(a) whether the Government is aware of the continuous erosion of glaciers
of Himalayas ;
(b) if so, whether the reasons for such an erosion have been ascertained ;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to protect the Himalayan glaciers ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a)to(c) Studies carried out by Geological Survey of India have revealed that the
Himalayan Glaciers are passing through a phase of recession, which is a world
wide phenomenon and is a natural cyclic process characteristic of the interglacial
period.VT These changes could be attributed to various reasons including global
warming.The recession of Glaciers does not necessarily mean rapid melting of the
glaciers. Even the reduction in the snowfall catchments may lead to recession of
the glaciers without any appreciable change in the melting regime.
(d) As the recession of glaciers is a natural process, it is practically not possible to
save the glaciers through artificial measures. However, in order to develop a proper
understanding of the glacial changes and the impact of this natural phenomenon,
the Government has commissioned a few studies including a comprehensive programme
on the inventory of glaciers, fluctuations in their sizes and mass balance. In order to
prevent climate change and global warming, the Kyoto Protocol stipulates Quantified
Emission Limitation Reduction targets for greenhouse gases for a number of developed
countries.