GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3584
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06-08-2009

MELTING OF GLACIERS

3584. SHRI SHYAMAL CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the glaciers in India are melting due to the global warming;
(b) whether this phenomenon has affected the Ganges and its other tributaries; and
(c) if so, the preventive measures taken in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) The world is experiencing a phase of inter-glacial period since 10,000 years, during which melting of glaciers and its eventual recession, with minor fluctuations in between, is a natural phenomenon. This holds true for glaciers in India also.

(b) Out of the total catchment area of 10, 16,124 Km2 of Ganges, only 19,700 Km2 lie under the influence of glaciated terrain i.e. upto Deo Prayag. At Doe Prayag, reports indicate only 28.7 % of flow is contributed by the glacier melt, while the contributions from base flow and rainfall is estimated at 71.3 %. As only 5% of utilizable water comes from the glacier melt, shrinking of glaciers, if any, is not expected to impact the per capita availability of water significantly.

(c) The Government of India, has constituted the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change to coordinate action for a national strategy in the context of global climate change. A 'National Action Plan on Climate Change'(NAPCC) has been evolved to enable the country adapt to climate change and enhance the ecological sustainability in its development path. Under the NAPCC a 'National Water Mission' and a 'National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Eco-System' are being evolved for finding scientifically backed eco-friendly strategies through multi-pronged, long term and integrated studies.