Selection of suitable industrial siting both in terms of techno-socio-economic as well as environmental considerations is a strong weapon to combat environmental degradation due to pollution that ensures environmental sustainability of industrial development. Unfortunately, scientific environmental planning as an integral part of developmental/underdeveloped nations. Bhopal Gas Tragedy in India has been an e7ye opener to the word in realising importance of such effective environmental planning.

To simplify environmental impact assessment due to industrialisation and to facilitate decision making merely in this regard a national level project "Zoning Atlas for Siting of Industries" has been launched under World Bank Assistance and in technical collaboration with German Technical Collaboration (GTZ). Under the project priority districts in terms of their industrialisation potential and or environmental sensitivity are being covered to identify environmentally suitable areas for siting of Industries. In this state West Bengal Council of Science and Technology is in charge of implementation of the project. The districts of Bankura, Jalpaiguir and Medinipur have already been covered and Burdwan, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas are in the pipeline.

· Project Zoning Atlas at a glance

Legal and institution land use related categorisation and mapping of a district in view of its present environmental status is Zoning Atlas. The district is zoned in respect of its geographical location, present environmental condition and pollution bearing capacity. Suitability for siting of various kinds of pollution industries is assessed according to such classification and finally results are presented through easy to read maps capable of real time upgradation.

· The targeted beneficiaries

The Public can participate in the decision making process on the development in their neighborhood.Regulatory Authority to plan better pollution control and monitoring programmes and also transparent speedy environmental clearance of industry proposals.

Industrialists/entrepreneurs in identifying most suitable areas matching both environmental and economic considerations.

The Government in developing policies and plans for sustainable industrial development

· Future plans