All that was discussed in the House through the day
The concentration of particulate matter 10 (PM10) increased in 31 cities in 2020-2021, compared to 2019-2020, Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forest and climate change told the Lok Sabha March 21, 2022.
It decreased in 96 cities and remained unchanged in four, Yadav mentioned. The minister was citing findings based on the analysis of ambient air quality data from 132 non-attainment / metropolitan cities.
Permission for tree felling
Proposals to fell 3,097,721 trees were approved during 2020-21 under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 by the Ministry, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for environment, forest and climate change told the Lok Sabha March 21, 2022.
The permission for tree felling is accorded by the respective state governments / Union territory administrations under the provisions of various acts, rules, guidelines and the directions of courts, he added.
Impact of COVID-19 on economy
India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have contracted by 6.6 per cent during financial year (FY) 2020-21, as per the first revised estimates released by National Statistical Office, Union Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI). This contraction reflects the unparalleled effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the containment measures that were taken to control the pandemic, Pankaj Chaudhury, Union minister of state for finance told the Lok Sabha.
Tiger population increased
India’s tiger population increased to 2,967 (range 2,603-3,346) as compared to the 2014 estimation of 2,226 (range 1945-2491), Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change told the Lok Sabha.
There are 51 tiger reserves spread over 18 tiger range states. The increase was recorded in the quadrennial All India Tiger Estimation Exercise, which assesses the status of tigers, co-predators and prey using robust scientific methodology.
E-waste collection by informal sector
As much as 164,663 tonnes, 224,041 tonnes and 354,291.22 tonnes of e-waste were collected and processed during the FY 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively, Choubey stated. He was quoting figures maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Under the E-waste (management) Rules, 2016, producers of notified electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) were given phase-wise annual e-waste collection targets, the minister added.
Mining in Beri Ganga forest prohibited
No proposal for mining in the Beri Ganga forest area in Jodhpur district has been received by the central government from the Government of Rajasthan. Further, the approval of diversion proposals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a continuous process. As on date, no mining proposal pertaining to other reserved forest areas of Rajasthan is pending with the central government, Choubey told the Lok Sabha.
As per the information provided by the Government of Rajasthan, illegal mining activity is prohibited in the Beri Ganga Forest area as per provisions laid under Section 3 of the Rajasthan State Forest Act, 1953. The protection and conservation of Beri Ganga forest area and action against the illegal miners are undertaken by the state forest department, Choubey said.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.