Question : POLLUTION BY CEMENT FACTORIES



(a) Whether the upcoming of cement factories has resulted in denudation of forest and spreading pollution;

(b) if so, the details thereof, state-wise including Gujarat; and

(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONEMNT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a)& (b) There are a total number of 132 cement plants in the country of these the following 2 are not complying;

(i) M/s Cement Corporation of India Ltd. Bokajan Cement Factory, Assam.

(ii) M/s Diamond Cement (a unit of M/s Mysore Cement Ltd), Damoh, Madhya Pradesh

In Gujarat there are 10 cement plants in operation. All of them are reportedly complying Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 proposals are received from the State/ UT Governments for diversion of forest land to non-forestry uses. The establishment of cement factory in forest area in non-forestry use and accordingly as and when any such proposal is received, it is processed on merit and if found unavoidable, the land is diverted for the purpose with stipulations to mitigate the adverse impact of such history on the forest environment.

(c) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued directions under section 18 (1) (b) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to Assam Pollution Control Board and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board for taking necessary action against non complying units.