(a) whether the Government is promoting biomimicry for developing more sustainable designs of buildings/and conservation processes;
(b) if so, the details on the research undertaken and the application thereof in environment conservation strategies; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps proposed to be taken in future, especially in conservation of urban environment?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c): At present, there is no specific scheme in the Government that is promoting Biomimicry. However, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) through its Centre of Excellence, Centre for Environment Education (CEE) at Ahmedabad has initiated a programme looking at sustainable urban design and architecture. This forms a part of the UNESCO Chair program on Education for Sustainable Development and the Human Habitat which CEE conducts jointly with the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmedabad wherein special courses have been offered to Students of Architecture and Planning. Biomimicry and designs inspired by nature form an important part of this programme. Also, MoEFCC considers project/activity including building construction for grant of Environment Clearance as per provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 as amended from time to time, which provides for in-depth analysis of environment and natural resource conservation aspects. While granting environmental clearance for building and construction projects, MoEFCC stipulates conditions such as, provision of green belt, sewage treatment plant, rain water conservation, energy conservation etc.