Lok Sabha Question No. 6546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-06
Subject: Melting of Himalayan Glaciers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL, KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6546

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.04.2018

## Melting of Himalayan Glaciers

## 6546.   DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL: SHRI KIRTI AZAD

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Himalayan glaciers are melting rapidly;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Kedarnath disaster happened due to melting of glaciers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any study in this regard; and
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) and (b) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has monitored the glacier advance and retreat of 2018 glaciers, across the Indian Himalayan region using satellite data of 2000-01 to 2010-11. The study shows that 87% of glaciers showed no change, 12% glaciers retreated, and 1% glaciers have advanced.
- (c) Kedarnath disaster in June 2013 cannot be directly attributed to the melting of glaciers. The combined effect of very heavy rainfall on two consecutive days and subsequent bursting of the 'Chorabari' lake which was located between the valley wall and lateral moraine of the glacier may have contributed to the disaster.

(d)  and  (e) A  team  from  Geological  Survey  of  India  (GSI)  visited  Kedarnath  area  during September 2013 for geotechnical and glaciological evaluation. They also undertook Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey for the assessment of bedrock/ overburden profile in October 2013.  The  survey  indicated  undulatory  topography  below  the  man-made  platform  of  the temple.  Further,  a  number  of  institutions  such  as  Department  of  Space,  Wadia  Institute  of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, Sikkim University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and many other institutes are engaged in monitoring and conducting research in the area of glaciology. The Government has also setup a Center for Glaciology  at  WIHG,  funded  by  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology,  to  carry  out detailed investigations of glacier masses in the Himalayan Region.

Further, the government is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with a view to enhance the ecological sustainability of India's development path and  address  climate  change  in  all  regions  of  the  country.  NAPCC  comprises,  inter  alia,  of eight National Missions including National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system (NMSHE).

NMSHE is aimed at evolving management measures for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan glaciers and mountain ecosystem. The mission includes enhanced monitoring of Himalayan ecosystem through establishment of monitoring network, promoting community-based  management,  human  resource  development  and  strengthening  regional cooperation. Government  has  prepared  guidelines  entitled  'Governance  for  Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem', (G-SHE), which have been shared with all state governments in the Himalayan region. All Himalayan states have also prepared their respective State Action Plans to address the state specific issues.

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