Imminent Violation
Down To Earth|May 1, 2017

It is necessary to change consent conditions for upcoming coal-based power plants to ensure that they do not violate new pollution control norms.

Soundaram Ramanathan
Imminent Violation

ON JANUARY 1, 2017, all upcoming coal-based power plants in the country became subject to new environmental norms announced by the Union environment ministry. In a move to curb pollution from the coal-based power sector, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (moef&cc) had announced new emission limits for power stations, both existing and upcoming. For upcoming power stations, the new emission limits are: 30 milligrams per normal cubic metre (mg/Nm3) for particulate matter, 100 mg/Nm3 for both sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 0.03 mg/Nm 3 for mercury (Hg). The new environmental norms, announced in December 2015, are to be followed by existing power stations by January 1, 2018, and upcoming power stations—with a total capacity of 73 GW— starting this year.

But while responding to a query in the Lok Sabha on March 28 on the status of implementation of the new norms, environment minister Anil Madhav Dave said, “Analysis on the level of implementation will be carried by the ministry only after the norms come into force.” The statement not only ignores the fact that the norms are already in force, but also indicates a lack of serious effort on the part of the ministry to ensure enforcement. This has already led to widespread violation of the norms.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 1, 2017-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 1, 2017-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS DOWN TO EARTHAlle anzeigen
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 01, 2024