Ministry of Forest and Climate Change

Key Takeaways

Established in 1985, the Ministry evolved from a Department of Environment to address growing environmental concerns. It focuses on the conservation of flora and fauna, pollution control, afforestation, and climate change reduction. The Ministry is structured into various authorities, subordinate offices, and autonomous institutions. Key initiatives include the National Resource Efficiency Policy and substantial funding for afforestation projects.

Summary

• Formation Year: 1985
• Headquarters: Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi
• Annual Budget: ₹2,870 crore (US$360 million) for 2021–22
• Current Ministers:
  • Bhupender Yadav, Cabinet Minister
  • Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Conservation and survey of India’s flora and fauna
  • Pollution control
  • Sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan environment
  • Afforestation and land degradation mitigation
• Organizational Structure:
  • Indian Forest Service (IFS)
  • Central Zoo Authority of India
  • National Biodiversity Authority
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • Various subordinate offices and autonomous institutions
• Significant Policies:
  • Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy
  • Extensive funding for afforestation and forest conservation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change: An In-depth Analysis

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) plays a crucial role in shaping India’s environmental setting. Formed in 1985, the ministry’s journey reflects India’s increasing awareness and response to environmental challenges. Its responsibilities involve a wide array of activities, from conserving biodiversity to controlling pollution and reducing climate change effects.

Formation and Evolution

Environmental issues began to gain national political attention during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister. The 4th Five-Year Plan (1969–74) highlighted the importance of “harmonious development based on a comprehensive appraisal of environmental issues.” The establishment of the federal Department of Environment in 1980 laid the groundwork for the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which was formed in 1985. The ministry was renamed to include Climate Change in 2014, reflecting the rising global urgency to address climate issues.

Organizational Structure

The MoEFCC’s administrative structure is comprehensive, ensuring effective management and execution of its responsibilities. The ministry is headquartered at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan in New Delhi and operates under a substantial annual budget of 2,870 crore (US$360 million) as of 2021–22.

Key Authorities and Institutions

• Indian Forest Service (IFS): The ministry is the cadre controlling authority for the IFS, which plays a crucial role in forest conservation and management.
• Central Zoo Authority of India: Oversees the functioning of zoos across India to ensure the best practices in animal care and conservation.
• National Biodiversity Authority: Based in Chennai, it implements India’s biodiversity laws.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority: Ensures the protection and conservation of tigers in India.

Subordinate Offices

• Botanical Survey of India (BSI): Located in Kolkata, it conducts surveys of plant resources across the country.
• Central Pollution Control Board: Implements environmental laws and regulations related to pollution control.
• Forest Survey of India: Assesses the forest cover and forest resources.

Autonomous Institutions

• Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Located in Dehradun, it provides training and research in wildlife conservation.
• Indian Institute of Forest Management: Based in Bhopal, it focuses on research and education in forest management.

Key Responsibilities

The MoEFCC’s responsibilities are vast and varied, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of environmental governance. Some of the primary activities include:

• Conservation and Survey of Flora and Fauna: The ministry undertakes extensive surveys and conservation efforts to protect India’s rich biodiversity.
• Pollution Control: It implements measures to control pollution from various sources, ensuring cleaner air, water, and soil.
• Sustainable Development of the Indian Himalayan Environment: The ministry focuses on the sustainable development of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
• Afforestation and Land Degradation Mitigation: It promotes afforestation and measures to prevent and reduce land degradation.

Significant Initiatives

National Resource Efficiency Policy

In August 2019, the MoEFCC released the Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy. This policy aims to guide India towards environmentally sustainable and equitable economic growth. The policy is built on principles such as reducing primary resource consumption, creating higher value with less material through a circular economy approach, minimizing waste, ensuring material security, and fostering employment opportunities through environmentally beneficial business models.

Key Features of the Policy:

• National Resource Efficiency Authority: Establishment of an authority to oversee the implementation of the policy.
• Tax Benefits and Soft Loans: Offering incentives for using recycled materials and setting up waste disposal and material recovery facilities.

Afforestation Funding

By December 2021, various states in India had received over 47,000 crore for afforestation efforts. This funding is directed towards:

• Plantations: Establishing new forested areas.
• Assisted Natural Forest Regeneration: Supporting the natural regeneration of forests.
• Forest Fire Prevention: Implementing measures to prevent forest fires.
• Pest and Disease Control: Controlling pests and diseases that affect forests.
• Soil and Moisture Conservation: Enhancing soil and moisture conservation efforts to support forest health.

Historical Context and Political Influence

Environmental concerns have been part of India’s political discourse since the early years of independence. The inclusion of Article 48A in the Constitution during Indira Gandhi’s administration marked a significant shift, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to protect and improve the environment. This period also saw wildlife and forests being moved from the state list to the concurrent list, allowing the central government to have a greater say in environmental matters.

Ministerial Leadership

The leadership of the MoEFCC has seen several influential figures who have contributed to shaping India’s environmental policies. Some notable ministers include:

• Rajiv Gandhi: Served as the first Minister of Environment and Forests while he was the Prime Minister.
• Maneka Gandhi: Known for her strong stance on animal rights and environmental conservation.
• Jairam Ramesh: Instrumental in implementing several environmental regulations during his tenure.
• Prakash Javadekar: Led the ministry during the critical period when climate change gained prominence.
• Bhupender Yadav: The current minister, focusing on comprehensive environmental policies and initiatives.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its extensive efforts, the MoEFCC faces several challenges:

• Climate Change: Addressing the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting agricultural patterns.
• Pollution: Tackling severe air and water pollution in urban and rural areas.
• Deforestation: Combating deforestation and ensuring the protection of existing forests.
• Biodiversity Loss: Preventing the loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.

The ministry is continuously working on innovative solutions and collaborations to address these challenges. The Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy and increased funding for afforestation are steps in this direction.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is a cornerstone of India’s environmental governance framework. Its evolution reflects India’s growing commitment to addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. Through its various initiatives and policies, the ministry aims to balance economic growth with environmental conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for the country.

Tables

Table 1: Major Authorities under MoEFCC

Table 2: Significant Policies and Initiatives

References

1. “Contact Us | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Government of India”. Moef.gov.in. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
2. “MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE DEMAND NO. 27 : Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change”. Indiabudget.gov.in. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
3. “Following Anil Daves death, Dr Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of environment”. Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
4. Sanjeev Khagram (2004) “Dams and Development”, New York, Cornell University Press, ISBN 978-0-8014-8907-5
5. “Ministry of environment and forests undergoes a nomenclature change“. The Economic Times. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
6. Jhala, Yadvendradev Vikramsinh; Qureshi, Qamar; Nayak, Anup Kumar, eds. (July 2020). Status of tigers, copredators and prey in India, 2018 (First ed.). National Tiger Conservation Authority, Government of India, New Delhi, and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. ISBN 8185496501.
7. “Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Government of India”. Envfor.nic.in. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
8. “Comments called for on the Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy Released”. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
9. “EU-India joint declaration on resource efficiency and circular economy(PDF)”. Consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved 10 September 2020.

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#Environment, #ClimateChange, #Forestry, #Conservation, #India, #SustainableDevelopment, #PollutionControl, #Afforestation, #Biodiversity, #MoEFCC, #Ministry of Forest and Climate Change