Environment
The functions of the Department of Environment, Chandigarh
Administration largely include to create/spread environment
education/awareness amongst all sections of Society and to frame
policies/guidelines and issuing directions to concerned to
prohibit the deterioration/degradation of environment and to
preserve the natural resources in order to maintain ecological
balance.The Department of Environment, Chandigarh
Administration is also responsible to effectively coordinate the
activities of various departments/agencies and to plan a
comprehensive integrated programme for environment protection
and its improvement.
The key motive of the plan schemes implemented by the
Department of Environment is to create environment education and
awareness by undertaking environment awareness/action based
programmes / activities in association with
Eco-Clubs/Environment Societies established in School/Colleges
of U.T. Chandigarh and other local environmental
NGOs/Institutes. The Department also conducts independent
research & development studies in the field of environment
improvement to have repository of data on Besides desiltation /
soil conservation works are also undertaken with the help of
Departments/Bodies.
The following schemes are being implemented under State Plan
side :
- Environment Education Training & Information
This is an on going scheme to impart education, training
and information about environment. The text of the plan
scheme include organizing seminars/workshops/film &
audio-visual shows/exhibitions/training programmes / essay,
painting, quiz and debate competitions on environment
related issues as well as printing & publishing of
documents/information brochures/pamphlets/posters for
distribution etc.
- Institutional Support & Public Participation
The text of the plan scheme include to undertake
environmental awareness activities/programme in coordination
with the Eco-Clubs/Environment Societies/NGOs whereas
department shall provide only technical/financial assistance
and resource material while the planning and organization of
the activities/programmes/events will be left to the
Eco-clubs/Environment Societies itself.
The Department serves as nodal agency for environmental
planning and coordination in the U.T. of Chandigarh. The
text of the plan scheme include to undertake research/data
generation activities on the burning environmental issues
and local and regional environmental problems through
independent and or collaborative studies with reputed
institutions.
- Protection & Conservation of Resources
The Sukhna Lake as it is called and its adjoining areas
have been declared a Wetland and the Lake itself is covered
under National- Lake Conservation Plan.
The text of the plan scheme include dry desiltation of
Sukhna Lake as well as wet dredging and treatment of
catchment viz. soil conservation measures in Sukhna
catchment, development of adjoining areas, studies to
generate data on physio-chemical and biological parameters,
engagement of consultants, ecological regeneration, solid
waste management and public awareness and other
environmental regeneration projects/activities.
A detailed Project Report on Conservation of Sukhna Lake
by desiltation and catchment area treatment/development with
an estimate cost of Rs.73.51 crores has been prepared as per
guidelines of the National River Conservation Directorate,
Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi. The Project
has got the clearance of Ministry of Environment, Govt. of
India, New Delhi. The Project includes desiltation of Lake,
construction of soil conservation structures, vegetative
methods of conserving the soil and afforestation activities
in the catchment area as well as creating awareness about
the ecology, flora, fauna and upgradation of lake through
various programmes.
Apart from above state plan schemes, two Centrally sponsored
schemes namely National Green Corps and Setting up Environmental
Information System are being implemented by the Department as
per guidelines of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, New
Delhi.
National Green Corps
National Green Corps is a novel programme of the Ministry of
Environment & Forests, New Delhi to spread environmental
awareness through the mechanism of students/Eco-Clubs set up in
Schools. Under this scheme, 113 Eco-Clubs have been established
in various Govt./Govt. Recognized/Private/Kendriya/Navodaya
Vidyalayas. Financial assistance is released in favour of
Eco-Clubs every year as per guidelines of the Ministry of
Environment & Forests, New Delhi to conduct programmes of
environmental awareness. Efforts are being taken to expand the
network of NGC Programme to all the Schools of U.T. Chandigarh.
Left out Schools by forming Eco-Club and sending requisite
information of Teacher Inchrage and Students may get the
Eco-Club registered with the Department of Environment.
ENVIS (Environment Information System) Centre
ENVIS (Environment Information System) Centre, Chandigarh has
been set up in Department of Environment, Chandigarh with the
subject “Status of Environment and other Related Issues” The
website with URL www.chandigarhenvis.nic.in
developed by Centre is being used widely as a medium of
dissemination of status of environment of Union Territory,
Chandigarh related information. Steps are being taken to make
the website more effective, user friendly as well as to enhance
its reach to more and more people seeking environment related
information. |