Centre lists out measures taken to study Himalayan climate change risks

GANGTOK,: Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, Indra Hang Subba, has been consistently pressing the Parliament and Government of India for extensive studies and robust measures to safeguard the Himalayan region from the risks and challenges of climate change, including Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

At this ongoing winter session of the Parliament, Indra Hang Subba submitted his concerns and questions to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. Through a written question, he asked the Ministry on fund allocations for study of effects of climate change in the Himalayas and reports published, and funds allocated to Sikkim to mitigate the situation caused by the Teesta Basin flood as a consequence of climate change, informs a press release.

In reply, the Ministry informed that the Government of India has allocated funds for studying the effects of climate change in the Himalayan region through various ministries.

The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has launched the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-System (NMSHE) as a key component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aimed at understanding the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region, said the Ministry.

It was informed that the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), studies the effects of climate change on Himalayan glaciers and its contribution to water sustainability. The Polar and Cryosphere Research (PACER) sub-scheme of MoES also supports studies and monitoring of glaciers in the Himalayas.

The G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), an autonomous institute, undertakes studies on different aspects of climate change impact on the Himalayan environment. The National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) implemented by Environment ministry supports innovative studies towards sustenance and enhancement of natural and human capital of the Indian Himalayan Region.

Detailed findings on biodiversity shifts, glacial melting, livelihood impacts, vulnerability and risk assessment in the Himalayan region due to climate change have been published as reports and journal papers.

The ministry said that as per information provided by the State Government of Sikkim, Rs 40 crore has been approved for the State of Sikkim under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund for GLOF.

“I welcome the Ministry's responses, which indicate that the Union Government is making significant efforts to address the adverse impacts of climate change on the Himalayan region and its communities. As studies progress and more data is gathered, I trust that the Central Government will continue to recalibrate its policies and measures to tackle the challenges posed by climate change in the region including Sikkim”, said the Lok Sabha MP.

Indra Hang maintained that it is crucial that discussions among policymakers on climate change remain ongoing, focusing on the protection of the Himalayas and the continued adaptation to climate change in this sensitive area.

He added that the Sikkim Government led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has already formed a commission earlier this year in October to address glacial threats for Sikkim. The 13-member Sikkim Commission on Glacial Hazards is tasked to evaluate vulnerable glacial lakes in Sikkim and suggest strategies to mitigate future glacial hazards, the release mentions.