Environmental degradation has been increasing over the years, causing damage for the maintenance of ecological balance and reducing the life span of mankind. Environmental pollution is faced by all the major urban cities of developing countries like India; it arises due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, transportation, over population and lack of public awareness. Increase in pollution gives rise to severe congestion and respiratory disorders along with other air and water borne ailments. Fossils fuel driven vehicles account for nearly 60-70 per cent pollution in the urban environment in India. In Delhi, the intensity of noise pollution has reached 90 decibels, which is equal to the noise of a flying jet aeroplane. About 300 million tons of pollutants are emitted annually in the air world-wide, of which 10 million tons are contributed by India in the form of particulate CO, SO₂ , NOx etc. Plantation plays an important role in mitigating the environmental pollution and enhances the economic and aesthetic status of the surroundings; the vegetation normally acts as an absorbent of various air pollutants, filtering out dust, soot, smoke and many other fine particulate matters present in the air by the process of absorption, detoxification, accumulation and metabolization. Plants play the most important part in the cycle of nature. Without plants, there could be no life on Earth. They are the primary producers that sustain all other life forms. Plant species like Ficus infectoria, Morus sp. are known for mitigating noise and air pollution, plants such as Eucalyptus, Silver oak are good for arresting the drifting dust and smoke and to cut down noise. Thick and broad foliage plants, like Ficus elastic, are known for their noise absorption capacity. Shrubs likeNeriumindicum, Lantana camara are good accumulator of lead, sulphates and particulate matter. Peepal, Neem and Gular are tolerant to pollutants and to establish green belt, can be planted around factories, industries and at national highways. People’s participation in the forestry and horticultural programmes is the best way to turn huge barren lands into green landscape for improving the present status of the environment.

Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia Pacific

nergy is central to sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts. It affects all aspects of development -- social, economic, and environmental -- including livelihoods, access to water, agricultural productivity, health, population levels, education, and gender-related issues. None of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be met without major improvement in the quality and quantity of energy services in developing countries. It is estimated that approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity. Furthermore, 2.7 billion people continue to rely on solid fuels such as traditional biomass and coal for cooking and heating and this is expected to rise to 2.8 billion in 2030. In recent times the two major international endorsements of the elements of sustainable development the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), have recognized universal access to energy as an important goal. India has emerged as a leader in promoting renewable energy development and tackling global climate change. The energy sector requires a major transformation in technology, which would also involve changes in infrastructure as well as the mix of energy supply in the future. It is obvious that if India has to attain a 9 to 10 per cent growth of the economy, the management of the energy sector and its evolution in the coming future would need attention by the country’s leadership and every section of society.

Access to sustainable sources of clean, reliable and affordable energy has a profound impact on multiple aspects of human development; it relates not only to physical infrastructure (e.g. electricity grids), but also to energy affordability, reliability and commercial viability.  In practical terms, this means delivering energy services to households and businesses that are in     line with consumers' ability to pay. Investing in clean, efficient, affordable and reliable energy systems is indispensable for a prosperous, environmentally sustainable future.  Ensuring energy security will require diversification of types and sources of energy, with increasing focus on consumer needs, on indigenous energy supplies, energy efficiency and regional interconnections. Greater use of clean energy obviously contributes to sustainability of the development process, and this issue will become more important in the years that lie ahead. Developing countries account for 82 per cent of the world’s population and they use 55 per cent of the available global supply of energy. They must aim at faster growth of their GDP to improve the living standards of their populations and this will entail an expanded demand for energy. If they follow the industrialized countries in meeting their energy requirements through fossil fuel based energy, the impact on the global climate would be simply unsustainable. This poses a global challenge. We can only meet the challenge by responding in two ways. First, we must contain the total growth in energy associated with the growth of GDP by improving energy efficiency. Second, we can work to shift from conventional to non-conventional or clean energy. 

Asia has been experiencing sustained high economic growth in the recent years. However, there still exists substantial amount of unacceptable poverty among the people in the region. The expressions of symptoms of such poverty include among others inadequate educational and health attainment of the people and lack of access to basic amenities like modern clean energy, safe water and sanitation, which are crucial determinants of human capability development.

The basic paper on which the seminar will be based analyses the implications of this high inclusive growth for removing poverty and inequity, in respect of the twin challenges of environmental sustainability of the required energy growth and energy security in Asia Pacific. The energy security is discussed both in the sense of removal of energy poverty and that of reducing the level of vulnerability of the economy in the face of oil price rise as experienced in the recent years. It addresses particularly the question of linkage between income poverty and energy poverty and the implication of energy poverty alleviation in Asia Pacific in respect of global environmental sustainability. It further discusses in this context the instrumental role of choice of fuel and technology (like bio-fuel among others) and institutional changes like economic reforms in determining the energy efficiency as well as energy security. It finally addresses certain selected policy issues from macroeconomic perspective including that of policy linkage between energy security and food security in the context of bio-liquids development.

The challenges faced by society today, including climate change and scarcity of energy resources, require answers of an interdisciplinary nature in the study, design, operation, and regulation of systems that generate, transport or use energy. IDSAsr has been addressing these challenges in the context of its Energy for Sustainability (ESD) Initiative, bringing together professors and researchers from several Research Units and Faculties.

One segment of the energy sector which acquires high priority is in the field of renewable energy production and supply. India is one of the countries in the world which receives the largest flow of solar energy incident on its land area. We also have substantial wind energy potential. In addition, India produces large quantities of agricultural waste which makes biomass an attractive option for conversion to modern fuels both through gasification on a decentralized basis, and possible conversion to liquid fuels on a diverse scale through technologies that is being worked on across the world, though not adequately in India.

Renewable energy is energy that comes from resources which are continually replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. About 16 per cent of global final energy consumption comes from renewable resources, with 10 per cent of all energy from traditional biomass, mainly used for heating, and 3.4 per cent from hydroelectricity. New renewable (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) account for another 3 per cent and are growing very rapidly. While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas where energy is often crucial in human development. As of 2011, small solar PV systems provide electricity to a few million households and micro-hydro configured into mini-grids serves many more. Over 44 million households use biogas made in household-scale digesters for lighting and/or cooking and more than 166 million households rely on a new generation of more-efficient biomass.

It's a great that biotechnology has developed powerful approaches to find cures to diseases, curb climate change and reduce reliance on foreign oil. Synthetic biology promises to change the world by making biology easier to engineer and enabling solutions to some of the world’s most difficult problems. Bio technology is to be at the forefront of the emerging field of advanced biofuels production to develop scientific breakthroughs to help solve the energy crisis. Latest techniques in plant science, molecular biology and chemical engineering has to be developed to produce affordable, sustainable, carbon-neutral fuels identical to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Traditionally, most of the chemicals we use are produced using chemical synthesis, which is the combination of simple chemicals to form more complex ones. Enzymes can do in one step what might take many steps using synthetic organic chemistry. Redesigning microbes (like yeast) to be miniature chemical reactors that transform sugars into fuels. To engineer a microbe to be a chemical factory, genes are grafted from plants and other naturally occurring life forms into the microbe. Once inside the cells, the genes produce enzymes that do the chemistry to transform sugars into chemicals. Efforts are directed towards making biofuels out of sugars. Microbes are engineered to transform sugars into energy-rich fuels that can directly replace petroleum-derived gasoline, diesel and jet fuel having identical properties to petroleum-based fuels. There is no need to replace our cars, trucks or planes to use the fuels. Efforts are on ways to extract sugar from cellulosic biomass, such as paper waste, trees that have fallen down in the forest, the residue of crops such as corn husks and stalks - everything but the kernel of corn - and non-food plants such as switch grass. Because plants grow by fixing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, burning a fuel made from cellulosic biomass does not add extra carbon to the atmosphere, unlike the burning of fossil fuels, which produces carbon emissions.

Market forces alone will not provide sufficient financing in this environment unless the risks of policy change are appropriately addressed. We need to know more about what each of us is doing and this ESD-2013 is an excellent platform for experience sharing across the countries. These are early days in our effort at developing a workable strategy and much remains to be done. ESD-2013 will go a long way in developing a workable agenda for energy efficiency and expansion of clean energy for the world. The theme for the ESD-2013 is Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia Pacific which is dedicated to debating the challenges posed by the increasing concentration of the world's population. Everyone involved in research is invited to participate in ESD- 2013. The Seminar will be a privileged forum for debating new research streams and challenges and for identifying areas of success and partnership opportunities in the fields of Energy and Sustainability. ESD-2013-e-Bro.docx

Invention of fire is probably the most significant event in the history of human civilization, which marked the beginning of a new era in the journey of human beings towards a better life. Use of fire in day-to-day activities helped the primitive man to go ahead towards an evolved life, and thus, fire became a part and parcel of our sociocultural life also.

Fire acts as a major source of energy for household activities to a large number of people around the world. We, the people of the Northeast and the entire country are not an exception. However, while enjoying the wide range of benefits derived from the use of fire, we always remain ignorant about the danger lying behind this wonderful thing. This is nothing but indoor air pollution. This silent killer has been grasping the lives of enormous number of children below the age of five and women together in the world, especially in the developing countries.

It is a well-known fact that 50 per cent of the world’s population and 90 per cent of the population from third world countries use biomass fuels like wood, bamboo, straw, crop residues and animal excreta as a source of energy. It is needless to say that this is mostly for lighting a fire. Women and children play the key role in gathering these fuels. Moreover, this group of people spend the maximum hours of a day in the kitchen while working and allied works are going on. This is particularly important as it leads to their exposure to the giant killing factor which is termed as ‘indoor air pollution’. To be precise, people from the lower economic classes or people below poverty line are the main victims of this pollution. This is because of the fact that they have no other options but to live in small houses without a proper ventilation system. Lack of proper ventillations in rooms, especially in the kitchens, increases the pollutant concentration in indoor air, which aggravates the harmful effect. In this content, we should not forget that such type of houses are most common in India.

The major causal factor of indoor air pollution is the incomplete combustion of biomass material in our traditional firestores (chullas) resulting noxius pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, smoke and different types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. All of these have significantly harmful health effects.

Although this phenomenon of indoor air quality deterioration attacks every age group and sex, the effects are found to be considerably high among the women and children of age group below five years; the reason being their increased level of exposure. Research has revealed that a large percentage of pregnant women in rural India deliver babies with lesser birth weight and also dead babies, as a result of carbon monoxide pollution. This, can directly be attributed to indoor air pollution to a great extent.

Major health problems related to indoor air pollution are eye disorders like cataract, blindness, respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, coronary diseases, etc. According to a WHO report, smoke released from incomplete combustion of biomass fuel is a major death factor in underdeveloped nations. Indoor air pollutants like particulate matter, sulphur and nitrogen oxides result in decreased efficiency of immune system, impaired respiratory system as well as underdeveloped foetus in pregnant women, tuberculosis, etc.

But the astonishing fact is that due importance is not yet given to this dreaded problem that is claiming lives of a major portion of our population. Generally, malaria, AIDS and food security are recognized as the leading causes of death in third world nations. But now onwards, we have to remember that against 20 per cent of death toll from malaria, indoor air pollution accounts for 50 per cent of death in these nations.

Combating indoor air pollution is a serious concern as it is more or less dependent on the socioeconomic considerations of life. It is a bare truth that economic under development tends to result in use of lower grade fuels by the economically lower group of people. It is impossible to increase the use of cleaner fuels like LPG until their economic conditions are not uplifted. So, it requires an integrated effort from all parts of the society and the international community as a whole to counteract this evil.

Manoshi Goswami

http://www.assamtribune.com/oct1808/horizon1.html

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is an important tool to inform decision makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible social and economic impact of a proposed project.

To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders. Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed hands-on three-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on SIA with specific reference to deve lopment projects, such as infrastructure, mining and other industrial projects.

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

6. Experience sharing on national and international best practices in SIA

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:
Date: June 3-7, 2013
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily

Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For developers, environment consultants and regulators) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: May 29, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

OPEN FOR:
Government officials of Project Executing Departments, Developers, NGOs, CBOs, and Academicians, Students and Industries

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

With industrialization and development, there is a growing concern over the hazardous waste generation. The levels of dangerous wastes continue to grow. Industries and individuals continue to be largely unaware of this major environmental problem. With pitiable landfill management facilities there is a growing concern over the management of hazardous waste.

Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on three-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on hazardous waste with specific reference to characterization of hazardous waste, design of landfill, incinerator facilities and hazardous waste
manangement.

The programme will cover:

1. Exposure to the status of hazardous waste in India
2. Characterisation, recycle and reuse of hazardous waste
3. Understanding of hazardous waste management governing laws in the country
4. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of hazardous waste
5. Design of a landfill site, incineration and best practices involved
6. Good practices involved in the management of hazardous waste
7. National and international best practices

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: June 24-28, 2013

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) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: June 18, 2013

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

A new electrochemical reactor to reduce COD and TDS simultaneously.

ZLD becomes a reality and economical with an integrated electrochemical reactor that removes COD and TDS by advanced electrooxidation and electrodialysis processes. This type of reactor acheives >90% reduction in both COD & TDS

Hi All

will you suggest me about'' what is impact on Ground water level if ground water withdrawal by mechanical pump regularly.   

Thanks 

Vikrant Tongad

Environmental Activist 

Gr. Noida 

9310842473

                                     Environmental Article

Threats to the environment from the progressive deterioration of the Biosphere have emerged as one of the major issues of modern times to on this issue world has become about conscious of the world wide problems of keeping the environment safe for human existence.Same after the Stockholm 5 June, 1972- Human Environment conference India.Took many steps to protect the environment. The constitution of India was amended in order to insect direct provisions for protection of environment. The constitution (42 Amendment) act, 1976, inserted in the directive principles as Article us-A states: “The state shall endow or to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of country.

Stone crushing industry is an important industrial sector in the state engaged in producing crushed stone which is raw material for various construction activities like construction of road, highways, bridge etc.These stone crushers through socio economically an important sector, given rise to substantial quantity of fugitive fine dust emissions resulting into health hazards to the workers as well as surrounding population and This dust also adversely affects visibility reduces growth of vegetations and hampers aesthetics view of the area.

 Air pollution is a major problem in modern society. Even thrugh air pollution is usually a greater problem in cities, pollutants contaminate air everywhere. These substances include various gases and tiny particles, or particles that can harm human health and damage the environment. The interaction between plants and different types of pollutants were investigated by many authors: most studies on the influence of environmental pollution focus on physiological and ultrastructural aspects (Heumann, 2002; Psaras and Christodoulakis, 1987; Velikova et al., 2000). Studies concerning the anatomy of the vegetative organs under conditions of pollution have been also carried out (Alves et al., 2008; Ahmad et al., 2005; Silva et al., 2005, 2006, Verma et al., 2006). The reaction of different species to the altered environmental conditions is strongly correlated with their structural and functional features. Although some remains natural, According to Christodoulakis and Fasseas (1990) show no significant changes in Laurus nobilis (a resistant xerophytic plant) leaf structure exposed to air pollutants in Athens. Studies show that under the action of pollutants, plants develop different morphological and anatomical changes.

Various authors investigated the effects of pollution on different species of Fabaceae. The strong correlation between the degree of contaminations in all plant leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia (Fabaceae) reflect the environmental changes accurately, and that they appear as an effective biomonitor of environmental quality (Celik et al., 2005). Bidar et al. (2006) have considered the species Trifolium repens as resistant to the action of heavy metals, based on the activity of superoxide dismutase.

 Air pollution generally and especially dust from stone crusher plant sites are known to be responsible for vegetation injury and crop yield loss and thus become a threat to the survival of plants in industrial areas (Iqbal and Shafig, 2001). Such Dust reduce plant cover, height and number of leaves.

A part from the dust emitted, toxic compounds such as Fluoride, Magnesium, Lead, Copper, Sulphuric acid and Hydrochloric acid are injurious to the vegetation.        

Stone crushing is a global phenomenon, and has been the cause of concern everywhere in the world, including the advanced countries. Dust from quarry sites is a major source of air pollution, although the severity will depend on factors like the local microclimate conditions, the concentration of dust particles in the ambient air, the size of the dust particles and their chemistry, for example limestone quarries produce highly alkaline and reactive dusts. The stone crusher dust is not only a nuisance (in terms of deposition on surfaces) and possible effects on health, in particular for those with respiratory problems but dust can also have physical effects on the surrounding plants, such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and abrasion of leaves and cuticles, as well as chemical effects which may affect long-term survival (Guach, 2001).

One of the biggest negative impacts of dust on the environment is the damage to Biodiversity (Anand, 2006). The term biodiversity refers to the variety and abundance of plants, animals and microorganism as well as the ecosystem and ecological and ecological process to which these belongs.The terms Biodiversity was coined by WALTER G.ROSEN in 1985. Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional, and local levels, the production of oxygen, reduction of carbon-dioxide into carbon and oxygen. Biodiversity essentially refers to the range of living species, including fish, insects, invertebrates, reptiles, bird, mammals, plants, fungi and even micro-organisms. Biodiversity conservation is important as all species are interlinked even if this is not immediately visible or even known, and our survival depends on this fine balance that exists within nature. Both positive and adverse societal impacts of modern manufacturing technologies have great consequences on economics, health, safety and environment in general (Anand, 2006).

Every species and sub-species recorded at the site were evaluated according to International Union for Conservation of Nature for flora and fauna species red list data (IUCN, 2009). Diversity Index was calculated using Shannon Weaver’s Index with the formula H= -EPi In Pi where S is the number of species, P is the proportion of individuals or abundance of the ith and In is the log base n. This index combines species richness with relative abundance. Shannon’s equitability or evenness was calculated using the formula Eᴴ = H/ In S. The major growth forms (Cain and De Oliveria Castro, 1959) were noted.

Questionnaires were administered to provide adequate information on the socio-economic status of the species utilization by the inhabitants at the surrounding villages.

In this study, we would be reviewed that information specifically related to crusher dust in and around the study area and its effect on plant vegetations.

 Environmental contamination due to dust particle coming from Cement Industries, Coal Mining, Quarrying, Stone Crushing, Thermal Power Plant etc., has drawn much attention to the environmental scientists today as they create serious pollution problems and pose threat to the ecosystem. The cement industry also plays a vital role in the imbalances of the environment and produces air pollution hazards (Stern, 1976). These dust particulates are causing large scale deforestation destruction of Biota (Panda, 1996) and other natural resources. Among these deposition of cement kill dust in large quantities around cement factories causes changes in soil physical chemical properties (Asubiojo, 1991; Saralabai, 1993). The effect of such deposition affects the growth and biochemical characteristics of field crops has also been widely studied (Prasad and Inamadar, 1990; Prasad et al., 1991).

Stone quarrying and crushing industries are an important class of “essential industry” that supplies the raw material for many large scale construction and transport related projects. During the stone crushing process, large size boulders in the range between 200-300 mm are taken from the mine and are unloaded from almost 25 feet height into the mount of primary crusher machine of the unit where these are broken into smaller pieces. These pieces are taken through a conveyor belt to disintegrator which produces powder out of these small granules followed by size-wise separation through vibrator. Finally different sized chips are carried to different product sites and a hoper is served as the dust collector. Generally, final products are of three different size granules, e.g., 6, 12 and 20 mm. By this process, large amount of free silica is produced which increases the risk of silicosis and silico-tuberculosis. This huge amount of micro size dust is the major concern for personal as well as community health. Generally, stone crushing industries are located adjacent to the highways and nearby communities for the sake of convenient transport facilities. Mainly rural, migrant, untrained and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized sector where the focus on workers health and socioeconomic conditions are generally neglected.

About 12% of the earth’s crust consists of free silica, mostly quartz. “Free Silica” is nothing but Sio2 which microns are capable of reaching the alveolar region of respiratory system that can cause silicosis. These particles are commonly known as “respirable” particles. The silica particles induce fibrosis in the lungs, i.e. the normal lung tissue is replaced by non-functioning fibrous tissue.

Sand and gravel mining has been one of the serious environmental problems around the globe in recent years. The often results in land degradation, loss of agricultural lands and biodiversity as well increased poverty among people.

                                                                                 JITIN RAHUL

                                                                                            JRF-Ph.D

                                                                           INDIAN SCHOOL OF MINES

                                                                              DHANBAD, JHARKHAND

                                                                                              INDIA

                                                                           E-Mail- jitin.nature@gmail.com

Greetings from Cities Network Campaign! 

South Asian Cities Summit 2013 
17-18 April 2013 
Hotel Imperial 
New Delhi, India. 

Your chance to be a part of this International Event - Register Now! 

Your opportunity to network with officials from the following participating 
Ministries/Organisations/ Companies/ Institutions/NGOs/ Others: 

Ministry of Urban Development, GoI 
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI 
Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI 
Ministry of Power, GoI 
Ministry of Urban Transport, Govt of Sri Lanka 
Department of Environment - Govt. of NCT of Delhi 
Department of Commerce, GoI 
Municipal Corporations: 50-60 cities across South Asian countries 
State Govt of Jharkhand, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Directorate of Municipal 
Administration, Karnataka, etc 

UN Habitat, UNESCO, WRI, WRI – India, AIILSG, The Green Mantra, Philips 
Electronics, Siemens, Atkins Global, US Trade and Development Agency, CDIA, 
ICMA, UMC, UCLG - ASPAC, Australian Trade Commission, European Union, Oxfam 
India, Infosys, NOKIA India, TERI, NIUA, GBPN, ISET, IESA, REEEP, EBTC, Clean 
Coal Centre - IEA, Nasscom Foundation, EMBARQ, Asahi Glass Foundation, SREI, 
New Ventures India, Urban News Digest, First Green Consulting, NIDM, 
Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, CDKN, NWSAI, Strategic Consulting 
Group Pvt. Ltd, UBIFRANCE- The French Trade Commission in India, South Pole, 
Center for Environmental Studies, Govt. of Odisha, UPES, SAFEE, IRADe, AMTL, 
Attero, juwi India Renewable Energies Shanthala Power, Centre for Science and 
Environment, Chintan India, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, ISC, CEEW, MIND Lanka, 
University of Wyoming, Municipal Association of Bangladesh, Actionaid Bangladesh, 
metropolis, Rural Area Development Programme- Nepal and many more. 

Your opportunity to meet: 

Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Commissioners, Senior City officials, Central & State Govt. officials, Investors, Venture Capitalists, Technology providers, Consultants, Researchers, Experts, Technocrats, Consultants and others. 

Register Now! Visit www.southasiancitiessummit.com for more details or email me at anuradha.das@citiesnetworkcampaign.org. 

Looking forward to you participation. 

Regards, 
Anuradha

Dear all

any idea on hydrocarbon degrading bacteria for  bio treatment of hydrocabon contaminated soil  to reduce content of contamination from 7000 ppm to 1000 pm with six month in sandy soil

Dear all,

Good morning all experts

please share the information of Ecological flora and fauna survey methods to analyse the ecology and environment of the surroundings

and also suggest any best books for the same.

While Studying EIA as it is my our syllabus , I was bit curious to know how EIA of Airport are made. I searched few EIA reports on net and also EIA of Navi Mumbai Airport.(attached pdfs of EIA of Navi Mumbai Airport from net)  Few things about which I am confused are :

According to the report:

1) Ulwe river comes in Airport area (will will be diverted foe project purpose later)

2) The Elephanta Caves are at 13.5km from the project

3) Panvel Railway station is 1.5km from the project.

My doubts:

1) The distance between Ulwe and Elephanta Cave is with in 10 km (if i am not wrong).

2) Karnala Bird Sanctuary is in Panvel panvel 2 karnala map shows the fact how it is Gate of Sanctury is 13.5km from panvel railway station and not the sanctuary itself. 

One from above is Eco-sensitive zone and other is Historical monument.

So I wonder ,how the project has been passed?

These are the major things I observed. I am unaware of many things, so please if any one who can help me know how this 2 points are write or wrong. It would be helpful if you answer as soon as possible. 

Thank You.

"looking for Opportunity as EIA Coordinator, FAE in water quality & EB, statutary clearances. Experienced in EIA since last 12.5 years in infra projects like airports, ports, Highways, river valley irrigation and hydal power projects, construction projects for getting Env clearances and EIAs. "

If any suitable post pls contact on prajaktakulkarni2009@gmail.com.

Please watch my recent TEDxSingapore Women talk on the importance of food plant diversity in the context of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. 

Thanks for watching! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk-oC_yKrk4 

Dear Friends,

We are planning to take up in the next academic year an “Environment Awareness Program” for schools (ISCE & SSLC) in and around Bangalore.  I would need your help if you could point me to a readymade curriculum that can be used.  In case you know of anyone please do let me know.   Much appreciated.  DP Daniel

I am graduate in Biotechnology and pursuing Post Graduation in Environmental Sciences , I am not getting the concept of , WHY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PG DEGREE IS NOT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR INDIAN FOREST SERVICE? as they are closely related to this field. 

Training Programme on Urban and Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Challenges, Options and Solutions

The fast growing economy, rapid industrialisation and growing urban population in India along with increasing wastewater generation are reasons for concern and reiterate the need for appropriate water management practices. Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a five-day hands on training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on wastewater treatment for industrial and urban wastewater management including reuse and recycle.

The objective of this programme is to build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, consultants, NGOs, students and academics to understand wastewater treatment process, technologies and affordable treatment options. The programme further aims at evaluating the performance and design parameters along with the applicable cost implication associated with each treatment system.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Issues and challenges of urban and industrial wastewater treatment, conservation/ efficiency including reuse and recycle.
• Wastewater treatment technologies including advanced treatment options
• Decentralized approaches in treating urban wastewater (existing and emerging)
• Planning, designing, monitoring and inspection of wastewater treatment systems
• Proficiency on water and wastewater accounting
• Sector specific exposure on wastewater treatment and management such as construction and industrial projects (distillery, tannery, textile, refinery, power plant etc).
• Concept of zero discharge with case studies
• Issues and challenges with Common Effluent Treatment Plants and way ahead
• State of art practices for wastewater management
• Law, policy options and standards for wastewater treatment
• Hands on experience in wastewater sampling and analysis

TOOLS
Lectures by experts, site visits to existing projects, practical group exercises, presentations by participants, reference materials and film screening.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Regulators, Consultants, Engineers, Environment Managers, NGOs, Academics and Students.

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:
Date: May 6-10, 2013
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062
Time: 9.00 AM to 5 PM daily

Course fee: The course fee is Rs. 9900 per participant. The fee includes training material, field visit, lunch, tea/coffee and refreshments during training and field visit.

Discounts for NGOs and students: They can avail a discount of 25% on the course fee. Discounted seats are limited and offered on first come first serve basis.

Fellowships Available for South Asian Participants. Participants will get a certificate at the end of the course.

Last Date for Applying: April 30, 2013

For information 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

CSE’s short-term EIA training programme UNDERSTANDING EIA: FROM SCREENING TO DECISION MAKING

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.

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: April 22-26, 2013
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) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: April 15, 2013

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