(a) whether the Government has taken note that there is a lack of progress in projects related to afforestation,
conservation of bio-diversity and pollution control;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken / being by the Government to increase the powers, the manpower and availability of scientific
equipment of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards in the country ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) The Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored / Central Sector Schemes in the area of afforestation, conservation of
bio-diversity and pollution control, which inter alia include National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Intensification of Forests Management,
Integrated Development Wildlife Habitat, Conservation of Natural Resources and Eco-System, National River Conservation Plan and Pollution
Abatement. The Government is aware of the slow progress due to low utilization of funds in some projects of afforestation, conservation of
bio-diversity and pollution control in the country. In order to overcome the slow progress in the projects, the Government has taken
concerted efforts to augment the utilization of funds to accelerate the progress of such projects.
(c) In order to strengthen the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control
Committees (PCCs), the Government has taken several initiatives which inter alia include providing additional staff strength, strengthening
of laboratories and augmenting information technology infrastructure. The Government also extends financial support to SPCBs / PCCs not
having adequate resources. The financial assistance is also provided to the SPCBs / PCCs for upgradation of their laboratories. Further,
to enable SPCBs / PCCs to augment their technical manpower, e-governance, IT application schemes and online consent management, the
Government has upwardly revised the ceiling of 25% on establishment and office expenses to 50% funded out of their share of water cess.