Lok Sabha Question No. 1480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Central Assistance for Climate Adaptation and Disaster Mitigation 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. 1480

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Central Assistance for Climate Adaptation and Disaster Mitigation in Kerala

## 1480. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) the  details  of  central  assistance  sanctioned,  released  and  utilised  for  climate  adaptation, disaster mitigation and resilience-building programmes in Kerala during the last five years and the current year, scheme-wise;
- (b) the support provided for flood mitigation, landslide prevention, coastal erosion control and river basin management, considering Kerala's vulnerability to extreme weather events;
- (c) the status of projects funded under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) and other climate-related schemes in the State;
- (d) whether any proposals from Kerala are pending for approval or delayed and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps taken or proposed to strengthen Kerala's climate resilience, including ecosystembased adaptation, early warning systems and community preparedness?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e)  As  per  the  National  Policy  on  Disaster  Management  (NPDM),  the  primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned. The State Governments undertake relief measures in  the  wake  of  natural  calamities,  from  the  State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  already placed at their disposal,  in accordance with the Government of India's approved items and norms.  The  Central  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  and Provides requisite logistics and financial support.

As per the Guidelines of the Recovery & Reconstruction (R&R) funding window dated 14 August 2024, Central Government has approved the assistance of an amount of Rs. 260.56 Cr for recovery and reconstruction projects during the year 2025 for the State of Kerala in the aftermath of Meppadi, Wayanad Landslide 2024. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster  of  'severe  nature',  which  includes  an  assessment  based  on  the  visit  of  an  InterMinisterial Central Team (IMCT).

A comprehensive programme i.e. National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme (NLRMP) was approved by High Level Committee (HLC) with an aim to reduce landslide risk across vulnerable regions of India. The program has a total outlay of 1000 Cr for 15 States including Kerala. The amount allocated for Kerala is Rs. 72 Cr including State contribution of 10%.

The second phase of the Urban Flood Risk Management Program (UFRMP) (for Tier - II cities) has been initiated with a total budget of Rs. 2,200 Cr. This phase has included Thiruvananthapuram with an allocation of Rs. 222.22 Cr [Rs 200 Cr from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (90%) and Rs 22.22 Cr from State share (10%)].

The centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) for implementation by National Disaster Management Authority for mitigating risks of cyclones, tsunamis  and  other  natural  disasters  in  coastal  States  was  undertaken.  Under  Phase  II,  six coastal  States  viz;  Goa,  Gujarat,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Maharashtra,  and  West  Bengal  were selected. Phase II stands completed as of March 2023 with a total expenditure of Rs. 1806.84 Cr. The State of Kerala was allocated Rs. 134.90 Cr (with GoI share as Rs. 120.50 Cr and Rs. 14.40 Cr as State share).

Under  the  National  Adaptation  Fund  for  Climate  Change  (NAFCC),  one  project  titled 'Promotion  of  Integrated  Farming  System  of  Kaipad  and  Pokkali  in  Coastal  Wetlands  of Kerala' has been implemented with a sanctioned cost of Rs 25.00 Crore.

Under NLRMP, no funds has been released as the Preliminary Project Report from Kerala is awaited. Under the second phase of the UFRMP, Technical Advisory Committee of NDMA has reviewed the proposal submitted by Thiruvananthapuram, in which State of Kerala has been asked to revise the proposal, which is also awaited. Government of Kerala has submitted a Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project with an outlay of Rs. 161.75 Cr under National Disaster Mitigation Fund to NDMA.

To address climate change, the Government of India has taken a range of initiatives focusing on adaptation, resilience-building, and social protection. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlines a multipronged strategy to address the effects of climate change. As part of the revised State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023-2030 (SAPCC 2023-2030) of Kerala, composite climate change vulnerability profiles were developed for the State and sector-specific vulnerabilities were assessed to measure systemic preparedness. In response to the  increasing  frequency  of  climate  change  induced  natural  calamities,  the  Government  of Kerala has envisaged various programs and projects aimed at environmental conservation and disaster risk reduction, which include afforestation projects, watershed  management, promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to reduce soil erosion and improve soil health etc. Further, under National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme of NDMA, 04 components have  been  designed  which  helps  Kerala  in  Early  Warning  Systems,  bio-engineering,  and community preparedness.

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