Management: RM, DM

MAR-344

Submitted by : Shafaq Sulmaz

What is Resource Conservation :

Resource Conservation is the process of using resources very carefully and giving them
protection and also giving them time to get renewed. It is very important because the
use of the resources should not only be benefitted to the current generation but it
should also benefit the future generation. The resource conservation is mainly needed
to the natural resources which are non- renewable. Non Renewable resources are those
resources which get exhausted by the continuous usage of resources, for example,
Fossil fuels, metals, etc…

Importance of resource conservation

• It benefits the future generation without neglecting the current generation

• Reduces the wastage of the resources.

• Promotes sustainable development.

The 3R Initiative
The 3R Initiative aims to promote the "3Rs" (reduce, reuse and recycle) globally so as
to build a sound-material-cycle society through the effective use of resources and
materials. It was agreed upon at the G8 Sea Island Summit in June 2004 as a new G8
initiative. In order to formally launch the 3R Initiative, it was also agreed to hold a
ministerial meeting in Japan in the spring of 2005.

What are the 3Rs ?

The principle of reducing waste, reusing and recycling resources and products is often
called the "3Rs." Reducing means choosing to use things with care to reduce the amount
of waste generated. Reusing involves the repeated use of items or parts of items which
still have usable aspects. Recycling means the use of waste itself as resources. Waste
minimization can be achieved in an efficient way by focusing primarily on the first of
the 3Rs, "reduce," followed by "reuse" and then "recycle."

The 3R Concept (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle)

 Basically, the 3R (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) Concept is a sequence of steps on how to

manage waste properly. The top priority is Reduce, which is to reduce waste
generation, then Reuse, and then Recycle, to give waste material a second chance
before disposing them to the landfill.
 Along time, the 5R Concept is introduced after the 3R concept. 2 more stages of
waste management process are added in the 5R Concept: the first being Recover,
restoring materials that can no longer be recycled into energy sources /
environmentally friendly materials to avoid them from landfill.
 The last stage is Disposal, which is the allocation of garbage that can no longer be
recycled or restored at the landfill. Reversed triangle 3R (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle)
concept illustrates the amount of waste volume that should be handled in each
sequence.
 This means, in essence, most of the production of waste should be reduced from the
beginning. Only when the production of waste can no longer be avoided, the
 items are reused, one of the methods of Reuse is through the upcycling process or
making handicrafts.
 When materials can no longer be used again, the waste is recycled, which is
melted, chopped, to be formed into a new product that might suffer a decrease in
quality (See also: The Complete Recyclables Guide).
 The decrease of quality in recycled materials, as well as the energy and resources
needed to recycle waste, are two of several reasons why recycling is not the first
priority of handling the waste the proper way. The main priority is always to
reduce/prevent the waste generation from the beginning (reduce).

Various schemes and policies for the conservation of nature :

Principles of State Policy, Article 48 says "the state shall endeavour to protect and
improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country";

Article 51-A states that "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and
improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have
compassion for living creatures."

In India, pollution and environmental degradation levels are alarmingly high due to
poverty, deforestation, and industrial development without adequate standard
principles for conservation and sheer greed. Fortunately, the public’s sense of humor
has revived and nature conservation has attained a top priority. Governments have
enacted Acts and regulations to diminish the rising danger of nature. Various schemes
and policies for the conservation of nature have been proposed by the Government.
To make the process rapid, great emphasis must be paid to environmental mental
education, peoples’ participation, and population control.

 For a human being to survive on the planet, there is an absolute need to preserve
nature. With climate change already causing havoc in our environment,
safeguarding nature should be our top-most priority. Nature is the ultimate
solution to saving mankind on the planet and if we cannot even preserve our
nature, our days are surely numbered. Nature is the only tool to fight against
global warming and our conservation work probably comes in handy, we can
utilize nature’s contribution to avoid the catastrophic increase in
temperature. Everything is interconnected, one thing saves another thing. Climate
change is a great risk to the planet and as soon as we realize this, we can all
work together to fight against it.
 Conservation of nature is important, as it has a great impact on human health,
both in terms of preventing and the emergence of infectious disease. Having a
wild habitat prevents the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to
humans. One such example is the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus which was caused
by consuming undercooked bat. The virus has infected over 1.9 crores (as of 8th
August 2020) humans and the war is still going on.
 A lot of medicines that we use as humans are derived from chemicals that are
produced by animals and plants. Therefore, by conserving and protecting nature
we can save ourselves as they also produce anti-cancer drugs and other medicines
that are used on humans. So basically, to survive on the planet we need to protect
nature. It is in our best interest to preserve nature because the exploitation of the
natural habitat will amount to scarcity in the supply of food and water and things
like pollution directly have adverse effects on humans.
Steps taken by the Indian government to preserve nature
World Nature Conservation Day is observed on July 28th every year across the world
to create awareness of natural resources conservation and protect nature. With the
rise in the level of deforestation and losing wildlife, conservation of nature has become
a top priority. In India, due to the rise in urbanization, issues like loss of forest cover,
pollution, and loss of wildlife has increased. The government has taken initiative to
reverse the situation. Five Initiatives are taken by the Government of India:

 The vision of creating Nagar Van Udyan Scheme is to develop at least one City
Forest in each city having Municipal Corporation or Class 1 Cities to
accommodate a wholesome health environment and contribute to the growth of
clean, green, and sustainable India. Its objective is to create 200 City forests in
the country and to create awareness about the plants and biodiversity.
Conservation education to the people, who are unaware of the damages that can
happen due to their ignorance in the conservation of nature.

 Waste management under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a mass movement initiated

by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, in the year 2014. The
Abhiyan motives lie in the cleanliness of the environment. He hopes to create
a sense of sense of responsibility among the citizens to help achieve Mahatma
Gandhi’s aim for Clean India. The main objective of the Abhiyan is to recover
resources for utilization through recycling and creating employment in the process.

 Project Tiger has been the most successful environmental project by the
Government. Project Tiger was adopted in the year 1973 to improve the
decreasing numbers of Tigers in India. It is a scheme sponsored by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change and assists the tiger states for tiger
conservation. The objectives of the projects are to protect and restore habitat,
monitor them day-to-day, eco-development for local people, and relocation of
the people from the habitats of tigers.

 The Government of India initiated the National Wetland Conservation

Programme (NWCP) to conserve and make acute use of wetlands in the country,
therefore, preventing its further degradation. The scheme was introduced with the
objectives of undertaking extensive conservation measures in the wetlands that
need immediate help.

 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change launched the Green Skill
Development Programme in June 2017. Green skills include conserving and
protecting the green of nature alongside creating awareness among the youth to
develop skills and gain experience. In May 2018, during the launch of the GSDP
mobile app, Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Environment, forest, and
climate change said that 2.25 lakh people will be employed through GSDP by the
next year and about five lakh will be employed by 2021.
New schemes:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change implemented the National
River Conservation Programme, sub-schemes of Conservation of Natural Resources and
Ecosystems, Green India Mission, and National Afforestation Programme, National
Coastal Management Programme, National Mission on Himalayan Studies under
Climate Change Program under the Central Sector & Centrally Sponsored Schemes of
Government of India.

These schemes act as corrective measures for the conservation of the environment and
the viable development of various ecosystems. The Ministry also monitors the
implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
and has been carrying out enabling activities and other obligations of the Convention.
The funding under the Central Sector Schemes is 100 percent from the Government of
India. Under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, as per the revised funding pattern from
2015-16 onwards, the Government of India’s share is 50 percent for the rest of India
and 80 percent for the North Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States i.e Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the environment sector. The share of
the Government of India is 60 percent for the rest of India in the schemes related to
forestry and wildlife and 90 percent in respect of the North Eastern States and 3
Himalayan States.

Acts passed by the Indian government

Indian Government has passed Acts to conserve nature which is explained below:
 The Wildlife Act was one of the most prominent Acts enacted for protecting wild
animals and birds. Control of wildlife was transferred from the State list to the
Concurrent list in 1976, thus giving powers to the Central government to enact
this legislation. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 also included the Constitution
of the Indian Board of Wildlife (IBWL), which actively took up the charge of
setting up wildlife natural parks and sanctuaries. The main objective of the
enactment of the Act was to put restrictions on hunting or poaching wildlife
animals and birds. The Act includes rehabilitation of endangered or threatened
species.

 Preservation of biological diversity by setting up sanctuaries and parks and

granting permission to hunt the wildlife for specific purposes such as scientific
research, scientific management, and collection of specimens for museums and
zoological gardens, etc. Collaborating with NGOs to create awareness for the
promotion of saving and preserving wildlife diversity. This Act is adopted by all
the states except the state of J&K, they have their own sets of acts.

 The Forest Conservation Act comprises all types of forest including reserve forests,
protected forests, or any forests irrespective of their ownership. The Act extends to
the whole of India except J&K. The Forest Conservation Act,1980 has ample
provisions promoting the elimination of deforestation and stating to encourage
afforestation on the non-forest areas. It has imposed restrictions on the de-
reservation of the forest without any prior Central government approval and
prohibits allotment of any forest land for non-forest purposes. Forest-dwelling
tribal communities have rich knowledge and have good experience but their
contribution mostly goes unnoticed and honored.
 Amended Forest Act, 1992: The Act made some provisions for allowing non-
forestry activities with the prior approval of the central government. Wildlife
sanctuaries, natural parks are entirely prohibited from being used for any
exploration or survey without prior approvals from the Central Government.
Cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, palms, oil-bearing plants, and cash crops
comes under non-forestry activities, therefore, are prohibited and are not allied in
the forest lands.

 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act provides prevention and
control of any water-related pollution. It focuses on the maintenance and
restoration of water quality on the surface and ground. The Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 has set up two boards: Central and State.
These boards are assigned with powers and functions to control pollution. The Act
has been provided with funds, budgets, and account for these boards. The Act
restricts the disposal of any poisonous, polluting matter in the flow of the water.
The Act also includes punishment and fines for any violation of the provisions.

Functions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

It provides assistance and guidance to the state board. CPCB advises the Central
government in matters related to water purification and elimination of water pollution.
CPCB lays down quality measures of water. It prepares manuals for the treatment and
disposal of sewage and trade discharges. It compiles and collects data and provides
a statistical analysis of water quality and pollution. It set up laboratories for the
analysis of water quality, sewage, or trade discharges.

Functions of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)

The functions performed by the SPCB are executed at the state level and are under
the instructions of the Central Board. SPCB advises the state government concerning the
establishment of the industry which may harm the water stream or river. It lays down
rules and regulations on the disposal of effluents in the flow of water. The State Board
has the power to take the sample and test in the laboratory to check the quality of the
water and if they are in any way harmful to the usage of water and they have the
power to sanction or refuse the consent of the industry. Every industry has to gain
consent from the board by applying all the details and prescribed ways the effluent is
carried out. The Board focuses on the re-evaluation of the dumping outlets and re-
structuring the way of disposal of sewage and trade discharges.

The Water (Prevention and Control) Cess Act, 1977 authorizes the Central Board to
collect cess on the water that has been consumed by the person carrying out the
industries and by the local authorities, who are responsible for the supply of
water. The Water (Prevention and Control) Cess Act, 1977 was amended in 1991 with
a view of expanding the resources of the board and removing the gaps in the Act, and
providing concession to the industry for complying with the standard quality and
consumption. However, there are many enforcement issues.

This Act was passed to meet the expenses of the boards yet the Water Board has no
power to take direct actions against the defaulting party. The court proceedings are
longer than expected and the delays cause the prevention in action, therefore,
defeating the only purpose of the Act and because the problem lies in the
implementation of the Act. Amendments are enacted to provide strengthening to the
boards yet the pollution of the water is still on high rise and the people are ignorant of
the increase in the level of pollution and the authorities lack the power to enforce it
effectively and efficiently.

Air (Prevention and Control of the Pollution) Cess Act, 1981 was passed after the
participation of India at the United Nations Conference in the Human Environment held
in Stockholm, to take appropriate steps to preserve the environment which includes,
among other things, the prevention and control of the air pollution. The Air (Prevention
and Control of the Pollution) Cess Act, 1981 applies to the whole of the country. Air
pollution can be defined as the presence of any solid, liquid, gaseous substance
present in the atmosphere, in a concentration that may be injurious to any human or
animal’s life and dangerous to nature.

Under Section 19, of the Act, the State Government, after the consultation with the
State Board, can declare an area, an air pollution controlled area and no industrial
plant shall be planted in that area without prior approval from the Government. The
Central and State Water Board has been endowed with the task of controlling and
preventing air pollution and accordingly, they have been redesigned into the Central
Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board. The State Board has powers
to lay down rules and regulations for the prevention and control of air pollution.

Under Section 20, the government has the power, with the consultation of the boards,
to instruct the Authority in charge of the registration under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1939,
to secure the standard emissions for automobiles. The boards have powers to press
charges against the polluter in the court and punish him for polluting the air and
incurred expenses as compensation for the damages that the board has to recover.
Noise pollution also comes under the category of air pollution since 1987.
Environment Protection Act, 1986 was enacted to protect and preserve the
environment and the things connected thereto. The Act includes necessary decisions and
steps to be taken to protect the environment and to prevent hazards to humans, plants,
or any living creatures. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 comprises 26 sections
which are explained in 4 chapters and applicable to the whole of India.

The Act ensures the enactment of the regulations and Acts concerning pollution control.
It issues directions to shut down any industrial plant or process that can be harmful to
the environment and the living beings around it. The Act imposes strict penalties on the
defaulter of the regulations.

Government Bodies related to environment conservation in India

 Central Pollution Control Board

Established: It was established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974.
Objective: To provide technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests
under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

 National Biodiversity Authority

Established When: It is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment
and Forests, Government of India established in 2003, after India signed Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992
Headquarter: Chennai

The objective of the body: Implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Key Functions:
It acts as a facilitating, regulating and advisory body to the Government of India “on
issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and
equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.”
Additionally, it advises State Governments in identifying the areas of biodiversity
importance (biodiversity hotspots) as heritage sites.

 National Tiger conservation authority

Established: It was established in December 2005 following a recommendation of the
Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister of India for reorganised
management of Project Tiger and the many Tiger Reserves in India.

Headquarter: Delhi

Objective:
Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives
become legal.
Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reserves, by
providing a basis for MoU with States within our federal structure.
Providing for oversight by Parliament.
Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.

Key Functions:
1. to approve the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government under
sub-section (3) of section 38V of this Act
2. evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable ecology and disallow any
ecologically unsustainable land use such as mining, industry and other projects
within the tiger reserves;
3. provide for management focus and measures for addressing conflicts of men and
wild animal and to emphasize on co-existence in forest areas outside the National
Parks, sanctuaries or tiger reserve, in the working plan code
4. provide information on protection measures including future conservation plan,
estimation of population of tiger and its natural prey species, the status of
habitats, disease surveillance, mortality survey, patrolling, reports on untoward
happenings and such other management aspects as it may deem fit including
future plan conservation
5. ensure critical support including scientific, information technology and legal
support for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan
6. facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers
and staff of tiger reserves.

 Animal Welfare Board of India

Established When: It was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.

Headquarter: Chennai
Objective: To advise Government on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal
welfare in the country.

Key Functions:
1. Recognition of Animal Welfare Organisations: The Board oversees Animal
Welfare Organisations (AWOs) by granting recognition to them if they meet its
guidelines. The organisation must submit paperwork; agree to nominate a
representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India on its Executive Committee,
and to submit to regular inspections. After meeting the requirements and inspection,
the organisation is considered for grant of recognition.
2. The AWBI also appoints key people to the positions of (Hon) Animal Welfare
Officers, who serve as the key point of contact between the people, the
government and law enforcement agencies.
3. Financial assistance: The Board provides financial assistance to recognised Animal
Welfare Organisations (AWOs), who submit applications to the Board. Categories
of grants include Regular Grant, Cattle Rescue Grant, Provision of Shelter House
for looking after the Animals, Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme, Provision of
Ambulance for the animals in distress and Natural Calamity grant.
4. Animal welfare laws and Rules: The Board suggests changes to laws and rules
about animal welfare issues. In 2011, a new draft Animal Welfare Act was
published for comment. Guidance is also offered to organisations and
officials such as the police to help them interpret and apply the laws.
5. Raising awareness: The Board issues publications to raise awareness of
various animal welfare issues. The Board’s Education Team gives talks on animal
welfare subjects, and trains members of the community to be Board Certified
Animal Welfare Educators.

 Forest Survey of India

Established When: It is a government organization in India under the Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change for conducting forest surveys and studies. The
organization came into being in, 1981.

Headquarter: Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Objective
The objective of the organization is monitoring periodically the changing situation
of land and forest resources and present the data for national
planning; conservation and management of environmental
preservation and implementation of social forestry projects.

Key Functions
6. The Functions of the Forest Survey of India are:
7. To prepare State of Forest Report biennially, providing an assessment of the
latest forest cover in the country and monitoring changes in these.
8. To conduct an inventory in forest and non-forest areas and develop a database
on forest tree resources.
9. To prepare thematic maps on 1:50,000 scale, using aerial photographs.
10. To function as a nodal agency for collection, compilation, storage and
dissemination of spatial database on forest resources.
11. To conduct training of forestry personnel in the application of technologies related
to resources survey, remote sensing, GIS, etc.
12. To strengthen research & development infrastructure in FSI and to conduct
research on applied forest survey techniques.
13. To support State/UT Forest Departments (SFD) in forest resources survey, mapping
and inventory.
14. To undertake forestry-related special studies/consultancies and custom made
training courses for SFD’s and other organizations on a project basis.

 Central Zoo Authority of India

Established: It was established in 1992 and constituted under the Wild Life (Protection)
Act.
Headquarter: Delhi

Objective
The main objective of the authority is to complement the national effort in
the conservation of wildlife.
Standards and norms for housing, upkeep, health care and overall management of
animals in zoos have been laid down under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992.

Key Functions
1. Since its inception in 1992, the Authority has evaluated 513 zoos, out of which
167 have been recognized and 346 refused recognition.
2. The Authority’s role is more of a facilitator than a regulator. It, therefore,
provides technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to
attain the desired standard in animal management. Only such captive facilities
which have neither the managerial skills nor the requisite resources are asked to
close down.
3. Apart from the primary function of the grant of recognition and release of
financial assistance, the Central Zoo Authority also regulates the exchange of
animals of the endangered category listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife
(Protection Act) among zoos.
4. Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the
Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits
are issued by the competent authority.
5. The Authority also coordinates and implements programmes on capacity building
of zoo personnel, planned conservation breeding programmes and ex-situ
research including biotechnological intervention for the conservation of species for
complementing in-situ conservation efforts in the country.