Achanakmar region in Chhattisgarh is among 18 ‘Biosphere Reserves’ in the country, the Central Government has informed.
Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/ marine ecosystems or a combination thereof.
BRs are designated to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values and are thus special environments for both people and the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs.
The Biosphere Reserve Programme is guided by UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme as India is a signatory to the landscape approach supported by MAB programme. A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratio to the Northeastern Region States and three Himalayan states and in the ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance, improvement and development of certain items.
The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which is approved and monitored by Central MAB Committee”.
Chhattisgarh is among four other states which has submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR) for funding under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) at a total cost of approximately Rs 108 crore for implementation in these States.
Notably, the ninth meeting of the National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) was held last year.
The Committee approved the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on adaptation submitted by governments of Telangana, Mizoram, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh for funding, under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) at a total cost of approximately Rs 108 crore for implementation in these States.
India became the 56th signatory State to sign the ‘Raptor MoU’ that was concluded on October 22,2008 and came into effect on November 1, 2008 on conservation of birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia.
The ‘Raptor MoU’ extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey, out of which 46 species, including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. also occur in India.
The Union Environment Ministry released new categorisation of industries. Based on pollution scores, the re-categorisation was finalised as — Red, Orange, Green and White.
Chhattisgarh is among 16 other states in the country which had implemented advanced automated solutions to deal with environmental and pollution related applications and approvals, the Central Government has informed.
These solutions provide hassle free, 24 X 7 'e-access' to businesses to apply online, track applications, file returns and statements and get online permissions under various Acts and regulations.
The States include — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.