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The Urban areas of the country are growing into bigger agglomerations with ever increasing influx of population. The urban population in India increased from 25.85 million in 1901 to 159.46 million in 1981 and in 1991 it crossed 217 million (nearly 26% of the total population). The number of urban centres (town and urban agglomerations) has grown from 2,843 in 1951 to 3,678 in 1991. As in 1991, India had 23 metropolitan cities having population more than 1 million in each city.

The urban areas confronted with a plethora of environmental problems due to haphazard development. Absence of environmental considerations in planning & development process, over crowding and congestion, lack of sufficient water supply, unhygienic and improper living conditions, pollution of air and water, improper and inadequate garbage collection and disposal systems are among the host of problems in the urban areas.

To safeguard the environment and to maintain good quality of life in the urban areas, there is a need of concerted effort and a holistic approach. As is said "Prevention is better than cure", there is a need to properly plan land uses considering environmental aspects and to ensure that development take place in a sustainable manner.

The Central Pollution Control Board took an initiative by taking up a pilot study on "Environmental Management Plan for Kanpur Urban Area." We are overwhelmed with the response received from all the concerned in kanpur. we are particularly happy to naote that the Kanpur Development Authority considered the piolet study report "Environmental management Plan for Kanpur Urban Area" and has incorporated it in their short and long term development plans. Thanks the Kanpur Development Authority, a number of measures for improvement of enviroment are under implementation in Kanpur.

Through this Newsletter, we would like to share the experience in Kanpur and set an example that it is still not too late to do something for improvement of environment in our cities and that efforts can help bring results.

(Dilip Biswas)
Chairman, CPCB