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 Rajya Sabha on Safety and protection of migratory birds, 14/03/2016. The Sanctuary-wise details of funds released for protection of Migratory Birds and their habitat is at Annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Review of clearances to lake bed and eco-sensitive projects, 14/03/2016. The schemes of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) have been merged in February, 2013 into an integrated scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for synergy and to avoid overlap. A total of 115 wetlands in 24 States and 2 Union Territories, including 7 in Karnataka have been identified for conservation and management under the programme. The State-wise list of these wetlands is given in Annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Pollution norms for industrial units, 14/03/2016. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) formulate and notify standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from industries, operations or processes. The standards are framed for an orderly approach to a specific activity for the benefit of environment and after consultation with stakeholders. The process is also based on consideration of the best practices and techno-economic viability.