(a) whether the Government have not so far carried out any studies on the long term deleterious effect of Pokhran nuclear tests on the soil, flora, fauna, human health and wildlife;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether some of the earlier reports circulated world-wide by Indian sources painted a gloomy picture; and
(d) if so, the details of present policy of the Government on the matter indicating the likely time for carrying out such study, if any?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a), (b),(c) & (d) Measurements of radioactivity were carried out on soil, flora and fauna samples in the vicinity of the test sites and also upto fairly large distances both during the tests and on an ongoing basis, subsequent to the tests. Radiation level at all locations was found to be at normal natural background level with no increase in radioactivity thus establishing that there is no contamination whatsoever due to the tests. Also, a team of doctors have examined the health of villagers for the alleged ill-effects. The team observed no evidence of ill-effects attributable to radiation on the health of population in the area.