Question raised in Lok Sabha on Lion Reserves, 15/03/2016. Asiatic Lions are found only in Gir forests of Gujarat. Total number of lions in Gir forest as per the last census carried out in 2015 was estimated as 523. As per information available with the Ministry, there is no case of death of lions due to poaching in Gujarat. Details of elephants and tigers killed due to hunting/poaching during last three years and the current year is given in the Annexure-I. Cases of poaching of other wild animals are not collated in the Ministry.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Management, 15/03/2016. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate Change is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) titled “Intensification of Forest Management Scheme”. Under the scheme, funds are provided to State and Union Territory Governments to supplement their efforts towards protection and management of forests. The details of total funds released to the States/UTs during each of the last two years and the current year, State-wise are given in annexure-1.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Elephant Menace, 15/03/2016. The compensation to victims of wildlife depredation in case of loss of crops and properties, is as per official assessment of the damage caused. An ex-gratia amount of Rs. two lakhs is paid by Central Government in case of human deaths. State-wise details of damage due to elephant depredation and compensation paid to
victims during the last three years are given in Annexure I (A), I (B) and I(C).

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Diversion of Forest Land, 15/03/2016. Forest land in urban areas are diverted for development works for providing essential services such as Schools, Drinking water supply, Dispensaries & Hospitals etc. During the last three years and current year, the Central Government has received 81 proposals of development projects in urban areas including from Odisha. 64 proposals were accorded approval and 17 proposals are pending.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Disposal of e-Waste, 15/03/2016. The reported generation of e-waste by State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees within their State / Union Territory at different period is given at Annexure. In the year 2013-14, it was reported that one lakh twenty one thousand three hundred and eighty one (1,21,381) tons of e-waste was collected for dismantling and recycling.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Critically Polluting Industries, 15/03/2016. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has categorized highly polluting industries into 17 categories to ensure effective monitoring and compliance of standards for prevention and control of industrial pollution.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Conservation of Biosphere Reserves, 15/03/2016. There are 18 Biospheres Reserves designated in the country since 1986. Details of financial assistance provided by the Government in the last three years and the current year is given in this document.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Ultra Mega Power Projects, 10/03/2016. Four Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) namely Sasan in Madhya Pradesh, Mundra in Gujarat, Krishnapattnam in Andhra Pradesh and Tilaiya in Jharkhand have already been transferred to the developers. Out of the four awarded UMPPs, two UMPPs at Mundra and Sasan are in operation. The status of the awarded UMPPs is given at Annexure-I. 12 more UMPPs are under different stages of development. Environmental clearance is obtained after firm allocation of coal blocks. The status of these UMPPs is given at Annexure-II.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Solar Cities, 10/03/2016. The Government has set a target for installation of 1,00,000 MWp solar power plants in the country by the year 2022. So far, an aggregate capacity of 5775 MWp solar power plants has been installed in the country. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing a programme on ‘Development of Solar Cities’ and 60 cities have been approved under this programme, including New Delhi (NDMC area). State/UT-wise details of solar cities are given in Annexure.