Centre notifies two schemes for conservation and protection of environment

New Delhi: In a bid to conservation and protection of the environment, the government has notified a green credit programme focusing on afforestation and water conservation and an ecomark scheme to promote “eco-friendly” products.

“These initiatives, the Green Credit Program (GCP) and the Ecomark Scheme, seek to encourage environmentally friendly practices rooted in tradition and conservation; reflecting the ideas of LiFE concept” said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in a statement.

“Green Credit Program (GCP)is incentivizing environmental actions an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors” said the Ministry.

The GCP’s governance framework is supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee and The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.

“In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities water conservation and afforestation” it said adding that the Green Credit Registry and trading platform, being developed by ICFRE along with experts, would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green Credits

To obtain Green Credits, individuals and entities must register their activities through the central government’s dedicated app/website www.moefcc-gcp.in.

In another initiative, the Ministry notified on 13th October 2023 Ecomark Scheme for Promoting Eco-Friendly Products.

It provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.

Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

“It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products” the ministry said.

The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national body for standards and certification.

“Both initiatives mark significant steps in promoting sustainable living, environmental conservation, and, through individual and collective choice, embody eco-friendly practices in India” it said.