Question : ECOLOGICAL GROWTH

(a) whether the Government has urged the State Governments to encourage ecological growth in their States; and

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof in each State, State-wise?

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

(a) and (b) Yes Sir, the Government has been urging the State Governments to encourage ecological growth in their States by improving ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, forest ecosystems, biodiversity and hydrological services, including through variousthematic Centrally Sponsored Plan Schemes of the Ministry of Environment and Forests under which grants are provided by both the Centre and the States to encourage growth of the environment and ecology which are implemented by the State Governments. Furthermore, all State Governments have initiated the preparation of State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), of which 22 States have so far prepared documents on SAPCC and submitted to the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests. Out of these 9 SAPCCs of Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura have been endorsed by the Ministry. In addition, 17States/Union Territories have declared eco- sensitive zones around National Parks and Sanctuaries. National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) covers 41 rivers in 191 towns spread across 20 States. States have reported completion of a number of works under NRCP such as interception and diversion of drains, creation of sewage treatment plants, riverfront development etc. State Governments are actively participating in conservation of lakes and wetlands.The National Afforestation Programme(NAP) is being implemented in all Programme Statesthrough State Forest Development Agencies. Under a Central Sector Scheme, the Central and State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees are monitoring various parameters related to pollution, besides enforcing the emission standards in factories through consent mechanism under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.The details of the Plan funds released by the Central Government, State-wise and Scheme-wise, during the last few years are furnished in the Annex.