A large number of issues are lying pending for environmental clearance. All the industrialists of the country, NGO‟s Chief Ministers and other Ministers want their approval and they request the Government to find a way out for their clearance. The protection of Environment and Development is not contradictory to each other. Both can go hand in hand. The Government wants to promote the duo simultaneously. Late Shri Deen Dayal Upadhyay aptly said that sustainable development is very much in Indian life style from time immemorial.
We live in sync with nature. I believe that unless it takes the shape of a mass movement environment cannot be protected. Your kind cooperation is solicited in this mass movement. Some Hon. Members have said that budget allocation for this purpose is not adequate. Here I would like to point out that the funds have not been reduced. A separate Ministry for Ganga Action Plan and Ganga Cleaning is set up and it is led by Sushri Uma Bharti. The Ministry of Water Resources has been added to it. Thus, the funds of Rs. 535 crore which were meant for the Ministry of Environment in earlier Budget, are now transferred to her Ministry. It is a structural change.
I have tried to streamline procedures. Since these procedures will betransparent and simple I am confident the courts and others will appreciate my efforts. I have done away with the licence Raj, permit quota. We have madeonline submission of applications of environmental clearances applicable from 1st June. While dealing with environmental clearance, I decided to accord forest clearance also. I am happy that online submission of applications for forest clearance has started last week. It is transparent. So many cases related to defence are lying pending for environmental approval. We visited China border. I thought border roads should be clear. If forest clearance is required to be accorded for a stretch of 5 acre, why should the file be referred to Delhi? We accorded border roads clearance of 6 thousand kms. We are to raise new corp of one lakh soldiers. The army will be raised, their accommodation, training centre, ammunition depots, firing range would be set up. Why should the file of the army station be referred to the Central Ministry? Defence strategic infrastructure has been covered in general approval. The process has now been streamlined.
All Hon. Members have said that the transmission line, rail road pass through forest area. If a wind mill is to be set up, a pole is to be erected, one has to walk 17 km. and there is a small patch of forest. Permission to erect the pole was not accorded. Earlier, general approval was required for transmission line of upto 220 kv. Now technology has improved. There may be a proposal to set up transmission line of 1200 KV or 2000 KV. Such lines will protect forest area.
The population of tigers has increased in Maharashtra. The Project Tiger is very much successful there. Setting up of new Bore National Sanctuary for tigers has been approved there. The environment related projects will continue.
Seven States have been affected by the Gadgil and Kasturi Ranjan report. An issue of eco-sensitive zone has emerged. The problem of such zone is that even a small stone is not allowed to be quarried for repair of house. Ground toothing is needed there. I allowed ground toothing to all seven states who had requested so. Ground toothing is going on there. If required, we will seek opinion and consent of the local Panchayats and representatives of people like you.
26 sand mines were to be auctioned in Punjab. We all require such auction. But it was informed that for want of environmental clearance bidders are not approaching. They do not believe that environmental clearance can be accorded later on. Forests exist but are degraded. We are planning to bring back these degraded forests under re-afforestation.
Earlier, one has to come to Ministry seeking permission for settling up 20 MW Bio-mass power plant. I said – what is the need for such permission. Bio-mass plant is a good plant which is the best cleaning agency. Now, the permission for bio-mass plant will be given at local level.
The widening of roads was not possible in naxal affected area and killing of CRPF Jawans is a routine matter. The Maoists blow off people by planting bombs on roads.Road widening in such areas has been brought in general approval list.
The CAMPA fund worth of Rs. 33 thousand crores is lying idle with centre. We will ensure that the CAMPA fund reaches to states which are really in need of it.
The steps are being taken to prevent animal-men conflict and deforestation. We will not let the practice of cuttings tree illegally go on. Actions will be taken for busting such rackets and the members of racket will have to pay for it. The states have to decide on the number of eco-sensitive zones in their states. If the states‟ projects in eco-sensitive zones fall within the rules, then the approval will be accorded.
Government is committed to increase CNG in public transport in all cities. As far as, the river Ganga is concerned, the government has already sanctioned 6 STPs during the last 50 days. These STPs are centrally funded with 70% fund going from the centre. Unfortunately many STP do not operate for 24 hours. Hence, filth goes into water. It can be stopped only if the STP run 27x7.
We must think afresh of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa as how to protect environment, tribals and ensure development. The Vanbandhu Scheme will ensure that they get employment, facilities, development and their rights. Forest rights are very important. The latest forest survey shows that tribals are helping forest cover to grow faster. We now have 23-24 percent forest cover and have to take it further 33 per cent.
National Board of Wildlife has established two days ago. It will now start functioning immediately. Climate change in the world is reality and if we have to face the challenges of climate change, then actions have to be taken as well as to redefine the role of India to be played on world forum. We have to present ourselves effectively.
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