Question raised in Lok Sabha on Tiger Conservation, 01/03/2016. The assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey 2014 using the refined methodology has shown a countrywide 30% increase in tiger numbers with an estimated number of 2226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1706 (range 1520-1909 tigers). The details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country for the years 2010 and 2014 are at Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Erosion of Coastal Areas, 01/03/2016. Under the promotional measures, the Ministry is operating a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Conservation and Management of Mangroves of India since 1987-88. Under the Scheme, the Ministry provides 100% (upto 2014-15 and in 60:40 central and state share from 2015-16 onwards) Central Assistance for the implementation of approved Management Action Plans (MAPs) for mangroves. The Government has identified 38 mangrove sites along coastal areas for implementation of MAP.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Drought Assistance, 01/03/2016. Memorandums seeking financial assistance in the wake of drought under NDRF were received from 7 States during 2012-13, from 3 States during 2013-14, from 5 States during 2014-15 and from 10 states during 2015-16. The details of financial assistance sought and approved State-wise by the Government of India in the wake of drought from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the last three years and current years are at Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Crop Insurance Schemes, 01/03/2016. State-wise details of farmers covered during last one year (i.e. 2014-15) under various crops insurance schemes including National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) is at Annexure. National Crop Insurance Scheme (NCIP) envisages coverage of Food Crops (Cereals, Millets & Pulses), Oilseeds and Annual Commercial/Horticultural Crops for which past yield data based on single series of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) & weather data for sufficient past years is available.

This Compendium of Environment Statistics 2015 published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is the sixteenth edition of its series and covers five core parameters - biodiversity, atmosphere, land/soil, water and human settlements.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Miserable Condition of Farmers due to Continuous Drought Situation, 26/02/2016. State Governments initiate necessary relief measures to farmers in the wake of drought and other natural calamities from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which is readily available with them. Additional financial assistance to State Government, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on receipt of relief memoranda from State Governments and in accordance with extant norms and procedures.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Compensation Package for Farmers, 26/02/2016. Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of various crops on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments and other relevant factors. Statement showing MSPs for 2014-15 and 2015-16 are at Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on New Underground Water Resources, 25/02/2016. During XII Plan period Central Ground Water Board is implementing the Central Sector Scheme ‘Ground Water Management & Regulation’ in which aquifer mapping is a component. The aim of the Aquifer Mapping is to delineate aquifer disposition on a scale of 1:50000 in 3D and their characterization along with quantification for preparation of aquifer/ area specific ground water management plans. It is proposed to cover an area of 8.89 lakh sq.km.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Inter-Linking of Rivers, 25/02/2016. This Ministry has formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development envisaging inter-basin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/ areas. Based on surveys, investigations and detailed studies, National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has prepared pre-feasibility reports which facilitated identification of 30 links under the NPP. The status of river links identified under NPP are given in Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on National Rural Electrification Scheme, 25/02/2016. Ministry of Power does not have any scheme by the name National Rural Electrification Scheme (NRES). However, the work of rural electrification are done under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). Cumulatively, as on 31.01.2016, electrification works in 1,13,505 villages have been completed. The State-wise details are given at Annex-I. 5686 un-electrified villages are to be electrified in 2015-16. The State-wise details are given at Annex-II.