POLICY STATEMENT
FOR
ABATEMENT OF POLLUTION
1992
GOVERNMENT OF
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
NEW DELHI‑110003
NO. H. 11013(2)/90‑CPW
GOVERNMENT OF
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Paryavaran Bhawan
CGO Complex
Dated
Resolution
Policy Statement for Abatement of Pollution
1. PREAMBLE
The commitment of Government on abatement of
pollution for preventing deterioration of the environment is stated here. The
policy elements seek to shift emphasis from defining objectives for each
problem area towards actual implementation, but the focus is on the long term,
because pollution particularly affects the poor. The complexities are
considerable given the number of industries, organisations and government
bodies involved. To achieve the objectives maximum use will be made of a mix of
instruments in the form of legislation and regulation, fiscal incentives,
voluntary agreements, educational programmes and information campaigns. The
emphasis will be on increased use of regulations and an increase in the
development and application of financial incentives.
2. THE
PROBLEM
2.1 There is an increasing trend in
environmental pollution. Water is polluted by four kinds of substances :
traditional organic waste, waste generated from industrial processes, chemical
agents for fertilisers and pesticides for crop protection and silt from
degraded catchments. While it is estimated that three‑fourths by volume
of the waste water generated is from municipal sources, industrial waste,
though small in volume, contributes over one‑half of the total pollutant
load, and the major portion of this is coming from large and medium industries.
For class‑I cities of the Country, less than five per cent of the total
waste water generated is collected and less than one‑fourth of this is
treated.
2.2 Ambient air quality trends in the major
cities indicate that levels of suspended particulate matter are higher than the
prescribed standards or limits, especially in summer months. Levels of nitrogen
dioxide are increasing in urban centres with growing vehicle emissions.
2.3 Environmental problems are becoming
larger in scale. The chemical industry generates an increasing quantity of
substances every year; adversely affecting essential aspects of the composition
of the atmosphere, soil and water. In the industrial high density areas, in
addition to the effects on local health and impact on nature, we are confronted
with damage to the social and economic functions of the environment.
2.4 With restrictions on releases to air and waste water,
hazardous chemical wastes are getting diverted to land for their disposal.
Earlier concerns with pollution that was visible and degradable are giving way
to new types of pollution with very small quantities of synthetic chemicals
that are not so visible and are injurious to health and damage the environment
because of widespread use, persistence and toxicity. Reducing the hazards from
toxic chemicals is now a primary public concern.
2.5 Human activities are also influencing the composition of the
atmosphere. Despite uncertainties and insufficient knowledge, political and
scientific decisions concerning environmental change will increasingly be
necessary.
2.6 The state of the environment continues to
deteriorate. The growth in scientific
and technical knowledge has made it possible to use an ever increasing quantum
of natural resources. The increase in population is further enhancing the
pressure on the environment. The depletion of forests has been accompanied by
increasing amount of pollution affecting atmosphere, soil and water. Some of
the damage is irreversible. In seeking a higher quality of life while developed
countries need to focus on changing the composition of their processes and
products, developing countries will need to obtain the benefits of economic
growth. The policy statement on Abatement of Pollution thus complements the
Forest Policy Statement. The Government seeks to ensure that its policies in
every sector are based on a set of principles that harmonise economic
development and environmental imperatives.
3. FUTURE
DIRECTIONS AND OBJECTIVES
3.1
It
is not enough for the Government to notify laws which are to be complied with.
A positive attitude on the part of everyone in society is essential for the
prevention of pollution and wide consultation has been held with those who will
ultimately implement the policy.
3.2
A
comprehensive approach is taken to integrate environmental and economic aspects
in development planning; stress is laid on preventive aspects for pollution
abatement and promotion of technological inputs to reduce industrial
pollutants; and through reliance upon public cooperation in securing a clean
environment to respond to the coming challenges.
3.3
The
objective is to integrate environmental considerations into decision making at
all levels. To achieve this, steps have to be taken to:
·
prevent
pollution at source;
·
encourage,
develop and apply the best available practicable technical solutions;
·
ensure
that the polluter pays for the pollution and control arrangements;
·
focus
protection on heavily polluted areas and river stretches; and
·
involve
the public in decision making.
4. CRITICALLY
POLLUTED AREAS
4.1 Mechanisms
will be evolved to reduce local concentration of pollutants in complex
industrial sites. Strategies will be developed for areas with high pollution
loads where the accumulative effect of the various types of pollutants would be
taken into account including pollution of ground water. Existing units in these
areas will be targetted for effective action. New units in these areas will be
required to comply with location specific standards for stringent environmental
quality objectives. These will include matching waste generators with waste
buyers, with the objective of solving waste disposal.
4.2 Setting
up of industrial estates, and clusters of small industrial units in rural
areas, will include pollution abatement measures as an essential component of
infrastructure. In the past, the absence of adequate provision of space for
installing treatment facilities and arrangements for disposal of wastes has led
to severe pollution of agricultural land and rivers.
4.3 There has been a steady increase in the amount of waste water
produced from urban communities and industries. In the coming years, due to
rapid growth in population, urbanisation, industrial development and better
water supply, the amount of waste water may increase manifold. Generally, these
waters are discharged into lagoons or dumped on low lying areas without any pre‑treatment,
thereby creating sewage pools, contaminating ground waters, salinizing good
quality lands around cities, acting as a source of foul smell and breeding
grounds for mosquitoes and other pathogens. At many places this waste water is
discharged into drains and ‑rivers causing serious water pollution.
However, awareness has now grown and more attention is being paid to develop systems to treat sewage
waters. For a country like
4.4 Mining operations will not ordinarily be
taken up in ecologically fragile areas. Every mining project shall be
accompanied by a mining plan, including an environmental management plan and
time bound reclamation programme for controlling the environmental damage and
for restoration of mined areas.
5. ASSISTANCE
FOR ADOPTION OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES BY SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES.
5.1 Small scale industries are a special
feature of our economy. Government are implementing a scheme for providing
assistance for promoting combined facilities for treatment of effluents and
solid wastes generated in clusters of small scale units. This scheme will be
extended to provide necessary technical support as well.
5.2 While the large and medium industrial
units will remain totally responsible for control of their pollution,
assistance will be provided to small‑scale industrial units, particularly
those located in rural areas, to aid the implementation of pollution control
measures. This will be achieved by promoting development and adoption of
cleaner technologies, including environmentally friendly biotechnology.
6. STANDARDS
6.1 The present standards are based on the concentration of
pollutants in effluents and in emissions. The norms will be revised to lay down
mass‑based standards, which will set specific limits to encourage the
minimisation of waste, promote recycling and reuse of materials, as well as
conservation of natural resources, particularly water. Since the standards will
be source related, they will require for the most polluting industrial
processes, particularly those using toxic substances, application of the best
available technological solutions, and also be an instrument for technological
upgradation.
6.2 To act against potential problems in the future, new units
will have to conform to stricter standards. They will need to select
technologies that produce no or low quantities of wastes and recycle or reuse
waste products. Progressively, more strict vehicle emission standards will also
be evolved to deal with environmental hazards caused by vehicular traffic.
6.3 Standards will not merely be a regulatory tool but will be
mechanism to promote technological upgradation to prevent pollution, conserve
resources and regulate waste. For this purpose codes of practice and guidelines
will be evolved for specific processes.
6.4 The environmental effects, from production to disposal of
products that are hazardous and toxic will be taken into account in the regulations.
Chemicals will be reviewed according to the level of risk, and where safer
alternatives have become
available, restrictions will be imposed. Regulations for liability and
compensation for damages will supplement standards, to promote greater care and
caution, particularly in the management of hazardous waste and remedial action
in case of contamination of soil and ground water.
7. FISCAL
MEASURES
7.1 While regulatory measures remain
essential for the effectiveness of the policy, new approaches for considering
market choices will be introduced. The aim is to give industries and consumers
clear signals about the cost of using environmental and natural resources. The
expectation is that market‑oriented price mechanisms will influence
behaviour to avoid excessive use of natural resources.
7.2 There are at present several fiscal
incentives for installation of pollution control equipment and for shifting
polluting industries from congested areas. The items for which excise and
customs rebate are allowed will be reviewed. This will stimulate the
advancement of abatement technologies and create increased demands for the
products.
7.3 Economic instruments will be investigated
to encourage the shift from curative to preventive measures, internalise the
costs of pollution and conserve resources, particularly water. A direct
economic signal is offered by an effluent charge based on the nature and volume
of releases to the environment. The level will be based on the cost of
treatment and the flow discharged, in order to provide an incentive to set‑up
treatment plants. The scope of the charges will also be extended to emissions
and solid waste. Charges provide a continuing incentive towards optimal
releases.
7.4 These instruments will also have a distributive effect as the
revenues will be used for enforcement, collective treatment facilities,
research and promoting new investment.
7.5 The precise choice of economic instruments adopted will be
determined by the ease with which releases can be measured, as well as
prospective changes in technology and market structures. To deal with the range
of pollution problems a mix of regulatory and economic measures will be
adopted.
8. INTEGRATION
8.1 Critical policy areas for control of pollution come under
different departments and levels of Government. Sectoral Ministries, State
Governments, local bodies and agencies responsible for planning and
implementation of development projects will be required to integrate
environmental concerns more effectively in all policy areas. Local authorities
play a key role in abatement of pollution and environmental concerns need to be
built into the way they operate. Steps will have to be taken to strengthen
governmental and institutional structures dealing with environmental management,
especially within the ministries dealing with the sectors of energy, industry,
water resources, transport and agriculture and who would develop specific
programmes in regard to pollution prevention.
8.2 Policy making, legislation and law enforcement influence each
other. The increase in the number of regulations increases difficulties in
enforcement. Legislation regulating particular activities will be amended to
incorporate and eliminate clashes with environmental criteria. Traditional
instruments for monitoring of compliance and investigation of offences are
becoming over‑burdened. An integrated overview and organisational
structure for decentralized environment impact assessments and environmental
law enforcement based on cooperation with local authorities will be sought.
8.3 While pollution from specific sources
including towns and industries have been addressed, non‑point pollution
from run‑off of agricultural inputs such as pesticides, insecticides,
fertilisers, etc. has not been dealt with. This is gaining is increasing
proportions, which is polluting not only our water bodies but even sub‑soil
water resources and would affect the health of human beings. A long‑term
policy for pesticides use, including the introduction of environmentally acceptable
pesticides, particularly biopesticides and non‑persistent biodegradable
ones, and integrated pest management together with the phasing out of the
proven harmful toxic and persistent ones, would be formulated in collaboration
with the concerned Ministries and infrastructure involved far its effective implementation.
A similar policy for fertiliser use will also need to be formulated.
8.4 Plant and vegetation in general play a vital
role in controlling pollution by regulating the climate and atmospheric
equilibrium, protecting the soil and maintaining the hydrological regime.
Hence, existing forests and natural vegetation should be fully protected. The
forest and vegetal cover should be restored and increased wherever possible,
specially on hill slopes, in catchment areas of rivers, lakes and reservoirs,
ocean shores, semi‑arid and arid tracts, in around urban centres and
industrial establishments. It is necessary to encourage the planting of trees
alongside roads, rail lines, canals and on other unutilised lands under State/
corporate, institutional or private ownership. Green belts should be raised in
urban and industrial areas as well as in and tracts. Such a programme will also
check erosion, desertification as well as improve the micro‑climate.
8.5 The Annual Administration Reports of the Ministries will
include a chapter on the action taken to follow up the policy statement, and
other environmental initiatives they have taken or are proposing.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL
AUDIT
9.1 Industrial concerns and local bodies should feel that they
have a responsibility for abatement of pollution. The procedure of an
environmental statement will be introduced in local bodies, statutory
authorities and public limited companies to evaluate the effect of their policies,
operations and activities on the environment, particularly compliance with
standards and the generation and recycling of waste. An annual statement will
help in identifying and. focussing attention on areas of concern, practices
that need to be changed and plans to deal with adverse effects. This will be
extended to an environmental audit. The measures will provide better
information to the public.
10. ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
10.1
Authoritative
statistical data on the environment is vital for Developmental decision making.
Resource accounting will be used to give an idea how economic policies are
affecting the environment. Current economic accounts are concerned mainly with
the volume of economic activity; they ignore expenditures to protect the
environment and encourage inefficient use of resources.
The collection and integration of
environmental, economic and health data will be done to determine the status
and to develop a concise set of environmental indicators for monitoring the
effects of pollution Information and access to the public are essential so that
everyone knows what is happening to the environment.
11. PUBLIC
PARTNERSHIP
11.1 The public must be made aware in order to be
able to make informed choices. A high governmental priority will be to educate
citizens about environmental risks, the economic and health dangers of resource
degradation and the real cost of natural resources. Information about the
environment will be published periodically. Affected citizens and non‑governmental
organisations play a role in environmental monitoring and therefore allowing
them to supplement the regulatory system and recognising their expertise where
such exists and their commitments and vigilance, will also be cost effective.
Access to information to enable public monitoring of environmental concerns,
will be provided for.i
11.2 Public interest litigation has successfully
demonstrated that responsible non‑governmental organisations and public
spirited individuals can bring about significant pressure on polluting units
for adopting abatement measures. This commitment and expertise will be
encouraged and their practical work supported.
11.3 Householders,
as consumers, make large number of relatively small individual contributions,
whose cumulative effect is considerable. A system of certification of goods
that are "environmentally friendly" will be set up to make available
information to encourage environmental consciousness amongst consumers. This
advice will also encourage manufacturers to produce goods that are
environmentally more friendly as well as encourage recycling and adequate waste
management. Consumer awareness would also be encouraged by involvement of
consumer organisations in cooperative testing, and dissemination of information
relating to environmental friendliness of these products.
11.4 As the
present system of jurisprudence does not provide for compensation to
individuals for environmental damage, including effects on health and
environmental damage caused by pollution, it is proposed to set up special
legal institutions to redress this deficiency and also make adequate
arrangements for interim relief.
11.5 Greater
emphasis will be placed on promoting awareness, undertaking and competence in
schools, colleges, and training institutions. Professional and non‑governmental
bodies will be encouraged to be more active in environmental training and
building awareness.
11.6 Society
has accepted many practices which cause pollution. Reckless use of
loudspeakers, dumping in water bodies, and scattering of wastes are common.
Noise nuisance requires specific devices as well as greater consideration for
neighbours and there is growing concern that litter has increased in recent
years. Social action in these matters by voluntary organisations and individuals
will be promoted through knowledge, education, training camps and public
information campaigns.
12. This
statement is based on considerations of effectiveness, efficiency and
availability of financial resources. The responsibility for abatement of
pollution is not a duty of the Government alone, it is an obligation on all.
The approach mentioned above should indicate how every one can help in
achieving a safe and environmentally appropriate environment in our country.
(R. Rajamani)
Secretary to the Government
of