Question : CONSERVATION OF FRESH WATER SPECIES .

(a) whether the Government has any plan to initiate a special programme to protect the ecological uniqueness of Western Ghat and study the flora and fauna of the areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any plans to establish a Research and Study Centre dedicated for the said purpose;

(d) if so, the details thereof the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the polluting industries along the coastal area in the country are discharging effluents into the sea which is badly affecting the fish production;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the name of industries; and

(g) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) under the Chairmanship of Prof. Madhav Gadgil with a mandate inter-alia to suggest measures for rejuvenation of ecology of the region, to demarcate ecologically sensitive areas to be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and to suggest the modalities for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

(c) & (d) The proposal submitted by the Government of Kerala in this regard is under examination.

(e) to (g) The Coastal State Pollution Control Boards have identified water polluting industries discharging their waste water directly or indirectly into the sea coast. The steps taken by the Government in this regard include the following:

I. As per the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, certain restrictions have been imposed in the Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) area on the setting up of new industries and expansion of existing industries, operations or processes and manufacture or handling or storage or disposal of hazardous substances as specified in the Hazardous Substances (Handling, Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2009.

II. As per CRZ Notification, 2011, the discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries, cities or towns and other human settlements including solid waste disposal in CRZ areas are to be phased out within a stipulated time period. In this regard, necessary instructions have been issued to all coastal States and Union territories.

III. The industries have been directed to comply with the prescribed effluent standards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

IV. The industries in the industrial clusters of coastal areas have been directed to set up Common Effluent Treatment Plants and to lay marine pipe-lines with diffuser system for disposal of waste water into sea.