Source: The Hindu   

Introduction 

The 2024 Conference of Parties (COP 29) in Azerbaijan discussed India's growing environmental challenges amidst rapid development. This establishing an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency (EHRA) to address the interconnected issues of climate, environment, health, and economic growth. Current data shows India's increasing greenhouse gas emissions and deteriorating public health indicators. The existing fragmented approach between different ministries and agencies has created gaps in environmental health governance. There's an urgent need for an integrated regulatory framework that can simultaneously address pollution control and health risk mitigation. 

What are the Issues Raised in Conference? 

• Lack of integrated surveillance between environmental monitoring and health impact assessments across different ministries. 
• Growing health risks from air and water pollution, particularly affecting urban populations and vulnerable groups. 
• Disconnected data flow between environmental agencies and health authorities hampering effective decision-making. 
• Need for evidence-based policy framework that considers India's unique environmental challenges. 
• Absence of a centralized agency to coordinate between pollution control and public health initiatives. 
• Bureaucratic barriers and stakeholder resistance in implementing environmental health measures. 
• Limited scientific expertise and enforcement mechanisms for environmental health regulations. 
• Inadequate collaboration between state and municipal governments in addressing local environmental health challenges. 

What is Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) ? 

• EHRA is a structured and systematic approach designed to evaluate and understand the impact of environmental hazards on public health through careful assessment of exposure pathways and health outcomes. 
• It serves as a scientific framework for quantifying both the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects that may arise from exposure to various environmental pollutants and hazards. 
• EHRA examines multiple factors including chemical, physical, biological, and social elements in people's living and working environments that can influence health outcomes. 
• The assessment process considers various exposure sources such as industrial waste, vehicle emissions, agricultural run-offs, and household pollutants that contribute to air, water, and soil contamination. 
• EHRA specifically analyzes factors like concentration of hazardous agents, duration of exposure, frequency of contact, and population vulnerability to determine the magnitude of health risks. 
• It provides the scientific foundation for developing regulatory decisions, implementing public health interventions, and creating environmental management policies. 
• EHRA helps governments and organizations establish safety guidelines, set pollutant limits, and design preventive measures to protect public health. 
• The assessment framework is particularly focused on protecting vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions from disproportionate exposure. 
• EHRA has become increasingly critical due to emerging environmental challenges, including climate change impacts, which introduce new health risks and exacerbate existing environmental hazards. 

How many Enviornmental bodies are there in India? 

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): 
  • Apex body for environmental policies and programs 
  • Handles conservation, biodiversity, forests, and climate change 
  • Primary policy formulation authority 
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): 
  • Statutory organization under MoEFCC 
  • Sets pollution control standards 
  • Coordinates environmental monitoring nationwide 
• State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): 
  • State-level implementation of environmental laws 
  • Works in coordination with CPCB 
  • Addresses local environmental issues 
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): 
  • Focuses on biological diversity conservation 
  • Ensures sustainable use of resources 
  • Manages fair sharing of biological resource benefits 
• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA): 
  • Under Ministry of Jal Shakti 
  • Regulates groundwater resources 
  • Issues NOCs for groundwater extraction 
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): 
  • Combats organized wildlife crime 
  • Prevents illegal wildlife trade 
  • Enforces wildlife protection laws 
• Animal Welfare Board of India: 
  • Statutory advisory body on animal welfare 
  • Established under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 
  • Prevents unnecessary animal suffering 
• Forest Survey of India (FSI): 
  • Conducts forest resource surveys 
  • Monitors forest cover changes 
  • Assesses biodiversity 
• Central Zoo Authority: 
  • Oversees zoo management 
  • Maintains international standards 
  • Member of World Association of Zoos 
• National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI): 
  • Research institute under CSIR 
  • Provides technical expertise 
  • Conducts environmental research 
• Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE): 
  • Coordinates forestry research 
  • Promotes sustainable forest management 
  • Handles forestry education 
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): 
  • Judicial body for environmental cases 
  • Handles environmental protection 
  • Delivers judgments on environmental laws 

What is EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)? 

• EPA is a centralized regulatory agency that serves as a comprehensive environmental governance body, focusing on integrating environmental management with public health protection through coordinated monitoring, regulation, and enforcement of environmental standards. 
• The agency plays a crucial role in controlling toxic substances, setting pollution limits, managing water and air quality standards, while implementing evidence-based environmental policies through scientific assessments and data-driven approaches. 
• EPA functions as a bridge between various stakeholders and government bodies, coordinating efforts to implement environmental regulations, conduct health risk assessments, and enforce compliance with environmental protection guidelines. 
• As a regulatory authority, EPA develops and enforces environmental standards, conducts environmental health risk assessments, and implements pollution prevention measures while working closely with state and local governments for effective implementation. 
• The agency's primary mission combines environmental protection with public health safeguarding by monitoring environmental hazards, implementing preventive measures, responding to environmental emergencies, and ensuring comprehensive environmental governance through integrated regulatory frameworks.

Conclusion

Establishing an EHRA represents both an imperative and an economic opportunity for India. The proposed agency would bridge the current gaps in environmental health governance while aligning with global standards and commitments. Its success would depend on effective public engagement, scientific expertise, and inter-ministerial coordination. This integrated approach would help India achieve its environmental goals while ensuring sustainable economic growth and improved public health outcomes.