SEP- POLICY EXERCISE

GROUP 7

ENVIRONMENT POLICY
 POLICY BRIEF

CONTENT:
 ISSUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF TAMIL NADU
a) Water
b) Air
c) Agriculture
d) Industrialization
 POLICY – TAMILNADU STATE ENVIRONMENT POLICY 2017
a) About the policy
b) Objectives
c) Strategies and Actions
d) Legislative and Institutional Framework
 CONCLUSION
a) Critical Analysis of the policy
b) Recommendations
ISSUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF TAMIL NADU
We have focused on water, air, agriculture, industrialization in this
document.
WATER:

Challenges to Water security

Increase in water demand across Excessive

segment with limited source of water groundwater
due to climate change. extraction

Neglect of lakes,tanks, Excessive and

canals and other water inefficient use of Water Pollution
bodies surface water

Issues faced due to water scarcity:

 With four percent of India’s land area and seven percent of population, Tamil Nadu
has only three percent of water resources of the Country.

 Both per capita water availability (at 800 cubic metres vis-à-vis National average of
1545 cubic metres) and annual rainfall (at 970 millimetres vis-à-vis National average
of 2300 millimetres) are significantly lower than National average.

 Of 17 river basins in Tamil Nadu, 16 are in “deficit” and only one has surplus water.
In all basins there are some blocks, which are identified as potentially deficit areas
due to low rainfall, formation factors, topographical factors and water quality
problems.
Source: http://cgwb.gov.in/Regions/SECR/Reports/secr_groundwater%20yearbook%202016-
2017.pdf

From the Above table we can see that distribution of rainfall across various districts is much
lower than the normal required distribution leading to large deficiency of rainfall. This low
rainfall is one of the main reasons for only one basin out of 17 river basins having surplus
water. And due to low rainfall increase in water demand is difficult to meet with.

Source: http://cgwb.gov.in/Regions/SECR/Reports/secr_groundwater%20yearbook%202016-
2017.pdf
As per August 2016, the depth to water level over major parts of the state lies within 10 m
bgl. 79% of the wells analysed contain only within 10 m bgl depth to water. This clearly
shows that the groundwater level is much lower than the required level for usage.
Case Study:

The transformation of Cooum River in Chennai.

One of the shortest rivers to drain into the Bay of Bengal, the Cooum is now a local synonym
for an open sewer. “From 1941 to 1949, 4.5 lakh people migrated to Madras. The flow of
both the Cooum and the Kosasthalaiyar were compromised purely to provide for Madras’
growing drinking water needs. During the British period and early independence, flowing
markets were set up in the banks of Cooum. It was a clean flowing river in the early days. At
present the river faces a number of problems like excessive use of water for irrigation
upstream, inadequate sewage collection and industrial pollution.
Inference: Neglect of water bodies and inadequate sewage treatment leads to an unpleasant
environment and loss of good usage water.

AIR:

Tamil Nadu recognises the risk it faces to deterioration of its air quality in view of it being a
rapidly industrialising State which is also the most urbanised State in the country. Growth in
personalised transportation contributes to degradation of air quality in urban areas. Along
with these challenges, the expected increase in thermal power generation to meet the growing
power demand makes it necessary to accord greater focus and thrust on minimising risks of
air pollution.
 Vehicular pollution:

Vehicular pollution is one of the biggest causes of air pollution in cities. The above
graph shows the number of registered motor vehicles all around the country as on 31st
March 2017. Tamil Nadu is the third highest with 26,109 vehicles registered. Higher
motor vehicle usage implies more traffic congestion and higher emissions of air
pollutants from vehicles.

 Impact of Bhogi Festival- Festive air pollution

Source: tnpcb.gov.in
From the above table we infer that, levels of SO2, NO2, respirable suspended particulate
matter (RSPM) increase on the day of Bhogi festival. While the SO2, NO2 levels are under
the standard limit, the RSPM level ranges from 100 to 300 which is far from the limit. This
will lead to a lot of problems in the environment as well as cause health problems to human
beings. The burning of plastics and other non-biodegradable products lead to air pollution.
There has been a significant rise in the air pollutants during festive seasons due to burning of
plastics and bursting crackers. Necessary restrictions should be brought in to curb the air
pollution caused due to this.

AGRICULTURE:
Some challenges in agriculture include Pressure for diversion of productive agricultural lands to non-
agricultural purposes, fragmented land holdings, spatial and temporal variability in water availability,
dwindling ground water resources, shortage of farm workers, weak adoption of improved crop
management practices, scarcity of capital, weak post harvesting and marketing linkages, uncertainties,
seed availability, etc.

 Pressure for diversion of productive agricultural lands to non-agricultural purposes led to

fragmentation of land holdings:
A combination of factors such as increasing industrialization, urbanization, housing activities and
infrastructure development triggered the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural uses.
This has resulted in a decline of the area under cultivation. As per the latest Agricultural Census 2010-
11, marginal and small holdings of less than 2 hectares accounted for 92.0 percent of the total
holdings and 61.0 percent of the total operated area.

Source: tn.gov.in

 Spatial, temporal variability in water availability and seed availability:

 Source: tn.gov.in

 Natural calamities and uncertainties in agriculture:

In 2016-17, Tamil Nadu farmers protested against the Bhartiya Janata Party - led central
government demanding waiver of their farm loans along with many other demands due to
crop failure. The protests started after the 2016-17 drought in Tamil Nadu which led to
crop failure, debt trap and as a result many farmers started committing suicide.

Source of Images: scroll.in, hindustantimes.com

INDUSTRIALISATION:
Some problems arising out of industrialization are air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, noise
pollution, deforestation, destruction of eco systems, excessive resource use, etc.

 Water pollution:

Tiruppur

Source of Image: The Wire

Groundwater is becoming more polluted in Tamil Nadu’s industrial areas and Vellore is the
state’s most polluted district in terms of river pollution, according to a new study by Delhi-
based thinktank, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
CSE did an assessment of Tamil Nadu CEPI scores. CEPI (Comprehensive Environmental
Pollution Index) is a rational number to characterize the quality of the environment at a given
location. An increase in CEPI score denotes adverse effects on the receiving environment.
Critically and severely water polluted industrial clusters in Tamil Nadu CEPI 2018 water surface
score:

No. Name of Polluted Industrial Areas (PIAs) Water

Category
1 Vellore -North Arcot 75.00 Critically Polluted
2. Manali 72.25 Critically Polluted
3 Tiruppur 65.00 Critically Polluted
4 Cuddalore 58.25 Severely Polluted
5 Coimbatore 53.75 Severely Polluted

 Air Pollution

From the table, you can see that the average RSPM is exceeding the prescribed standard in all these
areas in 2011-12. Industries around the area are one of the main reasons for this.

* RSPM - Respirable suspended particulate matter is a causative agent of mortality and morbidity.
TAMILNADU STATE ENVIRONMENT POLICY 2017
The Tamil Nadu State Environment Policy 2017 prepared by the Department of
Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu follows the Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 launched by
the Government of Tamil Nadu, which identifies preservation of ecology and heritage as a
key underlying the Vision Tamil Nadu 2023. The State Policy is the outcome of extensive
consultations with Experts in different disciplines.

The Objectives of Tamil Nadu State Environment Policy 2017 are to

1. Conserve, Nurture and Renew Environmental Resources

2. Integrate environmental well-being into developmental programmes

3. Enhance preparedness to deal with climate change impacts

4. Improve Environment Governance and institutional capacity

Strategies and Actions:

This section details strategies and actions to realize the objectives of Tamil Nadu
State Environment Policy 2017 namely,
A. Conserve, Nurture and Renew Environmental Resources
( strategies and actions for water, air, land, coastal zones, forest, wildlife and biodiversity)
Water Resources:

1. Strengthen information repository on water through a comprehensive

mapping and inventorisation of information on water sources.

2. Promote integrated approaches to management of water resources.

3. Systematically augment, renew and maintain water resources

4. Strengthen mechanisms to monitor and augment groundwater potential

5. Implement an independent and comprehensive quality monitoring and dissemination protocol

6. Identify and tackle sources of water pollution taking along with stringent enforcement of
standards

7. Promote demand management and increased efficiency of water use across all sectors

Air:

1. Strengthen systems for monitoring air quality.

2. Urban air quality monitoring

3. Enforce legislation, policies and rules to establish and meet air quality

standards

4. Promote use of public transportation in urban areas.

5. Minimize Vehicular Pollution

6. Maintain leadership in Clean Energy.

B. Integrate environmental well-being into developmental programs

( strategies and actions for agriculture, industrial development,urbanisation, energy,
mining and quarrying)

Agriculture

1. Preserve and augment water availability for Agriculture

2. Improve water efficiency in Agriculture

3. Solar water pumps

4. Preserve soil quality and improve nutrient status

5. Promote integrated farming

6. Environment Friendly Cultivation

Industrial development

1. Prepare Industrial Master Plans for all new identified industrial corridors and nodes.

2. Prepare and enforce Environmental Management Plans for existing Industrial Areas to identify
and address gaps in environmental infrastructure and monitoring.

3. Remediate critically polluted industrial areas.

4. Implement Continuous and Emission Monitoring Systems in all industrial areas.

5. Stringent enforcement of guidelines for conduct of Environment Impact Assessment and its
compliance.

6. Periodic review of pollution standards

7. Transparent mechanisms and on-line tracking of issue of consents.

8. Review guidelines for locating industries

9. Environment audits

10. Promote water recycling and re-use

C. Enhance preparedness to deal with climate change impacts

D. Improve Environment Governance and institutional capacity
Legislative framework:
Environment
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Water
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended in 1978 and 1988
• The Tamil Nadu Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1983
Air
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended in 1987
• The Tamil Nadu Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1983

Institutional framework:
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
Department of Environment (DoE)
Tamil Nadu State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and
District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA)
Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA)
Role of other departments and agencies: Government of Tamil Nadu would also address
environmental concerns in discharge of activities falling within their domain.
 CONCLUSION:
Critical Analysis of the policy:
Environment Policy STRENGTH/ POSITIVES:

 The TNPCB (Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board) functions under the overall
administrative control of Environment and Forests Department.
1. The TNPCB has established well equipped laboratories for the analysis of
water, waste water. Month wise water Quality status is recorded and
maintained.
The water Quality status can be viewed under:
https://tnpcb.gov.in/polluted-riverstretches.php
2. Under the ambient air quality Monitoring programme, air quality monitoring
stations has been setup across all districts, with the largest number of stations
in Chennai.

3. TNPCB has established common effluent treatment plants, Water Quality

Watch Centre, Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Stations, Chennai City
Waterways Monitoring Programme, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring,
Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, Care Air Centre, and
National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network Programme.

4. The TNPCB has released funds for pollution abatement projects like massive
tree plantation, eco restoration of Chitlapakkam eri in Chengalpattu district,
creation of urban arboretum in greater Chennai Corporation and for other
studies, awareness programmes.
Environment Policy WEAKNESS/ NEGATIVES
There are still many issues in the environment because the strategies and actions weren’t
implemented properly. Some of them are:
 Air, water and land resources are still being polluted by - industrial effluents which
aren't being treated according to the standards prescribed, burning of solid and
hazardous waste, fossil fuels etc.
 Deforestation, destruction of ecosystem still occurs as a result of urbanization.
 Mining and quarrying activities aren't being monitored properly.
 Agriculture still faces a lot of challenges as many areas haven't been covered by the
legislative and institutional framework.
 Industrial areas classified as critically polluted has not been taken up for remediation
measures on priority in a time bound manner.
 As per the policy polluted water bodies are not yet identified and talked with.
 The sewage water isn’t treated well before let out into water. Out of the total litres of
waste water only 700 million litres per day is being treated. As seen in the Cooum
case study the sewage aren’t treated properly leading to water pollution.

Case study on Ennore- Manali region:

According to a news article, ‘Poison in the Air’, a study by Chennai Climate Action Group (CCAG), has
revealed that six major industries in the Ennore-Manali region have been contributing to pollution
during 59% (215.35 days) of the year 2019.

According to the rules, these industries that fall under the red category are mandated to monitor
their stack emissions on a real-time basis, and share emission levels instantaneously with the TNPCB
for facilitating immediate regulatory measures. However, this norm has been violated and the
violations continue unabated.

Source of graph: Chennai.citizenmatters.in

Strategy cited in the policy - Remediate critically polluted industrial areas: Industrial areas
classified as critically polluted would be taken up for remediation measures on priority in a time
bound manner

This strategy wasn’t implemented in the Ennore-Manali Region.

 Recommendations:

For the government-

 Progress of work done by departments facilitating this policy need to be noted down.
 Task forces, institutional frameworks need to be monitored by a separate department.
 Attention should be given to the right areas and implementation needs to be better.
 A department should be formed for receiving complaints/ suggestions from the public
and to transfer it to the task forces.
 Periodic Check should be done on Industries to make sure they’re well within the
standards prescribed.
 Strengthen the institutional capacity of the municipalities - their human, financial,
and, in particular, technological resources - for proper environmental management.
For the people –
 Let your voice be heard: Awareness programs, publicity, education.
 Change public opinion: Educate them on how real the problem is and how it will
affect them. In the end only the government can’t make a change. Only the people as
a team can.
 Lead by example: set an example and practice what you preach so as to inspire others.

Policy Link: http://www.spc.tn.gov.in/policy_doc/TN_Environment_Policy.pdf