CHAPTER 12

Community

Organization to

Promote Environmental Health

NATIONAL LEVEL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

• Environment is the global subject.
• Environment affects the lifestyle of individual and may give rise to various infections and health issue if the environment that surrounds human are not clean.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

• The ministry is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating the implementation of environmental programmes in the country.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• It is statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Functions of CPCB

• Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.

• Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide program for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.

• Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board.

Central Ganga Authority

• The “Ganga Action Plan” (GAP) for immediate reduction of pollution load on the river Ganga was prepared by the Department of Environment in December 1984.

It is responsible for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco development activities in the country, with special attention to the degraded forest areas and lands adjoining the forest areas, national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas.

Ecological Development Board

Environmental Protection Authority

• The functions of the EPA are broad and include conducting environmental impact assessments. Preparing statutory policies for environmental protection.

National Museum of Nature Sciences

• This museum focused on nature, located in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1972 and opened in 1978, the museum functioned under the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India.

Environment Research Society

• It is an independent, non-profit organisation based in New Delhi.

National Level Voluntary Organizations

• Center for Science and Environment

• Wild Life of India, Dehradun

• Botanical Survey of India, Kolkatta

• Central Forestry Commission (CFC)

• World Wide Fund for Natural India

STATE LEVEL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

• The growing cities, sharp increasing traffic, rapid urbanization and industrialization has resulted in increase of pollution.
• State pollution control board
• Forest and environment department

State Pollution Control Board

• To issue the license to any new industry or hospital related to pollution control.

• To conduct research on environmental issue.

Forest and Environment Department

• Planning and policy making regarding pollution control.

Transport Department

• To validate the pollution under control certificate of vehicles.

Public Health and Engineering

• To provide the safe drinking water.

Health Department

• To control the infections and vector borne diseases, bio waste management.

• To conduct survey and research related to health and environment.

Functions

• To maintain the sewage and sanitation in their areas.

• To arrange camp related to health and environmental issues.

VOLUNTARY AND SOCIAL AGENCIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

• Bombay Natural History Society
• World Wide Fund for Nature India
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
• Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA)

LEGISLATION AND ACTS REGULATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE

Introduction

• Government of India has started many initiatives to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem.
• The laws are made for the prevention and control of air pollution, water pollution, proper waste disposal, etc.

Act Related to Environment are as follow:

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Objectives

• Prevention and control of water pollution.

• Maintaining or restoring wholesomeness of water.

Role of Central Board

• To advise the central Govt. on issues related to water pollution.

• To organize training of persons engaged in pollution control.

Role of State Board

• To advice the state government issues related to the water pollution.

• To inspect the trade effluents and waste water treatment plants.

• To find out recent methods for disposal, treatment and reuse of waste water.

Penalties for Violation of the Provisions of the Acts

• In case of failure to give information by a person discharging effluents into stream or well , the penalty is Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to ` 10000 or both.
• In case of permitting polluting material into stream or well or on land, the penalty is imprisonment for 1.5 to 6 years or fine or both.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

Objectives

• Prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

• Maintaining the quality of air.

• Establishment of Boards for the prevention and control of air-pollution.

Role of Central Board

• To improve the quality of air.

• To establish or recognize testing laboratories.

Role of State Board

• To plan a comprehensive program for prevention and control of air pollution and implement the same.

Some Industries are Under Air Act, 1981

• Fertilizer industries

• Engineering industries

• Food and agricultural products industries

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Objectives

• Protection and improvement of environment (air, water, land).

• Prevention of hazards to all living creatures (humans, animals, plants).

Wildlife Protection Act

• It was passed by the Parliament of India on August 12, 1972 and was enacted on September 9, 1972.
• The Act was introduced with an aim to provide safeguard and protection to animals, birds, and plants present in the country.

Authorities Appointed Under the Act

• The Central Government appoints the Director of Wildlife Preservation and assistant directors and other officers subordinate to the Director.

• The State Governments appoint a Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) who heads the Wildlife Wing of the department and exercises complete administrative control over Protected Areas (PAs) within a state.

Salient Features of the Act

Prohibition of Hunting

• It prohibits the hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules I, II, III and IV of the act.

Exception

A wild animal listed under these schedules can be hunted/killed only after getting permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of the state if:

• It becomes dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land).

Prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants

• It prohibits the uprooting, damage, collection, possession or selling of any specified plant from any forest land or any protected area.

Exception

• The CWLW, however, may grant permission for uprooting or collecting a specific plant for the purpose of education, scientific research, preservation in a herbarium or if a person/institution is approved to do so by the central government.

Declaration and Protection of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks

• The Central Government can constitute any area as a Sanctuary, provided the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance.

Bodies Constituted under the Act

• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): As per the act, the central government of India shall constitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).

• It serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.

Schedules Under the Act

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has divided the protection status of various plants and animals under the following six schedules:

Schedule I

• It covers endangered species that need rigorous protection. The species are granted protection from poaching, killing, trading, etc.

• A person is liable to the harshest penalties for violation of the law under this Schedule.

Schedule II

• Animals under this list are also accorded high protection with the prohibition on their trade.

• They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life or if they are suffering from a disease/ disorder that goes beyond recovery.

Schedule III and IV

• Species that are not endangered are included under Schedule III and IV.

• This includes protected species with hunting prohibited but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.

Schedule V

• This schedule contains animals that are considered as vermin (small wild animals that carry disease and destroy plants and food). These animals can be hunted.

Schedule VI

• It provides for regulation in cultivation of a specified plant and restricts its possession, sale and transportation.

• Both cultivation and trade of specified plants can only be carried out with prior permission of competent authority.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA, 1980)

• The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 (FCA, 1980) is an act by the Parliament of India which ensures conservation of forest and its resources.

Objectives of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980

The aim of the Forest is to preserve the forest ecosystem of India by fulfilling the following objectives:

• Protect the forest along with its flora, fauna and other diverse ecological components while preserving the integrity and territory of the forests.

• Arrest the loss of forest biodiversity

Objectives of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980

The aim of the Forest is to preserve the forest ecosystem of India by fulfilling the following objectives:

• Protect the forest along with its flora, fauna and other diverse ecological components while preserving the integrity and territory of the forests.

• Arrest the loss of forest biodiversity

Important Sections of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980

Section 1: Title and Scope

• The law applies to the whole of India except for Jammu and Kashmir.
• However, when Article 370 was removed, it meant all laws at the central level became applicable.

Section 2: Restriction of Forests Being Used for Non-forest Purposes

• The section lists restrictions where state authorities cannot make laws regarding forest without the permissions of the Central Government.

Section 3: Advisory Committee

• As per Section 3 of this Act, the Central government has the power to constitute an advisory committee to advice on matters related to advising the central government on the preservation of forests.

National Ganga Council

• The full name of the Council is ‘National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga’.
• This Council has the overall responsibility of preventing pollution and rejuvenating the Ganga River Basin, including the River Ganga and its tributaries.

National Ganga Council Composition

The following are the members of the National Ganga Council:

• Prime Minister – Chairperson

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti—Vice-Chairperson

• Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change

National Ganga Council Functions

• The chief function of the Council is the implementation of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Namami Gange programme of the government.

National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB)

• In August 1992, the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was established to promote afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration, and eco-development operations in the country.

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board - Functions 287

• The NAEB’s primary role is to develop methods for ecological restoration of degraded forest areas and adjacent lands through systematic planning and implementation at a low cost.

• To restore the country’s forest cover through natural regeneration or suitable intervention for ecological security, as well as to fulfil the fuel wood, fodder, and other needs of rural populations.

Motor Vehicle Act

• The Motor Vehicle (MV) Act enacted by Parliament in 1988 regulates all aspects of motor vehicles in India.

Features of The Motor Vehicle Act, 2019

• The bill made an increase in compensation for hit and run cases. In case of death, it has increased from twenty-five thousand to two lakh.

• The new bill allows the central government to recall vehicles harmful to the environment.

New Motor Vehicle Act, 2020

Key features of new Indian traffic rules and fines 2020:

• Imprisonment of three years for parents whose children below age 18 are found driving.

• A proposed increase in compensation for family members of people met with an accident.

Shore Bombay Nuisance Act, 1853

• The Shore Nuisances (Bombay and Kolaba) Act, 1853’ was enacted in the British period and was short titled as such by the Bombay Short Titles Act, 1921.

Indian Fisheries Act, 1897

• It was passed by the governor general of India in council. (Received the assent of the Governor General on the 4th February, 1897).

River Board Act, 1956

• This act is to provide for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.

Insecticide Act

• Insecticide act was passed in 1968 to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport and use of insecticides.

• The enforcement of act was transferred to the Ministry of agriculture in the year 1970 by the Ministry of Health and Planning. The department of Agriculture of this Ministry took immediate steps to frame the rules and constituted Central Insecticides Board and Registration committee.

Board Members

• The Director General Health Services, i.e., Chairman

• The Drug Controller India

Total 28 Members

• Others from various fields such as bureau of Indian Standards, Animal Husbandry, Pharmacology, Fisheries, etc.

Objectives

• The Central Insecticides Board advises the central and state government on technical matters arising out of the administration of this act and to carry out the other functions assigned to board under this act.

Functions

• Specify the use of classification of insecticides on the basis of their toxicity.

• Advise tolerance limits for insecticides residues and establishment of minimum interval between the application of insecticides and harvest in respect of various commodities.

Registration Committee (RC)

It comprises a chairman and 5 members. It includes:

• Deputy Director General, ICAR- Chairman

• Drugs Controller, India

• Plant Protection Advisor to the Government of India

Objectives

To register insecticides after scrutinizing their formulae and verifying the claim made by the importer or manufacturer, as the case may be, as regards their efficacy and safety to human beings and animals.

Functions

• Specify the precautions to be taken against poisoning through the use or handling the insecticides.

Functions of Laboratory

• To analyze such sample of insecticides sent to it under the act by any officer or authority authorized by Central or State Government and submission of the certificates of analysis to the concerned authority.