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Home Page Story Archived on January 07, 2011
Ministry constitutes Expert Group to recommend Plastic Rules
New Delhi, 30th April, 2010
An expert group was today constituted to examine the draft Plastic Rules, 2009 and make recommendations based on the comments received and cross national experiences. The group will also examine economic instruments to promote environment friendly alternatives to plastic bags.
Composition and Terms of Reference
Home Page Story Archived on January 07, 2011
Draft Regulatory Framework for Wetlands Conservation
New Delhi, 24th May, 2010
The Ministry has released a draft of the Regulatory Framework for Wetland Conservation for feedback from all stakeholders. The draft framework was prepared by a multi-disciplinary expert group.The date of inviting the comments has been extended to July 31st, 2010. A background note and the draft framework is appended. in cases of substantial questions related to the environment.
Read Background Note and Regulatory Framework
Home Page Story Archived on November 16, 2010
Launch of National Green Tribunal
New Delhi, 19th October, 2010
The Chairman of the National Green Tribunal, Shri. Justice LS Panta, along with the Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh held a press conference today to announce the Notification of the NGT. This occasion marks the culmination of a long endeavour to have a specialised body to determine and adjudicate all matters relating to the Environment. The Body, now officially established, will subsume such existing quasi-judicial bodies as the National Environment Appellate Authority and will enjoy original jurisdiction in cases of substantial questions related to the environment.
Read Press Note
Home Page Story Archived on August 30, 2010
IUCN-MoEF Workshop
The Government of India and the World Bank today signed two loan agreements, one for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project and another for Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management (CBIPMP), which aims to remediate ten highly polluted sites in the country. Welcoming the signing of the agreements, the Minister of State (I/C), Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh noted, "These are both very significant projects for us. While both these projects are being launched with a focus on a few states, I am eager that we scale these up rapidly to include the other states. I welcome the positive and proactive manner in which these projects have been negotiated and look forward to their implementation."
Agenda for the Conference
Registration Details
Home Page Story Archived on July 29, 2010
India, World Bank sign two loan agreements for Coastal Zone Management and Remediation of Polluted Sites
New Delhi, 22nd July, 2010
The Government of India and the World Bank today signed two loan agreements, one for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project and another for Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management (CBIPMP), which aims to remediate ten highly polluted sites in the country. Welcoming the signing of the agreements, the Minister of State (I/C), Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh noted, "These are both very significant projects for us. While both these projects are being launched with a focus on a few states, I am eager that we scale these up rapidly to include the other states. I welcome the positive and proactive manner in which these projects have been negotiated and look forward to their implementation."
Read Press Brief
Home Page Story Archived on July 22, 2010
MoEF announces National Seabuckthorn Initiative on a Consortium Approach
Leh, 14th July, 2010
The Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Defence Research and Development Organisation have jointly launched a major new national initiative for seabuckthorn cultivation in the high altitude, cold desert ecosystems of the country. Announcing this at a national workshop on seabuckthorn today at Leh, the Minister of State (I/C), Environment & Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said that the initiative has great relevance for the Himalayan states, particularly Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, where cold deserts of the Himalayas comprise some 40% of the area. The workshop was co-chaired by Shri Ramesh and Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defence. Seabuckthorn has multi-purpose medicinal and nutritional properties, besides being useful for soil conservation and nitrogen fixation.
Read Press Note
Leh Declaration
Home Page Story Archived on July 6, 2010
Conference on Global Carbon Budgets and Equity in Climate Change
Mumbai, 30th June, 2010
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences organised, with the support of the Ministry, an international conference on "Global Carbon Budgets and Equity in Climate Change" on June 28-29. The conference discussed "equity", a fundamental issue in climate change negotiations, from the perspective of carbon budgets. The conference was inaugurated by Minister E&F, Shri Jairam Ramesh, who noted, "ensuring that climate change deliberations are based on the principles of equity and fairness is of prime importance to India". Delegates from India, Brazil, Germany and UK attended this conference.
Post-Conference Press Release
Pre-Conference Press Release
Agenda of the Conference
Home Page Story Archived on June 15th, 2010
India makes strong case for REDD+, joins Oslo Forestry Partnership
New Delhi, 30th May, 2010
At the recently concluded Oslo Climate and Forest Conference (OCFC), India presented its initiatives on forestry related to climate change and made a strong case for a REDD+ mechanism, which takes a holistic approach for incentivising actions to reduce emissions from forests and promoting sustainable management of forests. India associated with the Oslo Partnership, which aims to take REDD+ forward.
India's Presentation on its forestry and climate change initiatives
India's Statement at the Oslo Conference
Home Page Story Archived on June 15th, 2010
The Take Care, Take Charge Campaign
New Delhi, 4th June, 2010
The Times of India and Garnier along with Centre for Environment Education as Knowledge Partner launched the Take Care, Take Charge campaign on April 21, 2010. Under this campaign, readers, especially the youth were invited to send ideas on green and sustainable solutions for the environment. Over 4500 ideas were received from across the country. These were judged on robustness, scalability, ease of implementation, and cost. Ten ideas per city were shortlisted by CEE through a screening process.
Read Ideas
Home Page Story Archived on April 30th, 2010
New system to monitor tiger and human disturbance in protected areas
New Delhi, 23rd April, 2010
The Minister for Environment and Forests today announced a joint The NTCA in collaboration with WII and ZSL has launched a patrolling and ecological monitoring system 'MSTrIPES' for implementation in tiger reserves. The system was inaugurated by hon'ble Minister for Environment and Forests Mr. Jairam Ramesh on April 14. The system comprises a holistic patrolling component and a component on ecological monitoring of tigers, prey, habitat and anthropogenic pressures. MSTrIPES will also help generate reports for assessment of performance indices of the protected area and bring in better accountability. The software system will be made available through NTCA website within a few weeks for use in any protected area besides Tiger Reserves.
Home Page Story Archived on April 30th, 2010
BASIC Ministers discuss roadmap to Cancún, emphasise equity
New Delhi, 25th April, 2010
The Minister for Environment and Forests today announced a joint Ministers of Brazil, South Africa, India and China met for the Third Meeting of BASIC Ministers in Cape Town, and outlined a clear, inclusive approach to climate negotiations. They identified areas where immediate progress could be made, re-emphasised the importance of equity and urged developed countries to raise their level of ambition.
Home Page Story Archived on April 23rd, 2010
India, Bangladesh to set up forum to protect Sunderbans
Kolkata, 4th April, 2010
The Minister for Environment and Forests today announced a joint India and Bangladesh 'Sunderbans Ecosystem Forum' to be set up in September. Speaking at a workshop, with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mr Hasan Mahmud, Mr Jairam Ramesh stated that Sunderbans is "ecologically vulnerable and sensitive to climate change" and the entire region is "one ecosystem." "We must share our experiences and working plans for conservation," the Minister added. The forum will help in afforestation, management of mangroves and conservation of the tiger.
Home Page Story Archived on March 30th, 2010
CCEA nod for Rs 1156 crore ICZM Project
New Delhi, 25th March, 2010
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a Rs 1156 crore World-Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project, to be implemented over the next five years by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. This ICZM project assumes special significance in the context of climate change since one of the definitive findings of the IPCC relates to the increase in mean sea levels as a result of global warming.
Home Page Story Archived on March 4th, 2010
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) organises Tree Growers Mela at Coimbatore
18th February, 2010
The Hon'ble Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh inaugurated the Tree Growers' Mela held on the 18th and 19th of February, 2010 at the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore. During the function he released four clones of Eucalyptus and Casurina equisetifolia each, that have been developed for dryland conditions. The program saw participation from a number of key government and civil society organisations.
Home Page Story Archived on February 22nd, 2010
BASIC Countries call for fast-tracking climate negotiation under UNFCCC
New Delhi, 24th January, 2010
The Ministers of the four BASIC Group countries - China, Brazil, South Africa and India - met in New Delhi today and called for an early resumption of the climate negotiations through the two negotiating groups - (AWG-LCA and the AWG-KP). They called for the early flow of the pledged $10bn by developed countries in 2010. The Ministers agreed to work closely on climate change negotiations and climate change science amongst themselves and with the G-77.
Home Page Story Archived on January 25th, 2010
India announces Expert Group on Low Carbon Economy
New Delhi, 7th January, 2010
India today announced an Expert Group to prepare a strategy for India as a low carbon economy. The group, constituted by the Planning Commission and headed by Shri Kirit Parikh, will submit an interim report by end-April 2010, and a final report by end-September 2010.
Home Page Story Archived on January 7th, 2010
India's Copenhagen campaign a success, Minister explains to Parliament
22nd December, 2009
The Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, today made a suo moto statement in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, on the proceedings of the COP-15 Summit at Copenhagen. He reiterated how India negotiated successfully from a position of strength and was recognized for its constructive approach. The Minister also announced that India would continue to aggressively advance its comprehensive domestic agenda to address climate change.
Home Page Story Archived on November 30, 2009
Delhi Statement on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology adopted
23rd October, 2009
A two day high-level conference on "Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer" hosted by India and UN-DESA successfully concluded today with the adoption of the Delhi Statement on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology. An international exhibition on climate technologies was also organised at the sidelines of the conference.
Home Page Story Archived on December 22nd, 2009
India details its constructive position on Climate Change
3rd December, 2009
The Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, today gave a detailed account on India's position on climate change to Members of India's lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, following a lengthy 4 hour discussion on the subject. Mr. Ramesh emphasized that no country is as vulnerable to climate change as India, and that it has to take strong actions in its own self interest. He stressed on the need for greater domestic scientific assessment of the impact of climate change. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and equitable global agreement, elucidated India's non-negotiables, and declared India's intention to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25% between the year 2005 and 2020.
Home Page Story Archived on December 3rd, 2009
Ministry releases Discussion Paper on State of Himalayan Glaciers
9th November, 2009
A Discussion Paper on the state of Himalayan Glaciers, prepared by Mr V K Raina, ex Deputy Director of GSI, was released today by the Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh. The Paper presents a detailed historical review of the research to date spanning more than 50 years, and includes a perspective on the impact of climate change on the glaciers. The Ministry invites comments on the Paper.
Home Page Story Archived on November 20, 2009
India's Forest and Tree Cover
Contribution as a Carbon Sink
India's forests and tree cover accounts for 23.4% of its geographical area. India's forests help sustain the livelihoods of over 200 million citizens and also serve as a major carbon sink. This publication provides a valuable snapshot of the value of carbon stored in India's forests, and the extent of emissions that this helps neutralise.
Home Page Story Archived on October 21, 2009
India's National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA)
Discussion Paper
This Ministry discussion paper addresses the need for a new model of environmental governance in India which includes the creation of a NEPA. The document presents four design options and invites feedback from states, civil society and other stakeholders.
Home Page Story Archived on January 07, 2011
MoEF announces National Seabuckthorn Initiative on a Consortium Approach
Leh, 14th July, 2010
Leh Declaration | Workshop Minutes
Press Note |
Home Page Story Archived on January 07, 2011
Green Action for National Dandi Heritage Initiative (GANDHI) Memorial Project Launched
Dandi, 7th July, 2010
The Green Action for National Dandi Heritage Initiative (GANDHI) Memorial Project was inaugurated today by the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh, and Chairman, Dandi Memorial Committee, Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi. In the 80th year after the Dandi March, this Rs 25 crore project will promote Gandhiji's vision for sustainable development in Dandi and its surrounding villages.
Brochure on GANDHI Memorial Project
Press Release |
Home Page Story Archived on November 10, 2010
NAEB launches new website
New Delhi, 19th October, 2010
In the spirit of ensuring greater transparency, the National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board (NAEB) has launched an enhanced website www.naeb.nic.in, which provides information of all schemes and programmes of NAEB, guidelines, status of proposals, sanctions and evaluations. Feedback is welcome at ncifs@yahoo.co.in.
Visit Website
Home Page Story Archived on September 9, 2010
Report on Public Consultations on Green India Mission
New Delhi, 25th August, 2010
On May 24, 2010, the Ministry of Environment & Forests released a Draft Mission Document for the National Mission for Green India, one of the eighth missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change announced by the Prime Minister in June 2008. It was announced that the Mission Document would be finalised after a series of public consultations to be undertaken across the country during the June and July 2010. More than 1450 persons took part in these consultations. The Minister personally travelled to all 7 locations and chaired all of the discussions. All the feedback from public meeting sessions has been collated, analysed and editorially assimilated in the form of suggested amendments to various sections of Draft Mission Document.
Read Public Consultations Report on Green India Mission Document
Home Page Story Archived on September 9, 2010
Green India Mission Draft Document Released, National Consultation to Follow
New Delhi, 25th August, 2010
The Ministry today released a draft Mission document for the 'National Mission for a Green India', one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Mission will be finalised after a series of public consultations to be undertaken across the country starting June 11. The Ministry invites feedback and comments on the Mission document.
Read Mission Document (English)
Read Mission Document in Local Languages
Schedule for National Consultations
Home Page Story Archived on August 5, 2010
BASIC Ministers endorse "BASIC-plus" approach, equity principles
Rio de Janeiro, 26th July 2010
Read Joint Statement
Home Page Story Archived on August 5, 2010
Conference on Global Carbon Budgets and Equity in Climate Change
Mumbai, 28th-29th June, 2010
Discussion Paper, Supplementary Notes and Summary Report
Complete Proceedings of Conference
Home Page Story Archived on July 27th, 2010
MoEF Signs MoU with IIT Consortium to Prepare Ganga Basin Management Plan
New Delhi, 6th July, 2010
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed today between the Ministry of Environment & Forests and a consortium of seven IITs for the development of Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP). The Plan will outline comprehensive measures for restoration of the Ganga, with due regard to the issue of competing water uses in the river basin. On the occasion, Minister Jairam Ramesh said: "This is an important early step in our Mission Clean Ganga which aims to ensure that no untreated sewage enters the River Ganga by the year 2020. It is for the first time that a consortium of 7 IITs is coming together for a project of this magnitude and importance."
Read Press Note
Home Page Story Archived on July 17th, 2010
Draft Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2010
New Delhi, 8th July, 2010
The final draft of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2010 has been prepared, taking into consideration the numerous suggestions received from various stake holders. This draft is now proposed to be put before the National Board of Wildlife for their consideration once it is reconstituted.
Statement of Objects and Reasons
Explanatory Note
Read Draft Bill
Home Page Story Archived on July 9th, 2010
Ministry Releases Summary of Major Initiatives in 2009-10
New Delhi, 1st June, 2010
In 2009-10, the Ministry started a number of initiatives and gave renewed impetus to several existing programmes. There is continued emphasis on transparency in everything we do. A summary of the key initiatives in 2009-10 is presented in the attached Report.
Read Report (English)
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Home Page Story Archived on June 25th, 2010
MoEF announces additional impetus to conservation in Corbett
New Delhi, 18th June, 2010
While visiting Corbett Tiger Reserve this week, the Minister for Environment and Forests made two important announcements. As recommended by the Tiger Task Force, relocation of families from critical tiger habitats is being taken up with urgency and the Minister announced an allocation of Rs 25 crores for the relocation of 181 Gujjar families. An additional amount of Rs 5 crores is being allocated for the creation of the Indira Gandhi Interpretation and Learning Centre, named after the former Prime Minister who launched the historic Project Tiger at Corbett in 1973.
Read Press Release
Home Page Story Archived on June 14th, 2010
National Workshop on Reforms in Environmental Regulation
New Delhi, 25th May 2010
The Ministry is organising a National Workshop on Reforms in Environmental Regulation on Tuesday, the 25th of May 2010 at the Godrej Auditorium, WWF-India (Lodhi Estate, New Delhi). This event is intended to be a platform to discuss environmental governance in India, and aims to engage the States, members of civil society and industry, and other stakeholders in the development of the proposed National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA). The Workshop will be chaired by the Hon'ble Minister for Environment and Forests.
Details for Registration
Discussion paper for Workshop
Home Page Story Archived on June 23rd, 2010
India's National CDM Authority goes paperles
New Delhi, 31st March, 2010
CDM Project Proponents can now file applications and upload their project documents directly from the comfort of their offices or homes as the National CDM Authority (NCDMA) in the MoEF has become virtually a paperless office.
Link to Website
Home Page Story Archived on June 23rd, 2010
Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal
New Delhi, 18th May, 2010
The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal today. The River Dolphins primarily occur in the Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems of India and Bangladesh. They are recognised as 'highly endangered' in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and it is estimated that their total population is around 2,000. Announcing this, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, said that "by giving the sub-species the National Aquatic Animal status, we hope to raise public awareness and support, especially among the younger generation, for its conservation and protection".
Press Note
Home Page Story Archived on June 23rd, 2010
Transparency and professionalism in environment and forestry clearances
New Delhi, 31st March, 2010
The Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, today announced the status of all pending environment and forestry clearances. He emphasised that the role of the Ministry is to strengthen ecological security of the country and that high economic growth can be inclusive only if environment and development go hand in hand.
Read Press Note
Home Page Story Archived on April 5th, 2010
Ahead of fire season, FSI introduces real time monitoring
New Delhi, 30th March, 2010
With the fire season round the corner, Forest Survey of India is ready with its technological arsenal to monitor and combat forest fires across the country thanks to the state-of-the-art remote sensing MODIS Rapid Response System. MODIS detects fires and collects the coordinates of firespots which are then sent to the respective state forest departments via SMSes and emails for control. The feedback from the SFDs shows that detected forest fires are correct on more than 95% points.
Home Page Story Archived on March 22nd, 2010
Ministry to give renewed impetus to Science
New Delhi, 4th February, 2010
The Minister of Environment & Forests today announced a series of measures to strengthen the scientific base underlying the activities of the Ministry including a global advisory network, a fellowship programme, an action plan for forestry sciences, a committee to revamp the scientific capacity in the Ministry, and a research programme on climate change. Announcing these initiatives, Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "This Ministry was conceived as a scientific ministry, a mission which has got somewhat diluted. With these initiatives, we aim to ensure that science is brought back into the mainstream of our work."
Home Page Story Archived on February 4th, 2010
India launches International Year of Biodiversity, to host "Rio+20" Summit
4th January, 2010
India today launched a calendar of events to mark the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) to raise awareness about the underlying threats to and the need for biodiversity conservation. India will be hosting the eleventh COP to the CBD in October 2012 in New Delhi, that will mark the twentieth anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit.
Home Page Story Archived on December 24th, 2009
India State of Forest Report 2009 shows further increase in forest cover
30th November, 2009
The India State of Forest Report. prepared by the Forest Survey of India, was released today by Dr Vijay Kelkar, Chairman, Thirteenth Finance Commission, Dr Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, and Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment & Forests. The Report estimates that India's forest and tree cover in 2007 is 78.37 million ha (23.84% of India's geographical area). This is an increase over the previous assessment. The Report, the eleventh edition in a biennial series, has a number of methodological improvements over previous editions.
Home Page Story Archived on November 09, 2009
Delhi becomes first Indian state to launch Action Plan on Climate Change
New Delhi, 5th November, 2009
The National Capital Territory of Delhi has announced an action plan comprising 65 specific actions to address climate change as part of the State's development policy framework by 2012. Mr. Jairam Ramesh, India's Environment Minister and Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi's Chief Minister, jointly released this agenda, which is aligned with the country's National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Home Page Story Archived on October 21, 2009
State of Environment and Water Quality
Status Paper on River Ganga
The Ganga River Basin enjoys a place of great significance in our country. This Report provides a comprehensive insight into the course and nature of the river while putting forth an action plan to tackle the challenges faced in the management of the same.
Home Page Story Archived on October 07, 2009
Governance for Sustainable Himalayan Ecosystem (G-SHE)
Guidelines and Best Practices
The Himalayas are a unique natural asset and the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) forms the major share of this. This report presents a set of guidelines and best practices for the governance and sustainable management of the Himalayan ecosystem.
Report Press Release
Home Page Story Archived on November 06, 2009
South Asian Nations agree on major actions on environment, biodiversity and climate change
New Delhi, 20th October, 2009
The Environment Ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) met in Delhi today and agreed on a Delhi Statement, agreeing on specific joint actions to further strengthen environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and climate change cooperation. They also agreed to hold a joint side event on climate change, voicing the shared concerns of the Region at the COP-15 in Copenhagen.
 
 
 
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