Modified Organisms
Procedures for
handling and
use of LMO
Established Bio-
safety Clearing
House
Nature Conservation
Convention on
International Trade in
Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and
Flora
Washington DC,
1973
Ensure trade in
animals and plants
does not threaten
survival
Protects more
than 33000
species
Only one
protected
species (Spixs
Macaw) has
become extinct
Nature Conservation
Convention on
Wetlands of
International
Importance
Ramsar (Iran),
1971
Conservation and
sustainable use of
wetlands
Covers over 1.8
million sq km
Nature Conservation
UN Convention to
Combat
Desertification
(UNCCD)
Paris, 1994
Combat
desertification
Mitigate effect of
drought
Only
international
framework to
address
desertification
Nuclear Safety
Treaty Banning
Nuclear Weapon Tests
in the Atmosphere, In
Outer Space and
Underwater
(PTBT/LTBT)
Moscow, 1963
Prohibits all test
detonations of nuclear
weapons except
underground
Prominent non-
signatories:
France, China,
North Korea
Nuclear Safety
Vienna Convention
on Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damage
Vienna, 1997
Defines financial
liability for nuclear
mishaps
Defines nuclear
damage to
include
environment
Liability not less
than 300 million
SDRs ($400m)
Coastal states
covered for
Newer Entries

14 November 2009 | Tags: environment| 1 Comment
damage during
nuclear
transport
Programmes
1. National River Conservation Plan
Prevent river pollution and improve water quality
Launched in 1985 with Ganges
Rivers covered: 37
Pollution load tackled: 3000 MLD
2. Ecomark Scheme of India
Label environment-friendly products
Launched in 1991
Follows a product from raw materials to manufacturing to disposal
Covers multiple product categories including soaps, paper, food items, lubricating oil etc
3. National Afforestation Programme
Objectives: ecological regeneration, development of water resources, employment generation
Implemented by Forest Development Agencies and Joint Forest Management Committees
4. National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
Implements provisions of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Improve quality of life of locals
Drought preparadness and mitigation
Assessment and mapping of land degradation
Overseen by Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur
India is host country for Agro forestry and soil conservation in arid, semi arid and dry sub humid areas

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