Question raised in Lok Sabha on eco-sensitive zone, 04/08/2015. The State-wise details of proposals for declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zone around National Parks and Sanctuaries received is at Annexure-1. Presently, there are no schemes under implementation for maintenance and development of the Eco-Sensitive Zones around National Parks and Sanctuaries. The notifications for Eco-Sensitive Zones provide for regulation/prohibition of unsustainable activities, besides preparation of Zonal Master Plans with adequate participation of local communities.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on ICDS Scheme, 31/07/2015. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the State Governments/UT Administrations.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on polluting industries, 28/07/2015. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has inventorised Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) in 5 states on the main stem of River Ganga and its tributaries i.e. Kali-east and Ramganga as well as Yamuna. The state-wise and sector-wise status of Grossly Polluted Industries GPIs in Ganga basin is given at Annexure. The industries discharging effluents in Yamuna at Haryana are 1211 and in Uttar Pradesh these are 2381.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on socio-economic condition of farmers, 28/07/2015. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households (during January–December 2013) in the rural area of the country. In this survey, agricultural households were not categorized as below poverty line or landless. However, results have been presented by different size classes of land possessed.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on particulate matter in the air, 28/07/2015. The air quality problem is prevailing in many cities across the World. Some world’s cities are non-compliant in respect of particulate matter while other cities are non-compliant for benzene, nitrogen oxides, ozone etc. The study published by Energy Policy Institute, Chicago, in February 2015 is based on estimates /extrapolation and not an actual data. There is no established methodology to directly correlate quality of air with life expectancy.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Vehicular Pollution, 28/07/2015. Increasing number of vehicles, both petrol and diesel contribute to air pollution levels in the country. The analysis of air quality data of different stations in 28 States/ Union Territories collected during 2013 reveals that the values of SO2 in all 28 States/ Union Territories are within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 50 µg/m3 (annual average standard).