(a) the details of the damage caused to the environment due to leakage/accidents in the chemical industries during the last three years and the current year;
(b) whether such incidents have increased in the recent years;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the remedial measures taken to protect the environment from such damages?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) compiles the chemical accident related data based on the inputs provided bythe Chief Inspector of Factories (CIFs) of various State Governments/ Union Territories. Such accidents cause damage to environment as well as human life. The available data indicates a downward trend in occurrence of accidents as well as resulting deaths during last three years. The year wise accident related information for thelast three years is mentioned below:
Year No. of Accidents Deaths Injuries
2015-2016 64 66 192
2016-2017 57 90 189
2017-2018 31 39 728
(d) According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the primary responsibility to deal with chemical accident related incidents rests with State Governments / Union Territory administrations. The NDMA is responsible for laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management for ensuring timely and effective response to disaster. To this effect, NDMA had issued National Disaster Management Guidelines on Chemical Disasters (Industrial) in April, 2007. The Guidelines inter-alia contains the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders to deal with such situations. NDMA released National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) in May, 2016 to assist stakeholders including State Governments in disaster risk management of various hazards including Chemical (Industrial). The Plan provides a framework and direction to government agencies for all phases of disaster management i.e. prevention, mitigation, response and recovery. The NDMA regularly conducts Mock Exercises for various hazards including Chemical (Industrial) disasters to sensitize the stakeholders regarding preventive & mitigation measures as well as test the efficacy of Disaster Management Plans. Till date, 88 such mock exercises on Chemical (Industrial) have been conducted throughout the country.Further, the Ministry has notified Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 (MSIHC Rules, 1989) with the objective of preventing chemical accidents from industrial activities and mitigate associated impacts. The Chemical Accident (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 complement MSIHC Rules, 1989 and provide statutory backup to crisis management set up with four-tier system at Central, State, District and Local level.
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