Articles by "Dr Harsh Vardhan"
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Hello Jammu News at 4:09:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said Saturday a plant to covert plastic waste into bio-diesel will soon be made operational at the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun.

He was speaking at the International E-Waste Day event organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

"The plant has been set up at Dehradun and it will be operational by January end. The facility, which will be run on pilot basis, is capable of converting plastic waste into bio-diesel. The model will then be replicated across the country," Vardhan said.

The plant has the capacity to convert one tonne of plastic waste into 800 litres biofuel which will be of highest quality and it can be used in any diesel automotive vehicle, according to a government official.

Vardhan said the whole country was concerned about the problem of e-waste and the government had amended the existing rules to ensure better management of e-waste and bio-medical waste through revised targets.

As per the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017 Report of United National University the world world generation of e-waste in 2016 was 44.7 million metric tonnes and the annual generation of e-waste in India was 2 million metric tonnes.

"Therefore, the contribution of India to worldwide generation of e-waste is 4.47 per cent. We are neck deep into the problem and we have already have got the rules amended in 2018 based on discussions with the industry and other stake holders.

"On behalf of our prime minister, we can promise to the whole world that like many other fields in environment... we will certainly try to do our best on e-waste front," he said.

He also urged those present at the event to build a social movement around Green Good Deeds'- an initiative of the Environment Ministry and make it successful like the 'Pulse Polio' campaign.

The ministry has drawn up a list of over 500 deeds to motivate and involve the masses in environment protection. It mainly focuses on altering the behaviour to make it nature friendly, he said.

On the occassion, Japan's Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu, "I congratulate IFC on the successful implementation of its India E-waste Advisory Project, and I am pleased to inform that Government of Japan has been supporting this project through the Comprehensive Japan Trust Fund since 2014. 

"I hope that this project would continue to contribute to the implementation of the E-waste policy in India," he said.

He also spoke about the importance of promoting a circular economy to achieve the goal of a sustainable society.

E-waste is the world's fastest growing waste stream and India is the fourth largest e-waste producer. At present around 95 per cent of the waste is processed by the informal sector, using practices harmful to their health and the environment. 

Half of the e-waste generated globally is from personal devices such as computers, screens, smartphones, tablets and televisions, with the remainder being larger household appliances and heating and cooling equipments.

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Hello Jammu News at 7:30:00 PM 0
New Delhi, Jun 23 : The issue of cutting of trees for the redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies triggered a blame game today with Union minister Harsh Vardhan claiming that the AAP government was responsible for granting the permission to fell trees in non-forest areas and the latter claiming that the clearance for the same was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in November last year.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is up in arms against the BJP government at the Centre, alleging that around 17,000 trees will be felled for the redevelopment plan.

Vardhan said according to the information he had, the area where the trees were to be felled was a "non-forest area" and the Forest department of the Government of India had nothing to do with it.

"For the non-forest areas, whatever local permissions are to be given, are given by the Delhi government. It is directly under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government and not governed by us," the Union environment and forest minister said.

The AAP countered the charge, saying the permission for the felling of trees was granted by Vardhan's ministry in November last year.

In a tweet, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "IMPORTANT - The file about "Redevelopment Project" says Environment Clearance for the project has been approved by MoEF & CC, GOI (Minister- Dr Harshvardhan ) vide letter dt 27.11.2017 @drharshvardhan ji, Did ur Department give Environment clearance to this project (sic)??."

He also claimed that the Lieutenant Governor was the "competent authority" for issuing permission for felling trees at a large scale.

The AAP dispensation is at loggerheads with LG Anil Baijal over a host of administrative and policy matters. Baijal has been accused by the ruling party of working at the "behest" of the Centre to "paralyse" the city government.

"Harsh Vardhan has chosen his words very carefully, but he refuses to say that the LG is the competent local authority for giving the necessary permission in this case," Bhardwaj told PTI.

He claimed that for the felling of a maximum of 10 trees, the deputy conservator of forest had to issue the permission, for a maximum of 20 trees, the conservator of forest had to issue the permission and the environment secretary of the Delhi government could permit the felling of trees in an area of less than a hectare.

"Above it, the LG is the competent authority," Bharadwaj added.

He also claimed that the Delhi government's environment minister, in his note-sheet, had protested against the felling of trees for the redevelopment plan.

"We have no objection to the Centre's project. But the felling of such a large number of trees is not good for the environment at a time when there is a looming threat of pollution."

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had earlier said 14,031 of the existing 21,040 trees would be felled for the redevelopment of seven south Delhi colonies -- Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Mohammadpur, Sriniwaspuri, Kasturba Nagar and Thyagaraj Nagar.

Bharadwaj claimed that the redevelopment plan involved construction of flats for politicians and bureaucrats, for which around 17,000 trees were to be felled.

He added that a protest against it would be held near Sarojini Nagar tomorrow evening.

The locals have launched a "hug the tree" movement on the lines of the famous "Chipko Andolan" of noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna in the 1970s.

Bhardwaj also alleged that the Centre was not addressing the environmental safety concerns before attempting the project.

"As per our information, no environmental assessment has been carried out. The Delhi government has also not been consulted as to how the transport, water and sewer requirements will be met under the redevelopment plan," he said.

The Centre, however, has claimed that the redevelopment would lead to an "increase in the green area coverage by about three times...and the compensatory plantation of trees will be done in the ratio of 1:10, thereby resulting in an enhanced tree-coverage area".

"The re-development of the seven colonies is being done with complete adherence to environmental sustainability and green building concepts and special care and attention is being given towards retaining the maximum number of the existing trees," it had said.  PTI

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Hello Jammu News at 8:14:00 PM 0
New Delhi, May 14 :  Emphasising that Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) will go a long way in reaping the demographic dividend in the country, Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said GSDP aims to get 80,000 people imparted with green skills and filling gaps in the environment sector.
Speaking after launching the mobile App of GSDP here on Monday, the Minister pointed out that more than 30 programmes have been identified, which would be conducted in 84 institutions across the country, a Ministry statement said.
He also stressed that such an initiative would complement the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of skilling India’s youth and strengthening the resolve to conserve and protect the environment.
He said the number of people to be employed under GSDP would be increased to cover 2.25 lakh people next year and to about five lakh people by the year 2021.
Recalling his positive experience from the interactions with the people who underwent training as part of the pilot project during his recent visit to Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, Dr Harsh Vardhan underlined that those who imparted the training skills and those who received it were highly enthused.
“The programme will be modified and strengthened from time to time”, he averred.
Senior Economic Advisor, MoEF&CC, Dr Anandi Subramanian said that 31 percent of children were dropouts from school after the secondary stage itself.
She said that skill development is one of the key priorities of the government, with the objective to develop skill sets with employability linkage.
Dr Subramanian said while there was a need for skilled workforce, there was also a shortage of middle-level workforce.UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 7:17:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Aug 17 : Minister of Environment Harsh Vardhan today called upon the people to boycott Chinese crackers on Diwali and said there was a plan to come up with pollution-free firecrackers in the near future. While launching the month-long 'Harit Diwali Swasth Diwali' campaign here, Dr Vardhan said though all types of firecrackers are harmful for humans and environment, but Chinese crackers were more dangerous because of some special chemicals present in them. The sale of these firecrackers is prohibited, however through smuggling, these crackers are reaching the Indian markets in abundance, he added. Over a query on putting restrictions over the firecrackers, Dr Vardhan said, "This is a sensitive issue. When taking any decision, we have to consider people's feelings, therefore, the Government has taken a middle path." For this, the Ministry of Environment, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology, is planning to create pollution-free firecrackers, which will spread fragrance in the atmosphere, instead of pollution. He said with this scheme, the Government will make the fireworks industry aware, because the Government alone cannot do this work, participation of everyone is necessary. As part of the campaign, the Ministry would undertake various activities to create awareness among the various stakeholders and encourage people to participate in the fight against air pollution. The Minister also addressed 800 school children regarding the importance of their contribution towards reducing pollution by not bursting fire crackers during the festival. UNI

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Hello Jammu News at 6:59:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Jul 29:  Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan, today said that Tiger-bearing forests play a mitigative role in combating Climate Change, besides the value of ecosystem services, provided by Tiger Reserves. Addressing the Global Tiger Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Minister emphasised that Tiger was a symbol of healthy environment and there could be no let-up in conservation efforts, as threats to Tigers remained ever persistent. Addressing a gathering comprising tiger conservationists, NGOs and students, Dr Vardhan pointed out that the target of doubling the number of Tigers by 2022 in St Petersburg Declaration was a moderate target, but even to achieve this moderate target, nations have to be repeatedly reminded to conserve the animal. Tiger conservation should be carried out every moment of the day and not celebrated merely as a one-day event. The Minister impressed three points upon the children present on the occasion – to undertake one small good deed everyday and inspire others to undertake one such good, environment-friendly deed for the protection of environment and Tiger conservation, to live and work for fellow human beings, and to put their heart and soul in undertaking such deeds with honesty and sincerity. "If each individual undertakes one good, environment-friendly deed every day, we would have performed 125 crore good, environment-friendly deeds,' said Dr Vardhan. He added that the day this happened, India would regain its place as the world leader. The Minister suggested there can be no better and positive messengers to spread any message in the society than children. Dr Vardhan strongly emphasised the need to instill discipline in children particularly by teachers, which he said, should not be ignored at any cost. A Protocol for conducting security and audit of Tiger Reserves was released by the Minister on the occasion. A Compact Disk (CD) on glimpses of Tiger conservation through Parliament questions was also released. The Minister also presented the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards CA/TS) accreditation award to the Lansdowne Forest Division of Uttarakhand, which met the managerial standards for effective conservation of Tigers. CA|TS has been developed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), working with protected area agencies in tiger range countries. A voluntary scheme for any organisation involved in tiger conservation, it is based on 17 elements, with some minimum standards and criteria for proper management of Tiger reserves. Actor and Tiger enthusiast Randeep Hooda termed the Tiger as the symbol of Indian heritage. He urged people to themselves become the agents of change in this regard. A radio jingle on Tiger conservation was also released on the occasion by the Environment Minister. Dr Vardhan said due to the ongoing conservation efforts under Project Tiger, India has the maximum number of Tigers, along with its source areas amongst the 13 Tiger Range countries in the world. India is well on the path to contribute to the Tiger Range by 2022, in tune with St Petersburg Declaration, he added. The Global Tiger Day was celebrated with much fanfare, including two 'Nukkad Nataks' (street plays) by enthusiastic children on Tiger conservation. Besides the street plays, two songs on Tiger conservation were performed by Sujay Banerjee, an Indian Forest Service officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre and well-known singer, Abhishek Ray. The compilation of "Glimpses of initiatives taken for Tiger Conservation in India based on Parliamentary Questions and Replies" was released on the occasion, which includes significant environmental information discussed amongst the Legislators and Policy Makers in both Houses of Parliament- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The publication comprises the concerned environmental issues and affairs in India in the form of a Compact Disk (CD), which is useful for ready reference by scientists, policy makers, technocrats and other concerned with the cause of conservation and sustainable development. The report describes the questions and answers raised in both houses of Parliament focusing on Wildlife Management issues. According to Dr Vardhan, several steps have been initiated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for tiger conservation and protection including legal, administrative, financial, international cooperation and other miscellaneous steps and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Forest Minister of Assam Pramila Rani Brahma, Minister of Forest and Environment of Odisha Bijayshree Routray, Forest Minister of Chhattisgarh Mahesh Gagda, Forest Minister of Uttarakhand Harak Singh Rawat and Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh Gauri Shankar Shejwar attended the event. Besides, senior officers from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Global Tiger Forum, WWF and 1,000 school children attended the event. UNI

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