PREFACE

   In the new millenium the country faces new challenges. We have to continue to improve our economic growth rate, provide basic minimum life support services to a large section of population and deal with the problems of poverty and unemployment. At the same time we have to pay attention to conserving our natural resources and also improving the status of our environment. Environmental degradation, which was not much of a concern until quite recently, has started to accelerate, particularly in urban areas. We will need to tackle this in a holistic manner in order to ensure sustainability, both economically and environmentally. This, in short, is the task before the country, and in particular before the planners, policy makers and more associated with the implementation of remedial progress.

  Although the issue of environment sustainability has formally entered the international agenda only after the Earth Summit, which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it has been an integral part of Indian planning and policy making for atleast two decades prior to that. Environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources emerged as key of National Priorities in India in the wake of 1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment.  Between the Stockholm Conference and Rio Summit, India has been able to develop a suitable stable organizational structure for environment protection in the country.  Policies and programs have also evolved during the same period, geared to the task of protection of the environment.

 

To have a good understanding of our environment and to be able to understand the problem and mount appropriate preventive and timely corrective steps, it is imperative to build up a good data base on various aspects of the environment.  The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) being the nodal agency for development of the statistical system in India has paid increasing attention to this issue since the early eighties.  The CSO has the benefit of constant interaction with academicians, researchers, various government and private organizations as well as international agencies and in 1997 came out with the first publication containing data on various aspects of environment namely “Compendium of Environment Statistics”.  Subsequently, it has been decided to bring out this publication on an annual basis.  The present issue pertaining to the year 2000 is the fourth in the series.

 

In the current issue, all efforts have been made to update the old tables, wherever possible. As per the suggestions made in the Second National Workshop on Environment Statistics, 48 new tables have been added in various chapters so as to make this issue more comprehensive. Four tables have been added in the section pertaining to 'Forests', one in 'Fauna', two in 'Air and Transport, sixteen in 'Energy', seven in 'Industry', two in 'Agriculture', one in 'Natural Disasters', six in 'Ground water' and nine in 'waste Management'.  In all, this issue consists of 194 tables.

 

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had brought out an agenda paper on Development of Environment Statistics before the Workshop on Environment Statistics   held during 6-7 April, 2000 at Hyderabad. As suggested by the eminent participants, the time series data on various aspects have been included in the present issue of the Compendium.  The write-ups of various chapters have been revised substantially taking into account the latest development in the area.  The CSO is thankful to all the agencies which have provided the data for the present edition.  We look forward to their continued support in future as well.

 

The Compendium has been prepared under the able guidance of Shri. Vishnu Kumar, DDG. The responsibility of preparation of tables and write-ups was shouldered by the team headed by Shri Harish Chandra, Director and comprising of Smt. Mamta Saxena Deputy Director, Shri M.C. Sharma   Assistant Director , Shri M.P.Diwakar, Senior Investigator, Shri Lokesh Kumar and Shri Vijay Kumar both Senior Computors. It has always been the endeavour of the CSO to improve the quality of its publications.  Therefore, any suggestions/comments regarding the contents, get up as well as the presentation of data  would be welcome for improving the quality of its future editions.

 

 

K. V. Irniraya, Secretary

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation,

 New Delhi

            1.2.2001