(a) the number of Eco-Task Force (ETF) battalions currently engaged in the work of environmental protection and the deployment status thereof, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether more ETF battalions are likely to be constituted with the cooperation of State Governments and other agencies in future and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the ongoing schemes regarding the use of new technology, advanced training and capacity development to enhance the capacity, work quality of the Eco-Task Force?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) Presently, there are eight Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions operating in different parts of the country out of which establishment cost of six ETF Battalions are being funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Details of State-wise location of these Battalions are given in Annexure.
(b) Considering the commendable work done by the ETF Battalions, some State Governments have requested MoEF&CC to financially support them in raising ETF Battalions which could not be considered due to budgetary constraints. However, the State Governments have been encouraged and advised to raise ETF Battalions from their own funding with technical support of the Forest Department as has been done by the States like Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.
(c) ETF Battalions have adopted several effective measures to enhance the capacity and work quality of the ETF personnel by employing new technology such as Drip Irrigation, construction of Mist Chambers, use of Rain Trainer Devices (RTD), technical tools for reducing labour efforts, seed mapping for ready data of seed availability in forest areas etc. The ETF personnel are also imparted advanced training at premier institutions like Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun on improved plantation techniques, silviculture practices etc. and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun on conservation of flora and fauna.
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