Synopsis of Research for Ph.D
SYNOPSIS FOR Ph.D.
‘ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
BY INDUSTRIES IN
NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI’
(CASE STUDIES)
R.K.PATHAK
B.Sc., LL.B., M.B.A.
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF DELHI, DELHI
JULY 1997
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BY INDUSTRIES
IN NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
(CASE STUDIES)
Abstract: Environmental Management is concern of all to seek sustainable
development and survival; now survival of many industries depend on their performance in
environmental management therefore industries are fast considering impact of business on
environment. Science, Law and Management are three important inter-connected areas in
environmental management. In this synopsis I have given some facts and cases which drew
attention of managers to undertake research to find solution to the need of growing
population and urbanisation on limited land space of earth and with limited natural
resources. The thrust of present research is to explore present scientific, legal and
managerial development in environmental management, and examining cases in N.C.T of Delhi
in light of present day scientific, legal and managerial scenario.
The Environmental Management is management of
business without disturbing natural environment so as not to damage it and make optimum
use of scare free natural resources- air, water, minerals, land and biota. The object of
environment management is to achieve zero impact of organisational activity on natural
environment. To attain this object, organisation adopt a strategy accordingly and maintain
equilibrium between production and health of environment. The strategy for environmental
management depend on various factors and vary from organisation to organisation, area to
area. Some of the major factors affecting environmental management are location of
manufacturing unit where natural environment have capacity to absorb damage, away from
population if production have potential to harm biological life; adopting emergency
measure if required, selection of product and its development, raw material used, waste
management, eco-friendly technology and legal sanctions applicable in the location,
undertaking environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, risk analysis, and
finally environmental report.
The Environmental Management have three important aspects, first is
scientific which give basics of survivability of biological life, how the ecosystem work,
evolution and adaptability of individual species in natural environment, population
studies, effect of pollutants, properties of pollutants, climatology, earth science,
applied technology for production, designing technology to minimize environmental
degradation; second aspect is legal which define the limitations to human activities,
control, regulate and prohibit human activities which cause damage to natural environment,
this can be at international or national level; the third aspect is managerial which
channelise human activities to use natural resources like air, water, land , minerals and
biota in optimum manner and make use of scientific and legal aspect of environmental
management in industrial production to meet growing demand of increasing population. All
the three aspects are inter-connected and managers of environmental management have to
consider all the three to discharge their social responsibility and leading organisation
to achieve its objectives and maintain growth.
Scientific:
The atmosphere is one of the most important component of the
environment since it connects all portions of the Earth into one ecosystem. The atmosphere
is composed of a variety of gases, of which oxygen and nitrogen make up the largest
percentage. It is not uniform in its depth or its composition, but it is divided into
several layers or zone which differ in density and composition. Although most interaction
with humans occurs in the zone nearest Earth, the most distant parts of the atmosphere are
also important since they affect the heat balance of the Earth and the quality of radiant
energy striking the surface. Disturbances to these portions of the atmosphere could affect
the entire biosphere.
The composition of the atmosphere varies according to location. The
qualities of minor gases such as carbon dioxide, the amounts of various metallic elements,
and the quantity of water vapour and dust all may differ, depending upon the relative
distance from land or sea. But, in addition, the atmospheric composition may change in
time. In fact, scientific studies reveals that over the history of the planet, the
percentage composition of oxygen has changed from a very oxygen-poor environment to the
present atmosphere, with 20.95% oxygen by volume.
Human activities may introduce a variety of pollutants into the
atmosphere. The principle pollutants are carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds, hydrocarbons,
nitrogen oxides, solid particles (particulates), and heat. The amount of pollutants that
are produced may be quite large, especially in local areas, and have increased in amount
as industrialisation has become more widespread. Industrial and domestic activities have
also been estimated to put 2.18X108 tones (1.96X108metric tones) of sulphur into the
atmosphere per year. In most cases, these pollutants have increase during the recent past,
and in many areas have become a serious problem.
Atmospheric problems can have a variety of impacts on humans. Numerous
observers have attributed climatic change to atmospheric alteration, since any change in
the gaseous envelop of the Earth could alter the heat balance and the climate. The
Earth’s climate is not constant, and it is difficult to establish an exact
correlation between pollution and variation in temperature or solar radiation at the
Earth’s surface. The pollutants most likely to have an effect on climate are carbon
dioxide and solid particles. Besides this possible effect on overall climate, pollution
may affect the chemical composition of the regions of the Earth. These effects may be
extremely complicated. For example it is reported that sulphur dioxides produced in the
industrial districts react with water to form sulphuric acid, which rains out in
precipitation. The acid rain changes the acidity of the soil in region and may depress the
activity of blue-green algae, which fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Acid rain appears to
cause reduction in the growth of trees. Other pollutants may act in similar complicated
fashions through the network of interaction in the Earth Ecosystem.
The atmospheric pollution has direct effects on plants and animals and
human activities. Pollutants, like other materials, can act as limiting influences on the
growth, reproduction and survival of plants and animals. In some cases all vegetation and
animal life may be destroyed in the vicinity of the polluting industry. Gases and solids
are taken into the lungs of humans and cause disease or discomfort. Pollution affects
buildings, clothes, artworks and machines also.
The aquatic environment is of equal importance since most of the
Earth’s surface is covered by the oceans, and the land is connected to the oceans by
streams and rivers. Thus, like the atmosphere, the waters are a connection between distant
parts of the biosphere and can carry a disturbance from its origin to another region.
The composition of water varies widely, and it is essential for
evaluation of aquatic health to establish the baseline conditions which are stable under
the normal or undisturbed conditions. Water pollution arises from a variety of sources-
industry, domestic, sewage, agricultural fertilizer and feedlots, construction activities
and forest practices. Principal pollutants are sediments, organic pollutants containing
nitrites, and phosphates, lead, mercury, hydrocarbons, pesticides and various synthetic
chemicals. The impact of the pollutant depends both on its chemical nature and on the
quantity released. All water bodies receive quantity of chemicals and solid materials and
on the quantity released. All water bodies receive quantities of chemicals and solid
materials, a variety of organisms which break down and utilize these inputs have evolved.
Serious problems arise when the inputs to the water body become unusually large or contain
synthetic materials which cannot be decomposed by the organisms. Further problems may
develop through concentrations of pollutants in the food web of aquatic system. For
example, if a chemical is not metabolised by organism, but is concentrated in their
tissues, as are some pesticides, then as each organism is eaten by another, the body
burden of chemicals can increase. In this way, predators may obtain very large and
dangerous amounts of pollutants. The decline of population of certain fish-eating birds
has been attributed to this process of transfer and concentration.
Aquatic pollution has many consequences of significance to humans. An
excess of chemical materials which enrich plant and animal growth can cause rapid increase
in life. This process, termed, eutrophication, may entrail dramatic increase in the algal,
plaktonic or rooted aquatic plant population, with the result that the water appears green
in colour or become clogged with vegetation. Toxic chemicals may directly kill aquatic
life or if present in sublethal amounts, may change the species of plant and animals.
Often aquatic pollution is not a dramatic either or proposition, with all fish or other
aquatic life killed, rather, more commonly a trend toward an increase in the more
resistant species is seen, with the elimination of those forms which are specially
susceptible to the pollutant. Aquatic pollution also involves heat, especially that
derived from industrial activities, including nuclear power and fossil fuel plants. In
these instances, water is used to cool the machines or reactors and is exhaust to the
environment at elevated temperature. Since all metabolic and chemicals processes are
influenced by heat, thermal pollution should have significant effects on aquatic systems,
but thus far it has been difficult to prove that such an impact occurs.
Other aquatic problems of interest concern alteration of water channels
by impoundments or channelization and irrigation. In such instance the nature pattern of
water movement is altered, and deterioration of the environment may result. Impoundments
limit the natural movement and chemical elements; production patterns in water and lands
below the impoundment may be altered, other recharges may occur. But on the plus side,
impoundments often provide fisheries, electrical energy, recreation, and other advantages.
Irrigation problems may involve the movement of salts from depths in the soil, with
deposition near the surface. Disturbance of the chemical equilibrium of the soil, in turn,
interfere with plant growth.
Terrestrial environment constantly undergo a degrading and decomposing
process owning to the action of water, frost, wind, and other environmental processes on
the surface which involve the linkages joining land, water and atmosphere. Human
activities may accelerate these natural processes. In addition, the use of chemical
materials on the land may have effects similar to those resulting from their addition to
water. Most terrestrial environmental problems are caused by agricultural, grazing or
forest practices. Probably the most serious effect concerns practices which increase the
rate of surface erosion. Only a small percentage of the Earth’s surface is suitable
for agriculture and the loss of solid from these areas is extremely serious. As a
consequence, certain regions have been denuded. Overgrazing may also remove the cover of
vegetation and allow water and wind to erose the soil. Deserts have increase in extent
almost everywhere because of overgrazing; and in India, the increase in the Rajasthan
Desert can be measured in a feet per year. Dust from this desert blows as far as Thailand.
Overcutting trees and lack of reforestation programs also may increase soil erosion and
nutrient losses in forest regions. These impacts are not solely the mark of modern
civilization. Misuse of the land has been noted in many past civilisations and can even be
a problem for present-day primitive societies.
However, modern agriculture has added new problems to those of the
primitive farmer. Various chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are
used to increase agricultural production. These chemicals may be needed because of past
misuse of land or because of economic demands in a society that does not recognise the
need to maintain the product terrestrial resources. Organic and ecological agricultural
practice seek to establish a pattern of land use without causing deterioration of the soil
and biotic resources. Although re-establishment of the pattern may result in somewhat
lower productivity, proponents of “ecoagriculutre” argue that high productivity
can be maintained without loss of soil through erosion and without reduction in fertility.
Probably the most serious short-term impact arises from the use of
chemicals on the land. In most cases chemicals applied on land is taken up by the crop and
then enters the human food chain. The soil fauna and the natural nitrogen-fixing organism
present in the solid, as well as the terrestrial faunas living near the agricultural or
forest plantations, can be significantly affected by use of pesticides; and population of
animals, even beneficial species, may be reduced through misuse of chemical materials. The
extinction of plants and animals which is also a serious problem, usually due to the
destruction of their habitat. Pollution, disturbance of the land and overhunting may
provide the final cause of destruction of a particular living species.
Industrialized societies require large quantities of energy. Energy
production from nuclear reactors has been enthusiastically developed in may regions of the
biosphere. However, nuclear energy also has environmental consequences that are of concern
to environmental manager and that must be considered when these facilities are designed
and operated, so that negative impacts on the environment do not occur.
Nuclear energy has three primary environmental consequences; the
storage of radioactive products, release of radioactive material to the environment, and
release of heat in cooling.
These are various kinds of radioactivity associated with the particular
radioactive elements used in the reactor. In the process of the generation of energy,
these fuel element are changed into a suitable radioactive materials. Although these
materials, in turn, form a new source of chemicals, the process of separation and
concentration is very costly and dangerous. In their case, however, the processes result
in radioactive waste and that must be stored for periods of hundreds even thousands of
years. The fact that the potential danger of these wastes will require technical attention
for a period of time longer than the histories of many modern societies is a prime
argument against the widespread use of nuclear energy.
A second environmental problem concerns the loss of relatively small
quantities of radioactive materials to the environment during chemical processes in
reactors or chemical plants. If these materials enter the body, they can cause disease and
death. Like pesticides, radioactive chemicals materials may be concentrated in food chains
and can appear in relatively large concentrations. In certain fragile environments, the
food chains are very short. Thus, radioactive chemicals derived from testing atomic
weapons pass through lichens or reindeer or caribou to humans. Concentrations in certain
localities may be high enough to cause concern to public health. Radiation leak in the
Three-Mile Island (1970s) in USA and Chernobyl Nuclear Plant (1980s) in Ukraine, USSR
cautioned the world about inherent danger in nuclear power plants. At present 57 nuclear
reactors are under construction in 17 countries (The Hindustan Times 17th March 1997).
Collection of Nuclear war heads by States is another potential danger that mankind is
living with and remind world of possible use of atom bomb as used in World War over
Nagashaki and Hiroshima in Japan on 6th and 9th August 1945. This is in addition to
stockpiling of chemical and biological warheads that different States are maintaining.
The size of the human population is concern of environmentalist since
many of the impacts of human activities on the environment are a function of the number
and concentration of people. The human population on Earth has increase exponentially, and
in many countries this increase poses almost insurmountable problems. Population is
increasing in both developed and developing countries. According to Census Bureau in 2050
America will be 50% more populous than it was in 1995, enough growth to scare anyone who
cares about the environment.34 Control of environmental degradation, even a concern for
environment, is nonexistent when the population is undernourished, starving, ill-housed
and underemployed. Social disorder, alienation, psychological disturbances, physical
illness, and other problems have correlation with overpopulation. Population also places
demands on the resources of the Earth; the standard of living rises, these demands
increase.
The human population problem is exceedingly complicated because
considerable evidence indicates that the size of family declines as the population become
less rural and most industrial. Solution of these positions leads towards a set of social
policies, all of which have an environmental impact which in turn, affects the human
society and industrial production.
The foregoing scientific studies suggest that there is an optimum
environment for the human race which is influenced by a variety of population densities
and activities. The human environment and society could be designed in such a way to
minimize the negative impacts on environment and provide a satisfactory productive life
for the population. Environment designs considers economic and social policy, as well as
the impact of designed rural, urban, transport, industrial and other systems, it is also
considers the design of the individual environment of house, furniture, clothes and so on.
Considering the often violent impact modern society has had on the environment, some
scholar suggest that a design revolution is required to reorganise the environment created
by society so that these impacts can be reduced. Environmental management and design
obviously have a deep political component, since the methods used to redesign society
depend upon the control of individual demands. At one extreme, individual demand is
allowed to express itself without limit, and education is used to create in the individual
a realisation that environmental constraints must be recognised. At the other extreme, the
government controls demand through legislation. Most society operate somewhere between
these two extremes.1
Legal:
Every Sovereign State is controlling Environmental Pollution by
legislation. The standards of pollution vary from State to State and vary from time to
time. By such regulatory mechanism, each State is offering a political environment to
business organisations. This has resulted into Research & Development efforts by
business organisations to keep the pollutants to a prescribed limit.
At International Level first effort was made in June 1972 by United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment at Stockholm, in which India also
participated. The conference was to take appropriate steps for the preservation of the
natural resources of the earth. Then three laws was promulgated by legislation Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act 1986. These laws provide a political environment
to industries which are using water and discharging pollutants in air. These law fixed
limits of pollutants to prevent, control and regulate environmental degradation. The
Government felt that concern over the state of environment has grown the world over since
the sixties. The decline in environmental quality has been evidenced by increasing
pollution, loss of vegetated cover and biological diversity, excessive concentration of
harmful chemicals in the ambience atmosphere and in food chains, growing risks of
environmental accidents and threats to life support systems. There is need for an
authority which can assume the lead role for studying, planning and implementing long-term
requirements of environmental safety and to give direction to, and co-ordinate a system of
speedy and adequate response to emergency situations threatening environment. Under these
enactment Central Pollution Control Board at Delhi was set up and in each State, State
Pollution Control Board were set up.4 In addition to this, a full fledge portfolio was
given to a Minister in Council of Ministers. The Ministry was given name - Ministry of
Environment and Forest at Delhi. Many laboratories were set up to conduct research by
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and a National Environmental Enginnering
Research Institute (NEERI) was set up at Nagpur. The law prescribed details of procedure
of handling Hazardous chemicals, taking samples of discharges, can take assistance from
experts and finally given wide powers to stop industrial production. Despite of this, in
year 1992 Supreme Court while examining environmental degradation of National Capital
Territory of Delhi observed that local bodies -DDA, MCD and Central and Delhi Pollution
Control Board have wholly remiss in the performance of their statutory duties and have
failed to protect environment.5 In recent past many public interest litigation has been
filed in various Courts in India and Courts with assistance of expert reports decided fate
of industries. World wake up from hibernation and perceived the earth as more than a globe
to be surveyed or developed for the welfare or to be protected from threat to its
sustainability, both natural and human; when policy document at the international level
dealing with the regulation of hazardous substances in Agenda 21, a comprehensive
programme of action, adopted by the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development at Rio
de Junerio in June 1992.6
In India many serious problems were observed. On mid night of Dec.2,
1984, in Bhopal, a dangerous gasol Methyl Isocynate (MIC) escaped from a tank of pesticide
factory of Union Carbide Corporation and dangerously polluted thickly populated area
causing instant death of 2660 people and effecting health of another 5 lacs people; the
company paid damage of 470 million US dollars for its negligently managing environment and
inability to meet such emergency.7
In Udaipur District of Rajasthan, agricultural land and drinking water
of well in village Bichhri was polluted because of untreated iron based & gypsum based
sludge of Jyoti Chemicals Ltd, Agro Chemicals Ltd and Silver Chemicals Ltd, making H Acid
whose production is banned in European Country because of its polluting technology and was
manufactured only for export to those countries, residents collectively drew attention of
Supreme Court; finally industries were found not social responsible in waste disposal and
industries were closed down. On direction of Supreme Court NEERI submitted a management
plan to restore environmental quality.8 Supreme Court examined Kanpur Tanneries, 208
Calcutta Tanneries at Tangra, Tiljola, Topsia and Pagla Danga.9; 584 tanneries in North
Arcot, Ambedkar District where 35,000 hectares of Agricultural land has become unfit for
cultivation, well water unfit for drinking.10 It was observed by Supreme Court that it is
no doubt that the leather industry in India has become a major foreign exchange earner
& at present Tamil Nadu is the leading exporter of finished leather accounting for
approximately 80% of country’s export. However, preference was given to save
environment rather than to earn most needed foreign exchange. It was realised that
environmental degradation are the inevitable consequences of industrial development in our
country, but at the same time the quality of environment cannot be permitted to be damaged
by polluting the air, water and land to such an extent that it becomes a health hazard.11
Residents of Cochin city found industrial pollution forming poisonous
fog and took steps to stop pollution; study was conducted about air pollution by
monitoring of air pollution and industries were identified.12 Court while examining water
pollution of Cuttak, pointed out from report of World Health Organisation that one
hospital bed out of four in the world is occupied by a patient who is ill because of
polluted water.13 In last 10 years judicial activism has played an important role in
environmental management and Supreme Court observed that we see around us growing evidence
of man made harm in many regions of the earth, dangerous levels of pollution in water,
air, earth and living beings; major and undesirable disturbances to the ecological balance
of the biosphere; destruction and depletion of irreplaceable resources; and gross
deficiency harmful to the physical, mental and social health of men, in the man made
environment." To achieve goal of free and unpolluted environment, this environmental
goal would demand the acceptance of responsibility by citizens and communities and by
enterprises and institutions at every level, all sharing equitably in common efforts to
sustainable development.14
Recently Supreme Court accepted globally accepted “polluter pay
principle”34 though no enactment provide for this. In 1987 World Commission on
Environment and Development, Brundland developed idea of "sustainable
development" for economic growth and environmental protection, the expression is
defined as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own need.'36 The 'sustainable concept' was
also accepted by Supreme Court. Because of increase in environmental degradation and
judicial activism, Supreme Court directed to have a Court in each State exclusively for
environment, by name "Green Bench."
Managerial:
The concern of organisation and responsibility for performance are two
important characteristics of a professional manager. Managing involves collecting and
utilising resources (money, men, materials and machines) in most optimal manner for
achievement of some predetermined objectives or results. There are two sets of factors
impinge upon the firm’s survival and growth. The first is the set of factors which
are internal to the firm and are largely controllable. These internal factors are choice
of technology, efficiency of labour, competence of managerial staff, company image,
financial resources, etc. The external factors are environmental factors refer to
government policy, laws and regulation, changing customer tastes, attitudes and values,
increasing competition, etc.
Apart from the specific society segments with whom the firm interacts
in the course of conducting its business, the manager also has responsibility towards his
surroundings and the people living in the vicinity. Firms behave irresponsibly when they
pollute their physical environment by releasing harmful smoke and gases into the
atmosphere, discharging toxic effluents into nearby rivers, lakes and seas, and dumping
their waste matter in the surrounding lands. Manager should not only take steps to prevent
or minimise any negative impact of his firm’s operations on the society, but also
takes the initiative in playing a more positive role towards society.
The environment which engulfs an organisation provides the resources
and opportunities for the organisation’s existence. At the same time, the environment
itself imposes sanctions determining what an organisation can or cannot do. If an
organisation is to survive, grow and remain prosperous, it must adapt to the demands of
the environment. Since these demands are constantly changing, organisations must also
change. Organisations introduce changes through people who have to learn to adapt their
attitudes and behavioural patterns to constantly changing environments. Individual change
is behavioural, determined by individual characteristics of members such as knowledge,
attitudes, beliefs, needs, expectations, etc. Forces for change arise out of an
organisation’s interaction with elements in its external or internal environment. The
action of government units, or public groups may have substantial impacts on change.
Social and cultural factors such as life styles, values or beliefs also lead to important
changes. Management of change requires foreseeing the need for change and going about it
in a planned sequential manner.
All organisations operate within an environment which comprises
economic, social, cultural, political and legal sub-systems.
The term 'environment' for management of organisation refers to the
totality of all the factors which are external to and beyond the control of individual
business enterprise and their management. These environmental factor are numerous in
number and various in form. Some of these factors are totally static, some are relatively
static and some are very dynamic, they are changing every now and then. Thus, the
environment of business is an extremely complex phenomenon.
The environmental factors generally vary from country to country.
The Environment differs not only over space but also over time within a
country. Future environment is the product of past and present environments.
The environment for others is a the sum total of history, geography,
culture, sociology, politics, and economics of a nation, the interaction between economic
and non-economic forces is bound to take place. The business and society interact with
each other. Business exists in the context of a society. In a traditional pre-industrial
society, business transactions are negligible or nil; in that society production is mainly
run for self-consumption and the need for exchange is minimum. In a modern industrial
society, business grows by leaps and bounds; production is meant for the market,
subsistence systems is replaced by post-industrial (recent) society business get
specialised and professionalised. With growing monetisation, both primary and secondary,
the complexity of business grows manifold. Business grows in variety. Business becomes
more and more service-oriented from being production-oriented. Thus as transition takes
place in a society through various states, business changes in terms of size, structure,
strategy and system. Business determines society in as much as the society determines
business. Therefore, business must be socially responsible. Society expects from business,
so does business from society. The Society must also act responsibly.
The location of industrial plant is also important in environmental
management as climate vary from place to place and also the regulations.
Location studies are usually made in two phases, name the general
territory selection phase, and other the exact site/community selection phase amongst
those available in the general locale. Important factors in general territory are Markets,
Raw material & Supplies; Transportation Facilities, Manpower Supply, Legislation
Taxation and Climate
Site/Community selection depends on factors like Community Facilities;
Community Attitudes; Waste disposal, Ecology and Pollution; Site Size, topography,
Transportation facilities, Supporting Industries and Services; land costs. Three
subjective technique used for facility location are Industry Precedence, Preferential
Factor and Dominant Factor. For evaluating qualitative factors, some factor ranking and
factor weight rating systems may be used. Composite Measure Method consider three
potential sites and five relevant factors like transportation costs per week, labour costs
per week, finishing material supply, maintenance facilities and community attitude.
Sometimes, it is useful to draw location break-even charts which could aid in deciding
which location would be optimal. Various types of quantitative model have been used to
help determine the best facilities location, some are Median Model, Gravity Model,
Composite Location Measure Model-2, Bridgemen’s Dimensional Analysis, The basic
considerations are Institutional, Engineering, Environmental, Economic and Socio-Economic.
The Waste Management is a multi-disciplinary activity involving
engineering principles, economic, urban and regional planning, management techniques and
social sciences, to minimise the overall wastivity of the system under consideration. A
system basically take some input, processes it and gives the desired output. An ideal
system is conceptualised to transform the total input into useful or desirable output. In
view of the known physical laws of nature the existence of an ideal system is not
possible, i.e. 100% utilisation of resources is not practically possible for any system.
The main objective of Waste Management is to minimise the waste thus aiming at the ideal
system, while the resource management aims to maximise the utilisation of the resources.
The goal of waste and resource management is same i.e., optimal utilisation of the
available resources for higher efficiency and growth of the system; but the approaches are
different. It can be said that waste and resource management are complementary to each
other. Depending upon the situations, the constraints and primary and secondary
objectives, resource management techniques prove to be promising in some cases, while in
others Waste Management offers an added advantage. The lack of coordinated work in the
field of Waste Management has given rise to multiplicity of terms and definitions of
various types of wastes. The need of standardisation of the nomenclature has been felt for
systematic research and effective implementation of Waste Management programs. Waste can
be classified in a variety of ways depending upon the purposes for which classification is
done. On the basis of resource wasted: Material, Energy, Space, Time, Capital , Data &
Information; utility & services.
On the basis of source of origin: Agricultural, Industrial, Municipal,
Residential or Domestic; Commercial, Office, Construction and demolition etc. On the basis
of property: Hazardous, Non-hazardous; on the basis of recoverability: Recoverable,
Non-recoverable, others like biogradable, non-biogradable; solid or gasol waste.
Ignoring waste management may cause Plague epidemic as found in Surat,
a Textile City in Sept. 1994 which resulted in 58 deaths and economic losses of about Rs.
12,000 crores ( Hindustan Times 14th March 1997). The epidemic caused fear of death and
whole of India remained closed with covered mouths for many days.
Most of the productivity measures at present compare the total output
to individual inputs viz. Material, energy, manpower, capital, etc. New concept of
“Wastivity” has been propounded that can serve as an adequate measure of
performance of any system, and is rather easy to measure. Wastivity of any system is
defined as the ratio of the waste to the input. Depending upon the level of waste under
consideration the wastivity may be categorised as gross wastivity, and net wastivity.
Waste can indirectly serve as a good measure of productivity. Productivity of any system
has been defined as the ratio of the desired output to input. There are numerous causes
responsible for the generation of waste in different systems. Waste collection systems,
Recycling of Wastes, Waste disposal systems. About the success it was observed that the
essential measure of success of the economy is not production and consumption at all, but
the nature, extent, quality and complexity of total capital stock, including in the state
of human bodies and minds included in this system.15 This was further opined that a truly
environmental or long-term economic approach see the natural environment being used. It is
a waste disposal facility, and a source of inputs are normally available free of charge.
But to treat a source as free when it is in fact scarce and therefore valuable results in
its over utilization, that is to say a mis-allocation. On this line of arguments, what is
required is the establishment of clear property rights to these “free goods”.16
Now at regional level studies are being conducted for growth of existing industries.17
Importance to waste management is given and innovative use of waste are being designed.18
Research & Development in industry is used largely for production
know-how, for production problems, industrial expansion and in India 58% of share is
shared by four industry group- chemicals, electrical equipment, transportation and
machinery.19 There is no mention of R & D efforts for waste management or
environmental management. One study found that in Delhi 400 to 425 gms of solid waste is
generated per capita per day. The waste was converted into fuel pellets which can be used
for both industrial and domestic uses. Such production has yet not been commercially
undertaken.20 Earthworms feed on solid waste to produce vermicastings enriched with
balanced plant nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics and plant growth harmones. This
can be applied on biodegradable domestic sewage liquid effluents from distilleries and
hatcheries.21
Scholar regarding economic aspect of environment and development
consider differently. Dr. Neela Mukherjee found in current literature on development at
least four schools of thoughts. The old or conventional school of thought is the
'exploitative school' which is preoccupied with maximum gains in terms of the present
generation and takes a narrow view of 'development' as that of creating material assets,
other is 'conservationist school' which argues that any development activity needs to
consider the 'trade off' in terms of environment and any such damage done to environment
needs to be adequately compensation. Another School is the 'preservationist school' which
believes in having standards set and areas and zones of nature preserved from development
activities. The environment is not meant for development and there has to be rules, and
standards for preserving nature. Still another school is the extreme 'school of
sustainable development' which believes in maximum ecological preservation where human
beings are to live in harmony with nature.22 Economy for environmental management has been
given as market economy, survival economy and nature’s economy.23 In India the cost
of environmental degradation has been estimated as Rs.34,000/- crore a year or 4.5 % of
gross domestic product by a study of World Bank.32
While it is important to determine whether the current strategy is
working, it is also important to determine how the strategy will work in the likely future
environment. Forecasts are needed to guide actions and a logic is needed to guide our
forecasting efforts. Managers must systematically analyse the environment, since
environmental factors are primarily influences the strategy. Environmental analysis gives
the strategic manager time to anticipate opportunities and to plan alternative responses
to those opportunities. SWOT analysis is necessary for planning processes. Depending upon
the behaviours, reactions or responses from the organisation could be as: Reactive,
Inactive, Preactive, Proactive. Natural Environment: strategies; the values and attitudes
of people affect strategy (Social environment) Technology Environment: which is commercial
viable, Legal/Regulatory : this depends upon the location, organisation have no control
over this.
The sources of Environmental information are search of verbal and
written information, intelligence work, forecasting and formal studies, and information
system.3
Therefore, every organisation have to systematically make strategy for
environmental management and to minimize wastage. This waste is generally the pollution
causing output of the industrial activity. Some scholar suggested that all managers should
have training in Environment Management.24 Many scholar of environmental management has
suggested various methods to manage the environment and cited exemplary case studies.25-31
In India many news of progress in Environmental Management are coming.
The Mathura Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation has initiated an ambitious programme to
achieve environmental objectives during the next five years. It is the only Refinery in
Asia and third in the World to bag the BS 7750 (ISO 14001) Certification in the refining
sector of Petroleum Industry for its efficient environmental management. It has planned to
reduce overall emissions of sulphur dioxide from the refinery by 25% from 1995 level;
plantation of at least 50,000 trees in Agra-Mathura region; reduction in energy
consumption level to 110 MBTU/BBL/NRGR; reduction in fugitive emission by 10% over
estimated level of 1988-89 by the year 2000; reduction in consumption of raw water to the
extent of 10% over 1995-96 level and disposal of total oily sludge, chemical sludge and
hospital waste in such a manner to protect soil and ground water from contamination. (The
Hindustan Times 23rd March 1997, Refinery Plans to Protect Ecology). Strategy for
Environmental Management has been designed for another 9 other Public Sector Undertakings
at cost of Rs.5,568.31 crores. However, unofficial source disclosed that the Public
Investment Board has cleared controversial proposals under pressure from Supreme Court
which directed in 1994 to reduce Sulphur content in HSD to 0.5% by April 1999, without
going into details of funding of the Projects and the time required. The source conceded
that it is highly unlikely that the deadlines of 1999 will be met. (The Economic Times
10th March 1997 Green HSD to cost 9 PSU refineries Rs.5,568.31 crores)
The Taj Mahal, an ancient monument has been threatened by emission of
Mathura Refinery, air pollution around the historic monument has corroding effect on its
marble surface which has been losing its magnificent sheen over the years, now Supreme
Court (M C Mehta Vs Union of India & others’ 1(117) CLT 1 (SC) 1996) ordered
closure of 292 coke-based industries or switch over to gas based fuel, around Taj Mahal,
Agra to check pollution and citizen demanding relocation of Mathura Refinery to protect
Taj Mahal. Mathura Refinery have been spewing more than 1000 kg of Sulphur Dioxide into
the air every hour for years and this was long before the Central Pollution Control Board
sat up and paid attention. Now an environmental management plan, to minimize polluting
emission, an ambitious plan at the cost of Rs.1,862 crores has been devised. However, a
Senior Officer of Mathura Refinery alleged that the people with vested interest has been
continuously churning up crap to feed gullible public regarding hypothetical disasters
through Nelson’s tactics, speculations, assumptions, suppositions, etc. are given
credence at the cost of ground realities. (The Hindustan Times 2nd August 1996 & 1st
Jan.1997)
In Gujrat Amlakhadi snakes 27 km to the Narmada’s estuary, it
collects the wastes of more than 800 chemical industries, mostly untreated. Today a turgid
red and black soup of heavy metals in concentration of up to 100 times safe limits is all
that's left. The fish have long gone and so have many of the fishermen.
In Mithapur and Probandar, acidic waste water from soda-ash units has
made the coastal waters of the marine equivalent of a nuclear-fallout area. It’s so
toxic that fish do not survive for more than 15 minutes in the inter-tidal zone
Gujrat’s disasters threaten to repeat themselves all along
India’s coasts 7,500 km of bountiful sun-drenched lands, where fishing and
agriculture sustain nearly 228 million people. Thousands of industries, housing complexes
and resorts-many blatantly violating coastal zoning laws abetted by local governments-
first destroy vast swathes of crucial coastal wetlands and then pour their wastes into the
rivers, creeks and estuaries, crucibles of life for the seas beyond. In adequate
information makes it difficult to quantify the damage, but there are indicators of the
problems now washing up on our shores;
As many as 53 cities in just three states (Maharasthra, Kerla and
Karnataka) discharged mostly untreated sewerage directly or indirectly into the coastal
system, says a Central Pollution Control Board report. The worst offenders are Mumbai
(where 95% of sewage is not treated) Thane and Chennai.
From Gujrat to West Bengal, millions of fishermen complain of fewer
fish varieties and catches that have fallen by half in some places. Fish are poisoned, and
fishermen have to go further out to sea, a direct result of the destruction of the complex
life cycle of the coastal wetlands. Compared to the nutrient-rich coasts, the ocean are
biological deserts. More than half of the India’s fish catch is picked up next to the
shore.
Beaches are steadily being ruined. In Goa , iron-ore rejects of the
past 35 years have turned many of the once white beaches red. Nearly 15 million tones of
mining waste have been dumped into the sea. In Pondichery the sea breeze is laced with the
stench of chemical waste pouring into the water from pipelines on the beach.
More than a third of India’s mangrove forests- which act as
pollution filters, stop soil erosion and are invaluable marine nurseries- have been
cleared, threatening 185 species of fish, 20 species of shellfish, 177 species of birds
and various other animals, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. 'Sanctuary' magazine editor
Mr. Bittu Sahaga, said that we see the damage, we understand why it happened.
Coastal Regulation Zone notification finalised six years ago, it is not
very comprehensive and hasn‘t yet been seriously implemented. It provides no
developmental activity within 500 m of the high-tide line on the seashore and 100 m of
rivers, creeks and estuaries. All along the coasts, hotels, industries, aquaculture and
housing estates brazenly violate the CRZ, greatly accelerating the destruction of the
coastal ecology. Little is done to stop them. In September 1996 States and Union
Territories field their coastal zone management plans (CZMP), explanations of how the
coasts will be developed without ecological destruction. Five years behind the schedule
and under pressure from the Supreme Court, the MEF had barely six months to catalogue and
verify India‘s entire coastal area. But nearly all the plans either violate the CRZ,
the very document they are supposed to implement, or contain so many loopholes that the
notification becomes virtually meaningless. Some plans are replete with blatant
fabrications; others uses jargon to justify CRZ violation committed in the last six years.
The pattern is simple; Wrongly classify environmentally sensitive area so that they can be
destroyed for ‘development’ in the future.
Consider the Maharasthra CZMP. It does not show the huge tartlets of
mangroves in Mumbai and New Mumbai. Why? Because the new commercial district of
Bandra-Kurla is located there, as are apartment blocks and a road in New Mumbai, all
constructed in the past six years in violation of the CRZ. Worse, one of the apartment
blacks belongs to a group of Mumbai High Court Judges, some of whom were called upon to
decide on CRZ violations. In Goa, even as the palm was being drawn up, a 450 room mega
resort was being constructed on the Miramar breach, barely 15m from the waterlone. The
Tamil Nadu plan is no better; maps do not show whole fishing villages, the text does not
match maps and specifically encourages the agriculture industry in Pitchavaram, classified
a no development zone.
Supreme Court in Dec.96 shut down aquaculture units that had spread
like a diseases in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Orissa. In these States, vast stretches
of mangroves were cleared and farm boundaries obstructed water flow. In less than half a
decade, a catastrophe was at hand; the ground-water had gone saline and toxic effluents
went straight into the sea. A welter of pretests from agitated villagers brought Supreme
Court intervention- a revelation of how the law had been subverted. In Nellore, Andhra
Pradesh, the crucial of the acquaculture revolution, 22 of 30 farms are illegally located
in the sensitive coastal zone of 500m.
Marine biologists explain the importance of coastal zone that pollution
in the open sea is most visible but less worrying than pollution in the coastal zones.
Open sea pollution does not extend beyond 5 km from the shoreline, the seas have an
immense capacity to diffuse into them. Not so for the fragile coastal zones, ecologically
intricate arrangements of mangroves, coral reefs, backwaters, estuaries, sand dunes, fish,
aquatic plants and rivers, which form a tapestry of nature. Lie the karmic cycle, what we
dump in comes back in various forms. For instance, untreated effluents and sewage
discharged into rivers and estuaries eventually wash down to the sea, destroying
fish-breeding area and lowering the catch. As much as 90% of industrial waste, a
staggering 32,000 million metric tonnes is carried there by rivers, estuaries and other
inland water bodies, say CPCB officials.
In Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, fishing communities are up in arms
against industries. Near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, the state-owned Travancore Titanium
Products Ltd discharges 40 lakhs litres of effluent everyday; the sea water is now
perpetually warm and acidic. Complaints from local communities have mounted, but the State
pressure the Pollution Control Board to let the factory run. About costal zone,
interesting picture emerged when Supreme Court closed down aquaculture farms within 500
metre of coast in Andhra Pradesh, Kerla and on the other hand in West Bengal, State Govt.
was encouraging acqua farms as it was to mint money to Govt. exchequer. Now as per
direction of Supreme Court dt. 11th Dec.96 Acqua Authority under Environment (Protection)
Act 1986 has been constituted. The research work of Dr Staffan Homgren on 'Environmental
assessment of the Bay of Bengal region' shall give guidelines to the functioning of the
Authority.38
Some industries has adopted environmental management take case of
Rashtriya Chemical & Fertilizers (RCF) ammonia urea complex at Konkan coasts:
A giant Fertilizers Factory sitting on a lush coastal land was
considered diastrous. When the Rastiya Chemicals & Fertilizer (RCF) ammonia-urea
complex on the Konkan coast was set up 15 years ago, environmentalist predicted doom.
After 12 years of releasing huge quantities of effluent into the Arabian Sea, a NIO
studies says “the water quality remains fairly unchanged”.
Not that there was a’s reason to worry. The plant produces 4,500
million tonnes of fertiliser every day, four kilometres from the shoreline. An ammonia
unit supplies raw material and three other chemical manufacturing units join the process,
a perfect combination for chemical Armagedoon.
Unlike conventional fertilizer factory that try to figure out how
effluent can be disposed off, the Thal plant, Asia’s Largest fertilizer factory,
recovers wastes and re-utilises them during the manufacturing process as far as possible.
As waste water flows through the facility, ammonia and urea are recovered, adding to the
profits and making the effluent cleaner. "We do effluent management, not effluent
treatment" says C B Tunbde, general manger.
RCF spent Rs. 20 crores on the building pollution control system, which
it would have saved if it was conventional plant. But investment, apart from keeping the
coast clean, helps the company recover raw material worth Rs.1.3 crores every year and
reduced water intakes by a fourth. A sea of green surrounds the plant, RCF has tied up
with an agriculture university to grow uncommon crops, like mulberry, using the treated
waste water.
The two year NIO study concluded in April 1996, says there is no
evidence of adverse impacts on the marine ecology of Thal, though it warns that the water
quality in the coast is not absolutely free from pollutants. Achieving zero pollution may
not be feasible since there are other local sources of pollution. But the company’s
story has a moral; if you have industries along the coast, ensure they have a little an
impact as possible.
Industries must look at recycling their waste. But RCF is the
exception; the stick cannot be abandoned. In Gujrat, pressure from the Court is having an
effect; more than 1,000 industrial units emptying wastes into rivers were served closure
notices. In Maharasthra, the Pollution Control Board has given closure notices to the 200
factories in the last two years. In a limited manner, the industrial pollution problem is
being address. But untreated sewage still gets little attention. That must change-now37.
N.Fell et al. in a study ("Outcasts from Eden") estimated
that the number of Environmental refugees are likely to reach 50 million by 2010, and
could reach 200 million by middle of next century if global warming cause the predicted
rise in sea level.39
Scientific studies have been conducted to find out the effects of
pollutants on biological life, on monuments, changing shape of earth, identifying
pollutants concentration, effects of pollution on ecosystem etc.
With growing population, production is bound to grow, hence pollution
would grow. It is causing immense damage to environment. In this regard, emphasis being
laid on working environmental impact/ assessment for any existing or coming project and
definite disposal/ recycling management options of effluent or sewage wastes for
minimizing the pollution of air-water-soil intercontinum system.
National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is fourth most polluted city
in World in terms of suspended particulate matter (Report of United Nation Environment
Programme & World Health Organisation). In NCT of Delhi, the major source of Air
Pollution are vehicles, thermal power plants, industries and domestic coal burnings and
Water Pollution is due to disposal of domestic and industrial waste water into the Yamuna
River through 18 drains. Recently Supreme Court of India (MC Mehta Vs Union of India, AIR
1996 Supreme Court 3311) directed closure of 337 industries as they were found hazardous/
noxious. However some industries stated that their plant is modern and are not polluting.
An Advertisement dt.30th Nov. 1996 in Hindustan Times (Page 10) by Siel Foods &
Fertilizer Industries manufacturing popular brands of Vanaspathi, Mustard Oil, Refined
oil, Washing Soap, Caustic Soda, etc. against closure of their industries says 'We have
evidence to prove that we are internationally renowned with respect to all safety and
pollution norms.' These industries despite their polluting nature are essential for
economical development, therefore, now it has become imperative to examine the industrial
scenario from point of view of maintaining environmental health to sustain biological
life.
Now with increasing awareness, survival of the industries depend on
their ability to manage environment. Earlier to establish industry, the factors like
location, finance, technology, demand of product, profit margin were essential factors;
and now ability of industry to manage environment is indispensable factor. Limits settled
at global level would directly hit individual industrial units. Himachal Pradesh Pollution
Control Board has lowered the standard emission level from 150 milligrams per cubic metre
of air to 100 mg per cubic metre of air. ACC Cement factory at Barmani in Bilaspur
District had pollution limit between 105 mg to 115 mg, which was much below the earlier
standard of 150mg. In case ACC Cement Factory failed to reduce its emission to new
standard; its survival in new political environment would be difficult. What was once a
viable project now has to struggle for its survival. This case also pose a question as how
standard of emissions are fixed; what was ones a acceptable limit of emission, is no
longer acceptable. Before establisment of Factory; management should consider likely
changes in emission standard in short or long term.
In India, there are laws for regulating Air, Water and Environmental
pollution. These laws are offering an political environmental to these industries and such
political environment is being regulated by institutions or authorities and is changing
with growing awareness about ill effects of environmental degradation. Bhopal Gas tragedy
where MIC (Methyl Iso Cynate), a deadly gas ,from MIC storage tank escaped from pesticide
factory of Union Carbide Corporation endangered life of 5 crore people and killed 2660
people instantly in on midnight on 2nd Dec. 1984 and Oleoum gas (concentrate of Sulphuric
Acid) leakage in Delhi, fire in Plastic industries dominated area, are well known cases of
environmental pollution which drew attention of Government towards potential danger stored
by the industries.
Industries in Delhi are causing pollution by many ways like gaseous
emission in Air, discharge of waste of production in water, and by storing or dealing in
dangerous or hazardous chemicals.
Delhi is growing in population and industries has increased from 8,160
in year 1951 to 81,000 in year 1991 in fixed area of 1483 sq.km., have good industrial
areas like Okhla, Wazirpur, Naraina, Udyog Nagar etc. All the regulatory bodies for
pollution Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Ministry of
Environment & Forest, High Court and Supreme Court, are located in Delhi and therefore
Delhi is suitable to conduct such study. The Union Ministry of Environment & Forest
retained National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur in October
1992 to co-ordinate the multi-institutional study for survey of various urban and rural
area of National Capital Region comprising of 94 towns and to frame guidelines for
evaluation and decision-making related to overall regional development in the short
(2001AD) as well as the long term (2021AD). The study revealed that due to unchecked
immigrants from other States as well as rapid industrialisation, the National Capital
Territory of Delhi and its surrounding area are faced with serious ecological degradation,
shortage of basic civic amenities and lowering of living standards and the situation will
reach a crisis level by the turn of century unless proper environmental planning is
resorted to. Mr. Lewis Mumford, a biologist, sociologist and a critic of modern
development and town planning explained that unless we behave responsibly towards
environmental management, the city would soon be a necropolis or a near graveyard, which
is the last stage in a city’s cycle of development and deterioration.
The production process was invented and applied for mass production
keeping factors like- easy way of manufacturing, availability of raw materials, easy way
of production, limitation of finance, etc. At that time, attention towards environmental
pollution was not drawn. With growing concern for Environmental health, now social concern
is to see that production could be curtailed for sake of environment. This is diverting
efforts of humanity to find ways to find new environmental friendly ways of production,
treatment of waste production, relocation of industries from dense populated area,
innovative ways to treat pollutants, finding substitute products, changing technology.
There is a need to maintain balance between production and pollution. The Supreme Court
directed closure of 9000 polluting tanneries in five districts of Tamil Nadu. By 584
Tanneries in North Arcot and Ambedkar Districts, 35000 hectares of Agriculture Land has
been made unfit for cultivation, well water has become unfit for drinking; State is
pursuing for last 10 years to put up Common Treatment Plant so far only 33 tanneries have
put up Effluent Treatment Plant. Supreme Court directed closure of 292 coke based
industries around Taj Mahal in Agra to protect the monument. The Supreme Court found mega
projects namely Cogentrix power project in Karnataka, Gosheree Integrated Development
Project in Cochin in Kerala, Sanghi Cement Jetty in Gujrat and Sinar Mas Paper and Pulp
and Bundra Kurla Complex in Maharastra being set up in violation of environmental law. In
Gujrat, pressure from the Courts is having effect; more than 1,000 industrial units
emptying wastes into rivers were served closure notices In Maharasthra, the pollution
control board has given closure notices to 200 factories in the last two years. As many as
53 cities in just three States (Maharasthra, Kerala and Karnataka) discharge mostly
untreated sewage directly or indirectly into the coastal system, as report from Central
Pollution Control Board reveals. 95% of industrial sewage from Mumbai is not treated.
Union Minister of State for Planning, Programme Implementation and Science and Technology
Prof. Y K Alagh stated that in 9th Plan period investment in environment control measure
in the steel sector in India would be Rs.3,500 crore as the prevention of pollution by the
steel sector has become more imperative than ever before as the country is expected to
experience a two fold increase in steel consumption in the next one decade. He also
observed that carbon dioxide emission for every tons of steel produced in India is almost
double than that is in the advanced steel plants abroad.
New concepts like 'Environmental Police' was mooted at discussion on
'Mobilisation of People's participation in the protection of the Environment and the role
of the Criminal Justice system' by imminent personalities like Prof. P M Bakshi, Member-
Law Commission of India, Prof. Gurdeep Singh Bahri, from Delhi University, Prof. M Z Khan
from Jamia Milia Islamia; protection fund- 'Environment Protection Fund' 'Green Bench' by
Supreme Court, limits of pollution or emission by industries, Environmental Audit,
Polluter Pay Principles, Precautionary Principles, Sustainable Development etc. have been
developed. Now projects like construction of Dam etc. can be taken up only when their
impact on environment is examined.
The first Master Plan of Delhi MPD-62 for the period 1961 to 1981 was
sanctioned on Sept.1, 1962. Delhi Development Authority, which was constituted in 1957,
became the sole developer for the entire future extension of Delhi and the largest
nationalisation of urbanise land in the non-communist world took place. The Plan remained
largely on paper, amidst a totally haphazard growth of the city. The perspective Master
Plan 2001 was published in the Gazette of India on 1st August 1990 and found
unsatisfactory and entrusted to the Delhi Urban Art Commission which was formed by Act of
Parliament in 1974 for review. Delhi Urban Art Commission was formed to preserve, develop
and maintain the aesthetic quality and environmental designs of the Capital. To control
pollution in Delhi, Master Plan 2001 , MPD 2001was drawn giving categories of Industries
which can be established in Delhi. Therefore the existing industries are being categorized
in terms of Master Plan 2001. Many industries has been directed by law regulating bodies
to close down, thereby affecting availability of products & prices of the products
these industries were manufacturing. The industries are also allowed to relocate, hence
posing a question that these industries would cause pollution at new location. Similarly
many industries refused to relocate as they are product specific or because of financial
limitation. With these changes taking place, workers of these industries are also affected
hence causing labour settlement problems. Supreme Court about Delhi observed "Delhi
is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The quality of ambient air is so
hazardous that lung and respiratory diseases are on the increase. The City has become a
vast and un-manageable conglomeration of commercial, industrial, unauthorised colonies,
resettlement colonies and unplanned housing. There is total lack of open spaces and green
areas. Once a beautiful city Delhi now presents a chaotic picture. The most vital
"community need" as at present is the conservation of the environment and
reversal of the environmental degradation. There are virtually no “lung spaces”
in the city." The Master plan indicates that "approximately 34 per cent of
recreation areas have been lost to other uses." The enormity of the problem arising
out of pollution can be gauzed from the extract of report of World Health Organisation
(WHO)- ".. one hospital bed out of four in the World is occupied by a patient who is
ill because of polluted water.... provision of a safe and convenient water supply is a
single most important activity that could be undertaken to improve the health of people in
living in rural area of the developing world." Test of Yamuna water by Shriram
Institute for Industrial Research, before it enters Delhi at Wazirabad, at two points in
between and just after it leaves Delhi, unfold a horror story." Officially only 70
per cent of Delhi’s sewage is treated. All the 13 great river systems in India are
endangered.
Environmental Management poses multi-dimensional problems and many
factors are involved and to effectively address the problem, all the factors are to be
considered. Environmental Management is required at micro as well as macro level. There
are some new concept emerging for environmental management. Prof. P Khanna, Director,
National Environment Engineering Research Institute in multi-institutional study (supra)
for development of National Capital Region emphasized concept of “Carrying
Capacity” for development planning. The “Carrying Capacity” is described as
the ability to produce the desired output of goods and services from a limited resource
base while at the same time achieving an equitable quality of life-level and a desired
environmental quality level in the planning region. The study observed that any
metropolitan region cannot have an unlimited population carrying capacity and the
development can be sustained only if it is within the ecological carrying capacity of the
region. The term “carrying capacity” was invented by P.F.Verhulst in 1838, but
it was compeletely forgotten until its rediscovery by R.Pearl and L.Reed in 1920 in
quantitative expression in logistic equation of describing density dependent population
growth. It was proved that maximum reproductive potential would only be realised in the
most favourable envionrment when population density was low enough that individuals did
not make simultaneous demands on the same resources. In this context “carrying
capacity” is a measure of both the amount of resources in the environment and the
efficiency with which organisms use those resources. A population is at its carrying
capacity when no additional individuals can be supported by envionrment. One of the
assumption in this study is that each individual in the population is equivalent enough to
all other individuals. This study was further modified in different conditions. How far
this study concern town development; and in particular industrial growth, is yet to be
critically examined.
On the contrary, study of Paul Ehrlich and Barry Commoner made powerful
observation about sustainable development : the total environmental burden created by
human activity is a function of three factors. They are population, affluence which is a
proxy for consumption; and technology, which is how wealth is created. The product of
these three factors determines the total environmental burden. They advocated population
as one element of the environmental degradation; and they developed so-called “IPAT
Formula”: Impact= Population X Affluence X Technology. That is, the impact of a
population on natural resources is the product of its numbers multiplied by its level of
affluence (which means consumption) and multiplied against by the damaging effects of its
technology. Therefore, they suggested that a sensible Environmental Management for
conservation and sustainability depends upon integrating all three factors determining
impact of humans on surroundings. Hence protectionism and reliance on even more
sophisticated clean-up technique were suggested as the requirement of the day.23
Many of the business orgnisations are already adopting strategy for
sustainble development. In one interview, a Chief Executive Officer said- sustainbility
involves the laws of nature- physics, chemistry and biology- and the recognition that
would is a closed system. It is a world of mass migrations and envionmental degration on
an unimaginable scale. Our nations economic system evolved in an era of cheap energy and
careless disposal, when limits seemed irrelevant. None of us today, whether we're managing
a house or running a business, is living in a sustainble ways. The sustainibility and
development might be compatible if you could create values and satisfy peoples needs by
increasing information compoents of what's produced and diminishing the amount of stuff.
You can genentically code a plant, by DNA, for example, to repel or destroy harmful
insects. That means we don't have to sprey the plants with pesticides- with stuff, upto
90% of what's sprayed on crops today is wasted. Most of it ends up on the soil. If we put
the right information on the plant, we waste less stuff and increase productivity, with
biotechnology, we can accomplish that. Today, in most field I know, the struggle is about
creativity and innovation.
Problems:
The environment degradation is a major concern due to increasing
population and industrialised activity and is attracting attention of ecologists,
scientists, engineers, town planners, jurists, geographers, industrialists. The level of
environmental awareness has also increased and needs collective thinking for evolving
management operations for checking environmental degradation.
Among the issues that deserve attention in the setting of global
environmental policy for sustainable development in the near future are three that require
both nongovernment and government examination, i) finding adequate means to define new
problems; ii) carrying out incisive and comprehensive audits of the effectiveness of
programs completed or under ways and iii) developing means of reconciling the diverse
communities and values involved in designing and evaluating new programs of study and
action.2
One problem haunting the world today is to think about limited
resources of earth which are being fast exploited for growing need of ever increasing
population. So far only one alternative strategy has been suggested that is for
Sustainable Development, resources of earth should be used without disturbing the ecology
of earth. However this does not offer a long term solution; this strategy of environmental
management would only postpone the final end of civilization. Now the world is thinking in
terms of sustainable development which has been accepted in principles by all States of
World; but States are reluctant to commit to any quantitative goal to reduce pollution
because of fear of adversely affecting their economy. The control of environmental
degradation is non-existent when the population is undernourished, starving, ill-housed,
and underemployed. Because of this reason States has made law to protect environment to
show their fellow States on earth their concern for environment; but not implementing
effectively. In Geneva, 150 Nations in conference on UN Climate Change Convention were in
agreement to drastic curbs of green house emissions immediately to prevent global warning
from destroying earth’s sustainability. 80% of the world energy requirement is met
through burning of fossil fuels today, and most Nations avoided commitments on harsh
emission reduction schedules and showed little enthusiasm to rein in unruly economies.
Non-Governmental organisations like WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature and Climate Action
Network lobbied strongly for binding commitments of 20% emission cuts by 2005.
Many manufacturing processes were discovered without considering effect
such technology on environment at that time easily availability of raw material which was
abundant then, easy way and commercially viable way of production were main consideration.
Now world is paying attention to technology which generate less waste, finding new ways to
reutilise waste, reconstruct damaged environment, finding substitutes of products,
relocating industries and social concern is growing to curtail production for the sake of
environment. Cost benefit analysis is being undertaken to estimate profit earned by
damaging environment. However, the world still lack an international policy to protect
global environment; each State is thinking of established industries and lack a
comprehensive policy direction, objectives, goal. When the world is directionless, it has
become imperative to each industry/ firm as micro unit to scan the development in
environmental management and observe trend and accordingly take steps for its survival and
growth acting social responsibly.
Objects:
In this study Industrial scenario arising out of implementation of
Master Plan 2001 would be examined at micro level and relation between factors affecting
environmental degradation would be studied with other facts about environmental
management.
It is proposed to study-
- survey of scientific, legal and managerial
literature about environmental management
- awareness among the industries regarding
environmental pollution; scientific knowledge about environmental
management, recent scientific trends
- optimal level of pollutants from industries
- steps taken by industries in environmental
management
- scientific adoption for Environmental Management,
adoption of innovative methods, new technology & substitution of production,
relocation of industries, preventing growth of population around industries
- impact of environmental management in new
industrial policy
- development or relevant of standardisation of
pollutants limits
- factors linking national level with
international levels of pollution
- compliance of environmental laws by industries
- Role of courts/ authorities in environmental
management- co-operative, oppressive or promotive; present trend,
- Role of incentives provided by Government like
rebate in Income Tax, allowing investment in Research & Development
- Social Responsibility of Industries in Delhi
- Environmental Audit- criteria, and requirements
- Environment Impact Assessment- requirements, and
limitations
Scope of study shall be finally decided after pilot survey.
Hypothesis:
In National Capital Territory of Delhi, there are many polluting units;
and neither industries are thinking alternatives for environmental management nor
Govt./regulating bodies are seriously discharging their responsibilities. There is lack of
policy for environmental management. Litrature of Environmental Management is developing
and industries has yet to develop attitude for environmental management.
Research Methodology: Sample size, data collection, analysis
Exploratory research technique would be used to provide a background,
to familiarises and to bring new facts about environmental management. The approach of
exploratory research shall be survey of literature of Science, Law and Management;
Experiences survey of knowledgeable persons dealing environmental management, and finally
by analysis of “insight-stimulating” cases. Method of collecting primary data
shall be personally interviewing individuals by structured and unstructured
questionnaires. The secondary data shall be collected from record of municipal bodies,
Pollution Control Boards, research already conducted regarding unit of analysis in Delhi,
various other publications.
There are about 93,000 industrial units (1994) in NCT of Delhi out of
which 10,000 have clearance from Central Pollution Control Board, 31,000 have licence from
Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Unit of analysis shall be industrial units. Industries
dealing in Chemicals and Chemical products shall be case material as chemical industries
are highly polluting in nature, chemical parameters are generally used in environmental
management so that sample size remain in manageable limits of about 200 in study of this
type. Stratified random sampling would be used for this study. The processes involved in
Chemical industries is filtration, distillation, evaporation, cyrstalization, combustion,
leaching and phase separation. In them the initial material and water usage pattern and
subsequent waste discharge need careful handling. Chemical industries are dependent on
some inputs and out put is desirable product. Some conceptual study has been made about
chemical industries.33
Scope of study and size of sample shall be decided after pilot survey,
and study can be modified as suggested by Supervisor/ Departmental Research Committee/
Board of Research Studies.
Chapterisation:
1. Scientific Studies necessary to understand natural environment: Earth Atmosphere,
Ecology, Pollution Studies, Sustainbility concepts, resources, consumption, trends at
present in Environment Engineering,
2. Regulation at global level: To protest, control and regulate environmental degradation,
Industrial Policies; International/Global; National/Domestic
3. Role of Regulatory Bodies: In Industrial Pollution; Courts; Pollution Control Boards,
perception of Courts about environmental management,
4. Environmental Management in India: Cases
5. Environmental Management in NCT of Delhi, data, analysis, cases
6. Conclusion bring out the salient feature of study with qualifications/limitations;
suggestions for Environmental Management
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