The National Conference of Ministers of Environment and Forests was held on 18th August, 2009 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The aim of the Conference was to enhance cooperation and identify concrete actions in priority areas for protecting the environment and forests.

The status paper on Ganga by the Ministry of Environment. Provides a critical analysis of GAP & says that river water quality has improved at many locations however, the critical parameters of water quality, which affect human health, exceed the prescribed standard limits at major locations.

The operational guidelines for "scheme on intensification of forest management". This scheme addresses both the general problems of forest protection and the area specific requirements for management intervention. It is aimed at modernizing the forestry sector and improving the working conditions at the cutting edge level.

This latest report on State of India's environment provides an insight on the state and trends of the environment with focus on Climate Change, Food Security, Water Security, Energy Security and Urbanization. Assesses initiatives to monitor further degradation of environment & also suggests policy options.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a planning tool now generally accepted as an integral component of sound decision-making. The Environmental Clearance [EC] process for majority of projects will comprise of a maximum of four stages

For the purpose of conserving the coastal environment the Ministry had issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 to regulate various activities in CRZ areas. The Notification has undergone 25 amendments during its
implementation since 1991 to 2009. The Ministry received large number of suggestions and objections to the draft

These rules may be called the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement)Amendment Rules, 2009. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Report of the Expert Committee on draft CMZ notification chaired by M S Swaminathan submitted to Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh. Recommendations of this committee have been accepted and CMZ 2008 Notification, 2008 lapses on July 22, 2009.

The main provisions of an Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) have been integrated into the project design, specifically through the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF), and the Participatory Process Framework (PF). The PF, applies to, and informs, all project components and activities included under BCRLIP.

Guidelines for establishing CAMPAs in the States/UTs and putting in place a funding mechanism for enhancing forest and tree cover and conservation and management of wildlife by utilising funds received towards Compensatory Afforestation, Net Present Value (NPV), etc., currently available with the Adhoc CAMPA.