(a) whether the Government has taken steps for the conservation and development of lakes in
the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) the name of lakes taken up by the Government for conservation and development; and
(d) the amount spent during the last three years in this regard, lake-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) The Ministry is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Lake
Conservation Plan (NLCP) since June, 2001 for conservation and management of polluted and
degraded lakes in urban and semi-urban areas of the country, on 70:30 cost sharing basis
between the Central Government and the respective State Governments. The Plan includes core
components of interception, diversion and treatment of wastewaters before their entry into the
lake, catchment area treatment, shoreline protection, in-lake treatment such as aeration,
de-weeding, de-siltation, bio-remediation and bio-manipulation etc. The non core activities
include lake front eco-development and public participation. Total outlay under the XI Plan
towards the NLCP Scheme is Rs.440 crore. Proposals for new lakes are considered for sanction
subject to their admissibility as per NLCP guidelines, pollution status, prioritization and
availability of funds under the Plan.
(c) & (d) The Ministry has so far sanctioned projects for conservation of 58 lakes at a
cost of Rs.883.94 crore. The details of these projects and the amount released by the Central
Government during last three years are at Annexure.