a) whether the Government proposes to amend the key environmental laws in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED

QUESTION NO:

1352

ANSWERED ON:

03.03.2015

AMENDMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

SUDHEER GUPTA

A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

Will the Minister of

ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to amend the key environmental laws in the country;  (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;  (c) the time by which such laws are likely to be amended;  (d) whether any suggestions/views have been sought/received from various quarters in this regard; and  (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereon? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)  (a) : Amendment of key environmental laws is taken up from time to time and is an ongoing exercise. A High Level Committee (HLC) was constituted for review of statutes related to forests, wildlife and environment needing amendment which has submitted its report and is available in public domain.  (b) The High Level Committee has specifically reviewed Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Indian Forests Act, 1927 to bring them in line with current requirements.  (c) Amendment of laws requires approval of parliament and specific time lines cannot be indicated for the purpose.  (d)& (e)Views of stakeholders have been sought and considered by High Level Committee while formulating its recommendations and shall be duly factored in while developing specific amendment proposals.