Department of Housing & Environment

EPCO stands for Environmental Planning and Co-ordination Organisation Established in 1981, EPCO is a unique organisation in terms of the foresight and the width of its mandate. EPCO has worked closely with the state government yet attempted to establish its own identity as an autonomous organisation. In the last 27 years it has played a special role in the environment-related matters in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The last 25 years have witnessed some of the most significant developments from the perspective of sustainable development and environment. EPCO has been in the unique position to witness these developments in the field of environment almost from the time they began to unfold.

EPCO is one of the first organizations to foresee the importance of conducting advanced studies on environmental impact assessment and environmental conservation. By undertaking pioneering work in EIA’s and environmental conservation it prepared the State to address the environmental concerns that were emerging nationally and globally.

Assist and advise the Government of Madhya Pradesh and other agencies in the management of the human environment including, inter-alia, periodic review of the environmental legislation regional, urban and architectural planning, protecting and conserving ancient monuments and other places of social, cultural, religious and aesthetic significance and improving their quality.

2. Create public awareness with regard to the environment generally and in

relation to Madhya Pradesh in particular and to keep the public informed in

this field.

Flagship Projects

Wetland conservation, Bio-diversity conservation, Biosphere Reserve Management, State of Environment Reports, Mainstreaming of environmental concerns in development sectors, Ground Water Management, Waste Management, Architectural and Urban Designs, Spatial, Planning Landscape, Interior and Graphic Design, Structures and allied Engineering services, Environmental Education and Awareness, Project Management are some of the areas of interest and strength of EPCO.

One of the major contributions made by EPCO is raising consciousness about environmental issues in the state of Madhya Pradesh at a time when most other states had not even begun to think about the issues. It helped in bringing inputs from the leading scientists and environmentalists to the state of Madhya Pradesh. It also successfully focussed attention on the environmental problem areas of the state through its Environmental Status Reports. By constantly engaging itself with various field level projects as well as research projects, it has created a fairly competent professional base in the organisation. It has also been a pioneering organisation that integrated urban aesthetic and environmental concerns with architecture. Some of the flagship projects of EPCO are :

On the behest of Government of Madhya Pradesh EPCO formulated Environmental Policy of the State. The policy has been adopted by the State Government, which has reaffirmed its commitment in sustainable development of the state. EPCO has also been made responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the various provisions of the policy. One of the major role that EPCO is expected to perform in future is to mainstream environmental concerns in various development initiatives of the state, especially poverty and livelihood related issues.

Environmental Status Report (ESR) is comprehensive document which serves as information resource base for identification of critical areas and also as a source book for inputs in development planning. ESR attempts to identify regional current and emerging concerns and identifies demographic, social and economic driving forces behind the trends and problems. As required by the State Environmental policy, EPCO published first ESR in 1988. Since than EPCO has published four Status Reports, last ESR was published in the year 2000. While revising fifth report it is proposed to make it more participative. It is expected that ESR will provide perspective to environmental policy of the State. The document would critically review and analyse various sectoral policies of the State and would lead to Strategic Environmental Assessment. Beside this state level document, district specific State of Environment books are also on the anvil. These eco-resource books, once ready, would prove seminal in district level development planning process.

District Poverty Initiative Program

A World Bank assisted project on poverty alleviation is currently on in the State. EPCO has been retained as consultant for monitoring and evaluation of environmental framework on this project in Madhya Pradesh. EPCO is not only inculcating culture of eco conservation in the minds of beneficiaries and project staff through building sense of appreciation of environmental concerns, but is also offering environmental intelligence. EPCO has prepared a training manual and guidelines for the project managers.

Urban Spatial Planning

EPCO has core competence in architectural and urban designs. During last two decades EPCO has provided consultancy services for urban design. Recently EPCO has prepared architectural design for the State Archaeological Museum. Similarly EPCO has evolved concept plan for regional development of Khajuraho, prepared concept paper for development of temple town of Omkareshwar and design concept for proposed folk art and handicraft bazar.

Integrated water Resource Management

Over the years EPCO has gained sufficient experience in management of urban water bodies. EPCO formulated and executed more than 250 projects for conservation and up-gradation of small urban water bodies mainly through local institutions. On behalf of the State Government, EPCO prepared a major scheme for up-gradation of ecologically important upper and lower lake system (together constituting the Bhoj Wetland) at Bhopal.

Government of Madhya Pradesh retained EPCO as consultant for the preparation of project reports on environmental aspects of Ujjain in view of the Simhastha-2004. A detail geo-scientific hydrology study of about 900 Sq km upstream of Kshipra was done and based on that suggested 550 RMS structure for harvesting of rainwater. Detail conservation plans for all the major water bodies have also been prepared.

Having completed more than two decades of presence in the field of environment, it has been the thinking of the decision-makers of EPCO to strengthen and reposition it by restructuring to ensure its future growth.

Various line departments implement the major development programmes of the state. To mainstream environmental concerns in these programmes EPCO will work in close collaboration with the line departments. The relationship with line departments is of crucial significance. Therefore the major role that EPCO would perform vis-à-vis the line departments is to help them develop capacity for internalisation of environmental concerns in their programmes.

EPCO can provide appropriate environmental information in support of the ongoing decentralization process in the state, from policy planning to the district planning committees and at the level of the gram sabhas.

EPCO’s capacity to contribute to the environmental planning and implementation capacity of other departments as well as its ability to play a useful role in policy processes of the state will be substantially enhanced if it develops into an independent think-tank that brings in new and researched knowledge to the state and its planning processes. There is thus a clear strategic shift from working in a departmental mode to working in an agency mode.

With this background a project document has been sanctioned by DFID India for financial support. The project has all the necessary approval from Governing Council of EPCO, as well as from GoMP, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Department of Economic Affairs GOI.

Government of India has designated Pachmarhi area as Biosphere Reserve in 1999. Spread over in about 5000 sq. km covering three wildlife conservation units this area exhibits variety of geological rock and soil formations. It is a natural junction of two most important timber species viz. Teak and Sal and is often referred as express highway of species diversity between Eastern Himalyas and Western Ghat, the two biological hot spots of India.

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has made EPCO Nodal Agency for management of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Under this project besides conducting studies on environmental and ecological issues, EPCO is formulating various small schemes for overall improvement of the area. EPCO has also prepared project document for Amarkantak and efforts are afoot to notify this area as second Biosphere Reserve of the State.

Government of India has designated Achanakmar-Amarkantak area as Biosphere Reserve in 2005. EPCO is also the nodal agency for implementation of this biosphere reserve. Besides this MoEF has also designated EPCO as Lead Institution for both the biosphere reserves.

EPCO has formulated State Bio-diversity strategy and Action Plan for the department of Bio-diversity and Biotechnology, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The document highlights importance of preservation of best remaining habitats and how they can cope with anthropogenic and climatic factor and alien species invasion. The document has identified areas of concern and has suggested major strategies and action, which can be projectised into schemes and programmes for field level implementation. The document has been prepared under the over all umbrella of National Bio-diversity Strategy and Action Plan.

EPCO offers consultancy services in the field of project formulation and development of Wetland conservation, State of Environment Reports, Studies on Ground Water Management, Waste Management, Architectural and Urban Designs, Spatial, Planning Landscape, Interior and Graphic Design, Structures and allied Engineering services. We have system of empanelment of Consultants and depending on the type of work we take the services of consultants

National Environment Awareness Campaign is an annual programme of Minstry of Forests and Environment GoI. EPCO is the Regional Resources Agency (RRA) for NEAC. EPCO invites application from NGOs through advertisement and after careful screening recommend to a committee constituted by GoI. After getting sanction and funds from MoEF it distributes funds, monitors and evaluates campaign. The advantage of NEAC is the large-scale involvement of NGOs across the state work on a designated theme.

I am a School teacher. How can I and my school benefit from EPCO.

National Green Corps or popularly known as NGC is the ideal window to associate your school with environment education related activities.

National Green Corps aims to promote consciousness and understanding of local and regional environmental issues among the school going children, in an informal way. 150 schools from each district are selected to set up eco-clubs. NGC offers tremendous opportunity to convey the message of environmental and developmental concerns and catching the imagination of young ones.

Most of EPCO’s key professionals have sufficient experience in virtually all branches of environmental management. Engaging themselves in a wide range of activities and applying accumulated experience have institutionalised the knowledge within EPCO. Its human resources and knowledge base is one of EPCO’s biggest strengths. The areas of specialization of the staff cover a wide range from Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Geography, Economics Urban Planning, Geology and Chemistry, Environmental Management, Engineering (civil, environmental), Architecture.

Yes we welcome all the enthusiastic readers to use EPCO library. The library is well stocked with good collection of books, scientific and technical journals and publications on environment related matters. You can refer books and all other reading material during office hours. You can also get photocopies of the relevant documents on a nominal charges. The library has recently been renovated.

Whom Should we Contact for any Asisstance
Executive Director
Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO)

Paryavaran Parisar, E- 5, Arera Colony,

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, PIN 462016, India

Phone +91 755 2466859 Fax +91 755 2462136

Q.1 Why should I buy a property from MP Housing Board when there are other Vendors in the market offering me "lucrative and hidden" benefits?

Ans. M.P.H.B. has won confidence of over two lakh satisfied families throughout the state during the last 40 years. This is the oldest and most trusted institutions assuring you of an absolutely clean and transparent deal. The land titles are undisputed and infrastructural facilities like water supply, sewage, drains, electricity etc., at their functional best. There are no false promises, no hidden shocks, no hanky panky business. We are the only players in the market, offering the most efficient and dependable "after-sales service". We are the only housing agency in the country to have visualised and concretised the concept of "Service Centre" in Bhopal, which is being spread to other colonies and cities in a phased manner. This is the place, where you are sure of getting neighborhood of law-abiding citizens, in a well-planned environment. A list of distinguished patrons says it all.

Q. 2 Okay! If I decide to buy a house or house site from M.P. Housing Board, how do I go about it?

Ans. The procedure is quite simple. You have to look for our advertisement in the newspapers, or contact the friendly Estate Management Office for details of available property and follow the following steps:-

Fill up the prescribed application form (available in the designated Bank or the E.M. Office) and deposit it along with the initial deposit at the place of purchase of the form.

You have to attach your pass-port size photograph on the application form and also a proof of your income. A copy of salary certificate, copy of latest income tax return, or income certificate issued by Competent Authority.

Q. 3 Can I register my Name for a particular house? I have heard a lot about the "Lottery System". What is that?.

Ans. Our procedure for allotment of the house is most fair and transparent. If the number of applicants is more than the number of houses proposed for constructions, then the allottees are selected by the draw of lots. Another draw of lots is performed, at a later stage for allocation of house numbers, so that there is no chance of partiality or favouritism towards any person. The most interesting aspect is that the entire draw proceedings are performed by the applicants themselves in a public gathering.

Ans. Yes! There are basically two modes of payment to choose from. One is "Hire Purchase" mode (Popularly known as Installments) and the other is "Self Financing" Mode.

In the first, that is a Hire Purchase mode, half of the cost is to paid during construction period (before possession) and the balance half in yearly installments along with the prescribed interest. "Self Financing" mode means that the house has been constructed with your own money and hence the entire cost is to be paid before possession of the house as per time schedule provided by us. The house costs approximately 10% cheaper in this mode. Complete houses may also be purchased on one time payment basis which is "Outright Sale".

Ans. The State Govt. have laid down quotas for reservation of house for MPs/MLAs, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, freedom fighters, defence personnel, physically handicapped etc. If the reserved houses are not fully utilized, the same are de-reserved, and offered to general public for allotment through normal channel. Outright sale is given preference to Hire-Purchase in allotment.

Q. 6 Can M.P.H.B. help in getting loans from any financial institution for purchase of the house?

Ans. Yes, very gladly! In fact, the financial institutions also prefer financing for an M.P. Housing Board property because of its legal clarity. A large no. of our customers are taking loans from financial institutions like HUDCO, HDFC, CANFIN, SBI, LICHF etc. Any formality required by the financing institutions is promptly attended to.

Q. 7 What happens if at some point of time, I decide to withdraw my registration or Can I switch over from one scheme to another?

Ans. If you decide to withdraw your registration, your entire deposited amount will be refunded after deducting only 10% of the registration deposit. Your registration is transferable from one scheme to another, subject to availability in the new scheme and at that cost.

Ans. Yes! You will be required to pay annual lease rent as being charged by Govt. with 10% supervision charge for that land and in proportion to plot area allotted and Land maintenance or Resident's Welfare Society charges annually. If your house is a corner house or enjoying a better location, it will be charged extra.

Q. 9 I had purchased a small house from MP Housing Board about some time back but now I want to buy another house. Can I do it?

Ans. Yes! MP Housing Board has recently liberalised some of it’s old policies and you can now have more than one house or plot from MP Housing Board.

Ans. Yes you can, but only after 3 years of allotment. We will charge a small transfer fee, depending upon the time elapsed since allotment and after completion of some codal formalities, the property can be transferred. We also have nomination facilities.

Q. 11 And now the last question! Does M.P. Housing Board construct and sell only residential houses?

Ans. No! This is a myth. In fact MP Housing Board has developed the most prestigious business premises in Bhopal like GTB Complex, Panchanan, Gangotri, Tawa Complex etc. We have now ventured into new area like roads infrastructure and multi storey Car Parking in Bhopal and other.

Ans Any industry, operation or process or an extension and addition thereto, which is likely to discharge sewerage or trade effluent into the environment or likely to emit any air pollution into the atmosphere will have to obtain consent of the State Pollution Control Board under the provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Similarly any industry / process generating, storing, transporting, disposing or handling hazardous waste as defined in Schedule 1 and 2 of Hazardous Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 1989, as amended are required to obtain authorization from Board under the said Rules.

The medical institutions generating biomedical waste as defined in Biomedical Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 1989 are required to obtain Authorisation under the said Rules.

Ans There are three types of consent issued under the provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

All the industries and activities needing consent must obtain consent to establish before actual commencement of the works for establishing the industry/activity.

This consent needs to be taken before actual commencement of production including trial production. This consent is valid for certain duration.

Ans Prescribed application forms for the consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)Act, 1974 & Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Hazardous Waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 1989 are available at this website in downloadable format and can also be procured from Regional/Sub Regional Offices of the MPPCB.

Ans The fees for consent under Water & Air Act are payable based on the capital investment of the industry (including land, building and machinery without depreciation). This information is available in the Technical Section of this website.

The fees for authorization under Bio-medical waste (Management and Handing) Rules, 1998 is available in the Bio-medical Waste Section under Technical Division of this website. The fees for authorization under Hazardous Waste (Management and Handing) Rules,1989 is available in HSMD Section of this website.

Q-5 Where shall I register my complaint about noise pollution, automobile exhaust, smell, nuisance, etc?

Ans The citizens can register complaint about their environmental concerns as under,

Concern	Agency
Noise Pollution
- Industrial noise pollution	MPPCB
- Non-industrial noise pollution	District administration/ Police department
Automobile/vehicle pollution	Transport department.
Complaints of nuisance in Municipal Areas	Concerning Municipal Authorities.
Water and Air pollution	MPPCB
Problem related to Hazardous Waste disposal, Bio-medical Waste disposal	MPPCB
Disposal of Plastic Waste	District administration/Concerning Municipal Authorities.
Problem related to Municipal Solid Waste	Concerning Municipal Authorities.

Q1 What is the core work area of LCA?
Ans: The Lake Conservation Authority has been constituted with an objective of conservation and management of water resources of the entire state. Therefore the core work area of LCA includes preparation and implementation of conservation and management plans of different water bodies around the state.

Q2 Where does the LCA work?
Ans : The LCA has been working in all the major cities and towns of the state and now is spreading its work area even in the smaller and more remote areas, covering the entire state.

Q3 Why was LCA constituted?
Ans: The LCA was constituted as the successor agency of Bhoj Wetland Project to utilize the expertise and experiences learned during the implementation of Bhoj Wetland Project to carry out similar works in other water bodies all around the state.

Q4 What type of expertise are available with LCA?
Ans: The LCA is well equipped with all the infrastructure and expertise needed for conservation and management of water bodies with experts in the field of water resources conservation and management, Limnology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Data Analysis and Interpretation etc.

Q5 What was Bhoj Wetland Project aimed at?
Ans: The Bhoj Wetland Project was aimed at ecological upgradation and conservation and management of two important water bodies of Bhopal city viz the Upper and the Lower Lake called as Bhoj Wetland. The project included planning and implementation of conservation measures to mitigate the environmental problems faced by the Bhoj Wetland of Bhopal. The project has been successfully completed in the year 2004 with the financial assistance of Japan Bank of International Cooperation, Japan.

Q6 What are the common environmental problems of an urban lake?
Ans : The common environmental problem of urban lake include inflow of sewage, reduction of water storage capacity, encroachment, dumping of solid waste, direct human intervention, cattle intervention, nutrient enrichment, eutrophication, excessive growth of aquatic macrophytes etc.

Q7 What are the mitigative measures meant for urban lakes?
Ans: The mitigative measures for conservation of urban lakes include Deweeding, Desilting, Installation of floating fountain, shoreline protection, creation of buffer zone between habitation and lake, diversion of sewage, solid waste management and ensuring public participation in lake conservation.

Ans. State Institute for Town Planning, a federation of Urban developmental bodies in the State of Madhya Pradesh, is an Autonomous Body under the aegis of the Housing and Environment Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh and has been registered as a Society in 1980.

It provides services to various organizations, mainly to the Local Bodies in the fields of Survey, Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Infrastructure, Engineering, Project Management & Financial Resource Management through consultancies (in-house and out-sources).

The State Govt., Urban Administration and Development Department declared Madhya Pradesh Vikas Pradhikaran Sangh as State Nodal Agency for Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).

The Government of Madhya Pradesh, Housing & Environment Department declared Madhya Pradesh Vikas Pradhikaran Sangh as Nodal Agency for the IDSMT schemes in the State as per provisions of revised guidelines of IDSMT schemes issued by Govt. of India in 1995.

Q2 What is IDSMT Scheme? How many towns of Madhya Pradesh are covered under this scheme and what is the total sanctioned cost?

Ans. Centrally sponsored scheme of Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns was initiated in the 6th plan (1979-1980). Initially the Central and State assistance were given to the local development agencies as loan. In August 1995, the Government of India revised the guidelines for the implementation of the IDSMT scheme. The revised guidelines provide for the Central and State assistance in term of grant.

Its main objective has been to slow down migration from rural areas and smaller towns to large cities by the development of selected small and medium towns, capable of generating economic growth and employment. Through the establishment of complementary linkages between villages, towns and cities, it envisages a harmonious pattern of settlements.

Under the IDSMT (grant) scheme, 97 towns of Madhya Pradesh are covered. The total sanctioned cost for this scheme is Rs.143.70 Crore.
In the year 2005-06, GoI subsumed the IDSMT scheme in UIDSSMT.

Ans Urban infrastructure Development Scheme for Small & Medium Towns aims at improvement in urban infrastructure in towns and cities in a planned manner. It subsumes the schemes of Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) and Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme (AUWSP).

The objectives of the scheme are to: (a) improve infrastructural facilities and help create durable public assets and quality oriented services in cities & towns; (b) Enhance public-private-partnership in infrastructural development and (c) promote planned integrated development of towns and cities.
The various components covered under this scheme are: i) Urban Renewal, Water Supply (including de-salination plants) and sanitation, Sewerage and Solid Waste Management, Construction and improvement of drains/storm water drains, Construction/ Up gradation of roads, highways/expressways, Parking lots/spaces on Public Private Partnership basis, Development of heritage areas, Prevention & rehabilitation of soil erosion/landslides only in case of Special Category States where such problems are common and Preservation of water bodies.

Q4 What is the procedure for sanctioning of UIDSSMT scheme? How many towns of Madhya Pradesh are covered under this scheme and what is the total sanctioned cost?

Ans: The respective urban local body is required to submit component wise detailed project report in accordance to their priorities, to the State Level Nodal Agency i. e. MPVPS. The SLNA will appraise the scheme technically and financially. The ULB is also required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Govt. through SLNA, to implement a Reform Agenda as per the guidelines of GoI. If the DPR is found technically and financially viable and the ULB has executed the MoA, the DPR will be sent to Ministry of Urban Development, GoI for their second appraisal. Finally the scheme will be submitted to the State Level Empowered Sanctioning Committee for sanction.

MPVPS has appraised schemes for 22 towns and 30 schemes for 18 towns have been sanctioned by the State Level Sanctioning Committee. The total cost of the sanctioned schemes is Rs.212.29 Crores out of which GoI assistance is Rs 169.83 Crores and State assistance is Rs 21.23 Crores. The remaining cost will be borne by the respective local bodies.

Ans Membership shall be open to every Development Authorities, Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Special Area Development Authorities, Nagar Panchayat and Housing Boards constituted in Madhya Pradesh on payment of stipulated Annual Fees. MPVPS has 222 members including 6 Development Authorities, 2 Special Area Development Authorities, 5 Municipal Corporations, 57 Municipal Councils and 152 Nagar Panchayats.