Environment and Forests


 

1. POLLAVARAM DAM
Unstarred Question 2483
24/11/2010

(a) whether the State Government of Andhra Pradesh is constructing the Polavaram Dam in violation of Environmental and Forest Clearance such as without taking mandatory public hearing etc;

(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of dam on mangrove forest of Godavari river and Coringa Bird Sanctuary;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to protect the mangrove forest and bird sanctuary;

(e) whether some other State Governments such as Orissa and Chattisgarh have also voiced against construction of dam; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to resolve the issue?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)


(a)& (b) Environmental Clearance to the Polavaram Multipurpose project was accorded on 25.10.2005, after following all the procedures in accordance with Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994. The Ministry has also issued the approval for diversion of forest land on 28.7.2010, subject to certain stipulations.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has thereafter proposed the construction of embankments on river Sileru and Saberi in Chattisgarh and Orissa to avoid submergence in these States, which were not considered during grant of Environmental Clearance in 2005. This issue was considered by Expert Appraisal Committee in its meeting held in February, 2009. While the Expert Appraisal Committee noted the Technical feasibility in respect of construction of bunds/embankments on Sileru and Saberi rivers, they also recommended requirement of public hearing under the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 in Orissa and Chattisgarh. Public hearing has not been conducted in the States of Orissa and Chattisgarh as on date.

(c) &(d) As per the then Guidelines for grant of environmental clearance, the impact assessment study was to be done covering seven kilometers from the periphery of the project area. As mangrove forest and Coringa Sanctuary are beyond seven kilometers, these were not included in the environment impact study

(e) & (f) The Governments of Orissa and Chattisgarh have objected to the construction of the Polavaram project as some areas in both the States are coming under submergence and no public hearing were undertaken in these States. While the matter is before Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the state governments could mutually settle it through negotiations.

http://164.100.47.132/Annexture/lsq15/6/au2483.htm


2. AGREEMENT ON CARBON EMISSION:
Unstarred Question 3186
9/12/2009


(a) whether the Government has held any discussion and signed any agreement on carbon emission norms and Green Partnership with some of the countries including United States of America in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, country-wise;

(c) the benefits likely to accrue as a result of signing of these agreements;

(d) whether India has asked the developed countries to transfer clean technology to developing countries including India at affordable cost;and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the developed Countries thereto?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)&(b) India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (Moll) on climate change with Governments of Italy, Canada, Denmark, Norway and China regarding cooperation on climate change including clean development mechanism projects. No MoUs on climate change have been signed so far with the United States of America, Sweden and European Union. While the MoUs signed with Italy, Canada, Denmark and Norway are intended to stimulate development and bilateral cooperation in the field of clean development mechanism (CDM), the Agreement signed with China focuses on promotion of mutual understanding and coordination of each other`s position on climate change related issues including international negotiations and bilateral cooperation in areas relating to energy efficiency, renewable, power, clean coal and other sectors of mutual interest.

(c) The Molls will help build confidence between India and partner countries and promote development and implementation of COM projects as well as coordination, mutual understanding and joint strategies on climate change related issues.

(d)&(e) In pursuance of the Article 4.3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), India has been advocating compliance of the provisions of Convention which enjoins upon the developed countries to UNFCCC to provide finance and transfer of technology to developing countries to enable them to respond to climate change. The current negotiations are aimed, inter alia, at deciding institutional arrangements for development and transfer of clean technologies through technology cooperation and provision of financial resources to developing countries to enable them to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Parties are currently engaged in negotiations under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol in order to reach agreed outcomes at the 15th Conference of Parties scheduled in Copenhagen in December 2009.


3. INTEGRATED COASTAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Unstarred Question 2117
2/12/2009

(a)Whether the Government has any proposal to implement the integrated coastal area development programme in the State of Orissa;

(b)If so, the amount earmarked for the purpose;

(c)Whether the State Government of Orissa has sought additional funds for implementing the said programme; and

(d)If so, the steps taken by the Government to provide the funds as demanded by the State Government?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a) & (b):The Project Preparation Facility component of the World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management project includes the preparation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the stretches of Paradip-Dhamra and Gopalpur- Chilika and capacity building projects in the area of coastal management in the State of Orissa. Under this component an amount of Rs.40,40,000 has been earmarked for the State of Orissa.

(c) & (d): The State Government of Orissa has not sought for any additional fund for the project referred at para (a) and (b) above.