Question : Green Violations

(a) whether cases of green violations by several companies during construction and expansion work have increased in the country and if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year, company and State/UT-wise;

(b) whether it is a fact that there is no law in the country to punish such companies for their green violations and if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the damage to environment from such violations across the country during the said period and if so, the details and outcome thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to curb such green violations and to penalise the companies heavily for defaulting green norms in the country?

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

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)&(b) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) do not maintain the details of year-wise, company-wise and State/UT-wise violations. MoEF&CC administers various Acts/Rules/Notifications for preservation, conservation, protection and improvement of environment, which inter- alia include, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Biological Diversity Act, 2002; The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986; Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016; e-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016; Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016; Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016; Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016; Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006; Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 etc.

(c) No such study assessing the damage to environment from violations across the country has been conducted. However, detailed environmental impact assessment study is conducted and safeguards are stipulated before granting environmental clearances.

(d) The Ministry and the various authorities including, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), National Green Tribunal (NGT), State or Union Territory Level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) are competent to take action in cases of violations. The Acts also provide for criminal action against violators. Central Government has also issued Notification on 16.12.2015 authorizing various officers of the MoEF&CC, Officers of the Regional Offices, Officers of the State Government/UT Administration, Officers of the CPCB and SPCBs/PCCs to file complaints with regard to offences punishable under the Act before the NGT.

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