BANGALORE: The World Environment Day has come as a wake-up call for many. The Energy and Resources Institute's (TERI) latest Environmental Survey 2014 of eight cities found that the environment was accorded the top priority by a majority of people, with almost 90 per cent believing that climate change is now a reality. Overall, people perceived air quality had worsened and the number of bird species in their cities had also declined.
The survey also highlighted the fact that over 70 per cent of respondents were aware of water being subsidized, and over half of them felt that the price of water should be charged as per usage. Besides, almost 90 per cent felt that improper waste management imposed 'severe' to moderate health hazards.
While 97 per cent of respondents were in favor of a ban on use of polythene bags, around 30 per cent felt that the government should prioritize environment over development. Moreover, most respondents felt that the relevant government policies were either not adequate or not properly implemented, and feel that top officials and civil society institutions can bring in a change.
To address the concerns of the common people, TERI has come up with a set of recommendations for the new government:
* Development of 'water and sanitation safety plans': TERI advises the formation of a committee with representations from ministries, boards, water and sanitation organizations to address issues related to water. For water tariff, a differential tariff structure is recommended.
* Air quality: Fuel quality should be improved and the government must implement BS-VI fuel quality and vehicular norms across all cities.
* Waste management: TERI recommends drafting of a formal waste management policy to address the diverse waste streams and a mechanism to create and promote a market for recycled products.
* Sustainable transport: TERI suggests that cities above the 0.5-million population mark be provided with adequate and quality bus transport. Million-plus cities should also have an action plan to encourage use of sustainable transport.
* Green infrastructure: TERI calls upon all States to adopt GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) as a framework to achieve resource efficiency in the built environment.
* Renewables: TERI proposes that Wind Mission should be launched as early as possible. Consistent long-term policy is needed for stable business environment, and, land for wind projects can be allotted on priority basis.TERI proposes integrated renewable energy policy to mainstream renewables, especially solar energy.
* Energy Security: A co-ordinated approach cutting across various energy sub-sectors (coal, oil, gas, renewable, electricity etc.) would be instrumental in pushing forward a coordinated and integrated energy policy for the country.
