Ministry of Environment & Forests (Union Minister: 1998–1999)
Prepared the National Environment Action Plan covering urban pollution mitigation, biodiversity conservation and integrated environmental governance.
Instituted 100% centrally-funded anti-pollution schemes for 22 major polluted cities (targeted interventions in industrial and municipal pollution control).
Made Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) mandatory for 29 specified developmental activities; introduced online transparency for environment/forest clearances to reduce delays and corruption.
Finalised and issued critical regulatory instruments: Hazardous Waste Management Rules, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Biomedical Waste Management Rules to standardise handling and disposal.
Initiated the Biological Diversity Act drafting process and launched planning to work toward 33% forest cover and mapping eco-sensitive zones for conservation.
Environment & Forests (1998–1999)
His contributions include:
- Pollution control for 22 major Indian cities
- Hazardous waste and biomedical waste management rules
- Biodiversity conservation frameworks
Key Contributions as Union Minister of Environment and Forest
Instrumental in preparation of a comprehensive National Environment Action Plan having time bound programs for abatement of pollution in the country.
- Introduced 100% centrally funded Schemes for reducing pollution in 22 major cities of India.
- Introduced unleaded petrol in National Capital Territory to control pollution levels.
- Instrumental in setting up of Indian Centre for the Promotion of Cleaner Technologies (ICPC) in association with the World Bank, industries, academic institutions, and other agencies.
- Formed Environment Surveillance Squads in the Central Pollution Control Board to enforce pollution control systems on polluting industries.
Environment Clearances
- Streamlined procedures for environmental clearances and introduced transparency by bringing all works regarding environment and forest clearances on the Internet.
- Instrumental in strengthening the monitoring system for achieving better compliance of stipulated conditions in environmental clearances.
- Issued notification to make Environmental Impact Assessment compulsory for 29 developmental activities.
- Instrumental in a project involving Asian Development Bank for strengthening Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Legislation.
Legislative Initiatives
- Instrumental in preparation of a draft Biological Diversity Act for conservation, sustainable utilization, and equitable sharing of biological resources.
- Finalized the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Biomedical Waste Management Rules.
- Prepared draft "Recycled Plastics Usage Rules" which envisaged prohibiting/restricting the use of plastics.
- Examined the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules.
Conservation of Natural Resources
- Prepared a detailed action plan for achieving 33% forest cover in the country.
- Set up the National Committee for identification of Eco-sensitive zones.
- Launched the Bamboo Development Plan for the country, signed multiple treaties with INBAR and Konkan Bamboo and Cane Development Centre.
- Revised Project "Modern Forest Fire Control Methods" to effectively prevent forest fire incidents in the country.
- Launched the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) scheme with the objective of utilizing remote sensing technology to monitor natural resources and facilitate sustainable development.
- Made Joint Forest Management (JFM) system an integral part of all forestry projects. Created Joint Forest Management Cell to monitor implementation.
- Prepared proposal for centrally sponsored ‘Integrated Forest Protection Scheme’.
- Prepared National Perspective plan to rehabilitate the forest and non-forest wastelands.
- Created an Environment Fund to plough back the fines collected for violation of environmental laws.
- Successfully ran a nationwide awareness campaign for forest and environment conservation.
- Created protection squads in all Project Tiger areas affected by insurgency.
- Banned export of antlers of deer and 29 species of medicinal plants.
- Financial assistance provided to 28 National Parks and 107 sanctuaries in 23 states.
- Launched Project Turtle, a new initiative for the conservation of the Olive Ridley Turtle.
- Prepared proposal for Biodiversity Diversity Act after a detailed and transparent consultative process.
- Proposed setting up of a Biodiversity Information Network.
- Several initiatives taken to improve implementation of Ganga Action Plan and National River Conservation Plan.
Prevention and Control of Pollution
- Played a key role in the preparation of a comprehensive National Environment Action Plan.
- Introduced 100% centrally funded schemes for reducing pollution in 22 major cities of India.
Environment Clearances
- Streamlined procedures for environmental clearances and introduced transparency by making all works related to environment and forest clearances available on the Internet.
- Issued notifications to make Environmental Impact Assessment compulsory for 29 developmental activities.
Legislative Initiatives
- Played a crucial role in the preparation of a draft Biological Diversity Act for conservation.
- Finalized the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, Solid Waste Management Rules, and Biomedical Waste Management Rules.
Conservation of Natural Resources
- Prepared a detailed action plan for achieving a 33% forest cover in the country.
- Established the National Committee for the identification of Eco-sensitive zones.
