The state government has decided to frame a State Environment Policy for conservation of environment resources and identification of environment issues in the state.
“The draft policy is ready and the Environment department has invited objections. After addressing the objections, the policy draft would be placed before the government for approval,” said Alok Ranjan, Principal Secretary of Environment.
Under the policy, the government has to ensure that new development projects do not affect the environment. A Climate Change Research Fund will be made to support research activities on climate change and other environment issues.
A fixed percentage share in the annual budget of development-related departments would be earmarked for environment conservation and pollution control.
The Environment department will separately review the expenditure of this fraction of budget.
According to officials, the objective for formulating the policy is the conservation and safety of sensitive areas valuable in terms of economic progress and welfare of human beings. Once the policy is approved, the government will have to consider all environment-related aspects while making policies and schemes for economic and social development.
“The policy aims to create awareness in the masses and ensure their participation in conservation of environment resources,” said Ranjan.
The policy will ensure effective implementation of Acts, notification and guidelines framed by the Centre and the state. The government will have to spell out a strategy for implementation of the policy at various levels — divisions, district, vikas khand and gram panchayat.
According to the draft, the state government will adopt the steps taken by the Centre for improvement in the quality of environment resources. The state will also have to support the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), formed by the Environment and Forest Ministry, in issuance of environmental clearance for setting up industries and development projects.
The government will do an environment impact assessment of all such projects that could demand change of land use of agricultural land. Non-agricultural activities would be restricted on agricultural land. For development and industrial projects, generally barren land would be used.
Agricultural land could be provided for it only in unavoidable circumstances and that too after approval from the State Land Use Board, says the draft policy.
Plantation would be undertaken on a large scale to increase forest cover in the state from the current 7 per cent to 20 per cent by 2022.
The Environment department will prepare an online data base of biodiversity in areas relating to forests, agriculture and animal husbandry.
Existing wetlands would be identified and an inventory formed. The government will conserve nine wetlands identified in UP under the National Wetland Conservation Programme.
To check air pollution, use of coal, kerosene and biomass would be restricted and supply of LPG for cooking would be ensured. Industries would be motivated to use environment friendly technologies and go in for eco-labelling of products.
One person from each village would be trained about environment and he would be nominated as “Paryavaran Mitra’ with his job being to create environment awareness among people.
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“The draft policy is ready and the Environment department has invited objections. After addressing the objections, the policy draft would be placed before the government for approval,” said Alok Ranjan, Principal Secretary of Environment.
Under the policy, the government has to ensure that new development projects do not affect the environment. A Climate Change Research Fund will be made to support research activities on climate change and other environment issues.
A fixed percentage share in the annual budget of development-related departments would be earmarked for environment conservation and pollution control.
The Environment department will separately review the expenditure of this fraction of budget.
According to officials, the objective for formulating the policy is the conservation and safety of sensitive areas valuable in terms of economic progress and welfare of human beings. Once the policy is approved, the government will have to consider all environment-related aspects while making policies and schemes for economic and social development.
“The policy aims to create awareness in the masses and ensure their participation in conservation of environment resources,” said Ranjan.
The policy will ensure effective implementation of Acts, notification and guidelines framed by the Centre and the state. The government will have to spell out a strategy for implementation of the policy at various levels — divisions, district, vikas khand and gram panchayat.
According to the draft, the state government will adopt the steps taken by the Centre for improvement in the quality of environment resources. The state will also have to support the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), formed by the Environment and Forest Ministry, in issuance of environmental clearance for setting up industries and development projects.
The government will do an environment impact assessment of all such projects that could demand change of land use of agricultural land. Non-agricultural activities would be restricted on agricultural land. For development and industrial projects, generally barren land would be used.
Agricultural land could be provided for it only in unavoidable circumstances and that too after approval from the State Land Use Board, says the draft policy.
Plantation would be undertaken on a large scale to increase forest cover in the state from the current 7 per cent to 20 per cent by 2022.
The Environment department will prepare an online data base of biodiversity in areas relating to forests, agriculture and animal husbandry.
Existing wetlands would be identified and an inventory formed. The government will conserve nine wetlands identified in UP under the National Wetland Conservation Programme.
To check air pollution, use of coal, kerosene and biomass would be restricted and supply of LPG for cooking would be ensured. Industries would be motivated to use environment friendly technologies and go in for eco-labelling of products.
One person from each village would be trained about environment and he would be nominated as “Paryavaran Mitra’ with his job being to create environment awareness among people.