The Urban Development Ministry has said that states have broadly agreed to ensure compliance with proposed environmental guidelines for construction projects in urban areas, and stated that the stipulations are feasible for implementation.
A broad consensus in this regard emerged after a four-hour-long consultative workshop on 'Climate Change Mitigation in Urban Sector' organised by the Ministry of Urban Development with all stakeholders here on Monday.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change made a detailed presentation on 'Environmental Guidelines for Buildings' containing about 30 parameters to be complied with for efficient management of energy, water, land, solid waste, air quality and noise levels during pre-construction, construction and post construction period.
The workshop was organised to sensitise states and other stakeholders to the need for green construction in view of the fact that building sector consumes 40 percent of electricity generated in the country, 30 percent of raw materials and 20 percent each of water and land resources besides generating 30 percent of solid waste and 20 percent of effluents.
A broad consensus has emerged on the following major provisions:
Also Read
1. At least one percent of connected applied load of power shall be met from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells or wind mills or hybrid mode. All common area lighting must be of LED/Solar lights. Energy meters must be installed to measure over all energy consumption.
Array
2. Regular energy audit shall be ensured through energy auditors certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
Array
3. One tree shall be planted for every 100 sq.mt. of land area. When trees are to be cut or transplanted, compensatory plantation of three trees for every cut to be ensured.
Array
4. Rainwater harvesting plan to be designed providing one recharge bore for every 3,000 sq.mt of land area. A minimum of 30 percent of area open to sky (unbuilt) to be left unpaved to facilitate ground water recharge and reduce heat island effect. Area covered with grass will be treated as unpaved area.
Array
5. Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) shall be installed to ensure treatment of 100 percent solid waste generated and adopting decentralized STPs for larger projects.
Array
6. Natural flow of storm water channels can't be altered without the approval of competent authority. Entry and exit points of such channels must be retained.
Array
7. Organic waste composter/Vermiculture pit with a minimum capacity of 0.3 kg/tenement/day to be installed.
Array
8. Separate wet and dry bins to be provided at the ground level facilitating segregation of waste. All non-biodegradable waste shall be handed over to authorised recyclers.
Array
9. Fertile top soil must be retained to the maximum and for reuse on the site, since it takes about 500 years for formation of one inch of fertile top soil; and
Array
10. Possession of buildings to be handed over only after drainage and water connections are in place and No Objection Certification obtained from the competent authority.
Array
Durga Shankar Misra, Additional Secretary (Urban Development) urged states to be pro-active in ensuring compliance with green construction norms in view of the commitment of the Central Government to mitigate emission of Green House Gases responsible for climate change.
