Lok Sabha Question No. 1070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-07
Subject: Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1070

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020

## Climate Change

## 1070.   SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the causes of the climate change and its impacts on Glaciers as well as on the life of the people residing in the Trans Himalaya region especially Ladakh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering any Climate Policy and proposes to bring about the same, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government plans to regulate any Eco-Friendly Industry Policy for Union Territories of Ladakh to preserve the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh including use of plastic; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the other corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) and (b) According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since the preindustrial era have driven large increases in their atmospheric concentrations.

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. Recent mass balance studies for some Himalayan glaciers conducted by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) under Department of Science & Technology (DST) and a study published in Science Advances have revealed that majority of Himalayan glaciers are melting or retreating at varying rates. The rate of the recession has seen  an  upward  trend  in  the  second  half  of  the  last  century  though  no  abnormal  trend  of melting has been documented. The studies have also shown that large glaciers with an area more than  10  km 2 are  unlikely  to  get  affected  appreciably  in  the  coming  years.  However, small glaciers of area 1-2 km 2 or less than 1 km 2 may show rapid changes. Research projects have  been  funded  in  different  parts  of  the  Indian  Himalayan  Region  to  generate  strategic knowledge  on  the  current  status  and  impact  of  climate  change  on  the  Indian  Himalayan glaciers.

(c) 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  Ecosystem (NMSHE). NMSHE is aimed at evolving management measures for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan  glaciers  and  mountain  ecosystem.  The  mission  includes enhanced  monitoring of the Himalayan  ecosystem  through  the establishment of the 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.

(d) and (e) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy plans to set up solar power projects, one of 50 MW capacity in Leh by Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. and another with cumulative capacity of around 14 MW with battery storage capacity of 42 MWh in Leh and Kargil under the Prime Minister Development Package 2015 for Jammu and Kashmir. The Government has notified Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 for environmentally sound management  of  plastic  waste  and  to  prevent  plastic  pollution  in  the  country.  Earlier,  the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had notified on 18.06.2008 a complete ban on the use, storage and sale of plastic carry bags and  a ban  on disposable plates, disposable cups  and tumblers,  disposable  spoons,  forks  and  knives  on  26.03.2019.  Further,  the  Public  Works Department  of  the  Union  Territory  of  Ladakh  has  decided  to  use  plastic  waste  in  the construction of bituminous roads.

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