Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Mangroves of Sunderbans
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *481

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## Mangroves of Sunderbans

## *481.  MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

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

- (a)  whether  the Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  conserve the mangroves  of  Sunderbans and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the steps being taken to make Sunderbans plastic free;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to make Sunderbans an eco-tourism hub and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is taking any steps to conserve the wildlife in Sunderbans and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *481 DUE FOR REPLY ON 26.07.2019 REGARDING 'MANGROVES OF SUNDERBANS' BY MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

- (a) The  Government  has  been  taking  steps  to  protect  and  enhance  mangrove cover  in  Sunderbans  through  promotional  as  well  as  regulatory  measures. The  promotional  measures  are  being  implemented  through  a  central  sector scheme namely conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs under National Coastal Mission Programme. Under this Programme, projects for conservation and management of mangroves are formulated and implemented  in the participating coastal States and Union  Territories including State of West Bengal for Sunderbans. In addition, Government of West  Bengal  is  also  implementing  State  funded  scheme  to  conserve  and protect  mangrove  of  Sunderbans.  Regulatory  measures  are  implemented through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2011 & 2019) under the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986;  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act, 1972; the Indian Forest  Act, 1927; the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and rules under these acts as amended from time to time.
- (b) In the year 2017-18, Sunderbans has been declared as 'Plastic Free Zone' by the Government of West Bengal. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has promulgated direction vide  Memo  No.  1833A-3S-89/2001 dated: 03/09/2001  under  sections,  33A  of  the  Water  (Prevention  and  Control  of Pollution) Act 1974 and 31A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 prohibiting the entry, use and possession of plastic carry bags in entire  Sunderbans  Area.  The  Officers-in  Charge  of  the  Police  Stations concerned  are  empowered  to  take  legal  action  under  Section  188  of  the Indian Penal Code in case of violation against the offender, if any.
- (c) There is no plan at present to make Sunderbans an eco-tourism hub.
- (d) Sunderbans  area  is  declared  as  a  'Tiger  Reserve'  for  the  purpose  of conserving  wildlife.  Conservation  of  flora  and  fauna  of  the  Sunderbans  is implemented  through  the  legally  mandated  Tiger  Conservation  Plan  which inter alia, has  prescriptions  for  management  of  mangrove  areas,  antipoaching, habitat management, monitoring and staff development.

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