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Sistema Shyam New DelhiVsevolod Rosanov

Vitaly SavelyevVenture between Sistema (Russia) and Shyam Telelink

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil services, exam, study material, general studies, general knowledge, free

PREVIOUS WEEK: EDUCATION IN INDIA ~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEXT WEEK: RADIO AND TV IN INDIA

12 December 2009 | Tags: postal services, telecommunications| No Comments »

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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 •India’s 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 MBA rankings 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

Various State Education Boards 1.The State Education Boards enroll the largest number of students in India 1.The first State Education Board was established in Madras Presidency in 1908 2.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) 2.Established in 1952, as the evolution of the UP Education Board. Headquarters in New Delhi 1.CBSE affiliates 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

2.

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) 3.Established in 1956. Headquarters in New Delhi 1.Private, not affiliated to the government 2.Conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examination for class X and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination for class XII

3.

National Institute of Open Schooling 1.Established by the Union Government in 1989. Headquarters in Noida 1.Largest open school system in the world 2.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

3.

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

4.

Other Systems 2.Darul Uloom Deoband 1.

Established in 1866 in Deoband (Uttar Pradesh) 1.The syllabus is known as Dars-e-Nizami 2.Curriculum includes Islamic law, Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic spirituality and other Islamic studies 3.Affiliates numerous madrassas in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world 4.

International schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Programme and the Cambridge International Examinations 2.Autonomous schools like the Woodstock School, Auroville, Patha Bhavan and Ananda Marga Gurukula 3.




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 86th 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 21A of 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)

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All) 1.Launched in 2004 1.SSA is the Government’s flagship programme for achievement of universalization of elementary education of satisfactory quality by 2010 2.Emphasizes community participation through decentralized planning and implementation 3.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

4.

Provides for a school in every 1 km radius 5.Focuses alternative schooling methodologies, children with special needs, girls education and computer education 6.SSA contains components such as National Program for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) and Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) / Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE)

7.

Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments 8.Under the purview of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD 9.

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RSMA) 2.Launched in 2009 1.Set up following the success of SSA, to provide secondary and higher education for those who have completed elementary education 2.Provides for a secondary school every 5 km and a higher secondary school every 7-10 km 3.Aims to ensure universal access to quality secondary education by 2017 with universal retention by 2020 4.Provides special support to economically weaker sections, girls, students with disabilities 5.Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments 6.Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD 7.

Information and Communication Technology in Schools (ICT) 3.Launched in 2004 1.Aims to help secondary school students develop ICT skills 2.Aims to set up IT-based Smart Schools in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodya Vidyalayas 3.Fully sponsored by the Union government 4.Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD 5.

Mahila Samakhya Programme 4.Launched in 1989 1.Aims to provide women and girls with education as a tool for empowerment 2.Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy 3.

Mid Day Meal Scheme 5.Largest school feeding programme in the world, serving over 120 million children every day 1.Mid day meal concept was first introduced by the Madras Municipal Corporation for disadvantaged children in 1925 2.First large scale implementation was by the Tamil Nadu government in 1982 3.Covers all children in primary and upper primary Government, Local Body and Government-aided schools in the entire country 4.

Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrassas 6.Launched in 2007 1.Scheme has two main components: infrastructure support and introduction of modern subjects 2.Sponsored by the Union government 3.

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) 7.Launched in 2004 1.Provides for setting up residential schools at elementary level for girls belonging to backward communities in difficult areas 2.Aims to address low literacy levels and large gender gaps in educationally backward areas 3.Sponsored jointly by the Union and state governments 4.Implemented by concerned state education departments 5.


EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Central Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students 1.



Launched in 2007 1.Provides financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families 2.Scholarship awarded on the basis of senior secondary examination (class XII) 3.Fully sponsored by the Union government 4.Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD 5.

Scheme of Scholarship to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking States for Post-Matric Studies in Hindi 2.Launched in 1955, revised in 2004 1.Scholarship available to students at post-matric to PhD level 2.Sponsored by the Union government 3.Implemented by state education departments 4.

Scheme of National Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities 3.Launched in 2009 1.Scholarship available for post-matric professional and technical courses. However, for severely disabled students scholarship is available from class IX onwards 2.Sponsored by the Union Government 3.Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 4.

Sources: Wikipedia, Ministry of HRD, India Development Gateway


Previous Week: Wildlife Conservation in India

5 December 2009 | Tags: education| No Comments »

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN INDIA

Overview of wildlife in India

India is home to about 60-70% of the world’s 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 world’s 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

National Parks 1.India currently has 96 national parks, with plans to expand it to 1661.Oldest National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (1935)2.Newest National Park: Chandoli National Park, Maharashtra (2004). Part of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve3.

Wildlife Sanctuary 2.India has over 500 wildlife sanctuaries1.Among these are 28 Tiger Reserves governed by Project Tiger2.

Biosphere Reserves 3.Protect larger areas of natural habitat than National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries1.Often include one or more National Parks inside the Reserve2.Includes buffer zone that are open for nominal economic use3.Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna in the Reserve but also to habiting human communities and their ways of life4.There are 15 Biosphere Reserves in India5.



7 of the 15 are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves6.Reserved Forests and Protected Forests 4.

Declared by the state governments (unlike Wildlife Sanctuaries or National Parks)1.These are forested lands where human activity (like hunting, logging, grazing etc) may be permitted on a sustainable basis2.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

3.

Village Forests and Panchayat Forests 5.Forested lands administered by a village or a panchayat on a sustainable basis1.The flora, fauna and habitat are accorded some degree of protection by the community2.

Private Protected Areas 6.Regions owned by an individual or an organization not affiliated to the government1.Not legally protected by the government; however, NGO’s and land trust help in conservation2.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

3.

Prominent Private Protected Areas managed by the Wildlife Trust of India include4.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

1.

Tirunelli-Kudrakote Corridor (Kerala): a protected migration corridor for India’s largest elephant population between the Tirunelli Reserved Forest and the Kudrakote Reserved Forest

2.

Conservation Areas 7.Large, well-designated areas where landscape conservation is undergoing, and contains different kinds of constituent protected lands as well as privately owned lands

1.

These were primarily part of a joint Indo-US project on landscape management and protection. The project ran from 1996 to 20022.


BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

S. No.

Reserve Established State Notes

1 Gyan Bharti Reserve 2008 Gujarat Largest Biosphere Reserve in India

2 Amarkantak 2005Madhya 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

11Great Nicobar Biosphere

Reserve1989

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 UttarakhandWorld Network of Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO World Heritage Site

14 Norkek 1988 Meghalaya World Network of Biosphere Reserves

15 Nilgiri 1986Tamil Nadu, Kerala,

Karnataka


Tiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr

Under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage Site




ENDANGERED SPECIES IN INDIA

Critically Endangered

Jenkin’s Shrew•Malabar Large-spotted Civet: Kerala, Karnatka•Namdapha Flying Squirrel: NE India•Pygmy Hog (wild pig): Assam•Salim Ali’s fruit bat: Tamil Nadu•Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat: Karnataka, Assam•Sumatran Rhinoceros: NE India•


Other important endangered species

Now the world's rarest monkey, the endangered Golden Langur, is found in the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam

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) •


28 November 2009 | Tags: environment| 1 Comment »



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 India’s GDP. After environmental corrections, India’s 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 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•

21 November 2009 | Tags: environment| No Comments »

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

AtmosphereUN Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Rio de Janeiro, 1992

(Earth Summit)

Stablize greenhouse gases levels

National greenhouse gas inventories

•

AtmosphereKyoto 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 layerRatified by all UN members

•

Hazardous substances Basel Convention Basel, 1989Reduce movement of

hazardous waste between nations

Does not cover radioactive waste

•

Not ratified by USA•

Hazardous substances Rotterdam Convention Rotterdam, 1998Procedures for hazardous chemicals in international

trade

Proper labeling of hazardous products

•

Hazardous substances Stockholm Convention Stockholm, 2001Restrict the production and use of persistent organic

pollutants

Bans DDT for agriculture, permits for mosquito control

•

Marine Environment

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

(UNCLOS)

Jamaica, 1982Regulations for national use of

oceans

Set limits for territorial waters, exclusive economic zone etc

•

Set economic and military rights in these zones

•

Marine environmentConvention for the

Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

1982Protect the ecosystem of the seas surrounding Antarctica

Marine environmentInternational Convention on the Regulation of Whaling

Washington DC, 1946Protection from overhunting, regulation of whaling industry

Implemented by International Whaling Commissions

•

Nature conservation Antarctic Treaty Washington DC, 1959Regulate international relations wrt Antarctica

Set aside Antarctica as scientific preserve

•

Established freedom of scientific investigation

•

Banned military activity

•

Nature conservationConvention on Biological

Diversity

Rio de Janeiro, 1992

(Earth Summit)

Conservation

Sustainable useCartagena Protocol•

Nature ConservationCartagena 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, 1973Ensure trade in animals and

plants does not threaten survival

Protects more than 33000 species

•

Only one protected species (Spix’s Macaw) has become extinct

•

Nature ConservationConvention on Wetlands of

International ImportanceRamsar (Iran), 1971

Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands

Covers over 1.8 million sq km

•

Nature Conservation

UN Convention to Combat Desertification

(UNCCD)

Paris, 1994Combat 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, 1963Prohibits all test detonations of nuclear weapons except

underground

Prominent non-signatories: France, China, North Korea

•

Nuclear SafetyVienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage

Vienna, 1997Defines financial liability for

nuclear mishaps

Defines nuclear damage to include environment

•

Liability not less than 300 million SDRs ($400m)

•

Coastal states covered for damage during nuclear transport

•

Programmes

National River Conservation Plan 1.Prevent river pollution and improve water quality ◦Launched in 1985 with Ganges◦Rivers covered: 37◦Pollution load tackled: 3000 MLD◦

Ecomark Scheme of India 2.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◦

National Afforestation Programme 3.Objectives: ecological regeneration, development of water resources, employment generation ◦Implemented by Forest Development Agencies and Joint Forest Management Committees◦

National Action Programme to Combat Desertification 4.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”◦

14 November 2009 | Tags: environment| No Comments »Newer Entries »

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