(a) whether the World Health Organisation, in a recent report, has stated that one-fourth deaths are caused due to environmental hazards;
(b) whether about 8 lakh cases of children are born with birth defects in India
every year mainly because of uncontrolled environmental degradation; and
(c) if so, the remedial measures adopted or proposed to be adopted to meet the situation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) According to the report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), 24% of the disease burden
(healthy life years lost) and 23% (premature mortality) of all deaths were attributable to environmental
factors on global basis. However, there were large regional differences and 25% of all deaths in
developing regions and 17% of deaths in developed regions were attributable to environmental causes.
(b) According to the WHO, the estimated number of annual deaths related to congenital diseases caused by
environmental risks are estimated to be close to 7000 for India.
(c) Strategies adopted and remedial measures taken for control of environmental hazards include
comprehensive policy for environment and abatement of pollution, supply of improved auto-fuel including CNG,
tightening of vehicular and industrial emission norms, mandatory environmental clearance for specified industries,
management of municipal & bio-medical wastes, promotion of cleaner technologies, strengthening of the net-work of
air & water quality monitoring stations, assessment of pollution load & source apportionment studies, preparation
and implementation of action plans for major cities and critically polluted areas.