Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Impact of Oil Drilling and Industrial Projects on Desert Ecology
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 134

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Impact of Oil Drilling and Industrial Projects on Desert Ecology

## *134.  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the impact of oil drilling and industrial projects on desert ecology in Barmer;
- (b) if so, the measures taken to mitigate damage; and
- (c) whether similar reviews have been conducted for industrial zones in coastal States/UTs?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  134  RAISED  BY  SHRI  UMMEDA  RAM  BENIWAL REGARDING IMPACT OF OIL DRILLING AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS ON DESERT ECOLOGY DUE FOR REPLY ON 09.02.2026.

(a) to (c): All projects/activities listed in the Schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended, require prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for the setting up of a new project/activity or expansion of an  existing project/activity  beyond  the  thresholds  mentioned  in  the  Notification.  These projects/activities,  including  oil  drilling  and  industrial  projects,  are  granted  EC  by  the  regulatory authority based on the recommendations of the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which rigorously appraises the projects/activities based on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out for such projects,  taking into account the impact of the said projects/activities  on the environment. The mitigation measures recommended by the EAC's form a part of the EC conditions for the proposed project/activity.

For oil drilling projects, the EAC assesses site suitability and impacts on air, water, noise, ecology, and socio-economic conditions. In ecologically sensitive areas such as deserts, the EIA evaluates effects on habitats, biodiversity, soil, water resources, and overall ecological balance using baseline data and impact predictions. Based on anticipated impacts, a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is prepared, covering mitigation measures, pollution control, conservation actions, risk management, and environmental monitoring. The appraisal emphasizes appropriate siting away from sensitive  areas,  settlements,  floodplains,  and  forest  land,  along  with  safe  management  of  drilling wastes, effluents, hazardous chemicals, and safety risks. Key mitigation measures include use of lowtoxicity drilling fluids, lined and reclaimed waste pits, authorized treatment and disposal of wastes, full  site  restoration,  SCADA-based  operations,  and  comprehensive  onsite  and  offsite  disaster management and emergency response plans.

The  projects/activities  once  granted  EC  are  required  to  file  six  monthly  compliance  reports, mandatorily through PARIVESH, with regard to the conditions prescribed in the EC. In addition to the above, projects are governed by the consent mechanism which is implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with the State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/SPCCs), under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Under the consent mechanism, projects are granted Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) by the respective SPCBs/SPCCs taking into account various criteria such as siting of the project /activity, the  environmental  safeguards  to  be  observed  by  the  project/  activity  etc.,  thereby  ensuring sustainability. The compliance to CTE/CTO conditions are regularly monitored by the respective SPCBs/SPCCs.    Recently,  the  Ministry  has  also  notified  the  Environment  Audit  Rules,  2025  to strengthen the environmental compliance  framework for projects operating under various environmental laws.

These mechanisms are uniformly applicable across the country, including desert areas of Barmer and industrial zones located in Coastal States and Union Territories. In addition, for coastal areas, the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011 or 2019, as the case may be, are also applicable.