Lok Sabha Question No. 1092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-22
Subject: Impact of Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1092

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2016

## Impact of Air Pollution

## 1092. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it  is  a  fact  that  adverse  effect  of  air  pollution,  described  as  the  world's biggest  environmental    risk  by  WHO,  may  linger  on  in  Delhi  for  generation  to come;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether new studies /research in this area has indicated change in genes of foetus which has trans -generational impact; and
- (d)     if so,the preparedness /future plan of the Government to save the future generation from the impact of pollution?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)  & (b) World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a report titled 'Ambient Air Pollution:  A  global  assessment  of  exposure  and  burden  of  disease'  which  presents summary of methods and results of the latest global assessment of ambient air pollution exposure. According to this report, air pollution has become a growing concern with an increasing  number  of  acute  air  pollution  episodes  in  many  cities  worldwide  including Delhi.

(c)  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not carried out any study on change  in  genes  of  foetus  vis-a-vis  trans-generational  impact.  However,  Department  of Science  and  Technology  under  climate  change  programme  has  supported  a  National Network  on  Climate  Change  and  Human  Health  comprising  of  eight  research  projects including  impact  of  air  pollution  on  human  health.  Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research (ICMR) has also extended financial assistance under various extramural and other research schemes on air pollution.

(d)  The  major  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  control  pollution  include  notification  of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; formulation of environmental regulations / statutes; setting  up  of  monitoring  network  for  assessment  of  ambient  air  quality;  introduction  of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blending; promotion of cleaner  production  processes;  launching  of  National  Air  Quality  index;  universalization  of BS-IV  by  2017;leapfrogging  from  BS-IV  to  BS-VI  fuel  standards  by  1st  April,  2020;

comprehensive  amendments  to  various  Waste  Management  Rules  and  notification  of Construction  and  Demolition  Waste  Management  Rules;  banning  of  burning  of  leaves, biomass,  municipal  solid  waste;  promotion  of  public  transport  and  network  of  metro,  erickshaws,  promotion  of  car  pooling,  Pollution  Under  Control  Certificate,  lane  discipline, vehicle  maintenance;  regular  co-ordination  meetings  at  official  and  ministerial  level  with Delhi  and  other  State  Governments  within  the  NCR;  issuance  of  directions  under  Section 18(1)(b)  of  Air  (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1981  and  under  Section  5  of Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986;  installation  of  on-line  continuous  (24x7)  monitoring devices  by  major  industries;  collection  of  Environmental  Protection  Charge  on  more  than 2000 CC diesel vehicles in Delhi; and ban on bursting of sound emitting crackers between 10 PM to 6 AM etc.

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