MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 262 DUE FOR REPLY ON 06.08.2021 BY SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL
(a) The Government of India has launched the National Mission on Himalayan Studies in 2015-16, a Central Sector Scheme, to support the sustenance and enhancement of the ecological, natural, cultural, and socio-economic capital assets and values of the Indian Himalayan Region. Under this Mission, Nature Learning Centres (NLCs) have been set-up with an objective to educate and empower people for environment conservation and sustainable practices through trainings, demonstrations and dissemination materialin the Indian Himalayan Region. In first phase of the Mission, NLCs have been set-up in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
The G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBP-NIHE) through its Integrated Eco-Development Research Programme is also conducting various awareness activities insocio-economic development, forestry and biodiversity conservation, and pollution control, etc.
In addition, Government of India isimplementing the Environment Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT) scheme with the objective, inter alia, to promote environmental awareness and mobilize student’s participation for environment conservation. Under the National Green Crops (NGC)programme of this scheme, about 1.6 lakhs Eco-clubs have been formed in schools and colleges, wherein, nearly 40 lakh students are actively participating in awareness programmes on various environmental issues.
Further, Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Scheme of this Ministry, regularly brings out value-added information products relating to environment, forest, wildlife and climate change which include theme based newsletters, special publications, thematic bulletins, technical reports, information products developed on parks and sanctuaries, etc.
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)of this Ministry and its regional centres, are undertaking environmental awareness programmes/ activities like poster, painting, slogan and essay competitions, debates, seminars/ workshops for all sections of the society. Summer vacation programmes and winter nature camps are also organized for school children.
Under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), Department of Science and Technology, 12 State Climate Change Cells (J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal and Assam) have been established/ supported in Indian Himalayan Region.The primary objective of these Cells is to provide assistance to States to take up vulnerability and risk assessment, human capacity building programmes, public awareness programmes and institutional capacity building to address sustenance of the Himalayan ecosystem and for implementation of actions selected for sustainable development by the State as part of their State Action Plans.
From time-to-time, the States/ Union Territories of the Indian Himalayan Region are also organizing various awareness programmes such as workshops, seminars, street rallies, etc. to promote environment awareness.
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Indian Space Research Organisation are disseminating the findings of the scientific studies regarding monitoring of changes in Himalayan glaciers.
(b) and (c) The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006,imposes certain restrictions and prohibitions on new projects or activities, or on the expansion or modernization of existing projects or activities based on their potential environmental impacts as indicated in the Schedule to the notification. Such projects/ activities are required to be undertaken only after prior environmental clearance from the Central Government or theState or Union Territory Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006,provide for assessment of the impact of developmental projects on environment through preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Disaster Management Plan (DMP) along with public consultation. The purpose of EIA is to determine the potential environmental, social, and health effects of a proposed developmental project and to suggest suitable mitigation measures.
As per the directions of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has developed methodologies for assessing the damage caused to environment due to various category of projects/ activities. The Environmental Compensation is assessed which incorporates the anticipated severity of environmental pollution in terms of Pollution Index.
Projects involving forest land require Forest Clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 which is accorded in two stages. Stage-I/ in-principle approval contains certain terms and conditions on which the Central Government gives its prior approval for diversion of forest land.Whereas, Stage-II/Final approval is accorded by the Central Government after having satisfied on the compliance of conditions of Stage-I approval.
Whenever a proposal for diversion of forestland is received, it is examined and due diligence is exercised to avoid the use of forest land, or to keep it bare minimum.In cases where it is unavoidable, the forest area is allowed to be diverted, subject to certain conditions including the Compensatory Afforestation (CA) and payment of Net Present Value (NPV). Wherever necessary, the additional mitigation measures in the form of Soil and Moisture Conservation works, Wildlife Management plan etc. are also stipulated on case-to-case basis.
The provisions of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and methodologies developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for assessing the damage caused to environment due to various category of projects/ activities are also applicable in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
In Ladakh, during 2001-2021, a total of nine proposals were received for grant of environmental clearance, out of which four projects have been granted clearance. 36 out of 47 proposals received have been recommended by the State Board of Wildlife for Wildlife Clearance during 2020-2021.Six proposals have been received for grant of Forest Clearance during 2020-21.Details are attached as Annexure-I.
(d) No cases are registered before National Green Tribunal from Union Territory of Ladakh related to compensation due to damage caused to environment from infrastructure development works. As per the available information, 60 cases are registered before National Green Tribunal during the last two years in the Country. The list is attached as Annexure-II.
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