15-09-2016, 02:47 PM
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Acknowledgement
The Environmental Status Report (ESR) is not just about the fulfillment of the need
for a report, rather, it is a continuous process of measurement of environmental
indicators and assessment of their condition. The results are not just compiled but
are analyzed with deep study and discussion, on the basis of which the Thane
Municipal Corporation will take steps for the mitigation of identified environmental
issues and strive towards better environmental management. We consider this as
one of our most important duties and it is for these reasons we make intensive
efforts to prepare this report annually.
It is a matter of immense pride to be part of a team trying to develop the city in an
eco‐friendly manner. Through our combined efforts, we are striving to constantly
improve the status of Thane city at all levels – social, environmental or economic.
I would like to acknowledge the support and advice of the Maharashtra Pollution
Control Board (MPCB). I would like to thank M/s Ultra Tech, Environmental
Consultancy and Laboratory for their efforts towards information collection and
compilation for this report. Special thanks are due to the Environmental
Management Centre (EMC) for its technical assistance in data assessment for and re‐
structuring of the report as per MPCB’s guidelines for preparation of ESR and serve
as a model to other cities.
Background of ESRs
Preparation of Environmental Status Reports (ESRs) is mandated in the 74th
Constitutional Amendment Act and the Twelfth Schedule. Some cities of
Maharashtra have been publishing ESRs since 1997.
The ESR is a comprehensive document that serves as an information resource base
for identification of critical issues and also as an input for new city / town
Development Plans (DPs) or even revisions in them. The ESR attempts to identify
current and emerging environmental concerns as well as opportunities at the town
level. It does this through the identification of demographic, social and economic
driving forces behind various issues that can pose risk to environment and health
and safety of citizens. The ESR also encourages the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to
formulate and adopt an overarching Environmental Policy, which would ultimately
help in planning and implementation of the Action Plan (a product of the ESR).
Thus, the objectives of preparing an ESR may be listed as below ‐
To assist in drawing meaningful inferences about the status of the environment
for a city / town
To provide a logical decision making structure for responses (including
appropriate resource allocation) to planners and policy makers
To communicate the status of the environment as well as proposed actions to
resolve identified issues to all stakeholders including citizens