PEOPLES COMISSION ON & INTEREST & DEVELOPMENT

The People's Commission on Environment and Development India (PCED) is promoted by, among others, by its President, Dr Karan Singh, who was, for many years, Minister in the cabinet of Indira Gandhi and was lately India's Ambassador to the United States, Mr S P Godrej, Trustee & Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund-India, Dr Ashok Khosla, Chairperson of UNCED's International Facilitation Committee for the NGOs and President, Development Alternatives, and Dr Lovraj Kumar, Chairperson, Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development and former Secretary to Government of India. PCED has the support of many institutions and individuals with shared concern for the issues of environment, development, women, youth, industry, peace and human rights.

The overall responsibility for the affairs of PCED rests with the President and the Governing Council. Its important activities are to (a) act as a forum to enable the NGOs and concerned citizens active in the spheres of socioeconomic development and environmental conservation to share their perceptions on development strategies and their impact on the environment ; and (b) provide inputs, on a national basis, to the preparatory process of the UNCED and its deliberations. For these purposes, PCED aims to :

1. Hold public hearings, seminars, symposia and other gatherings to elicit the views, insights and suggestions of concerned citizens and Independent Sector organisations ;
2. Compile and collate the material gathered during these public hearings, seminars and symposia into a national package of inputs for the preparatory process of the UNCED and at the UNCED;
3. Help evolve a national as well as a Third World perspective on global issues relating to environmental protection and management; and
4. Prepare and publish papers and reports on various aspects of environmental management and related areas of study as inputs to the UNCED as well as to the Government at the national and sub-national levels.

PCED was set up to provide a coherent package of inputs, comprising the diversity of focus and views on environmental problems and development strategies, from as wide a constituency of stakeholders as possible in the country into the preparatory process of the United Nations Conference of Environment & Development (UNCED) or the Earth Summit and at the Summit as well as the concurrent NGO event, the Global Forum 92 held in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. It was launched on 19 September 1989 in conjunction with the ECO 92 Public Forum held in New Delhi by the UNCED's International Facilitating Committee for the NGOs. Registered as a voluntary, non-governmental and not-for-profit society with the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, it holds public hearings in different parts of the country to harvest the insights of the civil society institutions into the issues of the environment and development, and induct them into the decision-making process at various levels of government. The modality of public hearing, adopted by PCED, represents a novel way for the people to dialogue with government at various levels to find solutions to critical survival issues. It also provides an opportunity to all the constituencies to forge partnerships for change and to express their shared commitment to usher in a new paradigm of development consistent with social equity and environmental sustainability. Till now, 36 Public Hearings on Environment & Development have been held in different parts of the country and, in holding them, PCED has networked with a large number of NGOs.

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung of Germany supports the activities of the People's Commission. Active in more than 80 countries, it is engaged in strengthening democratic and pluralistic development, and is committed to furthering the ideals of the late Friedrich Naumann, a renowned Social-Liberal statesman of the Weimer Republic. Naumann believed that a self-reliant individual, aware and capable of articulating and defending his rights and involved in the political process, is the only alternative to domination by State and other social institutions. The Stiftung, in co-operation with its partner-NGOs in the South Asia region, is active in promoting liberal values together with, inter alia, civic awareness, entrepreneurship development and sustainable development.

Centre for Environment Protection, Research & Development was set up on 7 June 1996 in Indore by a group of progressive citizens with a shared concern for the deteriorating environment of the Malwa region. The public representatives, social and political organisations and the officials of local administration are also involved in it. Its aims are to carry out research, development and improvement in the areas of environmental ecology and to create awareness in the masses through education about environmental pollution hazards and the need for conserving natural resources. Its main thrust area is to secure the participation of communities, civil society institutions and government agencies to prevent unplanned industrialisation and urbanisation through proper land-use planning and human settlements management. The Citizen's Master Plan for Indore Metropolitan Area is being prepared with inputs from the citizens and various independent sector organisations and using the latest remote sensing technology. This perspective urban development plan seeks to make Indore urban agglomerate an example of environmental excellence. ?It is a pioneering effort in the country where the people are involved in preparing a development plan of their own city by using remote sensing technology and based on the concepts of carrying capacity and sustainable development.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information, please contact:
Mr Ajoy Bagchi,
Executive Director
The People's Commission on Environment and Development India,
15, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003
Telephone : (011) 464 2217: Fax : (011) 462 7102
E-Mail : people@pcedi.unv.ernet.in

THE PEOPLE'S COMMISSION
ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT INDIA
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT
KEY ISSUES DISCUSSED

Top

1. BANGALORE (Karnataka) 12 January 1991
   1. Population, Development & Environmental Concerns
   2. Freshwater Resources
   3. Marine Pollution
   4. Management of Hazardous Wastes
   5. Public Awareness of the Environment
2. HARDWAR (Uttar Pradesh) 16 February 1991
   1. Himalayan Ecosystem Development
   2. Tourism's Impact on Gangotri's Environment
   3. Improving Himalayan Valley Ecosystems
   4. Life Support Systems in Mountainous Regions
3. BHUBANESWAR (Orissa) 1 May 1991
   1. Environmental Pollution in Orissa
   2. Giving Forests Back to the People
   3. Conservation of Orissa's Natural Heritage
   4. Deforestation
4. AUROVILLE (Tamil Nadu) 18 August 1991
   1. Sustainable Agriculture
   2. Micro-Watershed Management
   3. Bio-vulnerability
5. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Kerala) 5 October 1991
   1. Eco-development of Estuaries
   2. Western Ghats' Rain Forests
   3. People's Participation in Environmental Movement
   4. Sustainable Development
   5. Environmentally Sound Development Strategies
6. JAMMU (Jammu & Kashmir) 20 October 1991
   1. Degradation of Himalayan Forests
   2. Creating Ecological Awareness
      1. Himalayan Ecological Development Authority
      2. Land-use Patterns in the Himalayas
7. CHANDIGARH 2 November 1991
   1. Industrial Pollution & Its Management
   2. Environmental Pollution & Human Health
   3. Solidwaste Management
   4. Judicial Activism & Environmental Protection
   5. Industrial Activity in Settlements
8. VADODARA (Gujarat) 3 November 1991
   1. Hazardous Chemicals
   2. Greening of Gujarat
   3. Environmental Problems of Gujarat
9. BOMBAY (Maharashtra) 16 November 1991
   1. Sustainable Development : Policies & Framework
   2. Wildlife & Nature Conservation
   3. Large Dams & Development
   4. Urban Development & Industrialisation
10. MADURAI (Tamil Nadu) 8 February 1992
    1. People's Participation in Ecology Management
    2. Madurai City : Environmental Problems
    3. Urban Migration & Deteriorating Environment
    4. Groundwater Resource Management
11. KOHIMA (Nagaland) 22 April 1992
    1. Shifting Cultivation
    2. Self-help Development Systems
    3. Environmental Conservation : Role of Women & Youth
12. JODHPUR (Rajasthan) 1 May 1992
    1. Desert Culture
    2. Pastures & Protected Woodlands
    3. Live Stock Rearing in Desert
    4. Drought
13. PANAJI (Goa) 6 August 1992
    1. Industry & the Environment
    2. Impact of Tourism on Goa's Environment
    3. Konkan Railway & Free Port
    4. NGOs' Role & Coordination
14. GORAKHPUR (Uttar Pradesh) 17 October 1992
    1. Population, Environment & Eco-development
    2. Flood & Water-logging
    3. Eco-health
    4. Pollution Problems in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
15. RAIPUR (Madhya Pradesh) 1 March 1993
    1. Tribal & the Environment
    2. Mineral Resource Utilisation
    3. Industrialisation
    4. Forest Based Economy
16. CALCUTTA (West Bengal) 28 March 1993
    1. Industrial Pollution
    2. Mega Cities
    3. Joint Forest Management
    4. Wetlands
17. PALAMPUR (Himachal Pradesh) 19 June 1993
    1. Integrated Resource Management
    2. Cold Desert & Dry Temperate Areas
    3. Biodiversity
    4. People's Movement for Sustainable
    5. Ecosystem Management
18. HYDERABAD (Andhra Pradesh) 10 October 1993
    1. The Eastern Ghats
    2. Dryland Ecology & Food Security
    3. Problems of Urban Centres
    4. Rehabilitation of Project Affected People
19. MADRAS (Tamil Nadu) 9 April 1994
    1. East Coast Road Project
    2. Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone : Problems & Priorities
20. GWALIOR (Madhya Pradesh) 27 August 1994
    1. Greening the Chambal's Ravines
    2. Gwalior's Urban Development
    3. Water Scarcity in Greater Gwalior
    4. Greater Gwalior's Urban Pollution
21. RAJKOT (Gujarat) 17 September 1994
    1. Water Resource of Saurashtra & Kachchh
    2. Aquatic Ecosystem & Fisheries
    3. Grasslands of Saurashtra
    4. Environmental Laws & the People
22. VARANASI (Uttar Pradesh) 8 November 1994
    1. Ganga Action Plan Phase 1 : Impact on the Ganga & Varanasi
    2. Ganga Action Plan Phase 2 : Some Issues
    3. Varanasi's Development & Pollution of the Ganga
23. PORT BLAIR (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) 2 & 3 March 1995
    1. Tribes of Andaman & Nicobar
    2. Infrastructure Development & the Ecosystem
    3. Environmental Impact of Agriculture
    4. Tourism & the Environment
    5. Forests in Andaman & Nicobar
24. KOCHI (Kerala) 22 April 1995
    1. Backwaters
    2. Fisherpeople
    3. Land-use Patterns in Kerala
    4. Kochi's High-rise Buildings
25. VRINDAVAN (Uttar Pradesh) 16 September 1995
    1. Conservation of Vrindavan's Identity
    2. Vrindavan's Waste Disposal
    3. Water Problem in Vrindavan
    4. Vrindavan's Monkey Problem
26. UDAIPUR (Rajasthan) 11 November 1995
    1. Participatory Approach in Forest Management
    2. Watershed Development
    3. Sustainable Development : Appropriate Institutions
    4. Urban Environmental Problems
27. RANCHI (Bihar) 20 March 1996
    1. Man-Animal Conflict
    2. Mining & the Environment
    3. Tribal Societies in Chhotanagpur Region
28. GUWAHATI (Assam) 19 May 1996
    1. Brahmaputra in the Life of Assam
    2. Wildlife Management & Elephant Depredation
    3. Assam's Joint Forest Management
    4. Agenda 21 for Assam
29. LEH (Jammu & Kashmir) 23 August 1996
    1. Development & Change in Ladakh
    2. Revitalising the Historic City of Leh
    3. Tourism's Impact on Ladakh
30. VISAKHAPATNAM (Andhra Pradesh) 26 October 1996
    1. Coastal Aquaculture
    2. Tribal Communities & Development
    3. Visakhapatnam City : Environmental Degradation & Pollution
31. PUNE (Maharashtra) 2 March 1997 Impact of the Regional Developmental Plan on :
    1. The Western Ghats
    2. Pune Region's Hills and Rivers
    3. Pune City's Vehicular Traffic
32. DARJEELING (West Bengal) 27 April 1997
    1. Forests & the People
    2. Darjeeling's Water & Sanitation Problems
    3. Tourism's Impact on the Environment & Culture
33. KANPUR (Uttar Pradesh) 18 April 1998
    1. Kanpur : Waste Water Treatment
    2. Kanpur : Solid Waste Management
    3. Kanpur : Civic Water Supply Enhancement
    4. Community Participation in Ganga Action Plan
34. ERNAKULAM (Kerala) 16 May 1998
    1. Pollution Control in Kerala : Challenges & Response
    2. Marine Pollution in Greater Cochin Coastal Area
    3. Solidwaste Management in Kochi
35. SECUNDERABAD (Andhra Pradesh) 18 July 1998
    1. Hyderabad Greenbelt Project
    2. Andhra Pradesh Borewell Irrigation Project
    3. Tank Rehabilitation Project
36. RAJKOT (Gujarat) 6 December 1998
    1. Socio-Ecological Transformation Project
    2. Urban Development Planning & Rajkot Development Plan
    3. Urban Environmental Problems
       1. INDORE (Madhya Pradesh) 28 March 1999
37. Water Resources of Malwa Region
    1. Surface Water : Its Development and Conservation
    2. Ground Water : Its Depletion and Recharging
    3. Water Problem of Indore Metropolitan Area

Top