Subject: CONSERVATIONAL OF NATURAL RSOURCES

Subcode:21cv654

Module 5

Global warming: Concept

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants collect in the
atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface.
Normally this radiation would escape into space, but these pollutants, which can last for
years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. These
heat-trapping pollutants—specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor,
and synthetic fluorinated gases—are known as greenhouse gases, and their impact is called
the greenhouse effect.

Global warming: Indicators

Temperature Records: Long-term trends showing increasing global average temperatures

over decades.

Glacial Retreat: Observation of glaciers worldwide shrinking in size due to warming

temperatures.

Sea Level Rise: Measurements showing an increase in global sea levels due to thermal
expansion of seawater and melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Ocean Heat Content: Data indicating that the oceans are absorbing more heat, leading to
warming ocean temperatures.

Arctic Sea Ice Decline: Satellite observations revealing a significant decrease in the extent
and thickness of Arctic sea ice over time.

Extreme Weather Events: Increasing frequency or intensity of extreme weather events such
as heatwaves, hurricanes, and heavy rainfall.

Ocean Acidification: Measurements showing that the pH of seawater is decreasing as it

absorbs

Global warming: Factor

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The primary driver of current global warming trends is the
increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. These gases include carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. Human activities such as
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture, and industrial processes release these gases
into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the Earth's temperature to rise.
Deforestation: Cutting down forests for agriculture, urbanization, and other purposes reduces
the number of trees that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. This leads to higher levels of CO2
remaining in the air, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Industrial Processes: Various industrial activities, including manufacturing, mining, and

construction, release GHGs and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions
contribute to global warming and also affect air quality.

Transportation: The burning of fossil fuels (like gasoline and diesel) in cars, trucks,
airplanes, and ships releases large amounts of CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere,
contributing significantly to global warming.

Agricultural Practices: Agriculture is a source of methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

Methane is produced by livestock during digestion (enteric fermentation) and from manure
management, while nitrous oxide is released from the use of synthetic fertilizers and certain
agricultural practices.

Waste Management: Landfills and waste treatment processes generate methane as organic
waste decomposes anaerobically. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a much stronger
heat-trapping capability than CO2 over shorter time frames.

Global warming: Effects

Rising temperatures: Average global temperatures have been increasing steadily, leading to
heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense. This affects human health, agriculture, and
increases the risk of wildfires.

Melting glaciers and polar ice: As temperatures rise, glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland
and Antarctica are melting at accelerated rates. This contributes to rising sea levels,
threatening coastal communities and habitats.

Sea level rise: Melting ice and the thermal expansion of seawater due to warmer
temperatures lead to higher sea levels. This increases the risk of flooding, particularly during
storms and high tides, impacting low-lying coastal areas and islands.

Extreme weather events: Global warming can intensify and alter patterns of extreme
weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, droughts, and heavy rainfall. These events can
cause widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Ocean acidification: Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere lead to higher
absorption by the oceans, causing ocean acidification. This harms marine life, especially
organisms such as coral reefs and shellfish that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells
and skeletons.

Disruption of ecosystems: Many plant and animal species are affected by changing climate
conditions. Some may shift their ranges towards cooler regions or higher altitudes, while
others may face increased risk of extinction due to habitat loss and inability to adapt quickly
enough.
Impact on agriculture and food security: Changes in temperature, precipitation patterns,
and extreme weather events can disrupt agricultural production, affecting crop yields and
livestock. This can lead to food shortages and price increases, particularly in vulnerable
regions.

Health impacts: Global warming contributes to increased heat-related illnesses, the spread of
infectious diseases, and worsened air quality due to higher levels of ground-level ozone.
Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health
conditions are particularly at risk.

Global climate change-indicators

The Global Climate Indicators are a set of parameters that describe the changing climate
without reducing climate change to only temperature. They comprise key information for the
most relevant domains of climate change: temperature and energy, atmospheric composition,
ocean and water as well as the cryosphere.

Atmosphere

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is the most commonly addressed greenhouse gas, and its
atmospheric concentration is measured by parts per million (ppm). Methane (CH 4 ) and
nitrous oxide (N 2 O) are also extraordinarily important for the global climate and are
measured by parts per billion (ppb).

Land

As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, so does global mean surface temperature (GMST).
GMST is measured using a combination of air temperature over land, and sea surface
temperature in ocean areas, typically expressed as an anomaly from a baseline period.
Ocean

Ocean Heat Content (OHC) is a measure of this heat accumulation in the Earth system. It is
measured at various ocean depths, up to 2000m deep.
Cryosphere

Sea ice extent measures areas covered by an ice concentration greater than 15%.

It serves as a useful indicator of climate change particularly given how quickly change occurs
in the Arctic

Health impacts

1. Impact of Excess Heat on the Human Body

The human body requires evaporative cooling to prevent overheating, even with a low
activity level. With excessive ambient heat and humidity, adequate evaporative cooling does
not take place.

2. Impact on Disease

2.1. Impact on Infectious Diseases

Warming oceans and a changing climate are resulting in extreme weather patterns which
have brought about an increase of infectious diseases—both new and re-emerging.
Impact of warmer and wetter climates

Mosquito-borne diseases are probably the greatest threat to humans as they include malaria,
elephantiasis, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, and dengue fever.

Impact of warmer oceans

The warming oceans are becoming a breeding ground for toxic algae blooms (also known as
red tides) and cholera.[16] As the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the oceans increase

Impact on Mental Health

While the physical health impacts of climate change are well known, the impact on mental
health has only begun to be recognized in the last decade

Direct impacts

Direct impacts on mental health happen when a community experiences extreme weather and
changed environment.[46] Direct impacts like landscape changes, impaired place attachment,
and psychological trauma are all immediate and localized problems resulting from extreme
weather events and environmental changes.

Indirect impacts

Indirect impacts on mental health occur via impacts on physical health and community well-
being. Physical health and mental health have a reciprocal relationship.[47] If the physical
health of an individual is negatively impacted, the decline in mental health will soon follow.

Psychological impacts

Psychological impacts are the effects that heat, drought, migrations, and climate-related
conflicts have on social life and community life. This includes post-disaster adjustment.

3. Climate Change and Permafrost

Permafrost is an important part of our environment and plays an important role in

maintaining the stability of many ecosystems around the world. Permafrost is integral to soil
stability in arctic regions.[58] Melting permafrost causes the surrounding soil to become
unstable and settle.

4. Impact on Natural Resources

4.1. Drinking Water

Global Health Corps reports that when interruptions in the regular water supply, "forces rural
and impoverished families to resort to drinking the dirty, sediment-and-parasite-laden water
that sits in puddles and small pools on the surface of the earth
5. Impact on Livestock

Climate change is beginning to lead the global population into a food shortage, greatly
affecting our livestock supply.

6. Impact on Plant Based Food

Climate change has many potential impacts on the production of food crops—from food
scarcity and nutrient deficiency to possible increased food production because of elevated
carbon dioxide (CO
2) levels—all of which directly affect human health.

7. Impact on Nutrition

Another area of concern is the effect of climate change on the nutritional content of food for
human consumption. Studies show that increasing atmospheric levels of CO2 have an
unfavourable effect on the nutrients in plants.

8. Oceans and Human Health

Perhaps one of the most recent adverse effects of climate change to be explored is that of
ocean acidification. Our oceans cover approximately 71 percent of the Earth's surface and
support a diverse range of ecosystems, which are home to over 50 percent of all the species
on the planet.

Global Warming: Effect on biodiversity

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: As temperatures rise, many species may find their current
habitats unsuitable. This can lead to shifts in species distributions and, in some cases, local
extinctions as species move to find suitable conditions. Fragmentation of habitats due to
human development exacerbates this issue, making it harder for species to migrate or adapt.

Changes in Ecosystem Structure and Function: Climate change affects the availability of
resources such as water and food, as well as the timing of key life cycle events like flowering
and migration. This can disrupt ecosystem interactions and alter food webs, leading to
cascading effects on biodiversity.

Increased Extinction Risk: Species that are already at risk due to factors like habitat loss,
pollution, and overexploitation are further threatened by climate change. The combination of
stressors can push species beyond their ability to survive, increasing the likelihood of
extinction.

Coral Bleaching and Marine Ecosystem Decline: Rising sea temperatures contribute to
coral bleaching events, where corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide them with food
and color. This weakens corals and increases their susceptibility to disease and death, leading
to declines in coral reefs and the diverse marine ecosystems they support.

Polar Regions Impact: Polar regions are particularly sensitive to climate change, with Arctic
sea ice declining rapidly and affecting species like polar bears and seals that depend on ice
for hunting and breeding. Changes in sea ice also affect the entire Arctic food web, from
phytoplankton to marine mammals.

Altered Species Interactions: Climate change can disrupt the timing of biological events
(phenology), such as the emergence of insects or the availability of prey species. This can
affect species that depend on synchronized interactions, such as pollinators and their plant
partners, leading to mismatches in timing that reduce reproductive success.

Invasive Species Spread: Warmer temperatures can facilitate the spread of invasive species
into new areas, where they can outcompete or prey upon native species that may not have
evolved defenses against them.

Loss of Genetic Diversity: Populations that are forced to adapt quickly to changing
conditions may experience reduced genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to
diseases and environmental stresses.

Changes in Species' Physiology: Some species may undergo physiological changes in

response to warmer temperatures, altering their metabolism, growth rates, and behavior.
These changes can affect their ability to survive and reproduce in their natural habitats.

Cumulative Impacts: The cumulative effects of climate change, combined with other
stressors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and overharvesting, pose significant
challenges to the resilience and survival of many species.

Introduction to global efforts in conservation of biodiversity.

The conservation of biodiversity is important to prevent the loss of genetic diversity of a

species, save a species from becoming extinct and protect ecosystems damage and
degradation. Thus the conservation efforts can be grouped into the following two categories:

1. In-situ (on-site) Conservation: In-Situ conservation includes the protection of plants

and animals within their natural habitats or in protected areas. Protected areas are land
or sea dedicated to protect and maintain biodiversity. The in-situ strategy emphasizes
protection of total ecosystems for the conservation of overall biodiversity of genes,
populations, species, communities and the ecological processes. The in-situ approach
includes protection of a group of typical ecosystems through a network of protected
areas as recognised by the UNEP and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

Marine Protected Area: been promoting establishment of global system of marine
protected areas.

Biosphere Reserves: biosphere reserves are a special category of protected areas of land or
coastal environments where people are an integral component of the system.

2. Ex-situ (off-site) Conservation: conservation of plants and animals outside their

natural habitats. These include botanical gardens, zoo, and gene banks; seed bank,
tissue culture and cryopreservation.

Seed Gene Bank: the crop species diversity have declined with the
onset of modern agricultural techniques, which will have severe
implications on food security of the planet given environmental degradation, pests,
epidemics and climate change.

In-vitro Gene Bank: these are short and medium term storage for a range of crops woody
species, fruit trees and horticultural species using tissue culture techniques. Tissue culture
systems allow the propagation of plants with high multiplication rates in an aseptic
environment. The cells are grown on a gel and fed with suitable nutrients and hormones to
give rise to entire plants.

DNA Bank Network: this is a worldwide unique concept. DNA band databases of all
partners are linked and are accessible via a central web portal, providing DNA samples of
complementary collections (microorganisms, protists, plants, algae, fungi and animals).

Biodiversity Conservation Council of India (BiCCI)

Biodiversity Conservation Council of India is a non-profitable public charitable trust

formed with an intention to conserve and manage the biodiversity of India.

One of its primary objectives is to document all traditional farming, pastoralist systems and
livestock practices and create bio-cultural protocols for communities and ecosystems on the
lines of established practices.

The objectives of BiCCI include documenting the indigenous bio-diversity of flora and
fauna, raising awareness on the bio-diversity wealth and its importance in ecological
balance.

BiCCI aims to protect and promote traditional knowledge being practiced in farming,
medicine, livestock keeping, food etc., impart training in the same, protect our ecosystem
from invasion of non-native species of plants or animals and to work on eradication of the
invasive alien species.

BiCCI endeavours to support in-situ conservation, ex-situ and crypto preservation of native
livestock, promote research in the indispensability of native livestock/plants in farming, food
security of the country, economical freedom of rural households, and empowerment of
women through sustainable means.
EIA regulations in India

Introduction

 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely

environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-
related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
 UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the
environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It
aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design,
find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local
environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.
 Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed by the Environment
Protection Act, 1986 which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and
process.

History of EIA in India

 The Indian experience with Environmental Impact Assessment began over 20 years
back. It started in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission asked the Department of
Science and Technology to examine the river-valley projects from an environmental
angle.
 Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government was an administrative
decision and lacked legislative support.
 On 27 January 1994, the then Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the
Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, promulgated an EIA notification making
Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for expansion or modernisation of any
activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification.
 The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified new
EIA legislation in September 2006.

o The notification makes it mandatory for various projects such as mining,

thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours
and airports) and industries including very small electroplating or foundry units to
get environment clearance.
o However, unlike the EIA Notification of 1994, the new legislation has put the
onus of clearing projects on the state government depending on the
size/capacity of the project.
The EIA Process

EIA involves the steps mentioned below. However, the EIA process is cyclical with
interaction between the various steps.

 Screening: The project plan is screened for scale of investment, location and type of
development and if the project needs statutory clearance.
 Scoping: The project’s potential impacts, zone of impacts, mitigation possibilities and
need for monitoring.
 Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental status of study area.
 Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and irreversible and temporary
and permanent impacts need to be predicted which presupposes a good understanding of
the project by the assessment agency.
 Mitigation measures and EIA report: The EIA report should include the actions and
steps for preventing, minimizing or by passing the impacts or else the level of
compensation for probable environmental damage or loss.
 Public hearing: On completion of the EIA report, public and environmental groups
living close to project site may be informed and consulted.
 Decision making: Impact Assessment Authority along with the experts consult the
project-in-charge along with consultant to take the final decision, keeping in mind EIA
and EMP (Environment Management Plan).
 Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan: The various
phases of implementation of the project are monitored.
 Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures and
Environmental Impact Assessment Report: For every project, possible alternatives
should be identified, and environmental attributes compared. Alternatives should cover
both project location and process technologies.

 Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be drawn up for the
selected option and is supplemented with an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to
guide the proponent towards environmental improvements.
 Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability and index also form part of
EIA procedures.
Stakeholders in the EIA Process

 Those who propose the project

 The environmental consultant who prepare EIA on behalf of project proponent
 Pollution Control Board (State or National)
 Public has the right to express their opinion
 The Impact Assessment Agency
 Regional centre of the MoEFCC

Salient Features of 2006 Amendments to EIA Notification

 Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006 has decentralized the

environmental clearance projects by categorizing the developmental projects in two
categories, i.e., Category A (national level appraisal) and Category B (state level
appraisal).

o Category A projects are appraised at national level by Impact Assessment Agency

(IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) and Category B projects are
apprised at state level.
o State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level
Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are constituted to provide clearance to
Category B process.
 After 2006 Amendment the EIA cycle comprises of four stages:

o Screening
o Scoping
o Public hearing
o Appraisal
 Category A projects require mandatory environmental clearance and thus they do not
undergo the screening process.
 Category B projects undergoes screening process and they are classified into two
types.

o Category B1 projects (Mandatorily requires EIA).

o Category B2 projects (Do not require EIA).
 Thus, Category A projects and Category B, projects undergo the complete EIA process
whereas Category B2 projects are excluded from complete EIA process.
Importance of EIA

 EIA links environment with development for environmentally safe and sustainable
development.
 EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of
developmental projects.
 EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental activities on the
environment well before the developmental project is implemented.
 EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the developmental plan.
 EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is environmentally sound and within the
limits of the capacity of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.

Shortcomings of EIA Process

 Applicability: There are several projects with significant environmental impacts that
are exempted from the notification either because they are not listed in schedule I, or
their investments are less than what is provided for in the notification.
 Composition of expert committees and standards: It has been found that the team
formed for conducting EIA studies is lacking the expertise in various fields such as
environmentalists, wildlife experts, Anthropologists and Social Scientists.
 Public hearing:

o Public comments are not considered at an early stage, which often leads to conflict
at a later stage of project clearance.
o A number of projects with significant environmental and social impacts have been
excluded from the mandatory public hearing process.
o The data collectors do not pay respect to the indigenous knowledge of local
people.
 Quality of EIA: One of the biggest concerns with the environmental clearance process
is related to the quality of EIA report that are being carried out.
 Lack of Credibility: There are so many cases of fraudulent EIA studies where
erroneous data has been used, same facts used for two totally different places etc.
 Often, and more so for strategic industries such as nuclear energy projects, the EMPs
are kept confidential for political and administrative reasons.

o Details regarding the effectiveness and implementation of mitigation measures are

often not provided.
o Emergency preparedness plans are not discussed in sufficient details and the
information not disseminated to the communities.
Way Forward

 Independent EIA Authority.

o Sector wide EIAs needed.

o Creation of a centralized baseline data bank.
 Dissemination of all information related to projects from notification to clearance to
local communities and the general public.
 Applicability: All those projects where there is likely to be a significant alteration of
ecosystems need to go through the process of environmental clearance, without
exception.
 No industrial developmental activity should be permitted in ecologically sensitive areas.
 Public hearing: Public hearings should be applicable to all hitherto exempt categories
of projects which have environmental impacts.
 The focus of EIA needs to shift from utilization and exploitation of natural resources to
conservation of natural resources.
 It is critical that the preparation of an EIA is completely independent of the project
proponent.
 Grant of clearance: The notification needs to make it clear that the provision for site
clearance does not imply any commitment on the part of the impact Assessment agency
to grant full environmental clearance.
 Composition of expert committees: The present executive committees should be
replaced by expert people from various stakeholder groups, who are reputed in
environmental and other relevant fields.
 Monitoring, compliance and institutional arrangements:

o The EIA notification needs to build within it an automatic withdrawal of

clearance if the conditions of clearance are being violated and introduce more
stringent punishment for noncompliance. At present the EIA notification limits
itself to the stage when environmental clearance is granted.
o The composition of the NGT needs to be changed to include more judicial persons
from the field of environment.
o Citizen should be able to access the authority for redressal of all violation of the
EIA notification as well as issues relating to non-compliance.
 Capacity building: NGOs, civil society groups and local communities need to build
their capacities to use the EIA notification towards better decision making on projects.

Status of EIA in India

Present Status of EIA in India In India, EIAs of development projects were first
started in 1977-78 when the Department of Science and Technology took up
environmental appraisal of river valley projects.

Subsequently, various other projects were brought under the purview of EIA. It was,
however, in 1994 when EIA was made mandatory in India under the Environmental
Protection Act of 1986.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India, has prepared
environmental guidelines, to help the project proponents to work out an EIA.

Guidelines have been prepared to bring out specific information on the environment
required for environmental clearance.

The agencies, which are primarily responsible for the respective sectors are closely
involved in preparing the guidelines.

River valley projects, thermal power projects, mining projects and industries, ports
and harbours, development of beaches, highway/railway projects are the sectors for
which guidelines have already been prepared.

These guidelines basically consist of aspects regarding planning and implementation

of development projects.

Projects where EIA is mandatory and requires clearance from central government as
of now, EIA clearance is required for 30 categories of industries.

The project proponent is require to submit an application along with duly filled up
questionnaire, EIA and environment management report, public hearing proceeding
and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the statement pollution control board.

The MoEF has set up five multidisciplinary expert committees in the areas of
industry, thermal power, river valley, mining and infrastructure and miscellaneous
project to evaluate the environmental impact of proposed project.

The committee evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed project and
wherever necessary, site visits and independent assessment of environmental aspects
are also undertaken.

Based on such examination the committee make recommendation for the approval or
rejection of the proposal which are then processed in the ministry for approval or
rejection.

In case of site specific project, such as mining, river valley, ports and harbours etc the
project proponent has to obtain sit clearance before applying for environmental
clearance of the project.

In India, public consultation have been made compulsory component of EIA by an

amendment dated April 10, 1997 to the EIA notification 1994.
 The State Pollution Control Board and concern district collectors are responsible for
the public consultation process through duly constituted public hearing panel.

The members of a public hearing panel are:

(i) Representative of State Pollution Control Board
(ii) District Collector or his nominee
(iii) Representative of State Government dealing with the subject of Power
(iv) Representative of Department of State Government dealing with Environment
(v) Not more than three representatives of the local bodies such as Municipalities or
Panchayat
(vi) Not more than three senior citizens of the area nominated by the District
Collector.

List of projects needing environmental clearance under EIA notifications

LIST OF PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES REQUIRING PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL

Mining , extraction of natural resources and power generation (for a specified
production capacity)

 Mining of Minerals
 Offshore and Onshore oil and gas exploration, development & production
 River Valley Projects
 Thermal Power Plants
 Nuclear Power Projects and Processing of Nuclear Fuel

Primary Processing

 Coal Washeries
 Mineral beneficiation

Materials Production

 Metallurgical industries
 Cement Plants

Materials Processing

 Petroleum refining industry

 Coke oven plants
 Asbestos milling and asbestos based products
 Chlor-alkali industry
 Soda ash industry
 Leather/skin/hide processing industry

Manufacturing/ Fabrication

 Chemical Fertilisers
 Pesticide industry and pesticide specific intermediates
  Petro-chemical complexes
 Man made fibres manufacturing
 Petrochemical based processing
 Synthetic organic chemicals industry
 Integrated paint industry
 Pulp and Paper industry
 Sugar industry

Service Sectors

 Oil and gas transportation pipe line

 Isolated storage and handling of hazardous chemicals

Physical Infrastructure including Environmental Services

 Airports
 All ship breaking yards including ship breaking units
 Industrial estates/parks/complexes/areas, Export Processing Zones, and Special
Economic Zones, Bio-tech Parks, Leather complexes.
 Common hazardous waste treatment , storage and disposal facilities
 Ports , Harbours, break waters, and dredging
 Highways
 Aerial ropeways
 Common Effluent Treatment Plants
 Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility

Building/Construction projects/Area Development Projects and Townships

 Building and Construction projects

 Townships and Area Development Projects
 Category A projects requires clearance from the Central Government in the Ministry
of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on the recommendations of an Expert Appraisal
Committee (EAC)
 Category B projects excluding those which fulfill the General Conditions (GC)
stipulated in the Schedule, will require prior environmental clearance from the
State/Union territory Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) . In the
absence of a duly constituted SEIAA or SEAC, a Category 'B' project shall be
considered at the Central Level as a Category B project.

Case study of hydro power projects

Five biggest hydroelectric power plants in India

1. Tehri Hydropower Complex – 2,400MW

Topping the list of hydroelectric power plants in India is the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, the
highest hydroelectric power project in the country. Commissioned in 2006, first construction
began in 1978 helped by technical collaboration from the former USSR.
Located at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Bhilangana rivers, near the city of Tehri,
the dam is a multi-purpose rock and earth-filled embankment dam, and at 260.5 metres is the
tallest in India.

It is also the eighth-tallest dam in the world and the second-tallest in Asia. The length of the
dam is 575 metres, while the base width is 1,128 metres and the crest width is 20 metres.

With a maximum planned capacity of 2,400MW, the Tehri Hydropower Complex consists of
the Tehri Dam and the Tehri Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant, and also includes
the 400MW Koteshwar Dam.

Its reservoir stores water not just for the generation of hydroelectricity (which is about
1,000MW in addition to 1,000MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity) but also for irrigation
and municipal water supply to other states of North India too, such as Uttar Pradesh,
Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.

Owned and operated by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) until recently, the
Indian government approved NTPC taking over the project in November 2019.

2. Koyna Hydroelectric Project – 1,960MW

Located near Patan, in Maharashtra’s Satara district, close to the Koyna River, the Koyna
Hydroelectric Project is India’s largest completed hydroelectric power plant with a capacity
of 1,960MW.

Owned and operated by MAHAGENCO and Maharashtra State Power Generation, the Koyna
Project has four dams, the largest of which is constructed across the Koyna River.

As the dam is located in the Western Ghats mountain range, all the generators of the power
plant have been installed deep inside the mountains requiring extensive excavation works.

Construction began in 1954, and the project has been developed in four stages.

3. Srisailam Dam – 1,670MW

Third on the list is the 1,670MW-capacity Srisailam Dam.

Owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh via operator APGENCO, Srisailam Dam is
located on the Krishna River in the Nallamala Hills near Srisailam temple, which falls under
the districts of Kurnool and Mahabubnagar.
Both these districts are situated at the border of the two states of Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana, respectively.

Construction of the dam began in 1960, but took more than two decades for completion,
being unveiled only in 1981.

With a length of 512 metres and a height of 145 metres, plus 12 radial crest gates, Srisailam
Dam is considered to be India’s third-largest working hydroelectric power project. It has a
reservoir measuring 616 square kilometres.

4. Nathpa Jhakri Dam – 1,530MW

Himachal Pradesh’s Nathpa Jhakri Dam, with a capacity to generate 1,530MW of electricity,
ranks fourth in this list.

This concrete gravity dam, which is 185 metres long and more than 67 metres high, was
constructed across the Satluj River in Kinnaur district’s Nathpa village.

Owned and operated by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), the dam is powered by six 250MW
Francis-type turbines.

Started in 1993, construction of the dam was completed in 2004 to make Nathpa Jhakri
India’s biggest underground hydroelectric power project.

Nathpa Jhakri also has the county’s largest de-silting chambers, the largest and longest
headrace tunnel, the largest and deepest surge shaft.

5. Sardar Sarovar Dam – 1,450MW

In fifth place is the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which has a capacity of 1,450MW and is operated
by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam.

This concrete gravity dam is located on the Narmada river, near Navagam in the state of
Gujarat.

The largest dam of the Narmada Valley Project, Sardar Sarovar Dam supplies water and
electricity to four Indian states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Although the foundation stone was laid in 1961, the project began to take form in 1979 with
the help of a World-Bank funded development scheme, and construction began in 1987.
Environmental opposition stalled construction efforts, and the dam was finally inaugurated in
2017.

This dam counts as the world’s second largest concrete dam—after Grand Coulee which sits
across River Columbia in the US—in terms of the volume of concrete used in its
construction.

It measures 1,210 metres long and more than 138 metres high, and is powered by six 200MW
Francis-type turbines.

Case study thermal power projects

 ISO 50001 Energy Management System – Case Study
2022 INDIA

NTPC SIMHADRI
Transforming Lives

ENERGY SAVIOR

Case Study Snapshot

Industry Power Generation
Product/Service Thermal Power
Location Andhra Pradesh, India
Energy performance improvement percentage (over the
1.27 % improvement 6 years
improvement period)
Total energy cost savings (over 6 years) 11.96 Million USD
Cost to implement Energy Management System (EnMS) USD 2064
Total energy savings (over 6 years) 4.78 GJ
Total CO2-e emission reduction (over the improvement
100661 Metric Tons
period)

Organization Profile / Business Case

NTPC Simhadri is the first coal fired, coastal thermal power station set up by NTPC which uses sea water for condenser
cooling and for ash transportation. The project was launched in the year 1997. The station has an installed capacity of
2000MW (4x500MW). The station has largest sea water intake well in the Bay of Bengal. It has set a benchmark for
500MW greenfield project by commissioning first unit within a record time of 39 months from “ZERO” date. Simhadri
Plant meets more than 85% of its water needs from Sea, thereby contributing to the Nation's efforts in conserving
Fresh Water. 25MW floating solar system installed and commissioned in the year 2021.

Our Motivations/Drivers: SIMHADRI Energy Policy

• Efficient utilization of input resources like coal, water and oil by following proven operational practices and
innovative methods.
• Sustaining energy efficiency gains through objectives and targets and procurements of energy efficient
products and services.
• Compliance to all applicable legal and other requirements related to energy usage and efficiency.
• Establish an energy management system and ensure its periodic review.

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Role of Energy Management in the organization's larger Business Strategy

NTPC SIMHADRI has been a pioneer in the energy conservation policy. Our energy management system is robust and
mainly deals with heat rate (HR), Auxiliary Power Consumption (APC), Specific oil and water consumption. It aims at
minimising the losses and maximising the efficiency. To achieve this objective on a consistent basis, implementation
of ISO 50001 has become quite easier. The broader frameworks of the energy management system are as follow:
• Regular assessment energy management system.
• Involvement of employees & interested parties.
• Formulation of Baseline performance data of Energy performance indicators (EnPI) like Heat Rate,
Auxiliary Power consumption , Specific oil consumption.
• Assessment of energy performance indicators like Heat Rate, APC Gap.
• Setting the Energy consumption saving target based on the baseline data & deviation from design value.
• Formulation of action plan to achieve the set targets of EnPI.
• Top management’s review at different forums and getting the feedback.
• Monitoring and verification at the end of year.

“NTPC SIMHADRI’s achievement in reducing the GHG and substantial energy saving has
become possible through the successful implementation of ISO 50001.”
—Girish Chandra Choukse, Head of the Plant

Business Benefits
Implementing EnMS & ISO 50001 have yielded significant benefits beyond energy and energy cost savings. It has
guided NTPC Simhadri to create additional market value and to be better prepared for government/utility sponsored
energy efficiency programs, carbon or energy taxes and international climate agreements. Some of the business
benefits achieved so far are as follow:
(i) Energy Performance Improvement & Cost Saving:
From Jan 2016 to March 2022, the total energy savings into the monetary benefits of 11.96 Million USD.

(ii) Environmental benefits: Reduction in Co2 emission

Upon implementation of EnMS, there was consistent reduction in the Co2 emission.
This has resulted in substantial gains in Co2 savings.

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The above Co2 reduction figure is exclusively for coal. NTPC Simhadri has installed and commissioned 25MW
floating solar plant and the same is commercialized on 21st Aug 2021. It’s contribution towards Co2 reduction from
its date of commercialization upto 31st March 2022 is 33700T.

(iii) Benefit on Statutory Compliance

Performa Achieve & Trade (PAT) is the initiative of Ministry of Power, Govt. of India under Enhance Energy
Efficiency Mission. Under this scheme, the Energy Improvement Target for each PAT cycle (every three years)
are set which has to be achieved during Assessment Year (AY). Due to implementation of EnMS, our station has
surpassed the given target of both PAT-1 cycle (Cycle I AY 2014-15). Station achieved a NHR of 2452 kcal/kwhr
against the target NHR of 2468 kcal/kwhr. Thus, Station as awarded with 11511 nos. Escerts equivalent to
around 0.015 Million USD.

(iv) Non Energy & other associated benefits

NTPC Simhadri has planted more than 6 Lakh trees in and around NTPC Simhadri and 5.50 Lakh Trees in and
around the city of Visakhapatnam under “Green Visakha Plantation” program. NTPC Simhadri was awarded the
‘Certificate of Merit’ in the year 2017 by Honable Dist. Collector as Best Performing station for its contribution
towards Green Visakha. Apart from the above, 2.8 Lakh trees are planted in Paderu under Accelerated
Afforestation program and 40000 tree plantations in progress in association with Social forestry department,
Government of Andhra Pradesh. NTPC-Simhadri has conducted Ash utilization Awareness workshops for various
ash users in the radius of 300 kms. This has led to increases fly ash users from 120 to 310. 100% ash utilization
has been achieved consistently from 2017 onwards.

(v) Improved thrust on solar power integration to reduce Emission:

EnMS has guided us to use renewable energy to its full extent. In addition to the energy saving, it has resulted
into considerable amount of reduction in GHG. Our main achievements in terms of RE are as follow:
• Installation and commissioning of 25MW floating solar on reservoir.
• Installation and commissioning of solar tree of 3.3kwp capacity comprising of 10 leaves, each having 300wp
solar PV panels.
• Installation of EV use and charging station.

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 ISO 50001 Energy Management System – Case Study
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(vi) Recognition & Brand Building
• Station received “International Safety Award -2022” by British safety Council.
• Station received prestigious “Safety Innovation Award” for the year 2021 for implementing innovative safety
management.
• Station received GOLD AWARD for “Environment Excellence” from APEX India Green Leaf for the year 2020.
• Station awarded with “Energy Efficient unit “by CII for 2020-21.

Plan
Top Management’s Commitment towards EnMS:
Energy Performance through EnMS is the continuous process. NTPC Simhadri’s top management is committed for its
continual improvement. To sustain and grow the business, energy efficiency is the key driving force which enhances
operational profit margin with regulatory compliances. For achieving the Energy efficiency target set for every year,
provision is made to sufficiently allocate the budget which is required for new project implementation or renovation
and modernization. It is always ensured by top management that the entire budget is getting utilized on regular
basis. As per ISO 50001 guidelines, management approves the Energy Policy for the station and form the EnMS team
led by Certified Energy Auditor & Energy Managers with a coordinating members of other departments.
Present Energy Consumption Pattern in NTPC Simhadri
NTPC Simhadri is a coal fired thermal power plant. The present heat design rate loss for turbine and the design boiler
efficiency loss and their detailed break up are as follow.

Gross Turbine Cycle Heat Rate and Boiler Efficiency tests are performed in every month. In addition to these, APH ,
Condenser & Cooling Tower Performance tests conducted on the regular basis. Offline monthly field tests of major
equipment are carried out to find out energy gaps.
EnMS Team’s Support in Strategy & Target:
Once the test reports are generated, EnMS team assesses the energy gap against the expected values & baseline data
and they put up their observations and recommendations with the target improvements to the top management for
approval. EnMS team is always a part of monthly strategic review meeting of top management.

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 ISO 50001 Energy Management System – Case Study
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Process of Review & Analyzing Energy Use, prioritizing resource & action:
• Exhaustive past energy data collection.
• Performance gap analysis: Actual Vs Design performance.
• Comparison with similar equipment performance.
• Identification of potential improvement area & fixing the target.
• Energy Efficiency Performance Monitoring System at different levels is as follow:

• Preparation of action plan with responsibility for implementation.

• Prioritization and recourse allocation are done from O&M and Energy conservation budget.

“Bridging energy gap, protecting

earth, branding the business through
ISO -50001.”
—Jhimli Dhar, AGM (EEMG)

Do, Check, and Act

Implementation Process & Involvement:
Once the action plan is made, department wise responsibility is fixed. The
implementation of the identified areas is taken up either in routine maintenance,
short term planning , during Overhaul or renovations & retrofitting .
The responsibility matrix for all the areas is as follow
Top Management’s motivation and support

Top management has always been committed to the implementation of the EnMS. Their support and motivation are
always found in the following manner.
• Clear communication to employees about the importance of effective energy management.
• Ensured that the EMS policy is established based on the guidelines of EnMS standards and in line with
organization’s long-term goal.
• Ensured the formation of Energy Management Team.
• Timely allocation of the required budget.
• Conducting regular management reviews.

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Improvement undertaken by NTPC Simhadri

Baseline and Reporting Period:

Both baseline period & reporting period are fixed as per Govt. of India and covered under Perform, achieve & trade
(PAT) Cycle. The first PAT Cycle was 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15. It had the baseline period of 2012-13 based on past
three years data. The assessment period was FY 2014-15. The baseline data for second cycle was the achieved value
of first cycle. The second cycle assessment period was 2018-19. Now the 3rd cycle is going on for the period 2020-21,
2021-22 & 2022-23 and the target year is 2022-23 for monitoring & verification purpose.

Transparency
• Publication of integrated annual sustainability report as per GRI by NTPC Ltd.
• Online Environment monitoring screen to pollution Control board of the State Government.
• Submission of audit reports to Government.
What We Can Do Differently
• Display of management instructions regarding EnMS in strategic locations.
• Display of financial impacts on parametric variations affecting the EnPI.
• Minimum Man-days training on EnMS processes & its benefits to all employees in advance
• Advance Budget allocation for EnMS speedy implementation.
• Development of professional expertise through advance training on EnMS.
Quotes and Visuals
“An ISO:50001 Energy management standard promotes sustainability of the business”.

The Energy Management Leadership Awards is an international competition that recognizes leading
organizations for sharing high-quality, replicable descriptions of their ISO 50001 implementation and
certification experiences. The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) began offering these Awards in 2016.
For more information, please visit [Link]/EMAwards.