Lok Sabha Question No. 733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Implementation of SDGs
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.733

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.03.2016

## Implementation of SDGs

## 733. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  has  initiated  steps  to  implement  the  Sustainable  Development Goals (SDGs) specifically, Goal 13 and Goal 15, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning as per proposed Goal 13.2;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to end poaching and trafficking of protected species  of  flora  and  fauna  and  address  both  demand  and  supply  of  illegal  wildlife products and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is planning to set up a monitoring body consisting of Member of  Parliament,  eminent  personalities,  retired  judges  or  any  other  persons  regarding progress made on Sustainable Development Goals; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI   PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b): Government of India has initiated a number of steps to promote sustainable development.    Goal  13  refers  to  taking  urgent  action  to  combat  climate  change  and  its impacts  and  Goal  15  pertains  to  protecting,  restoring  and  promoting  sustainable  use  of terrestrial  ecosystems,  sustainably  manage  forests,  combat  desertification,  and  halt  and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Government has launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June 2008 to deal with the climate change related issues.  NAPCC comprises eight Missions in specific areas of Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining  the  Himalayan  Ecosystems,  Green  India,  Sustainable  Agriculture  and  Strategic Knowledge  for  Climate  Change.    Further,  States/Union  Territories  have  prepared  State Action Plans on Climate Change consistent with objectives of NAPCC highlighting State's specific issues relating to climate change.  India has communicated its Intended Nationally Determined  Contributions  (INDCs)  to  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate Change (UNFCCC) in October 2015 which aims at reducing emission intensity of GDP by 33% - 35% by 2030 with reference to 2005.

(c): Government  has  taken  several  measures  to  control  poaching  like  technology  for improved  surveillance  of  vulnerable  forest  areas  by  electronic  and  IT  systems  (e-EYE system),  photo  ID  database  of  animals  like  tigers,  deployment  of  local  workforce  for protection to complement efforts of the field staff, eliciting peoples' participation, etc.  Forest Protection staffs are also provided fire arms by the State Governments for dealing with forest criminals including poachers.  Other steps taken by the Government include:

1. Prohibition  of  hunting  and  trading  of  wild  animals  under  Wild  Life  Protection Act, 1972;
2. Setting of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
3. Provision  of  financial  and  technical  assistance  to  the  States/Union  Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats',  'Project  Tiger'  and  'Project  Elephant'  for  protection  of  wildlife  and improvement of their habit.

(d)  &  (e):    No  decision  has  been  taken  by  this  Ministry  for  setting  up  a  monitoring  body consisting  of  Members  of  Parliament,  eminent  personalities,  retired  judges  or  such  other persons regarding progress made on Sustainable Development Goals.

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