(a) whether mountain eco-system are important for tracking the variability of weather systems in the country;
(b) if so, whether mountains can be treated as an earth resource like oceans;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any plan for bringing mountain eco-systems within the ambit of the Earth Sciences; and
(e) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES &
PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a) No Madam. However, Indian summer monsoon circulation is strongly influenced by the
geometry of Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau, its complex orography along the Western Ghats and
by the overall ocean-land configuration. On the other hand, understanding vulnerability of
the mountain eco-systems to the short term and long term variability in the weather conditions
and monsoon in particular is of critical significance.
(b-c) Yes Madam as far as storage and supply of fresh water resources is concerned.
Himalayan snow, ice and its glaciers form source of fresh water for the perennial rivers of
the north India and Western Ghats serve as source of rain-fed freshwater for all east flowing
peninsular rivers.
(d-e) At present there is no proposal to bring mountain eco-systems within the ambit of
Ministry of Earth Sciences. However, the Government’s National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC) envisages launching an exclusive Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem to
evolve management measures for Sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan gla¬ciers and
mountain eco-system resources.