Lok Sabha Question No. 707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Environmental Issues
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 707

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2018

## Environmental Issues

## 707.   SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  raise  awareness amongst the public regarding schemes/ policies on environmental issues;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any specific steps to assess irreparable damage caused to environment by development works;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the efforts made to compensate for the same; and
- (d) the details of the cases registered with the National Green Tribunal during the last three years in the country including Bundelkhand in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  provides  funds  to  Eco  Club Schools  for  undertaking  nature  camps  and  capacity  building  under  Environmental Education  and  Training  programme.  Presently  over  90,000  schools  have  been granted  Rs.  5000/-  per  school  through  the  concerned  State  Nodal  Agency.  The scheme is also involved in taking up the Clean Air Campaign, Harit Diwali Swasth Diwali campaigns.
- (b) & (c) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified Environmental  Impact  Assessment (EIA) Notification,  2006  on  14.9.2006  with  an aim  to  reduce  and  control  potential  damages  caused  to  the  environment  by developmental projects. The notifications categorize the projects into two categories namely; Category 'A' and Category 'B' based on their impact potential. Category 'A' projects  are  being  appraised  at  the  Central  level  (MoEF&CC)  while  Category 'B' project at the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs).  The  SEIAAs  have been  constituted  by  the  Ministry  for  the  purpose  of appraisal  of  Category  'B'  projects.  As  per  the  EIA  Notification,  2006,  only following project/activities require prior environment clearance:
- i. all new projects or activities listed in the Schedule to this notification;
- ii. expansion  and  modernization  of  existing  projects  or  activities  listed  in  the Schedule  to  this  notification  with  addition  of  capacity  beyond  the  limits specified for the concerned sector, that is, projects or activities which cross the threshold limits given in the Schedule, after expansion or modernization; and
- iii. any change in product - mix in an existing manufacturing unit included in Schedule beyond the specified range, require prior environment clearance.
- (d) Total 5530 no. of cases i.e. Appeals and Original Application filed in the National Green        Tribunal Principal Bench and all Zonal Benches for last three years. As far as Bundelkhand area is concerned, the National Green Tribunal does not maintain data in this regard separately.

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