INDIA TO PROVIDE KENYA EXPERTISE
IN FOREST SURVEY AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT
INDIA
TO EXCHANGE TIGERS FOR CHEETAHS WITH KENYA
Kenya has sought
India’s help in various sectors relating to environment including
forest survey, coastal and marine environment management. The
desire for close cooperation was expressed by the Kenyan Minister
for Environment, Dr. Newton W. Kulundu when the Environment &
Forests Minister, Shri T.R. Baalu called on him in Nairobi today.
The Kenyan Minister
was impressed with India’s achievement in increasing the forest
cover in the country in the last few years and its objective of
reaching the target of 25% forest cover by 2007 and 33% by 2010.
At present Kenya is having only 1% forest cover and Dr. Kulundu
wanted it to be increased to 8% in five years. He wanted to have
collaboration with India for regular survey and conservation of
forests. Shri Baalu suggested that a team of Kenyan experts should
visit the Forest Survey of India to identify appropriate methodology
and technique for survey.
The Kenyan Minister
also evinced keen interest to know about the coastal and marine
environment management system in India. Shri Baalu also informed
his Kenyan counterpart that India was one of the first countries
to ban whale fishing and pass legislations to protect several
other endangered species. He said that India was one of the first
countries in the world to legislate for the conservation of bio-diversity.
Shri Baalu agreed to a request from Dr. Kulundu to provide Indian
tigers in exchange for cheetahs as gifts to the people of the
two countries.
Shri Baalu is leading
a high level delegation to take part in the Fifteenth Meeting
Of Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete
the Ozone layer. Delegates from 185 member countries are taking
part in the 5-day deliberations, which began on Monday, November,
the 10th, 2003. MOP is the body, which takes important
decisions relating to Montreal Protocol for implementation by
the various countries. The meeting will take decisions among other
things on the following important issues :
· Terms of reference
for a study on the management of the financial mechanism of the
Montreal Protocol;
· Exemptions of quantities
of Ozone Depleting Substances from the control measures;
· Implications of
entry into force of the Beijing amendment in relation to trade
of HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Flouro Carbons);
· Adjustment of the
Protocol : interim reduction schedule of methyl bromide applicable
for Article 5 countries;
· Status of ratification
of amendments of the Montreal Protocol;
· Status of destruction
technology for ODS
Indian Scene
India produces CFC-11,
CFC-12, CFC-113, Halon-1211, Halon-1301, CTC, Methyl Chloroform,
Methyl Bromide and HCFCs. These ODS are used in refrigeration
and air conditioning, fire fighting, electronics, foam and aerosol
industries.
India has been preparing
projects for conversion to non-ODS technology in various sectors.
So far, 349 ODS phase out projects/activities including 77 non-investment
projects worth US $ 143 million to phase out 12054 Ozone Depleting
Potential (ODP) tons.
India has been a
front-runner in phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
It has taken a series of fiscal and regulatory measures to facilitate
ODS phase out in the country. Among fiscal measures taken, government
of India has granted full exemption from payment of Customs ad
Central Excise duties on goods required for ODS phase out projects
and new investment with non ODS technology. Trade of ODS with
non-Parties to the Protocol has been banned. All ODS have been
brought under the ambit of licensing system for the purpose of
import as well as export. Export of CFCs to non-Article-5 countries
has also been banned.
The Ozone Depleting
Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 have been notified and are effective from
19.7.2000. These Rules stipulate the time limit for phasing out
of various Ozone Depleting Substances, besides regulating production,
trade, import and export of ODS and the product containing ODS.
These Rules have been amended twice. First amendment was made
to extend time limit for registration of producers, dealers and
users up to 19th July, 2002. Second amendment is for
stipulating time limit for disposal of application for registration
or renewal of registration and cancellation of registration, if
any granted under these Rules.
