Essay on the Management of Environmental Pollution in India

Introduction:

In essence, environment is the land, air and water around us, basically sustaining life as we know it. Mankind and all other life systems evolved over the ages. While we may, yet, not have a complete understanding of the complex processes through which evolution has occurred.

However, it is undeniable that man is the final product of the environment. On earth, this process of change is unceasing. In the very fact of existence, living beings do influence nature and get influenced by the environment around them. Man, like other plant or animal species, does the same.

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The present concern for environmental conservation and preservation arises from the impact on the environment of human actions on a scale fundamentally different from what has been witnessed before.

Development of Thought:

Human demands are increasing with the growth of population and modernity, but the resources at disposal are limited. Reckless exploitation of natural resources is causing a serious imbalance. The natural environment has started giving way.

The spread of desertification, soil erosion, floods, droughts, urban congestion and extinction or threat of extinction of countless species of plants and animals are the visible phenomena “affecting the ecosystem and causing pollution of land, water and air.

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The demands for food, shelter, clothing, energy and other basic human needs have been increasing to the crisis point. In case these natural resources are not managed and used properly it will become impossible to provide for the quality of life of human beings.

Therefore, the environment which provides the resources for supporting the population and achieves development has to be managed through protection and conservation.

India has been quick to awake to the dangers of environmental pollution. The Govt, of India for the first time articulated its deep concern in the fourth Five Year Plan (1969-74).

A Department of Environment was established at the Central level in 1980 to act as a nodal agency for environment protection and development of balanced eco-system in the country.

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Different legislative Measures have also been taken from time to time. But the question is whether these legislative measures have been effectively implemented to achieve the objectives of environmental protection, preservation and control or not. This requires sincerity of purpose on the part of the political leadership at the

Centre and the State levels and the implementing authorities at local level but not least, the participation of people at every level is of utmost importance.

Conclusion:

In recent years the awareness towards improving the quality of environment has increased substantially and all efforts are being made at different levels to minimize environmental pollution and thus help in improving the quality of life.

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Management of environment means the proper utilization, conservation preservation, control and recycling of the resources for maintaining a balanced ecosystems. The main focus of environment management is, thus, to avoid the over-use, misuse and abuse of the natural resources.

The effective environmental management is the optimum allocation of finite resources among the various possible uses and it has to be based on scientific and technological approach which takes full note of socioeconomic parameters and compulsions.

Environmental management is an interdisciplinary approach to resource conservation and it acts as a regulatory force on human wantonness in resource wasting.

Pollution of environment is a world-wide phenomenon. To combat it the United Nations Organization has also expressed its deep concern.

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It organised a conference on human Environment at Stockholm in June, 1972 which laid down the principles and action plans for regulating and controlling the Human Environment and also deliberated on the institutional and financial arrangements for the purpose.

Specifically the International Conference on Human Environment declared: (i) man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of Life, in an environment of quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and (ii) man bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environments for present and future generations.

The Conference further emphasized that the natural resources must be safeguarded thorough careful planning and. management, the heritage of wildlife and its habitat must be protected and safeguarded, the economic and social development must ensure congenial living and working environment for human beings and create an environment on earth that is essential for the improvement of the quality of life.

Socio-economic factors and ecological processes are to be taken into consideration for environmental management. Integrated and co­ordinated approach to development planning is to be adopted by the states in order to avoid conflicts between the needs of development and need to protect human environment.

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The Declaration also warned against the pollution of Sea emphasized the need to support the struggle against all types of pollution.

The Conference recommended that the education in environmental matters is essential to broaden the base for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals’ communities in protecting and improving environment in its full human dimensions.

International efforts and co-operation must be geared up through mass media to protect and improve environment. Stockholm Declaration is considered as the Magna Carta for international environmental movement.

The recommendations of the Stockholm Conference were finally enacted the Act entitled ‘Security and Co-operation in Europe’ on 1st August, 1975. It affirmed that the protection and improvement of the environment in the interest of present and future generations is essential to the well-being of the people and the economic development of all countries. Each State must ensure that its activities may not cause degradation of the environment in other States. The environmental dilution may be avoided by preventive measures.

The balanced eco-system must be preserved. Different nations should co-operate in controlling the air, water and soil pollution, in protecting the marine atmosphere, and in improving the environmental conditions of human settlements.

World Charter on nature adopted by U.N. General Assembly on 28th October, 1982, declared that nature shall be respected and its essentials shall not be impaired. Conservation of nature should be a part of total planning. Pollution should be avoided.

It is further emphasized that the principles of the Charter must be enacted into law of each State and put into practice at the State as well as International levels. The necessary infrastructure, such as funds, programmes and administrative structures may be provided to achieve the objectives of the Charter.

It is further mandated that the co-operation of the States, public authorities, international organizations, individuals and groups must be sought to achieve the objectives and requirements of the Charter.

Consequently, the General Assembly of United Nations passed a resolution on 15th December, 1974 emphasizing the need of co-operation among the States to conserve and protect the environment. June 5th is designated as the World Environment day.

The Member-States of UNO are desired to undertake world-wide activities for the preservation and enhancement of the environment. The one hundred and thirteen participating States in Stockholm Conference resolved and affirmed that preservation and improvement of human environment was their moral duty.

Further, the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States also emphasized the need for the preservation and protection of environment.

Declaration of Stockholm, 1972 and Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of the States, 1974 are the important and significant documents which reflect the concern of the international organization to protect and preserve the environment for human living.

India being one of the signatories at Stockholm Conference took note of all these environmental problems and expressed concern about the environmental issues. The Government of India for the first time articulated its deep concern in the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-74).

The plan emphasized that it was an obligation of each generation to maintain the productive capacity of land, water, air and wildlife in a manner which leaves its successors some choice in the Creation of healthy environment. Planning for harmonious development recognized this unity of man and nature.

Such planning was possible only on the basis of comprehensive appraisal of environmental issues, particularly economic and ecological.

There are instances in which timely specialized advice on environmental aspects could have helped in project design and in averting subsequent adverse effects on environment leading to loss of invested resources. It is necessary therefore, to introduce the environment aspect into our planning and development

The successive Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Five Year Plans also emphasized the need and importance of environment protection. The Sixth Five Year Plan clearly stated that environment should form a crucial guiding factor for planning and development.

Environment management has to take note of the impact on health and integrity of the natural resources-soil, water, forests, wildlife etc.

Of course the factors such as poverty of a large sector of our population and environment as a means to fulfill the basic utility of life such as food, shelter, clothing and employment have to be kept in view, but environment conservation is in fact the very basis of all development.

The provision in the Seventh Five Year Plan for the establishment of Ganga Authority for cleaning the Ganga Waters and cleaning the surrounding slums indicate the concern of the government to prevent water and environment pollution.

International Conference on Environmental Education held in New Delhi in December, 1982 called for a massive programme of environmental education, research and monitoring. The Conference specifically emphasized that environmental education must start from childhood.

Formal and informal government and non-governmental organizations must encourage people in protecting their environment. Specialise institutions must provide appropriate training and teaching material to such organizations.

The preamble of the Indian Constitution declares that social, economic and political justice is to be secured and protected to every citizen of India. Further, under the Fundamental Rights, Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, a life of dignity to be lived in a proper environment, free of danger of disease and infection.

The Directive Principles of State Policy of Indian Constitution in Article 47 clearly declare to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people, and improvement of public health as one of the Fundamental duties of the State.

Article (40A)’ which was incorporated by the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution provides that “the State shall Endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife of the country”. The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution also added certain fundamental duties of the citizens in Part IV-A of the Constitution.

Under these Fundamental Duties, Article (51A) specifically provides as such-“it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.

Besides these provisions, there are other entries in the Constitution which deal with the matters concerning environment and its planning and control.

These provisions of the Constitution empowered the Centre and State Governments to take legislative and administrative measures to protect, preserve and improve the quality of environment.

There are various general and special laws and Environmental Protection Acts which empower the government to maintain and improve the environment and control the environmental pollution.

For instance, under the Indian Penal Code spreading of infection of any disease dangerous to life, fouling of water of public spring or reservoirs and rendering it unfit for human consumption, making atmosphere noxious to health, creating public nuisances, and mischief, are as acts of offence.

Further, the District Magistrates and SDMs are authorized to control and remove all pollution under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

There are other various special laws for specific purpose to protect and improve the environment. The Factories Act, 1948, the Insecticides Act, 1958, and Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 are some of the old laws which deal with the maintenance of the environment against pollution.

There are various other newly enacted laws which directly relate to pollution control and environment protection, such as the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act. 1986.

Under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Central Government can exercise comprehensive powers for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of environment and preventing, controlling and abating pollution.

Under the Act government may appoint authority (ies) or Officer(s) to act on is behalf to carry out the functions mentioned in the Act, and government may also issue direction for (a) the closure, prohibition or regulating the industry, operation or process or (b) stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.

The Act further empowers the government to make rules for (i) standards of quality of air, water or soil for various areas and purposes, (ii) procedure and safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances, (iii) permissible limit of pollutants (including noise) for different areas, (iv) prohibiting and restricting the hazardous substances in different areas (v) procedure and safeguards for preventing accidents which may cause environmental pollution and remedial measures thereof.

According to the preventing measures of the Act no one carrying on any industry, process or operation shall discharge or emit or permit discharges or emission of any environment pollutant in excess of permissible standard of limit.

Act also enjoins upon the person to comply with the provisions of the Act. A tine of Rs. one lakh is provided for the first offence with an additional fine Rs. 5,000 per day for causing contraventions after first conviction.

The imprisonment may be extended up to seven years where the contravention continued beyond a period of one year after the date of first conviction.

The officer/Director/Manager of the firm shall be liable for the offence unless he proves that it was committed without his knowledge or consent and that he took all due precautions and there was no negligence on his part. Further, in case of Government Department the head of the department shall also be liable unless he proves otherwise.

The Act also lays down that no court shall take cognizance of any offence under this legislation except on a complaint made by the Centre or any authority or officers authorized in this behalf or by person who has given notice of sixty days intention to make a complaint.

In 1980 the Government of India appointed a high powered Committee under the Chairmanship of N.D. Tiwari, the then Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission to review the existing Lego administrative framework and to recommend sound legislative measures for improving the quality of environment and ensuring its protection.

The Committee noted some of the major shortcomings in environmental laws and recommended a comprehensive review and reformation of some Central and State laws. The Committee also identified some areas in which there is need for enacting new laws.

Some of the important legislative measures suggested’ by the committee are: (i) Comprehensive legislation for biosphere reserve; (ii) Protection of grazing land; (iii) Protection of endangered species; (iv) Toxic Substances Control Act; (v) Suitable legislative provisions to prevent the growing abuse of land and for enforcing strict reclamation regimen after the soil is removed for brick making; (vi) Prevention of noise pollution; and (vii) Prevention of denudation of forests. The Committee further suggested inclusion of environmental protection in the concurrent list.

India is a signatory to all international conferences and convention son environment. The Union government has exclusive power to legislate on matters to give effect to international agreements relating to environment. The Union government can also legislate under Article 252 with the consent of the State Governments on matters which are not within its purview.

For instance to check and control epidemic problem the Union Government has enacted the Water Act with a view of controlling pollution and maintaining or restoring wholesomeness of water. Since the parliament has no power to make such laws for the States, Parliament had to resort to the provision of Article 252.

Further, the Union Government enacted the Air Act to control air pollution and preserve the quality of air to give effect to the decision taken by the international conference of Human Environment at Stockholm.

Looking at the different legislative measures it is found that the environment laws are scattered over different statute books. There are more than 200 Central or State enactments which have direct or indirect relations with environmental protection.

Now the question is whether these legislative measures have been effectively implemented to achieve the objectives of environmental protection, preservation and control or not. To have a body of legislation is one aspect and to implement them is another.

It is not the question of having more and more harsh laws but question of solving, the environmental problems by implementing the existing laws this requires sincerity of purpose on the part of the political leadership at the Centre and State levels and the implementing authorities at local level.

For instance, a number of legislative measures do exist in order to prevent adulteration, of foodstuffs and drugs, yet the spurious drugs and adulterated eatables are rampant. Another and more glaring example of the non-implementation of such Acts pertains to the instance of water, air and noise pollution.

Industries, Municipal Committees and Corporations continue to throw their untreated sewage and sewerage water in rivers, canals and open fields. Similarly, chimneys of fossil fuel consuming industries, defective automobiles and thermal power plants continue to pollute the air day and night.

In almost all the cities Acts and Rules do exist to control the use of loudspeakers and such other means which create noise pollution, yet these are hardly implemented. Religious places, industries, defective automobile engines, blaring radios and music system continue to pollute the atmosphere with their maddening noise.

The Pollution Control Board in Punjab identified 4211 industries causing pollution up to December 1986; out of these industries 1047 industries have applied for the grant of consent of the Board till that date.

However, out of these 1 047 industries only 63 had installed Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), 125 industries had improved their housekeeping, 211 had got sewerage connection, and 78 industries were utilizing the effluent on land for in irrigation purposes up to December, 1986.

This indicates the apathy in the first instance of the enforcing agencies and naturally, therefore, of the industries also. In this regard the Tiwari Committee regretted that there was no adequate infrastructure for helping the implementing machinery of the industries concerned.

A National Committee on Environment Planning and Co-ordination was constituted in 1972. The Committee has been designed to act as the highest advisory body to the government, and also to work for environment planning.

The specific functions of the Committee are: to do an appraisal of projects from different areas, to conduct survey of wetlands, to plan for human settlement, and to spread environmental awareness among the people.

The National Committee on Environmental Planning has constituted Environmental Boards in every State and Union Territory. In 1980, N.D. Tiwari Committee made several recommendations. One of the recommendations was for the creation of department of Environment.

Consequently, the Department of Environment was established at the Centre level in 1980. At present this department functions under a Cabinet Minister. The main role of the department is to act as a “Nodal agency” for environment protection and development of balanced eco­system in the country.

The specific purpose of the Department is to play a “watchdog role to study and bring to the attention of the government and Parliament instances, causes and consequences of environmental degradation of all sectors.”

The Department also issues annual “State of Environment Report”, “recommending actions, policies and plans to Central and State Governments and their agencies in their Endeavour to protect, conserve and improve the environment.

The Department of Environment (DOE) is also supporting research on environmental problems and is giving high priority to environment education, it is proposed to introduce environment education as a subject at school, college and university levels. It is also to work for carrying out environmental appraisal of development projects, monitoring and regulating pollution, conserving marine ecosystem as well as eco-system in general.

Other important functions of the Department are: to formulate policy and plan for its implementation, to promote research on environmental issues, to maintain liaison with international agencies on environmental problems and other aspects.

The Department of Environment functions under the control and supervision of the Prime Minister. The Department is assisted and advised by the National Committee on Environment Planning (NCEP) and National Development Board (NDP) at the national level.

Other sub-agencies which help and assist the Department to increase its efficiency on technical issues include Botanical Survey of India, which provides data, and information about flora of the country and its conservation.

The Geological Survey of India helps the Department to develop strategies for the protection of endangered species and conservation of fauna in the country.

It also advised on the faunal wealth and its diversity. Central Board of Prevention and Control of Water Pollution gives advice on matter concerning water pollution and its prevention and control. National Museum of Natural History helps the Department for generating awareness about environmental education.

The Botanical Survey of India has set up a country-wide network with regional offices. It is also being involved in assessment of environmental impact of development projects such as the Silent Valley, Sutlej-Beas Link, Tehri Dam, Lalpur Dam, etc.

The Zoological Survey of India has been engaged in the survey of faunal resources and collection of base-line scientific data with regard to their taxonomy, bio-ecology, animal behaviour and pollution, etc.

National Environment Advisory Committee was constituted in 1983 to identify and highlight the environmental issues, to advise on measures for the implementation of environment policy, to organise public discussion on national issues of environmental importance, to promote public commitment and participation in “the implementation of environmental programmes and to get feedback on national environmental priorities and plans for the people.

The Department of Environment, Forest and Wildlife was created under the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985. Main functions of the Department include Social Forestry, Farm Forestry. Extension Forestry, Reforestation in degraded forests and research forestry.

The Department also maintains and protects sanctuaries of rare species. Other agencies such as the National Development Council, National Wasteland Board and Central Ganga Authority were set up in 1^85 in the Department of Environment to improve the deserts and wastelands. The Central Ganga Authority is entrusted with the execution of Ganga Action plan.

The Government of India sanctioned Rs. 292 crore for Ganga Action Plan and 192 schemes for purification of Ganga River were sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 200.61 crore up to January 31, 1988. Work was in progress in 25 out of 27 towns, and 11 schemes “-were completed at an expenditure of Rs. 4.17 crores.

About the progress of purification of Ganga River, a work programme of Rs. 992.31 crore for U.P., Bihar and West Bengal was approved by the Central Ganga Authority under the Ganga Action Plan.

A National Eco-Development Board has also been constituted for the socioeconomic development by utilizing national resources such as water, soil, plant and animal life.

Under Water Pollution Act, 1974 and Air Pollution Act, 1981, there is a provision for constituting a common Central Board for prevention of pollution. Under Section 5 of Air Pollution Act, State Governments are required to appoint and constitute State Boards for the prevention of pollution.

However, under section 47 to 49 of the same Act, State Governments are empowered to supersede the Board at any time and also to reconstitute the Board by a fresh notification or appointment.

The functions of Central Board for prevention and control of pollution, as mentioned in section 16(2) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, include organising through mass media a comprehensive programme regarding the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution.

It can also plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for this purpose. The Union Government has recently decided to set up an Environment Protection authority to assist the Government in formulation of policy and its implementation in all matters concerning environment.

Although, the Central Board and State Boards in some of the states have been established, yet their functioning is not as satisfactory as it should have been. First of all these Boards are not constituted in all the States. According to Annual Report (1975-76) of the Works and Housing Ministry, States like Tamil Nadu and Nag land are not interested in adopting Water Pollution Act, 1974.

Air Pollution Act of 1981 is also not in force in many of the States. Secondly, the functioning of the Boards wherever they exist is not up to the mark. Boards mostly consist of Government nominated inexperienced persons. The Act prescribes no qualifications and experience for such nominees.

Consequently “lost of the persons so nominated lack interest in pollution control activities and Policies. It is also seen that the undertaking against which the Board was to take action was represented on the Board itself. Under such situations effectiveness, impartiality and efficiency of such a Board may be the first casualty.

Thirdly, the consent of Boards for a new or altered outlet or for new discharge of poll has just become a formality because the Act itself provides that such a consent shall be deemed to have been unconditionally given on the expiry of a period of four months from the date of making of the application unless’ the consent of given or refused earlier.

It means that if the consent is not given or not refused within the prescribed period it will automatically be taken as implied consent hence, the functioning of the Board becomes purposeless. Fourthly, the power given to the Boards are not adequate and whatever power they have, are more advisory or investigatory in nature. Boards have no power to take coercive punitive measures against a polluter.

Interestingly enough, Boards have powers to take act on if some effluent is found in a stream or a well, but they have no power to prevent apprehended pollution. For this purpose the Boards are required to move the court of law for obtaining orders. Board can, thus, apprehend the wrong doers but cannot take action against them.

Further, these Boards feel helpless in taking action against big industrialist on violation of law. Even courts and prosecutors are reluctant in attaching criminal stigma against industrial giants fifthly, the Board under the Water Act has power for granting or not granting consent to discharge effluents, but the Board has no legal power to investigate into the more of its consequential impact.

There is no provision in the Act for the assessment of environmental impact. Though National Committee on Environmental Planning and Department of Environment has done some work in this regard, yet the nature of their work is administrative and advisory in character and not statutory.

It is essential that instead of assigning an important task like Environmental Impact Assessment to an advisory body, it must be entrusted to an independent agency which must take complete responsibility of assessing, monitoring and preparing environmental impact study. The new projects must be launched only after obtaining permission of such an agency.

The Department of Environment as an administrative agency has an advisory role only. It cannot legally prosecute the defaulters. It does not have legal sanctions to enforce even its own policies. The success or failure of the Department of Environment depends on Boards which have the powers to prosecute but cannot punish or prevent the polluters from polluting the environment.

Thus, the Boards and the Department of Environment Management are not effective agencies to manage governmental pollution. The non-governmental organizations have no locus stand to press their opinion. The Boards, therefore, have adopted a policy & persuasion rather than prosecution.

The pollution Control Boards created under the Water Pollution Control Act, and Air Pollution Act, are not getting co-operation from the industries concerned the industries hesitate to apply for grant of consent of the Board for installing anti-pollution treatment plants because it may cause financial and technological stress on them.

The industries ignore the conditions imposed by the Boards to improve their housekeeping, treating the trade effluent and charging them in an appropriate manner on very flimsy grounds, such as absence of technology for treatment, non-availability of land, lack of funds and absence of proper disposal points.

The industries which have installed the plants generally do not put them into operation in order to save the expenses on running the plant. Even the Board in its present position could monitor the plant only once a year. Shrewd industrialists, therefore, succeed in avoiding the provisions of law one way or the other.

Sometimes when the officials of the Board visit an industry for identifying and assessing the pollution caused by the industry or to make it aware of the provisions of the Water Act, or to advise the industry to follow a procedure for applying for consent, they generally get a very cold treatment or even hostile attitude.

The officials of the Board are sometime not even allowed to collect samples of treated and untreated effluents. Industries generally avoid complying with the conditions laid down by the Boards for mitigating pollution.

Boards do not have any authority to force the industry to comply with the conditions except launching prosecution against it. Industries do not even care to renew the consent of the Board unless they need loan from financial institutions.

In February 1992 the Environmental Audit was made compulsory. Industries are now required to submit an Environmental Audit Report for the fiscal year by May 15.

The practice was to begin in 1993. Under this the Companies whereto specify, amount of pollutants and waste (both hazardous and solid), indicate disposal practice for both categories, amount of waste generated from plant’s production process, methods of pollution control, recycled material and quantity, impact of pollution control measures on the conservation of resources, quantity of water used for processing, cooling and domestic uses, consumption of raw material per unit output and its comparison with previous years.

In 1992 the central government decided to establish an environmental relief fund to provide immediate relief to victims of industrial accidents by amending the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991. Financed by an additional amount paid by each policy holder, the fund is to be administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Under the Act, every industrial unit must take one or two policies covering its liability to provide immediate relief on a specified scale to a person who suffers injury or damage to health.

The amount of policy under the Act to be taken is to be equal to the company’s paid up capital but subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 crore.

In order to make administrative structure more effective to combat the environmental pollution, administrative bodies meant for the purpose must be institutionally, legally, and financially strong enough to take effective steps and actions to plan and manage the environmental problems.

The Boards must be empowered to take direct action against the defaulters. The Pollution Control administrative Authorities must have independent powers to implement their decisions. All the administrative agencies like NCEP. DOE and other governmental organizations derailing with the environmental issues must be manned by experts from different professional disciplines. The legislative measures relating? Environmental pollution control must be prudently formulated and implemented so that none can violate or escape the provision of law. Environmental offences must be dealt with a severe hand and heavy penalties.

In order to provide support and strength to government agencies non-governmental organizations must be encouraged and given legal recognition to combat the menace of environmental pollution.

To evince public co-operation citizens must be given legal right to have access to all information and documents concerning pollution and environment management.

The management system must be so designed that it may automatically provide for inbuilt ways for frequent exchange of views and experiences between the public and the government on implementation measures designed to combat pollution.

Regular feedback on the implementation of pollution control measures and information on new research findings relating to environment must be provided. There must be a special cell in the administrative structure to hear grievances of people as well as of the industry concerned so that steps may be taken to remove genuine grievances.

Technical and expert cell should form a part of the administrative structure to impart education on technical and legal matters relating to- environmental protection and improvement. To provide land for treatment plants and disposal of trade effluents must be the concern of environmental management bodies.

Cost of treatment plants must be subsidized and other incentives to install treatment plants in industries should also be provided.

The Boards under Water and Air Pollution Acts must pressurize Municipal Corporation to comply with provisions of Water Act for the proper disposal of domestic effluents and for laying down sewerage lines for the disposal of sewage. Standards for trade effluents must be laid down and implemented in all sincerity by the administrative agencies.

Environmental pollution is a world-wide phenomenon; therefore, there is a need to have a coordinated administrative structure from international level to national levels so that the environmental problems may be tackled in a coordinated and co-operative way.

In India the Twelfth Five Year Plan has emphasized the need for sound environmental management which includes environmental planning, protection, monitoring, assessment, research, education, and conservation as major guiding factors for national development.