LOK SABHA
The Geological Survey of India under Ministry of Mines is the Nodal Agency for glacier monitoring which has carried out studies on recession of Gangotri Glacier between 1935 and 1996.
As per the data available with GSI between 1935 and 1996 Gangotri Glacier on an average has receded at the rate of 18.80 m per year. However, further studies by other institutions have shown the yearly recession rate dropping to 17.5 m during 1971 to 2004 and further to 12.10 m in 2004-2005.
Since the river Ganga (Bhagirathi) is still emanating from the ice cave (Gaumukh) of Gangotri Glacier, no steps are required to be taken at present for bringing back the flow of river Ganga. As far as the recession of the glacier is concerned it is a part of natural phenomena and cannot be stopped by using short term artificial measures.
This information was given by Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal, in a written reply to a question by Shri Vijoy Krishna in the Lok Sabha today.
PRA/SKK
(Release ID :38199)