Lok Sabha Question No. 2366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Impact of Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2366

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Impact of Climate Change

## 2366.  THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

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

- (a) whether the melting of  Himalayan glaciers, shifting  of tectonic forces is  intensifying vulnerability to earthquake and heightened seismic risk;
- (b) if so, the details and effective measures taken by the Government to mitigate the impact of climate change;
- (c) whether the cumulative effect of greenhouse gases disrupts climate systems leading to more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels and widespread ecological impacts;
- (d) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) whether the rural population especially women bear the heavy burden of the ill-effects of the climate change and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)    According  to  information  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  (MoES), scientific studies indicate that the Himalayan region is inherently one of the most seismically active  zones  in  the  world  due  to  the  ongoing  convergence  between  the  Indian  and  Eurasian tectonic plates. While the melting of Himalayan glaciers is primarily a consequence of climate change,  it  does  not  directly  trigger  earthquakes.  Climate-related  factors  such  as  changes  in hydrological  loading,  glacial  retreat,  and  increased  sediment  movement  may  influence  local stress conditions in specific areas. However, the principal driver of seismicity in the Himalaya remains the active tectonic deformation and accumulation of strain along major fault systems, which intensify seismic vulnerability in the region.

The Government has undertaken several measures to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change and to enhance preparedness for natural hazards, including earthquakes. Key initiatives include  expansion  and  upgradation  of  seismic  and  strong-motion  observation  networks  by National  Centre  for  Seismology  (NCS),  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  (MoES)  for  improved seismic hazard assessment.

To  mitigate  the  impact  of  earthquake  disasters,  National  Disaster  Management  Authority (NDMA) has  undertaken  several  initiatives,  like  demonstration  of  retrofitting  technologies across  various  states  to promote earthquake-resilient  construction practices  and  issuance  of technical guidelines on earthquake-resistant construction and retrofitting. These efforts aim to enhance  the  understanding  of  seismic  risk  among  stakeholders  and  encourage  adoption  of preventive  measures  at  both  institutional  and  community  levels.  NDMA  has  undertaken earthquake risk assessment for various cities, particularly those in earthquake-prone areas. The guidelines  developed  by  NDMA  serve  as  critical  references  for  stakeholders,  including engineers, architects, urban planners, policymakers, and the general public, to mitigate seismic risks.  NDMA  also  conducts  regular  public  awareness  programmes  and  mock  exercises  to prepare all stakeholders to deal with earthquake events.

(c)  &  (d)    As  per  information  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  (MoES),  the cumulative effect of greenhouse gases disrupts climate systems leading to more frequent and severe  weather  events  such  as  increased  frequency  of  extreme  weather  events,  shifts  in monsoon and climatic patterns, rising sea levels and widespread ecological impacts. India's Third National Communication submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2023 states that the impacts of climate change are observed in various  sectors:  biodiversity  and  forests;  agriculture;  water  resources;  coastal and  marine ecosystems; human health; gender; urban and infrastructure. The report also states that extreme precipitation and flooding have affected several parts of India in recent years and these floods were caused by heavy precipitation as well as events such as glacier breaks and flash floods, and avalanches.

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 have prepared their State Action Plan on  Climate  Change  (SAPCC)  in  line  with  the  NAPCC,  taking  into  account  State-specific climate change issues.

(e)   According  to  India's  Third  National  Communication  submitted  to  the  United  Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2023, climatic extremes and climate change further confound the scenario by magnifying manifold the workload of women and enhancing their vulnerability. Recurring incidences of erratic rainfall and increasing possibilities  of  extreme  events  can  result  in  the  loss  of  agricultural  produce.  Women  are exposed to harvest losses, which are often their sole source of food and income. Second, climate variability usually impacts sectors that are traditionally associated with rural womenfolk, such as paddy cultivation, cotton and tea plantations, and fishing. In India, about 65 per cent of the total female workers are engaged in one of the most climate sensitive sectors - agriculture, thereby  constituting  30  per  cent  of  the  total  cultivators  and  about  43  per  cent  of  the  total agricultural labourers in the country.

The  Government  of  India  has  launched  several  schemes/  programmes  that  can  directly  or indirectly reduce the risk of women to climate change. Few such schemes/ programmes are National  Programme  on  Climate  Change  and  Human  Health  (NPCCHH),  Pradhan  Mantri Ujjwala  Yojana, Nal  Se  Jal  under  Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  Swaccha  Bharat  Mission,  Pradhan Mantri  Awas  Yojana,  Janani  Shishu  Suraksha  Karyakram,  and  Mother  and  Child  tracking System  of  National  Health  Mission. These  schemes  strengthen  the  capacity  of  women  by reducing  their exposure  and  sensitivity to climate-related risks, while simultaneously enhancing their adaptive abilities.

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