Question : PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

(a) whether the Government has any information regarding the number of Public Interest Litigations cases relating to environment protection decided by the Supreme Court during the last three years and as a result of which a large number of industries have been closed down;

(b) if so, the number of industries closed down during the last three years alongwith the details thereof;

(c) the number of workers who have been rendered unemployed as a result of the closure of industries on account of the said PILs alongwith the details in this regard;

(d) whether the Government has been working out any action plan to maintain a balance between environmental protection and industrial development; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) & (c) Does not arise.

(d) & (e) The Central Government has evolved policies for proper industrial development having full consideration for protection of environment. The National Environment Policy adopted in 2006 has the objectives, inter alia, to integrate environmental concerns into policies, plans, programmes and projects for economic and social development is one of the steps in this direction.