The environmental problem is more alarmingly higher than what meets the eye. When this menace threatens the globe and hangs over our head like the Sword of Damocles, Odisha is no exception.
There are issues like fly ash management, coastal water pollution, air pollution and many such vulnerable issues which need urgent action plan to overcome the deeper malady.
Here is an expert, a writer of international fame for coauthoring the outstanding book on environment Natural Resource Conservation and Environment Management and a pioneer of the first-ever climate change action plan in our State Bhagirathi Behera, who speaks on the subject in an interview to The Pioneer. Behera, a former Director of Forest and Environment of the State, spoke to Sugyan Chodhury.
You were Director of Environment from January 21, 2008 to November 30, 2011. What are your specific contributions in environment management of the StateIJ
I coordinated preparation of a draft climate change action plan, constituted the Odisha Wetland Development Authority for development of wetland. Management plan for 15 wetlands are under progress. To curb pollution I tried to regulate indiscriminate mushrooming of stone crushers. I have also contributed for preparing a revised guideline under Section 5 of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, issued policy guidelines for sponge iron units. I have also cooperated in the strengthening of an appellate authority under the Water Act, Air Act and Biomedical Waste Rules, utilisation and safe management of fly ash, booked cases against the mining offenders through Collectors of different districts under the EP Act which was a safeguard for Government before the Shah Commission and ensured sanction of `227 crore from the Central Government to implement the ISZMP project.
Fly ash problem in this State is alarmingly high. What remedial measures can be suggestedIJ
At present, 24 million tonnes of fly ash per annum is generated in the State. The utilisation is only 12.77 MT per annum leaving as much as 54.19 per cent unutilised.
Coal-based thermal power plants are causing massive environmental damages. The main concern is disposal. At present, 30 major thermal power plants are operating in the State which consume nearly 50 MT of coal annually. Fly ash, the residue of coal combustion in these plants, is raising environmental issues, more so because the coal available is of ‘F’ or ‘G’ grade having ash contents of more than 40 per cent.
A high level committee has suggested the following:
a) A Fly ash resource cell will be set up by the State Pollution Control Board to help in capacity building and technical empowerment by organising trainings, workshop, etc, for promotion and monitoring of the progress of fly ash use.
b) All Government buildings to be constructed in the areas falling within a radius of 100 km of fly ash producing units should use 100 per cent fly ash bricks. Use of fly ash bricks in private projects may also be started. The Government should consider offering financial incentive and other supports to entrepreneurs for fly ash brick manufacturing
c)Use of fly ash bricks should be promoted in building dams and canal embankments immediately.
You have a lot of contributions in bringing environmental awareness. What would you suggest for furthering itIJ
Environmental awareness is an urgent need for our safety:
a) There were 750 Eco Clubs in the State. The number has now increased to 950. Each Eco Club with 50 students up to Class XII is engaged to bring awareness amongst the public through Padayatra, public meetings, drama shows and public motivation against violation of environmental law.
b) A National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) has also been taken up in the State.
c) There is an ENVIS programme for publishing newsletters as part of environment information system.
d) The awareness has gone to an extent of forest protection in Mayurbhanj and Boudh, protection of birds in the Chilika lake.
e) The students of Eco Clubs get Prakruti Mitra award for their outstanding activities from the Chief Minister every year.
Can you elaborate on the Draft Climate Change Action Plan, which was first of its kind in the countryIJ
Climate is the description of a long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. Climate is related to average of precipitation, temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind velocity, fog and frost, etc.
Odisha’s extreme weather relates closely to temperature rise. For more than a decade, Odisha is experiencing contrasting and extreme weather conditions from heat wave to cyclones, from droughts to floods. There is rain by depressions instead of monsoon. The climate change brings damage to agricultural crops, frequent and intense heat waves resulting in more heat-related death of plants, animals and humans, high variability of rainfall resulting in food shortage, drought and dry spells in every two years, flash floods in rainy season, heat waves in summer, flood and cyclones in coast.
The Draft Climate Change Action Plan has been prepared on the guidelines of the National Solar Mission, a mission for enhancing energy efficiency, a mission on sustainable habitat, a national water mission, a mission on strategic knowledge for climate change, a mission for sustainable agriculture, a mission for green India and Himalayan ecosystem.
The Government department like agriculture, disaster, energy, fisheries and animal husbandry, forest, health, mining, transport, urban development and water resources were coordinated to address the problems of climate change.
Working groups and high-level coordination committees were constituted. There were 37 action plans for agriculture, nine action programmes for coasts and disaster, 42 for energy, 14 for fisheries, 13 for forest, nine for health, 60 for industries, 42 for mining, 19 for transport, 21for urban areas, 20 for water, all with adaptation and mitigation programmes.
This plan after finalisation should be implemented so that the State’s climate position can be improved.