ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT

Policy Note on Environment 2001 - 2002

ORGANISATIONAL SET UP OF TNPCB

Tamil nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), established in 1982, enforces the following pollution control laws/rules relating to environmental protection in the State. 

1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended in 1978 and 1988.

2. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 as amended in 1991.

3. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended in 1987.

4. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

5. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

6. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended in 2000.

7. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 as amended in 2000.

8. Bio-Medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 as amended in 2000.

9. Recycled Plastic Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999.

10. Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.

11. Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board functions with its head office at Chennai.  There are 25 district offices at Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Ambattur,  Tambaram, Vaniyambadi, Hosur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Karur, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Thirunelveli, Virudhunagar  Thoothukudi,  Uthagamandalam, Nagercoil, Pudukkottai, Villupuram and Nagapatinam.  Two new district offices have been sanctioned at Theni and Thiruvannamali.

            TNPCB has established 3 Advanced Environmental Laboratories at Chennai, Salem and Madurai, 10 District Environmental Laboratories at Ambattur, Vellore, Cuddalore, Tiruchirapalli, Dindigul, Thirunelveli, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Hosur and Erode and 3 Mobile Environmental Laboratories at Manali, Thoothukudi and Karur.

1.1. INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS

            TNPCB interacts with other concerned departments / institutions to take a coordinated action for the protection of environment. TNPCB extends assistance to local bodies in urban solid waste management, by providing training and technical assistance.

2.0. MONITORING OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

            With the increasing pace of industrialisation in Tamilnadu, the need for continuous monitoring of pollution due to industrial sources has become significant. All industries have to take necessary pollution control measures to meet the standards prescribed by the Board. The field officers of the Board periodically inspect every industry under their jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of measures to treat the effluent and gaseous emissions. For effective monitoring, the Board has classified the industries into red, orange and green, based on their pollution characteristics.

2.1. PROCEDURE FOR ISSUE OF CONSENT

            The Board has laid down effluent standards and ambient air quality and emission standards. TNPCB issues consent to industries in two stages under the Water Act and Air Act

 for establishment and operation of industries. Consent to establish is issued depending upon the suitability of the site, before the industry takes up the construction activity. Consent to operate is issued after installation of effluent treatment plant and air pollution control measures, before commissioning production. While giving consent, TNPCB specifies the standards to be complied with by the industries.

            The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India notified the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the notification, 30 types of industries scheduled therein have to obtain the environmental clearance from Government of India. As per the amendment dated 10.4.1997 issued in the EIA Notification, 1994, Government of Tamilnadu issued orders for constituting public hearing panels to consider the views of the public on these projects. Public hearings are being conducted from the month of May, 1998 onwards in the respective District Collectorates for the applications received for setting up certain specified industries/projects. As of 31.03.2001, 148 public hearings have been conducted. On receipt of the recommendations of the public hearing panels constituted, TNPCB considers the issue of no objection certificate (NOC) to those industries/projects. With the NOC of the Board and the EIA report, the proponents have to approach the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for issue of environmental clearance. After production of environmental clearance obtained from Government of India, consent to establish is issued by the Board.

            TNPCB has granted 2,695 consent orders for establishment of industries under the Water Act and 2,625 consent orders for establishment of industries under the Air Act.  It has granted 18,796 consent orders to industries to operate under the Water Act and 16,060 consent orders to operate under the Air Act from the year 1982 upto 31.03.2001.

2.2. COMPLAINTS AND LEGAL ACTION

            As on 31.03.2001, TNPCB has issued 16,316 show cause notices and 3,210 closure orders to industrial units not complying with the conditions stipulated by the Board. TNPCB  has filed 321 cases under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended and 134 cases under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as amended against the erring industries for the contravention of pollution control laws. Out of 242 cases disposed under the Water Act, 74 cases were decided in favour of the Board and out of 120 cases disposed under the Air Act, 79 cases were decided in favour of the Board.

2.3. 17 CATEGORIES OF HIGHLY POLLUTING INDUSTRIES

            TNPCB has a special monitoring cell at its head office, Chennai,  to monitor the 17 categories of highly polluting industries, specified by Government of India. 202 units have been identified under the 17 categories of highly polluting industries and these are being closely monitored.

2.4. COMMON EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANTS

            TNPCB plays an important role in establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for clusters of small polluting industries in various parts of the state. Tamilnadu is a pioneering state in India in establishing CETPs. So far, proposals for 48 CETPs have been formulated. Of these, 32 CETPs are under operation and the remaining CETPs are under various stages of implementation. The details of CETPs are as follows;

            12 CETPs at Pammal, SIDCO-Ranipet, Vaniyambadi, Udayenthiram, Ranipet, Ambur (Thuthipet), Ambur (Maligaithoppu), Pernambut (Bakkalapalli), Melvisharam, Dindigul, Madhavaram and Tiruchirapalli (Ramji Nagar) covering 576 tanneries have been commissioned. For textile bleaching and dyeing units, 18 CETPs at Veerapandi, Chinnakkarai, Kasipalayam, Kunnangalpalayam, Andipalayam, Mannarai, Angeripalayam and Manickampurampudur in Tiruppur area, Karuppampalayam, Amaravathi Nagar, Thirumanilaiyur, Sukkaliyur, Ramakrishnapuram, Lighthouse area, Sellandipalayam and Andankoil in Karur area, Ayyampet-Muthialpet and Salem covering 815 units have been commissioned. A common treatment facility at Salem for the disposal of biomedical wastes from 64 hospitals and one CETP for 90 hotels and lodging houses at Kodaikkanal have also been commissioned.

            Towards implementation of the CETPs, state subsidy is granted by Government of Tamilnadu, upto 25% of the project cost and central subsidy is granted by Government of India, upto 25% of the project cost. TNPCB, after receiving the subsidy amount from Government, releases the amount to individual CETPs based on the progress of the work.

The Board has so far received Rs.19.63 crores from Government of Tamilnadu towards subsidy for 39 CETPs and released Rs.15.89 crores to 30 CETPs as on 31.03.2001. Government of Tamilnadu have also released Rs.6.77 crores as state subsidy for 9 CETPs through TALCO as 25% of the project cost.

            Government of India has so far sanctioned Rs. 20.99 crores as central subsidy to 41 CETPs in Tamilnadu and released the same through TNPCB, TALCO and IDBI. TNPCB has so far received a central subsidy of Rs. 12.99 crores and released Rs. 11.39 crores to CETPs. Government of India has released Rs 4.29 crores through TALCO and Rs. 3.47 crores through IDBI to the CETPs.  Out of the Rs.20.99 crores sanctioned by Government of India.                  Rs.19.15 crores has thus been released.

2.5. CLEANER TECHNOLOGIES

In the long run, the needs of both development and environment can be best served by moving towards cleaner technologies. With active support and encouragement from TNPCB, industrial units manufacturing caustic soda, cement, sulphuric acid and other inorganic chemicals, as also thermal power plants and heat treatment plants, have started switching over to cleaner technologies.  There has been progress in the recovery of materials from wastes.  Examples include chrome from tannery effluent, acid from illmenite and ammonia from fertilizers.  Out of 16 distilleries 12 distilleries have gone for biocomposting of their effluents with press mud of sugar factories for achieving zero discharge of trade effluents.  The other four (4) distilleries are also in the process of similar measures.  This is a major achievement in tackling environmental pollution of distilleries including odor nuisance.  Of the 19 cement industries 12 major industries have installed pollution control system including electrostatic precipitators and bag filters to arrest dust emission.  The other industrial units have also been asked to implement similar measures.    TNPCB encourages R & D work on cleaner technologies by providing financial resources and technical support.   The leather tanning industries and textile processing industries have installed pollution control measures to treat the trade effluent for achieving the standards prescribed by the Board.  Generally all standards are being met except Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).  To tackle this problem thes industries is being encouraged to go in for tertiary treatment including Reverse Osmosis (RO), etc.,  This is an expensive method of treatment. 

            TNPCB is involved in developing cleaner technologies so as to minimise the generation and impact of pollutants. As a demonstration project, a model dust suppression and containment system for a stone crusher unit in Kancheepuram district is being installed and a model effluent treatment plant for a sago industry in Salem district has been installed. TNPCB has taken up a proposal with National Productivity Council to evolve an economical and reliable method for air pollution control measures in cashew industries in Kanyakumari district at a cost of Rs.1.455 lakh.  Industries using mercury and chlorine as a feedstock have been asked to explore cleaner alternate technologies.

2.6. HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATING INDUSTRIES

            TNPCB is closely monitoring the collection, transportation, storage, receipt, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes. 1,170 units have been identified under the Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 and authorisations have been issued to 1,160 units as on 31.03.2001. TNPCB has identified 7 sites for establishment of treatment and disposal facilities for hazardous wastes. Environmental impact and risk assessment studies have been conducted for 2 sites at Mannellure, Thiruvallur district and at Siruseri, Kancheepuram district by NEERI. The site identified at Siruseri has been acquired by SIPCOT for establishment of information technology park and bio-technology park for women entrepreneurs. An alternative site has been identified at Melakottaiyur village, Chengalpattu taluk, Kancheepuram district.

            TNPCB has identified 25 isolated storages used for hazardous chemicals in the state as per the Government of India notification issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. With close monitoring by the Board, 73 industries have taken risk policies under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

3.0. AIR QUALITY MONITORING

            With the increased industrial and commercial activities in the vicinity of major cities, the ambient air quality is affected by emissions from the industries and from the ever increasing vehicular population. As per the provisions of Air Act, 1981 the entire state of Tamilnadu has been declared as air pollution control area.

3.1. AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING

            TNPCB is monitoring the ambient air quality in Chennai (3 stations), Coimbatore (3 stations), Thoothukudi (3 stations), Madurai (3 stations) and Salem (1 station) under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme. TNPCB has established 5 ambient air quality monitoring stations in Chennai city from its own funds and monitors the air quality in residential, commercial and sensitive zones of the city. The results of the programme are published every week in a leading newspaper. TNPCB has also commissioned the ambient air quality monitoring programme at 4 locations in Tiruchirappalli.

            The major industrial complexes, especially the clusters of chemical industries, are to be monitored continuously. With this in view, TNPCB has established 6 continuous ambient air quality monitoring systems at Cuddalore, Thoothukudi, Ranipet, Manali-Chennai,  Royapuram-Chennai and Kathivakkam-Thiruvallur at a cost of around Rs.40 lakh each to assess the level of pollutants such as suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, ammonia, chloride, flourine, etc in the ambient air and the adequacy of air pollution control measures provided by the industries.  The Board instructs the concerned industrial units to improve the air pollution control measures, whenever the levels exceed the standards prescribed.

            Highly polluting industries have been asked to establish continuous air quality monitoring systems so as to have continuous check on the ambient air quality around the industry.  Industries have already installed these air quality monitoring systems. 

3.2. VEHICLE EMISSION MONITORING

            Urbanisation and industrialisation have resulted in increased vehicular traffic in cities, resulting in increase in automobile emissions and toxic smoke emissions. TNPCB is carrying out the vehicle emission monitoring since 1.5.92 for testing the emissions from goods transport vehicles in Chennai City in 3 locations at Guindy, Ambattur and Vyasarpadi. In addition, 102 private agencies have been authorised by the Transport Department in Chennai city to check the emission level of the vehicles. Further, TNPCB has established vehicle emission monitoring stations at  Dindigul, Palani, Udhagamandalam, Katteri, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram.

            During the year 2000-2001, out of 45,292 vehicles tested, 1,767 vehicles did not satisfy the standards. TNPCB has initiated action to check the emission status of the buses run by Metropolitan Transport Corporation of Chennai Ltd. (MTC) and smoke meters have been provided by the Board.

4.0. WATER QUALITY MONITORING

            Pollution of major rivers in the State is caused by the discharge of untreated sewage from the urban local bodies and panchayats and untreated or partially treated effluent from industries. TNPCB is collecting the samples periodically to monitor the rivers and to instruct the polluters to take corrective measures. In case of industrial pollution, it is the responsibility of the industrial units to provide the required and adequate effluent treatment plants either individually or collectively so as to achieve the standards. Pollution abatement schemes are implemented in the river stretches of Cauvery at Tiruchirapalli, Bhavani, Erode, Pallipalayam and Komarapalayam under the National River Conservation Programme (NRCP). Other rivers and water sources are also proposed to be taken up under NRCP.

4.1. WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMMES

            Under the Global Environmental Monitoring Scheme (GEMS), TNPCB is closely monitoring the quality of water in the Cauvery basin at Mettur, Pallipalayam, Musiri and ground water quality at Musiri. Similarly water quality of rivers Cauvery (16 stations), Tamiraparani (7 stations), Palar (1 station) and Vaigai (1 station) and the three important lakes in Udhagamandalam, Kodaikkanal and Yercaud are being monitored under Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources Scheme (MINARS) by the Board.

4.2. MONITORING OF CHENNAI CITY WATER WAYS

            TNPCB is monitoring the Chennai city water ways to prevent pollution due to discharge of trade effluent from industries and sewage from local bodies into the city water ways. TNPCB had conducted a detailed survey and identified 766 outfalls in city waterways as on March '94.  These have been reduced/plugged to 708 outfalls and the industrial outfalls have come down from 65 to 29. The Board collects and analyses samples of river water at regular intervals. The samples are being collected periodically since September 1991. Pollution abatement schemes and improvement of sewage treatment plants are in progress under NRCP.

4.3. COASTAL MONITORING

            Tamilnadu, with a 1000 km. long coastal line has a fragile coastal environment.  In order to protect it from overexploitation, taking into consideration the features of ecologically sensitive areas, developed areas and relatively undisturbed areas, the coastal stretch has been classified as coastal regulation zones I, II and III.   TNPCB has identified on shore discharges and 7 hot spot areas along the Tamilnadu coast. The hot spot areas are monitored so as to assess the pollution load discharged into the sea and to take suitable corrective actions.

4.4. RAINWATER HARVESTING

             Water is a vital and increasingly scarce resource.  Rainwater harvesting is an important strategy for conservation of water.  In urban areas, residential as well as commercial buildings are being asked to put up rainwater harvesting arrangements. In case of new construction, such rainwater harvesting arrangements are being made a part of the conditions for approval of construction.  In rural areas, and in many small towns, ponds, tanks, eris, temple tanks, small lakes and a variety of other surface water bodies have been in existence for centuries.  Unfortunately in recent decades, some have fallen into disuse and many have been encroached upon.  Ineffective functioning of local bodies and their indifference to the upkeep of these water bodies have also contributed to their decay.   The proper upkeep of these water bodies is to be taken up by the concerned departments such as PWD, HR&CE, TWAD Board, Metro Water so as to ensure proper ground water recharge.  Small check dams are also to be put up.  Wetlands are also to be protected from encroachment and alienation.

5.0. PLASTIC WASTES MANAGEMENT

With the rapid spread of consumerism, the tradition of preserving and reusing objects of utility several times over and the philosophy of conservation of resources are being eroded rapidly. A wasteful ‘use and throw’ culture has emerged in our midst. An important and dangerous aspect of this phenomenon is the increasing use of throwaway plastics. Recognising the enormous environmental hazards arising from the use of plastics, which are basically non-biodegradable, many advanced countries have banned the production and use of a variety of plastics and severely restricted the use of others. 

            TNPCB has initiated necessary steps to implement the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999.  Further more than 50 Municipalities including some Corporations have passed resolutions banning the production and use of throwaway plastics such as carry bags, plates, cups and thin plastic spread sheets.

6.0. BIO MEDICAL WASTES MANAGEMENT

            TNPCB enforces the Bio Medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 as amended in 2000. As part of this process, the Board has so far inventorised 242 Government hospitals and  1,405 private hospitals.  The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the identified government and private hospitals have been requested to take time-bound action for identifying sites and setting up common facilities for management of  biomedical wastes.  A few sites have been identified.  The TNPCB has conducted training in management of biomedical wastes for its own staff, members of IMA and other medical and para medical personnel. 

TNPCB has given strict instruction that incineration of biomedical wastes should not be resorted to, except for body parts and human tissues.  The Board encourages autoclaving and sanitary landfills for disposal of biomedical wastes.  The Board has decided to develop one hospital in every district as a model demonstration hospital for demonstrating compliance with Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 as amended in 2000, for segregation, collection, storage, treatment and disposal of biomedical wastes.

7.0. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES MANAGEMENT

With increasing urbanization and rising levels of municipal solid wastes, an urgent task is to evolve scientific approaches to segregate, handle and dispose the solid wastes in urban areas.  In this regard, the project of conducting feasibility studies on solid waste management for the local bodies of Udhagamandalam, Kodaikkanal, Palani, Thiruchendur, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Mamalapuram and Kuttralam in Tamilnadu, which are all centres of tourism, has been started at a cost of Rs. 23.60 lakh from Board's fund. The consultants have furnished the reports and the detailed study is in progress. These reports would help the local bodies to implement solid waste management projects.

TNPCB has also taken a number of other initiatives in the area of municipal solid wastes management (MSWM).  The TNPCB has been creating awareness among the public and local bodies on the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.  Steps have been taken to train TNPCB as well as staff of municipalities on methods of municipal solid wastes management.  The Board has also been sensitizing concerned officials and the general public on the need to segregate wastes at source, promote composting of wet wastes and recycling of recyclable dry wastes, and minimize the amount of nonbiodegradable and domestic toxic wastes.

8.0. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF TNPCB

8.1. APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

            TNPCB has established an applied research and development wing in the Advanced Environmental Laboratory at Chennai for developing cleaner technologies that would reduce the generation of pollution. The wing, in consultation with University of Chennai, has prepared a research project entitled "Biotreatment of Tannery Effluent by Microbes" to study the degradation of tannin and other organic and inorganic compounds of tannery effluents. Certain selected tanneries have also been identified for implementing the project. TNPCB has established a research fund from cess fund of the Board to assist various institutions for conducting research studies in the field of environmental protection, pollution control and development of cleaner technologies. A committee has been formed to scrutinise and select suitable projects for assistance. So for 9 such projects have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs. 45.38 lakh.

8.2. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

            TNPCB has established an Environmental Training Institute (ETI) with Danish assistance at its head office to impart training to industries, local bodies, NGOs and the staff of TNPCB to enable them to monitor and advise industries on pollution abatement and prevention techniques.   The Environmental Training Institute has conducted 167 training programmes and trained 4,707 participants from December, 1995 upto 31.03.2001.

8.3. OZONE MONITORING

            The ozone-monitoring cell in the corporate office of the Board has carried out a study identifying the users of ozone depleting substances so as to estimate its present demand and to make future projections. 55 industries consuming 1276.28 tonnes of ozone depleting substances in total have been identified in the state. Alternatives have been suggested.  The findings of the study serve as a base to find environment-friendly alternatives.

8.4. CELL FOR NONGOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS

            The cell for NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), established in the head office of the Board in consultation with other State Pollution Control Boards and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), networks with NGOs and functions as a forum for creating awareness.

8.5. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

            An environmental pavilion set up at Periyar Science and Technology Centre, Chennai, conducts painting, essay writing and oratorical contests on environmental issues.  Video films and short film shows are also screened.  TNPCB has established a pollution awareness and assistance cell in the head office. Environmental awareness programmes and workshops on vehicular pollution, noise pollution control, hazardous waste management, solid waste management, biomedical waste management, protection of ozone layer, etc, are being conducted.

            Realizing the environmental problems caused by indiscriminate use and disposal of plastics, awareness has been created regarding the need to eliminate the use of throwaway  plastic carry bags and containers through various campaigns conducted by TNPCB.

            An environmental programme named, “Pasumai Niraintha Ulagathille” was launched during February, 2001, in collaboration with AIR and NGOs such as Tamilnadu Science Forum.  Under this project, a programme on environment is broadcast by AIR between 3.30 PM and 4.00 PM on every Sunday. The programme is aimed at specific target groups, with around 200 eco-clubs already formed in 14 districts and 6 Municipal Corporations in the state. Environmental issues such as avoidance of plastic wastes, municipal solid waste management, vehicular pollution, rain water harvesting, etc. are highlighted regularly in the programme. The programme has now been extended to cover all 30 districts in the State with around 325 eco-clubs.

9.0. SCHEMES

9.1. ANNUAL PLAN SCHEMES

            TNPCB during 1998-99 has implemented the annual plan scheme of establishing a District Environmental Laboratory at Tiruppur at a cost of Rs.37.51 lakh with its own funds. During 1999-2000, the Board had implemented the annual plan scheme of establishing a District Environmental Laboratory at Erode at a cost of Rs.38.90 lakh with its own funds. During 2000-2001, the Board has carried out the biomonitoring activities in river Cauvery with the Advanced Environmental Laboratory at Salem.

9.1. GREEN BELT SCHEME;

            To mitigate air and noise pollution in urban areas, a major programme for development of green belt in municipal corporation areas has been launched with a total estmate of Rs.central assistance of Rs.

 4 crores.  Under this programme  2.39 lakhs saplings have been planted as on 31.03.2001.   To extend this green cover programme 339 industries in Tamilnadu have paid Rs.70.47 lakhs for planting trees in the local bodies.  Further to assist this programme central assistance of Rs. 76.5 lakhs and Board’s assistance of Rs. 25.5 lakhs was given.  Under this programme so far 88,973 tree saplings have been planted in the local bodies.  Further planting is to be taken up during the ensuing monsoon season.

9.2. PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATLAS

            TNPCB with the assistance of CPCB is implementing a programme for preparing of an environmental atlas. Initially, the zoning atlas was takenup  for Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.   During 2000-2001, the work on preparation of environmental atlas for Coimbatore, Vellore and Thoothukudi districts has been taken up.

9.3. EXTERNALLY AIDED PROJECTS

(1) TNPCB has signed an agreement on 24.11.2000 with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to conduct a feasibility study on Industrial Waste Water Recycling and Reuse for the tanneries in the Vellore Region. The entire project cost is US $ 1,80,100.

(2) TNPCB with participation from Regione Toscana, Italy and Castilla La Mancha Region, Spain inaugurated the Asia-Urbs Ecolocal Project on 28.11.2000.  This project would provide for mutual exchange of policies, experience and technologies in order to solve the problems relating to environmental protection and for abatement of industrial pollution in the areas of Vellore District and Chennai. The total project cost is EUR 4,95,040 (approximately  Rs. 214 lakhs).

(3)            With assistance of Canadian Industrial Developmental Agency cleaner technologies are to be implemented for textile processing units.  The emphasis will be on reducing Total Dissolved Solids through Reverse Osmosis (RO) process.

10.0. GREEN AWARDS

            To encourage collectors to play a proactive role in promoting sustainable development in  their districts the government has instituted green awards for protection of the environment.    This award will be given based on the assessment of personal contributions of collectors to the promotion of environmental protection and sustainable development.

*********

S.S.THIRUNAVUKKARASU

MINISTER FOR INFORMATION,

PUBLICITY, FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT