In 1989, after much civic agitation against limestone quarrying, the Ministry of Environment & Forests passed the Doon Valley Notification, which aimed to ban certain industries and projects that could harm the fragile ecology of the Doon Valley.
Why is it in the news?
The government is considering changes to the notification. It is to be noted that it has been altered twice before, in 2005 and 2020.
Background:
Situated in Uttarakhand, the Doon Valley is bounded by the Mussoorie ridge in the north, lesser Himalayan ranges in the north-east, Shivalik ranges in the south-west, River Ganga on the south-east side, and River Yamuna to the north-west.
The notification was prompted by environmental concerns and the need to protect the unique biodiversity of the region.
Key Points:
Location of industrial units:
Industrial units must adhere to guidelines provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Non-obnoxious and non-hazardous industries employing up to 100 persons are permitted.
Industries involving inflammable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic substances are restricted.
Mining:
Approval from MoEFCC is mandatory before initiating any mining activity.
Tourism:
Tourism activities should align with the Tourism Development Plan (TDP) prepared by the State Department of Tourism and approved by MoEFCC.
Grazing:
Grazing activities should follow a plan prepared by the State Government and approved by the MoEFCC.
Land Use:
Land use must conform to the Master Plan of Development and Land Use Plan prepared by the state Government and approved by MoEFCC.
Guidelines for Industrial Units:
Industries are classified into Green, Orange, and Red categories based on environmental considerations.
Green Category
Orange Category
Red Category
Non-obnoxious and non-hazardous industries.
Industries discharging liquid effluents below 500 kl/ day that can be controlled with technology.
Industries discharging effluents of a polluting nature at more than 500 kl/day.
Industries employing up to 100 persons.
Industries with daily coal/ fuel consumption less than 24 mt/ day with controllable emissions.
Industries employing more than 500 persons.
Industries not using fuel in their manufacturing process or emitting fugitive emissions.
Industries employing not more than 500 persons.
Industries with daily coal/ fuel consumption more than 24 mt/day.
Example: Atta-chakkies, iceboxes, tailoring and garment making, bamboo and cane products.
Example: Ceramics, tyres and tubes, steam generating plants, bakery products.
