Lok Sabha Question No. 259 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-25
Subject: Impact of Rising Sea Level on Inland Water Bodies
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF  WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 259

ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016

## IMPACT OF RISING SEA LEVEL ON INLAND WATER BODIES

## 259. DR. SHASHI THAROOR

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Fifth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that global mean sea level has risen by 190 mm between 1901 and 2010 and is further estimated to increase over the next few years;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  the  United  National  Convention  on  Climate Change (UNCCC) has observed that the rise in the sea-level would lead to salt-water intrusion into inland water-bodies, causing contamination of inland fresh water, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government proposes to conduct a study to map salt-water contamination in inland fresh water-bodies, due to the rising sea-levels in coastal areas in the country including Kerala, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to address the issue?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

- (a)  Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  is  aware  that  the  Fifth  Assessment  Report  (AR5)  of  the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that global mean sea level has risen by 190 mm between 1901 and 2010 and is further estimated to increase over the next few years. As per this report, over the period 1902-2010, global mean sea level rose by 0.19(0.17 to 0.21)m. The rate of th century has been larger than the mean rate during the previous two millennia. The global mean sea level may continue to rise during the 21 st century.

(b) Yes, Government is also aware that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has also acknowledged through its Assessment Report (AR5) of the  Intergovernmental Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  that  due  to  sea  level  rise  projected  through  the  21 st century  and beyond,  coastal  systems  and  low  lying  areas  may  increasingly  experience  adverse  impacts  such  as submergence, coastal flooding  and  coastal  erosion.  Salt-water  intrusion  may  reduce  the  quality  and quantity of freshwater supplies due to sea level rise. Higher sea levels could also cause extreme events such as high tides, storm surges, and seismic sea waves (tsunami) to reap more destruction. Rising sea levels are already contaminating underground fresh water supplies in some regions of the World.

(c) National Institute of Hydrology has carried out research studies to investigate, map and model the salt-water contamination of inland fresh water aquifers. These studies have been carried out in Krishna Delta  region  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Coastal  tracts  of  North  Goa,  Minjur  region  of  Tamil  Nadu  and Coastal  Saurashtra  (Porbandar  region)  of  Gujarat.  The  Department  of  Environment  and  Climate Change,  Government  of  Kerala  has  entrusted  National  Centre  for  Earth  Science  Studies,  Kerala  to study the impact of Sea Level Rise on Kerala Coast with the following objectives:

- i. Assessment of areas of probable inundation due to projected Sea Level Rise along the coast and backward banks,
- ii. Identification  of  impact  zones  in  the  form  of  salinity  ingress,  vulnerable  ecosystems  and infrastructure including possible damages to coastal protection measures,
- iii. Assessment of damages to flora, fauna and habitats and impacts on livelihood requirements and activities due to changes in physical parameters like salinity,
- iv. Assessment  of  economic  implications  of  impact  such  as  loss  of  land  and  infrastructure, livelihood activities, modifications of wetland systems, ground water contamination due to salinity etc.
- v. Assessment of financial implications to adaptation strategies and mitigation measures,
- vi. Based  on  the  study,  prioritisation  of  zones/hotspots  and  preparation  of  strategies  for adaptation and mitigation.

(d) The Government of India has launched National Water Mission (NWM) under National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) with the objective of 'conservation of water, minimizing wastage and  ensuring  its  more  equitable  distribution  both  across  and  within  States  through  integrated  water resources  development  and  management'.    One  of  the  identified  goals  of  the  Mission  is  'focused attention to vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas'. A Technical Committee for 'Adopting Suitable Protection Measures  for Prevention of Salinity Ingress in the Coastal States/Union Territories' has been constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Central Water Commission. The Committee has prepared  a  base  line  document  of  salinity  ingress  problems  and  protection  measures  in  coastal States/Union Territories of Peninsular India.