Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Decrease in forest cover, 28/11/2016. Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, a subordinate organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has been carrying out the assessment of forest cover of the country biennially. The findings of the assessment are published in India State of Forest Report. The latest report in the series is India State of Forest Report 2015. As per this report, the total forest cover of the country is 7, 01,673 square kilometers which is 21.34% of the total geographical area of the country.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Air pollution in the National Capital, 28/11/2016. The air pollution in National Capital Region (NCR) reached severe category as per Air Quality Index (AQI) recently during Diwali and first week of November, 2016.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Identification of 500 Cities under AMRUT, 24/11/2016. 500 cities have been selected for coverage under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The list of cities is at Annexure-I. The details of State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) approved and funds released against them during 2015-16 and 2016-17 is at Annexure-II.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Water level in major reservoirs, 21/11/2016. Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors live storage status of 91 reservoirs of the country on weekly basis and issues weekly bulletin on every Thursday. Out of these 91 reservoirs, 17 reservoirs are in Maharashtra State. Water level of reservoirs in the country including Maharashtra is at Annexure I.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Protection of tigers, 21/11/2016. Based on the country level All India Tiger Estimation done once in four years, the number of tigers in different tiger range States are at Annexure-I. The tiger reserve-wise number of tigers, as per latest estimation is at Annexure-II. Several steps have been taken by the Government of India to conserve and protect tigers and other wildlife in tiger reserves, which are at Annexure-III.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Protection of tigers, 21/11/2016. Based on the country level All India Tiger Estimation done once in four years, the number of tigers in different tiger range States are at Annexure-I. The tiger reserve-wise number of tigers, as per latest estimation is at Annexure-II. Several steps have been taken by the Government of India to conserve and protect tigers and other wildlife in tiger reserves, which are at Annexure-III.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Noise pollution in metropolitan cities, 21/11/2016. Ambient noise levels are monitored by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in seven metro cities, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Lucknow under National Ambient Noise Monitoring Programme (NANMP). The data indicates fluctuating trend in noise levels city-wise relevant details are annexed.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Level of pollution in metropolitan cities, 21/11/2016. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitors air and water bodies across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). Annual Ambient Air Quality data for ten major metropolitan cities during 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is annexed. Water quality of Rivers is monitored at 1275 monitoring locations across the country.