National Thermal Scope Complex.

Abstract: Coal based thermal power stations carry inseparable adverse impacts on the environment. These impacts can be minimised through adop- tion of suitable mitigatory measures. In the following sections, areas of environmental disturbances in thermal. stations, the means of minimising the disturbances, important regulations of the Government of India on environmental protection and issues affecting sustain- able development have been discussed.

Humanity stands at an important crossroad in history. We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between t4he rich and the poor, a worsen- ing of poverty, hunger. ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterio- ration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well being. Integration of environment and development is the only way to improve living standards. for preserving the eco-systems and for a safer and more prosperous future for alJ of us.

No doubt thcrc is a growing concern for environment protection the world over and India is no exceptioil. The precious cnvironment inherited by us needs to bo protected and presorvcd for handing over tu future generations with minimal disturbance. Fhe Oovcrnment of lndia has cnactcd a numbor of iegisla- tions to be followed by various indus- i.ries which would lead to preservatioil and protection 01 the fragile cco- system.

India is the socond largcst populatcd country in the world If the vasL multitudo of populntiun in thc cvuritry is t ~ i bo uplifted and their ewnornir; status impruvcd. rapid industrial dcvcl- opment program1ut.s must. be implcmcntcd.

IY result. jn deploLioil uf natural re- sources and poasiblo adverse immc La 0 1 1 Lhc cco system. But many of thcsc ad

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Power Corporati on Ltd . Lodi

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verse impacts can bc offsct with proper environment management of the project and adoption of state of art technologies. One should, however. not ignore the cconomics while deciding on the technolo- gies to be adopted. The planners would have to examine all available options and make a trade off between costs to be incurred in adopting technologies for mitigation of adverse impacts and envi- ronment protection. In short the aim of the planners should be SUSTAINABLE DEVEL- OPMENT.

Power is the vital input for industri- al development. In India where large reserves of coal are available. coal based thermal power is the major contrib- utor to the power sector. Coal based thermal stations carry inseparable ad- verse impacts on the environment. It is, however. heartening that these impacts can bc minimised if not, eliminated through adoption of suitable mitigatory measures.

in the following sections, areas of environment disturbances in thermal statiour;. the means of minimising the dlsturbanccs. important regulations of the Gvvernment of India on environment protection, suggestions where changes could be effected in the reguiations and issues affecting sustainable development would be discussed in detail.

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The construction and operation of thermal plants leads to changes in air and water quality, land use, socio-eco- nomic conditions in the area etc. The changes in air and water quality occur owing to release of particulate and gaseous emissions, liquid effluents and wastes.

Air I’ollution:

Indian coals are high in ash and low in :;uJ phur oontcnt . tiowever, in view of L h lower calorific value as . com- pnrud to European coals large amounts

of coal are burnt at the lndian Sta- tions. The major pollutants due to burning of coal are particulate matters. 502, oxides of Nitrogen and COZ. In our country emission standards have been prescribed for particulate matter (150 mg/Nm3). For dispersal of gaseous emissions stack heights have been fixed (220 m for 200/210 MW units and above to less than 5 0 0 MW and 275 m for 500 MW units and more). However. limits for ground level concentrations ( glc) of pollutants in the ambient air have been prescribed by tlic regulatory agencios .

Particulate matter emissions can be nontro1li.d by providing high ef fiuiency iilectrostatic Precipitators. Tall stacks as prescribed by regulatory .agencies could be provided l;o ensure wi.der dispersal of pollutants with consequent lower gic in the ambient air. 1.n view of the low sulphur content in inclian coal, SUZ emissions from the power stations are fairly low and do nut presently warrant provision of any specific control measure. However, provisions could be madc in the Layout of future thermal power plants for retrofit Of Flue Gas Uesulpharisstion iFGD) systems shciuld the need arise In future. Ii m y , hl,wevt=r. be noted that FGD system is ari extremely expensivs propositiori iabuut Us. 500 crores ior ;I

1000 MW ctatitjri) arid should Le intro- itucad only if it ~ : r ; il:)svlutcly inavits- ble .

'l'hriiugii proper d git I.,€ burners. emission: ~ j i MJx =;CIU tic contri.,lLc;ci. 1x1 addition. releasc through tall s tacks n a A d ensure wider ci i.spcrsion arid lowcr ai,; i r i arnbiaata ctir . !hrrzntly riu maas-

I x i. rig l ' r u v ~ c l - , - i . l L I I .I I ~ O W B V ~ ) ' . b> t x I ~ . 111 turn the-

1.1 r re f i;.~ 1.1 ;;I1 ir ;; 1 #.-, 1 f:Q' ! .-:lui >; 5 i ,211 5 ;-xrc:

:I"-...: i i L t,rl.; bc.ilc

Fur tiler, c x t e i i s i - - 3 1 fr.,rest-tt i t u i i prt>g.r .~i i i t~i~~: ; : L P I . ~ ~ L L 1 . e imyiv- :nc:n t.jd i 1-1 . w i d a rcmnd thc: p.rwer stat.ions w h i c h .;ict .AS ,a 51riii Lo prAlutarlt 5. esvecial.1~ COZ. Althciugii. a loL of

global warmiiig duo t.u ru .3lld tj1,hC.L .I~CI.SI . ; J 5. 3 1 1 , ct.>ncrci,t; ~ - Q I L . : 1 usic.n;i ti.-iv:;

:,.; .;;; . l-=.r i il t;o arid .a Lot mare nivc:~tiy,-t ! . ic;i i .md ~i.nr.a would bv rt;quirzcl l i t 9

; - . / t L l j 521 Lii.2 1 . ~ l a l l a l . warming, iF xirirtc; I-' i -i. _, ic Ax; tcl Wruuii hoti.~c g;ase::

i at.bi~:- r' ' UL'rf>:; UY zir p>i.iuLii.ai i r i tt l.~IcrI~i~~3.1 Lion . i m thc U C ~ L kiandlinH rtn-1 . m & i pljrid arcas I Uugi tivt; :just LL'UI 1 :h~sc .Ireas if nul- pruporly cxi iLr~Jl ls .d viii.;..Li! i i t j t . i m l y bc ct nuiuaiicc ImI. ,.tlsi:,

.*-.urY-?uiidj nas . AdesuaLoiy des i griuci dus L :,uprrwsiori and Just extractian Sy:;ttms icl .i,.i .I t.Ttl:c .-'are ..?f I.hi:i prob1t:m. Simi-

*if,. ,t Ll~e ilt.slt,ti i l l ' F'UI,&>~U i l l tho

larly a constant water cover over the ash pond would prevent fugitive dust emis- sion.

Water Pollution:

The effluents released from thermal stations if not properly treated could adversely affect the quality of the receiving water body which in turn have an impact on people in the surroundings for whom the water body is a primary source of drinking water and other uses.

Effluents in a thermal power station are generated primarily from the main plant. ash pond, domestic sewage and condenser cooling.

MainPlantEffluent:

Neutralisation pits in the water treat- ment plant for pH correction, sedimenta- tion tanks in coal handling and other areas to reduce suspended solids, oil and grease removal systems in fuel oil and main plant areas could be provided which would ensure that the effluent conforms to regulatory standards.

BshJhlasiEffluent:

The ash ponds need to be well designed with sufficient retention time and outlet structures provided strategically. The overflow from ash pond would then conform to regulatory standards. Of late the regulatory agencies are insisting on recycling .of ash water overflow and are stipulating that there should be no discharge to the water bodies. The ash water cannot be indefinitely recycled as build up of dissloved solids would lead to corrosion of pipes and pumps. This would mean that after a few cycles, we would have to resort to blow down. This blow down water could have higher cr,ncen-- tration of metals which would have tG be treated before discharge to meet tne regulatory standards. As per analysis undertaken at 3 few stations, the level of metals in ash water overflow is well within the stipulated standards. By recycling the ash water in effect what is being done is that relatively clean water is being polluted through increase of dissolved solids and treated back to clean water before discharge (blow down). in Indian conditions, in case the ash dykes are properly designed, the quality of ash water should meet the regdatory standards and ash water recyling is not warranted.

The sewage generated from plants and townships could be treated in sewage treatment plants before disposal. The most appropriate system is an oxidation pond. However, this would require a

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large area of land. The alternak sys- tems uenerally used arc: ( a ) Activated sludge, (b) Extended aeration. (c) Aerated lagoons.

liafLki&e.rDischarue:

Either a once through condenser cooling system where water after passing through the condenser is discharmd back or a closed system with cooling towers can be adopted. In a once through system, the temperature of hot water discharge is generally 8-10 degree C above ambient water temperature. Under Indian conditions, this temperature .is unlikely to have adverse impacts.nn the aquatic system. Bowever, tho lndian regulation stipulates that the cooling water discharge temperature shall not be more than 3OC above the intake water temperature. Phis stipulation needs tu be revised and a temperature rise 01 8- 10°C should be allowed.

Land use:

Super Thermal Stations wuuld require large areas ok land. However, efforts need Lo bc made to minimise land re- yuirement and avoid acquisition of prime auricultural and forest land to thc extent feasible. LP this is achievcd there would be no significant uhaneu in

b the land usc pattcrn of t.hc area. Thu influx oP a large work furuc into thu area during the cons truc Livn phasc could lead to some chuiigc- in Lhu land usu pattern. 'Yhis would hvwuvcr bc tempo- rary and last till uunotructivii is completcd. Lxtcnsivc afforestatioii programmes could offset the loss of forest land to a yrcat oxtciiL.

result of awareness of hardships experi- enced by project affected families or because of pressure of external agencies funding mega projects like the Sardar Sarovar Dam is a point of debate amongst the enlightened in the country. The reality at this juncture, however, is that although a beginning has been made especially by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF), a large scale effort OII the part of all concerned is needed in going to the depth of the problem and suggest effective and workable solutions so that misery and hardships of the affected families due to loss of land is alleviated to the extent possible. It is often the small and marginal farmers with a deep emotional attachment to land who are the prime sufferers as in most cases this is their only means of sustenance. Being simple and innocent the compensa- tion paid in lieu of acquisition is squandered away on immediate needs leav- ing them with neither land nor money. It is all the more important that such families are effectively rehabilitated in a manner that a regular means of income is assured and their living standards are maintained if not improved.

Although the prime responsibility of rehabilitation rests with the State Government, the project proponents should play an active role in formulating and implementing workable plans.

It is to be realised that most of t h e affected population belongs to the rural agro economy and are land dependent for their livelihood. 'l'he best means of rehabilitation for such people would be to provide them wi.th alternate land if feasible preferably in the vicinitp.

Providing self eiaplayment facilities tu the af fccted persons i =I another viable means of rehabilitatioii.

Apart from self employment schemes, jobs in the unskilled category though limited in modern power plants could be earmarked to members from affect.sd families. Award oi petty contracts l i k e cleaning, horti-- c*.?lture etc. could ~.L.S., be considered.

Whatever trie mean; ~i rehnbilitstioii. all assistance new :*> be reridere? t2cj t h z affected familit:: :;I. t.mt they becoi~ie iadzpendent and k:Lvt: .. rf+gpil*r swrce GZ inwme . Regulatory Requirements for 1'01 lutioti Control :

'The regulatory agencic'* in lndia Lave of late started insisting on power prn.iect proponents providing certain yo1 Lutioii control measures irrespective or whether scientific and Environmental impact

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Assessment ( E I A i s t u d i e s war ran t such p r o v i s i o n s o r n o t . A d e t a i l e d E I A r e p o r t i s submi t t ed by t h e p r o j e c t proponent which i s cons ide red by t h e 'l'hermal Appra i sa l Committee o f t h e MOEF. Based on t h e recommendation of t h i s Committee MOEB can acco rd environmental c l e a r a n c e s t i p u l a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s f o r implementat ion o r reject t h e p r o p o s a l . I t has o f t e n been observed t h a t wh i l e acco rd ing environmental c l e a r a n c e regu- l a t o r y a g e n c i e s s t i p u l a t e p r o v i s i o n of v a r i o u s p o l l u t i o n c o n t r o l measures n o t warranted o r suppor t ed by s c i e n t i f i c d a t a . P rov id ing such measures have f a r r e a c h i n g f i n a n c i a l i m p l i c a t i o n s whicn w e can ill a f f o r d a t t h i s s t a g e of develop- ment i n t h e c o u n t r y .

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Lndian c o a l s be ing g e n e r a l L v low i r t s u i p h u r c o n t e n t , emission of ;5Oz due t,o burning of c o a l i n %herma I pr~wer pl wit.:; i s ncrt v e r y s i g n i i i c a n t , I N o erni s s i o n s t a n d a r d s have been p r e s c r j bc7d f o r SCJ2 emiss ions from power s t a t i o n s . However. t a l l s t a c k s have been p r e s c r i b e d f o r wider d i s p e r s i o n of p o l l u t s n t a . llncier Ind ian meteor ol og i cl: a 1 cond i ti oris , c om- p u t e r based mathematical models f o r p r e d i c t i o n have r ave . l l ed t h 4 t g e n e r a l l y t h e t o t a l g l c of 502 due t u ope ra t i t x i of power s t a t i o n s even uptm a capacir ,y of 3 O O l i MW a r e w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s pra- , s c r ibed by t h e r e g u l a t o r y a g e n c i e s . F lue G a s b e s u l p h u r i s a t i o n i F W j s y s tcru i n thermal s t a t i o n s i s . t h e r e f o r e . s c i e n t i f i c a l l y n o t war ran ted .

I t needs t o be r e a l i s e d t.hat I?GD systems a r e extremely expens ive arid c a r r y s e v e r a l i n s e p a r a b l c problems wtiicti would have $0 be r eco lved i f t h e system i s t o b e env i rvnmen ta l ly compa t ib l e . P rov id ing a FGD system f o r a 1C)OU MW p l a n t would i n c r e a s e t h e capi ta l cost; by abou t ICs. 500 c r o r e s and a l s o l e a d t o i n c r e a s e d a u x i l i a r y power consumptioil. I n add i t . i on , t h e r e c u r r i n g o p e r a t i o n and maintenance e x p e n d i t u r e would also De f a i r l y h i g h . 'Phe by-product from t.he L2GU system i s gypsum. I n Europe gypsum i s used widely and as such d i s p o s a l is n o t a problem. However, i n l n d i a where usc: of gypsum has n o t r e a l l y t aken a f 1 d i spvs i n g gypsum i n m env i ronmenta 1 l y f r i e n d l y manner i s nc-t e a s y . Regulatory a g e n c i e s i n l n d i a , t h e r e f o r e , need t o view t h i s r equ i r emen t based on s c i e n t i f . iz s t u d i e s and i n s i s t on provis iorr of l;GD on ly i f it i s a b s o l u t e l y essenLLa1. Zpacc: p r o v i s i o n f c . r r e t r o f i t t i x l g ut E'GDaL 11 l a L e r d a t e . shou ld c i r cums tances w s r r m L , w w l d be mere f a i r .

W r k g H a u n~ l{zcyciixdg oi such r e l a t i v e l y guod

q u a l i by c.r' water would racul i - i I t !:uil:i- i r i g up ijt l l i s s ~ ~ d ~ i v u d s o l i d s . ; > i i : e \ : . t.hc

water canno t be i n d e f i n i t e l y r e c y c l e d , w e would have t o r e s o r t t o blow down a t p e r i o d i c i n t e r v a l s a f t e r a d e f i n i t e number o f cycles. The blow down mayhave much h i g h e r c o n c e n t r a t i o n of m e t a l s due t o b u i l d up d u r i n g r e c y c l i n g . I n view of above, adequa te t r e a t m e n t may have t u be done b e f o r e d i s c h a r g i n g t h e blow down i n t o t h e r e c e i v i n g wa te r b o d i e s . By r e c y c l i n g of a s h water e f f l u e n t , w e would i n e f f e c t t a k i n g r e l a t i v e l y heavy me ta l f r e e w a t e r , p o l l u t i n g t h e same through b u i l d up of metals d u r i n g r e c y l i n g , p r o v i d i n g t r e a t m e n t t o t h i s po l lu t ed . wa te r and t h e n d i s c h a r g i n g t h e water i n t o t h e r e c e i v i n g water body. From t h e above, it i s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e r e i s nc. need f o r r e c y c l i n g of a s h water which only r e s u l t s i n i n c r e a s e d e x p e n d i t u r e and c o n t r i b u t e s i n no way towards .a c l e a n e r environment . i n f a c t a p r o p e r l y and adequa te ly des igned a s h dyke a l lowing s u f f i c i e n t r e t e n t i o n time would meet t h e q u a l i t y of wa te r p r e s c r i b e d by r e g u l a t o r y b o d i e s . As w e canno t a f f o r d t o spend iarye amounts of money i n implementing .such s t i p u l a t i o n s which are n o t s c i e n t i f - i c a l l j r warrant.&, t h e r e g u l a t o r y a g e n c i e s shou ld review and n o t i n s i s t on such p r o v i s i o n s .

(&& Water -throuah- - chate f r P m 85h b r d i i i

A large a r e a of l a n d , runn ing i n t o hundreds of a c r e s , is used f o r d i s p o s a l of enormous q u a n t i t i e s of a s h gene ra t ed from the rma l s t a t i o n s . Well designed a s h ponds w i t h s u i t a b l e o u t l e t s t r u c t u r e s e n s u r e t h a t t h e q u a l i t y of overf low is i n conformity t o r e g u l a t o r y s t a n d a r d s . However, t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of ground water con tamina t ion through t o x i c metals l each - i n g from t h e a s h pond canno t be t o t a l l y r u l e d o u t . 'The l e a c h i n g of t o x i c me ta l s from t h e a s h pond depends on a number 91 f a c t o r s l i k e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e s o i l , i n f i l t r a t i o n and p e r m e a b i l i t y , concen t ru - t i o n of t o x i c metals i n t h e l e a c n a t e s e t c . I n a d d i t i o n , a q u i f e r c h a r a c t e r i s - tics a r e a l s o impor t an t i n de t e rmin ing t h e e x t e n t c~ f con tamina t ion i f and when it o c c u r s . Ground water con tamina t ion th rough t o x i c metals cou ld be d i s a s t r c u s a s o f t e n t h i s i s t h e on ly s o u r c e i > f

cirinking w.3t.e.r f o r peop le i n t,he zu r - rcunding z r e a s . T h e r e f o r e , it is v t r y import a n t t h a t d e t a i 1 ed geo - hy 13. r o 1 G g i c I! i s t u d i e s are unde r t aken t o unde r s t and tnc r c s s i b i l i t y of ground water contamin:%- t i o n . I f t h e f i n d i n g s e s t a b l i s h ti..? p o s s i b i l i t y of con tamina t ion p r e v e n t i v e n e a s u r e s l i k e p r o v i d i n g s u i t a b l e l i n i n g i n t h e a s h pond shou ld be adop ted . AsL pond l i n i n g i s an extremely expens ive a f f a i r , f o r example, f o r a 1000 MW asti pcmd t h e cost of p r o v i d i n g l i n i n g i n t h e

p ~ ~ n d t.o prevon t l e n c h i n g wciuld be u t the o r d e r i ~ f ks. 8-16 c r o r e s , depending :->I: t h e m a t e r i a l used f o r l i n i n g . in view <it t h i s . it i s e s s e n t i a l tha.t a d e c i s i o n

, ~ g -.

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in this regard should be taken based or1 detailed scientific studies and not as a general practice. t%ovlslon nf Coolinn Towers: . .

in thermal power stations where a once through condenser cooling system is adopted the temperature of water dis- charged back into the receiving water body is normally 8 - 10 degree C above ambient. Available literature suggest. that this temperature rise is unlikely to have any impact on the aquatic system of the receiving water body. However, the regulatory agencies have stipulated a temperature rise o i b degree C; only. To achieve this, either helper cooling towers would have to be provided or the systems have to be converted to a closed system with cooling towers. Both the options would involve huge invest- ment of money. It need be realised that impact cf hot water on the aquatic system would depend on the type ni the receiving water body.

I f the water is discharged into irrigation canals where aquatic life is unlikely, the impact. wcjuld be negligi- ble. Similarly when discharged into sea or large reservoirs, the impact would -be minimal, in view of the large volume of the receiving water body. instead of stipulating a uniform temperature, the regulatory agencies should stipulate different temperature limits for differ- ent water bodies based on the findings uf scientific studies. Stipulating a 5 degree C rise where ever1 a t3 - 1 0 degree C rise is un1ikeJ.y t , c B have sbversa impact would only result. in wasteful exlienditure which we can ill nfiurd. It is heartening to note that a committee2 has been consitutad tu review this stipulation tor relaxation. Even the revised stipulation when it comes should be viewed by the regtilat,?ry agencipzs or1 ~i .case to case basis arm stipuition ragardi.ng hot water discharge Lta made 1 x 1 the envirvnmental cl.aarances based i:)xi

2 znientitic approach.

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The growing concern towards praserva- tiori f-rf environment in our country is uidant from the number legal Acts enacted by the Government of India. Apart from the Air Act (19Cl). Water Act. ! 19’14), Forest Act L 1‘38O), the majcbr Act .?rinct,od ‘recently i .5 till: Environment Prc~te.ct.ii.i1 A c t , 1986, and various ncsti-- ticat.ioris under this Act. in additiorl, t h e MOEV have also issued guideLirlas fur setting up of thermal power stations arid tIi<-:itt are considered by MfjEV while grxiting environment,al zlearanczs for pro j c c t prr~p~srls. A.Lth.::.ugh the inter,--- t . i ,>r l 131 the G~:.-.rerxlral=nt ill aridt--ting these

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laws and rules is commendable. it need be mentioned that no provision in the Act/rule should hinder the development process but should act as a catalyst towards sustainable development.

Guidelines of HOEP for Setting of Power Stations :

As per the guidelines location of ther- mal stations is to be avoided within 25 kms. from the outer periphery of (a) metropolitan cities, (b) national parks and wild life sanctuaries, (c) ecologi- cally sensitive areas like tropical forests biosphere reserves, important lakes and coastal areas rich in coral formations. Complying with the require- ment, (a) and (b) may not pose a problem but it would be extremely diffjtcult to comply with the stipulation with regards to tropical forests. Since all the forests in the plains of India are of tropical type it would become PractAcally impossible to locate a pithead power station if the guidelines in respect of tropical forest are t.o be followed. Moreover, all tropical forests are not ecologically sensitive and only evergreen forests like those in the Silent Valley can be termed as ecologically sensitive. A review is, therefore, necessary and guidelines modified to include only tropical rain forests in the guidelines and not all tropical forests as existing presently.

Gas Based Projects cannot be classified 8 s polluting projects since sweetened gas is used as the main fuel. The only pollutant emitted is NOx which is also controlled at source through appropriate technology. Moreover, as the stack height is significantly lower as compared to coal based stations the spread of NOx would be restricted to a limited area. As such. the guideline with respect to the distance of 25 kms. as presently specified should not be applied to gas projects.

The guidelines stipulate that acquisi- tion of prime agricultural/forest land should be avoided. While locating a pithead power station, it would be very difficult to avoid totally acquisition of prime agricultural/forest land, since they invariably exist where coal and water is available. The guideline should therefore emphasise on whether project proponents have made efforts in avoiding such land while finalising the power station location.

Notification on Declaration of Coastal Regulation Zone:

With a view to protect the rich coastal areas of the country, M O W have issued a notification under the EP Act 1380 pro- hibiting certain activities within the

C o a s t a l Hegula t ion Zone (CHCZ) . 'The c o a s t a l s t r e t c h e s of se2 b a y s , e s t u - a r ies , c r e e k s , r i v e r s , and backwaters which are i n f l u e n c e d by t i d a l a c t i o n ( i n t h e landward s i d e ) u p t o 500 m from t h e High T i d e Line ( H T L ) and t h e l a n d be- tween t h e Low Tide Line ( L T L ) and t h e Hl'L h a s been d e c l a r e d as t h e C K Z . While t h e i n t e n t i o n of MOEF i n i s s u i n g t h i s n o t i f i c a t i o n i s l a u d a b l e , some p r o v i - s i o n s of t h e n o t i f i c a t i o n need t o be reviewed i f developmental a c t i v i t y i s t o c o n t i n u e i n t h e s e areas.

A s p e r t h e n o t i f i c a t i o n dumping of a s h from thermal power s t a t i o n s and bunds o r d i s t u r b i n g t h e n a t u r a l c o u r s e of sea water w i t h s i m i l a r o b s t r u c t i o n s i s p r o h i b i t e d i n t h e CKZ. 'The d i s p o s a l of a s h n e a r t h e c o a s t i n c l u d i n g t h e area i d e n t f i e d as CHZ h a s two f o l d advantage : ( i ) s a v i n g v a l u a b l e l a n d which o t h e r w i s e would have t o be a c q u i r e d f o r c o n s t r u c - t i o n of a s h dykes , ( i i j r e c l a m a t i o n of se? t h r o u g h a s h f i l l i n g r e s u l t i n g i n a d d i t i o n a l l a n d f o r o t h e r c o n s t . r u c t i v e u s e . Ash d i s p o s a l i n c o a s t a l a reas / ' sea is being p e r m i t t e d worid i n c l u d i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y consc ious c o u n t r i e s l i k c J a p a n , Denmark e t c . 'I'ests under taken i n such c o u n t r i e s r e v e a l t h a t envi ronmenta l impact :;x d i s p o s a l of ash i n t i j s e a i s i n s i g n i f i c a n t . S i n c e t h i s p r a c t i c e i s environment.al lp c o m p a t i b l e and i s i n 'Jogue wrJrld o v e r , t h i s p r a c t i c e should be a l lowed i.n o u r c o u n t r y a l s o .

Land reclamation, mining of s a n d s , rocks aiid o t h e r s u b s t z a t e rnaterials have been p r o h i b i t e d i n t h e Ct iZ th rough t h i s n o t i f i c a t i o n . S i t e l e v e l l i n g and rais- i n g of e x i s t i n g ground l e v e l i s o f t e n r e q u i r e d w h i l e c o n s t r u c t i n g a power plant . f o r which e i t h e r t o p s o i l from t h e s u r r o u n d i n g are.% o r dredged material frr-im sea can be used. 'fcj a v o i d d e s t r u c - t i r , n of val .uable t o p s o i l , the f i l l material can be made a v a i l a b l e throi.igii d redging of s e a . i t is worth mentioning t h a t d r e d g i n g of se.3 is a xmnfin p r a i - - t.ice icsr maintenance of p o r t s , haruour ~

approach c h a n n e l s , eta.:. A s mch dreng- i n g i>T sea f o r f i l l material stivulil bt. p e r m i t t a d .

Environment (Protect.ion) h i e s , 1986 on Environmental Clearance (29.1.92):

A s p e r t h i s n o t i f i c a t i o n expans ion o r modern isa t ion of any e x i s t i n g i n d u s t r y o r new p r o j e c t s shall n o t be ixndertakeri i n any par t of i n d i a u n i e s s it tias bee11 accorded envi ronmenta l c l e a r a n c e by t h c C e n t r a l Government o r as t h e case may b e , t h e Stat .e Government. ci;ncerried. 'Thu u n d e r l y i n g i n t e n t i o n of t h i s n o t i f i c a - t i o n i s t o a l low development w i t h i n t h e c a r r y i n g c a p a c i t y of t.ha e ~ ~ . - s y . s t ~ ~ ~ , 11, would, t h e r e f o r e , be a p p r o p r i a t e t . h t the S t a t e (k)vt.s are g i v c n t h e r e s p o n s i - k i l i t j . based on broad g u i d e l i r ~ e s t r c m

t h e C e n t r a l Government. The S t a t e Gov- ernment are b e t t e r p laced s i n c e t h e y would have a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e eco-system i n d i f f e r e n t r e g i o n s of t h e s t a t e .

There is a need , t h e r e f o r e f o r a s i n g l e nodal agency of t h e S t a t e Government who would be r e s p o n s i b l e t o accord a l l c lear- ances f o r a p r o j e c t p r o p o s a l . T h i s would a l s o i n c i d e n t a l l y e l i m i n a t e d e l a y s i n p r o j e c t c l e a r a n c e s and consequent escala- t i o n i n c o s t s . 'I'he MOEF can i s s u e d i r e c - - t i v e s and broad g u i d e l i n e s t o be fo l lowed and t h e concerned i n t h e S t a t e Government can examine t h e p r o p o s a l w i t h i n t h i s framework .

Y LxuCLUSION

i t is n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e degradat , ion of environment t a k i n g p l a c e world o v e r be h a l t e d n o t o n l y f o r o u r b e n e f i t bu t f o r t h e f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s as w e l l . A t . t h e same time, w e c a n n o t c a l l h a l t t o indus- t r i a l development more so i n a count ry l i k e o u r s where a v a s t m u l t i t u d e of t h e populace have t o be provided a d e c e n t l i f e s t y l e . Hegula t ions and Acts p e r t a i n - i n g t o envi ronmenta l p r o t e c t i o n a r e b u t one of t h e means f o r p r e v e n t i n g envi ron- mental d e g r a d a t i o n . A s is t.he case w i t h a n y legal act . . an i n t e l l i g e n t lawyer c a n aiways g c t around t h e p r o v i s i o n s of law f o r t h e benef i t . of h i s c l i e n t . So an:? i n d u s t r y i f it wants can go ahead and c a u s e damage t o environment, t.hrough i t s i n d u s t r i a l p r o c e s s . I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , more i m p o r t a n t t h a t each one of u s i n t h e count ry rea l i se t h e importance of p r e s e r - v a t i o n of t h e ecc,-system arid a c t accord- i n g l y . A s i - n c e r e e d u c a t i o n programme h i g h l i g h t i n g t h c devas ta t , ing e f f e c t of d e s t r u c t i o n uf the eco-system due t.iJ 1 nd i s c r i m i n a t e ac t s on o?ir p a r t is the: nccil of t h e hour . Every th ing cannot. be achieved by t h e Government, which h a s certain 1i rn i t . a t ion . it i s f o r u s , i n d i - v i d u a l s .arid g r o u p s , *.I; g e t t o g e t h e r and p r e s e r v e cur cco-system. Development must go on f o r t h e b e n e f i t of t h e p e o p l e m~f t h c c o u n t r y . A t t h e same t i m e , t h e environment has t o be p r o t e c t e d . Our g m l , t h e r e f o r e , should be 'SUSTAINABLE D !3V E L Ok'M E N T ' .

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