Lok Sabha Question No. 376 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: Effects of Pollution on Himalayan Glaciers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ajay Tamta

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION N0. *376 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## Effects of Pollution on Himalayan Glaciers

## *376. SHRI AJAY TAMTA:

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

- (a) whether  scientists  have  observed  that  glaciers  in  the  Himalayan  States  have  been adversely affected by pollution 217 ng/m3 of PM 0.5 carbon black;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  deal  with  the  said  situation  and  protect Himalayan glaciers;
- (d) whether several incidents of inappropriate waste management and recycling, improper burning of garbage including plastic in Himalayan States have come to the notice of the Government; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  corrective  measures  taken  along  with  the  funds released  to  State  Governments  to  check/restrict  such  incidents  during  the  last  three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)    OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 376 REGARDING 'EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON  HIMALAYAN  GLACIERS'  BY SHRI  AJAY  TAMTA  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON 13.12.2019:

- (a) to (b) Black Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere as a by-product of combustion processes such as fossil fuel, vegetation burning, industrial effluents, motor vehicle and air craft exhausts. Black Carbon (BC) is monitored on Himalayan Glaciers by various institutions. As monitored by GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and development, BC concentration over the Parbati Glacier in Himachal Pradesh, is ranging between 0.34 μg/m3 -0.56 μg/m3. In the foothills of the Parbati, Hamta and  Beas  Kund  Glaciers  the  BC  concentration  is  796  ng/m3,  416  ng/m3,  432 ng/m3.As  monitored  by  Wadia  Institute  of  Himalayan  Geology,  in  Gangotri Glaciers, BC concentration is ranging from 0.01μg/m3 to 4.62 μg/m3.
- (c) The Central Government have taken several steps to curb environmental pollution in  Himalayan  states,  which  inter  alia  includes,  financial  assistance  to  States  by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for setting up of Waste to Energy plants. The details are as follows:
- a. For  Biogas,  capital  subsidy  of  Rs.  1  Crore  per  12000  m3  Biogas/day  is provided. [Maximum up to Rs. 10 crore/project]
- b. Under  Power  Projects,  subsidy  of  Rs.  3.0  crore  per  MW  is  provided. [Maximum up to Rs. 10 crore/project]. In case, developer wants to set up power  generating  unit  at  already  existing  Biogas  generation  unit,  the applicable Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be only Rs. 2 Crore per MW.
- c. For Bio-CNG/ Enriched Biogas, subsidy of Rs. 4.0 crore- 4800 kgs/day of Bio-CNG generated per day from 12000 m3 biogas per day. [Maximum up to  Rs.  10  crore/project].  In  case,  developer  wants  to  set  up  Bio-CNG generating  unit  at  already  existing  Biogas  generation  unit,  the  applicable CFA will be only Rs. 3 Crore per MW.

Further State Government  of Uttarakhandhave taken several steps to curb environmental pollution which inter-alia includes banning of burning of plastic and garbage, establishment of compactors to  compact segregated recyclables  (plastic, rubber,  cardboard,  jute  bags  etc.).  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  has  enacted Himachal  Pradesh  Non-Biodegradable  Garbage  (Control)  Act,  1995  in  order  to curb environment pollution due to unscientific disposal of non-biodegradable waste andalso  regulated  the  number  of  vehicles  plying  to  Rohtang  pass  to  1200  (800 diesels and 400 petrol) in a day.

- (d) &  (e)  VariousNotices/directionshave  been  issued  by  State  Pollution  Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committee of Himalayan States to control pollution from plastics. These inter alia includes following

## Himachal Pradesh (HP) State Pollution Control Board

Total compounding fee amounting to Rs. 6,67,700 has been collected by compounding 787 violators in the State of HP in year 2019.

## Uttarakhand Environmental Protection & Pollution Control Board:

-  Board has issued direction to all District Magistrates for compliance of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
-  Rs. 110.53 Lakhs collected from defaulters.
-  Rs. 24.08 Lakhs has been collected for violation of anti-littering and spitting Act, 2016

## J&K Pollution Control Board

-  Closure order issued to 07 defaulters (Plastic Manufacturing Units).
-  Approximately 28 MT of illegal polythene and other banned items (singe use plastic) has been seized during the last six months.

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