Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Environment Fragility in Kerala
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 154

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Environment Fragility in Kerala

## 154. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH :

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted a scientific study concerning the environmental degradation and fragility of the State of Kerala's environment resulting in incessant flash floods, landslides and silting of top soil causing increased vulnerability of soil and making it fragile;
- (b) if  so,  the  detail of steps being  undertaken to address the environmental crisis that is persisting in the said State;
- (c) whether the Government is further aware of the increase in water logging in many parts of Kuttanad taluk in the State making tracts of cultivable land unusable;
- (d) if so, the steps taken/propose to be taken to assist the State in mitigating this issue; and
- (e) the details of funds allocated,  if any, for the management of climate change related damages and loss of livelihood till date?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) As per the information received from the Government of Kerala, no specific scientific study has  been  conducted  concerning  the  environmental  degradation and fragility  of  the  State  of Kerala's  environment,  resulting  in  incessant  flash  floods,  landslides  and  silting  of  top  soil, causing increased vulnerability of the soil and making it fragile. However, as part of the revised State  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  2023-2030  (SAPCC  2023-2030),  composite  climate change vulnerability profiles were developed for the State and sector-specific vulnerabilities were assessed to measure systemic preparedness.

(b) In response to the increasing frequency of climate change induced natural calamities, the Government of Kerala in the SAPCC 2023-2030 has envisaged various programs and projects aimed  at  environmental  conservation  and  disaster  risk  reduction.  These  efforts  include afforestation projects, watershed management, promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to reduce soil erosion and improve soil health etc. The plan envisages extensive interventions focused on climate change adaptation strategies. The plan aims to enhance the state's resilience to natural disasters and improve disaster response systems based on detailed studies.

(c) and (d) The State Government of Kerala is aware of the water logging issues in Kuttanad Taluk and the same is being addressed by State Departments such as Irrigation, Agriculture, etc.

(e) Under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC), a project 'Promotion of  Integrated  Farming  System  of  Kaipad  and  Pokkali  in  Costal  Wetlands  of  Kerala'  was implemented with a sanctioned amount of Rs.25 crore. The project was executed by the Agency for  Development  of  Aquaculture,  Kerala  (ADAK),  with  NABARD  being  the  National Implementing  Entity  (NIE).  The  project  was  initiated  on 31 st   December,  2015 and  got completed by 21 st  October 2021. In addition to this, a project entitled 'Climate Change, floods and rural farming communities in Kuttanad: A shift from disaster Management towards disaster preparedness' was sanctioned by the Government of Kerala for a period of 3 years under the State plan scheme 'Climate Change' with a project outlay of Rs.17.17 Lakhs.

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