This Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2013, introduced by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan in the Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2013, seeks to further amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It has a provision of imprisonment up to seven years for poaching or hunting of wild animals.
The members of Rajya Sabha expressed their concern on the increasing pollution in various rivers across the country, particularly Ganga and Yamuna. Read text of this debate.
The pollution load on rivers has increased over the years due to rapid urbanization and industrialization as also due to abstraction of water for irrigation, drinking, industrial use, power etc. Disposal of untreated/partially treated sewage generated in the cities and towns are also a major source of pollution in the river.
The main reasons of air pollution in the country are vehicular exhaust emissions, re-suspension of roadside dust, industries, thermal power plants, cement plants, operation of gensets, construction activities, household activities, agricultural practices apart from shipping, aviation and natural sources.
A Bill to provide for the development of solar power generation and mandatory use of solar power in the Government and Semi-Government buildings, corporate and business establishments in the Country with a view to saving conventional energy and protecting the environment and for matters connected therewith.
Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) had granted environmental clearance on 19.7.2007 to an integrated iron and steel plant by M/s POSCO - India Pvt. Ltd. in Orissa subject to various environmental safeguards. Based on the reports submitted by a four member Committee, additional conditions were stipulated on 31st January, 2011.
As reported by the State, six tigers have been reintroduced in the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The details are at Annexure Biotic disturbance on account of cattle presence and forest resource dependency of human settlements within the core/critical tiger habitat are inimical factors for wild animals, including tiger and panther.
The Central Pollution Control Board in association with State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees have established a network of 1085 Water Quality Monitoring Stations along various river stretches. Water quality data in respect of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) has exceeded the desired water quality criteria (
The ambient air quality is being monitored in 216 cities, towns and industrial areas all over the country including Delhi under the National Ambient Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The parameters which are monitored are Sulphur Dioxides (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10).
