Planet Earth - Water Data

Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one Oxygen and two Hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice and gaseous state ( water vapour or steam). Water also exists in a liquid crystal state near hydraulic surfaces.

Water covers 70.9% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. On Earth, 96.5% of the planet's water is found in Oceans, 1.7% in Groundwater, 1.7% in Glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland, a small fraction in other large water bodies, and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air), and precipitation. Only 2.5% of the Earth's water is Freshwater, and 98.8% of that water is in ice and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products.

Water on Earth moves continually through the hydrological cycle of evoporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration), condensation, precipitation and runoff, usually reaching the sea. Evaporation and transpiration contribute to the precipitation over Land.

Safe Drinking Water is essential to humans and other lifeforms. Access to safe drinking water is reported to have improved over the last decades in almost every part of the world, but approximately one billion people still lack access to safe water and over 2.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation.There is a clear correlation between access to safe water and GDP per capita. However, some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the World Population will be facing water-based vulnerability.The report of November 2009 suggests that by 2030, in some developing regions of the world, water demand will exceed supply by 50%.Water plays an important role in the World Economy, as it functions as a Solvent for a wide variety of chemical substances and facilitates, industrial cooling and transportation. Approximately 70% of the Fresh Water used by Humans goes to Agriculture.

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Petroleum Products Pricing Policy – Adverse Impacts on Urban Air Pollution & Health

Expert Committee Report

The Expert Committee on “Auto Fuel Vision & Policy 2025” has submitted its Report to Govt. of India in May 2014.The report emphasized on improvement of of Vehicle Technology and Automotive Fuel Quality to BS IV/BS V emission norms. These imply huge capital investments in Refineries on the one hand and in the Auto-Mobile Sector, which is going to be a long drawn affair.

The Expert Committee recommendation for rapid transition to BS IV / BS V Automotive Fuels with 50 ppm/10 ppm Sulfur, without addressing carcinogenic tiny particles( rspm) -PM 2.5 -and Nitrogen Oxides emitted by Diesel Vehicles may not be of much use

Misuse of Subsidized Diesel

The Diesel prices are subsidized for reasons of public policy-its use for Transportation of Essential Goods & for Public Transport and for Agricultural purposes. Allowing its use in the Private Transport Sector is clearly a deliberate policy distortion. More than 40% of total Diesel consumption is reported to be misused by Industry, Cell Towers, Captive Power Generators and Passenger Cars. The fact that agricultural sector uses less than 12 per cent of the country’s diesel consumption, busts the myth.

The price differential between Petrol and Diesel, encouraged people to gravitate towards diesel vehicles. More the use of diesel, more the oil companies bleed. Worse, we all bleed because Diesel Emissions add to toxic pollution in our Cities, which in turn, adds to ill health and treatment costs. This is socialism of Indian style-Taxing the Poor to Benefit the Rich.

Health Hazards of Diesel

The claim of Car manufacturers that the modern diesel vehicle is clean, is far from true. Emission data shows current diesel cars emit seven times more particulates and three to five times more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars. There is sufficient evidence that tiny particulates—PM 2.5—emitted from a diesel vehicle are toxic and carcinogenic.

This toxin is firmly associated with significant increase in cases of asthma, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and heart ailments. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer. The increased level of nitrogen dioxide contributes to the formation of ozone, which, in turn, damages our lungs. So be clear, diesel vehicles, however fancy, are costing us our health.

Adverse Impact on Climate Change

.Today, Europe, which promoted diesel vehicles, is paying a heavy cost. It is struggling to meet air quality standards, even though it has invested heavily in the cleanest of fuels reducing sulphur levels to near-zero and has fitted vehicles with every kind of anti-pollution devices like particulate traps and de-NOx catalyst. Diesel also has higher levels of black carbon, which is today understood to be a key contributor to climate change. In the US, the Car Mecca, where emission standards and price do not differentiate between fuels, there is no market for Diesel Cars.

Adverse Impact on Urban Air pollution

The “Bhure Lal Committee” appointed by Hon'ble Supreme Court, to study ambient air quality in NCT of Delhi, in its report submitted as far back as 1999, stated that more than 90% of the Nitrogen Dioxide and Respirable Particulate matter present is due to Diesel Emissions. Other sources of Air Pollution is reported to be burning of waste materials- Plastics- in open area.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court also imposed restrictions on plying of commercial vehicles including taxis which are more than 15 years old as on 02-10-1998, in NCT of Delhi. Another serious source of air pollution amongst the vehicular pollution is the 3 Wheelers, particularly that are run on Diesel. What is applicable to NCT of Delhi, holds good for many of Indian Urban Agglomerations

Why Inaction & Indifference to Ground Realities ?

The irony is that the Car Manufacturers struck a gold mine, when they realised that they could sell more vehicles, if they could run them on cheaper and subsidized Diesel fuel. Why do the Policy / Decision Makers provide this perverse incentive to Diesel Car manufacturers to pollute?

The Government agencies know that the inflationary impact of raising diesel price will be high; they know it will be opposed. But they use this convenient cover to do nothing about the most glaring of distortions—the use of the subsidized diesel fuel by the rich and for private transport.

But given the rising economic cost and air pollution, the option of doing nothing is not acceptable any more. The options are either to link the car price with emission standards or to ban production of personal diesel vehicles. If this is not possible, then the government should tax diesel vehicles to remove the fiscal distortion in price and policy. The committee after committee has recommended that this be done. But it is not done.

Conclusion

 

In the light of the position explained above, the following are suggested for consideration:

a) 15 to 25 % cess on sale price be imposed on diesel Cars, SUVs, in
addition to corresponding increase in Life-Tax imposed by the respective
State Governments so as to compensate for the subsidized diesel used
in Life-Time of Diesel Cars/SUVs.

b) The bulk users other than Railways and State Road Transport Corporations be charged be charged market determined Diesel Prices.

 

c) Phase out all commercial vehicles including taxis, 3 wheelers, older
than 15 years, as on 31 st March 2015 onwards.

d) The Goods Transport by Road be discouraged gradually, by making Diesel expensive to the extent possible and to encourage goods
transport by energy efficient and Eco-friendly Railway Network, which needs
to be encouraged by allocation of adequate funds, instead of expanding
National Highway Network at the cost of Railways

e) The subsidy burden on Kerosene for rural lighting purposes, can be brought down, apart from avoiding health hazards of Kerosene, by supplying stand alone Solar powered LED Lanterns, with a life span of at least 5 years, for rural households through MNRE 

Decouple Supply and Consumption     

     Both Energy and Economic Policies must share a least-cost , resource efficient emphasis. The current subsidized Supply-Side focus exacerbates the causes of energy waste. That energy-waste  bleeds the Economy and the Society, particularly the unfortunate Have-Nots. The "Wise Energy" policy creates both  healthier Economy and healthier Environment. 

       

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Kovvada Nuclear Power Park (KNPP)-Stop Land Acquisition

Site Clearance of AERB- Prerequisite 

 

Many Members of Expert Appraisal Committee of MOEF&CC for Nuclear Projects, in its 17 th Meeting held on 06-05-2014, expressed that according Environmental Clearance (EC) without statutory “Site Clearance” from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has no meaning. If the proposed site is not found suitable by AERB and the proponent has to change the site and EC will be no more valid. Taking into account the susceptibility of the Coastal Area to Super Cyclones and Tsunamis, as highlighted by SSC-2005, the proposed Kovvada NPP Site needs to be cleared by AERB from safety point of view, even before the Land Acquisition is initiated.

NPCIL priority is for Land Grab & not for Safety of People?

The Site Selection Committee appointed in 2005 (SSC-2005) which identified “Kovvada NPP Site, clearly stated that the Site lies in the Seismic Zone-II and the area is susceptible to cyclonic storms. And recommended detailed Seismic Tectonic Study including Sea Area around the site and detailed study to derive design basis flood level, considering both Cyclonic Storm as well as Tsunami at the approval /detailed stage. And Pune-based Seismologist Arun Bapat, warned that the Site identified at Kovvada for Nuclear Plant is unsuitable from the safety point of view. 

 

But unfortunately, NPCIL had failed to get the recommended studies carried out and preparing statuary Site Evaluation Report (SER) for getting “Site Clearance” from AERB on safety considerations, even after a lapse of more than 5 years since getting In-Principle Approval on 8 th October 2009.But NPCIL is going ahead with the acquisition of land required for KNPP in collaboration with AP State Govt., with blatant indifference to public safety.

Land Acquisition Makes Clearances Fate-accomplice?

The consent from AERB on safety angle is to be considered mandatory, before acquisition of the land for the proposed NPP is initiated, so as to avoid / minimize likely disastrous consequences which may arise in the case of disaster induced due to wrong siting / unsuitability of the site. Otherwise, there is every danger of justifying / manipulating the Clearances of AERB in the light of expenditure incurred / investments made and making them a mere formality & mockery.

The very fact that AERB is part of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) , its regulatory independence is questionable. Therefore the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) has recommended regulatory independence to AERB by Law. The Bill introduced by earlier UPA Govt. in the Lok Sabha to grant regulatory independence to the AERB following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan, has since lapsed and needs to be introduced again.

Conclusion 

 

In the light of the position explained above, AP State Govt. be urged to keep the on going Land Acquisition for proposed KNPP in abeyance, upholding the democratic process and respecting the public sentiments. 

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Kolleru WLS Area- Reduction from +5 to+3 Contours

Brief Background of Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS)

It was in the earlier term of Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Minister of undivided AP State, realising the significance of invaluable Wetland Ecosystem of international importance, the Kolleru Lake was notified as “Kolleru Wild Life Sanctuary” (KWLS) for protection of Birds & other Wildlife in the area, by issuing G.O.MS No 120 of 04-10-1999.

The boundary of KWLS runs along the Contour +5MSL, covering an area of 30,855.20 hectares or 308.55 Sq. Km, spreading across 7 Mandals of West Godavari district and 2 Mandals of Krishna district of A P State, covering a total of 74 villages in both the districts.

Aqua Boom sounded Death –Knell of KWLS

Some of the rich enterprising farmers of the area, taking advantage of the Government inaction, converted their lands in KWLS to aquaculture and reaped rich harvests. The sudden riches of the aqua farmers, encouraged others with political clout, to invest in setting up fish tanks on large scale, leading to an Aquaculture Boom in utter disregard to KWLS Rules.

The encroachments of KWLS, continue to take place unchecked, even after AP High Court Order in July 2001, directing the authorities to ensure removal of encroachments of lake bed and to bring back Kolleru Lake to its pristine glory. The gravity of the situation could be judged from the fact that more than 25% of area covered by KWLS was under illegal encroachments.

Operation Restoration of Kolleru

The directive of Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of Supreme Court and the Farmers outcry about the floods damaging their crops in the upstream of Kolleru during 2005, had driven the State Administration to launch “Operation Restoration of Kolleru” for dismantling illegal commercial fish ponds in the Sanctuary Area. But, unfortunately this operation was short lived because of political pressure by the powerful Aquaculture lobby. Having succumbed to the pressure of the uncouth lobby, the then AP State Legislative Assembly in 2008 passed a resolution for reduction of the area of KWLS, by changing its boundary from +5 to +3 Contour, unmindful of its adverse socio-economic & ecological consequences.

Dr.Azeez Committee

MOEF, GOI constituted the Expert Committee, under Chairmanship of Dr.Azeez in April 2010, to study the proposal of A.P.Govt. for reduction of the area of KWLS from + 5 Contour to + 3 Contour. Dr. Aziz Committee Report clearly stated that the reduction of the area of KWLS is not a viable solution for various socioeconomic & ecological issues confronting the Lake Kolleru and It will lead to destruction of a very valuable ecologically important area for short sighted benefits.

22 nd Standing Committee Meeting NBWL

The Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life, chaired by then Minister for Environment and Forests, GOI, in its 22 nd. Meeting held on 25-04-2011, accepted the recommendations of Dr. Azeez Committee Report in Toto. The Minister stated, as Chairperson of the Standing Committee would take forward the Report as appropriate, to the State Government of AP for its implementation. Also stated that formulation of appropriate R&R policy would need to be taken up by the State Govt. immediately. The R&R Policy, should include the amount required for compensation to the affected people on this count and budgeted & provided by the State Government.

Lack of Follow up Action by MOEF & AP State Govt.

Dr.Azeez Committee emphasized the urgent need for conducting re-survey of boundaries as of now, using advance GPS Technology and to be completed within a period of 18 months. But unfortunately nothing much seems to have happened so far in that direction, even though about 4 years have lapsed after accepting the recommendations of the Committee.

Because of shrinkage of the area covered by KWLS, the floods resulted by “Cyclone Nilam” of November 2012, in various drains–Budameru, Tammileru etc.- that empty into Kolleru, have caused the water levels to rise and cross the +8 Contour. This has resulted in flooding of several colonies along the banks of Budameru in Vijayawada City, for several days.

Hype of Present AP State Govt. for Development

It is unfortunate that same .N. Chandrababu Naidu, the architect of KWLS in 1999, is behind the Resolution passed by present AP State Legislative Assembly on 22-12-2014, seeking recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife for reduction of boundary of KWLS from +5 to +3 Contour.

It is ironical that AP State Govt. advocating development of newly formed State and the State Capital on the models of Japan and Singapore, is working overtime for destruction of Kolleru, one of Asia’s most ancient & largest fresh water lakes and invaluable Wetland ecosystem of international importance.

 

Appeal

If the proposed reduction of KWLS boundary from +5 to +3 Contour, reducing its area by 25000 acres & leading to its destruction, is permitted, the prestigious Biodiversity Conventions, National Wetland Rules, Identifying the Kolleru as a Ramsar Site and as a National Wetland etc, will have no meaning.

In the light of the urgency & importance of the matter, AP State Government and the Govt. of India, be urged to implement the recommendations of Dr. Azeez Committee for protection of KWLS, and restore public confidence in the Rule of Environmental Law , which gets ignored in the name of Economic Development. 

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Stop Diversion of Kukatpally Nala into Musi River

Inflows of Kukatpally Nala Toxic

The G.O. 60 was issued by Telangana State Govt. for diversion of dry whether inflows of Kukatpally Nala to the downstream of Hussain Sagar Lake to prevent pollution to Lake from Kukutapally Nala. The dry weather inflows are reported to contain toxic heavy metals such as Cadmium, Chrome etc from untreated / under treated effluents being discharged by industrial units engaged in Galvanizing, Electroplating, Leather Tanning etc apart from Domestic Sewage. The other likely sources of chemical contaminants finding their way into Kukatpally Nala are from Hospitals, Clinical Laboratories, Chemical/Diagnostic Laboratories, etc. which invariably discharge / drain their untreated chemical residues into Drains & Sewers discharging into Nala.

Shifting Problem from Hussain Sagar to Musi River 
  
As the toxic effluents & untreated sewage from K- Nala to be diverted to the down stream of Hussain Sagar will ultimately find their way into Musi River, it is nothing but diluting Pollution and shifting the problem to Musi River. Diluting Pollution and Shifting it to elsewhere is no Solution to Pollution. 

 Musi Basin already Contaminated 

The toxic effluents from PETL, JETL and other sources being discharged for more than 3 decades, are getting diluted with sewage/water In CETPs / STPs / Drains, before finding their way into Musi River. But the total pollution load being discharged into Musi Basin does not come down. That means the toxic effluents continue to flow into Musi River and get accumulated in Musi Basin adversely affecting the soil, crops, ground water, livestock and endangering the lives of the people in and around, through the Food Cycle. 

EPTRI Report 

The State of Environment Report for Hyderabad published by EPTRI in 1996, estimated that about 350 MT of Total Dissolved Solids(TDS) load is being pumped into Musi River every day, along with untreated & under treated industrial effluents let out into Musi River. The other point is the residues of toxic Heavy Metals and POPs, which are not being tracked, are finding their way along with the effluents/sewage. The report also highlighted the toxicity present in the Grass, Vegetables, Milk etc. from Musi Basin 

CAG Report 

The CAG Report, which reviewed the activities relating to the control of water pollution during 1994-2000, was placed before the State Assembly on 31-3-2001. The report stated that ground water in areas along Musi River contained high levels of pollution and endangered public health. The water samples collected from down Stream of Musi River, are reported to have shown high levels of toxic heavy metals like, Lead, Chromium, Mercury and Arsenic in ground as well as surface waters. This is borne out by the fact of large scale fish-kills reported from time to time in the area. 

IPM Study 

The IPM Study regarding toxic and inorganic loads in Musi sediment is reported to have highlighted the levels of Mercury, Antimony, Arsenic, Lead etc in excess of permissible levels in the blood samples. The levels of Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic etc in ground water are also reported to be high. 


Statutory Responsibilities of Govt. 

Taking into account the gravity of situation that already exists in Musi Basin, the Statutory Authorities and the Government cannot dis-associate themselves from discharging the duty in accordance with the provisions of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. to see that pollution loads do not increase any further, leave alone reducing the existing pollution loads.

The protection and improvement of Human Environment is a major issue, which effects the well being of people and economic development. According to Article 48-A of The Constitution of India, the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the Environment. The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that Article 48 A of the Constitution imposes an obligation on the Govt, including Courts to protect Environment(T. Cardamom Rao v The Special Officer MCH, AIR 1987 AP 171 ).

Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution imposes as one of the fundamental duties on every citizen, the duty to protect and improve the Natural Environment, including Forests, Lakes, Rivers and Wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. 

 Appeal 

In the light of the position explained above and the W.P19661 of 2002 in A P High Court, which is now before National Green Tribunal ( South Zone) as Application no.90 of 2013, Telangana State Govt be urged to drop the proposal for diversion of untreated/under-treated effluents from Kukatpally Nala or any other source into Musi River, in the larger public interest.

Shifting of Telangana State Govt Secretariat to Erragadda T.B & Chest Hospital Site

Destruction of Heritage Structure & Green Cover

The State Govt. of Telangana issued G.O No Rt No.61 dated 27-01-2015 for shifting T.B and Chest Hospital from Erragadda to the old T.B Sanatorium in Anantgiri Hills in Vikarabad. This proposal, besides causing inconvenience to the Public/Patients, Hospital Staff, Medical Post Graduate Students etc, leads to destruction of the In-Patient Block of the Chest Hospital, a notified Heritage Building. Also results in loosing valuable Lung Space, right in the middle of commercial hub - "Green Belt" in the campus, a notified Urban Forest Area. It is bound to add to already existing high levels of Air Pollution and prevailing high temperatures in "Concrete Jungle" of Hyderabad .

Sinister Move Behind Proposed Shifting

If the Press Reports are to be believed, the main reason behind the entire episode of Chest Hospital Site, appears to be proposed shifting of the State Secretariat to Erragadda Site, as the present premises has serious "Vaastu Dosham" and it does not seem to meet the present Chief Minister's astronomical numbers. While every person is entitled to have his beliefs in Vaastu, Horoscope, Numerology etc, the public property and funds can not be squandered for satisfying the personal beliefs, whims & fancies of the incumbent of any official position.

Heritage has become a Mockery

As per the Press Reports, when asked about how the Government could tamper with the Heritage Structures of the Chest Hospital, Hon'ble Chief Minister is reported to have said "There is no sense in having mindless, meaningless heritage structures. ------Land has more ancient heritage than any other heritage structure. Does that mean that we should not touch Land?"

In the case of Hyderabad Metro Rail alignment in front of State Legislative Assembly Building, the same Chief Minister insisted on changing the alignment of Metro Rail, keeping in view the importance of "Heritage" of the Assembly Building, even agreeing to bear the heavy additional cost involved. Now we hear of demolishing of "Ravindra Bharathi" building and emptying of Hussain Sagar lake.

City is already Breathing Less

The Hon'ble A.P. High Court in its landmark judgement on WRIT PETITIONS W.P. Nos.25835/96 and 35/97, observed that "The city is already breathing less than required breath and further depletions, by acts of the State, of the lung spaces of the city will make the breathing more difficult" (Pages 51 - 52).

It was also observed that "Whatever little scope was available to argue that the Government of the State represent the sovereign and retained thus its eminent domain in deciding in respect of the use of a public place one way or the other is taken away by the Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1992 and Article 243W(a) therein read with the list in the Twelfth Schedule" (Page 49).

Appeal

In the light of the position explained above, Telangana State Govt be urged to reconsider the proposal for relocating State Govt.Secretariat, if any, and shifting of Chest Hospital to Anantgiri Hills, Vikarabad. Let there be Transparency, Public Consultation and involvement of stake holders, the cardinal principles of Good Governance, in the decision making process.

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Swachh Bharat

One of the main factors for Urban Pollution and Unhygienic Conditions, is the Household Waste / Garbage / Litter thrown away indiscriminately.

What is Waste/Garbage/Litter?

We talk of "Throwing Away" the items that are considered to be no longer useful or needed- wrappers, plastic bags, paper, empty bottles/ jars / cans, used electronic/ electrical items & other items used in our daily life, the kitchen waste, left overs of food etc. One, who carelessly "Throws Away" things considered to be of no use, causes Littering.

The nature takes care of Waste Material what is natural (Biodegradable).What we need to worry about is the Waste (Non-degradable) created by man made items. No matter how small, each man made item leaves behind a trail of wastes at every stage of its Life-Cycle.

What is Thrown Away Comes Back !

The fact of life is that all we "Through Away" as waste, ends up ultimately polluting Air, Water & Soil, adversely affecting the very "Food Cycle" & Quality of our Lives. That is where this "AWAY" ends up finally. The Waste cannot be wished Away as there isNo Away.

How can we be Part of "Swachh Bharat" ( Clean India) ?

The items being thrown away from our households as waste, consist of Paper, Plastic Bags, Packing Material, Foils, Cans, Glass / Plastic Containers, Electrical / Electronic items etc. (Dry Waste). As all these items can be Recycled for salvaging and making new products with value addition, they should not be subjected to "Throw Away".

The old News Papers, Note Books & Magazines and used paper should be neatly stacked & stored for disposing off once a month or so. Similarly, all "Dry Waste", instead of putting into the Dust Bin, should be stored separately in a gunny sack or container and handed over once in a week / fortnight to the Person picking up the garbage. The electrical / electronic wastes should be deposited at the designated centers for the purpose.

Only the biodegradable "Wet Garbage" containing Kitchen Waste, Food Items, Flowers erc. - should find their way to "Dust Bin" for Daily Collection. This avoids the volume of garbage to be picked up & transported daily and the harmful Land Fills & Littering.

Let us do our bit for making "Swachh Bharat Mission" being launched on Birth Day of Mahatma Gandhi ( Father of the Nation ), 2 nd October 2014, a Success &Reality !