BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT (M.

COM)
Module V - ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT
Environment
Environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and
non-living element and their effects that influence human life.
Environment Management
It is a process that industries, companies and individuals
undertake to regulate and protect the health of natural world.
Environmental Degradation
It means reduction in the quality of environment due to man-
made and natural factors.
Causes of environmental degradation
 Overpopulation
 Over exploitation of resources
 Harmful agricultural practices
 Landfill
 Land disturbances
 Deforestation
 Environmental pollution
 Improper land use planning and development
Effects of environmental degradation
 Impact on human health
 Poverty
 Atmospheric changes
 Loss of biodiversity
 Ozone layer depletion
 Scarcity of natural resources
 Loss for tourism industry
Environmental Problems
 Industrialization
 Urbanization
 Urban environment and human health
 Environmental pollution
Environmental pollution
It can be defined as introduction of substances that
contaminate the environment and cause adverse effect on the
natural surroundings.
Types of environmental pollution
 Air Pollution
 Water pollution
 Land Pollution
 Noise Pollution
Air Pollution
Air pollution is contamination of air due to the presence of
substances in the presence of atmosphere that are harmful to
the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage
to the climate.
Various causes of air pollution
 The burning of fossil fuel
 Agricultural activities
 Exhaust from factories and industries
 Mining operations
 Congested traffic in cities
 Wildfire
Disastrous effects of air pollution
 Respiratory problem
 Heart problem
 Global warming
 Acid rain
 Eutrophication
 Effect on wild life
 Depletion of ozone layer
Measures to control air pollution
 Minimizing use of fire and its products.
 Use filters for chimneys
 No to plastic bags
 Avoid usage of crackers
 Avoid using of products with chemicals
 Implement afforestation
Water pollution
Water pollution means contamination of water body with
harmful pollutants.
Sources of water pollution
 Sewage and waste water
 Chemicals dumped from factories
 Agricultural run off
 Urbanisation
 Acid rain
 Global warming
 Eutrophication
Effects of water pollution
 Infectious diseases – Typhoid, Cholera, Jaundice, Malaria
 Chemical – Negative effect on health
 Pesticides – Damages nervous system, Causes cancer
 Nitrates – Blue baby syndrome
 Lead – Damage the central nervous system
 Arsenic – Liver damage, Skin cancer, vascular diseases
 Fluoride – Yellow teeth, Damage to spinal cord
Treating polluted Water
 Industrial treatment
 Denitrification
 Ozone waste water treatment
 Septic Tank
Land Pollution
It refers to the deterioration of earth’s land surface at and
below ground level.
Causes of Land pollution
 Deforestation
 Soil erosion
 Agricultural chemicals
 Industrialization
 Mining
 Landfill
 Human sewage
Effects of land pollution
 Effects to the environment and animal
 Groundwater poisoning
 Water nutrient enrichment
 Loss of topsoil
 Shifting habitat
 Increased risk of wildfire
 Deforestation
 Effects to the human
 Birth defect
 Skin diseases
 Cancer
 Breathing disorders
 Developmental deficit in children
Solution to land pollution
 Proper waste disposal system
 Avoid use of chemicals in farming
 Recycle and reuse
 Organic gardening
 Reducing the usage of non-biodegradable materials
Noise pollution
It means unwanted or excessive sound that can have
deleterious effects on human health and environmental quality.
Human diseases caused by noise pollution
 Hypertension
 Hearing loss
 Sleep disturbance
 Child development
 Psychological dysfunction
 Dementia
 Noise annoyance
 Various cardiovascular dysfunction
Wetland in India
Wetlands in India are areas where water is the primary factor
controlling environment and the associated plant and animal
life. These are the areas of land where the water level remains
near or above the surface.
National Wetland Policy
This is a significant step to conserve, manage and maintain the
ecological character of the wetland without restricting the wise
use.
Madhav Gadgil Committee Report
Gadgil commission is an environmental research commission
under the chairmanship of Madhav Gadgil, appointed by
ministry of environment and forests of India. It was previously
known as Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
Gadgil Committee Recommendations and Report highlights
1. WGEEP designated the entire hill range as an Ecologically
Sensitive Area (ESA)
2. The committee classified Western Ghats into three
ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) 1, 2 and 3.
3. ESZ-1 being of high priority, almost all developmental
activities (mining, thermal power plants etc.) were restricted
in it.
4. No new dams based on large-scale storage be permitted in
Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1.
5. It specifies that the present system of governance of the
environment should be changed. It asked for a bottom to top
approach (right from Gram sabhas) rather than a top to
bottom approach. It also asked for decentralization and more
powers to local authorities.
6. The commission recommended constitution of a Western
Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), as a statutory authority
under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Criticisms of Madhav Gadgil Report
 The major criticism was that it was more environment-
friendly and not in tune with the ground realities.
 Recommendations were cited as impractical to implement.
 Gadgil report has asked for a complete eco-sensitive cover
for the Western Ghats which hamper different states on
energy and development fronts.
 There was a criticism against the constitution of a new body
called WGEA.
 Gadgil report doesn’t give a solution for revenue losses due
to the implementation of its recommendations.
 Gadgil report is against dams in the Western Ghats, which is
a crucial blow on the ailing power sector.
 The Gadgil Committee report adversely affects the various
mafia.
Kasturirangan committee on the Western Ghats
It is the committee set up to study the Gadgil committee report
on the Western Ghats (WGEEP report), which is headed by
Kasturirangan. It is also called HLWG which denoted 10
member High Level Working Group.
Kasturirangan committee Report Recommendations
 Instead of the total area of Western Ghats, only 37% of the
total area be brought under ESA under Kasturirangan report.
 A complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in ESA.
 Distinguished between cultural and natural landscape
 Current mining areas in the ESA should be phased out within
the next five years, or at the time of expiry of mining lease,
whichever is earlier.
 No thermal power be allowed and hydropower projects are
allowed only after detailed study.
 Red industries i.e. which are highly polluting be strictly
banned in these areas.
 It has made several pro-farmer recommendations, including
the exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from the
purview of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs).
 The Kasturirangan report had said 123 villages fall under the
ESA purview.
Criticisms of Kasturirangan committee Report
1. The Kasturirangan panel used remote sensing and aerial
survey methods for zonal demarcation of land in the Western
Ghats. The usage of such techniques, without examining the
ground reality, has caused many errors in the report.
2. The power is vested with the bureaucrats and forest officials
and not with gram sabhas.
3. Many fear that the farmers would get evicted if the
Kasturirangan Committee report is implemented. Under this
report, the mining and quarrying lobbies are expected to
flourish.
4. The use of “erroneous method” had caused inclusion of
many villages under Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) though
there were only rubber plantations and no forest land.
5. Kasturirangan report included ecologically non-sensitive
areas under ESA, and left out many ecologically sensitive
areas.
Comparison of Gadgil Report and Kasturirangan Report
1. Both reports had issues to get perfect balance between
environment and development.
2. Gadgil report laid too much importance to environment, but
Kasturirangan report given more importance to
development.
3. Gadgil’s Western Ghats is smaller than that of
kasturirangan’s.
4. Kasturirangan report marks only 37 percent area (but
considers wider Western Ghats boundaries) as ESA. Gadgil’s
report proposed to declare this entire landscape as ESA,
creating three ESZs within it.
Climate Change
Climate change refers a rise in the average global temperature
due to an increase in the concentration of atmospheric green
house gases resulting in climate shift and impact around the
globe.
Causes of climate change
Natural Causes Human Causes
Continent drift Industrial revolution
Volcanoes Deforestation
The earth’s tilt Automobile emissions
Ocean current Power and thermal plants
Effects of Climate Change
 Rise in temperature
 Rise in sea level
 Loss of wild life
 Loss biodiversity
 Unpredictable weather pattern
 Increase in extreme weather pattern
 Increase in extreme weather events
Global warming
It simply means change in the climate of the earth due to
various natural ad man made factors.
It is defined as any increase in the average temperature of the
earth’s atmosphere especially a sustained increase great
enough to cause changes in the global climate.
Causes of global warming
Man-made causes Natural causes
Cutting down of trees Grime
Drilling of fossil fuel Volcano
Burning of fossil fuel Forest fire
Agricultural fertilisers
Landfill
Power plant
Exhaust from vehicles
Over population
Consequences of effects of global warming
 Warmer climate
 Rise of sea level
 Agricultural impact
 Temperature increase
 Melting of ice
 Ocean acidification
 Ocean conveyor belt alert
 Hampers ecosystem
 Extinction of small islands
 Widespread diseases
 Drought
 Natural habitat vanishes
 Coastal cities at high risk
 Reduction in human
Steps to prevent global warming
 By using fuel efficient vehicle
 Plant more trees
 Switch to solar panel
 Turn off light, if they are not in use
 Turn off electronic devices, if they are not in use
 Use CFL bulbs
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty among
industrialised nations that’s sets mandatory limits on
greenhouse emissions. The purpose of the Kyoto Protocol is to
stabilize human generated emissions at an acceptable level. It is
also called Kyoto Accord.
It was adopted in December, 1997 at Kyoto, Japan.
Strategies of Kyoto Protocol
1. Place restrictions on the countries’ biggest polluters.
2. Manage transportation to slow or reduce emissions from
automobiles.
3. Make better use of renewable energy sources in place of
fossil fuels.
Criticism of Kyoto Protocol
1. Not all countries chose to ratify the agreement.
2. Countries like USA and Australia asking changes to be made
in treaty saying it will their economy.
3. It built on very limited scientific knowledge.
4. Loopholes were there which allowed developed nations to
make no effort in reduction of their emissions.
5. Most participants failed to meet their emission targets even
after two years.
6. China and USA were not bound by the treaty.
7. Emission reduction called for in the protocol were too
modest to make a detectable difference in global
temperature.
Green Gas Effect
It is a gas that contribute to the green house effect by
absorbing infrared radiation. E.g., Carbon dioxide.
Green Financing
Green financing is to increase level of financial flows from the
public, private and not-for-profit sectors to sustainable
development priorities.
Climate finance
It refers to local, national or transnational financing which may
be drawn from public, private and alternative sources of
financing.
Carbon Credit
A carbon credit is a kind of permit that represents 1 ton of
carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.
Environment Protection Act, 1986
 This act came into force on 19th November 1986.
 This act comprises of 4 chapters and 26 sections.
 The objective of this act is to improve and protect
environmental quality.
 Reduce and control pollution.
Special Features of Environment Protection Act ,1986
1. The Act covers all forms of pollution: air, water, soil and
noise.
2. It provides safe standards for the presence of various
pollutants in the environment.
3. It allows the central government to assign authorities in
various jurisdiction to carry out the laws of this act.
4. It prohibits use of hazardous material unless prior permission
is taken from the central government.
Salient Features
1. The central government shall have the power to take all such
measures to protect and improve environment quality.
2. No person carrying on any industry or operation shall
discharge pollutants in excess of the prescribed standard.
3. No person shall handle any hazardous substances without
prescribed safeguard.
4. The central government shall have the power to take the
sample of air, water, soil from any premises.
5. Whoever violates any provisions of this act shall be
punishable.
National Green Tribunal Act 2010
This act established in 2010 specially aimed to created National
Green Tribunal which would help in the reduction of the
burden of cases from the higher judiciary and effectively and
efficiently dispose of issues relating to the environment.
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
1. It is a specialised body set up under National Green Tribunal
Act.
2. It is for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases
relating to environmental protection and conservation of
forests and other natural resources.
3. India became third country in world to set up specialised
environmental tribunal.
4. NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals
finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
5. The NGT has five places of sittings-New Delhi, Bhopal, Pune,
Kolkata and Chennai.
Structure of NGT
1. The tribunal comprises of Chairperson, judicial members and
Expert members. They shall hold office for five years.
2. The chairperson is appointed by central government in
consultation with Chief Justice of India
3. A selection committee shall be formed by government to
appoint judicial and expert members.
4. There are to be at least 10 and maximum 20 full time judicial
and expert members.
Powers and Jurisdiction of NGT
1. The tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil cases relating to
environment.
2. NGT also has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeal as a court.
3. The tribunal shall be guided by principles of ‘natural justice’.
4. NGT by any order can provide relief and compensation to
victims of pollution.
5. An order of Tribunal is executable as a decree of a civil court.
6. NGT can also provide a procedure for a penalty for non-
compliance.
7. The NGT deals with civil cases under seven laws to the
environment.
Strength of NGT
1. It emerged as a critical player in environmental regulations
passing strict orders.
2. It helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts
on environmental matters.
3. NGT is less formal, less expensive and faster way of solving
environmental issues.
4. It plays a crucial role in curbing environment damaging
activities.
5. Judgements are more likely to be independent.
6. The NGT has been instrumental in ensuring that the
Environment Impact Assessment process is strictly observed.
Challenges of NGT
1. Two important acts- Wildlife Act and ST and other traditional
forest dwellers Act, have been kept out of NGT’s jurisdiction.
2. The NGT decisions are being challenged in various high
courts.
3. Decisions of NGT have been criticized due to their
repercussions on economic growth and development.
4. The absence of formula-based mechanism in determining
compensation.
5. The decisions given by NGT are not fully complied by
stakeholders or government.
6. The lack of human and financial resources has led to high
pendency of cases.
Consumer protection Act- 1986
The consumer protection Act was enacted in 1986 to protect
the interest of the consumers. The primary objective of this Act
is to establishment of consumer council and other authorities
for the settlement of consumer disputes.
Objectives of consumer protection act-1986
1. To provide for promotion and protection of consumers right.
2. To provide protection against exploitation.
3. To provide remedies for deceived consumers.
4. To provide simple and speedy consumer grievances.
5. To provide inexpensive consumer grievances.
6. To make provision for the establishment of consumer
councils.
Salient features of consumer protection act- 1986
 This act covers all public, private and cooperative sector.
 This act is applicable to all products and services.
 This act provide better protection for consumers.
 This act provide effective safeguards.
 This act provides several rights to consumers.
Scope of consumer protection act- 1986
1. It is applicable to all goods and services and unfair trade
practices unless specifically exempted by the central
government.
2. It covers all sectors public, private as well as cooperative.
3. It provide three tier machinery for setting consumer
grievances.
4. It provides six right to consumers.
Significance of consumer protection act, 1986
 Protection from exploitation
 Consumer education
 Redressal of complaints
 Quality life for consumers
 Ethical obligation and getting public support
Right to information Act, 2005
 This act was passed in the year 2005.
 It provides the mechanism for obtaining information.
 This act is a progressive legislation based on citizen’s right to
know.
Information
Information means any material in any form including records,
documents, memo, emails, circulars, orders, contracts, reports,
papers, press releases held in any electronic form and
information relating to any private body which can be accessed
by a public authority.
Public information officers (PIOs)
PIOs are officers designated by the public authority in all
administrative units or offices to provide information to the
citizens requesting for information under the act.
Procedure for request of information
 Full name of the applicant
 Address
 Particulars of information required
-Subject matter of information.
-The period to which information relates.
-Description of the information.
Salient features of Right to Information Act, 2005
1. Right to information
2. Replaced freedom of information act, 2002
3. Jammu and Kashmir has separate RTI Act
4. RTI relaxes restriction placed by official secret acts 1923.
5. Three levels of authority – Public information officer, First
appellate authority, central information commission.
6. Maximum time gap for first appeal is 30 days.
7. Maximum time gap for second appeal is 90 days.
8. RTI Act asks for computerisation of information.
9. This act includes 31 sections and 6 chapters.
Information technology Act 2000
 This act came into force 17th October, 2000.
 This act deals with cyber-crime and e-commerce in India.
 This act has been amended in 2008.
Objectives of Information Technology Act, 2000
 To grand legal recognition for all electronic transactions
 To provide legal recognition to digital signature
 To facilitate electronic storage of data
 To facilitate electronic filing of document
 To facilitate electronic transfer of funds between banks and
financial institutions
 To grand legal recognition to bankers for keeping books in an
electronic form
Salient features of Information technology Act, 2000
 Legal recognition for digital signature
 Legal recognition to e-commerce
 Facilitates e-commerce transactions
 Digital signatures will use an asymmetric cryptosystem
 The act applies to offences committed outside India
 It elaborates on offenses, penalties and breaches
 It outlines the Justice Dispensation systems for cyber crimes
 Senior officers and other officers can enter any public place
and search and arrest without warrant.
 The act applies to any cyber offence outside India by a
person irrespective of his nationality
 The State government may make rules to carry out the
provisions of the Act
 The provisions of the IT Act have no application to negotiable
instruments.
Scope of IT Act
1. The IT Act contains 13 chapters and 90 sections
2. The last four sections from 91 to 94 were deleted.
3. It commences with preliminary aspect in chapter 1 with 2
sections.
4. Chapter 2 deals with authentication of electronic records,
digital signatures, electronic signatures etc.
5. Chapter 11 deals with offences and penalties.
6. Thereafter the provisions about due diligence and
miscellaneous provisions are being stated.
7. The Act is embedded with two schedules.
Prepared by:
RAHUL MURALI
9947050644 (WhatsApp)