Policy implications for environmental improvements in India's SSIs

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that to achieve technological change to reduce pollution in small industrial units one needs to create the conditions for such change by first addressing the organizational, attitudinal and knowledge constraints, at cluster or firm level. A top-down approach, based on sanctions alone is inappropriate; instead compliance-based strategies are also needed to address the constraints of the firms in the particular sector. This article first describes India's environmental policy, which has resulted in many small industries being relocated or put out of business, as well as a general negative perception of environmental improvements on the part of small industries. Three case studies of polluting small firms are described: acid-processing; lead-smelting and glass manufacturing, and in each case the constraints to change are identified. In many cases improvements can be introduced at low cost, and may result in efficiency gains, but until the business owners appreciate that they may benefit from the technological changes they are unlikely to participate. This article suggests the type of participatory activities that would go towards addressing these firms' constraints; and recommends a shift in government policy so as to address the problem of environmental improvement in a more effective manner.