Environmental Concerns and Management (Semester-I)

Unit II Environmental Governance and Management

Environmental Management: Concept
According to the United Nations report on Development and Environment 1972,
“Environmental Management covers functions designed to facilitate comprehensive
planning that takes into account the side effects of man’s activities and thereby protects
and improves the human environment for the present and future generations.”
Environmental management is not “management of the environment.” It means managing
our activities consciously within the limits set by the environment with ecological care in
mind.
Environmental management is the optimal utilisation of the finite resources
between different possible uses and at the same time demand that such an allocation is
efficient. Management of the environment is achieving the well-being of all who are a part
of this environment not only in the present but also in the future.
Thus, Environmental Management refers to all the systematic planned efforts by the policy
makers directed towards;
 Regulating and managing the utilization of natural resources
 Minimizing irreversible damages to the environment through all types of human
activities and
 Measures undertaken to regulate the ongoing activities in different areas.
Optimal use of resources with foresight has to be the guiding principle in environmental
management with the objective of achieving human welfare and environmental quality at the
same time. The task of environmental manager will therefore be to bring into focus the
limited availability of the material resources – renewable and non-renewable – and therefore
the question of how we need to balance our needs amongst all of us.
A sound environment management calls not for just a balanced and effective use of
existing resources, revised terms of trade, debt relief for poor countries and tackling issues
like preserving biodiversity, but also generating sensitivity and a responsible awareness in the
present generation.

Need for Environmental Management

Emergence of modern industrial era has disturbed the ecological balance through heavy
industrialization, technological revolution, fast growth of means of transportation,
materialistic exploitation of resources, unplanned urbanization etc. The anthropogenic
activities have disturbed the harmonious relationships between the environment and human
beings. If the natural resources are overexploited, it will affect socio-economic development
of a nation.
Environmental stress is becoming severe day by day. Degradation of environment
poses a serious threat to humanity. Humanity is on the crossroad to find solutions to the
environmental problems created by local, national and global developmental activities. For
this we need to recognise the impact of human actions on environment and the measures to
minimize and mitigate them. The administrators and policy makers responsible for designing,
planning and implementation should show an environmental responsibility. Their actions
should address the environmental issues along with economic viability and technical
feasibility.
Need for Environmental Management
1 For efficient use of resources - Resources are limited, if we don't use them properly,
they will get exhausted very soon. For appropriate and reasonable use of resources,
environment management is necessary.
2 To overcome environmental and ecology crisis - The present development has
reached a point where environment and ecology are in critical state, if the same has to
continue, then it will create a disastrous effect on the environment. The whole earth’s
ecological balance will be destroyed.
3 To reduce disasters - Environmental Management reduces the risk of disasters like
flooding, forest fire, earthquakes, desertification, transport accidents, Global warming,
etc. We need to explore the link between environmental system and disasters and
also the synergies between man-made and natural disasters.
4 To decide the limits to growth-Environmental Management is essential to draw a line
of limit for development. E.g., If our development needs to lead to global warming or
depletion of the ozone layer, then we must not use the materials, and modify our
ways of development. We may adopt the policy of afforestation.
5 For sustainable development - Environmental management is required for
development without destruction or overuse of natural resources and to reduce
pollution and degradation of nature. Considering the welfare of future generations,
proper decisions regarding use of environment are necessary.

Approaches to Environmental Management

Proper utilisation of resources is the prime objective of environmental management
conservation. In the World Conservation Strategy (1980), the three main objectives of
Environment Management stated were;
 the maintenance of essential ecological processes,
 the preservation of genetic diversity, and
 the sustainable utilisation of natural resources
Keeping in view the above objectives, the most common approach to environmental
management is a Conservative Approach which states that there should not be
overexploitation of nature and conservation of natural resources is essential for sustainable
development.
 In recent years, several approaches have been developed for the management of
environment. Regional planners often adopt a human ecology approach, while other planners
suggest a system analysis or an ecosystem approach.
The various approaches developed for the environmental management are:
i. Ad hoc approach- developed in reaction to a specific situation. Using this approach, an
organization may conduct special surveys and studies to deal with specific
environmental issues from time to time.
ii. Problem-solving approach: Adopted for identification of problems and needs and
then implementing solutions. It requires designing an action plan, implementation and
then evaluation of the same.
iii. Systems approach: such as ecosystem, agro-ecosystem, etc.
iv. Regional approach: based on ecological zones such as watershed, river basin, coastal
zone, island, etc.
v. Specialist discipline approach, often adopted by professionals for air, water and land
management, urban management, tourism management, and environmental health.
vi. Voluntary approach: Voluntary approaches are schemes whereby firms make
commitments to improve their environmental performance beyond legal
requirements.
vii. Commercial approach: Adopted by industry and business to ensure environmental
objectives are implemented and followed.
viii. Human ecology approach - The main emphasis in this approach is on man-
environment relationship which is a primary aspect of any management for planning
and development.
ix. Political ecology approach- to develop policies and laws for use of resources and
protection of resources

Integrated Approach to Environmental Management

The best approach to environmental management is an integrated approach in which all the
components of the environment are taken into consideration and its proper management, as
a whole, is done. It is designed to ensure that an environmental policy and environmental
objectives are adopted and followed by industries and other organizations.
EMS approach helps organisations to:
1. Develop a proactive environmental approach;
2. Ensure a balanced view across all functions;
3. Enable effective, directed environmental goal setting; and
4. Make the environmental auditing process effective
While adopting Integrated environmental management following aspects must be taken
into account;
A. Perception and awareness of environment in planning
B. Environmental education and training at school, college and university levels - about
conservation and proper utilisation of natural and human resources
 C. Assessment of the impact of industrial and technological developments on
environment - Environmental Impact Assessment
D. Control over environmental degradation and pollution – monitoring of activities,
pollution control, repairing the damages caused to the environment
The institutional framework that exists for environmental management broadly refers to the
government institutions, non-government institutions, and other autonomous bodies that
collectively contribute to the overall objective of managing the environment.

Environmental Management Tools & Techniques

Considering the significance of sound environmental management there is a need for a
company or an organization to know how to go about it. To undertake any task one needs
appropriate tools. This learning material describes a range of environmental management
tools - tools that a company or an organization can use to effectively manage its
environmental and social affairs.

In the early 1990s the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognized the
need for standardization in the field of environmental management tools and in 1993 it set up
a committee to write standards relating to the following environmental management tools:
i. Environmental Policies
ii. Environmental Management Systems
iii. Environmental Auditing
iv. Environmental Indicators
v. Eco-balance
vi. Life Cycle Assessment
vii. Environmental Labelling
viii. Environmental Reporting
ix. Environmental Charters.
To introduce these tools, each is described briefly below.
I. Environmental Policy
An environmental policy outlines an organisation's commitment to reduce its impact on
the environment, and provides a framework for setting objectives and targets to
improve your environmental performance. Developing an environmental policy is often
the first step taken by firms/companies who wish to undertake environmental
management. An environmental policy signals a commitment to environmental
management and can prepare the way for further environmental management
activities.
II. Environmental Management Systems
An environmental management system (EMS) enables a firm/company to manage its
environmental affairs in a planned and systematic way and thus identifying ways of
improving its environmental performance that most benefit its business performance.
Companies, industries and businesses may adopt EMS schemes such as:
  ISO 14001, the international environmental management system standard
 EMAS - Eco-management and Audit Scheme of European Community.
III. Environmental Auditing
Environmental auditing is a tool for checking whether a firm or an organization is doing
what it should be doing. For instance a legislative compliance audit checks if the activities
of the firm actually comply with the legislation that covers them. An environmental audit
will tell a firm or an organization whether its waste management practices conform with
the industry sector best practice guidelines it has committed itself to following.
Auditing is an important part of an environmental management system. ISO 14001
requires that an audit to be undertaken to check whether a firm’s EMS meets its
requirements and the same is true for EMAS (full form in previous point).
IV. Environmental Indicators
Environmental indicators allow a firm to measure both its environmental performance
and its efforts to improve its existing performance. Indicators can be used within an
environmental management system to check that a firm has met the targets it is required
to set for itself, but can equally well be used in firms that have not developed an EMS.
V. Eco-balance
A company eco-balance records the various raw materials, energy, resources, products
and wastes of a company that enter, used and discarded by it over a specified period of
time. In other words, it provides a record of a company’s physical inputs, stock and
outputs. Once a company knows exactly what is coming in and going out, it can begin to
assess the particular environmental impacts of those inputs and outputs. An eco-balance
therefore enables a firm to undertake the comprehensive environmental review of its
activities required by ISO 14001 and EMAS and to go on and set targets for improving its
environmental performance.
VI. Life Cycle Assessment
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool for identifying and assessing the various
environmental impacts associated with a particular product. LCA takes a “cradle to grave”
approach looking at the impacts of the product throughout its life cycle i.e. from the raw
materials acquisition (the “cradle”) through its production and use to its final disposal (the
“grave”). LCA allows manufacturers to find ways of cost-effectively reducing the
environmental impact of a product over its life-cycle and to support their claims about the
environmental impact of their products.
VII. Environmental Labelling
Environmental labelling schemes award an environmental label to those products that are
declared to be less harmful to the environment than others within the same product
group. Firms that wish for their products to be considered for a label must apply to the
scheme organizer. To be awarded a label, a product has to meet a set of environmental
criteria drawn up for its product group by the labelling scheme organizer. The criteria
relate to the complete product life-cycle and are drawn up using LCA. They are set so that
only a certain percentage of products within a group, say 20-30%, can meet them. Hence
 environmental labels can be used as marketing tools as they signify that a product is one
of the least environmentally harmful products in its group.
VIII. Environmental Reporting
Having undertaken various environmental management initiatives to improve its
environmental performance, a company or an organization may wish to communicate the
results of these initiatives to the outside world. One way of doing this is by publishing an
environmental report. Issuing an environmental report can improve a firm’s public image
and lead to improved relationships with stakeholders. To date, it is mainly large
companies that have issued such reports but small and medium scale companies may also
find environmental reporting a useful tool.
IX. Environmental Charters
There are a number of environmental charters and guidelines to which a firm/company or
an organization can subscribe in order to demonstrate its commitment to responsible
environmental management.
How can a Firm/Company make use of these Tools?
If a firm wishes to make use of these environmental management tools, it has a number of
options. It can, i. Read the relevant literature on the tools ii. Get staff trained to use them iii.
Use external experts/consultancy
(Source:https://www.undp.org/content/dam/bhutan/docs/Energy_environment/Envpublications/2011-NEC-
Env%20Mgt%20Tools.pdf)

What is Environmental Governance?

Environmental governance refers to the set of regulatory processes, mechanisms and
organizations through which government & non-government agencies influence
environmental actions and outcomes. Environmental governance is synonymous with
interventions aiming at changes in environment-related incentives, knowledge, institutions,
decision making, and behaviours. (Source: Lemos, Maria & Agrawal, Arun. (2008). Environmental
Governance. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 31.10.1146/annurev.energy.31.042605.135621)
Governance is not the same as government. It includes the actions of the government at
different levels and, in addition, encompasses actors such as communities, businesses, and
NGOs. Good environmental governance takes into account the role of all actors that impact
the environment. From governments to NGOs, the private sector and civil society,
cooperation is critical to achieving effective governance that can help us move towards a
more sustainable future. The decentralisation of decision-making powers from governments,
downwards towards local institutions, NGOs and communities, is an important feature of the
environmental governance approach because it is intended to improve accountability,
accessibility, and a voice for local people and their representatives (Batterbury and Fernando,
2006).
Environmental Governance comprises the rules, practices, policies and institutions that
shape how humans interact with the environment. International agreements, national
policies and legislation, local decision-making structures, transnational institutions, and
environmental NGOs are all examples of the forms through which environmental governance
takes place. The main role of government institutions and agencies is to ensure compliance
with law and regulations.
The term ‘good governance’ is typically to a set of public sector reforms designed to attain
positive, lasting changes in accordance with key governance principles (Batterbury and
Fernando, 2006). Effective environmental governance at all levels is critical for finding
solutions to the challenges such as air pollution, water pollution and biodiversity loss etc. To
achieve their environmental commitments and goals, countries need strong legislative,
political and judicial systems. The mobilization of individual incentives and their incorporation
into innovative strategies of environmental governance is essential for efficient governance.
However, effective environmental governance also requires the incorporation of knowledge
about restrictions on human activities that rely on high intensities of resource exploitation or
lead to high levels of pollutant emissions. In designing and assessing strategies of
environmental governance, it is critical therefore to focus not just on efficiency and equity,
but also on criteria related to long-term sustainability and a concern for nature.

Tools or mechanisms with government for regulating the environmental

behaviour of companies and society, such as:
1. International conventions and treaties – With a growing global awareness to protect
the environment in recent decades, nations feel an increasing need to participate in
international treaties for environmental regulation. There is an increasing concern
about mitigation of several global and regional environmental issues, which can be
attained through cooperation among the countries. India is party to many such
international agreements concerning the management of the environment. Some of
the important agreements are as follows:
 The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention, 1971) -
 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and
flora (CITES), 1973
 Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer (to the Vienna
Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer), 1987
 Basel Convention on Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, 1989
 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1992
 Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (CBD)

2. Internal legislation– Even before India’s independence in 1947, several environmental

legislations existed in India but the real impetus for bringing about a well-developed
framework came only after the UN Conference on the Human Environment
(Stockholm, 1972). Since the 1970s an extensive network of environmental legislation
has grown in the country. Some of the important legislations are The Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The
 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution Act, 1981;
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

3. Regulations –
From time to time the central government of India, issues notifications under the
Environment Protection Act, 1986 for the protection of ecologically-sensitive areas or
issues guidelines for matters under the EPA. Some of the important regulations are;
o Doon Valley Notification (1989), which prohibits the setting up of an industry in
which the daily consumption of coal/fuel is more than 24 MT (million tonnes)
per day in the Doon Valley.
o Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (1991), which regulates activities along
coastal stretches.
o The Environmental Impact Assessment of Development Projects Notification,
1994 and amended in 1997.
o Taj Trapezium Notification (1998), provided that no power plant could be set
up within the geographical limit of the Taj Trapezium assigned by the Taj
Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority.
o Disposal of Fly Ash Notification (1999) the main objective of which is to
conserve the topsoil, protect the environment and prevent the dumping and
disposal of fly ash discharged from lignite-based power plants.

4. Policies –
Governments formulate national and sector policies, often in the form of strategies,
development plans and action plans. The policy design cycle starts by identifying the
issues that need to be addressed; continues with policy design, implementation and
enforcement; and is completed with policy evaluation. It is good practice to involve
different stakeholders and interest groups in this process to ensure that all important
issues are considered and policies are built on comprehensive understanding of
stakeholders. Broad discussion increases acceptance of an adopted policy and secures
the best results.
Some Policies to protect environment in India
 National Water Policy, 1987
 National Forest Policy was formulated in 1988
 National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and
Development, 1992
 Policy Statement for the Abatement of Pollution, 1992
 National Environment Policy, 2006
Since the enforcement of the Environment (Protection) Act in 1986, the Government
of India has launched programs for conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
Some of the programmes and schemes undertaken by the GoI towards a greener
and cleaner nation are;
 a. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
b. Namami Gange Programme
c. National Clean Air Programme
d. Jal Jeevan Mission
e. Nagar Van Scheme

5. Permits and licensing –

Depending on the type of activities undertaken by a company, multiple permits may
need to be obtained. The key environmental permits (referred to as
consents/authorisations in India) must be obtained from the local State Pollution
Control Board (SPCB). Consent to Establish (CTE) and subsequent Consent to Operate
(CTO) and their renewals under the Water Act and Air Act can typically be obtained by
submitting a combined consent application to the relevant SPCB.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) classifies the
industries it regulates as red, orange, green or white. A pollution index (PI) score is
allocated to each industrial sector which decides requirement of Consent to Operate
at state level.
o Red category: PI score of 60 and above. (For example, asbestos, nuclear power
plants, shipbreaking, oil and gas extraction, and so on).
o Orange category: PI score of 41 to 59. (For example, food and food processing,
printing ink manufacturing, paint blending and mixing, and pharmaceutical
formulations).
o Green category: PI score of 21 to 40. (For example, saw mills, tyres/rube
retreating, polythene and plastic products).
o White category: PI score up to 20. This category is classified as non-polluting
industries that no longer need Consent to Operate or an Environmental
Clearance. Instead, they merely need to notify the relevant SPCB.
Location restrictions for industries in India –
Since the liberalization and deregulation of the Indian economy in 1991, most
industries have been exempt from obtaining an industrial license to start
manufacturing in India. Government attention is reserved only for those industries
that may impact public health, safety, and national security. In India, industrial licenses
are regulated by the Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016
Under this provision, industries located within 25 kilometres of the periphery of cities
having a population of at least one million, must obtain an industrial license from the
government. The location of industrial units is subject to appropriate local zoning, land
use regulations, as well as environmental regulations in order to maintain ecological
discipline.

6. Monitoring and control –

 Environmental monitoring refers to the tools and techniques designed to observe an
environment, characterize its quality, and establish environmental parameters, for the
purpose of accurately quantifying the impact an activity has on an environment.
Results are gathered, analysed statistically, and then published in a risk assessment
and environmental monitoring and impact assessment report. The main objective of
environmental monitoring is to manage and minimize the impact an organization’s
activities have on an environment, either to ensure compliance with laws and
regulations or to mitigate risks of harmful effects on the natural environment and
protect the health of human beings.

In addition, there are two other instruments of environmental governance;

a Economic instruments - environmental charges, taxes and emission trading
schemes
b Voluntary instruments such as: Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that
allows an organization to systematically manage its environmental and health
safety matters.

Institutional Framework for Environmental Governance in India

The environmental governance in post-independent India started with setting up of the
Central Pollution Control Board in 1972 followed by the state boards. The department of
environment came into existence on November 1, 1980 which later evolved into a full-fledged
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 1985 which today is the apex administrative
body in the country for planning, regulating and coordinating all environmental activities.
Since the 1970s an extensive network of environmental legislation has grown in the country.
The MoEF and the Pollution Control Boards (CPCB i.e., Central Pollution Control Board and
SPCBs i.e., State Pollution Control Boards) together form the regulatory and administrative
core of the environmental governance along with the local governing bodies.

Role of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

(MoEF & CC/MoEF) in Environmental Governance in India
The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Government of India started functioning from
4th January, 1985. The Ministry of Environment & Forests known as Ministry of Environment,
Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) since 2014 is the nodal agency in the administrative
structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and
overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes and policies.
The broad Objectives of MoEF & CC are:
 Conservation and survey of flora and fauna, forests and other wilderness areas
 Prevention and control of pollution
 Afforestation and regeneration of degraded land
 Protection of the environment
  Ensuring welfare of animals and
 research related to these activities
The main tools utilized to attain these objectives, include;
Surveys, Impact Assessment, control of pollution, regeneration programmes, support to
organizations, research to solve problems relating to environment and provide training to
enlarge the requisite manpower, collection and dissemination of environmental information
and creation of environmental awareness among all sectors of society in the country.
Primary concerns of MoEF & CC
 Implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of natural
resources of the country (including its lakes and rivers, biodiversity, forests and
wildlife),
 ensuring the welfare of animals and the prevention and abatement of pollution

While implementing these policies and programmes, MoEF & CC is guided by the principle of
sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being. These objectives are well
supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures, aimed at the preservation,
conservation and protection of the environment. Besides the legislative measures (Acts), a
National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development,
1992, National Forest Policy, 1988, a Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992 and a
National Environment Policy, 2006 has also been evolved.
The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP),
and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for follow-up of
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
The Ministry is also entrusted with the issues relating to multilateral bodies such as the
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and of
regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian
Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) on matters pertaining to environment.
The organizational structure of the Ministry covers number of Divisions, Directorate,
Board, Subordinate Offices, Autonomous Institutions, and Public Sector Undertaking.

Environmental Committee
The MoEF & CC has published a Resolution that in every district a District Environmental
Committee shall be constituted for advising the state government on district level matters of
environmental protection and pollution control.
The committee undertake the following programmes;
• To plan environmental awareness campaign in the district
• To make recommendations to the state government on Action Plan based on a district
level review of environmental problems
• To coordinate activities of agriculture, irrigation and animal husbandry
• To prepare a District Environmental Status Report
An industry can take help of this Committee by adopting a right approach to see if some of its
problems can get a solution at the district level itself.

Role of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in Environmental

Governance in India
Central Pollution Control Board is the national apex body for assessment, monitoring, and
control of water and air pollution. CPCB performs functions as laid down under the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and The Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1981
Functions of the CPCB
1 Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of
water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
2 Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide program for the prevention, control or
abatement of water and air pollution;
3 Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;
4 Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards,
5 Carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air
pollution, & for their prevention, control or abatement;
6 Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention,
control or abatement of water and air pollution;
7 Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the
prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
8 Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water and air
pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control or
abatement;
9 Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage
and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, chimneys and ducts;
10 Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air pollution and
their prevention and control; CPCB has identified 17 categories of heavily polluting
industries
11 Lay down, modify or terminate, in consultation with the State Governments
concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the quality of
air; and
12 Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of India.
13 Conducts inspections to ensure compliance by industrial units to various pollution
control norms

Role of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in Environmental

Governance in India
There are State Pollution Control Boards at various state capitals of the country to advise
respective state governments to control and protect environment. A person of repute in the
field of environment or environmental scientists heads the SPCB as chairman. The SPCB has
its own team of scientists and laboratories to check quality of air, soil and water of different
samples collected from industrial areas.
Functions of SPCBs
(a) Planning a comprehensive programme for prevention, control and reduction of pollution
of streams and wells. Studies
(b) Advising the State Government regarding water pollution control or location of industries.
(c) Conducting and encouraging investigations and research relating to different aspects of
water pollution.
(d) To collaborate with the Central Board for training personnel for handling water pollution
programmes and organising related mass education programmes.
(e) Inspecting trade effluents and waste water treatment plants.
(f) Prescribing effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents.
(g) Evolving economical and reliable methods of disposal, treatment and reuse of waste water
(in agriculture).
(h) Laying down the standards of treatment of sewage and trade effluents to be discharged
into any stream.
(i) Making, varying or revoking any order for preservation or control of discharge of waste into
streams and wells or construction of systems for disposal of effluents.
(j) Establishing or recognising laboratories for analysis of samples.
(k) Performing such functions as may be entrusted by Central Board or State governments.
Consent of State Board:
(a) Person/industries discharging any sewage or effluent into any stream or well or on land
will have to seek the consent of the State Board. Board must decide an application for
consent within four months failing which consent will be deemed to have been given.
(b) A person may appeal against the order of the State Board within 30 days, to an appellate
authority established by the State Government. The State Govt, can alter the decision of the
State Board, if necessary.
(c) While giving consent, if any work is required to be executed and the applicant fails to do
so, the Board may itself execute it and recover the expenses along with interest.
(d) The State Board must be informed in case due to an accident in any industry or treatment
or disposal system, any polluting matter is likely to be discharged into any stream, well or on
land which in turn may pollute wa-ter. The Board may take remedial measures wherever
necessary.
(e) The Board may approach a court for restraining a person who is likely to cause pollution by
disposal discharge of polluting matter into a stream, well or on land.
(f) The person concerned may be directed by the court to remove the polluting matter and in
case of non-compliance, the court may authorise the board to do the needful and the
expenses incurred by the Board may be recovered from the person concerned.
(h) The Board may order closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry or operation. It may
stop or regulate the supply of electricity, water or any other service.

Powers of the SPCB

i. Power to Obtain Information:
According to Section 20.2, the State Board may make surveys, take measurements or
obtain information for purpose of performing functions under The Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act. Failure to comply with any directions under the Section
is a punishable offence under subsection (1) of Section 41.
ii. Power to Take Samples:
The State Government has the power to take samples of water of any stream or well
or any effluent being discharged into such a stream or well, for analysis. The State
Board further has the power to obtain a report of the result of the analysis by a
recognised laboratory.
iii. Power of Entry and Inspection: The State Board is empowered by the State Govt.,
with the right to enter any place for the purpose of performing any of the functions
entrusted to it.
iv. Power of Prohibition on Disposal of Polluting Matter into a Stream or Well – It
prohibits entry of any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter directly or indirectly into
any stream, well or sewer or on land.

Role of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Environmental Management

National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution
which guarantees the citizen of India the right to healthy environment. National Green
Tribunal Act, 2010 provides for the establishment of National Green Tribunals. India is the
third country following Australia and New Zealand to have such system. The tribunal is a
special fast-track quasi-judicial body comprising of judges and environment expert who will
ensure prompt disposal of cases.
NGT was set up in response to the Supreme Court and the Law Commission’s
recommendations pointing out the large numbers of environment-related cases pending in
courts. The Supreme Court of India in its judgment referred the needs for establishment of
environmental court which would have the benefit of expert advice from environmental
scientist and technically qualified persons as a part of judicial process

Structure of NGT
Following the enactment of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the Principal Bench of the
National Green Tribunal has been established in the National Capital – New Delhi, with
regional benches in Pune (Western Zone Bench), Bhopal (Central Zone Bench), Chennai (South
Bench) and Kolkata (Eastern Bench). Each bench has a specified geographical jurisdiction
covering several States in a region. There is also a mechanism for circuit benches. For
example, the Southern Zone bench, which is based in Chennai, can decide to have sitting in
other places like Bangalore or Hyderabad.
The chairperson of the National Green Tribunal is retired Judge of the Supreme Court,
Head Quartered in Delhi. Other Judicial members are retired Judges of High Courts. Each
bench of the National Green Tribunal will comprise of at least one Judicial Member and one
Expert Member. Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of
15 years’ experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.

Procedure for filing an Application or Appeal

The National Green Tribunal has a simple procedure to file an application seeking
compensation for environmental damage. If the party is not satisfied with the decision can file
an application before tribunal against an appeal, an order or any decision of the Government.
If no claim for compensation is involved in an application / appeal, a fee of Rs. 1000/- is to be
paid. In case where compensation is being claimed, the fee will be one percent of the amount
of compensation subject to a minimum of Rs. 1000/-.
Claim for Compensation under NGT
A claim for compensation can be made for:
 Relief / compensation to the victims of pollution and other environmental damage
including accidents involving hazardous substances;
 Restitution (restoration) of property damaged;
 Restitution of the environment for such areas as determined by the National Green
Tribunal.
Further no application for grant of any compensation or relief or restitution of property or
environment shall be entertained by the tribunal unless it is made within a period of five
years from the date on which the cause for such compensation or relief first occurred

Jurisdiction of the Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues
and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the
NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL Act. These included the following.
 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;
 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
 The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
 The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
This means that any violations pertaining only to these laws, or any order / decision taken by
the Government under these laws can be challenged before the NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL.
This Act confers on the Tribunal, the jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial
question relating to environment (including enforcement of any legal right relating to
environment) is involved. It further provides a time-limit of six months within which the
applications for settlement of dispute under this section shall be entertained by the Tribunal.

Notable orders of NGT

A. The Yamuna floodplain case
In March 2016, NGT imposed a fine of Rs 5 crores on the Art of Living Foundation
because it had organized World Cultural Festival on Yamuna floodplain and damaged
the environment of floodplain.
B. Ban on decade old Diesel vehicles at Delhi NCR
In an attempt to minimize air pollution at the capital of India and National Capital
Region (NCR), NGT announced that 10 years old vehicles are not allowed to ply on roads
of Delhi NCR
C. 2011 Sinking of ship: NGT slaps Rs 100-crore fine on shipping company Upholding the
‘polluter pays’ principle of environmental law, the National Green tribunal (NGT)
ordered Panama-based shipping company and its two Qatar-based sister concerns to
pay Rs 100 crore for damages caused due the sinking of their ship off Mumbai’s coast in
2011. The ship, MV Rak, sank 20 nautical miles off the south coast of Mumbai with a
cargo of more than 60,000 metric tonnes of coal while on its way from Indonesia to
Dahej, Gujarat. It also contained 290 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of diesel on board

Role of Non-Governmental Organisation in Environmental

Management
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group that
functions independently of government. Despite their independence from government, many
NGOs receive funding from local, state and central governments through grants. In other
words, NGOs are non-governmental organizations usually referred to as organizations which
are not part of government though could be funded by the government
NGOs involved in environmental governance are highly diverse, including local,
national, regional and international groups with various missions dedicated to environmental
protection, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, animal welfare and other issues.
NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizens’ concerns to the
government, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through
provisions of information. The NGO’s constitute a world-wide network interacting with
Governments and Internal intergovernmental organization in shaping international
environmental policies.
In recent years, the range of activities undertaken by environmental NGOs and other
major groups has broadened. They now undertake a much wider range of activities than
simply raising environmental awareness and/or acting as pressure groups. Their activities now
include; environmental monitoring, promoting environmental education, training and
capacity building, implementing demonstration projects, conducting advocacy work in
partnership with the government and promotion of regional and international cooperation on
environment. Many also get involved in the practical management of conservation areas and
promote community or individual action and campaign for greater accountability on the part
of the government and corporate sector.
In India, for an entity to become an NGO, it has to register either as a trust, society or a
private limited non-profit company, under section-08, Company of the Indian Companies Act,
2013.
Environmental NGOs typically take up causes related to the environment such as
climate change, air pollution, deforestation, ozone layer depletion, waste management,
biodiversity and land use, energy, conservation, environmental degradation, land
degradation. Various NGOs work hard to rally public opinion and concern about harm caused
to environment due to selfish motives of businesses, industry in many countries. The efforts
of NGOs have brought changes in the policy of some companies. Environment NGOs have
emerged as one of the strongest external pressure groups in bring about the changes in
environmental laws and regulations as well as enforcement of environment rules and
regulation.
Functions of NGOs
 Awareness creation about environmental issues and generating debate
 Watchdog (regulator/overseer) function
 Provide early warning, being close to the grassroot level
 Networking for exchange of ideas, campaigns and exchange of best practices
 Fund raising to reduce impact of environmental degradation
 Advocacy and lobbying for a new environmental policy or action by the government or
corporate sector
 Research and provision of expertise to committees
 Co-management of project and co-decision making in participatory environmental
programs
 Implementation of environmental projects in a participatory manner with greater
effectiveness and efficiency
 Conduct environmental impact assessment and environment audits
Some of the prominent environmental NGOs working in India are; Greenpeace India, Awaaz
foundation, Foundation for Ecological Security, Goa Foundation, and Winrock international
India, Assam Science Society, Bombay Natural History Society, Centre for Environmental
Education (CEE), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Kerala Sastra Sahitiya Parishad,
Kalpavriksh, Narmada Bachao Andalon and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, India) etc.
NGOs have played an active role in the protection of environment in India. These NGOs have
been successful in protecting the environment to a great extent.
International Environmental NGOs
 IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature
 WWF – World wide Fund for Nature
  Greenpeace
 Earth watch Institute
 World Resources Institute
 Friends of the Earth
 Biodiversity International Energy
Greenpeace is an International organization working in 40 countries across Europe, the
Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Greenpeace has been campaigning against environmental
degradation since 1971 when a small boat of volunteers and journalists sailed into Amchitka,
an area north of Alaska where the US Government was conducting underground nuclear
tests. It continues to function in a non-violent manner today. The efforts of NGOs have
brought changes in the policy of some companies. E.g. – Shell, the oil giant was intending to
dump its worn-out floating oil storage buoy (Brent Spar) operated by UK, in the North Sea.
Greenpeace played a crucial role in preventing this to happen. Greenpeace organised a
boycott of service stations of Shell in Germany. As sales fell, Shell adopted another way of
disposal of the structure.

Environmental Auditing
The main aim of environmental auditing is to provide an on-going status check of the
environment within the organization; and by doing so it will help to safeguard the
environment and minimize the risk to human health plus other living component in the
nature. Environmental auditing alone cannot achieve environmental improvement, but it is a
powerful managerial tool.
There are differences inherent in the perspectives about the purpose of environmental audits.
The primary purpose for conducting an environmental audit is often a reflection of priorities
and interests. Industries, on the one hand, see environmental audits as means of reducing
their own environmental risk taking. On the other hand, environmental groups and
organizations emphasize that it is the risks to the environment that are to be minimized
through environmental audit. It is associated with several stakeholders (concerned
regulatory authorities, businessmen, unions, researchers, environmental organizations,
political parties, etc.) and working for increasing environmental awareness.

Definition
 It is defined as a systematic and documented verification process of objectively obtaining
and evaluating evidence to determine whether an organization’s EMS conforms with audit
criteria set by the organization, and for communicating the results of this process to
management (ISO 14001).
 According to World Bank, environment audit is a methodical examination of
environmental information about an organization, a facility or a site, to verify whether, or
to what extent, they conform to specified audit criteria. The criteria may be based on
 local, national or global environmental standards. Thus, it is a systematic process of
obtaining and evaluating information about environmental aspects.

Types of environmental audit

There are two main types of environmental audits, i.e.

1. Objective-Based Types of Audits

The environmental audit covers assessment of any activity that imposes on the environment.
The scope and objectives of the audit more usefully distinguish different audit categories and
how the audit results are to be used.
However, the objectives and scope are often a combination of several audit types and are
usually defined on a case-by-case basis. Organizations have developed audit programmes to
fit their particular needs. Based on objectives, environmental audits can be categorized as
under:

(I) Liabilities audit:

These audits are often conducted as a run-up to gaining insurance cover and as a means of
demonstrating the regulatory compliance.
a) Compliance auditing is probably the most common form of environmental audits; it is a
verification process whereby the facility establishes the extent to which it is complying
with environmental legislations, regulations, emission limits, etc.
b) Operational risk audit concentrates on the potential frequency and consequences of
environmentally damaging activities in the raw material and product storage/handling and
manufacturing process. Compliance with regulations does not necessarily reduce liability
due to operational risks.
c) Acquisition audits assess the liability due to contaminated land and building remediation
costs.
d) Health and safety audits normally form part of health, safety and environment (HSE)
audit and involve assessment of adequacy of personal protective equipment (e.g., safety
shoes, goggles, helmets, etc.), emergency preparedness and disaster management plans.

(II) Management audit:

These audits pay considerable attention to management systems as they guide the efficient and effective
running of the operations.
a) A corporate audit is initiated by the main board of a parent company and is concerned
with organization structure, roles and responsibilities, policy implementation, awareness
and communications with a subsidiary. Its aims and objectives are implemented
throughout the corporate structure.
b) Management system audits are carried out to check the systems against the policy and
standards such as British Standard 7750 or ISO 1400.
c) Policy audit carried out to review and reassess the relevance of policy in light of
developments (legal, technical, financial) within the organization and outside. Issues audit
is carried out to establish environmental management plan and targets.

(III) Activities audit:

This auditing is focusing on technical and management issues.
a) Environmental site audit examines all aspects of the facilities performance with respect
to the environment. It combines most of the elements of other types of EA and, when
undertaken in depth, involve considerable time and cost.
b) The waste audits are of two types.
o The first identifies and quantifies waste streams and is a precursor to waste
minimization programmes.
o The second type assesses waste management practices and procedures.
c) Product audits cover several aspects of their environmental impacts through design,
manufacture, use and disposal. Such audits are prerequisites for identifying
environmentally friendly products for “Green Labelling”.
d) Cross boundary audits assess activities, which cut across departments or business units
(e.g., transport and supply chain audits).

2. Client-driven Types of Audits

The audits are also based on the client, who has commissioned or ordered the audit
procedure i.e.

(a) Regulatory External Audit:

This often entails an examination carried out by or for an environmental regulatory agency,
with the goal of ensuring that a facility is meeting the relevant legislation and regulations. The
regulatory agency can use the methodology of audit as a tool to systematically enhance its
overview, including the possibility of verifying the accuracy of any reports, which a company is
required to submit to the authority.
(b) Independent External Audit:
This is conducted by external auditors entitled to perform audits. As the environmental
factors have gained importance for a firm's market relations, shareholders such as banks and
investment funds, insurance companies, environmental groups, potential buyers, customers,
local government and environmentally aware citizens are demanding independent external
audits to assess how the firm deals with environmental issues.
(c) Internal Environmental Audit:
This often involves an inquiry commissioned by management. In practice, such audits are
commonly ordered by senior management located at some distance, in both physical and
operational senses, from the factory or site of environmental concern. In such cases, the
environmental audits are internal in that the results will remain within the organisation.
However, for the facility under investigation, the internal audit will have the same effect as an
external audit. One reason why firms conduct internal environmental audits is to diminish
their liability to pay fines, damages or clean-up costs as the result of breaking the law (e.g.,
releasing more emissions than permitted).
(d) Third Party Audits:
These represent the audits indorsing, that organizations carry out to verify as to whether
internal/ external audits meet the standards set.

Environmental Auditing Process / Steps

An environmental audit typically undertaken in following three phases:
1. Pre-audit
2. On-site audit
3. Post-audit
Each of these phases comprises a number of clearly defined Objectives, and actions. These
actions yielding results in the form of outputs at the end of each phase.
Flow Chart of Auditing Process

Initial Process:
Any premises that wishes to conduct an environmental audit must have a clear idea of the
objectives of the exercise and the steps required to achieve it. Before commencing an
environmental audit, the following requirements must be fulfilled
1. Commitment
 Obtain commitment at the Directorate level.
 Communicate commitment to personnel at all levels

2. Define Audit Scope and Audit Site(s)

In this stage things like audit site, its boundary, the main objective(s) and areas of audit are
taken into consideration.
Audit objectives typically entail:
 Verification of legislative and regulatory compliance
  Assessment of internal policy and procedural conformance
 Establishment of current practice status
 Identification of improvement opportunities

Areas of audit normally encompass

 Material management, savings and alternatives
 Energy management and savings
 Water management and economy of use
 Waste generation, management and disposal
 Noise reduction, evaluation and control (internal & external)
 Air emissions and indoor air quality
 Environmental emergency prevention and preparedness
 Transportation and travelling practices
 Staff awareness, participation and training in environmental issues
 Environmental information publicity
 Public enquiry and complaints response
 Environmental management system set up, suitability and performance

3. Assemble An Audit Team

An Audit Management Committee (AMC) established by management at Directorate level, is
responsible for:
 Overseeing the audit process
 Appointing an audit team leader to be in charge of the audit
 Securing the necessary resources and funding
 Reviewing the audit report
 Reporting to the organisation directorate

The AMC in conjunction with the Audit Team Leader to:

1. Appoint audit team members
2. Assess requirement for external assistance to ensure thoroughness and objectivity of
audit
3. Secure financial resources if external assistance is required
4. Confirm availability of audit team members

At each audit site, site facilitator(s) is /are selected to provide local support to the audit team
in gathering the necessary information and assistance during the audit:

A. Pre-audit tasks / processes

This is the first major step of environmental audit. This step have following objectives:
 To develop an audit plan for the on-site activities, and
 To make the necessary preparation and arrangements for the on-site audit.
The process / tasks / activities of pre-audit contains different actions such as:
1. Develop and audit plan
2. Prepare pre-audit questionnaire
3. Review background information
4. Review operational information
5. Conduct initial site visit
6. Develop on-site questionnaire and Audit protocols
7. Review audit plan and arrange logistics

1. Develop and audit plan

The Audit Plan should address:
 Where: audit site & boundary with overview
 What: scope & objectives
 How: site personnel interview, site inspection, audit protocols; site logistics and
administrative arrangement
 Who: audit team and site facilitation arrangement
 When: audit schedule and milestones

2. Prepare pre-audit questionnaire

To prepare questionnaire and document checklists on:
 Overall environmental management
 Procurement policy
 Energy management
 Materials management
 Water and wastewater management
 Waste management
 Noise monitoring and control
 Air quality monitoring and control
 Emergency response procedures
The questionnaire and checklists are to be forwarded to the relevant site personnel for
completion.

3. Review background information

To gain familiarity with audit site through review of:
 Site layout plan(s)
 Site history, use and activities
 Blue prints/as built drawings
 Organisational structure at audit site(s)
 Internal environmental policies, procedures and guidelines.
4. Review operational information
To gain appreciation of site activities and operational practices on site through review of:
 Operational activities and process descriptions
 Management system policies, procedures and program documentation
 Relevant records (compliance, monitoring, training, maintenance, calibration etc.)
 Other relevant information pertaining to environmental management practices

5. Conduct initial site visit

To arrange with the site facilitator(s) for an initial visit during normal operation of audit site
to:
 Meet with officer-in-charge to explain purpose of audit
 Assess whether background information gathered is up to date and accurate
 Follow-up on the list of preliminary audit impressions
 Identify and request additional site information as necessary
 Confirm thoroughness of audit scope
 Establish adequacy of resources for audit

6. Develop on-site questionnaire and Audit protocols

To develop a series of step-by-step questions and evaluation criteria to assess:
 Compliance with pertinent legislative and regulatory requirements
 Conformance with internal environmental policies, procedures and guidelines
 Status of current environmental practices
 Staff awareness of internal environmental policies, procedures and guidelines

7. Review audit plan and arrange logistics

All documents and arrangements should be updated or revised to reflect current knowledge
and conditions. Key points are:
 Audit scope
 Audit schedule
 Audit protocols
 Allocated resources, etc.

B. On-Site Audit
This is the second step of environmental audit. The objectives of this step are:
 Verification of legislative and regulatory compliance
 Assessment of internal policy and procedural conformance
 Establishment of current practice status
 Identification of improvement opportunities
The process / tasks / activities of pre-audit contains different actions such as:
1. Opening meeting
 2. Document review
3. Detailed site inspection
4. Staff interview
5. Review audit evidence
6. Closing meeting

1. Opening meeting
Conduct on-site audit opening meeting with Office manager and site personnel to:
 Introduce audit team members
 Present audit scope and objectives
 Outline the audit approach and methodology
 Address questions or concerns of site personnel
 Rally staff support and assistance

2. Document review
Audit team member to undertake a review of relevant document such as:
 Management policy
 Management system documentation
 Operational procedures
 Records (utility, inventory, monitoring, calibration, trans-portation, training etc.)
 Previous audit reports
 Green management team meeting minutes
 Green suggestions

Particularly evaluate whether the records are:

 Current
 Properly completed
 Signed and dated
 Consistent
 Meet relevant requirements

Conduct detailed site inspections with aid of on-site audit protocols to look for evidence on:
 Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
 Conformance with internal policies, procedures and guidelines.
 Status of operational practice.
 Staff participation in management system implementation.

3. Detailed site inspection

Conduct detailed site inspections with aid of on-site audit protocols to look for evidence on:
 Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements
  Conformance with internal policies, procedures and guidelines
 Status of operational practice
 Staff participation in management system implementation

4. Staff interview
Conduct detailed site inspections with aid of on-site audit protocols to look for evidence on:
 Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements
 Conformance with internal policies, procedures and guidelines
 Status of operational practice
 Staff participation in management system implementation

5. Review audit evidence

Ensure adequacy of audit evidence at the conclusion of on-site audit by:
 Reviewing information gathered
 Collecting additional information as needed
 Substantiating audit findings
 Summarizing and documenting all findings and observations
 Identifying issues requiring immediate attention/mitigation
 Noting outstanding issues require follow-up
 Preparing debriefing material for the ‘closing meeting’

6. Closing meeting
The ‘Closing Meeting’ provides an opportunity at the conclusion of on-site audit to:
 Debrief the senior site management
 Summarize the audit activities and findings
 Highlight system strengths and weaknesses
 Discuss preliminary findings and recommended corrective actions
 Bring up findings requiring immediate attention
 Clarify any outstanding issues
 Address staff questions or concerns
 Agree on reporting schedule and chain of communication

C. Post Audit Activities

This is the last step of environmental audit. The objectives of this step are:
 To produce an ‘audit report’ with audit findings and recommendations
 To contribute towards formulation of an ‘Action Plan’ for continual performance
improvement.
The process / tasks / activities of pre-audit contains different actions such as:
1. Collage information and fallow up outstanding issues
2. Prepare the audit report
 3. Circulate draft audit report for comments
4. Final reporting

1. Collage information and fallow up outstanding issues

The organised information should include:
 Completed pre-audit questionnaire, operational document checklists
 Completed on-site survey questionnaires, on-site audit protocols
 All relevant correspondence, memoranda, reports, diagrams and drawings
 Copies of records, photographs, and other information collected during the site visit
 Detailed inspection and interview notes and summaries

2. Prepare the audit report

The Audit Report should include:
 An Executive Summary
 Introduction and background to the audit
 Audit scope and objectives
 Description of audit approach and methodology
 Summary of audit findings and recommendations
 Conclusions
In particular, the findings summary should comprise the followings:
 Status of compliance with environmental legislative requirements
 Status of conformity with internal environmental policies, procedures and guidelines
 Status of good environmental practices implementation
 Level of staff awareness of operational issues relating to environmental performance
 Overall status of environmental performance
 Recommendations for environmental performance improvement

3. Circulate draft audit report for comments

Include the following parties on the circulation list:
 The Audit Management Committee
 Senior audit site management
 Site facilitator(s)
 Site personnel with responsibilities for implementing the major recommendations

4. Final reporting
 Incorporate or resolve all comments received before producing the final report
 Issue the report to the Audit Management Committee and site senior management for
endorsement.
Follow-up of an Environmental Audit
Some of the things need to be carried out after environmental audit such as:
1. Develop action plan
Upon endorsement of the audit report, an action plan with the appropriate targets and
objectives needs to be developed which cover:
 Action objectives;
 Specific actions required;
 Responsible party(ies);
 Budget allotted; and
 Implementation program
2. Implement action plan
 Responsible party (ies) to undertake actions according to the allotted budget, and the
agreed timescale for completion.
3. Checking and monitoring
 Progress of action(s) undertaken
 Problem(s) encountered when action(s) taken
 Proposed solution(s) and revised timescale for completion
4. Review action plan
The key points to review include:
 Review results of action plan implementation
 Establish levels of performance improvement achieved
 Address possible need for changes to Green management policy, objective(s) and
procedure(s)
 Next audit scope and schedule

Role of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Management

What is Geospatial Technology?
The Geospatial technology is also known as Geoinformatics or GIS technology. The geospatial
technology has close interaction with various fields like utility networks, cadastral mapping,
topographic mapping, thematic cartography, surveying and photogrammetry remote-sensing,
image processing, computer science, rural and urban planning, earth science, and geography.
The geospatial technology is used to assist decision-makers by indicating various alternatives
in development and conservation planning to protect the environment and by modeling the
potential outcomes of a series of scenarios. In this system data are collected about the real-
world environment and its various parameters. Collected data are analyzed, and information
is compiled for decision-makers. Based on this information, actions are taken, and plans
implemented in view of environment protection and sustainable development.
This technology is applied to address a variety of problems. For example, a geospatial
technology is used to investigate questions about location (what are the attributes at a
specific place?), condition (where are the sites which possess certain attributes?), trends (how
do attributes change spatially over time?), routing (what is the shortest/least expensive/most
cost-effective path between places?), and patterns (what is the distribution of attributes and
the process/reason accounting for their distribution?). This technology is also be used to
simulate “what if” scenarios (modeling).
Geospatial technology is a collaboration of different technology together i.e.:
 Remote sensing is an art, science and technology of obtaining information of earth’s
surface without physical touch, especially from the satellites.
 GIS is set of tools for collecting, storing, manipulating, processing and displaying
spatial and non-spatial data of earth surface for operation and decision support
system
 Global Positioning System is a satellite-based navigation system designed for the
positioning and mapping of objects on earth surface.
 Database is a computer software designed for the purpose of managing database
based on different data models.
 Computer-aided drafting (CAD) is the use of computer systems to aid in the creation,
modification, analysis, or optimization of a design
 Customization is a process of writing executable scripts with computer porgraaming to
performing a task through computers as per need of the project.

Application of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Management

The Geospatial technology applications are endless, wherever spatial features need to be
modeled and analyzed. GIS are now used extensively in government, business, defense and
research for a wide range of applications including environmental systems. Some of the areas
where Geospatial technology is effectively applied are:
1. Study of Air Quality and its Conservation
Air quality is important to our health and environment, but sources of contamination
are often difficult to monitor. GIS technology manages statistical and spatial data to provide a
tool that shows the relationship between poor air quality and occurrences of deficient human
and environmental health. In this way, a GIS aids in monitoring pollutant emissions. GIS
technology allows us to locate where pollutants are coming from and monitor those areas for
change to conserve the quality of our air.
2. Climate Change
The key to understand our dynamic climate is, creating a framework to take different
pieces of past and future data from a variety of sources and merge them together in a single
system. We can analyze the potential interplay between various factors, getting us closer to a
true understanding of how our dynamic climate may change in the coming decades and
centuries. Is the earth getting hotter or colder? Is the stress human populations are putting on
the planet contributing to climate change? What potential factors may significantly impact
our ability to thrive and survive as a species? By using GIS we truly understanding the
stressors and impacts on the incredibly complex system of earth’s climate.
3. Conservation of Woodlands and Wetlands
GIS is an indispensable tool that can be used to prevent damage to the valuable
resources and habitats of our woodlands and wetlands. Deforestation, loss of biodiversity,
and resource depletion due to global climate change, CO2 emissions, water logging, forest
fires, and other human disruptions are threats to the earth's forested and marshy areas. GIS
allows the user to manage geospatial information for monitoring change in woodland and
wetland areas. Modeling change with GIS permits conservationists to make well informed
decisions about protection, policies and future land-use practices that will most benefit the
conservation of forests, biodiversity, wildlife, and resources.
4. Forest Studies
Effective forest managers monitor changing conditions and make intelligent decisions
for sustainable care. GIS can be used to assess conditions through historical analysis, stand
inventory, soil types, changing weather patterns, and land-use practices. Modeling enables
users to test and consider options in both temporal and spatial contexts. Geospatial records
provide forest managers with a baseline for evaluating plans.
5. Forest Carbon Management
Allowing earth's forests to thrive and do their job of carbon sequestration is essential
to reduce the threat of climate change. GIS Technology offers hope to the greenhouse
phenomenon caused by industrial society. GIS allows temporal climate data to be visualized,
contrasted, and forecasted. This will help to take necessary action.
6. Mining and Earth Sciences
GIS creates efficiency and productivity opportunities in all aspects of mineral
exploration and mining. GIS enables mineral geologists and mine operators to mine
intelligently, efficiently, competitively, safely, and environmentally. Pipelines, electric lines,
roads, ramps, and other mining facilities change frequently. Engineers and operations staff
can use GIS for facility planning applications. Keeping track of existing infrastructure and
integrating it with the mine plan and block models can be achieved with GIS. Various types of
geologic datasets, such as geophysical images, geochemistry, geologic maps, radiometric
measurements, boreholes, and mineral deposits, can be displayed, interrogated, and analyzed
simultaneously using GIS.
7. Marine Studies and Conservation
Marine habitats and the life they contain are threatened by global warming, extreme
weather, natural and man-made pollution, overharvesting, and additional human
disturbances. GIS technology is a tool that helps conservationists acquire, manage, analyze,
and visualize spatial and thematic oceanic data through map generation. It is used around the
world to map marine habitats; water quality; species distribution, population, and behavior;
pollution; fishing grounds; and other factors that impact marine life. By this data we can show
at risk areas, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and resource depletion. GIS also acts as an
aid in monitoring and examining the effectiveness of conservation practices and protected
areas to ensure the preservation of the sea and oceans.
8. Wildlife Conservation
Habitat loss, global climate change, and human disruptions, such as pollution and
deforestation, are threats to wildlife biodiversity and can cause fragmentation and extinction.
GIS technology is an effective tool for managing, analyzing, and visualizing wildlife data in
order to target areas where conservation practices are needed.
9. Early Detection and Response to Infectious Disease (Health)
Disease spreads geographically, and interventions occur in relation to human,
institutional, climatic, and other kinds of landscapes. Because GIS technology relates many
kinds of data to geographic location, it excels in tracking not only disease spread but also
laboratory specimen and medical supply whereabouts, hospital bed availability, testing facility
proximity, vulnerable population locations, and medical personnel distribution.
During an outbreak, GIS provides tools that speed the collection of accurate field data.
Complex statistical and other analyses applied with GIS technology provide relevant
information to support sound decisions. GIS analysis can, for example, locate a potential
disease hot spot and calculate a nearby hospital's ability to handle the expected increase in
service demand if an outbreak should occur.
1. Discover geographic origins of symptomatic populations.
2. Identify specific locations of vulnerable at-risk populations.
3. Identify congregate groups targeted for preventive measures.
4. Create maps to help organizations establish field clinics and locate medical supplies.
5. Provide information relevant for community leadership planning and response.
10. Earthquakes and Emergency Management
Emergency management professionals are responsible for assessing risks and hazards
and identifying potential emergencies and disasters. Emergency operations personnel
recommend appropriate prevention or mitigation strategies that can reduce the impact of
potential emergencies. Large, complex emergencies such as earthquakes often affect multiple
departments or multiple agencies and require data to be collected and assembled from a
variety of locations quickly under adverse conditions.
Emergency personnel use GIS to help manage the impact of earthquakes and other
disasters by assessing risk and hazard locations. Determining how and where scarce resources
should be assigned Prioritizing search and rescue tasks Identifying staging area locations,
operational branches and divisions and other important incident management needs
Assessing short- and long-term recovery operations
11. Fire/ Emergency Medical Services/ Disaster/ Homeland Security
GIS is used as an interface for integrating and accessing massive amounts of location-
based information in the public safety market. GIS allows public safety personnel to
effectively plan for emergency response, determine mitigation priorities, analyze historical
events, and predict future events. GIS can also be used to get critical information to
emergency responders upon dispatch or for route to an incident to assist in tactical planning.
Many city and county governments are using GIS to make the world a safer place.
12. Agriculture Applications
GIS is used in a variety of agricultural applications such as managing crop yields,
monitoring crop rotation techniques, and projecting soil loss for individual farms or entire
agricultural regions. Balancing the inputs and outputs on a farm is fundamental to its success
and profitability. The ability of GIS to analyze and visualize agricultural environments and
workflows has proved to be very beneficial to those involved in the farming industry. From
mobile GIS in the field to the scientific analysis of production data at the farm manager's
office,
13. Water and Wastewater Management
Majority of water/wastewater utilities use GIS technology to integrate a variety of
information and applications with a geographic component into one manageable system. GIS
software has fully developed automated mapping/facilities management/GIS technology for
water utilities to automate and integrate their organization's information processing.

14. Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is the balance of meeting humankind's present needs while
protecting the environment to ensure the fulfillment of future generations' needs. The
growing human population and its demands on the earth's resources generate a need for
sustainable practices. Geography as a science and GIS as a technology can be seen as a
framework for what many people are calling "sustainable development." GIS allows us to
measure our assets, understand our patterns of change, better understand the resources we
are using, and identify the impact of human-induced geographic change. GIS is also helping us
better utilize the resources we have by leveraging geographic information with analysis tools
that support planning as well as operational activities.
Geospatial technology is useful tools in collection, storage, manipulation and
representation of spatial data. It is able to present a large amount of data in a short period of
time on a map, using a geographical coordinate system in coordinating the spatial and non-
spatial data for decision making. This plays a vital role in environmental system management.
GIS becomes the primary repository of information that can be quickly accessed and viewed
when required. GIS is becoming more suitable for emergency operations and is integrating
tools that allow real-time display of information. Rapid access to information, safety,
efficiency, and better resource management decisions can be made with the use of GIS. GIS
technology can provide critical information at the need of the hour to take the remedial
measures in no time as effective as possible.

*****