(a) whether the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has come up with a report that raises serious questions on the current pattern of human activities in the Himalayan region;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): National Institute of Disaster Management team went to the affected sites of Uttarakhand, in the month of June and July, 2013. The team has submitted its preliminary report which mentions that the area has been denuded to a great extent due to deforestation and tree cutting for road construction, building construction, mining, hydel projects, etc., which has also resulted into increased surface flow and rise of river bed due to disposal of debris into the rivers.
(c): The report is being examined.