Dear All,
Please send me the details such as necessary chemicals, instruments, etc. to establish a New Environment Lab in my CEMENT organization. your replies would be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Sub: Get to know the latest opportunities in wind power from Wind Power India 2012
I’d like to invite you to attend Wind Power India 2012 conference, India’s largest and most prestigious wind power conference, November 29-30, 2012, at Chennai Trade Center, Chennai –www.windpowerindia.in. This conference is held in parallel to the Wind Power India exhibition.
The Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), the premier association comprising the top wind turbine makers in India along with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and theWorld Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE), is hosting the second edition of India's definitive wind power conference and exhibition.
While India presents significant potential for many renewable energy sources, wind is currently the most dominant and will remain so for the next decade. Wind currently powers over 70% of the total renewable energy capacity in the country, and this industry is expected to have a total installed capacity of over 50,000 MW by 2020. Opportunities in this fast growing sector are immense for both small and large businesses, and especially for those companies that are already operating in other renewable energy sectors.
Wind Power India 2012 conference will provide you with exceptional insights on the latest business trends and opportunities in the fast growing Indian wind power sector. This is a must attend event for all those keen on knowing the latest trends, as well as for those who wish to know the emerging business opportunities.
The accompanying exhibition will have over 200 companies, for the first time having representations across the entire wind power value chain.
Key Highlights of Wind Power India 2012
- India's largest and most prestigious wind power conference
- Over 75 Indian and global wind power experts share their expertise
- Unique and exclusive networking sessions with experts
- 15 sessions covering all wind power topics
- 1000 top professionals as delegates
- Presence of all the Indian wind power industry experts and leaders
- The exhibition in parallel will provide opportunities to interact with over 200 top wind power companies
- Access to key government officials and decision makers
The conference will see the best and the largest assembly of wind power experts and professionals from around the world share their expertise and experiences – through seminars, networking and interactive sessions.
Wind Power India 2012 Topics - http://windpowerindia.in/node/80
Wind energy experts at Wind Power India 2012 - http://windpowerindia.in/node/84
In all, Wind Power India 2012 will be the most important wind energy event for India. It will indeed be exciting to have you as a delegate at Wind Power India 2012.
Registration Details:
| Category | Delegate fees per head |
|---|---|
| I - General Category | INR 10,000 for 2 days / INR 3,000 for 1 day |
| Group Discount | 10% for 3 or more delegates from one institution |
| II - Government & Government Owned Institutions | INR 5,000 for 2 days |
| III - Students and Research Scholars | INR 5,000 for 2 days |
1. Online payment using Credit Card/Debit Card, please visit www.wpi.doattend.com
2. Cheque/DD – Kindly issue the Cheque/DD favouring “IWTMA – Wind Power India” payable at Chennai.
Cheque/DD to be sent to
EAI - Energy Alternatives India
C/O Clixoo Solutions Private Limited, 4th floor, MKM Chambers,
New no:42, Old no:154 & 155, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam,
Chennai – 600034, Tamilnadu, India
3. By Wire transfer for which our bank account details are mentioned below:
Name of Bank: Axis Bank
Bank Branch: Anna Salai
Branch Address: Chennai - 600 002
Account No: 911010066705750
IFSC Code: UTIB0000168
MICR No: 600211008
I look forward to hearing from you soon, and seeing you as a delegate at Wind Power India 2012.
Please feel free to call me on +91- 98407 98344 in case you have questions.
Take care.
Preethi
Marketing Support – Wind Power India 2012
M: +91-98407 98344: preethi@windpowerindia.in
Wind Power India - Power for Ever, Nov 28, 29 & 30, Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - www.windpowerindia.in
Tomorrow is the Vijayadashami the day when people in most of Northern parts of Indian peninsula shall burn effigy of Ravana. How glad we are when we come back home after seemolanghan and Ravan-Dahan, as if we ourselves have killed our own Ravana’s
and become the purest of the soul.
On my way to office at Banskhedi, Arera colony, I see a large number of Ravana effigy by the side of compound wall. Waiting for prospective buyers to come and fetch them away to different colonies and residential blocks where the children and the youth will burn them all. without knowing how they are adding to Ambient air pollution May be some innovative sharp minds shall also burst a lots of crackers to celebrate the death of demon king, the Rawan. But the real demon actually lives within us.
In burning the effigy of Ravana, it is believed that one follows the spiritual path by avoiding Adharma therefore establishing virtue and goodness.
In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his Knowledge & wisdom, Great might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.By destroying the ten headed effigy of Ravana, the destruction and burning represents the destruction of ten Tamasic qualities of human nature : Kama vasana (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Delusion), ( Lobha (Greed), Mada (Over Pride), Matsara (Jealousy), Manas (Mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Chitta (will) and finally Ahankara ( Arrogance).
It's high time we identify this demon within us, the negativity in our lives. There are many more tangible and non-tangible evils present in today’s world around us (The Great Kal-Yug).
If we want to fight, we want to kill, yes come forward, let’s kill religious-discrimination, caste-discrimination, illiteracy, quota, corruption, poverty abuse of power, and what not? Time has come, as swami vivekananda has said " Uttishthat, Jagruta, Prapyati varannibodha". Jaago, Jaago, Grow up, fight against these tangible and non-tangible evils and don’t let them play with your sentiments, we have a long way to go and make our lives worthwhile, because that is what for we have taken birth. thats the purpose of our life's journey. Burning more and more number of effigy we only recreate the phoenix of Pollution.
A phoenix was a mythical creature that had the ability to be reborn from its own ashes just like pollution , which never dies or ends only changes it's form like mythical sacred firebird that originated in Greek mythology that never dies and rises again and again from it's ashes.
Its better we come together assemble at one place and go to nearest dussehra ground for seemolanghan (literally means crossing the village boundry but actually is expression of streaching one self to his own limits and to further endure new grounds) and witness community effigy burning instead of having our own ravana and then burning it.
I can not restrain myself from praising my dear wife who after return from seemolanghan would make a rawan shape with handfull of rice grain in a large thali (Plate) wherein she would hide numerous coins of various denomination and all the children shall get one chance to cut that shape with a single stroke of finger to find and claim the hidden coins. Those interested may try this and watch the faces of your young children beaming with joy rejoicing their newly accumulated wealth.
The increasing economic growth and changing consumption trends world wide have resulted in a significant rise in the disposable incomes and consumers’ propensity to spend. The advancement in technology and changing lifestyle, status or perception of consumers has driven this demand of electronic items. Consumers’ dependency on information and communication technology has been increasing very rapidly. The new innovations in information technology because of the rising demand for higher efficiency and productivity in the businesses and work have become a matter of day to day life. Technologies which were new yesterday have become obsolete for today. The increase in demand for “White Goods segment” i.e. on consumer durables such as television sets, microwave ovens, calculators, air-conditioners, servers, printers, scanners, cellular phones, computers etc. is for obvious. Thus, there can be broad range of waste electric and electronic goods which have outlived their use, ready for disposal. These contain chemical materials considered hazardous for human well beings and natural environment.The increasing rate of waste electronic products and additionally the illegal import of junk electronics from abroad create a complex scenario for solid waste management in India.
According to Ministry of environment and forest, E-waste is such waste comprises of wastes generated from used electronic devices and household appliances which are not fit for their original intended use and are destined for recovery, recycling or disposal.
Indian Scenario
The Indian electronic waste industry is booming at a very rapid pace. It is expected to be increasing at a rate of 20% annually. With increasing per capita income, changing life styles and revolutions in information and communication technologies, India is the second largest electronic waste generator in Asia. India is generating around 4, 00,000 tones of electronic waste per year according to Ministry of Environment and Forest MoEF. Not only this, it gets around 50,000 tones of e waste through illegal means of imports. According to a report on electronics market, TATA Strategic Management Group says that India is expected to have 11% share in global electronic market. MoEF’2012 report says that Indian electronic waste output has jumped 8 times in the last seven years i.e. 8, 00,000 tones now. India has majorly two types of electronic waste market called organized and unorganized market. 90% of the electronic waste generation in the country lands up in the unorganized market. And out of this only 5.7 % of e waste is recycled. Electronic waste accounts for 70% of the overall toxic wastes which are currently found in landfills which is posing toxic chemical contamination in soil and other natural resources. Another report from Central Pollution Control Board CPCB says that around 36,165 hazardous waste generating industries in India accounts for 6.2 million tones of toxic wastes every year. Indian PC industry is growing at a rate of 25% annually as per MAIT study.
Out of the total electronic waste generation in India, only 40 % of these are taken into the recycling processes and rest 60% remains in warehouses due to inefficient and poor collection systems. Generally, people hand over electronic waste to unauthorized recycling centres/ scrap dealers etc. for quick money. The e-waste scrap is managed through various management alternatives such as reuse of equipment from second hand dealers, back yard recycling (manual dismantling and segregation into plastic, glass and metal) and finally into the municipal dumping yard.
MAIT (Manufacturers Association for Information Technology) study says that waste from discarded electronics will rise dramatically in the developing world within a decade, with computer waste in India alone to grow by 500 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020. Over 100,000 tonnes from refrigerators, 275,000 tonnes from TVs, 56,300 tonnes from personal computers, 4,700 tonnes from printers and 1,700 tonnes from mobile phone.
Techno-Trash
The electronic waste due to Computer waste also called techno trash is becoming most significant of all e-waste due to the quantity as well as the fast generation rate. The computer hardware sector has displayed an unusual growth in the past few years maintaining pace with the rapid growth in the software sector. The continuous innovations and technological up gradations in the hardware segment, obsolescence risk remains a key area of concern for companies that have made huge investments in their IT systems.
Management
Managing Electronic waste has become a very big challenge. The governments and private organisation will have to play a crucial and responsible role in order to properly manage electronic waste. Proper inventorisation and management has been very necessary in order to reduce the negative impacts of e waste in human livelihood and maintain prosperity in society. It could be made possible through the consultation with different E-waste experts and the assessment of unorganised small scale industrial houses. Different awareness programmes and reach to the local level unorganised sector recyclers can play a pivotal role in efficiently managing e waste.
I generally do not rely on the Times of India (TOI) to give me my daily dose of useful, thought-provoking information, but the TOI did really get it right today! Page 24 carries two such thought-provoking write-ups. One is a column called Swaminomics by Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar and the other an interview of Joseph Stiglitz, one of the few economists with the foresight to predict the financial crisis of 2008.
So what pearls of wisdom do they have to share with readers? Swaminomics is aptly titled CSR: a cloak for crooks (spot on, if you ask me!), while Stiglitz explains why he believes that India doesn't need FDI in retail to grow.
And, I quote:
"Lesson: don't get fooled by corporate spending on CSR..." - Swaminomics
"Not having access to FDI is not an impediment in India. Wal-Mart is able to procure many goods at lower prices than others because of the huge buying power they have and will use that power to bring Chinese goods to India to displace Indian production. So the worry is not so much about the displacement of the small retail store but displacement further down the supply chain." - India does not need FDI in retail to grow, An interview by Shobhan Saxena of the TOI with Joseph Stiglitz.
Both topics--CSR and FDI in retail--offer food for thought in environmental and social terms. Does CSR really benefit those it is supposedly intended for? Or is it just a mask that companies wear? Is FDI in retail going to propel India forward inclusively, or will it just create a bigger rift between the haves and have nots?
Without much ado, do read both these write-ups here and here, and feel free to write in.
This post was originally published at mahazareendastur.blogspot.in.
Dear Contributors
Greeting from IDSAsr
Due to some technical-administrative reasons, 4th IDSAsr International Seminar on the theme Water Energy and Food Security Nexuses slated for November 02 to November 04, 2012 has been postponed. Now it will be held either by December end or early January next. Fresh dates will be notified in consultation with the sponsoring agencies. For more detail contact at:idsasrsectt@yahoo.com
Meanwhile all interested are requested to submit their papers by December mid 2012.
Inconvenience caused is highly regretted.
Dr. Gursharan Singh Kainth
Director
Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies
14-Preet Avenue, Majitha Road
PO Naushera, Amritsar 143008
M No 91- 9914703461
Tel. No 91-183-2426045
Tel. No 91-183-2426045
Fax: 0867725653
website: www.idsasr.org
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool to inform decision - makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible environmental, social and economic costs of the proposed project. To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.
There is a genuine need to develop the capacity of the state-level regulators and state level expert appraisal Committee (SEAC) to screen and scope the EIA process, to conduct transparent public consultations and to evaluate the EIA reports, especially after the new EIA notification. At the same time, there is a need among CBO, NGOs, academicians, and environment managers to review and interpret EIA report, as they are technical in nature.
Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on five-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on EIA with specific reference to coal based power plant, cement, pharmaceutical, mining and others. After the programme, the participants shall have:
1. Exposure to all aspects of EIA, from its theory to the practical – such as better understanding regarding
What data is required, how this data should be collected and interpreted, and significance of the data
Effectiveness of the assessment methods
What issues should be addressed in the Terms of Reference (TOR)
Tools and thumb rules available to evaluate the environmental impact of projects
2. Better understanding of the EIA process – from screening, scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultation
3. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of the industrial and developmental projects
4. Better ability to review EIA reports and identify its strengths and weaknesses
5. Increased ability to play active role in post-EIA monitoring.
Course Duration:
Date: 3-7 December, 2012
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For industry, environment consultants and regulators) 50% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students)
Last Date for Applying: November 27, 2012
For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org
OPEN FOR:
NGOs, Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, state environment impact assessment authority, Environment Consultants, Students, decision makers and Industries
A certificate of participation will be awarded to all at the end of the programme.
COURSE CONTACT
Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org
Image - Sustainable Healthcare
Why Green/Sustainable Hospitals ?
> The American Hospitals Association has estimated that approximately Six thousand Six hundred tonnes of waste is generated by hospitals per day.
> Hospitals generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste, air emissions, and waste-water
that contribute to air, water, and soil pollution.
> Hospitals are Energy Intensive buildings and single largest users of Chemicals.
Thus, by implementing an Green/Sustainable management systems, healthcare facilities can prevent pollution, and analyze and potentially address the Ecological impacts of their services.
What are the Factors that contribute to the Environmental Impact of a Hospital ?
When comparing Ecological footprints of different hospitals the following factors come into picture -
> Size of the Hospital,Number of Beds,Age of the Establishment;
> Types of Medical treatment provided;
> Types of Research and Teaching conducted;
> Third party vendors,Outsourcing of Services
> Level of Infrastructure development for the local community
In general, large hospitals consume more resources and produce more emissions than small
ones. However, as hospitals add beds their per-bed water and energy demands also
increases.
What are the Key areas for Potential Improvements ?
> Hazardous Substances
Some Hazardous substances of potential risk are - heavy metal based compound containing Silver,lead,copper and cadmium ; reactive and explosive substances such as Azides and Peroxide compounds such as Perchloric acids; Anesthesia Gases and Formaldehyde.
For Receiving, Handling, Storing and Disposal written procedures must be present.Staff should be trained on how to safely use potentially hazardous substances. Moreover, highly Hazardous Substances such as Benzene,Mercury etc,can often be replaced with less Hazardous substances such as Toulene or Xylene.
> Waste Management
The prime criteria for Waste management should be Avoidance ->Re-Use ->Recycling -> Proper Disposal, in the same order. For example, establishing a Surplus Usage program between Hospitals or Different Business facilities can help in Usage of Surplus Chemicals between the organizations. Moreover Wastes such as Paper,Card boards,Scrap Metals,Electronic Scraps,textiles,Office left overs can be Recycled and Re-used. Recyclable materials should be collected in areas where they accumulate and then delivered to central storage areas to be prepared for transportation.
> Energy Management
As Hospitals use most of the Energy Guzzling equipment's such as Air Conditioners,lot of energy is wasted. The air-conditioning services and indoor lighting account for about 60 per cent and 20 per cent respectively of total electricity consumption. The Energy Management team should - Audit Energy Usage;Identify Areas and Equipment's consuming Maximum Energy;Development Energy Management plan and Implement it.
Combined heat and power systems can reduce energy use by simultaneously generating electricity (and/or mechanical energy) and thermal energy. They recover waste heat and reduce energy use. Energy Efficient lighting methodology can be used such as replacing g incandescent (bulbs) with fluorescent lamps;Solar panels can greatly reduce the amount of fossil fuel used.
> Emission Management
Emissions caused by Sterilizers such as Ethylene Oxide gas should be minimized.Sterilization using ethylene oxide gas, and formaldehyde gas is environmentally hazardous, and a health risk for employees.
Emissions caused by Anesthetic Gases such as Nitrous Oxide, Haloethane reacts in the stratosphere with atomic oxygen to form NOx which, in turn, breaks down Ozone. Emissions levels by usage of such compounds should be regularly checked so as to prevent Non -Controlled Emissions such as through leakages etc.
Emissions caused by Incinerators include Dioxins, toxic ash residue that affect the local environment. Such facilities should be built with inbuilt treatment plants so as to control the emission discharge.
What are the Key Features of Environmental Management System for Health Care Facilities ?
A healthcare facility should commit to improving its environmental performance by encouraging all employees to actively strive to reduce pollution, improve performance and cut costs.
Using an EMS a Health care Facility can -
> Identify and Reduce Emission problems,
> Reduce energy, water and waste disposal costs,
> Control the Handling of Hazardous Substances,
> Comply with the Applicable regulations and law,
> Reduce operating costs
> Conduct Environmental Friendly Purchase and Procurement
Conclusion
Thus, to become a Green Health Care facility involves many aspects such as Green Building design, Energy Efficiency Plan,Hazardous Substance and Waste Management. LEEDS provide internationally recognized certification system for Green Facilities. Hospitals should strive for such established platforms through different levels of certifications - Platinum,Silver and Gold. It is administered that instead of Opting for Cost Intensive Green Features, Hospitals opt start off with Smaller initiatives that show immediate results and then build on their success.
Image - Green Business Intelligence
Based on research by SAS on how C-level executives view their Sustainability strategy shaping up the future, one executive encapsulates the idea that " Keeping my organization successful for the long term in an environmentally responsible manner". Doing so requires integrating and analyzing data from various Sustainability and Business related drivers.Information from such analysis has to be used to achieve the goals and challenge the existing organizational structure to achieve higher Sustainability index. Through intelligent monitoring tools such as a Smart Energy meter, companies have access to vast amounts of data.By using Business Analytics to interpret such information's companies can capitalize on their wealth of data to make efficient and accurate decisions.
Requirements of Green Business Intelligence
Framework
Framework
--> The management of Sustainability performance requires a Fact Based Decision making Framework. This will enable organizations to measure,manage and report on the Triple Bottom line and determine Business strategies that reduce risks and increase the profit value. Adopting such a framework enables organizations to gain competitive advantages in Financial management planning,Sustainable Business growth and High impact risk management.
--> An important feature of such a framework should be to use Predictive Analysis. This feature can be used to protect the environment by examining the data in greater detail thereby helping in mitigating the risks. For example, Yorkshire Water has effectively used predictive analytics to identify areas at risk of flooding in the UK, and improved the detection of blockages that could lead to flooding by 25-30%. The increased knowledge and insight allowed them to meet regulatory targets and also predict and avoid damage to the environment.
Data Analytics
--> Understanding and embracing a Fact based decision making System has a prerequisite - the data should be quantifiable, measurable and actionable. To support such a goal the Sustainability Business Analytics require three things, as mentioned by Software Advice in its article on Data collection and Business Intelligence.
1. Automated Data Collection - Danone, a Multinational Food corporation used its ERP data to determine the product footprint so as to evaluate its impact on the environment.The result was that the Analytics and the Management teams were able to benchmark the sustainability of its products within its portfolio in its specific location. Thus, Automate data collection provides direction to the development of Business strategy for performing the BI assessment.
2. Efficient implementation of BI tools - Business decisions have to be taken by analyzing the data across multiple Business and Sustainability dimensions. Under such circumstances BI tools become imperative. Visualization and 'Data Storytelling' become important to weed out unnecessary data.
3. Accountable Sustainability Teams - World wide mandates to reduce GHG emissions are compelling companies to look for new approaches to Sustainability management.To reduce the Environmental impact of these Businesses, different Business processes have to be streamlines to improve efficiency,enhance quality and add activities that are more environmental friendly. This means that the Sustainability teams have to be data-centric and Green BI proponents. Thus, the more accountable the CSR teams will be the more accountable the businesses and the marketplace will be,where conversation and efficiency can be more easily achieved.
1. Automated Data Collection - Danone, a Multinational Food corporation used its ERP data to determine the product footprint so as to evaluate its impact on the environment.The result was that the Analytics and the Management teams were able to benchmark the sustainability of its products within its portfolio in its specific location. Thus, Automate data collection provides direction to the development of Business strategy for performing the BI assessment.
2. Efficient implementation of BI tools - Business decisions have to be taken by analyzing the data across multiple Business and Sustainability dimensions. Under such circumstances BI tools become imperative. Visualization and 'Data Storytelling' become important to weed out unnecessary data.
3. Accountable Sustainability Teams - World wide mandates to reduce GHG emissions are compelling companies to look for new approaches to Sustainability management.To reduce the Environmental impact of these Businesses, different Business processes have to be streamlines to improve efficiency,enhance quality and add activities that are more environmental friendly. This means that the Sustainability teams have to be data-centric and Green BI proponents. Thus, the more accountable the CSR teams will be the more accountable the businesses and the marketplace will be,where conversation and efficiency can be more easily achieved.
System Analytics
--> Data mining capabilities should include metric analytics and forecasting. Out of the many Sustainability drivers and key variables the System should be able to identify key parameters that have the greatest impact on goal attainment.
--> Include Strategy Scorecards and Maps to manage and forecast the finances and resources needed to achieve the desired outcomes across the enterprise. Using such Systems Sustainability teams should be able to prioritize organizational strategies, align investments with product strategies and talent development activities.
Conclusion
Increasingly Businesses are facing responsiveness towards Social, Economic and Environmental changes around them throughout the world. Corporate leaders across industries are striving to transform their organizations to Fully formed Sustainable organization. Green Business Analytics enables such organization to measure,manage and report its Sustainability performance indicators,calculate its carbon footprint and evaluate alternative scenarios to take actions that have greatest impact in achieving its objective. Thus Green BI increases the organizations competitiveness. Hence, Green BI can deliver cost effective results so that all stakeholders can proudly embrace its solutions.
--> Include Strategy Scorecards and Maps to manage and forecast the finances and resources needed to achieve the desired outcomes across the enterprise. Using such Systems Sustainability teams should be able to prioritize organizational strategies, align investments with product strategies and talent development activities.
Conclusion
Increasingly Businesses are facing responsiveness towards Social, Economic and Environmental changes around them throughout the world. Corporate leaders across industries are striving to transform their organizations to Fully formed Sustainable organization. Green Business Analytics enables such organization to measure,manage and report its Sustainability performance indicators,calculate its carbon footprint and evaluate alternative scenarios to take actions that have greatest impact in achieving its objective. Thus Green BI increases the organizations competitiveness. Hence, Green BI can deliver cost effective results so that all stakeholders can proudly embrace its solutions.
Mission Sustainability @Schools should address the areas of Energy Conservation,Waste Reduction, Water Conservation,School Grounds and Transportation. The schools should have check-lists and audit mechanisms to keep their Sustainability goals in place for these respective areas.
Water Conservation
Water Conservation
GHS Uttarahalli a School based in Bangalore has made 'Greening Experience' as a part of their Students curriculum. There teachers and students Teamed up to create a Rain Water harvesting unit that will save both Money and Water for the school. The students had a field experience of creating an Environmental unit and see it work too.
Water Usage audit must be performed on a daily basis at the school level and also to encourage students to assess their personal usage 'Water Usage' worksheets must be presented to them. More so Schools should haveWater Reduction Checklist including measures such as Regular repairs of Leaks in taps and fountains,replace toilets with Low Flow toilets,organize class level clean up drives.
School Grounds
Green School grounds contribute to the overall well being of the students and the community involved. Natural planting of trees and shrubs can diminish Noise pollution and assist in cooling classrooms. Students should be encouraged to do gardening as such exercises provides them hands on opportunity to grow food,understand benefits of vegetables and promote sustainability. The School Yard Greening checklist should involve - creating a design that responds to the schools Ecological setting, involving local gardening community for delivering lectures on greening and biodiversity, establish a maintenance plan including weeding,watering,trimming and pruning. Thus Green School grounds promote Healthy activities for the community involved.
Transportation
Walking or Cycling to Schools promote health and reduces fuel consumption.Private Organizations,NGO's can partner with schools to issueStart Up Cycling or Walking kits that involve - Road Safety Tips,Neighbourhood Maps plotting customized Maps for Walking/Cycling routes,Reflective Vests for Students/Community Volunteer to wear and so on.
Transportation Audit can be integrated with the students curriculum.Students should be encouraged to use CO2 Calculators to find out how much Emission they can reduce using Sustainable Transportation.Sustainable Transportation checklist should involve Encourage students and staffs to walk or cycle to school,Host a bike to School event,Provide incentives for Car Pools if students stay at parts far away from School.
Reduce,Reuse,Recycle
Waste Segregation should be integrated with the existing curriculum for students. They should learn the importance of Segregation and understand the value of Waste reduction. Also Students should be taught to develop their own DIY Compost. As large scale Composting program can generate revenue by the sale of Finished Compost,this money can be used to offset the cost of Recycling.
Energy Conservation
Energy generation process from Renewable resources should be promoted at Schools through Curriculum. Energy Usage calculation can be taught at various levels at Schools so that students and teachers understand the importance of Energy conservation. Energy Audit check-list should have - Energy usage for Heating or Cooling,GHG emission due to Energy usage, Energy Saver Mode for Electronic equipments, Promotion of Natural lighting usage,Energy Star rating for Equipments and so on.
Thus, Sustainable Schools Best Practices Guide must be created and promoted. Such a guide should enlist these Checklists for respective areas,so that Schools can perform Self Audit to evaluate and tabulate their Sustainability Goals. More so, to promote Sustainability within Schoolcertain steps can be taken -
> Establish a School Green Team involving both Students and Teachers
> Organize Green Schools Surveys and Events to Educate the school community about the benefits of Greening and Sustainability
> Develop short and long term goals for Sustainability
> Appoint Consulting organization or Advising Authority for enhancing Sustainability at School
Hence, creating a School wide approach to Sustainability will engage our children in the Sustainability framework and ultimately Save our Earth.
Water Usage audit must be performed on a daily basis at the school level and also to encourage students to assess their personal usage 'Water Usage' worksheets must be presented to them. More so Schools should haveWater Reduction Checklist including measures such as Regular repairs of Leaks in taps and fountains,replace toilets with Low Flow toilets,organize class level clean up drives.
School Grounds
Green School grounds contribute to the overall well being of the students and the community involved. Natural planting of trees and shrubs can diminish Noise pollution and assist in cooling classrooms. Students should be encouraged to do gardening as such exercises provides them hands on opportunity to grow food,understand benefits of vegetables and promote sustainability. The School Yard Greening checklist should involve - creating a design that responds to the schools Ecological setting, involving local gardening community for delivering lectures on greening and biodiversity, establish a maintenance plan including weeding,watering,trimming and pruning. Thus Green School grounds promote Healthy activities for the community involved.
Transportation
Walking or Cycling to Schools promote health and reduces fuel consumption.Private Organizations,NGO's can partner with schools to issueStart Up Cycling or Walking kits that involve - Road Safety Tips,Neighbourhood Maps plotting customized Maps for Walking/Cycling routes,Reflective Vests for Students/Community Volunteer to wear and so on.
Transportation Audit can be integrated with the students curriculum.Students should be encouraged to use CO2 Calculators to find out how much Emission they can reduce using Sustainable Transportation.Sustainable Transportation checklist should involve Encourage students and staffs to walk or cycle to school,Host a bike to School event,Provide incentives for Car Pools if students stay at parts far away from School.
Reduce,Reuse,Recycle
Waste Segregation should be integrated with the existing curriculum for students. They should learn the importance of Segregation and understand the value of Waste reduction. Also Students should be taught to develop their own DIY Compost. As large scale Composting program can generate revenue by the sale of Finished Compost,this money can be used to offset the cost of Recycling.
Energy Conservation
Energy generation process from Renewable resources should be promoted at Schools through Curriculum. Energy Usage calculation can be taught at various levels at Schools so that students and teachers understand the importance of Energy conservation. Energy Audit check-list should have - Energy usage for Heating or Cooling,GHG emission due to Energy usage, Energy Saver Mode for Electronic equipments, Promotion of Natural lighting usage,Energy Star rating for Equipments and so on.
Thus, Sustainable Schools Best Practices Guide must be created and promoted. Such a guide should enlist these Checklists for respective areas,so that Schools can perform Self Audit to evaluate and tabulate their Sustainability Goals. More so, to promote Sustainability within Schoolcertain steps can be taken -
> Establish a School Green Team involving both Students and Teachers
> Organize Green Schools Surveys and Events to Educate the school community about the benefits of Greening and Sustainability
> Develop short and long term goals for Sustainability
> Appoint Consulting organization or Advising Authority for enhancing Sustainability at School
Hence, creating a School wide approach to Sustainability will engage our children in the Sustainability framework and ultimately Save our Earth.
Dear all,
Congratulations to all!!!!!
As we are know that our Hyderabad-India first time hosting this kind of UN summit of COP-XI of Bio diversity.
its very nice that atleast we civilised sociates have turned towards nature and want to protect the remaing nature & its sources but as per information,The USA is not officially signed the treaty of Biodiversity of UN,as every where it acts as a big brother but here it lacks.
so it is the resposibity of all 193 nations to resolve one motion to include USA also.
Any out put imnformation of Bio Diversity summit pleas share. and
can any body knows how to participate as a delegate in the ongoing summit/ for future summits
thank you.
Kind request to Pollution control BOard's Env. Engr. to throw light on "Criteria required for storage of Hazardous waste", HOw will be storage shed for temp. storage of HAz. Wastes.? HAve already gone thorugh teh Guidline of CPCB & MoEF. Willl it required complete RCC structure/load bearing structure? or it can be stored in Roof structure?Floorings, lighting, drain etc. are known, but clerification is required on structure.What is prefereable as per Rules?
THanks in advance..
NIDM is organizing a 5 days Training Course on “Ecosystem Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (EcoDRR)” during 8-12 October 2012 at NIDM, New Delhi. Course modules include vulnerability of ecosystems importance of ecosystem services, livelihood, role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Law, Policies in relation with Disaster Risk Management.
Last date of receiving nomination is 4 October 2012. Confirmation will be send to the participants by 5 October. For details contact Ms. Sreeja S. Nair, Assistant Professor (sreejanair22@gmail.com) or Dr. Anil K. Gupta, Associate Professor (envirosafe2007@gmail.com). Participation in this programme is limited to Govt officers and faculty members of Universities or leading NGOs. No TA/DA shall be provided for attending the course. Boarding lodging facility will be provided to Govt officers free of cost. There is no training fee.
The ongoing coalgate scam has revolted and puzzled me in equal measure. The former sentiment is easy to understand and reams have been, and no doubt will continue to be, printed about it. However, this post intends to concentrate on the reasons for the latter sentiment—just what is it about coal that is so odd?
For starters, not many know much about coal, except that it is a form of energy source that comes out of the earth. We may recall from the lessons we were taught at school that coal is primarily burned for the production of electricity and/or heat, and is also used for industrial purposes, such as metal refining and cement production. Better known as a fossil fuel, coal forms when dead plant matter is converted into peat, which in turn is converted into lignite, followed by sub-bituminous coal and bituminous coal, and lastly, anthracite. This involves biological and geological processes that take place over millions of years. Lignite, the lowest rank of coal, is used almost exclusively as fuel for electric power generation. Anthracite, the highest rank, is a harder black coal, used primarily for heating spaces. There is clinching evidence that coal has been used as early as 371–287 BC in Greece. Apparently, the Aztecs in America even used coal for ornamentation. It was during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries that demand for coal surged. The massive improvements in steam engine technology in the 1760s by James Watt were largely responsible for this. The history of coal mining and use is thus inextricably linked with that of the Industrial Revolution. In India too, the introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 initially kick-started the previously sluggish demand for coal.
Given that it is the largest source of energy generation worldwide even today—it creates about 40% of the world’s electricity—it obviously serves some very crucial functions. So, why all the hue and cry now? It’s because the combustion of coal causes the largest worldwide anthropogenic release of carbon dioxide emissions. Tie that in with climate change, and the argument for chucking coal is obvious.
Despite this, the use of coal continues to grow at a faster rate than for any other fuel. Indeed, theInternational Energy Agency (IEA) projects average coal demand to grow by 600,000 tons every day over the next five years, with rapidly developing economies like China and India alone likely to account for 68% of the increase!
Educated estimates suggest that, worldwide, we have enough coal to last over 190 years. Coal can be found on every continent in over 70 countries, with the biggest reserves in the USA, Russia, China, and India (home to about 55 million tons of extractable reserves and 95 billion tons of proven reserves).
Above: Proven Coal Reserves (Source: http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org)
However, there are caveats. A recent interdisciplinary study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports that coal composition, its structure, and properties differ considerably among mining locations, due to site-specific geologic conditions. These differences are a consequence of variation in chemical composition (mainly water and ash content), which in turn drives the selection of coal combustion technology and equipment. Coal types with lower energy content, higher ash content, and higher moisture content significantly drive up the capital cost of thermal power generation and lower the generating efficiency. For example, on average, Indian coal has ash content ranging from 30–50% (compared to 28–33% for average Chinese coal), which has long been recognized as a sticky problem, as it lowers calorific value. Coal washing can help overcome this issue, but it increases costs and causes large energy losses. Coal washing is also a water-intensive process. The spent water is highly polluted with heavy metals and fine particulate matter, which makes disposal a problem and causes serious harm to the environment when effluents are discharged into water bodies.
And yet, oddly enough, the world’s story with coal continues. Why? Because it is abundant and itscheap price fails to include its real costs. According to a World Bank study from 2006, the health effects from air pollution (primarily coal burning) will cost China, the world's largest coal consumer, USD 39 billion, or a whopping 13% of its GDP in 2020. A WWF report rightly says that coal is the world's "most expensive bargain."
As Professor Per Nicolai Martens of the Institute of Mining Engineering at the Aachen Technical University in Germany says, “You reach a point where people say you have to stop burning coal. But when you reach that point, you are forced to ask the question of what happens when you shut it off?” Although renewables have been on the horizon for a long time now, they have not made much headway against their darker cousin. As Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point puts it, “Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do.” Perhaps, soon one day, coal will too reach its tipping point and renewables will take over.
This post originally appeared at mahazareendastur.blogspot.com.
At the turn of the 20th Century,the majority of Indians lived in Rural areas and small towns.However, at the beginning of 21st century,every 4th Indian is a city dweller. As a city dweller as myself,many of us are in desperate need of open spaces and refresh ourselves in the outdoors.
City parks improve our physical and psychological health, and make our cities and neighbourhoods more attractive places to live and work. However, too few Indians are able to enjoy these benefits. More than 70% percent of Indian City Dwellers live in areas that are severely lacking in park space. Only 10-20% percent of City residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Also it has been seen that Low-income neighbourhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of Open spaces. Hence, there is a strong need to address such imbalances.
Some of the steps that will Promote Urban Parks are as follows -
1. Urban Parks as Community Places
India is a country of festivals. Festivals such as Diwali or Holi must be celebrated in parks. This provides a wonderful opportunity to enliven and enlarge the public realm of the city. Green spaces, Meditation centres and Hiking trails should be built in new age Urban parks for enhancing the Community Engagement. Walking Roller Coaster ride is an exquisite example of how Open Urban spaces can be made more Socially Engaging.
2. Parks as Playgrounds for Poor Neighbourhoods
In poor neighbourhoods, most of the Schools have poorly designed School-yard. Simply slabs of asphalt surrounded by barbed wire fences, with a locked gate. For a few hours each school day, children use them to burn off steam,and the valuable land gets no maintain-ance after schools hours. Thus, through Public Private partnership such Schools can rent upPlay-Yards in Urban spaces specifically designed for them.Such Social proposition will be beneficial for both the Neighbourhood and the Urban park.
Hiking,Biking,Nature Trail ..U just name it !!
3.Tax-Free Biking to Work Through a Park
Urban Parks should be designed in such a way that Biking trails create a short and exciting route to your work. Also, Tax Free cycling schemescan be promoted by NGO's through Government schemes for Green Transportation. Designing such Urban Landscapes will necessarily pave way for promoting Urban parks and Green Transportation. More so, if the existing Parks can be designed with Spaces where people can Dock there Electronic devices and Work then the purpose will be doubly benefited.
4. Parks as Recreation centres for Youth
Parks can serve the purpose of Youth Development community-based activities that help them build essential skills,knowledge, and aptitudes.The assets both children and youth need for their development fall into the major domains - physical, intellectual, psychological
and social. Community based programs that are Fun can help both Kids and Youth to acquire skills in any of the 4 domains. Organizing a Debate competition on Ecological benefits of park, Promoting Hiking and Biking for the youth and planting a community garden are all physically challenging yet intellectually stimulating activities of youth development. Also, Eco Friendly Gyms for the Youth should be developed and promoted.
5. Rain Water Harvesting, Recycling and Reuse Centre
As the catchment area is large,Parks present huge opportunity for Rain water harvesting.The water collected can be used for ground water table enhancement, and for Public Water supply for nearby neighbourhood. More so, through Public-Private partnership NGO's can demonstrate Recycle, Reuse activities and organize such events. Thus, Urban Parks can Promote Sustainability within the vicinity.
Mahatma Gandhi ji has said - “The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
It is the responsibility of the City Administrators and Concerned citizens that this Era of Relentless building of Pavements and Concrete must be regulated and Green Areas must be promoted. This will enhance the quality of life for every city dweller. Thus, using such innovative methods Urban parks can be integrated into the Busy lives of us City Dwellers.
I will end the post with this amazing experience of Best Parks around the world from Sustainable Living tips - http://www.sustainablelivingtips.net/2009/09/worlds-best-urban-parks.html.
Enjoy the virtual tour ..
On a 12 hr average working hours a day most of us spend approximately 3hours or more in traffic in most of the tier 1 cities in India. Our local governments are trying to address this issue broadly,however the results are remarkably in Vain. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE India has rightly pointed out several factors in her latest blog 'Temporary Solution,Permanent Jam'. Factors that temporary solve the issue,leaving room for permanent failure define the characteristic of most of the measures that Government is engaging now.
A Comparative Case Study(2012)
According to a News Published in DNA paper couple of months back,the city of Pune has now more than 23 lakh vehicles as compared to Mumbai which has 21 lakh vehicles.Interestingly Mumbai has a population of around 1.25 Crores while Pune has just over 55lakh. More so, while Mumbai has around 5000 Buses along with the network of Local trains,Pune has just around 1500 Buses for the whole population.According to Pune regional transport office, nearly 775 New vehicles are added each day,adding to the traffic woes in Pune. General Public state Poor Public transport as the Main reason because of which people are forced to use Private vehicles.
A CLASSIC Deadlock Isn't it !!
Possible Solutions
Well !! Most of the points made below are long term Solutions and Corrective actions that Local action bodies,Public-Private partners and Government should implement.
1. CAP the Number of Vehicles Added every year
A Harsh method but a MUST method. The ever increasing number of Vehicles added per year should be capped at a manageable level. More so,Easy LOANS available for vehicles must be regularised,meaning higher Interest rates must be charged to Individuals who purchase subsequent vehicles after one. Local Governing bodies can provide incentives to Public and Private Banks to account for such action. Message is clear here,unnecessary increase in Vehicular population MUST be Deterred.
2.Incentives for Using Public Transport
Increasing the existing capacity of Public transport is not much helpful. However, the existing facilities must be improved such as increasing the number of Green Buses,Better connectivity within city through Trams and Rails and so on. Tax reduction schemes by Employers and Local Governing bodies must be promoted for individuals using Public Transport on regular basis. No CAR or Personal Vehicle days must be organized in Cities in order to Promote Public Transport too.
3. Build Self Sufficient Housing Societies
Aim is to curb Short Distance Travels within the city. New Housing societies Must have ATM or E Banking outlets, Recognized and Registered Kindergarten for young toddlers,Shopping and Marketing facilities and so on. Also, work from Home culture and increased usage of IT facilities for Daily requirements must be promoted. More so, various Public and Privatecompanies can Tie Up with Infrastructure Building companies for creating such Self sufficient Housing Societies or Estates within the vicinity.
4. Promote Congestion Pricing
The whole point is do deter People from using the City Centre during the peak hours. Inspired by the success of London Congestion Charge this method helps in evenly distributing traffic and regulating the flow of vehicles in the city centre. Real Time Congestion Monitoring Devices and Systems have to be used. A recent report on Stockholm traffic monitoring states approximately 18% reduction of traffic during the rush hours at the city centre.
5. Build Self Sufficient 'Sub Cities' within Cities
Pune Chinchwad Municipality in tie up with JnNURM has in part implemented this methodology. The Pune Chinchwad area is now a Sub City, a self sufficient one, within the City of Pune. People staying in this area do not have to travel to the city centre of Pune Municipality on a daily basis. Such an initiative has become successful because of explicit Political Will and Innovative Public Private partnership. My post on 21st Century Urban City Planning explicitly states the types and design of New age Super cities. Urban planners now have to consider the city demographics to make such Self Sufficient Sub Cities.
As responsible citizens we have to rise also above the typical Indian Society pressure of 'Creating' a Status Symbol and Owing more and more things.Deliberate Consumerism is not going to Boom the general Economy but is going to Bane the Ecology too. Also, we have to Advocate our next generation about the importance of Environment and Sustainability,thereby promoting the usage of Environmentally friendly transportation.
We have to remember that Simple Living = Sustainable Living = Healthy Earth.
CSE’s short-term training programme on SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Last week left to register for the SIA training programme at CSE, New Delhi
The objective of this programme is to build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, NGOs and academicians to understand SIA process - Reconnaissance and Baseline Survey, Land Acquisition Survey and Plan (LAP) and Preparation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). The programme also aims at evaluating the SIA report along with the applicable legislations in India.
On completion of the programme the participants will be equipped with:
1. Exposure to aspects of SIA, from theory to applications regarding:
Understanding the Terms of Reference
Data need, data collection, collation and interpretation
Development of tools and instruments for conducting SIA survey
Effective assessment methodologies
Reporting methodologies
2. Integrated approach for addressing SIA and EIA process - from scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultations
3. Knowledge on review of SIA reports and identification of strengths and weaknesses
4. Post SIA monitoring
5. Procedure for institutional strengthening and capacity building
5. Experience sharing on national and international best practices in SIA
Course Duration: October 8-10, 2012
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi-110062
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Course fee: Rs 8,000(For developers, environment consultants and regulators) 50% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students
Last Date for Applying: October 1, 2012
For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org
OPEN FOR:
Government officials of Project Executing Departments, Developers, NGOs, CBOs, and Academicians, Students and Industries
A certificate of participation will be awarded to all at the end of the programme.
COURSE CONTACT
Swati Singh Sambyal, Research Associate,
Industry & Environment Unit
Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org
Urban agriculture is fast becoming an alternate model of an industry. The purpose of Urban farming is to respond to the nutritional demands of the city,from within that city.Urban agriculture expands the economic base of the city through production,processing and marketing of consumable products within the city.Also this helps to counter the chronic problem of Food insecurity.
The rationales behind Urban Agriculture or Vertical Farming are -
1.Currently more than 50% of the world population reside in the cities.By 2050,nearly 80% of the population will be in the cities.This demographic change will exert a tremendous pressure on Food resources.
2.At present 80% of the land that are suitable for agricultural purposes are used for raising crops.However, with the tremendous rise in the urban population,estimated at 3 Billion by 2030 or so, more than 1 Billion hectares of New agricultural land will be required for food production.
3.Low income urban dwellers spend almost 40-60% of their income on food each year,Yet more than 250 Million people go hungry in the cities at present.
Basics of Vertical Farming
Technology used in Urban Faming
1. Aeroponics/Hydroponics System
The process of growing plants suspended in a semi closed environment by spraying its roots with a nutrient rich solution is known as Aeroponics.Whereas, the process of using water as a nutrient medium for growing plants is known as Hydroponic system.Ideally the environment is kept free from pests and other disease causing germs so that the plants can grow healthy.The main ecological advantage of such systems is savings in water and energy.When grown commercially these techniques use one tenth of the water used under normal circumstances and one twentieth of the energy used in traditional methodology.
2.Greenhouse System
The primary heating mechanism for such a system is Convection.The system protects crops from pests,and too much of either Heat or Cold.Mainly,two types of Greenhouse systems exist - The Glass one and the Plastic one.This system allows certain crops to be grown throughout the year in high latitude countries.Ventilation design of Greenhouse systems is of prime importance,without a proper design crops may be subjected to different problems.
3.Composting
Is a key process in organic farming.The modern methods of composting combine measured inputs of air,water,carbon and nitrogen enriched nutrients.The compost acts as a natural pesticide,a fertilizer and a source of nutrients.
4.Phyto-Remediation
It a technique of treatment of plants and other environmental problems using specific plants. Examples where phyto-remediation has been used successfully include the restoration of abandoned metal-mine workings, and mitigation of on-going coal mine discharges.This method is a cost effective,clean and environmental friendly methodology to clean up the environment and to restore the balance of nature.
Thus, Urban farming presents promising methodologies for year around production of crops.This creates sustainable environment in urban areas for sustainable farming.More so, it reduces dramatically our dependency on fossil fuels and other non renewable sources of energy.Hence, Vertical farming offers measurable improvement of the urban economy.
The main factors governing Urban planning are: Climate Change,Resource Depletion,Food Insecurity and Economic Instability. If cities have to be sustainable for the future these issues have to be addressed immediately. An argument was put forward in the meetings of UN Habitat world forum and the World planners congress in Vancouver, 2006 that the profession of Urban planning has to be reviewed under the light of policies which are pro-poor and create sustainable livelihoods at the center of planning efforts.
Influential Forms of Urban Planning of the 20th Century
1. Neighborhood Unit - Low population density,full of open spaces, focused on community facilities, and assumed to create viable social communities.
2.Radburn Layout - Separates motorized traffic from pedestrians, characterized by open spaces and super blocks free of traffic.
3. Urban Renewal - Slum clearance and rehousing projects following Radburn and neighborhood layouts.
4. Road Hierarchy - creates a hierarchy of roads to take care of the urban traffic and its management. The lowest level of the hierarchy is the Environmental Cell, which takes care of local traffic. At the higher levels are the district and long distance traffic grids.
5. Suburbia - Assumes very high level of car ownership and large densities of population around structured areas of growth in a city. The residential complexes are development at the Urban periphery, are single family units and consists of large areas of Car movement systems and community facility networks.
The challenges confronting the cities of 21st Century
Environmental Concern -
1.The economics of climate change include access to basic elements of life such as Drinking water,Food production, and health and sanitation requirements.
2. Current economies are Oil based. Hence emission control is a major concern in both developing and developed economies.
Economic Concern -
1. The economic restructuring in current decades have lead to addition of gender dimension to the existing working culture. Women are disproportionately concentrated in the informal economies,particularly trades which involve low paid activities.
2. As the world economies have become integrated, rapid effects of recessions are predominant across all the countries of the Globe. Unemployment is a rapid phenomenon in almost all the countries of the world whenever the cycles of economics turn towards the recessionary position.
Urban Population Expansion -
1. From 2007 to 2025, the annual rate of change of urban population is expected to be 2.27% (developing regions) and 0.49% (developed regions), as per a report by UN Habitat,year 2008. The result of such a phenomenon is that while some of the cities in the West are experiencing 'Shrinkage', others in the East are becoming 'Mega-cities' of the future. This causes problems in terms of infrastructure management and local governance.
2. According to the Human development report 2009 by UN Habitat, close to 37% of the Urban population live in slums in inequitable and life threatening conditions. This issue of Urbanization of poverty is becoming a rapid phenomenon in developing countries experiencing rapid rate of growth in urban population.
Thus such concerns have refocused attention on Urban planning. The findings that approximately 17% of the cities in the developing world are experiencing an annual growth rate of around 4% or more, have lead to the growing concern of accommodating such population in the cities of the future. As, in many parts of the world old and conventional methods of Urban planning still exist, new methods of sustainable urban planning need to focus on Pro- poor dwelling developments,Improved resource utilization and better access to the local economies to reduce unemployment.
New Approaches of Urban Planning
1. Strategic Spatial Planning - It focuses on those aspects of a city that are important to the overall objectives of the Urban plan. The Spatial planning consists of directives and frameworks of conceptual urban plan rather than actual detailed plan. The important aspects of the Spatial plan have to be integrated with the regulatory aspects of Governing local policies.
2. New Approaches to Land Regularization and Management - The informal sector of cities are an issue of concern in New age Urban planning. These approaches focus on Positive Business aspects of such a sector and plans the urban dwelling accordingly.
3. New Forms of Master Plan - These plans are Bottom up, Participatory, Social Justice Oriented and aim to counter the effects of Land speculations. One important aspect is the Special Zones of Land access. This aims to control the dynamics of real estate market, provide secure housing to all and protect against down raiding the poor.
4. Compact City and New Urbanism - This approach adheres to spatial principles but at the local levels. This promotes cities with a fine grained mix of housing types,attractive public realms, pedestrian friendly street-scapes and public transportation access at ease.
To conclude, most of the new developments in Urban Planning aim to integrate with the governance processes. The regulatory frameworks need to have socially inclusive policies. The planning system should have the ability to adapt to the impending problems of environmental concerns and economic issues. Moreover, such activities have to be closely aligned with progressive National policies to promote long term sustainability of such Urban landscapes.
Being to belong to environmental field we all might be having information regarding the five elemnets of the universe- "Panchtavta". The word environment is related with panchtavta, but does not give a impressive feeling to a common man to protect or save it. Therefore to protect nature we must replace scietific vocubulary with general words which have direct relation between human being and nature. In this channel we may create more impact among the people to serve the nature.
