Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, a complete of 1,73,396.87 hectares of has been accepted for varied non-forestry functions, together with infrastructure initiatives, underneath the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change, instructed the Lok Sabha.
Energy provide within the nation
There’s ample availability of energy within the nation, Union Minister of State for Energy Shripad Naik instructed the Rajya Sabha.
The present stands at 470 gigawatt (GW). The Authorities of India has addressed the important difficulty of energy deficiency by including 238 GW of technology capability since April 2014, reworking the nation from being power-deficient to power-sufficient, the minister said.
Moreover, since 2014, 201,088 circuit kilometres of transmission strains, 778,017 megavolt-amperes of transformation capability and 82,790 megawatts (MW) of inter-regional capability have been added, enabling the switch of 118,740 MW of energy throughout the nation, Naik stated.
Electrical energy technology capability from non-fossil gas sources
As of February 28, 2025, the nation’s electrical energy technology capability from non-fossil gas sources was roughly , together with round 215 GW of renewable power (RE) capability, Naik instructed the Rajya Sabha. Throughout the present monetary 12 months, round 24 GW of RE capability has been added to this point.
Influence of ethanol mixing on meals safety and the atmosphere
Since 2014-15, the programme has facilitated expedited funds of over Rs 1,04,000 crore to farmers as much as January 2025, Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Pure Gasoline Suresh Gopi instructed the Rajya Sabha.
Moreover, it has resulted in estimated overseas change financial savings of over Rs 1,20,000 crore, internet carbon dioxide discount of roughly 62.6 million metric tonnes and crude oil substitution exceeding 20 million metric tonnes, he said.
The Nationwide Coverage on Biofuels promotes and encourages using varied feedstocks, together with maize, sugarcane juice, molasses, broken meals grains resembling damaged rice and agricultural residues (e.g. rice straw, cotton stalks, corn cobs, sawdust and bagasse), Gopi stated.
The extent of feedstock utilisation for ethanol manufacturing varies yearly, relying on components resembling availability, value, financial feasibility, market demand and coverage incentives. Any diversion of sugarcane juice, its by-products, or maize for ethanol manufacturing is fastidiously calibrated in session with related stakeholders, the minister said.
Ethanol mixing coverage in India
Based on the Roadmap for Ethanol Mixing in India 2020-25, ready by an inter-ministerial committee, using 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) ends in a marginal discount in gas effectivity for four-wheelers initially designed for E10 however calibrated for E20, .
The Society of Indian Vehicle Producers (SIAM) knowledgeable the committee that modifications to engine {hardware} and tuning can minimise effectivity losses on account of blended gas. The report additionally highlighted that no important points have been noticed in car efficiency, engine part put on, or engine oil deterioration when utilizing E20 gas, Gopi said.
Floods in Karnataka
An evaluation of the frequency of extraordinarily heavy rainfall occasions from 2019 to 2024 exhibits that recorded the very best variety of such occurrences in 2019, with 59 situations reported at varied stations throughout the state, adopted by 38 in 2020 and 30 in 2024, V Somanna, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, instructed the Rajya Sabha.
The state authorities assesses damages attributable to 12 notified pure calamities, together with heavy rainfall and floods and gives reduction help from the State Catastrophe Response Fund (SDRF), which is allotted as per Authorities of India norms. Extra monetary help is supplied from the Nationwide Catastrophe Response Fund (NDRF) in instances of disasters categorised as ‘extreme’, primarily based on assessments performed by an Inter-Ministerial Central Workforce, Somanna said.
For Karnataka, in the course of the 2024-25 monetary 12 months (as of 12 March 2025), Rs 976 crore has been allotted underneath the SDRF, with Rs 366 crore and Rs 3,454.22 crore launched underneath the SDRF and NDRF, respectively, the minister stated.
Groundwater reserves within the nation
Between 2020 and 2024, the nation’s elevated from 436.15 billion cubic metres (BCM) to 446.90 BCM, whereas complete annual groundwater extraction for all functions remained secure, rising marginally from 244.92 BCM to 245.64 BCM, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary instructed the Rajya Sabha.
Moreover, the Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE), which represents the ratio of complete annual extractable groundwater to complete annual groundwater extraction, declined from 61.6 per cent to 60.47 per cent, indicating an general enchancment within the groundwater situation, the minister stated.
Villages declared open defecation free
As a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), 253,000 group sanitary complexes and 118.3 million particular person family latrines have been constructed thus far, Somanna instructed the Rajya Sabha. A complete of 5,64,157 villages have declared themselves , categorised as ‘aspiring’ (1,11,657), ‘rising’ (7,337) and ‘mannequin’ (4,45,163) as of March 20, 2025.
Nationwide Mission for Clear Ganga
Underneath the , from January to December 2024, a complete of 27 initiatives have been accomplished, bringing the cumulative complete to 305, Choudhary instructed the Rajya Sabha.
Moreover, 39 new initiatives have been sanctioned in 2024 at a value of Rs 2,056 crore. To help air pollution abatement, 12 sewage therapy initiatives with a capability of 203.55 million litres per day (MLD) have been accepted in 2024, bringing the cumulative complete to 206 sewage therapy initiatives with a capability of 6,335 MLD for the reason that launch of the Namami Gange programme, the minister stated.
