GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 74

ANSWERED ON: 0.08.2013 

PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT IN HIMALAYAN REGION 

(a) whether the Government has made a survey on the environmental situations in the hilly regions particularly in the States like Uttarakhand keeping in view the recently occurred disastrous flood, heavy rain, cloud burst and land slides; 

(b) if so, the details thereof ; 

(c) whether any environmental inbalance has been detected in that region which may be one of reasons for the disaster; 

(d) if so, the details thereof ; and 

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard ? 

ANSWER

(a) and (b) : No, sir. No specific survey has been done by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on the environmental situations in the hilly regions particularly in the States like Uttarakhand keeping in view the recently occurred disastrous flood, heavy rain, cloud burst and land slides;. 

(c), (d) and (e): Though no survey has been undertaken post disaster, however, to regulate the flow affected due to construction of dams in upper reaches of river Ganga, two studies on assessment of cumulative impacts of dams in Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Basins have been carried out by IIT Roorkee and Wildlife Institute of India. To review these reports alongwith other issues related to river Ganga, the Ministry has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) under the chairmanship of Shri B.K.Chaturvedi, Member Planning Commission. The group has recently submitted its report inter-alia suggesting environmental flow requirements for various stretches of Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and other tributaries of river Ganga. It has also suggested remedial action pending the Ganga Basin Management Plan to be submitted by the consortium of IITs. Recommendations of Inter-Ministerial Group are under consideration of the Government.