opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Promotion of CAPF Personnel
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1447

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  MAY, 2016/ VAISAKHA 13, 1938 (SAKA)

PROMOTION OF CAPF PERSONNEL

†1447. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether various border areas in the country including Pakistan and China borders are guarded by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether recruitment and conditions of services of the said Forces are governed by rules and regulations of Police;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to reconsider pensions, promotions and facilities being provided to BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (b) Yes, Madam. The details of Central Armed Police Forces( CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, which guard various border areas in the country including Pakistan and China borders are as under :-

## LS.US.Q.NO.1447 FOR 03.05.2016

|   Sl.No. | Force                             | Border Area.                                 |
|----------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Border Security Force (BSF)       | Indo-Bangladesh Border Indo-Pakistan Border. |
|        2 | Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)         | Indo-Nepal Border Indo-Bhutan Border.        |
|        3 | Assam Rifles (AR)                 | Indo-Myanmar Border.                         |
|        4 | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | Indo-China Border.                           |

(c) to (e): The recruitment and conditions of services of each CAPF and AR is being governed by their respective Acts & Rules and Central Civil Service Rules. The facilities like pensions, promotions etc. provided to CAPFs are also governed by respective Acts and Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Small Scale Pharma Units
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1446

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 rd  May, 2016

## Small Scale Pharma Units

1446. SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  provides  financial  assistance  to  small scale pharma units to procure equipment to improve the quality of medicines; and
- (b) if so, the details of the units funded during the last three years and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

- (a): The  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  is  operating  a Scheme  namely  'Credit  Linked  Capital  Subsidy  Scheme  (CLCSS)'  for Technology  Up-gradation  of  Micro  and  Small  Enterprises  to  enable  level playing  field  to  the  MSEs  by  infusing  new  technologies/machinery.  The Scheme  was  launched  in  October,  2000  and  was  revised  in  2005.  The revised  Scheme  aims  at  facilitating  technology  upgradation  of  Micro  and Small  Enterprises  (MSEs)  by  providing  15%  capital  subsidy  (limited  to maximum of  Rs.  15.00  lakhs)  for  purchase  of  Plant  &  Machinery  through institutional finance. Maximum limit of eligible loan for calculation of subsidy under  the  Scheme  is  Rs.  100.00  lakhs.  Presently,  51  well  established  and improved technologies/sub-sectors have been approved under the Scheme including pharmaceutical sector.
- (b): The details of units benefitted under CLCSS in pharmaceutical sector during the last three years are as under:-

| Year                      |   Number of units benefitted |   Subsidy released under CLCSS (Rs. In lakhs) |
|---------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14                   |                           90 |                                        939.14 |
| 2014-15                   |                          110 |                                        967    |
| 2015-16 (upto 29.02.2016) |                           55 |                                        489    |

XXXXXX
Lok Sabha Question No. 1445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Cloning of Animals
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1445

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/05/2016

## CLONING OF ANIMALS

## 1445.  SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cloned calves have been produced by the National Dairy Research Institute in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the technology used for the said purpose; and
- (c) the benefits likely to be accrued to the farmers as a result thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

(SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA)

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Following the production of first cloned buffalo calf in 2009, several more cloned buffalo calves have been produced using donor cells obtained from skin, embryonic stem cells,  seminal  plasma  and  urine.    All  the  calves  were  produced  by  hand  guided  cloning technique.
- (c) When successfully applied, cloning technology can be used for fast multiplication of elite buffaloes and outstanding buffalo bulls.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Cross Border Firing
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1444 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016/VAISAKHA 13, 1938 (SAKA)

CROSS BORDER FIRING

†1444. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy for rehabilitation of people living in the border area who are often affected by cross-border firing and are also facing displacement;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken so far in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): The subject of rehabilitation of people living in the border areas who  are  affected  by  cross-border  firing  and  are  facing  displacement  is dealt  by  the  concerned  state  Governments.    The  details  of  the  policies formulated  and  steps  taken  in  this  regard  are  available  with  the  State Governments of the concerned Bordering States.   However, the Ministry of  Home  Affairs  is  implementing  the  Central  Scheme  for  Assistance  to civilian victims of terrorist/communal/naxal violence through which compensation is provided.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Subsidy for Pond Development Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1442 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  MAY, 2016

## SUBSIDY FOR POND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

## 1442. SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और कृ िक कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any representation from the State Government of Odisha regarding inadequate allocation of funds for subsidy for the pond development programme under the 'Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture' scheme; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIYA)

- (a) : No, Madam. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has not received any representation from the State Government of Odisha regarding inadequate allocation of funds for subsidy for the pond development programme under the 'Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture' scheme.
- (b) :  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Expansion of Make in India
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1441 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

## Expansion of Make in India

## 1441. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  or  is  formulating  any  action  plan  for  expansion  of Make-in-India/Madei-n-India and if so, the details thereof; and `

(b) whether the Government has issued any guidelines for making manufacturing and production under other important Ministries like Ministry of Railways and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI  G.M. SIDDESHWARA)

(a) and  (b):As  per  the  information  provided  by  Department  of  Industrial  Promotion  and  Policy, 'Ünder Make in India',   117 Action Plans across 22 sectors cutting across different Ministries such as Railways, Defence, Mines, Shipping, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Food Processing Industries, Electronics & IT (DeitY), have been laid out, which aim at boosting manufacturing and production.

As  per  the  information  provided  by  Ministry  of  Railways    (MoR),  Railway  Construction, Operation and Maintenance is mostly done by relying on domestic source.  However, in specific areas  like  advanced  signaling  etc.,  where  foreign  technology  is  used,  a  policy  for  phased indigenisation is adopted. In line with Make In India policy, the following initiatives have been taken

-  The contract for setting up of diesel locomotive factory at Marhoura has been signed with M/s GE.
-  The  contract  for  setting  up  of  Electric  locomotive  manufacturing  factory  at  Madhepura  in Bihar has been signed with M/s Alstom.

MoR has further informed that the following    additional  projects  would  help  meet  Make  in India objectives in future:

-  High-speed rail project between Mumbai- Ahmedabad
-  Rail coach manufacturing unit at Kanchrapara in West Bengal
-  Procurement  of  200  (9000  HP)  Electric  Locomotives  through  JICA  loan  for  Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
-  Procurement-cum-Maintenance of EMU train set.
-  Setting up a forged wheel factory by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited at Raebareli.

***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Delhi Milk Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: DILIP PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1440

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016

## DELHI MILK SCHEME

## 1440. SHRI DILIP PATEL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और कृ िक कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to privatize the Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS), if so, the reasons therefor and the percentage of private share proposed in DMS;
- (b) whether the DMS booths being run for the last 15 to 20 years are proposed to be regulated or closed;
- (c) the number of DMS booths in Delhi lying closed along with  the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to reopen such booths and make the DMS profitable;
- (e) whether the Amul brand is growing by leaps and bounds whereas DMS is reducing its products and is slipping into loss; and
- (f) if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  time  by  which  the  discontinued  products  are  likely  to  be relaunched by DMS?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

(SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIYA)

- (a) No, Madam.
- (b) No, Madam.
- (c) The total numbers of closed DMS booths as on date is 66.  The sale of milk on these booths is negligible.
- (d) The Government has decided to lease out Operation & Management of Delhi Milk Scheme.
- (e) &(f)  No comparative study has been carried out yet .

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: National Seeds Corporation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: CHANDU LAL SAHU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1437

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016

## NATIONAL SEEDS CORPORATION

## 1437.   SHRI CHANDU LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the funds allocated and spent for the National Seeds Corporation during the last three years;
- (b) the details of important research work published in the field of agriculture by the National Seeds Corporation;
- (c) the details of innovations undertaken by the Corporation for improving quality of seeds in the country; and
- (d) the details of the publications pertaining to seed quality and agriculture in various States of the country including Chhattisgarh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (SHRI  MOHANBHAI  KUNDARIYA)

- (a): Funds allocated to National Seeds Corporation (NSC) by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and status of their utilization during the last three years are as under:-

(Rs. in Crore)

| Year    |   Funds allocation | Funds spent by the NSC   |
|---------|--------------------|--------------------------|
| 2013-14 |             222.97 | 222.97 (100%)            |
| 2014-15 |              65.16 | 61.77 (95%)              |
| 2015-16 |             101.16 | 93.52 (92%)              |

(b): No research work has been published in the field of agriculture by the NSC.

(c): NSC is  experimenting  with  Nutrient  Efficiency  Biologicals  (NEB)  which  are  derived  as root exudates.  These are being presently imported from USA for trials on Soyabean, Wheat and Paddy.

In case of Soyabean & Paddy the NEBs are being used for treatment of seed to check increase in yield.

In  case  of  Paddy  the  NEB  are  being  used  for  treatment  of  Urea  to  ascertain  whether such treated urea can increase yields while reducing urea usage by 40%.

- (d): The Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards for seed certification and Compendium of Seed Legislations for quality regulation have been published by Government of India.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Compensatory Afforestation
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1436

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

## Compensatory Afforestation

## 1436.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL :

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

- (a) the  areas  in  the  country  covered  under  compensatory  afforestation  in  the  past several years;
- (b) whether  the  compensatory  afforestation  programme  takes  into  account  the biodiversity of trees being planted and whether an ecosystem will be developed as a result thereof and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  representations  from  civil  societies  or individuals about the absence  of biodiversity  value  in  the  compensatory afforested areas in the county and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  reaction  of  the  Government  thereon  along  with  the  steps  being  taken  to ensure development of biodiversity in compensatory afforested regions?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Against a target of 8,60,791 ha, the area covered under compensatory afforestation in the period 1980 to 31 st March 2015 is 6,87,809 ha ;

(b)&(c)

yes, Sir ;

- (d) It  has  been  prescribed  in  the  Objectives  and  Core  Principles  of  the State CAMPA Guidelines, which have been approved by the Hon'ble July 2009 in the Writ Petition (Civil), No 202/1995: T N Godavarman Thirumalpad Vs UOI the  State  CAMPAs  would  be

Supreme Court of India in their order dated 10 th &  Ors., that the prime task of regenerating natural forests.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Forest Rights Act
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1434

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

## Forest Rights Act

## 1434.  SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  amend  the  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006  to include Shamshanghat and Gausadan in Section 3(2) of the said Act;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)   No,  Sir.  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006  is  in  the  domain  of  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs. However as per Ministry of Tribal Affairs, there is currently no proposal to amend the Act to include Shamshanghat and Gausadan in Section 3(2).
- (c) The  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006  is  for  recognizing  and  vesting  pre-existing  rights  on forests for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Alcohol related Crime
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1433

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016/VAISAKHA 13, 1938 (SAKA)

ALCOHOL RELATED CRIME

1433. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government has assessed the impact of alcohol on sex related crimes;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether many organisations have requested the Government to impose ban on alcohol to curb such crimes and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether many States have also come forward to ban alcohol to restrict crimes in their States;

(e) if so, whether the Government proposes to provide assistance to such States; and

(f) if so, the steps taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (b):    No  such  study  has  been  conducted  to    assess  the  impact  of alcohol on sex related crimes.

(c): Ministry of Home Affairs has not received any request to impose ban on alcohol to curb such crimes.

….2/

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1433 FOR 03.05.2016

(d) to (f): 'Health' is a State subject. Moreover, 'Police' and 'Public Order' being State subjects, action with respect to maintenance of law and order lies primarily in the domain of the State Governments.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1432 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Financial Assistance to Rural and Tribal Youth
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1432 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

Financial Assistance to Rural and Tribal Youth

1432. SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to give financial assistance to youths from rural, tribal and hilly areas to encourage them to participate in sports and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government is contemplating to build sports infrastructure including small stadium in rural, tribal and hilly areas in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is not implementing any scheme specifically  aimed at  giving financial  assistance  to  youths  from rural,  tribal  and  hilly  areas  to  encourage  them  to  participate  in  sports. However, the Ministry does provide grants for conducting annual sports competitions to encourage  mass  participation of people in sports, including youths from rural, tribal and hilly areas.
- (b) Sports is a State Subject and it is primarily the responsibility of the  State  Governments  to  build  sports  infrastructure  including  small stadium  in  rural,  tribal  and  hilly  areas  in  the  country.  The  Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1431.

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.05.2016

## Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

## 1431. SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN:

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

- (a) whether it is true that India has been campaigning for inclusion of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in the UNESCO network for the past few years;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Agasthyamala  Biosphere  Reserve  has  been  included  at  the International  Coordinating  Council  of  the  Man  and  Biosphere  programme  of UNESCO that concluded in Peru on March, 2016; and
- (c) if so, the details and present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## ANSWER

- (a) to (c) The 'Nomination document' for Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve for inclusion  in  the  World  Network  of  Biosphere  Reserves  of  Man  and  Biosphere (MAB) Program  of  UNESCO,  was  first  forwarded  to  the  MAB  Secretariat  in May 2014. The  additional  information  desired  by  UNESCO  was  forwarded  in December 2015 and the proposal was approved by the International Coordinating Council of MAB, UNESCO in its 28 th Session  held  in  Lima,  Peru  from  18-19 March, 2016. UNESCO Website has notified Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the World Network for Biosphere Reserves.

***