Lok Sabha Question No. 2029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Conservation of the Environment
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2029

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## Conservation of the Environment

## 2029. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

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

- (a) Whether it is a fact that environmental priorities were affected due to the spread of the deadly corona virus and its socio-economic impact on the nation;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  strategy  devised  by  the  Government  for  handling environmental deterioration and exploitation in the aftermath of Corona pandemic;
- (c) whether the Government has made any plans to re-start a large-scale public awareness programme for the conservation of the environment; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (d): The Ministry has issued two notifications vide S.O. 4254(E) dated 27.11.2020 and S.O.  221(E) dated  18.01.2021  for extending  the  validity  of  EC  for  the  projects  which were stalled due to the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic and its subsequent control measures. The Ministry has also issued an OM dated 14.09.2020 regarding conducting public  hearing  during  the  pandemic  restrictions  which  are  readily  available  in  the Ministry's Website: http://moef.gov.in/e-citizen/circulars-orders-guidelines/circulars-2/.

Further, the Ministry has developed robust virtual platform to generate awareness among public including students, local entrepreneurs, community etc. through conducting online webinars, training programmes, stakeholder meetings and other meetings. The success stories are also uploaded in the Ministry's social media platforms under the respective organizations/bodies and institutes.

The  Ministry  is  already  implementing  the  Environment  Education,  Awareness  and Training (EEAT) scheme since year 1983-84. This scheme aims to promote environmental awareness and mobilize student's participation for environment conservation.  The  objectives  of  the  scheme  are  achieved  through  programmes  namely National  Green  Corps  (NGC)  -  'Eco  club'  Programme,  National  Nature  Camping Programme (NNCP) and Capacity Building Activities (CBA). Under the National Green Corps (NGC) programme of the Ministry, about 1.6 lakh schools have been identified as Eco-clubs, wherein, nearly forty lakh students are actively participating in mass various awareness programmes on various environmental issues. The Ministry has launched the Green Good Deed (GGDs) movement in January 2018 as a social movement with the aim  to  bring  about  mass  environmental  awareness  in  the  society  at  all  levels.  The National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims at protecting, restoring and enhancing India's forest cover and responding to Climate Change by means of plantation activities in forest and non-forest areas for various environmental protection.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under this Ministry organizes Mass Awareness Programme through Exhibitions, printed  Literature,  Advertisement  in  National  Dailies and Public Notices for dissemination of information for control of pollution every year. CPCB  released  a  Public  Notice  on  the  occasion  of  Diwali  Festival  through  CPCB's website.

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