Lok Sabha Question No. 1872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Cross Dependency Initiative
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Sanghamitra Maurya, Keshari Devi Patel, Jadon Chandra Sen

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1872

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2023

## Cross Dependency Initiative

1872.   SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA: SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL: DR. CHANDRA SEN JADON:

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

- (a) Whether any analysis and risk evaluation of climate have been carries out by XDI Cross Dependency Initiative (CDI), if so, the details of States in the country which are likely to face such climate risks, State/UT-wise;
- (b) Whether the Government has done any study to ascertain the alarming climate risk situation in these States of the country and its potential impact on the development, economy and people at large and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the Government is taking any measures to mitigate the climate risks associated especially with the most vulnerable Indian States in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) Whether  any  measures  being  taken  or  any  analyses  are  being  carried  out  by  the Government for prevention of Natural Disasters in the said States, if so, the details thereof as published in the Hindustan on 21 February 2023, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Preparation  of  climate  risk  indices  and  risk  assessments  is  a  growing  field  of commercial consultancy activity, undertaken by an increasing number of private and publicly owned enterprises across the world. The Government in its preparation of risk analysis and risk assessments relies on scientifically validated data, methodologies and analyses provided by public  and  private  scientific  institutions  and  multilateral  agencies  and  institutions  with  a recognized  expertise  in  this  area.  However,  it  is  also  not  appropriate  nor  possible  for Government to have a view or comment on all such analyses and assessments available in the public domain. Government notes that the rising level of such activity is testimony to the rising climate change awareness in business circles across the world.
- (b) The Government is seized of the matter. The Government of India through its various Ministries and Departments continues to assess the impact of climate change keeping with new data and increased scientific knowledge on the subject. Such data and analyses are routinely

carried out in the regular work of Ministries/Departments and incorporated in further schemes, plans and initiatives of the Government as notified from time to time. Experts and scientists in academia and thinktanks also consulted from time to time as need arises on these subjects. The Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  undertaken  a  study  called  'Risk  and vulnerability assessment of Indian agriculture to climate change' under its flagship network project National Innovations in Climate  Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).  Further, the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation, and research teams from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, have studied the nation-wide vulnerability assessment and have released a report titled 'Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework'.

(c) The Government stands committed to combating climate change through its several programmes and schemes including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which  comprises  missions  in  specific  areas  of  solar  energy,  energy  efficiency,  water, sustainable  agriculture,  health,  Himalayan  ecosystem,  sustainable  habitat,  green  India,  and strategic knowledge for climate change. The NAPCC provides an overarching framework for all climate actions. Thirty-four States/Union Territories (UTs) have prepared their State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with NAPCC taking into account the State specific issues  relating  to  climate  change.  India  has  also  proactively  taken  a  lead  in  promoting international  collaborations  through  International  Solar  Alliance  and  Coalition  for  Disaster Resilient  Infrastructure  and  has  undertaken  various  activities  through  these  arrangements. Further, to support adaptation measures in States/ UTs in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, Government is implementing the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC). Under NAFCC, 30 projects in 27 States/ UTs have been sanctioned for adaptation in agriculture, water, forestry, etc.

(d ) In  view  of  the  welcome  increase  in  awareness  of  the  importance  of  disaster  risk reduction and disaster management, there is increasing coverage of relevant issues in the media. Hence,  general  comment  on  the  content  of  individual  media  pieces  may  not  be  possible. However,  it  may  be  noted  that  the  Government  of  India,  with  its  continuous  efforts,  has significantly improved its approach towards disaster management in the country from reliefcentric to a holistic approach of early warning, preparedness, prevention, response, recovery, mitigation and capacity building.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 articulates the need for mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction  (DRR)  into  development  planning.  The  National  Policy  and  National  Plan  on Disaster Management seeks to build a safe and disaster resilient India. There are institutional mechanisms  at  the  National,  State  and  District  level  in  the  country  viz.  National  Disaster Management  Authority  (NDMA),  State  Disaster  Management  Authorities  (SDMAs)  and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) respectively for appropriate preparedness,  coordination  and  prompt  response  mechanisms  for  effective  management  of natural disasters. Central Government has also set up the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for providing a specialist response to threatening disaster situations or disasters.

The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Governments. The Central Government strives to achieve zero mortality in all disasters in collaboration with State Governments and response agencies. Further, strengthening of the disaster management is a continuing and evolving process of the governance.