Category Archives: Parliament Questions

Relevant to MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Subject: ECOLOGICAL HAVOC IN ARAVALI HILLS

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government’s attention has been drawn to the news report captioned, ‘Ecological havoc in Aravali Hills’, published in the Times of India, dated the 1st November, 2002;
(b) whether Government have drawn up any plan to stem the rapid exploitation of the Aravali Hills, to meet the growing urban requirements; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

Answered by SHRI T.R. BAALU

(a), (b) & (c): The Government has enacted the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to take effective measures for protection of environment and prevention of ecological degradation in the country. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has brought out a notification vide S.O.319(E) dated 07.05.1992 under section 3(1) and section 3(2) (v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 prohibiting certain activities in specified areas of Aravalli Range in Gurgaon district of Haryana and Alwar district of Rajasthan except with the prior permission of the Ministry.

The activities covered under the notification are:

(i) location of any new industry including expansion and modernisation,
(ii) all new mining operations including renewal of mining leases,
(iii) existing mining leases in Sanctuaries/National Parks and areas covered under Project Tiger and/or mining being done without the permission of the competent authority,
(iv) cutting of trees,
(v) construction of any clusters of dwelling units, farm houses, sheds, community centres, information centres and any activity connected with such construction (including roads, a part of infrastructure relating thereto) and
(vi) electrification (laying of new transmission lines).

The powers of the Central Government under the Aravalli Notification, 1992 were subsequently delegated to the State Governments of Haryana and Rajasthan vide Notification S.O.1189 (E) dated 29.11.1999. Inter-alia, the State Governments of Haryana and Rajasthan have been required to draw up master plans for development of the area covered by the Aravalli Notification, 1992 integrating environmental concerns and keeping in view the future land use of the area.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has notified Gurgaon town and adjoining industrial areas of Gurgaon district, Haryana for regulation of ground water development and management on account of depletion of ground water due to over-exploitation and deterioration in ground water quality.

Considering the ecological importance of the ridge, which forms a part of the Aravalli range, the Government of Delhi has also constituted Delhi Ridge Management Board on 06.10.1995 to maintain and protect the ridge area effectively.

Relevant to MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINES, DEPARTMENT OF MINES
Subject: MINING UNDERTAKEN IN ARAVALI HILLS NEAR DELHI

Will the Minister of COAL AND MINES be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that extensive mining operation is undertaken in the Aravali hills near Delhi;
(b) if so, what are the guidelines for issuing mining licences in the ecologically sensitive areas; the number of operators engaged in mining in the region and action taken against violators of norms during the last three years;
(c) whether it is a fact that indiscriminate mining has badly affected the groundwater level and the forest in the region; and
(d) if so, the measures contemplated to protect the Aravali hills and the water level in the region? Continue reading →

Relevant to MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Subject: ECOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF ARAVALI HILLS

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government are aware of the increasing ecological havoc in Aravali hills;
(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons for the havoc;
(c) the action initiated by the Government against the persons responsible for ecological degradation of Aravali hills; and
(d) the steps taken to protect and conserve the Aravali hills? Continue reading →

Relevant to MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Subject: PROTECTED RIDGES IN DELHI

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a) the details regarding the area and location of protected ridges in Delhi;
(b) whether Government have any plan to include more reserved forests in and around Delhi; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?

Answered by SHRI T.R. BAALU. Continue reading →

Relevant to MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Subject: DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS IN DELHI

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `what`s a city without a forest or two?` appearing in the Times of India dated July 1, 2002;
(b) if so, the quantum of money released to various departments of Delhi to develop forests during each of the last five years and the manner in which this money has been utilised, Department-wise; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to remove all non-forest activities from the forest areas in Delhi and the time by which these are likely to be removed/cleared to pave way for the development of forest? Continue reading →

Relevant to MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
Subject: ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION IN NORTHERN RIDGE IN DELHI

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that illegal construction in Northern Ridge, known as Kamla Nehru Ridge, in Delhi was carried out in 1998-99 by the Forest Department, in utter disregard of the Supreme Court orders which had specifically stated that no construction will be undertaken in Delhi ridge to maintain in its pristine glory;
(b) if so, what are the details thereof, including the expenditure incurred thereon; and
(c) what action Government had taken against the officer concerned for the blatant violation of Supreme Court orders?

Answered by SHRI T.R.BAALU.

(a) & (b): The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has informed that a four-room building of 50 square meter plinth area was constructed near existing forest office building in Kamla Nehru Ridge (Northern Ridge) on the orders of the then Conservator of Forests, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi in 1998-99. Rupees 2.60 lakh were spent on the construction of building. The building has subsequently been removed.

(c): As per extant procedures, the matter has been referred to the Central Vigilance Commission.

Relevant to MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVATION
Subject: HAND OVER OF ASOLA-BHATTI MINES WILDLIFE SANCTUARY LAND

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the land of Asola Bhatti Mines Wildlife Sanctuary has been handed over to the Eco-Task Force of the Territorial Army for afforestation;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated for afforestation;
(c) whether the illegal encroachments of the said land has been removed; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answered by SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA of MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVATION.

(a) & (b): It has been reported by Government of NCT of Delhi that it has decided to reclaim approx. 2100 acres of Bhatti area of Asola Bhatti Sanctuary through the Eco-Task Force of the Territorial Army. The project is scheduled for completion in five years and Rs.823 lakhs has been sanctioned.

(c) & (d): Government of NCT of Delhi have decided to resettle the three colonies, namely, Sanjay Nagar, Balbir Nagar and Indra Nagar to Jaunapur and the Slum & JJ Wing of MCD is taking steps to implement the decision.

Relevant to MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Subject: ENCROACHMENT IN RIDGE AREAS BY THE DEFENCE MINISTRY

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that some complaints regarding the Defence Ministry`s encroachment on the Ridge in Delhi have been made, where any kind of construction has been stopped;
(b) if so, how old are the encroachments; and
(c) what action has been taken by Government to remove them? Continue reading →