Lok Sabha Question No. 3188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on Human Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3188**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST, 2015**

**Impact of Climate Change on Human Health**

**3188. 	SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:**

**SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:**

**SHRI KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:**

**SHRI SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:**

**SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:**

Will the Minister of **HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE** be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of increasing incidences of illness due to changes in environment and climate in various parts of the country, and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has conducted/supported any study/survey to ascertain the impact of climate change on human health in the country;

(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(d) the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a):	There is increasing concern, globally as well as in India, over the effects of climate change on human Health. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), Climate Change affects the social and environmental determinants of Health. Climate Change can lead to extreme weather events such as storms, floods, cyclones etc. which could enhance the spread of diseases like vector borne diseases, food and water borne diseases, heat stroke etc.

(b) & (c):	As informed by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, a study to assess the impact  of climate change on four key sectors of India economy, namely agriculture, water, natural ecosystems & biodiversity and health in four climate sensitive regions of India, namely the Himalayan region, the Western Ghats, the Coastal Area and the North-East Region has been conducted and a report titled “Climate Change and India: A 4x4 Assessment- A Sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030s” was published in 2010. The study projects a mixed picture of implications for climate parameters and related impacts on the relevant sectors in all four regions. The study also projects overall warming, change in the composition of the forests, spread of Malaria in new areas and threats of its transmission for longer duration, which are likely to cause impact on the lives of human beings.

(d):	The Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change has included a new Mission on Climate Change and Health. A National Expert Group on Climate Change and Health has been subsequently constituted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to address the issues related to adverse effect of Climate Change on human Health through appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

Further, 32 States/UTs have prepared their State Action Plan on Climate Change consistent with objectives of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) highlighting State’s specific issues relating to Climate Change.