INTRODUCTION

Environment Department has been formed by delinking the subject Environment from then existed Science, Technology & Environment Department as per G.O.(Ms.) No.10/2006/GAD dated 6.1.2006. Later it was felt that the Environment Department is not having a Directorate or Head of the Department to support it in formulating schemes, plans, programmes and their execution. Several environment related projects, schemes already got sanctioned from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India were at various stages of execution by different departments of Government and organizations. To carry out the functions on the subject matters allotted to the Environment Department, to scrutinize the environment related proposals prepared by different departments/ organizations and to coordinate the execution of the schemes, the service of technically qualified officers having field experience in the area- environment related subjects were actually seen required by the Environment Department. In order to achieve these objects, Government were pleased to set up Environment Management Agency Kerala vide G.O.(Ms.) No. 5/2007/Envt. Dated 28.7.2007. Consequently with the view to augment the capabilities of the Department it has been renamed as Department of Environment & Climate Change and existing Environment Management Agency Kerala is declared as the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change as per the G.O.(Ms.) No.06/10/Envt dated 18.12.2010.

The Main functions of the Department are to

• Take up State level environmental development programmes and implement them in collaboration with appropriate agencies.
• Take up State level developmental programmes (Plan, Non Plan, Externally aided, Centrally Sponsored Schemes etc.)
• Activities related to National Action Plan on Climate Change.
• Exercise administrative control of all environmentally related institutes being established in the State.
• Investigate and take appropriate action on complaints related to Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
• Conduct environmental appraisal at planning level related to the development schemes of the State Government.
• Scrutinize the environment related proposals prepared by Government/ non Governmental organizations.
• Involve in various environmental technology activities of Local Self Government institutions, information on environmental technologies and develop a database system.
• The Department shall also be the nodal Department to co ordinate with other departments on matters related with Environment, awareness generation, Climate Change management etc.

MISSION

• Strengthening environmental governance for maintaining environmental sustainability of the state
• Integrating environmental aspects in the development processes
• Investment in environmental management programmes in the state at community level
• Create a civic movement on upkeep of environmental sustainability

Government allotted the following subjects under the newly created Environment Department in Government through a circular No. 29724/G1/12/H&FWD Dated, Thiruvananthapuram 28/07/2012.

1. All matters relating to environment and allied matters dealt with by the nodal department.
2. Administration of Biodiversity Act and Rules, Kerala State Biodiversity Board and allied matters.
3. Administration of all Acts relating to Environmental Protection.
4. Environment awareness creation, ecoclubs allied matters.
5. Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
6. Environmental issues relating to forests and wildlife.
7. Climate change and allied matters.
8. River conservation programmes.
9. Environmental awards.
10. Environmental Research and Development.
11. Environment Information System.

Annual Schemes

1. Strengthening of the Department of Environment
The Department of Environment was established in the State in 2006 in order to co-ordinate various environment related programmes implemented by various departments, agencies, PRI’s etc. The Environment Management Agency, set up in 2007 (redesiginated as Directorate of Environment & Climate Change under Department of Environment and Climate Change) under the Department of Environment has started functioning. The initial task of the Agency will be an assessment of effectiveness of the sectoral environment management programs, and formulation of strategies for undertaking key environmental initiatives. This includes setting priorities and promoting Research and Development on relevant environment management aspects, formulating programs on conservation of natural environmental resources and coordinating with sectoral agencies for actions. The proposed outlay of Rs 70 lakh will be utilized for establishment cost including technical and service back up for its functions.

2. Environmental Education and awareness
Environmental education has become an inevitable tool in creating awareness on imperatives of environmental sustainability. The proposed outlay will be utilized for conducting seminars, workshops, quiz and film shows, publication of printed and 185 electronic material for awareness on relevant environmental aspects and observance of awareness occasions like the World Environment Day. The environmental awards in the relevant aspects of conservation will be instituted and conferred on deserving individuals/ organizations. The proposed outlay will also cover the preparation of cost of State of Environment report and Environment Atlas. The Bhoomitra sena scheme implemented during 2009-10 will be upscaled in more colleges in the state. Tasks under this programme will be accomplished through involvement of agencies including Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Kerala State Biodiversity Board and Kerala Suchitwa Mission. The programme will be coordinated by Environment Management Agency, Kerala (redesiginated as Directorate of Environment & Climate Change under Department of Environment and Climate Change).

3. Environmental Research and Development
With an objective of promoting need based environmental research in the priority areas of low cost waste treatment, River/lake water quality monitoring, solid waste management and other need based areas, this programme has been started. An institutional mechanism for coordinating the research under this scheme has already been set up in Environment Management Agency, Kerala (redesiginated as Directorate of Environment & Climate Change under Department of Environment and Climate Change). The projects are invited from competent organizations including various research institutions/university departments. The research reports will be peer reviewed and considered for implementation based on feasibility. A portion of the outlay will be utilized for continuing the project on the study of the dimensions of water conservation in the paddy lands of Kerala in collaboration with NGRI, KAU and CWRDM. During the year 2010-11 it is also proposed to prepare detailed report on the status of research and laboratory facilities available with various R&D organizations in the state involved in Environmental research. The amount proposed will be utilized for project based assistance to the research organizations and other studies functioning of the mechanism for coordinating this programme.

4. Biodiversity Conservation
Kerala State Biodiversity Board has been mandated under the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to regulate and facilitate sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. The programme envisages support for the functional expenses and the activities of the Board relevant in achieving its objectives. The proposed activities include Agro-biodiversity conservation, bio-diversity conservation in the educational institutes, identification of biodiversity rich areas outside forest areas and their conservation and constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees as mandated under the Act. The Board will need to initiate action on creating the Biodiversity Fund for supporting the activities of Biodiversity Management Committees. The outlay will also be utilized for taking up specific training programme for local self governments on biodiversity and preparation of Peoples Biodiversity Register. The programmes will be implemented by Kerala State Biodiversity Board after submission of the detailed project report and obtaining approval from the Government. An amount of Rs. 25 lakh is provided for constituting biodiversity fund.

5. Conservation of Coastal Eco-system
Coastal areas forms highly complex and dynamic ecosystem sensitive to developmental pressures such as industrialization. Central regulatory system for 186 coastal management regulation is under deliberations. However, interventions for conservation of coastal region and facilitating sustainable livelihoods in the region are the priorities of coastal environmental conservation. The outlay will be utilized for documenting conservation values of coastal ecosystems of the state and preparing/ conservation plans for ecologically important coastal stretches of the State.

6. Eco Restoration of Wet lands (Outlay Rs.50.00 lakh)

Wet lands are rich in floral and faunal biodiversity and they harbour a large number of endangered and threatened species. A comprehensive approach is required for collaboration with R & D institutions, local Governments, line departments and NGOs for integrating the concerns and solutions in the form of integrated management. The outlay of Rs 50 lakh will be utilized for the critical components of environment management in the surroundings of the wetlands like sanitation, catchment area treatment and reducing pollution from livelihood based activities. A portion of the outlay will be utilized for the implementation of the project in Vellayani lake.

7. River Action Plan
In order to protect major rivers of the State it is proposed to prepare comprehensive action plan for implementation with the support of various agencies including local Governments. Action for formulating a programme for Conservation of Periyar river basin is already in progress. During the year 2010-11, local self governments will be involved in formulating site specific projects for implementation with various development schemes like NABARD assistance, NREGS, Integrated Watershed Management Programme etc in Periyar basin. The proposed amount of 100 lakh is included under RIDF and an amount of Rs.50 lakh is set apart under State Plan for the implementation of the project.

8. Protection of catchments of reservoirs of Water Supply Schemes
The outlay is intended to protect the catchments of the water resources feeding to the water supply schemes in the state. An assessment of the ongoing works implemented in Sasthamcotta and Aruvikkara reservoirs will be undertaken and a road map for further action will be worked out. The scheme will be implemented by the Soil Conservation Unit of the Department of Agriculture, based on the project proposals appraised and approved by Department of Environment. The assistance received from Government of India for Sasthamcotta wetland will be dovetailed with this project.

9. Environment Impact Assessment
Environment Impact Assessment is an integral part of development projects. EIA is a prerequisite for most of the projects in water resources, industries, infrastructure etc. During the Plan period it is proposed to strengthen the capacity building for EIA. The outlay will be used for meeting the costs associated with the Committee meetings, capacity building EIA as well as to take up a pilot project on EIA. Capacity building programmes on integrating environmental concerns in the projects will be organized for the project planning and implementation establishment187 of the public sector agencies which often undertake projects required seeking environment clearance under the Environment Clearance Notification 2006. The scheme will be implemented by Environment Management Agency, Kerala(redesiginated as Directorate of Environment & Climate Change under Department of Environment and Climate Change).

10. Air and Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality has been steadily degraded by a combination of factors including saline intrusion, sewage and industrial effluents and urban and agricultural run off. The presence of high fluoride content in ground water in concentration above permissible limits is reported in certain pockets of Attappady and Chittoor area of Palakkad and Alappuzha districts. It is proposed to strengthen the network of water quality monitoring systems in the State established under various departments including research institutions. The existing quality control laboratory of Ground water department will be strengthened as part of National Hydrology Project. A portion of the outlay is set apart for implementing air quality monitoring. Kerala State Pollution Control Board. The scheme will be implemented by Environment Management Agency by allocating funds to the relevant organizations based on specific proposals justifying the need and technical requirements of the water and air quality monitoring systems.

11. Climate change (New Scheme)
Climate change has become an agenda for development planning in recent years. The Environment Management Agency has been nominated as the nodal agency for coordinating activities related to climate change in the state. An outlay of Rs.50 lakh is proposed for initiating various activities in the area of climate change during 2010-11. The components of the scheme include the preparation of position papers on climate change through resource institutions and consultants, preparation of consultancy reports on carbon credits, initiating study reports, preparation of climate change action plan for the state and for organising a workshop on climate change.

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

• Drinking Water Standards

• Ambient Air Quality Standards

• Ambient Noise Standards

• Industry Specific Standards

• General Effluent Standards

• Hazardous Wastes

• Bio Medical Wastes

• Municipal Solid wastes