Question : Awareness on Environmental Degradation

(a) whether the Government has initiated steps to involve the people in educating the whole country regarding the implications of environmental degradation and the efforts required to be taken by each individual to contain the ill effects of the same;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the awareness campaigns launched/ proposed to be launched in this regard;
(c) whether a lot of findings regarding environmental degradation, deforestation, pollution of groundwater, depletion of water sources etc. has come to light through research and knowledge sharing, but measures to counter all these natural effect are not possible at the ground level due to lack of funds, skilled and qualified individuals and infrastructure facilities and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d) whether unplanned spurt in open ended industrialisation of all kinds in various States without proper environmental clearance and environmental impact assessments, has led to large scale environmental pollution due to non-treatment of effluent before release of the residues into the land and water bodies; and
(e) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon along with the number of industries shut down in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)& (b) Yes Sir, Government has initiated steps for educating and creating awareness on protection and conservation of environment among general public. The ‘Environmental Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT)’ scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was launched in the FY 1983-84 with the basic objective to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society and to mobilize people’s participation for conservation of environment. The objectives of the scheme are achieved through the implementation of four programmes namely National Green Corps, National Environment Awareness Campaign, Seminars/Workshops and National Nature Camping Programme. Under these programmes financial assistance is provided to various organisations for undertaking activities and awareness campaigns for protection of environment in the Country.

(c) Carrying out research in the field of environment conservation is an ongoing activity of the institutions of the central and state governments as well as in the private sector. Ministry is also funding research through grant-in-aid projects to many research institutions in different areas under the broad ambit of environment protection and management. An amount of Rs. 13 crore has been released since 2014-15 for this purpose. Research proposals are received in the Ministry from time to time for taking up various issues on environmental concerns and sanctioned by this Ministry after due appraisal on the basis of the prescribed Guidelines. The main objectives of the research work are to generate information and knowledge required for developing strategies, techniques and methodologies for better environmental management, to find practical solutions to the problems of environment protection and management and to build indigenous capacities and strengthen scientific manpower in multidisciplinary and emerging areas of environmental sciences. Interventions/remedial measures are initiated by the Central and respective State Governments through schemes and capacity building as and when required, based upon the findings of the studies.

(d) and (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which deals with the process to grant Environmental Clearances. Under the provision of the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended, construction of new projects or activities or the expansion or modernization of existing projects or activities listed in the schedule to the said notification entailing capacity addition with change in process and or technology shall be under taken in any part of India only after the prior environmental clearance from the Central Government or as the case may be, from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, duly constituted by the Central Government under sub Section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in accordance with the procedures specified in this notification.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) conduct routine as well as surprise inspections to check the adequacy of the effluent / emission treatment system and verification of compliance as per consent conditions. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported that it has issued closure orders to 442 industries throughout the country which have either not complied with the directions relating to online effluent monitoring devices or found to be not complying with the prescribed standards.

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