The Government has developed an advanced Expert Decision Support System (DSS) based on state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT), Visualization, geo-spatial and remote sensing technologies to build Indian Tsunami Early Warning System.
The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System comprises a real-time network of seismic stations, Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR), tide gauges and 24 X 7 operational tsunami warning centre to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes and to monitor tsunamis and to provide timely advisories to concerned government departments and to vulnerable community by means of latest communication methods with back-end support of scenario database, vulnerability modelling and Decision Support System.
Following are the Major Components of the Indian Tsunami Warning System:
i) Dedicated Tsunami Warning Centre operating on 24x7 basis for generation of timely advisories.
ii) A network of land-based seismic stations for earthquake detection and estimation of focal parameters in the two known tsunamigenic zones and to communicate the same to the Early Warning Centre in near-real time.
iii) A network of BPRs (that could detect and measure a change in water level of 1 cm at water depths of up to 6 km of water) to detect and monitor tsunami around these two tsunamigenic zones.
iv) Real-time observational network for upper ocean parameters and surface met-ocean parameters.
v) A network of real time tide gauges, radar-based coastal monitoring stations and current meter moorings to monitor progress of tsunami and storm surges.
vi) Generation of high resolution data base on bathymetry, coastal topography, coastal land use (for costal areas within 1-3 km in general and for 10-25 km at selected areas near coastal water bodies). vii) Coastal vulnerability modelling & Inundation mapping.
viii) Capacity building, training and education of all stake holders on utilisation of the maps, warning and watch advisories.
This information was given by the Shri Prithviraj Chavan ,Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in a written reply to a question by Shri K N Balagopal in Rajya Sabha today.
The Government of India has taken a number of steps to improve urban infrastructure and basic services. These include the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which was launched in 2005-06 and seeks to improve urban infrastructure, housing, transport and urban basic services. The JNNURM comprises sub-Mission-I on Urban Infrastructure and Governance and sub-Mission-II on Basic Service for Urban Poor and covers 65 identified towns apart from Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) which covers other towns. This information was given by Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State, Urban Development in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha Today.
He said that financial assistance for urban infrastructure is also being provided by the Ministry of Urban Development under the 10 percent lumpsum scheme for the development of Northeastern region including Sikkim, the ADB added North Eastern Region Development Programme and Pilot project on Development of Urban Infrastructure in Satellite Towns around the Seven mega Cities, besides identified metro and other projects.
Urban development is subject matter of states. Central Government supplements the efforts of the states through financial assistance and policies. As per the 11th Five Year Plan estimates, the requirements for water supply, sewerage, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management and urban transport are projected at Rs.2,61,809 crore. The revised estimates of housing requirements stand at Rs.5,10,000 crore. Against these requirements, the overall central assistance under JNNURM was initially envisaged at Rs.50,000 crore over a seven year mission period of 2005-12.
With the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 2005, the Government of India has significantly increased the expenditure on urban development. The Ministry of Urban Development has taken a number of steps to ensure that allotted funds are effectively utilized. A system of calling for quarterly progress reports, review meetings and independent review and monitoring by third parties has been developed for efficient utilization of funds, the minister added.
Ground water is found in a variety of geological formations. Physiographic and geomorphologic settings are among the important factors that control the occurrence and distribution of ground water. Ground water is a replenish able source. Rainfall is the principal source of recharge to ground water. Ground water levels reflect changes in the ground water regime due to recharge to and discharge from the aquifers. Depletion of ground water is defined as “The withdrawal of water from a ground water source at a rate faster than its rate of recharge, usually over an extended period of several years”
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established ground water monitoring network in 411 Wells in 21 States. The Monitoring is done on half yearly basis in case of ground water.
The groundwater samples are being analyzed for 28 parameters consisting of physic-chemical and bacteriological parameters (Temperature, pH, Conductivity, BoD, Nitrate-N, Total Coliform, Faecal Coliform, COD, TKN, Ammonia, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Fixed Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity, Total Hardness, Fluoride, Boron, Chloride Sulphate, Total Alkalinity, P-Alkalinity, Phosphate, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium for ambient water samples apart from the field observation. Besides this, trace metals and pesticides are analyzed in selected samples.
The major sources of ground water contamination are domestic sewage, industrial pollution, agricultural pesticides and fertilizer percolation and natural geogenic activity. The ground water quality is degraded due to geogenic reasons with respect to salinity and major cations /anions. Increase of Nitrates and BOD are due to fertilizer and unsewered sanitation respectively. Ground water is largely affected due to salinity, fluoride, nitrate and arsenic.
The water pollution in rural areas is caused due to discharge of domestic sewage directly or indirectly into water bodies, agricultural run-off during rainy season containing chemical fertilizers and pesticides and effluents from agro-based industries. As per the Department of Drinking Water Supply, the ground water in a total number of 1,79,999 habitations in 26 States have been sound to be contaminated with fluoride, arsenic, iron , nitrate, or salinity.
The Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to discourage excessive use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. The Ministry of Rural development has been implementing schemes for improving rural sanitation and providing piped water supply to rural habitations affected by ground water contamination. The Pollution Control Boards have been undertaking regular inspection of agro-based industries in order to regulate their effluent quality.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing programmes related to the pollution abatement of water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The Ministry of Water Resources is the nodal agency in all matters related to ground water. The Central Pollution Control Board has established a network of 411 Wells for monitoring the ground water quality. Co-ordination among various Ministries is ensured through committees like Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA), which is the apex body to monitor and check ground water depletion and pollution, the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRABA) headed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister etc. with representation at appropriate levels from different Ministries including M/o Water Resources etc.
Pollution and Depletion Threaten Groundwater
The groundwater becomes polluted when toxic substances become dissolved in water at the land surface and are carried down, or leached, to the aquifer with the percolated water. The groundwater contamination is the result of human activities on the land surface. Many of these activities involve the use and disposal of chemicals which are potential pollutants. Since groundwater moves slowly, many years may pass before a pollutant released on the land surface above the aquifer is detected in water taken from the aquifer some distance away. This means that the contamination is often widespread before being detected. Groundwater becomes depleted in an area where more water is being drawn out on an aquifer and consumptively used than is entering or recharging the aquifer.
Overall Status
Apart from reported cases by different institutions, groundwater quality concerns in India was realized way-back in mid eighties with a systematic study of groundwater quality and identification of ‘problematic zones’ by Central Pollution Control Board with reference to pollution. These (problem) areas due to their complex industrial scenario and increasing dependence on natural resources have been witness to excessive exploitation of groundwater for domestic and industrial uses. With pollution control enforcement activities gaining momentum there were observed cases of indiscriminate waste disposal, subsurface discharge of effluent and inappropriate wastewater management by industries. This has led to severe stress on groundwater, in terms of ‘quantitative imbalance’ as well as ‘quality deterioration’. In consideration of the pollution in these problem areas, Central Pollution Control Board has monitored the groundwater quality in these areas.
Besides this, the country is facing severe problem of natural geogenic pollution such as Arsenic and Fluoride. The states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh is having Arsenic Contamination, Tamilnadu, Rajasthan is having Fluoride problem while Maharashtra is having Nitrate Problem.
Ground water quality is deteriorated mainly due to following factors:
1. Natural contaminants e.g. fluroids, arsenic, salinity and iron.
2. Man-made sources e.g. domestic sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural chemicals.
S. No.
Contaminants
Sources
Affected Areas
1.
Fluoride
Natural
About 200 districts in 20 states of the country
2.
Arsenic
Natural
3 districts of West Bengal and some projects of Bihar
3.
Iron
Natural
North-Eastern states of India
4.
Salinity
Natural and Man-made
Many intensive integrated areas, coastal areas, high exploitation areas
5.
Nitrate
Man-made Uncollected sewage, garbage and intensive application of fertilizers
Large urban areas especially metro cities and intensive application of fertiliser areas.
6.
Pathogens
Man-made
Uncollected sewage, garbage and intensive application of fertilizers
Large urban areas especially metro cities and intensive application of fertiliser areas.
7.
Pesticides
Intensive pesticides application
areas
Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab
Steps to Prevent Deterioration in Pollution
Two important legislation-Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment ( Protection) Act, 1986 have been promulgated by the government. Several initiatives are taken. They include:
1) Setting up standards of effluents;
2) Regular monitoring of effluents;
3) Special drive for 17 categories of highly pollution industries;
4) Several incentives for control of pollution;
5) Legislation for environmental auditing;
6) Scheme for ‘eco mark’ for voluntary promoting eco-friendly products in the market;
7) Promotion of low waste and no-waste technology for production;
8) Pollution abatement policy 1992;
9) Policy on conservation and management of natural resources; and
10) Common Effluent Plants (CEPs) and Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities(TSDF)
For control of urban sewage pollution River Action Plan is launched.Under this programme, a large number of sewage treatment plants are established.
The Government is implementing various schemes providing for social security to the workers in the unorganized sector. A Statement indicating allocation and expenditure under some of the schemes under schedule-I of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 is as under:
(Rs. in crores)
S. No
Scheme
Allocation
Expenditure
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
1.
(i) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme providing for old age pension to BPL family at the age of 65 yrs.
(ii) National Family Benefit Scheme assistance to destitute bread earners.
2489.61*
2889.73*
45000*
1968.27*
3121.93*
4055.82*
2.
JananiSurakshaYojana for safe motherhood.
135.51
250.00
1281.47
258.32
880.17
1241.33
3.
Handloom Weavers’ comprehensive Welfare Schemes providing for health insurance and life & disability cover to handloom weavers.
40
115.60
124.00
40
115.58
123.92
4.
Handicraft Artisans’ comprehensive Welfare Schemes providing for health insurance and life & disability cover to artisans.
5.60
80.08
83.91
5.01
76.08
83.91
5.
National Scheme for welfare of Fisherman and Training & Extension providing housing assistance, insurance and training.
23.81**
21.38**
25.00**
7.51
6.38
13.17
6.
JanashreeBimaYojana providing for life and accidental cover to BPL and marginally above BPL persons.
500***
132.79
2.04.50
267.13
7.
AamAdmiBimaYojana providing for life and accidental cover to landless rural household
-
1000***
500***
(scholarship fund)
44.81
43.53
(includes scholarship)
8.
RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana providing for smart card based cashless health insurance cover to BPL families in unorganigsed sector. The scheme became operational from 01.04.2008
-
-
250
-
-
101.65
* includes five components of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) viz. Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme, National Family Benefit Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi Disability Pension Scheme, and Annapurna.
** This is combined allocation for all four components i.e. Development of Model Fishermen Villages, Group Accident Insurance, Saving-cum- Relief an Training-cum-Extension
