State to draft Environmental Status Report after sixteen years

Different yardsticks are applied while measuring overall progress a state or a nation has made. But the real progress can be measured only by taking into consideration the ecological balance maintained. Because this is eternal and will last for many generations. To analyse this requires the State of Environmental Report (SoER) that compares physical progress with available natural resources. The state government has undertaken the task of preparing this report after about sixteen years.

Such reports should be compiled and published regularly. The Union Ministry of Environment and Climate Change insists on this. But it depends upon the willingness of the state government. Not just the government but even the civic bodies too are expected to publish such reports every year. But enthusiasm is seldom shown for timely publication of such reports and we are often left with no option but to measure our progress taking into consideration the buildings and roads built which are called as the development. Often ignoring the ecological balance maintained or the healthy environment available to the citizens.

A steering committee has been appointed

Recently, the state government has decided to set up a steering committee and a technical committee to prepare SoER.

The seven-member steering committee, headed by Mrs. Manisha Mhaiskar, Secretary, Department of Environment, will be responsible for supervision and monitoring of timely drafting of the SoER and its submission to the central ministry. The technical committee, consisting of five members, comprises officers in charge of the scientific and technical wings of the state environment department. The committee is to scrutinize proposals of the institutions interested in preparing the SoER and shortlist them.  The report submitted to the centre will help in formulating the state’s environmental guidelines, as well as making strategic decisions for the coming years. This report is expected to be guidelines for allocating resources in the state, expected to provide an in-depth study and comparative analysis of the overall environmental issues of the state.

The previous report was prepared during the Congress-NCP alliance government by Indira Gandhi Development Research Institute.

Summary of the state govt report-

The state should pay serious attention to social, economic, and environmental issues. The goal of human development can be achieved only if the growth rate is maintained between 8% and 10%.

Special attention needs to be paid to energy, port development, and road construction. This will boost industrial development. If the distribution network of electricity and water is handed over to the private sector, the deficit caused by transmission, distribution, leakages, and illegal connections can be eliminated.

The mushrooming growth of slums should be stopped.

Even today, 90% of wastewater is discharged without treatment. Water distribution in the state is uneven and needs to be worked on. There is a big difference in the water quality of the 21 rivers notified in the state. Pollution of rivers and lakes needs to be taken seriously.

The beaches in the state are not free from pollution. Sewage and waste from cities and villages are dumped into the sea. Along with rivers and lakes, seawater is also becoming polluted. Groundwater sewerage schemes also need to be given importance. While sewage schemes are underground in 45% of the townships in Western Maharashtra, only 23% of such in the region of Marathwada are underground.

Drinking water schemes are also not free from pollution. It was revealed in a survey that around 12 lakh people are affected every year. According to data from 1995 to 2002, 50 percent of illnesses in Mumbai hospitals are related to contaminated drinking water. Noise and air pollution levels are also a concern and need to be addressed. In a city like Mumbai, the proportion is much higher.

On the one hand, the forest cover in Gadchiroli and Sindhudurg districts is around 70 percent and 46 percent respectively, while in Solapur and Mumbai it is 0.36 and 0.64 percent respectively. Districts with hilly areas should have at least 66% forest cover, but no district fulfils the criteria. Due to the encroachments and obstructions caused by unauthorized constructions, heavy rains increase the severity of natural calamities. This needs serious attention. The report highlights the need for overall environmental awareness and education.

Report by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

In the year 2016-17, 3% of drinking water samples were found to be contaminated. However, in 2017-18, the same proportion was found to be 1 percent. Efforts were underway to further reduce the percentage of contaminated water. Under the Safar Mumbai project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, information about weather and pollution is being displayed at 13 important places through LED hoardings. In the financial year 2017-18, 12 thousand 497 trees were planted alongside the roads and the spaces maintained by the municipal body. In its environmental status report, BMC had said that it was implementing rainwater harvesting, recycling and proper planning of wastewater, energy-saving projects, improvement of the public transport system, and disposal of solid waste in a scientific manner.

BMC had spelled out a plan to plant 20,000 saplings in the coming days. The report also said that the civic body has a plan to construct 36 km long cycling tracks, providing more services to the citizens online through the initiative of ease of doing business.   

Report on Mumbai region

It was concluded that the quarries, stone crushers, and hot mix units at Powai, Chandivali and Damupada Kandivali were causing air pollution in a big way. An action against that has helped improve air quality. A large number of gold refining units in Bhuleshwar adds to the air pollution. Further action is being taken after conducting a survey, the report had said. Although efforts were being made by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to maintain environmental balance in Mumbai, further precautions needed to be taken. This will help in the protection of air pollution, water pollution, and natural resources in Mumbai.

Accordingly, the Haji Bunder area, which handles coal, needs to be surveyed and it has been observed it causes air pollution.

The unorganized sector causes a large amount of water pollution. Emphasis should be placed on wastewater treatment and recycling.

A sewage treatment system should be set up with the help of the latest technology. The water quality of the Mithi river should be checked periodically. A database of the Mithi river improvement project should be maintained. Mangroves should be protected by creating a green belt in the riparian areas of this river basin. The MPCB has an important role to play in maintaining the natural balance of Mumbai and its environs, the report had said.