SSC General Science & Technology Ecology and Environment Notes - Environment Ecology and Biodiversity

 

Environment Ecology & Biodiversity

 

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

Objectives

·         Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife

·         Prevention and control of pollution

·         Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas

·         Protection of the environment

·         Ensuring the welfare of animals

 

Policies

?      Natural Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992

?      National Forest Policy, 1988

?      Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992

?      National Environment Policy 2006

 

The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the following:

?      United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

?      South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP)

?      International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

?      United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

 

The Ministry is also entrusted with the issues relating to the following multilateral bodies:

?      Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

?      Global Environment Facility (GEF)

 

Premium National Organisations Under The Ministry
Organisation	Estd.	Headquarter	Objective
Botanical Survey of India	1890	Kolkata	carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country
Zoological Survey of India	1916	Kolkata with 16 regional stations	undertaking survey, exploration and research leading to the advancement of our knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country
Forest Survey of India	1981	Dehradun+4 Regional offices in Shimla, Kolkata, Nagpur and Bengaluru	collection of data on scientific lines through countrywide comprehensive forest resources survey at regular intervals.

 

NATIONAL AFFORESTATION AMD ECO-DEVELOPMENT BOARD

?              Is involved in the operation of following major schemes:

§  National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme

§  Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme.

 

?              NAP Scheme provides support to the Forest Development Agencies to undertake holistic development in the forestry sector with people's participation.

 

?              EDF Scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Defence in 1982 for involvement of ex-servicemen in afforestation and eco-development in remote and difficult areas to undertake restoration of. degraded ecosystems through afforestation, soil conservation and water resource management techniques. At present there are 6 Eco-Task Force Batallions.

 

MANGROVES

?              The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (1991) under the Environmental Protection Act (1986) recognizes the mangrove areas as ecologically sensitive and categorizes them as CRZ-I (i) which implies that these areas are accorded protection of the highest order.

 

?              The Government has identified 38 mangrove areas on a country-wide basis for intensive conservation and management.

?              As per the State of Forest Report 2011, the mangrove cover in the country is 4662.56 sq km which is 0.14 per cent of the country's total geographical area.

 

?              Mangroves for Future (MFF) is a programme coordinated by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Natural Resources. India is one of the 8 participating countries in this project.

 

Mangroves Cover

·                     There are plants that survive in high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil - a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.

 

·                     Are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mudflats.

 

·                     In India, mangrove vegetation has been reported in 12 coastal States/ UTs.

§  West Bengal has the maximum mangrove cover in the country, followed by Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

§  Sunderbans account for a little less than half of the total mangroves found in India.

 

ENVIRONMENT & FOREST

STATEWISE MANGROVE FORESTS COVER OF THE COUNTRY

 

Year/state/Union Territory	Geographical Area	Actual Forest Cover		Mangrove
States		2013	2015	2013	2015
Andhra Pradesh	160204	24357	24424	352	367
Arunachal Pradesh	83743	67321	67248	0	-
Assam	78438	27671	27623	0	-
Bihar	94163	7291	7288	0	-
Chhattisgarh	135191	55621	55586	0	-
Delhi	1483	180	189	0	-
Goa	3702	2219	2224	0	-
Gujarat	196022	14653	14660	1103	1107
Haryana	44212	1586	1584	0	-
Himachal Pradesh	55673	14683	14696	0	-
Jammu & Kashmir	222236	22538	22988	0	-
Jharkhand	79714	23473	23478	0	-
Karnataka	191791	36132	36421	3	3
Kerala	38863	17922	19239	6	9
Madhya Pradesh	308245	77522	77462	0	-
Maharashtra	307713	50632	50628	186	222
Manipur	22327	16990	16994	0	-
Meghalaya	22429	17288	17217	0	-
Mizoram	21081	19054	18745	0	-
Nagaland	16579	13044	12966	0	-
Orissa	155707	50347	50354	213	231
Punjab	50362	1772	1771	0	-
Rajasthan	342239	16086	16171	0	-
Sikkim	7096	3358	3357	0	-
Tamil Nadu	130058	23844	26345	39	47
Telangana	114865	21759	21591
Tripura	10486	7866	7811	0	-
Uttar Pradesh	240928	14349	14461	0	-
Uttarakhand	53483	24508	24240	0	-
West Bengal	88752	16805	16828	2097	2106
Union Territories
A.&N. Islands	8249	6711	6751	604	617
Chandigarh	114	17	22	0	-
D.&N. Haveli	491	213	206	0	-
Daman & Diu	112	9	20	2	3
Lakshdweep	32	27	27	0	-
Punducherry	480	50	55	1	2
		697898	701673	4628	4740

Source: ISFR-2009, Forest Survey of India

* Includes forest cover of Telangana

@ The term Dense Forest was in use till SFR 2001.

 

Coral Reefs

·                     The total Indian reef area is estimated to be\[\mathbf{2375}\text{ }\mathbf{k}{{\mathbf{m}}^{\mathbf{2}}}\].

·                     National Coral Reef Research Centre at Port Blair is set up to do research on reefs,

·                     India is a participant in International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

·                     They are also CRZ-I (i) category areas.

·                     Six areas are identified as follows:

1.   Coral reef ecosystem in Kerala coast.

2.   Coral reef ecosystem in Goa coast.

3.   Coral reef ecosystem in Gulf of Kachchh.

4.   Coral reef ecosystem in Lakshadweep Islands.

5.   Coral reef ecosystem in Gulf of Mannar.

6.   Coral reef ecosystem in Palk Bay.

§  Fringing reefs - Gulf of Mannar and Palk bay,

§  Platform reefs - Gulf of Kuchchh,

§  Atoll reefs - Lakshadweep

§  Archipelago, Patchy Reefs-Ratnagiri and Malwan coast,

§  Fringing and barrier reefs-both are found in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Wetlands

·                     Ramsar Convention on Wetlands came into force for India on 1 February 1982.

·                     India presently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 689,131 hectares.

 

RAMSAR CONVENTION

Ramsar Convention defines "Wetlands" as areas of marsh fen, peat land or water, whether artificial or natural, permanent or temporary, with the water static or flowing, brackish or salt, including marine areas, depth of which does not  exceed 6 metres. As such mangroves, corals, estuaries, creeks, bays, sea grasses and lakes, etc. are covered under this definition. Taking into consideration the ecological and economic significance of wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs, a. well threats these fragile ecosystems are facing due to various anthropogenic activities, Ministry launched a scheme on Conservation and Management of Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs during 1987. The Ramsar convention »as set up in 1971 to determine wetlands of international importance. India has been a contracted party to Ramsar Convention since 1 February 1982. It recognises and promote wise use of wetlands.

 

Biosphere Reserves

·                     Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.

·                     These reserves are required to meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to a minimal set of conditions before being admitted to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves designated by UNESCO.

·                     18 ecosystems are recognised in India as Biosphere Reserves till date.

·                     The Central Government provides 100% Grants-in-Aid for management and promoting research and development in these reserves.

·                     Seshachalam Hills in 2010, and Panna Biosphere Reserve in 2011 have been to the Network.

 

S. No.	Ramsar Site	Date of Designation	State
1.	Ashtamudi	19/08/02	Kerala
2.	Bhitarkanika Mangroves	19/08/02	Odisha
3.	Bhoj Wetland	19/08/02	Madhya Pradesh
4.	Chandertal Wetland	08/11/05	Himachal Pradesh
5.	Chilika Lake	01/10/81	Odisha
6.	Deepor Beel	19/08/02	Assam
7.	East Calcutta Wetlands	19/08/02	West Bengal
8.	Harike Lake	23/03/90	Punjab
9.	Hokorcar	08/11/05	Jammu & Kashmir
10.	Kanjli	22/01/02	Punjab
11.	Keoladeo National Park	01/10/81	Rajasthan
12.	Kolleru Lake	19/08/02	Andhra Pradesh
13.	Loktak Lake	23/03/90	Manipur
14.	Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary	24/09/12	Gujarat
15.	Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary	19/08/02	Tamil Nadu
16.	Pong Dam Lake	19/08/02	Himachal Pradesh
17.	Renuka	08/11/05	Himachal Pradesh
18.	Ropar	22/01/02	Punjab
19.	Rudrasagar Lake	08/11/05	Tripura
20.	Sambhar Lake	23/03/90	Rajasthan
21.	Sasthamkotta Lake	19/08/02	Kerala
22.	Surinsar-Mansar Lakes	08/11/05	Jammu & Kashmir
23.	Tsomoriri	19/08/02	Jammu & Kashmir
24.	Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)	08/11/05	Uttar Pradesh
25.	Vembanad-Kol Wethland	19/08/02	Kerala
26.	Wular Lake	23/03/90	Jammu & Kashmir

 

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

S. No.	Name of the Reserve and Area in Km2	Year of Notification	Type/Region	Location
1.	Nilgiri (5520)	1986	Western Ghats	Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
2.	Nanda Devi (5861)	1988	Western Himalayas	Uttarakhand
3.	Nokrek (820)	1988	Eastern Himalayas	Meghalaya
4.	Manas (2837)	1989	Eastern Himalayas	Assam
5.	Sunderbans (9630)	1989	Delta, Mangroves	West Bengal
6.	Gulf of Mannar (10500)	1989	Coastal	Tamil Nadu
7.	Great Nicobar (885)	1989	Island/Coastal	Andaman & Nicobar Islands
8.	Simlipal (4373)	1994	Deccan Peninsula	Odisha
9.	Dibru Saikhowa (765)	1997	Eastern Himalayas	Assam
10.	Dehang Debang (5112)	1998	Eastern Himalayas	Arunachal Pradesh
11.	Panchmari (4926)	1999	Semi Arid	Madhya Pradesh
12.	Khangchend Zonga (2620)	2000	Eastern Himalayas	Sikkim
13.	Agasthyamalai (3506)	2001	Western Ghats	Kerala
14.	Achanakmar Amarkantak (3835)	2005	Semi Arid	Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
15.	Rann of Kachchh (12454)	2008	Semi Arid	Gujarat
16.	Cold Desert (7770)	2009	Western Himalayas	Himachal Pradesh
17.	Sheshachalam (4755)	2010	Eastern Ghats	Andhra Pradesh
18.	Panna (2998.98)	2011	Semi-Arid	Madhya Pradesh

 

Biodiversity Conservation

·                     Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms and ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity within and between species and ecosystem

·                     Under the scheme for biodiversity conservation in India, there are two components:

§  Biodiversity: includes activities relating to Convention on Biological Diversity and support to National Biodiversity Authority; and

§  Biosafety: includes activities relating to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and issues relating to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.

 

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

·                     One of the key agreements adopted during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janerio, 1992

·                     Three main goals:

§  the conservation of biological diversity;

§  the sustainable use of its components; and

§  the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of resources.

 

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

·                     Has 168 Signatories Conference of the Parties: The governing body of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings; First COP meeting took place in Nassau, Bahamas - 28 November - 9 December 1994

COP 11 - Hyderabad, India 8-19 October 2012

COP 12 - took place in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea - 6 -17 October 2014

 

International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22

·                     Themes - 2014 Island Biodiversity, 2013 - Water and Biodiversity, 2012 - Marine Biodiversity

·                     United Nations Decade of Biodiversity - 2011-20

 

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

·                     India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to give effect to the provision of this convention.

·                     Under this Act, a National Biodiversity Authority was set up in October 2003 in Chennai.

·                     The Biological Diversity Act (2002) mandates implementation of the act through decentralized system with the NBA focusing on giving advice to the Central Government on matters relating to the goals of CBD; and to the State Government in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified under sub-section (1) of section 37 as heritage sites and measures for the management of such heritage sites.

 

Cartagena Biosafety Protocol

·                     Adopted under the aegis of CBD in January 2000.

?              Objective: to ensure an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modem biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity, taking into account risk to human health.

?              The 6th Conference of Parties serving as Members of Parties of the Cartagena Protocol was held in Hyderabad in October 2012.

 

Genetic Engineering Approval Committee

?              The Ministry under the Environment Protection Act (1986), has notified the "Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically engineered Organisms or Cells 1989" (known as Rules, 1989) to ensure that research and development and testing of LMOs prior to environmental release are conducted in a safe and scientific manner.

?              The GEAC is the apex body under the rules. It has a mandate to accord approval to activities involving:

§  Large scale use of GMOs

§  Environmental release of GMOs

 

Forest Conservation

·                     Forest Conservation Division of the Ministry is responsible to regulate the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes.

·                     The Division gives clearances to projects for power generation, irrigation, construction of roads railway lines, transmission lines, drinking water supply, schools, hospitals, etc.

 

Intensification of Forest Management Scheme

·                     Is a centrally sponsored scheme which aims at strengthening forest protection machinery of the State/UT governments; and providing support for area-specific forest management interventions. Some of the major components of the scheme include: forest fire control and management; strengthening of infrastructure; conservation and restoration of unique vegetation and ecosystems; control and eradication of forest invasive species, etc.

 

Wildlife Conservation

·                     A National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister of India provides for policy framework for wildlife conservation in the country.

·                     The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) was adopted in 2002, emphasizing the people's participation and their support for wildlife conservation.

·                     India's conservation planning is based on the philosophy of identifying and protecting representative wild habitats across all the ecosystems. The Indian Constitution entails the subject of forests and wildlife in the Concurrent list. The Federal Ministry acts as a guiding torch dealing with the policies and planning on wildlife conservation, while the provincial Forest Departments are vested with the responsibility of implementation of national policies and plans.

·                     A network of 668 Protected Areas (PAs) has been established, extending over 1, 61, 221.57 sq. kms. (4.90% of total geographic area), comprising 102 National Parks, 515 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 47 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community Reserves.

·                     As the ecosystems and species do not recognise political borders, the concept of Transboundary Protected Areas has been initiated for coordinated conservation of ecological units and corridors with bilateral and/or multilateral cooperation of the neighbouring nations. There are 4 categories of the Protected Areas viz:

 

Sanctuary	National Park	Conservation Reserve	Community
Reason for declaration
An area of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, natural, geomorphological, or zoological significance.	An area of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, natural geomorphological, or zoological significance.	Can be declared by the state Governments in any area owned by the Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Park and Sanctuaries and those areas which link one Protected Area with another.	Can be declared by the state Government in any privet or community land, not comprised within a National Park, Sanctuary, a Conservation Reserve, where an individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat.
Purpose of declaration
Protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.	Protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment, like that of a Sanctuary.	Protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat.	Protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices.
Affect on rights of people residing in the area
Certain rights of people living inside the Sanctuary could be permitted.	The people living inside the National Park are allowed no rights.	The rights of people living inside a Conservation Reserve are not affected.	The rights of people living inside a Community Reserve are not affected.

        

State/UT	No. of National Park	No. of Wildlife Sanctuaries	No. of Conservation Reserves	NO. of Community Reserves
Andhra Pradesh	6	21	0	0
Arunachal Pradesh	2	11	0	0
Assam	5	18	0	0
Bihar	1	12	0	0
Chhattisgarh	3	11	0	0
Goa	1	6	0	0
Gujarat	4	23	1	0
Haryana	2	8	2	0
Himachal Pradesh	5	32	0	0
Jammu& Kashmir	4	15	34	0
Jharkhand	1	11	0	0
Karnataka	5	22	2	0
Kerala	6	16	0	0
Madhya Pradesh	9	25	16	0
Maharashtra	6	35	1	0
Manipur	1	1	0	0
Meghalaya	2	3	0	0
Mizoram	2	8	0	0
Nagaland	1	3	0	0
Orissa	2	18	0	0
Punjab	0	12	1	2
Rajasthan	5	25	3	0
Tamil Nadu	5	21	1	0
Tripura	2	4	0	0
Uttar Pradesh	1	23	0	0
Uttarakhand	6	6	2	0
West Bengal	5	15	0	0
Andaman & Nicobar	9	96	0	0
Chandigarh	0	2	0	0
Dadar & Nagar Haveli	1	0	0	0
Lakshadweep	0	1	0	0
Daman & Diu	0	1	0	0
Delhi	0	1	0	0
Panducherry	0	1	0	0
Total	102	515	47	4

 

Protected Area Network in India

·                     India is one of the 17 mega diverse countries of the world.

·                     With only 2.4% of the world's land area, 16.7% of the world's human population and 18% livestock, it contributes about 8% of the known global biodiversity, however, putting enormous demands on our natural resources.

·                     India is home to world's largest wild tiger?s population and has got unique assemblage of globally important endangered species like Asiatic lion, Asian Elephant, One-homed Rhinoceros, Gangetic River Dolphin, Snow Leopard, Kashmir Stag, Dugong.

 

AUTONOMOUS BODIES/PROJECTS

National Tiger Conservation Authority

·                     NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act. It was set up to facilitate the Project Tiger.

 

Project Tiger

·                     Project Tiger was launched in 1973

·                     Objective was "to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people."

·                     Total tiger reserves in India currently is 41 (January 2013)

·                     In-principle approval has been accorded to the following new tiger reserves:

§  Ratapani                  -           Madhya Pradesh

§  Sunabheda              -           Odisha

§  Pilibhit                     -           Uttar Pradesh

§  Mukundara Hills       -           Rajasthan

 

Year	No. of National Park	Area Under National Park	No. of Wild Life Sanctuaries	Area Under Wild Life Sanctuaries	No. of Community Reserves	Area under Community Reserves	No. of Conservation Reserves	Area Under Conservation Reserves	No. of Protected Areas	Total Area Under Protected Areas
2000	89	37593.94	489	117881.68	-	-	-	-	578	155475.63
2006	96	38183.01	506	120244.39	-	-	4	42.87	606	158470.27
2007	98	38219.72	510	120543.95	4	20.69	7	94.82	619	158879.19
2008	99	39232.58	513	122138.33	4	20.69	45	1259.84	661	162651.45
2009	99	39232.58	513	122138.33	4	20.69	45	1259.84	661	162651.45
2010	102	40074.46	516	122585.56	4	20.69	47	1382.28	669	164062.99
2011	102	40074.46	517	122615.94	4	20.69	52	1801.29	675	164512.37
2012	102	40074.46	524	123548.33	4	20.69	56	1998.15	686	165641.62
2013	102	40074.46	526	124234.52	4	20.69	57	2017.94	689	166347.6
2014	103	40332.89	525	116254.36	4	20.69	60	2037.11	692	158645.05
2015	103	40500.13	531	117607.72	26	46.93	66	2344.53	726	160499.31
2016	103	40500.13	537	118005.30	26	46.93	67	2349.38	733	160901.74
2017	103	40500.13	543	118917.71	45	59.66	73	2547.19	764	162024.69
2018	103	40500.13	544	118931.80	46	72.61	76	2567	769	162072.49

Source: National Wildlife Database Cell, Institute of India

 

·                     New areas suggested for tiger reserves:

§     Satyamangalam                         -           Tamil Nadu

§     Nagzira-Navegaon           -           Maharashtra

§     Bor - Maharashtra

§     Suhelwa - Uttar Pradesh

 

List of Marine Protected Areas in Peninsular India

S. No.	Name of MPA	State	Category	Area	Year of establishment
1.	Coringa	Andhra Pradesh	Sanctuary	235.7	1978
2.	Krishna	Andhra Pradesh	Sanctuary	194.81	1989
3.	Pulicat Lake	Andhra Pradesh	Sanctuary	500	1980
4.	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	Sanctuary	92.16	2000
5.	Fudam	Daman & Diu	Sanctuary	2.18	1991
6.	Chorao Island	Goa	Sanctuary	1.78	1988
7.	Marine (Gulf of Kachchh)	Gujarat	National Park	162.89	1995
8.	Khijadia	Gujarat	Sanctuary	6.05	1981
9.	Marine (Gulf of Kachchh)	Gujarat	Sanctuary	295.03	1980
10.	Kadalundi Vallikkunnu Com R	Kerala	Community Reserve	1.50	2007
11.	Malvan Marine	Maharashtra	Sanctuary	29.12	1987
12.	Thane Creek Flamingo	Maharashtra	Sanctuary	16.905	2015
13.	Bhitarkanika	Odisha	National Park	145	1998
14.	Bhitarkanika	Odisha	Sanctuary	672	1975
15.	Chika (Nalaban)	Odisha	Sanctuary	15.53	1987
16.	Gahirmatha	Odisha	Sanctuary	1435	1997
17.	Balukhand Konark	Odisha	Sanctuary	71.72	1984
18.	Gulf of Mannar Marine	Tamil Nadu	National Park	6.23	1980
19.	Point Calimere	Tamil Nadu	Sanctuary	172.6	1967
20.	Pulicat Lake	Tamil Nadu	Sanctuary	153.67	1980
21.	Sundarbans	West Bengal	National Park	1330.1	1984
22.	West Sundarbans	West Bengal	Sanctuary	556.45	2013
23.	Haliday Island	West Bengal	Sanctuary	5.95	1976
24.	Sajnakhali	West Bengal	Sanctuary	2091.12	1976
25.	Lothian Island	West Bengal	Sanctuary	38	1976

 

Tiger Population estimate for the year 2006, 2010 & 2014 (as on May, 2016)

Estimated tiger numbers (> 1.5 years of age) and area occupied by tigers in 2014 for landscapes and States compare with estimates for 2006 and 2010. Numbers in parenthesis are standard error limits. (Refer table on next page)

 

Central Zoo Authority

It was established in 1992 through an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

·         It oversees the functioning of Zoos and enforces minimum standards and norms for upkeep and health care of animals in Indian Zoos and restrain mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived Zoos.

 

Wildlife Institute of India

·         Established in 1986

·         A premier training institute and research institution in the field of wildlife and protected area management in South and South East Asia.

 

National Zoological Park

·         Established in 1992, under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country with the view to enhance their role in conservation.

 

Wildlife Crime Control Board

·         Constituted as statutory body under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, in June 2007 at New Delhi, to combat wildlife crime in the country.

 

Project Elephant

·         Launched in 1991-92.

 

Objective:

·         to protect Elephants, their habitat and corridors;

·         to address the issues of man-animal conflict; and

 

State	Tiger Population			Tiger km2
	2006	2010	2014	2006	2010	2014
Shivalak-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex
Uttarakhand	178 (161 - 195)	227 (199 - 256)	340 (299 - 381)	1,901	3,476	6,576
Uttar Pradesh	109 (91 - 127)	118 (113 - 124)	117 (103 - 131)	2,766	2,511	2,519
Bihar	10 (7 - 13)	8 (-)	28 (25 - 31)	510	750	922
Sihvalik-Gangetic	297 (259-335)	353 (320-388)	485 (427-543)	5,177	6,712	10,017
Central Indian Landscape Complex and Eastern Ghats Landscape Complex
Andhra Pradesh	95 (84 - 107)	72 (65 ? 790)	68 (58 - 78)	14,126	4,495	4,686
Chhattisgarh	26 (23 - 28)	26 (24 - 27)	46 (39 - 53)	3,609	3,514	4,735
Madhya Pradesh	300 (236 - 364)	168 (155 - 183)	190 (163 - 217)	4,273	11,960	11,643
Odisha	45 (37 - 53)	32 (20 - 44)	28 (24 - 32)	9,144	3,398	3,981
Rajasthan	32 (30 - 35)	36 (35 - 37)	45 (39 - 51)	356	637	1,147
Jharkhand	-	10 (6 - 14)	3	1,488	1,180	626
Central India	601 (486-718)	601 (518-685)	688 (596-780)	48,610	39,017	41,974
Western Ghats Landscape Complex
Karnataka	290 (241 - 339)	300 (280 - 320)	406 (360 - 452)	18,715	14,414	14,523
Kerala	46 (39 - 53)	71 (67-75)	136 (119-150)	6,168	6,804	7,137
Tamil Nadu	76 (56 - 95)	163 (153-173)	229 (201-253)	9,211	8,389	7,229
Goa	-	-	5			622
Western Ghats	412 (336 - 487)	534 (500 - 568)	776 (685 - 861)	34,094	29,607	29,511
North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains
Assam	70 (60 - 80)	143 (113 - 173)	167 (150 - 184)	1,164	2,381	3,848
Arunachal Pradesh	14 (12 - 18)	-	28	1,685	1,304	1,169
Mizoram	6 (4 - 8)	5	3	785	416	100
Northern West Bengal	10 (8 - 12)	-	3	596	799	704
North East Hills and Brahmputra	100 (84 -118)	148 (118 - 178)	201(174 - 212)	4,230	4,900	5,821
Sunderbans	-	70 (64 - 90)	76 (64 - 90)	1,586	1,645	1,841
Total	1,411 (1,165-1,657)	1,706 (1,520-1,909)	2,226 (1945-2491)	93,697	81,881	89,164

(Source: Status of Tigers Copredators & Prey in India. 2014 Wll)

 

·         Welfare of domesticated elephants.

·         Task force under chairmanship of Prof. Mahesh Rangrajan, constituted in April 2010 to provide detailed recommendations to upgrade the project to bring about more effective conservation and management regime for the species in India, submitted report in August 2010.

·         Persuant to the task force recommendation. Elephant notified as National Heritage Animal.

·         Action initiated to constitute statutory "National Elephant Conservation Authority".

 

Project Snow Leopard

·         The Himalayas in northern India are home to about 200 to 600 snow leopards. The 'Project Snow Leopard' has been launched by the GOI in January 2009 for conservation of snow leopard and its habitat. It aims to promote a knowledge-based and adaptive conservation framework that fully involves the local communities who share the snow leopard's range. This project is being undertaken to create 12 Snow-Leopard Reserves throughout the Himalayas.

 

Crocodile Breeding Project

·         The project started from a proposal for development of a crocodile fanning industry in India. Crocodile husbandry work was undertaken with a view to develop sanctuary. A total of 16 crocodile rearing centres have been developed in the country in eight States. Eleven sanctuaries have been declared under the project.

 

Rhino Breeding Project

·         The Centrally-sponsored scheme for conservation of rhinos in Assam was introduced in 1987 and was continued for effective and intensive management of rhino habitat.

·         In 2007, the total population was estimated to be 2,575 individuals, of which 2,200 lived in Indian protected areas.

 

Chiru Conservation

·         The concern about chiru mainly started in 1992 when George Schaller, a wildlife expert, claimed that the chiru was shot and then fleeced, to make Shahtoosh shawls. This shawl is as soft as a baby's skin, it can be passed through a ring.

 

Olive Ridley Turtle Conservation Project

·         A significant proportion of the World's Olive Ridley turtle population nests at nesting sites along the eastern coast of India. India has five species of sea turtles and the world's largest known turtle breeding beaches for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Gahrimatha, Devi and Rushikulya River mouths in Odisha). Mechanised fishing trawlers have created new problems for these sea creatures as they have to come to the beach to lay eggs, sometimes twice a year.

 

National Museum of Natural History

·         Opened in 1978 with the main objective of creating public awareness in preservation and conservation of environment and nature through museum exhibitions, educational programmes, outreach activities etc.

·         Over the years, the Museum has extended its activities in different regions of the country and set up three Regional Museums?one each at Mysore (Kamataka), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) and Bhubaneswar (Odisha). These museums have been established to depict flora, fauna, forests, wildlife and other environmental aspects of the respective regions.

 

Centres of Excellence

·         The MoEF started the scheme in 1983 to strengthen awareness, research and training in priority areas of Environmental science and management. Ten Centres of Excellence set up so far by the Ministry with a view to strengthening awareness, research and training in priority areas of environmental science and management.

 

Fellowships and Awards

·         Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar

·         Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Awards - given annually to recognise the pioneering and innovative contribution made by individuals and institutions in the field of afforestation/wasteland development every year.

·         Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship - awarded annually to encourage and recognise excellence in any branch of research related to environmental sciences.

·         P. Pal National Environment Fellowship for Biodiversity ? awarded with a view to further develop, deepen and strengthen the expertise on bio-diversity available in the country.

·         National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology

·         Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Act - instituted by MoEF for protecting wildlife, carries a cash reward of 1 lakh rupees and is given to an individual/institution pertaining to rural communities.

·         Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award.

·         Medini Puraskar - awarded with a view to encourage writing of original books in Hindi, on the subject related to environment.

 

Environmental Information

Environmental Information System (ENVIS)

·         Set up in 1983 by MoEF as a plan programme with a comprehensive network in environmental information collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to varying users, which include decision makers, researchers, academicians, policy planners, research scientists, etc.

·         Indian State Level Basic Environmental Information Database (ISBEID) - developed by ENVIS in collaboration with National Informatics Centre.

·         State of Environment Reporting (SoER) Scheme

·         NGO Cell has been set-up in the MoEF to handle various NGOs working in diverses fields of environment.

 

International Cooperation

·         The Ministry of Environment and Forest is the nodal Ministry in the Government of India for all Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

These include:

§  Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer,

§  Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer;

§  UN Conventions on Biological Diversity;

§  UN Framework convention on Climate Change;

§  UN Convention to Combat Desertification;

§  Kyoto Protocol;

§  the Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Substances;

§  Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

§  Rotterdam Conventions;

§  Ramsar Convention etc.

§  International Co-operation & Sustainable Development Division is the nodal point within the Ministry to coordinate all international environmental cooperation and sustainable development issues. It is the nodal division for United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP); UNCP; World Bank; UNIDC: UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD); Global Environment Facility (GEF) and regional bodies like Economic & Social Commission for Asia & Pacific ((ESCAP); South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP); ADB: and European Union (EU). The Division also handles bilateral and country to country co-operation in the areas of environment protection and sustainable development.

 

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

S. No.	Research Institute	Location
1.	Forest Research Institute	Dehradun
2.	Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree breeding	Coimbatore
3.	Institute of Wood Science and Technology	Bengaluru
4.	Tropical Forest Research Institute	Jabalpur
5.	Rain Forest Research Institute	Jorhat
6.	Arid Forest Research Institute	Jodhpur
7.	Himalayan Forest Research Institute	Shimla
8.	Institute of Forest Productivity	Ranchi
S. No.	Research Institute		Location
1.	Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation		Allahabad
2.	Center for Forestry Research and Human Resource Development		Chhindwara
3.	Forest Research Center		Hyderabad
4.	Advanced Research Center for Bamboo and Rattans		Aizwal

 

Centers of Excellence under the Ministry of Environment on Forest (MOEF)

S. No.	Research Institute	Location
1.	Centre for Environmental Education	Ahmadabad
2.	CPR Environmental Education Centre	Chennai
3.	Centre for Ecological Science	IISc, Bengaluru
4.	Centre for Mining Environment	ISM, Dhanbad
5.	Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Coimbatore History	Coimbatore
6.	Centre for Environment Management of Degraded, Ecosystem	University of Delhi
7.	Madras School of Economics	Chennai
8.	Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Bengaluru Traditions	Bengaluru
9.	The Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Thiruvananthapuram institute	Thiruvananthapuram
10.	Centre for Animals and Environment	Bengaluru.