Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addresses concerns about environmental stress in industrial districts of Telangana, particularly Nalgonda, due to cement manufacturing. The Ministry details steps taken to expand green cover, control pollution, and restore ecological balance, including afforestation projects under CAMPA and the Green India Mission. The Ministry also addresses the potential launch of focused green zone initiatives in collaboration with State Governments.
Key Points / Main Content:
Industrial Activity and Pollution:
* Twelve cement industries operate in the former Nalgonda district (2 in Nalgonda, 10 in Suryapet).
* Key pollution sources in cement manufacturing include Raw Mill/Kiln, Coal Mill, Cooler Discharge, and Cement Mill.
* Regulatory agencies monitor emissions/effluents to ensure they remain within permissible limits.
Pollution Control Measures:
* All cement units in the former Nalgonda district are equipped with Air Pollution Control Equipment (RABH, Pulse Jet Bag Filters, ESP, Bag Filters).
* Mobile sweeping machines and water sprinkling control fugitive dust emissions.
* Cement industries use online stack monitoring and Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) systems connected to State/Central Pollution Control Boards.
* Dedicated monitoring cells oversee the online systems, and notices are issued for non-compliance.
Green Belt Development:
* The Ministry stipulates environmental conditions for green belt development in industrial units, following Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.
Nagar Van Yojana Implementation:
* The Ministry is implementing Nagar van Yojana since 2020-21, funded through National CAMPA, to create urban forests.
* Two projects for Nagar VanVatikas have been sanctioned in Nalgonda, Telangana, at a total cost of Rs. 17.76 lakhs.
* The first installment of Rs. 12.44 lakhs was released in 2022-23.
Impact Analysis:
Cement Manufacturing Units:
* Impact: Required to maintain and operate pollution control equipment and online monitoring systems.
* Action Required: Ensure continuous compliance with emission standards and respond to notices of non-compliance.
State and Central Pollution Control Boards:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring online systems and enforcing emission standards.
* Action Required: Regularly monitor online systems and issue notices for non-compliance.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
* Impact: Oversees environmental compliance and implements green initiatives.
* Action Required: Continue implementing Nagar van Yojana and monitoring the impact of industrial activity on the environment.
Telangana State Government:
* Impact: Potential collaborator in launching focused green zone or buffer plantation initiatives.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the central government on green initiatives in industrial corridors like Nalgonda.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
Telangana: A state in India where industrial districts, specifically Nalgonda and Suryapet, are located.
Nalgonda district, Telangana: An industrially active district in Telangana with a high concentration of cement manufacturing units.
Suryapet district, Telangana: A district in Telangana with cement industries.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority CAMPA: A scheme for afforestation and environmental conservation projects.
Green India Mission: A national mission to enhance green cover in India.
Central Pollution Control Board: A statutory organisation responsible for pollution control in India.
Nagar van Yojana: A scheme implemented by the Ministry to create forest/green spaces in urban areas.
`GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1168
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Green Cover in Industrial Districts of Telangana
1168. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that districts like Nalgonda in Telangana have
emerged as significant industrial belts, particularly with a high concentration of cement
manufacturing units contributing to environmental stress and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to support the expansion of green cover
in such industrially active districts to mitigate pollution and restore ecological balance;
(c) the details of the afforestation and pollution control projects implemented in Nalgonda
under Schemes such as Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authority (CAMPA), Green India Mission and others during the last five years; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to launch any focused green zone or buffer
plantation initiatives in collaboration with the State Governments in industrial corridors
like Nalgonda and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) Twelve cement industries are operating in the erstwhile Nalgonda district (presently 2 in
Nalgonda district and 10 in Suryapet district). The primary components of the cement
manufacturing process that contribute to air and water pollution include the Raw Mill/Kiln,
Coal Mill, Cooler Discharge, and Cement Mill, among others, which are monitored by
regulatory agencies so that emission/effluents remains within permissible limits.
(b) to (d). All Cement manufacturing units in the erstwhile Nalgonda district are equipped with
Air Pollution Control Equipment. Reverse Air Bag Houses (RABH) or Pulse Jet Bag Filters
are installed for the Raw Mill/Kilns; Bag Filters or Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) are
provided for Cement Mills and Bag Filters are installed for Limestone Crushers and Coal Mills.
Fugitive dust emissions due to other sources like vehicular movement in the plant area are
controlled by using mobile sweeping machines and by water sprinkling. All the Cement
industries provide online stack monitoring systems for the main sources of pollution and also
Online Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) systems and connected to
State/Central Pollution Control Board web server. Regular monitoring of the online system is
done with dedicated monitoring cell and notices are being issued on non-compliance of the
emission standards. Ministry, while issuing Environment clearance, stipulates environmental
condition for development of green belt in an Industrial unit as per the guidelines issued by theCentral Pollution Control Board to mitigate environment impacts due to dust, noise and
gaseous emission.
Ministry is also implementing Nagar van Yojana since 2020-21, funded through National
CAMPA, with an aim to create forest/green spaces in urban areas by developing Nagar
Van/Vatikas, also with a view to protect forest lands within cities/towns or its fringes from
degradation and encroachment. Two projects for above purposes have been sanctioned in
Nalgonda, Telangana at the total cost of Rs.17.76 lakhs and first instalment of Rs. 12.44 lakhs
has been released in the year 2022-23.
******