MoEF, MNRE and BEE have jointly developed a low carbon campaign for Commonwealth Games 2010. Young Indian sporting icons are shown in real life situations promoting green behavior. 'Go Green - It Works' is a campaign that inspires the common man to adopt green behavior in his/her everyday life and lifestyle.
Society to implement India's major Coastal Zone Management Project launched
New Delhi, Sep 15, 2010
In a strong show of support, the Minister inaugurated the office of the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM). This will be the nodal agency for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZM) being implemented by the Government of India. Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasised the role of coastal ecosystems as a source of income, a foundation for economic development as well as a barrier against natural disasters.
The Minister launched a landmark report that demonstrates the economic significance of biodiversity loss and eco-system degradation. This report suggests a tiered approach to analyzing problems and ascertaining suitable policy responses. The Minister gave a keynote address highlighting the importance of putting a monetary value on biodiversity and the ecosystem as a method to emphasise the similarity between economic development and conservation.
The MoEF held a conference on "Innovative Instruments for Environmental Regulation" today in New Delhi. The Minister said, "It is important to go beyond traditional mechanisms for environmental regulation and explore the role that can be played by online real-time databases, third-party involvement in audits and market mechanisms."
Hon'ble Union Minster of Finance Shri Pranab Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the proposed MoEF building - Indira Paryavaran Bhawan & launched a book titled 'Indira Gandhi on Environment & Forests' published by the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
Towards an Emissions Trading Scheme for Air Pollutants
New Delhi, September 1, 2010
The Minister today released a discussion paper on an emissions trading scheme for air pollutants in India. The paper has been prepared by experts from J-PAL, MIT and Harvard University at the request of the Ministry. Pilot studies are being planned with State governments that are putting in place online monitoring systems. The Ministry invites comments on the paper.
A Group of Experts has submitted a detailed assessment of the potential for reintroducing the cheetah in India, recommending three potential sites for reintroduction. The cheetah, which is a flagship specie of the deciduous dryland/grassland ecosystem, became extinct in India in the 1960s. The word "cheetah" derived from the Sanskrit word citrakayah.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests sanctioned the project entitled "Monitoring & Evaluation of Forest Area Diversions" to the meritorious students of Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), as summer internship projects.
The National Green Tribunal Bill (2009), which intends to set up specialised environmental courts across the country, was passed in both Houses of Parliament. It will now be sent for Presidential assent. The Bill envisages the setting up of Green Tribunals, comprising judicial and expert members to adjudicate substantial questions of the environment, and award civil penalties.
During the months of January and February 2010 the Environment Minister, Mr. Jairam Ramesh attended and chaired a series of nationwide consultations on the issue of Bt Brinjal. Organised by the MoEF and CEE these consultations aimed at giving the public a forum where meaningful debate on the issue could take place before a final decision on the introduction of Bt Brinjal was taken.