(a) the steps taken by the Union Government against chemical industries destroying the natural resources and climate of the naturally blessed Jammu and Kashmir by emission of effluents and causing changes which are extremely harmful for all organisms;
(b) whether the Government has undertaken any review in this regard during the last five years;
(c) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
(d) the future action plan prepared by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d) The Government has taken several steps to mitigate industrial pollution throughout the country, including Jammu & Kashmir, which include, inter alia, notification of industry specific environmental standards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; issuance of Consent to Establish/Consent to Operate to industries; monitoring compliance of notified industrial emission/ effluent standards and other operational activities; carrying out surprise inspection of highly polluting large and medium units; directions for installation of online effluent/ emission monitoring systems for continuous check on pollution levels; revised criteria for categorization of industries; and issuance of various directions under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The notified environmental standards are enforced in Jammu & Kashmir by the State Pollution Control Board through consent mechanism and regular monitoring.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from time to time reviews and compiles information about the industries in various States and Union Territories in collaboration with the State Pollution Control Boards. As per information provided by CPCB, no major chemical industry like oil refinery, petrochemicals and chlor-alkali are located in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there are 55 highly polluting industries (17 category of industries) in the State, out of which 52 industries are complying and 3 industries are non-complying with the environmental standards. Show-cause notices have been issued to all the three non-complying industries.
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