(a) whether the Environmental Experts have suggested declaration of 65 kms. of the River Ganga, between Narora and Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, as a protected area to conserve rear extinct species, like the River Dolphin;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to declare this area as a protected area; and
(c) the progress made in this regard so far?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BALLU)
(a), (b) & (c) Power to notify protected areas (national parks and sanctuaries) vests with the state governments under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. Therefore for notifying protected areas approval of central government is not required.
Further, the state government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that there is no proposal under consideration of the state government to declare 65 kms stretch of river Ganga, between Narora and Bijnor, as a protected area.