WHAT'S
NEW
An
attempt is made here to describe the new challenges coming up
in the field of environment and GPCB's response to meet with challenges.
Pipeline
projects committee:
A number of pipelines for transportation of hydrocarbons are coming
up in the state with intra state or inter state ramification.
To standardize the pollution control norms pertaining to them
and secure quick disposal of such projects GPCB has constituted
a committee. This committee has developed expertise for scrutinizing
diverse pipelines and their systems, enabling it to expedite the
clearance of such projects which are of critical importance from
the economic development and environment angles.
Fast Track Clearance Mechanism for projects in Kutch
Kutch Dist after the EQ is experiencing fast industrial development
due to the incentives provided by the State govt and Central govt.
Such projects are time bound in nature, and so require quick clearance.
For these purpose a Fast Track Cell is working in the HO.
Introduction of Consolidated Consents and Authorization
(CC & A):
GPCB issues statutory clearances in the form of consents and authorization
under the provision of the Water Act 1974 and the Air Act 1981
as well as Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989.
Earlier the system was separate applications under each law, and
grant of consent for one year. GPCB has now introduced a single
application under the three laws and grant of Consolidated Consent
and Authorisation for a period of Five years thereby streamlining
the whole process and reducing delays and making the system user
friendly.
Environmental Zoning and Mapping of all the district of
the State
The State Government and Gujarat Pollution Control Board have
undertaken Environmental zoning & Mapping exercise which will
help industry to easily select the potential locations, obtains
NOC/Consent faster, reducing the problems of compliance to Environmental
norms, Cost of conveyance & rehabilitation problems. At present
such exercise in respect of districts of Junagadh, Jamnagar, Porbandar,
Panchmahal Dahod, in Kutch, Amreli Kheda & Anand is complete
and process for remaining districts is in the pipeline.
Open
House (Monthly Visits from HO)
Gujarat
Pollution Control Board officials from Head Office visit there
respective areas every month and hold meeting with stack holders
/ associations to discuss / resolved various problems including
NOC/CCA cases and also other environmental issues in their area.
ISO
14001
Gujarat Pollution
Control Board has proposed following incentives to promote Industries
for obtaining ISO 14001,
· Priority in processing applications will be given clearing
it within 45 days.
· Units having ISO-14001 certificate will be given CCA
for six years instead of 5 years.
· Units having ISO-14001 certificate will be given rebate
in water cess.
· Audit Industries covered under Schedule-I & II are
suppose to pay fees Under Environmental Audit Scheme. Industries
having ISO-14001 will be given relief of 50 % in Environmental
Audit Fees.
· Name of the units having ISO-14001 will be displayed
on GPCB's websites.
Special
drive carried out by Gujarat Pollution Control Board to check
the petrol pumps of Ahmedabad to verify pre-mixing of 2T lubricating
oil for 2-stroke two/ three wheelers.
As a part of the implementation of Action Plan
for Air pollution Control in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Pollution Control
Board carried out special drive on 10 & 11 December 2004 to
check the petrol pumps of Ahmedabad to verify pre-mixing of 2T
lubricating oil for 2-stroke two/ three wheelers. Board deployed
10 teams to verify pre-mixing of 2T oil and checked all petrol
pumps of Ahmedabad. It was found out that in as many as 31 petrol
pumps pre-mix oil dispensers were not installed and in 9 cases,
though pre-mix dispensers were provided not a single dispenser
was in working order. GPCB has directed Civil Supplies Department,
District Collector, Police Commissioner and Oil Companies to take
immediate steps including punitive action against the defaulters.
All petrol pumps have now installed 2T dispensers.
Special
drive launched by Gujarat Pollution Control Board to check quality
of emission from flue gas stacks (Boiler Stacks) of industries
in Ahmedabad
As a part of the implementation of Action Plan for Air pollution
Control in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Pollution Control Board launched
a special drive from Dec, 2004 to Feb, 2005 to check quality
of emission (mainly emission of particulate matter) from flue
gas stacks (Boiler Stacks) of industries in Ahmedabad. The Board
has monitored 151 such industrial units during this drive and
has carried out sampling from as many as 124 flue gas stacks.
Based on the analysis reports, the Board has issued directives
of closure under the Air Act, 1981 to 16 defaulting units while
notices have been issued to 59 industrial units. The erring
units are now in the process of modification of the system as
required.
GPCB
issues Charter to Ahmedabad industries to control air pollution
As a part of implementation of Action Plan for Air pollution
Control, Gujarat Pollution Control Board prepared a Charter
on Corporate responsibility for air pollution control - Boilers,
Heaters, Furnace used in Ahmedabad. This Charter was discussed
in detail with all the stake holder associations and after consulting
the industries associations the Board has issued the Charter.
The Charter aims at inducing self-discipline and awareness amongst
the industries to reduce the emission of particulate matter
from the stacks. The Board has pressed upon the industries to
implement the action points suggested in the Charter immediately.
This Charter however is not a substitute for complying the legal
norms but in addition to that.
To view the
Charter CLICK
HERE
Special Campaign launched by Gujarat Pollution Control
Board jointly with Civil Supplies Department and Forensic Science
Laboratory to check the quality of fuel at petrol pumps of Ahmedabad
to check adulteration.
GPCB has started a campaign to check the
quality of petrol and diesel sold at retail outlets in Ahmedabad.
This drive is carried out by "Joint Inspection Teams"
comprising of officials of Civil Supplies Department, Forensic
Science Laboratory and Gujarat Pollution Control Board. The
samples are drawn under the Essential Commodities Act. IOC has
also supported the cause by facilitating parallel analysis.
The drive is on-going.
Telephone Numbers
CLICK
HERE
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IMPORTANT EVENTS DURING THE YEAR 2004-2005
1. Poster
competition on clean environment - plastic waste issue:
On 20.1.2004, prize distribution and exhibition programme of a poster
competition on clean environment i.e. plastic waste issue based
classroom project, organised jointly by the New Progressive Fine
Arts College, Mehsana and the Board. Over 1500 visitors including
students of various local schools of Mehsana visited the exhibition,
kept open during 20th and 21st January 2004 for the public.
2.
Monitoring & Review of Air pollution Action Plan by the Environment
Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority :
During 1st - 2nd January
2004, Shri Bhure Lal, Hon'ble Chairman, EPPCA - [Environment
Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority constituted as
per the Supreme Court's order by the MoEF, GoI accompanied
with committee members visited Gujarat for
monitoring of Air Pollution Action Plan.
After that on 25/09/2004 and 21/12/2004 Shri Bhure
Lal, Hon'ble Chairman, EPPCA - [Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority
constituted as per the Supreme Court's order by the
MoEF, GoI visited Gujarat to review the Air Pollution Action Plan.
3. Study tour by an Estimate Committee of Gujarat State
Assembly on Environmental issues
During 6th- 8th January, 2004 an Estimate Committee of Gujarat State
Assembly undertook a study tour of Ahmedabad, Junagadh and Rajkot
districts. Among dignitaries, Dr. Kanubhai Valabhai Kalasaria, Hon'ble
Chairman of the Committee, accompanied with other Hon'ble Members
of the Committee, visited CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant),
TSDF (Treatment Stabilisation Disposal Facility), pharmaceutical,
rayon and cement industries.
4. Visit
by the Supreme Courts' Monitoring Committee on hazardous wastes
issues.
a. 3rd Meeting of the Hon'ble Supreme Courts' 'Monitoring
Committee' held during 22nd - 25th February 2004 at Ahmedabad followed
by site visits of TSDF located at Odhav, Vatva, Alang - Bhavnagar,
Ankleshwar - Bharuch and Surat.
b.On 30.3.2004, Dr. Claud Alvares and Dr. Tapan
Chakravarti, Members of the Sub-Committee of Monitoring Committee
visited Valsad district.
5. Celebration of the World Environment Day - 5th June, 2004.
On June 5th , 2004 the World Environment
Day was observed on a theme 'Wanted ! Seas and Oceans,
Dead or Live ?'
as declared by UNEP.
The action taken and programmes organised by the Gujarat Pollution
Control Board :
On
5th June, 2004, Shri Narendrabhai Modi, Hon'ble Chief Minister
of Gujarat, released a publication on 'Ahmedabad Air Pollution
Control Action Plan and Symposium on Implementation'. Hon'ble
Chief Minister was also suggestive to encourage 'Bicycle Day'
and popularise among students community. The Guest of Honour,
Shri Mangubhai Patel, Hon'ble Minister for
Tribal Welfare, Forest and Environment stressed on the need of
participation by all in implementing pollution control programmes.
6.
Celebration of Ozone Day
On 16th September, 2004 - the International
Day for Preservation of ozone Layer was observed
on a theme 'Save O3ur Sky: Ozone Friendly Planet, Our
Target at Chemical Engineering Department, LD College of Engineering,
Ahmedabad on 16th September 2004 at Ahmedabad.
7. Bio-medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules,
1998
On 3.2.2005 the Board organised a seminar on 'Bio-medical Waste
Management', at Ahmedabad. Shri Arjun Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary,
Forest and Environment Department presided over the function. Shri
K.V. Bhanujan, Chairman of the Board conducted the sessions of the
seminar.
8.
Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000.
The MSW (M & H) Rules, 2000 came in to force from 25/9/2000.
Under these rules every municipal authority responsible for collection,
segregation, storage, transportation, processing & disposal
of municipal solid wastes are covered.
As per the Hon. Supreme Court directives and orders issued from
time to time, a meeting was organized on 8/11/04 at Gandhinagar
to guide all chief officers of local bodies and revised time bound
action plan has been prepared.
9.
Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001.
The Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules came in to existence
with effect from 16/05/01 under powers conferred under Environment
Protection Act-86.
For creating awareness among battery dealers Board has started organizing
meeting with the dealers for each region. First battery dealer meeting
was organized at Vapi for Valsad District on 6/12/04. Another meeting
for Ahmedabad was organized on 28/01/05 during the year.
10.
Notification for the brick manufacturing activity.
Gujarat Pollution control Board
has organized workshop on applicability of pollution control
acts, Rules & notification to the brick manufacturing activity
in association with Gujarat brick manufacturing federation, Ahmedabad
on 16/9/2004.The work shop was organized at Town hall, Gandhinagar.
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