Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Clearance of forest land under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, 20/03/2017. During the year 2014-15 and 2015-16, 17217.75 Ha and 13946.05 Ha of forest land respectively, has been diverted for non forest purposes under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Availability of clean drinking water in rural and urban areas, 20/03/2017. Under AMRUT, the Centre approves the State Annual Action plans (SAAPs) submitted by the States. The State Governments concerned are empowered to prepare, appraise and approve the Detailed Projects Reports (DPRS) for individual projects and thereafter implement the projects. Details of proposals approved under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) under SAAP for 2015-16, 2016-17 and 3rd and final SAAP for water supply projects are at annexure.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme, 10/03/2017. To provide financial support to the farmers in the event of crop failure as a result of natural calamities, Government has implemented various crop insurance schemes since 1985.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Impact of Erratic Climate on Agricultural Production, 10/03/2017. There has been a significant fluctuation in production (as compared to trend) in important foodgrain crops grown in the country during last 10 years (between 2005-06 and 2014-15) due to erratic climatic behaviour (rainfall/droughts).
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Adverse Effect of Chemical Fertilizers on Climate, 10/03/2017. Scientific studies have revealed that there is no harmful effect of chemical fertilisers with balanced and judicious use, rather have beneficial effect as it encourages soil carbon sequestration.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Uncertainties in Weather Patterns, 09/03/2017. Monsoon rainfall over India varies on different spatial and temporal scales.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Damage to Marine Ecosystem, 09/03/2017. The Ministry has been implementing a program for assessment of health of the coastal waters of India by periodically monitoring the pollutant levels in the seawaters of India.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Loss of tigers and cubs in the country, 06/02/2017. The details of tiger deaths including cubs in the country, State-wise and year-wise during the last three years are at Annexure-I. The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken a number of milestone initiatives for conservation and protection of tiger and other wild animals, and the same are at Annexure-II.
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Chemical Contamination in Drinking Water, 06/02/2017. As reported by the States into the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of the Ministry as on 3 Feb 2017, the names of 100 districts belong to 13 States where high incidence of drinking water contamination found is given in Annexure.
