12-Dec-2022: Activities of Environment Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT)
Environment Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT) is a Central Sector scheme implemented by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with the objective, inter alia, to promote environmental awareness and mobilize students’ participation for environment conservation. Grants-in-aid were sanctioned under this Scheme for two major programmes, namely, National Green Corps (NGC) Programme and National Nature Camping Programme (NNCP).
Under the NGC programme, more than 1 lakh Eco-clubs have been formed in schools and colleges to educate students and to spread awareness on environmental issues. A financial assistance of Rs 5,000/- per Eco-club used to be provided under this programme with a ceiling of 500 school Eco-clubs per district and 100 college Eco-clubs per State. Activities undertaken by Eco-clubs included plantation drives, cleanliness drives, celebration of important environmental days, awareness and capacity building on solid waste management through waste segregation, green pledges, etc.
Further, under NNCP, organization of field visits/ nature camps in different Protected Areas/ Nature Parks/ Tiger Reserves of the country for students were supported and activities like preparing checklist of flora and fauna spotted in the nature trail, bird watching, trekking, green pledges, group discussions, sharing of experiences, etc. were undertaken during these camps. These camps provided ‘nature experience’ to students and had huge potential to trigger their sensitivity towards nature and its conservation. A financial assistance not exceeding Rs. 2,000/- per student for a camp of 2 nights and 3 days used to be provided under this programme, with a ceiling of 20 camps per State/ Union Territory.
The above programmes were implemented through State Nodal Agencies designated by the respective State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations.
The EEAT scheme has been revamped during the current financial year into ‘Environment Education Programme’.
20-Dec-2021: Career in Environment and Wildlife Conservation
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change is implementing the Environment Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT) Scheme with the objective to promote environmental awareness especially among school and college students and to mobilize their participation for conservation of environment. Under the National Green Corps (NGC) programme of this Scheme, more than one lakh Eco-clubs have been formed in schools and colleges to educate students and to spread awareness on environmental issues. Further, this Ministry also supports organization of field visits/ nature camps for school students in Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, etc. under the National Nature Camping Programme of EEAT Scheme with an objective to provide ‘nature experience’ to students and thereby to trigger their sensitivity towards nature and its conservation. As per information provided by Department of Youth Affairs, awareness on environment conservation and enrichment is a component in the regular activities of National Service Scheme (NSS). Volunteers of NSS organize activities on environment conservation, climate change, use of renewable energy and other related issues in addition to plantation drives.
This Ministry has launched the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) in June 2017 under the ongoing Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Scheme, on a pilot basis, at 10 locations, spread over 9 biogeographic regions of the country with the objective to skill youth in environment, forest and wildlife sectors and enabling them to be gainfully employed or self-employed. Based on the success of the pilot phase, the programme was extended to pan-India level in 2018-19 covering diverse fields like pollution monitoring (air/water/soil), emission inventory, operation of Sewage Treatment Plant(STP)/ Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)/ Common Effluent Treatment Plant(CETP), waste management, environmental impact assessment, forest management, water budgeting and auditing, wildlife management, para taxonomy including Peoples Bio-Diversity Register(PBR), bamboo management and livelihood generation, etc. The training imparted under GSDP endeavours to enhance technical knowledge of the skilled workforce with a focus on hands-on training. The ENVIS Hubs/ Resource Partners and other institutions imparting training under the GSDP invite applications from all over the country and the placements take place based on employment opportunities available within or outside the State / Union Territory.
5-Nov-2022: 7th India Water Week-2022 Culminates with Valedictory Function
The 7th India Water Week-2022 which was being held at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, culminated with the valedictory function today in the august presence of Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Jal Shakti, Uttar Pradesh Shri Swatantra Dev Singh, Secretary, DoWR&GR, MoJS Shri Pankaj Kumar, Special Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, MoJS, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee graced the occasion.
- Technical session held on Reuse & recycle of waste water for water resilience & water market
- Panel discussion held on aligning with nature while ensuring water security
- Side event held on Sustainable development of water commons through community Swaraj
- Session on partnership with community through Panchayat Raj Institution, Self Help Group and NGOs
Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar appreciated the efforts put in by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in organising this mega event where delegates from India and abroad attended. Shri Dhankhar highlighted the programmes of the Ministry of Jal Shakti for various water conservation/management. Shri Dhankhar also called for taking proactive initiatives to resolve inter-state water disputes in the true spirit of federalism. He stressed that “these disputes are in favor of none and go against the very interests of the country and people at large.” Shri Dhankhar exhorted that with several initiatives being taken by the Government, common man is now living a better life. He appreciated the efforts of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the new dimension it has given to the meaning of Sanitation and Cleanliness.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti appreciated the efforts made in organising 7th IWW and appealed to take forward the recommendations emerged out. Sh. Shekhawat conveyed his dedication to giving a prosperous and water secured future to the future generations.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare raised the slogan ‘Jal Bachao Jeevan Bachao’. Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare addressed the gathering and emphasized on the need to bring new and innovative technologies to strengthen agriculture and reduce the use of water in irrigation through various measures. Shri Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti delivered the welcome address . Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Special Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, read out the brief report and important recommendations emerged from the 7th IWW-2022.The Water Warriors, School Children from various schools also took part in the event.
There was one Technical session on Reuse & recycle of waste water for water resilience & water market. Recycling of industrial return effluents is considered as a viable option to reduce industrial water demand. Issues like usable water sources, drivers for the realisation of drought proof water management option, recycling/ reuse applications and sustainability leading to water supply security are discussed. Lack of awareness in scientific aspects of septic tank design and the need for regular maintenance and upkeep of the same were stressed. Encouraging Public Social Private Partnership with Tech-driven approach with use of spatial technology was advocated.
A side event on Sustainable development of water commons through community Swaraj-A key solution for water security was also organised by M/s. DHAN Foundation. Shri V. Venkatesan, Programme Leader, DHAN Foundation and his team shared their experience and milestones achieved in community swaraj for water security.
Panel discussion on aligning with nature while ensuring water security, the challenges and opportunity was also held under the Chairmanship of Prof. A.K. Gosain, ex-Professor & Head, Civil Engineering Dept. IIT, Delhi. Eminent panelists Dr. Sharad Jain, NIH, Roorkee, Dr. K. Ramesh, Scientist-E, WII, Shri N. Kumar, Vice President, WWF, Ms. Aishwarya Dhawan, IIT, Mumbai, Dr. Afroz Ahmad, IIT Roorkee, Expert Member, NGT, Shri Sanjay Gangwar, Director, CWC, Shri Y.B. Sharma, CGWB Bhopal participated in the discussion. The Water Poverty Index (WPI) was emphasised as a systematic and integrated indicator for water security.
The event on Atal Bhujal Yojna + NAQUIM chaired by Shri Sunil Kumar, Chairman, CGWB was also organised. Shri K.C. Naik, Former Chairman, CGWB & Member, and Shri Praful Saxena, Project Director, Atal Bhujal Yojna co-chaired the event. The scheme was launched for improvement of groundwater management through community participation, impacting around 78 districts and 8350 Gram Panchayats of Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan States. The achievements in both Atal Bhujal Yojna and NAQUIM programmes were apprised to the participants.
Under the National Water Mission programme of Ministry of Jal Shakti, session on partnership with community through Panchayat Raj Institution(PRI), Self Help Group(SHG) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) chaired by Shri Sunil Kumar Arora, Advisor,(C&M), National Water Mission deliberated covering challenges in accessibility for rural water supply, quality and service delivery, safe management of black & grey water. He also stressed for ensuring awareness on access to functional household tap connections(FHTC), and operation & maintenance of water supply schemes.
24-Sep-2019: President of India Inaugurates 6th India Water Week-2019
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 6th India Water Week-2019 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The theme of the India Water Week-2019 is ‘Water Cooperation – Coping with 21st Century Challenges’ and it is being organised by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that cooperation between different stakeholders is critical, if we are to face the challenges concerning water effectively. Water issues are too multi-faceted and complex to be solved by only the government or just one nation. All nations and their water communities have to come together to help build a water sustainable future for all.
The President said that we often talk of reducing our “carbon-footprint”. It is time we talk to reducing our “water-footprint” as well. Our farmers, corporate leaders and government bodies need to actively consider the “water-footprint’’ of different crops and industries. We need to encourage agricultural and industrial practices that have the least water-footprint.
The President said that managing and mapping ground-water resources is also an important aspect of water governance. The widespread use of boring machines has led to unregulated and excessive exploitation of ground-water. We have to value our ground-water and be responsible. We have to ensure that our precious rainwater does not get wasted. We need to store and capture our rainwater by utilizing our existing reservoirs, dams, other water bodies and by adopting water harvesting measures in our homes and neighbourhoods.
The President said that while we seek solutions to address different water-related issues, we should not lose sight of our age-old methods of conserving water. A blending of our traditional knowledge with modern technologies and techniques can help us become a water secure nation. He called upon all stakeholders to pledge to achieve water-related goals with robust cooperation among all states, public and private organisations and people. He said that over the past five years, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan saw participation of people from all strata of society as well as organisations, who took responsibility and made it their personal mission. We all need to show the same dedication and commitment towards Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
The President said that the ‘National Mission for Clean Ganga’ entails numerous projects to ensure the continuous and unpolluted flow of the Ganga. He emphasized that making Ganga and our other rivers clean cannot be a mission of the Government alone. It has to be our collective endeavour and our collective promise. He said that as citizens we must contribute to this cause. For instance, we recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri is a few days away. We need to ensure that the idols of deities immersed in the rivers are made of environment-friendly materials. It will help keep the rivers clean and ensure the safety of marine life.
31-Oct-2022: Creation of vertical gardens by the Income Tax Department by using waste plastic bottles
The Income Tax Department has come up with a unique idea which addresses the concerns of plastic waste and creation of green spaces in urban areas. This is the concept of making vertical gardens or green walls by using waste plastic bottles, an initiative being spearheaded by IRS officer Shri Rohit Mehra. He has executed this idea by using waste plastic bottles as containers for making vertical gardens on walls of Government buildings. It addresses the above twin issues simultaneously by recycling the waste plastic and reusing it for a positive purpose.
This has been replicated on many Government buildings including the offices and guest houses of Income Tax Department at various places in India. It not only reuses plastic but also helps in substantial reduction of surrounding pollution, apart from improving the aesthetics of the buildings. Till date, this initiative has led to reuse of over 7 lakh waste plastic bottles and planting of over 7 lakh plants. So far, 900 such vertical gardens have been created in 17 Indian States and more than 50 districts of India. This has led to reuse of 70 tons (approx.) of single-use waste plastic which otherwise would have gone to landfills.
Further, the largest vertical garden in the country made with waste plastic bottles has been created at the Income Tax Office, Ludhiana. It covers an area of 10,135 square feet and has also found a place in the Limca Book of Records.
The Department has also amplified this initiative by collaborating with other organizations and institutions to create vertical gardens. Such gardens have been created at Schools, Colleges, Gurudwaras, Government buildings, IITs, Court-premises, Police stations, Prisons, Corporate Houses, Industrial-Houses, Hotels, Bridges and flyovers etc. The cities presently covered under this initiative are Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Roorkee, Bhatinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Chandigarh, Jammu, Vadodara, Delhi, Surat and Mumbai.