Question raised in Lok Sabha on National Clean Air Programme, 08/02/2019. Smart cities framework is being used to launch NCAP in 43 smart cities falling in the list of 102 non-attainment cities. State wise list of cities is enclosed as Annexure I. Taking into account the available international experiences and national scientific and technical studies, mid-term target for reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 forms an integral component of the NCAP. This is keeping 2017 as the base year for comparison of concentration.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Level of Particulate Matter in Air, 08/02/2019. Ambient air quality is monitored at 731 locations covering 312 cities/towns in 29 States and 6 Union Territories across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Ambient air quality data for PM2.5 and PM10 for 2017 is given at Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Identification of Polluted Rivers, 08/02/2019. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitors the water quality of rivers across the country, including Gangetic region, through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Ground Water Pollution, 08/02/2019. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the ground water available in the country in general is potable and suitable for various usages. However, localized occurrence of ground water having various chemical constituents in excess of the limits prescribed for drinking water use has been observed in some states. The commonly observed contaminants such as, Arsenic, Fluoride and Iron are geogenic, whereas contaminants such as, nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals etc.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Green India Mission, 08/02/2019. National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims to address climate change by increasing the forest/tree cover, improvement in the quality of forest/tree cover and provision of alternative fuel energy sources to households. GIM activities were started in the Financial Year 2015-16. So far funds amounting to Rs. 200.76 Cr. have been released under GIM to twelve states for carrying out GIM activities.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Cover, 08/02/2019. The State/UTs wise details of forest cover along with percentage as per ISFR-2017 is given in Annexure-I. National Afforestation Programme (NAP) of the Ministry of Environment & Forests is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for afforestation and eco-restoration of degraded forests and adjoining areas through people’s participation.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Environmental Pollution, 08/02/2019. Ambient air quality is monitored at 731 locations covering 312 cities/towns in 29 States and 6 Union Territories across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The ambient air quality data for million plus cities during 2015-2017 is at Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Environmental Clearance for Construction of New Dam, 08/02/2019. Total twenty seven (27)proposals for construction of dams were granted environmental clearance during the last five years. List of these proposals is annexed (Annexure I). Twenty (20) number of proposals for construction of dams are pending in this Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for environmental clearance. State wise detail of these projects with the present status is annexed (Annexure II).

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Deforestation, 08/02/2019. The State/UT-wise details of forest cover and changes in forest cover as per ISFR-2015 assessment and 2017 assessment is given in Annexure-I. The forest land diverted under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 during the period from 01.01.2015 to 05.02.2019 is 54648.54 hectares. The State/UTs wise details are given in Annexure-II.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Deaths due to Extreme Weather Events, 08/02/2019. The details of some of the major weather extremesin India in the recent years, as reported under second Biennial Update Report (2018), is at Annexure-I.