Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, recently addressed a question in Rajya Sabha about the measures taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change to curb environmental pollution. He informed the members that the Ministry is responsible for administering the Control of Pollution Scheme Central Sector Scheme which is operational since 2018. The main objective of the scheme is to monitor air, water and noise quality across the country and take appropriate air pollution mitigation measures.
Under the scheme, various components are being implemented such as assistance for abatement of pollution to weaker State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees and Central Pollution Control Board, National Clean Air Programme, Environmental Monitoring Network Programme, Operation and Maintenance of National Air Quality Monitoring Programme stations, National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network, National Water Monitoring Programme and research and outreach programmes.
The Minister also highlighted the steps taken by the government to increase forest and tree cover in the country such as National Afforestation Programme and Green India Mission. Afforestation activities are also being taken up under various programmes such as compensatory afforestation funds, afforestation activities under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Agroforestry Policy, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and National Bamboo Mission.
In order to mitigate pollution, the government has taken several measures such as the ban on single use plastic, introduction of BS-VI norms for fuel and vehicles, promotion of E-vehicles, cleaner fuel, zig-zag technology for brick kilns, Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic and e-waste management, and real-time monitoring of major industrial sectors.
The Ministry has also notified rules such as Hazardous and other Waste Management rules, E-waste rules and Bio-Medical Waste rules. The Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees regularly monitor the compliance of industrial emission/effluent discharges and other operational activities according to the prescribed standards.
The Minister emphasized that the government is taking various measures to control environmental pollution and conserve the environment through monitoring, research, and implementation of various schemes and programs. The government is committed to protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations.
