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Dear all,

 As i have observed in many cases Trees have been cutting and Removing like any thing (in the name of Development & civilisation)when ever any new project/work  starts the first kind of work is to cut trees.insteaded of cutting cant we shift them for the corners of the site/ planning sholud be in a way that the minimal no of trees has been cut.

one law must be enforced for protection of trees

we all should encourage for Green development which is sustainable. 

how best we can solve this issue?

Assistant Coordinator/Sr. Researcher for EIA and South Asia Programme

The Centre for Science and Environment, an established research and advocacy institute needs Assistant Coordinator and Researcher for its Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA) training programme and various activities in South Asia. Job would entail organising training programmes and undertaking research for preparing training module.

He/she should be comfortable in interacting with people and giving presentations. Knowledge of environmental law, preparation of sector specific guideline/manuals, environment enforcement and compliance, monitoring procedures, industrial pollution and experience in conducting capacity building programmes is required. People with working experience in Pollution Control Boards will be preferred. Competency in English speaking and writing skills is must. Candidate must be willing to travel, network and report on issues.

Assistant Coordinator

Post Graduates in environmental science or management or environmental law, engineering graduate with minimum 2 to 4 years experience may apply.

Sr. Researcher

Post Graduates/Graduates in environmental science or management or environmental law, engineering graduate with experience of 0-2 years may apply.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please mention the post applied for in the subject line and email your applications to jgupta@cseindia.org, sujit@cseindia.org

or

Post your application to:

Ms. Jagdeep Gupta,
Executive Director – Planning & Operations
Centre for Science and Environment
41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area,
New Delhi-110062
Tel: +91 (011)-29955124, 29955125, 29956394
Fax: +91 (011) 29955879
E-mail: jgupta@cseindia.org

N.P: Only short listed candidates will be intimated

Dear all

Varanasi is famous for river Ganga, which is being polluted due to the discharge of several urban drains. I want a decentralised solution for drain water management so as to minimize the load on Sewage Treatment Plant due to their low capacity.

Reuters quoted Key facts from the upcoming IPCC report today. Out of the Total Global Energy production 12.9% comes from Renewable energy.  Biomass energy is its top contributor at 10.2 %. So, the bragging rights for renewable energy still comes from cutting trees and using agricultural produce for Biofuels! Those are not renewables in the true sense for me! A scary scenario.

After all the hoopla and the effort of the environmentalsts, true renewables like the sun and the wind still accounts for nothing. Time for environment professionals and scientists to really work hard and come up with some ground breaking technology and innovations. Just another report painting a rosy picture for 2050 is still too distant for me!

Would appreciate the thoughts of members of Indian Environment Network.

-----------------------------

(Reuters) - Following are findings by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in a draft report about renewable energy (RE). 

TOTALS - RE accounted for 12.9 percent of global primary energy supply in 2008. The top contributor was biomass (10.2 percent) -- mainly firewood used in developing nations -- ahead of hydropower (2.3), wind (0.2), direct solar energy and geothermal (0.1 each) and ocean (0.002 percent).

RECENT EXPANSION - Of about 300 gigawatts of new electricity generating capacity added globally in 2008 and 2009, 140 GW came from RE. Developing countries host more than 50 percent of global RE power generation capacity, with China adding more capacity than any other country in 2009.

OUTLOOK - "Studies have consistently found that the total global technical potential for RE is substantially higher than both current and projected future global energy demand." Solar power has the highest technical potential.

Go to the source

We are looking for a person (M/F) with 1 or 2 yrs experience in the environmental field to work as a Verification Analyst/ Consultant for our Verification team in the area of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The position is based in Mumbai.

Interested candidates send their resume to sachin.nagarkar@agrinergy.com/nagarkarsachin@gmail.com

Rethinking Food Security Policies:

IDSAsr Declaration

{Declaration made at the end of two days national seminar on Food security and Sustainability in India held on November 7-8, 2009 organized by GAD Institute of Development Studies, PO Naushera, Amritsar 143008 and sponsored by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD)}

The discussion during the two day deliberations brought out that though the gloomy forecasts of Malthus proved wrong, we need to learn a lot from the Malthusian wisdom. Population growth threatens global food security and the earth's finite natural resources. Increasing food prices, ‘fatigue’ in green revolution technologies and degradation of natural resources have brought food security once again to the centre stage of the policy arena and it is the duty of the international community to address the issue earnestly.

The economic liberalization launched in 1991 and the agricultural policy declared later laid down the objectives of the agricultural policy but did not spell out the wayhow these were going to be achieved. Tracing the course of history, the house note that any phase in the period is as transient as another. A policy inspired by the conditions prevalent in a certain period and designed to suit the contingencies of the time cannot be expected to suit another. Monsoon performances have varied and the economy needs to be prepared for the privilege of a long series of good monsoon as much as for a spell of monsoon failures. The nine years starting with 1999-00 saw only two years when the rainfall at least equalled the long period normal and as many as three years when the deviation exceeded 10 per cent. The policies related to procurement and distribution are likely to have medium to long run effects on stocks, fiscal situations and prices that the government needs to take into account. A sustainable food policy can only be flexible and adjustable with suitable triggers for contingencies.

 Any policy induced movement away from food grains could reflect on public stocks that has serious implications on distribution in possible shortage years. Imports may not be an answer if global performance also fails simultaneously. With the growing concern about food security especially at the household level for the vulnerable, India needs to manage the food economy and negotiate at international forums with caution. The movement towards the free market has been largely elusive if not a myth. Although the economy is now more open, external factors are still of less significance than domestic ones. Between the two dominant staples, rice has grown in importance both in domestic public operations and in India’s trade with the global market. Wheat continues to be influenced more strongly by public activities.

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals- environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices from farmers to consumers have contributed to these goals. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of labourers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term.

A systems perspective is essential for understanding sustainability. The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. An emphasis on the system allows a larger and more thorough view of the consequences of farming practices on both human communities and the environment. A systems approach gives us the tools to explore the interconnections between farming and other aspects of our environment.

A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farm workers, consumers, policymakers and others.

Important recommendations that emerged in specific areas of sustainability and food security include:

·        Farming and Natural Resources

Water: Regarding water supply and use, steps should be taken to develop drought-resistant farming systems even in "normal" years. The most important issues related to water quality involve salinization and contamination of ground and surface waters by pesticides, nitrates and selenium. Temporary solutions include the use of salt-tolerant crops, low-volume irrigation, and various management techniques to minimize the effects of salts on crops. In the long-term, some farmland may need to be removed from production or converted to other uses. Other uses include conversion of row crop land to production of drought-tolerant forages, the restoration of wildlife habitat or the use of agro forestry to minimize the impacts of salinity and high water tables. Pesticide and nitrate contamination of water can be reduced using many of the other innovative plant production practices. 

Wildlife: The plant diversity in and around both riparian and agricultural areas should be maintained in order to support a diversity of wildlife. This diversity will enhance natural ecosystems and could aid in agricultural pest management.

Energy: In sustainable agricultural systems, there is reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources and a substitution of renewable sources or labour to the extent that is economically feasible.

Air: Measures to improve air quality include incorporating crop residues into the soil, using appropriate levels of tillage, and planting wind breaks, cover crops or strips of native perennial grasses to reduce dust.

Soil: Numerous practices have been developed to keep soil in place, which include reducing or eliminating tillage, managing irrigation to reduce runoff, and keeping the soil covered with plants or mulch. Enhancement of soil quality is also essential.

·        Plant Production Practices

Sustainable production practices involve a variety of approaches. Specific strategies must take into account topography, soil characteristics, climate, pests, local availability of inputs and the individual grower's goals. Despite the site-specific and individual nature of sustainable agriculture, several general principles may be applied to help growers select appropriate management practices:

      Selection of species and varieties that are well suited to the site and to conditions on the farm;

      Diversification of crops (including livestock) and cultural practices to enhance the biological and economic stability of the farm;

      Management of the soil to enhance and protect soil quality;

      Efficient and humane use of inputs; and

      Consideration of farmers' goals and lifestyle choices.

• Need for Policy and Institutional Changes in Agricultural Biodiversity Management

Although many institutions are already actively involved, more coordination work is needed at all levels to ensure effective reforms and agricultural biodiversity conservation policies that benefit the public, especially the poor. Policy changes that attack the roots of problems and ensure peoples’ rights are needed. Aspects needing further attention include:

     Ensuring public participation in the development of agricultural and resource use policies;

     Eliminating subsidies and credit policies for high yielding varieties (HYVs), fertilizers, and pesticides to encourage the use of more diverse seed types and farming methods;

     Policy support and incentives for effective agro ecological methods that make sustainable  intensification possible;

     Reform of tenure and property rights that affect the use of  biological resources to ensure that local people have rights  and access to necessary resources;

     Regulations and incentives to make seed and agrochemical industries socially responsible;

     Development of markets and business opportunities  for diverse organic agricultural  products; and

     Changing consumer demand to favour diverse varieties instead of uniform products.

·        The Economic, Social and Political Context

In addition to strategies for preserving natural resources and changing production practices, sustainable agriculture requires a commitment to changing public policies, economic institutions, and social values. Strategies for change must take into account the complex, reciprocal and ever-changing relationship between agricultural production and the broader society.

The "food system" extends far beyond the farm and involves the interaction of individuals and institutions with sometimes contrasting and competing goals including farmers, researchers, input suppliers, farm workers, unions, farm advisors, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Relationships among these actors shift over time as new technologies spawn economic, social and political changes.

A wide diversity of strategies and approaches are necessary to create a more sustainable food system. These will range from specific and concentrated efforts to alter specific policies or practices, to the longer-term tasks of reforming key institutions, rethinking economic priorities, and challenging widely-held social values. Areas of concern where change is most needed include:  food and agricultural policy, land use, labour, rural community development, consumers and the food system, etc.

A comprehensive area planning is required to develop agriculture on farming system perspective with vertical and horizontal links of concentric zones. Farmers’ needs are now much more diversified and hence, integration of research and extension for farming system research and development is essential. The infusion of Agri-biotech (agricultural bio-technology) and Info-Tech (information technology) in farming system is needed to catalyze progressive changes in more sustainable ways and help to attack the problem of rural livelihoods. The priority area is extensive and intensive increase in strengthening research and extension systems which requires adequate funding support. Urgent need is to revive national extension system - Community Development (CD) system under ATMA - adequately equipped and revamped in respect of additional human power, physical facility including transport, ICT-computer, Internet facilities etc. to cater the multiple needs of farming community and agri-preneurs. The public-private-client partnership should be selectively built and strengthened according to location specific needs and aspirations.

Our Country needs active participation of farmers’ even of those having small holdings. Support to only well-off farmers, by the politicians, concerned state departments and also by the state Agricultural Universities and Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras would not help in tackling the sensitive issue i.e. food security for all. We have to change the indifferent attitude  of ‘owner cultivators’(having small holding involve in farming) ‘land owners’(giving their land to agriculture labourers for share cropping) and  ‘share croppers’ towards farming community, as well as increase the purchasing power of small and poor farmers by making provisions for trading of intangible services rendered by farm forestry and agro forestry ecosystems to generate sustained income of peasants and to conserve the environment of biosphere in general and to ensure sustainable food security for all in reality.

VALUE ADDITION CONCERNS:

Adequate nourishment in terms of quantity and quality is necessary for sustainable life.Value addition is becoming popular and coming up as an emerging category.  It will be essential requirements for future development for sustainability.  Changing life style, habits and spread of western culture made changes in food habits and now people lookout for fast-ready-to-eat foods.  The house laid stress to address the need of the children, women, senior citizens, athletes and soldiers through the development of nutritional products which contain high food value in lesser quantity in various products either based on lesser known or well known grains, pseudo cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables, milk, etc. Exploration, cultivation and production of new resources may also be taken in to consideration to lessen the burden on existing ones. Further the following measures are required in the context of food security.

1. 1.      Documentation of new and lesser known edible grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables for further studies.
2. 2.      Evaluation and documentation of nutritional profile of edible sources so as to establish potential food resources.
3. 3.      Development of new, applied and cheaper techniques for processing and preservation of value added products based on milk, grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits and wild resources etc. for practical application.
4. 4.      Toxicity evaluation and standardization of commonly used preservatives need to be carried out.
5. 5.      Manufacturing of healthy and safe feed and fodder for milk, poultry, fish and meat providing animals are essential to meet safety standards and to maintain food chain, food security and solve food scarcity.
6. 6.      Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) be adopted by manufacturers of value added products.
7. 7.      The owners of small hotels, restaurants, canteen managers and students hostel contractors and care takers should be inducted in the stream of research and developing projects for their feedback, initiatives, innovations and suggestions.

BIO DIVERSITY CONCERNS:

Agri-food production relies on biodiversity. yet intensive and profit oriented farming can weaken it. Many components of agro biodiversity would not survive without human interference; local knowledge and culture are integral parts of agro biodiversity management. Moreover, diversity within species is as important as diversity between species. Locally diverse food production systems are under threat and, with them, the accompanying local knowledge, culture and skills of the food producers. The loss of forest cover, coastal wetlands, ‘wild’ uncultivated areas and the destruction of the aquatic environment exacerbate the genetic erosion of agro biodiversity. The main cause of genetic erosion in crops is the replacement of local varieties by improved or exotic varieties and species. There are now just 12 crops and 14 animal species that provide most of the world's food; the need of the hour is to protect genetic diversity of crops at a time of soaring food prices. The international community has to intensify its commitment and action towards integrating food security and biodiversity concerns. Fewer genetic diversity means fewer opportunities for the growth and innovation needed to boost agriculture at a time of soaring food prices. The erosion of biodiversity for food and agriculture severely compromises global food security. We need to strengthen our efforts to protect and wisely manage biodiversity for food security. Its sustainable use is central to achieve a secure and sustainable food supply system. Acknowledging the importance of biodiversity to food security, the UN body made an alarming note stating that estimated three-quarters of the varietals genetic diversity of farm crops have been lost over the last century and that hundreds of the 7,000 animal breeds registered in its database are threatened by extinction. Furthermore, it cautioned that as biodiversity used in food and agriculture declines, the food supply becomes more vulnerable and unsustainable, rendering agriculture less adaptable to environmental challenges, such as climate change or water scarcity. The underlying challenge is how to improve and maintain agricultural sustainability.

In brief, the uncultivated land needs to be ecologically regenerated and ameliorated. Dense forests should be given sustenance and protective care in space-time continuum. The biotic material from the forest must flow to croplands continuously. Forests would contain the negative effects triggered by the inherent fragility of the Himalayan mountains, enhance resilience, conserve native biodiversity, contribute to regulate water cycle, enhance carbon sequestration and contribute to mitigate global warming to be followed by restoration of climate orders. The largest geographical area under the uncultivated lands with ecological amelioration and sound management would also help maintain plentiful supplies of a variety of foods and lasting solution to food and environmental crises of our contemporary times.

MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES - IDSAsr VERDICT

The scarcity value of natural resources has risen due to rising pressure of human population and demands made by modern economics progress. As such managing these resources has become very important. Bringing out the Indian scenario of natural resources, Dr. K Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, an internationally renowned astrophysicist and chairman of Indian Space Research Organization in his Inaugural Address at the two days National Seminar on Management of Natural Resources and Environment in India organized by Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies, Amritsar highlighted the role of space programme for management of natural resources and environment. Earth observation data through remote sensing will help in achieving sustainable agriculture involving challenges of increasing productivity and reducing environmental degradation. Remote sensing data are already helping in crop acreage and production estimation programme, wasteland mapping, evaluation of irrigation performance and environmental impact assessment of agriculture. He also highlighted the role of ISRO in periodic assessment of natural resources, water security and managing monitoring and mitigating and promoting other community related applications of geospatial technologies and satellite communications. ISRO has proposed five national mission’s, - Green India, Sustainable Habitat; Water Mission; Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic Knowledge and work on this will provide useful data base for better understanding of the response and resilience of the ecosystem to climate change
Dr Katar Singh Chairman Indian National Resource Economics and Management Foundation, Anand in his Keynote Address identified the root causes of the problem of degradation of global common pool resources (GCPRs) including space, climate, bio-diversity, ecosystem, high seas and marine resources. He stated that the main challenge is to reverse the process of degradation and depletion and avoid the tragedy of the commons. He proposed a pragmatic management strategy comprising set of market-based and institution-based instruments involving global monetary and fiscal policies, international treaties, conventions and institutions, safe minimum standards, and education and persuasion.
Prof Rampartap Singh, former Vice Chancellor Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology Udaipur, in his Presidential Address stated that natural resource management is a complex issue involving ecological cycles, hydrological cycles, climate, animals’ plants and geography etc. Therefore, a multipronged strategy involving protection and conservation of agricultural resources, adoption of resource conservation technologies, development of competent human resource for adoption of knowledge based advanced technologies, adoption of new ethics of conserving nature and its integrity, rain water harvesting, reclamation of degraded land and shift from resource based to knowledge based technologies etc be adopted. Mr S C Kaushaik, Chief General Manager NABARD in his address brought out the various programme and polices of NABARD in managing natural resources. Dr R S Bawa Chairman Advisory Council of the Institute while welcoming the distinguished guests and participants brought out the issues in management of natural resources and environment and highlighted the need for adoption of suitable policies so that we continue enjoying the nature’s gifts without infringing the rights of future generation over them.
Dr Gursharan Singh Kainth, the Director of the Institute, introduced the theme of the seminar and stated that degradation of natural resources is a global problem threatening the livelihood of the people and the globe itself. He said that we are living on overdrafts on natural resources which is already threatening ecological balance. He endorsed the need for strengthening the mutually reinforcing three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. economic development, social development and environmental protection at local, national, regional and global levels.
The seminar was jointly sponsored by Department of Bio technology, CSIR, NABARD and Ministry of Earth Science, Government of India. 65 papers were presented during the seminar in four different sessions. The compilation entitled Management of Natural Resources and Environment in India brought out by the Institute was also released. Following issues and recommendation emerged from the two day deliberations :
• Strategizing for achieving water resource sustainability is a very complex task. Water is a basic human need and its use impacts and is impacted by many sectors. Water is also both an economic and a social good. Water cannot therefore be treated as an isolated sector issue. The fast growing demand for water from different sectors of the economy and society, the low water use efficiency, the rapidly falling ground-water tables, the increasing pollution of surface and groundwater bodies, uncertainty in resource availability exacerbated by increased variability in weather and changing climatic patterns, the access to water and rising social conflicts in sharing of water resources, unclear and undefined water rights, lack of appropriate institutions and policies etc have brought water sustainability to the core of debate on sustainable development. While the concern over sustainable development, management and use of water resources is being increasingly emphasized, the means to achieving this goal are still hazy or unclear. It was recommended that appropriate institutional policies be framed after collecting data on water availability and level of pollution.
• Various conceptual frameworks of water governance reforms and the experiences in water governance over the last two decades in the country so far indicate a piece meal and adhoc approach akin to coping strategies rather than aiming at identifying long term solutions to water governance issues. Our focus should be diverted from capture and augmentation of water related services to the redistribution of water and creating institutional arrangement. In the face of growing water scarcity and for promoting more efficient use of available water technological interventions, in the nature of micro irrigation (MI) technologies such as drip and sprinkler, are being emphasized. The reduction in capital cost of the system, provision of technical support for MI operation after installation, relaxation of farm size limitation in providing MI subsidies and single state level agency for implementation of the MI program were the key suggestions in this context.
• In the face of declining groundwater table and increasing demand for surface water from different sectors of the economy, there is need for formation of a national water resource management policy acceptable to different stakeholders as a means for promoting sustainable use of water resources by different sectors of the economy. Besides, administrative measures must give due consideration to the role of prices in ensuring a more equitable and sustainable use of water resources.
• Groundwater is under serious threat in several parts of India. Falling groundwater table poses serious threat to sustainability of water resources. In the face of declining groundwater table, recharge of groundwater is increasingly being advocated. Several methods of groundwater recharge are available - rooftop rainwater harvesting, recharge wells, percolation tanks, injection wells etc.
• Sustainability of water resources requires consideration of not only quantity aspects but also quality issues. There is a risk of fluoride contamination which could lead to health problems like discoloration of teeth and bone damage. A constant vigil is the need of the hour by monitoring groundwater situation so that serious degradation of water resources could be avoided and quality water could be sustained for future generations.
• Watershed Management Programme in Wastelands can contribute to food security and conservation of natural resources in a participatory mode. The initial phase of implementation the project provided substantial economic benefits to the participating members. It was basically the donor agency’s involvement which brought people in the watershed together. Once the full implementation phase was over, owners of advantageous lands tried to extract more benefits without bothering for the others. The Village Watershed Committee became non-operational and could not succeed in keeping people from all categories united for the cause of watershed and its long term benefits. As a result the benefits which emanated from watershed development in the initial years vanished. The strengthening of the Village Watershed Committees was recommended.
• Historically, forests in India have been viewed solely with the potential for timber as their main value. Not until the 1980s were the truly valuable ‘services’ rendered by forests were recognized as important, though these are still not counted in the national budget. Notwithstanding the figures, the place of forests in the national economy was recognized when the National Commission for Agriculture recommended a shift in forest policy from the one based on direct benefits to that of encompassing the total value of services rendered by the forests. After the new national forest policy announced in 1988, the official emphasis has been shifted to manage the forests for their services besides their potential for production of wood and timber. It is time to manage the nation’s forests to address climate change and unlock their potential. Proper management can ensure healthy forests that create carbon offsets besides sustaining the communities dwelling in and around the forests.
• There is need for paradigm shift in integrated management of natural resources through watershed approach, where the management of natural resources is integrated and sustained through their inter-dependence and inter-relatedness leading to improvement of the overall production system monitored jointly by the community and public sector managers.
• Need based cropping system / models in hills of north east India having ability to conserve soil, moisture and nutrients be introduced instead of intensive farming systems or use of high yield varietie? Planting of trees, green hedges, adoption of crop farming models integrating Leucaena leucocephala , Cajanus cajan (perennial) and non-Nitrogen fixing species Manihot esculentus and bamboo based agro-forestry system comprising Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus longispathus and Bambusa tulda grown along with soybean have been advocated. It is recommended that research based technologies be incorporated in managing resources of dry or wet forests.
• National Bamboo Mission will promote the growth of the bamboo sector in the country through area based regionally differentiated strategies. Bamboo Plantation activities over five years would generate about 50.4 million man days of work. It is a centrally sponsored scheme commenced in 2006-07 with 100 per cent assistance. For achieving the objectives of the Mission, it is necessary for the States to remove restrictions coming in the way of development of bamboo.
• In view of continued demand for the recreational sites for the tourists even with a higher entry fee (hypothetical market), a portion of consumer surplus could be tapped and converted into revenue from the tourism. The non-users of the forest resources are also willing to pay for conservation activities if the forest resources are preserved for the non economic values of the ecosystem.
• To combat the extreme climatic changes and to make the agriculture sustainable; farmers need to blend the modern as well as the traditional techniques. The farmers also need to be oriented about hybrid seeds which are not harmful to the land and eco-system. The findings of the research carried out by reputed agricultural universities/institutions have to be brought to common farmers for adoption. The most effective way to address climate change is to adopt a sustainable development pathway by shifting to environmentally sustainable technologies and promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, forest conservation, water conservation etc. Application of best management practices in agriculture and use of bio-fuels for Green House Gas (GHG) mitigation, improving manure management to increase water retention, reduction or elimination of fallow periods between crops, land use changes to increase soil carbon, etc. are some of the measures for mitigating climate change effects. Development of new breeding line, which is less sensitive to sowing dates and temperature regimes in Rabi season, is the need of the hour.
• A variety of new climatic finance mechanisms using international emissions trading markets are expected to emerge to attract private investments in mitigation activities in developing countries. Carbon markets must be structured by governmental actions to achieve significantly greater emissions reductions, and then it may be produced by an open market, such as the current market for Certified Emission Reduction. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) should be supported by more ambitious sectoral and policy crediting mechanisms.
• Though for the past two decades we are bearing the wrath of climate change, but still we lack hard core policies to confront its consequences. We have to work with cooperation and have to implement
a common policy in the South Asian region in order to overcome the wrath posed by the climate change. Inter-connectivity of these data systems under an over-arching system for management is largely missing. Developing a statistical system for informed decisions and better policies, which could help taking possible safeguards from catastrophes and develop a system for better mitigation and adaptation techniques, assumes a lot of significance.
• Green buildings save energy by 15 to 30 per cent, materials and conserve quality of environment. It is need of the hour to restructure building in a way to be environmental friendly and increase efficiency of water and electricity consumption, by harvesting water and providing bright light through the placement of windows, doors etc. Emphasis should also be laid on tax benefit for green buildings.
• Disasters occur due to natural and technological mishaps inducing very high vulnerability to land users, farmers, etc. Adverse impacts should be minimized by training and education of the public regarding climate change and specific solutions to prevent these calamities.
• How to educate people for conservation of environment and adopt new agriculture? Modern agriculture such as organic farming and good technical skills given to younger people would help sustainable development. Organic farming with minimal use of pesticides lead to optimal profits to farmers and this is the need of the hour. Here comes the role of New Biotechnology Tools for optimal profits in food production processes.
• Academic institutions and NGOs along with Government organizations may play a major role in reaching out to the masses for measures to mitigate impact of climate change by awareness generation and educational programs at community level, different sectors in mitigation measures and steps/mechanism developed and put in practice to reduce emissions. Education system needs drastic changes to meet challenges of sustainability and can be achieved by better communication among all stakeholders, public participation and opinion polls involving all sections of society. Also we need a National Forum for suggesting optimum solutions for specific needs of persons/groups and for government policies.
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be part of the solutions to climate change. No doubt, increased use of ICT is part of the cause of global warming (millions of computers and billions of television sets that are never fully turned off at nights at homes and offices). However, ICT can also be a key part of the solution by focusing on efforts on more standardized power supplies and batteries, smart devices, research and development on consumption & power supplies, and economy wide emissions reductions by offering smart energy solutions. A clear message on the role of ICT in climate change is urgently required and this message needs to be delivered outside the ICT sector.
• Development without environmental protection is harmful. Sustainable development should include materials, minerals, energy, water, soil and land surface, biologic resources. Environmental management should involve prevention rather than control; it should involve not only conservation, climate change and productivity but also spirituality. Optimal mix of environment protection of natural resources and of energy use is most desired ingredient of sustainability

•     Story on industrial pollution in India;
•     Feature on e-waste management in South Asia;
•     Update on the regional work by our partners in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka;
•     Dr. Mrs. Anjali Kale, Chief, Lal Path Lab, New Delhi; sharing her views on lead (Pb) exposure issues in the region; and,
•     Regional news items from Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

Water Security and Climate Change: Challenges and Strategies 

Overview:

Water is a fundamental human need and a critical national asset. It is the key to socio-economic development and quality of life. As the pressures of population and economic activities converge on water requirement, the water sector will increasingly face the challenge of bridging the demand-supply gap. Water covers most of the planet but only 3 per cent of it is fresh water of which 2 per cent is frozen in ice caps and glaciers. A mere 1 per cent in the form of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, swamps, marshes and bogs, is readily accessible and relied on for human consumption. It is this amount that truly matters when sizing up the water challenge. Water security implies affordable access to clean water for agricultural, industrial and household usage and is thus an important part of human security. Water along with food and energy forms a critical part of the 'new security agenda' and redefines the understanding of security as a basis for policy-response and long-term planning. Water security for India implies effective responses to changing water conditions in terms of quality, quantity and uneven distribution. Unheeded it can affect relationships at the inter-state level and equally contribute to tensions at the intra-provincial level.

The Union Ministry of Water Resources has estimated the countries water requirements to be around 1093 BCM for the year 2025 and 1447 BCM for the year 2050. With projected population growth of 1.4 billion by 2050, the total available water resources would barely match the total water requirement of the country. In 1951, the annual per capita availability of water was 5177 m³, which reduced to 1342 m³ by 2000. India is facing a serious water resource problem. The facts indicate that India is expected to become 'water stressed' by 2025 and 'water scarce' by 2050. The National Commission for Integrated Water Resource Development (NCIWRD) has estimated that against a total annual availability of 1953 BCM (inclusive of 432 BCM of ground water and 1521 BCM of surface water) only 1123 BCM (433 BCM ground water and 690 BCM surface water), i .e., only 55.6 per cent can be put to use. The high-level of pollution further restricts the utilizable water thus posing a serious threat to its availability and use.

Ensuring fresh and pure water to every individual is a significant tool of empowerment for the poor and vulnerable society of the globe. However, inadequate knowledge of policy and regulatory framework and its poor implementation, combined with a non-transparent and non participatory water management process is proving to be the root cause of many water related problems. Hence, it is necessary to deliberate these issues both scientifically and socially with policy makers, international and national water experts. This seminar endeavors to share latest as well as traditional water knowledge and best practices on this issue, and discuss the possible options available for integrated water resource management. The conference will encompass the issues that are mentioned as the priorities in the 'National Water Mission' which is one of the eight national missions that are part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The seminar will provide a space for discussion, interaction, dissemination of information to policy-makers, water managers, academics, students and the public in general.

Venue of the Seminar: Conference Hall of Guru Nanak Bhawan

                                    Guru Nanak dev University, Amritsar-143005

Duration and Dates:  Three days (November4 to November 6, 2011)

Language of the Seminar: Official language of the seminar will be English

Organizer of the Seminar: Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies

14-Preet Avenue, Majitha Road,

PO Naushera, Amritsar-143008

Accommodation:  Accommodation will be provided to all the registered delegates in various guest houses on share basis during the seminar period. Hotel accommodation can be arranged against advance payment .For further detail contact 3^rd IDSAsr Seminar Secretariat

Registration:

All models are wrong: some models are useful
– Noel de Nevers in his book ‘Air Pollution Control Engineering’.

It's true whether you believe in it or not. Ideally, the perfect air pollutant concentration model would allow us to predict the concentrations that would result from any specified set of pollutant emissions, for any specified meteorological conditions, at any location, for any time period, with total confidence in our prediction.

However, the best currently available models are far from this ideal. In fact, all these models are simplifications of a reality, leading to my belief too that all atmospheric models are wrong but some of them are useful for the qualitative study only.

Share your thoughts.

Centre for Environment and Development as part of the activity on Centre of Excellence of Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India has initiated the India Waste Management Portal. Have a look and comment.

http://www.indiawastemanagementportal.org/

Sabu

Introduction

The problem of waste management runs across geographies and its gravest causal agent, i.e. urbanism, is a global phenomenon. However, its ramifications are relatively more pronounced in developing nations on account of improved standards of living and changing consumption patterns. The growing population and increasing consumer demand is leading to excessive consumption of available resources and generation of tremendous amount of different kind of wastes, which is emerging as a chronic problem in urban societies. Their efficient management is needed at the earliest to avoid numerous problems related to public and environmental health.

The waste management hierarchy suggests that reduce, reuse and recycling should always be given preference in a typical waste management system. However, these options cannot be applied uniformly for all kinds of wastes. For examples, organic waste is quite difficult to deal with using the conventional 3R strategy.  Of the different types of organic wastes available, food waste holds the highest potential in terms of economic exploitation as it contains high amount of carbon and can be efficiently converted into biogas and organic fertilizer.

Market Size

A consistent growth rate of 8 to 10 percent for India is symbolic of its increasing production and consumption trends.  The main reasons for such trends have been the increasing disposable incomes and the growing consumerism and urbanism. All this has significantly contributed to the growth and economic development of the country, apart from tremendous increase in waste generation across the country.

The amount of waste generated by any country is directly proportional to its population and the mean living standards of the people.  As per the last census of India, the Indian population was 1027 million with about 5161 urban cities and towns contributing up to 28% of the total population.  A constant rate of increase of about 30% per decade in the number of town/cities urbanized is something to be considered with utmost diligence, since it is the urban areas, which mostly contribute to the waste generation. The situation grows even starker from the observation that the per capita waste generation in India has been rising by about 1-1.3% annually over the past few decades and the population itself has been rising at an annual rate of 1.2-1.5%.

With organic or food waste being one of the main constituents of the total urban waste generated,  it not only makes it essential to seek means for its safe disposal but at the same time, reiterates the huge business potential that ensues the proper utilization of such a widely available potential energy/power resource.

Anaerobic Digestion Technology

Anaerobic digestion is a proven and commercially available technology to handle wastes having high carbon content. It is widely acknowledged as the best means to deal with organic waste in rural as well as urban areas. One of the major benefits of anaerobic digestion is its almost negative impact on the environment since it saves on emissions which would have been caused if the organic waste was dumped into landfills or an equivalent amount of power would be generated using conventional fossil fuel based resources. Another important feature is its scalability and ability to accept varied types of biomass. World over, the technology has been reaching newer and higher scales, with plants of capacity 300 tonnes per day and above already in operation in countries like Austria, Germany, Sweden and Italy.

Process Description

The feedstock to be utlized, e.g. organic waste from various sources, is first collected and then passed through a shredder to reduce the minimum particle size. The homogenated mass is then moved to a mixing tank, wherein it is mixed with the recirculated digestate to bring it in contact with some of the wore out/used microbial biomass to increase the rate of biochemical degradation in the subsequent steps and also to make the input feed more acclimatized to the system or process requirements. This homogenate along with the recirculated digestate from the mixing tank, which is responsible for maintaining the adequate solid content in the feed in terms of volume, is then transferred to a storage tank. The main purpose of placing another tank in between the mixing tank and main bio-digester is to maintain an input reservoir in order to account for a few days of unavailability in feedstock. In certain cases of large-scale power application of this technology, waste heat is utilized from the gas engine exhaust and fed to the storage tank to double it up as a pre-digester by facilitating the growth of thermophilic bacterias and elimination of any pathogens.

The feed is then directed into the anaerobic digester. The most commonly used biogas plants for power generation using biogas are the Continiuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTR). These reactors involve anaerobic digestion at mesophillic temperaturres and generally have a retention time of about 20-25 days. For smaller scales and other domestic and thermal applications of biogas, other reactors are also commercially available like the floating drum KVIC model, fixed dome type model by TERI, the Janata model or the TERI Enhanced Acidification and Methanation (TEAM) setup which is essentially Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactors (UASB).

The quality and quantum of biogass depends on a variety of factors like the technology used, type of waste, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, C/N ratio etc. An important consideration while generating power using biogas is the desulphurization of the gas. Anaerobic process results in the formation of H₂S which on combustion generates SO₂. It is not only corrosive to the gas engine but also harmful to the environment. To tackle this situation, chemical or biological desulphurization is carried out. The chemical desulphurization involves the use of FeCl₂ in which chloride is replaced by sulphur owing to the higher affinity of the latter with Iron. Biological desulphurization on the other hand, utilizes the sulphur oxidizing bacteria and converts hydrogen sulphide into elemental sulphur, in the presence of air.

An important component of a typical biogas facility is the gas holder which is used to maintain a buffer between the production and consumption rates of the biogas. The gas is drawn into the gas engine from the gas holder and the waste heat generated is utilized to improve the overall efficiency of the system by directing it through the pre digester and the main digester.

Since the water effluent from such a process is expected to possess high BOD and COD characters, the need of a dedicated effluent treatment plant is ineluctable.  This waste water is mainly obtained after the dewatering of the slurry obtained from the above process. The solid content in the slurry increases after going through the de-watering stage in multiple stage screw-presses and it can be sold as high quality compost in the market.

Present Scenario

Although the Municipal Solid Waste Management Directive (2000) mandates source segregation of waste which is easily biodegradable in nature, in reality it has not been able to find widespread implementation till now. The major reasons include lack of proper implementation and reporting mechanism, and lower degree of awareness among the people in general. In addition, urban waste in India is also mixed with a huge amount of rubble, construction and demolition waste and other such wastes, which render the food-waste unsuitable for subsequent conversion to energy.

Most of the organic waste generated in the country is either being dumped into the landfills or composted or sent to piggeries. It is a sheer waste of such biodegradable waste capable of generating energy to be sent into the landfills. There it is not only responsible for large scale green house gas emissions, but also becomes a health hazard and creates terrestrial pollution.

There are numerous places which are the sources of large amounts of food waste and hence a proper food-waste management strategy needs to be devised for them to make sure that either they are disposed off in a safe manner or utilized efficiently. These places include hotels, restaurants, malls, residential societies, college/school/office canteens, religious mass cooking places, airline caterers, food and meat processing industries and vegetable markets which generate organic waste of considerable quantum on a daily basis.

Conclusion

The anaerobic digestion technology is highly apt in dealing with the chronic problem of organic waste management in urban societies. Although the technology is commercially viable in the longer run, the high initial capital cost is a major hurdle towards its proliferation. The onus is on the governments to create awareness and promote such technologies in a sustainable manner. At the same time, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations and environmental agencies should also take inspiration from successful food waste-to-energy projects in other countries and try to set up such facilities in Indian cities and towns.

References

1. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Newsletters/Newsletter_Links/eci_2.htm
2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/27348441/Urbanization-in-India
3. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/swm_in_india.pdf
4. http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2005/Sanitation-Wastewater-Management/paper-kumar.pdf
5. http://www.nls.ac.in/CEERA/ceerafeb04/html/documents/Muncipalsoildwaste.htm
6. http://www.teda.gov.in/page/Bio-wastetoenergy.htm
7. http://www.worldsecuritynetwork.com/showArticle3.cfm?article_id=13488
8. http://www.uperc.org/olduperc/Explanatory%20Memorandum.pdf
9. http://www.mnre.gov.in/annualreport/2009-10EN/Chapter%205/chapter%205_1.htm

About the Author

Setu Goyal is pursuing Masters Program in Renewable Energy Engineering and Management at the TERI University (New Delhi), and has an entrepreneurial zeal to improve waste management and renewable energy scenarios in developing countries. He can be reached at setu.goyal@gmail.com

Bioenergy: Impediments and Plausible Solutions

Introduction

Biomass resources have been in use for a variety of purposes since ages. Their multitude of uses includes usage as a livestock or for meeting domestic and industrial thermal requirements or for the generation of power to fulfil any electrical or mechanical needs. These resources provide for a clean source of power generation since most of them are considered to be carbon neutral.

Their omnipresence makes them a preferred choice for generation of energy, the world over. Considering the case of India alone, biomass has the potential to cater to nearly 15% of the existing 1,60,000 MW power capacity in the country. However, only about 2500 MW of this potential has been exploited so far. Numerous reasons could be sighted towards this ranging from high technological costs, availability of resources to an ever-troubling supply chain management. This article makes an attempt at collating some of the most prominent issues associated with such technologies and provides plausible solutions to most of them in order to seek further promotion of these technologies.

Roadblocks

The issues enumerated below, are not geography specific and are usually a matter of concern for most of the bioenergy related projects.  

1. Large Project Costs: In India, a 1 MW gasification plant usually costs about USD 1-1.5 Million. A combustion based 1 MW plant would need a little more expenditure, to the tune of USD 1-2Million. An anaerobic digestion based plant of the same capacity on the other hand could range anywhere upwards USD 3 Million. Such high capital costs prove to be a big hurdle for any entrepreneur or clean-tech enthusiast to come forward and invest into these technologies.

Not only this, unlike other renewable energy technologies like Solar and wind, bio-energy projects have to further bear the impact of significant operational costs owing to the feedstock, which is not available for free.

2.     Technologies have lower efficiencies: In general, efficiencies of Combustion based systems are in the range of 20-25% and Gasification based systems are considered even poorer, with their efficiencies being in the range of a measly10-15%. The biomass resources themselves are low in energy density and such poor system efficiencies could add a double blow to the entire project.

  3.     Technologies still lack maturity: Poor efficiencies as mentioned above, call for a larger quantum of resources needed to generate a unit amount of energy. Owing to this reason

Investors and project developers find it hard to go far such plants at a larger scale. Moreover, the availability of only a few reliable technology and operation & maintenance services providers makes these, further undesirable. Gasification technology is still limited to scales lesser than 1 MW in most parts of the world. Combustion based systems have although gone upwards of 1 MW, a lot many are now facing hurdles because of factors like unreliable resource chain, grid availability and many others.

4.    

1. Lack of funding options: Owing to all the above mentioned problems, financing agencies usually give a tougher time to such project developers contrary to what it takes to invest in other renewable energy technologies.

  6.     High Risks / Low pay-backs: Bio-energy projects are also not so sought after owing to high project risks which could entail from failed crops, any natural disaster, local disturbances etc.

  7.     Resource Price escalation: Unrealistic fuel price escalation too is a major cause of worry for the plant owners. Usually an escalation of 3-5% is considered while carrying out the project’s financial modelling. However, it has been observed that in some cases, the rise has been as staggering as 15-20% per annum, forcing the plants to shut down.

Plausible Solutions

All the above mentioned issues are causing an impediment to the proliferation of bio-energy technologies. But one needs to keep into consideration the clean nature of these resources. The benefits which accompany their utilization are not only restricted to the amount of emissions saved by avoiding an equivalent generation of power through conventional fuels, but also the sound disposal of resources which are usually considered a waste and are as such of no use to anyone.

The solutions provided below are a consequence of the author’s understanding and experience in the field and present his opinions over this topic. Each issue mentioned above, has been dealt with, in the same order.

1.    Large Project Costs: The project costs are to a great extent comparable to other renewable energy technologies, thus justifying the case. Also, people tend to ignore the fact, that most of these plants, if run at maximum capacity could generate a Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 80% and above. This figure is about 2-3 times higher than what its counterparts wind and solar energy based plants could provide. This however, comes at a cost – higher operational costs.

2.    Technologies have lower efficiencies: The solution to this problem, calls for innovativeness in the employment of these technologies. To give an example, one of the paper mill owners in India, had a brilliant idea to utilize his industrial waste to generate power and recover the waste heat to produce steam for his boilers. The power generated was way more than he required for captive utilization. With the rest, he melts scrap metal in an arc and generates additional revenue by selling it. .

Although such solutions are not possible in each case, one needs to possess the acumen to look around and innovate – the best means to improve the productivity with regards to these technologies.

3.    Technologies still lack maturity: One needs to look beyond what is directly visible. There is a humongous scope of employment of these technologies for decentralized power generation. With regards to scale, few companies have already begun conceptualizing ultra-mega scale power plants based on biomass resources. Power developers and critics need to take a leaf out of these experiences.

 The project developer needs to not only assess the resource availability but also its alternative utilization means. It has been observed that if a project is designed by considering only 10-12% of the actual biomass to be available for power generation, it sustains without any hurdles.

1. 4. Lack of funding options: The most essential aspect of any bio-energy project is the resource assessment. Investors if approached with a reliable resource assessment report could help regain their interest in such projects. Moreover, the project developers also need to look into community based ownership models, which have proven to be a great success, especially in rural areas.

 5.    Non-Transparent Trade markets: Entrepreneurs need to look forward to exploiting this opportunity of having a common platform for the buying and selling of biomass resources. This could not only bridge the big missing link in the resource supply chain but also could transform into a multi-billion USD opportunity.

 6.    High Risks / Low pay-backs: Bio-energy plants, as discussed above are rife with numerous uncertainties, fuel price escalation and unreliable resource supply to name just a few. Such plant owners should consider other opportunities to increase their profit margins. One of these could very well include tying up with the power exchanges as is the case in India, which could offer better prices for the power that is sold at peak hour slots. The developer may also consider the option of merchant sale to agencies which are either in need of a consistent power supply and are presently relying on expensive back-up means (oil/coal) or are looking forward to purchase “green power” to cater to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

 7.    Resource Price escalation: A study of some of the successful bio-energy plants globally would result in the conclusion of the inevitability of having own resource base to cater to the plant requirements. This could be through captive forestry or energy plantations at waste lands or fallow lands surrounding the plant site. Although, this could escalate the initial project costs, it would prove to be a great cushion to the plants’ operational costs in the longer run. In cases where it is not possible to go for such an alternative, one must seek case-specific procurement models, consider help from local N.G.O.’s, civic bodies etc. and go for long-term contracts with the resource providers.

 Conclusions

Bio-energy projects have been in controversy since ages, with the initial debates raging over the feedstock’s intervention with food available for human consumption. Although these disputations are now a thing of past with such technologies being successful in proving their deftness over the use of a multitude of resources like agro-wastes, animal-wastes, municipal waste, forestry residues and others, which are of no significant use to the mankind.

However, with times, numerous other issues have come into existence, posing as obstacles to the wide-spread implementation of such clean technologies. The entrepreneurs and other clean-tech industrialists need to look beyond the horizons and seek solutions to these issues and help the proliferation of these technologies which can make a big dent in the increasing global power demands.

References

• http://www.emergent-ventures.com/UploadedFiles/Videos/Pitfalls%20of%20Biomass%20assessment%20Final.pdf 
• http://www.nri.org/projects/biomass/conference_papers/policy_annex_2.pdf 
• http://www.slideshare.net/guest067b99/india-biomass-power-sector 
• http://www.unep.fr/energy/activities/frm/pdf/BiomassPowerInsurance-FeasibilityStudy-Final.pdf 
• http://www.ice.gov.it/paesi/asia/india/upload/182/INDIAN%20WIND%20%20BIOMASS%20POWER%20PROGRAMME1.pdf 
• http://mnre.gov.in/gbi/G%20C%20Datta%20Roy.pdf 
• http://mnre.gov.in/ 

During Monitoring of ambient air quality of Varanasi city I have noted that level of SPM was found above the standards given by CPCB most of the times...

What may be the passible causes???

 Dear all,

 One again the human soiety at the door step of Dangerous death?

as the recent sunamy of japan questions us again?is the destructive Nuclear power palnts  are really needed by the human beings? 

now how to solve this  problem of radiation. what are the experts opinion on this i want to now?

 what are the measures taken by the indian govt to protect our n-plants.

in the name of development we (human beings) spoiling & destorying the natural resources and restroying all other fellow spices.

why cant we go for solar & wind energy and all other natural energies.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has assessed a sugar beet plant a $50,400 civil penalty for air quality and storage tank violations. Inspectors also found violations of storage tank requirements. Those included late and missing tank inspections, corrosion on steel tanks and piping, and unreported leaks and spills of beet juice.

Impact of Corrosion on Environment.