Question : Threat from Rising Sea Level

(a) whether it is a fact that due to global warming the sea level is rising every year thereby posing a serious challenge to some of the major cities in the country including cities and industrial units located in Karnataka;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government in consultation with the concerned State Governments including Karnataka, has prepared any action plan in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the funds allocated therefor and the time limit within which the work is likely to be completed, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) and (b) According to the Fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change three working group reports and synthesis report published during September, 2013 and October, 2014), global mean sea level rose by 0.19 [0.17 to 0.21] metres in the period 1901 to 2010, and will continue to rise during the 21st century. Due to sea level rise projected throughout the 21st century and beyond, coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impact such as submergence, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion. Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai have been identified as the cities that are expected to face the danger of global warming in form of flooding. Further, as per the India’s Second National Communication submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) submitted in 2012, the most vulnerable stretches along the western Indian coast are Khambat and Kutch in Gujarat, Mumbai, and parts of the Konkan coast and south Kerala.

(c) and (d) Thirty two State Governments, including the Government of Karnataka, have prepared State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in consultation with the Government of India. The states are to mainstream climate change concerns in their planning process itself. Under the National Adaptation Fund, Rs. 118.6 crores has been sanctioned for twelve states in 2015-2016 for implementation of projects within three to five years.
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