Lok Sabha Question No. 5484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Rise in Global Temperature
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Saikia Dilip, Devji Mansingram Patel, Devendrappa Y, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5484 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 5 TH  APRIL, 2023

## RISE IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURE

5484.    SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL: SHRI Y. DEVENDRAPPA: SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  new  study  conducted  by  the  scientists  has revealed that a hotter earth means many more insects;
- (b) if so, the details of the diseases expected to be spread as a result of increase in population of such insects; and
- (c) the steps contemplated to decrease the hot temperature of the earth and to increase cold temperature for the protection of human beings?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes Sir. In a report by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that  the  population  of  insects  is  expected  to  increase  around  the  world  due  global warming/rise in temperature. Temperature regulates insects' physiology and metabolism. An  increase  in  temperature  increases  physiological  activity  and,  therefore,  metabolic rates.  Insects  must  eat  more  to  survive  and  it's expected that  insect  herbivores  will consume more and grow faster. This will lead to increases in the population growth rate of certain  insects.  Because  they  grow  fast  they'll  reproduce  more.  Their  numbers  will multiply and this will ultimately lead to more crop damage.
- (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) doesn't have any centralized data on the details of diseases expected to be spread as a result of increase in population of insects.  However, India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  issues  agro  meteorological  advisories  through Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme for the benefit of farming community in the  country.  Presently  agromet  advisories  are  being  prepared  on  every  Tuesday  and Friday for all the agriculturally important districts (~700) and around 3100 blocks by 130 Agromet  Field  Units  (AMFUs)  and  199  District  Agromet  Units  (DAMUs).  These advisories  also  include  the  information  regarding  pests  and  diseases  which  affect agriculture.    Also  Pest-Weather  calendars  are  prepared  for  every  crop  which  could  be used as reference tools.
- (c) There  has  been  a  continuous  global  effort  to  control/arrest  the  global  warming  trends through various means. IMD under this ministry, issues forecast and warnings related to severe weather events including heat waves, in different spatial and temporal scales and share  the  same  with  public as  well  as  disaster  management  authorities  so  as  to  initiate required mitigation measures.

As  an  initiative  IMD  is  issuing  Seasonal  Outlook  for  temperatures  for  the  months  of April, May & June in the last week of March for planning purpose. This outlook brings out the expected scenario of heat waves also during the period. The seasonal outlook is followed by Extended Range Outlook issued on every Thursday for next two weeks. In addition to this, the forecast and the colour coded warnings for severe weather including heat wave warning are issued on daily basis for next five days with outlook for another two days.

As an adaptive measure, India Meteorological Department (IMD) in collaboration with local health departments have started heat action plan in many parts of the country since 2013 to forewarn people about the heat waves and also advising action to be taken during such  occasions.  Heat  Action  Plan,  implemented  in  23  States  in  collaboration  with National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA),  is  a  comprehensive  early  warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. The Plan presents immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.

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