About the Ministry The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the administrative structure

of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes. The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being. The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for the follow-up of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Ministry is also entrusted with issues relating to multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and of regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) on matters pertaining to the environment. The broad objectives of the Ministry are:

Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife Prevention and control of pollution Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas Protection of the environment and Ensuring the welfare of animals

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures, aimed at the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment. Besides the legislative measures, the National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992; National Forest Policy, 1988; Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992; and the National Environment Policy, 2006 also guide the Ministry's work.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCES

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important management tool for ensuring the optimal use of natural resources for sustainable development. Environmental Management or planning is the study of the unintended consequences of a project. Its purpose is to identify, examine, assess and evaluate the likely and probable impacts of a proposed project on the environment and, thereby, to work out remedial action plans to minimize adverse impact on the environment. The Ministry has issued the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, which makes environmental clearance mandatory for the development activities listed in its schedule

FOREST CLEARANCES

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 came into force with effect from October 25, 1980. Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central Government is essential for diversion of forest lands for the non-forestry purposes. In the national interest and in the interest of future generations, this Act, therefore, regulates the diversion of forest lands to nonforestry purposes. The basic objective of the Act is, to regulate the indiscriminate diversion of forest lands for non-forestry uses and to maintain a logical balance between the developmental needs of the country and the conservation of natural heritage.

GENETIC ENGINEERING CLEARANCES The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under 'Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989', under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Rules of 1989 also define five competent authorities i.e. the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC), Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC) and District Level Committee (DLC) for handling of various aspects of the rules. PUBLIC INFORMATION Right to Information Act, 2005 The MoEF is committed towards maintaining accountability and transparency, and making the Right to Information Act, 2005 effectively operational. We welcome queries under the Act and will try to provide answers through the concerned authorities. This section provides all the relevant details that an applicant will require regarding the Act. For better accessibility, it also includes the names and addresses of the key officers and employees of the Ministry.

CONFERENCE ON METHANE RECOVERY AND UTILIZATION IN THE INDIAN LIVESTOCK AND AGRO-BASED INDUSTRIAL SECTOR February 3, 2011 Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi
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Click here to Downlaod E-Brochure Click here to Download Programme FICCI is organizing a conference on 'Methane recovery and utilization in the Indian livestock and agro-industrial sectors' on February 3, 2011, New Delhi, India under the aegis of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI). GMI is an

international initiative, set up on November 16, 2004, as Methane to Markets (M2M) Partnership and at present has thirty-eight governments including India, the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. The initiative builds on the existing structure and success of the M2M Partnership to reduce emissions of methane by promoting and facilitating methane recovery and utilization in four sectors Agriculture, Coal Mines, Landfills and Oil and Gas Systems. This conference focuses on the Indian livestock and agro-industrial sectors. The conference will bring together policymakers, industry, technology suppliers, project developers, consultants, financial institutions and research organizations to deliberate on methane recovery and utilization potential and opportunities in the Indian livestock and agro-based industrial sectors.

Contact Us Mr Rishiram Ramanan Senior Assistant Director Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Federation House, 1, Tansen Marg New Delhi, INDIA Tel: 91-11-23738760-70 (Ext. 421) Fax: 91-11-23721504, 23320714 Email: rishiram.ramanan@ficci.com, environment@ficci.com