Lok Sabha Question No. 941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-22
Subject: Impact of Pollutants
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 941

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2016

## Impact of Pollutants

## 941. SHRI D.K. SURESH:

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

- (a) whether it  is  a  fact  that  high  level  of  pollutants  not  only  damage  health  but also contributes to global warming;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  a  need  to  invest  in research on the impact of and health burden of various kinds of pollutants in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken steps to conduct studies for identifying and monitoring the sources of pollution in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (e) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to strengthen the capacity for  monitoring  the  air    quality  and  to  prevent  the  pollution  sources  in  the country; and
- (f) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) There are no conclusive data available in the country to establish direct co-relationship of health  exclusively  due  to  pollution  and  global  warming.  Health  effects  of  pollution  are synergistic  manifestation  of  factors  which  include  food  habits,  occupational  habits,  socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity, heredity etc. of the individuals. Pollution could be one of the triggering factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases.

(b)&(c)  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.    Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  has  also  given  financial assistance under various extramural and other research schemes on air pollution.

(d) & (e) Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  in  association  with  State  Pollution Control  Boards  (SPCBs)/Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs) is monitoring  water  bodies covering  rivers,  lakes,  ponds  and  wells  (for  ground  water  assessment)  across  the  country under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) at 2500 locations covering 1275 on rivers, 190 on lakes, 45 on drains, 41 on canals, 12 on tanks, 41 on creeks / seawater,

79  on  ponds,  10  Water  Treatment  Plant  (Raw  Water)  and  807  groundwater  locations. According to an assessment of the CPCB, the water quality of 151 lakes, ponds & tanks are exceeding the prescribed limit in terms of BOD, a key indicator for organic pollution. The water quality at majority of locations of creeks and seawater are not meeting the prescribed criteria  for  Dissolved  Oxygen  (DO),  Bio-chemical  Oxygen  Demand  (BOD),  Conductivity and Faecal Coliform.

(f)  The  major  steps  taken  by  Government  for  identifying  and  monitoring  the  sources  of pollution,  strengthen  the  capacity  and  prevent  pollution  in  the  country inter  alia 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,  e-rickshaws,  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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