(a) whether there is any correlation between large scale deforestation, silting of rivers and environmental degradation with the occurence of natural calamities including floods, drought, unseasonal rains etc. in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof including Jammu and Kashmir and coastal areas; and ;
(c) the remedial measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c) India is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of hazards. More than 58.6 percent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity; over 40 million hectares (12%) of its land is prone to floods and river erosion; close to 5,700 km, India’s 7,516 km, long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis; 68% of its cultivable area is vulnerable to droughts; and, its hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches. Disaster risks in India are compounded by increasing vulnerabilities associated with changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, unregulated urbanization, development within high-risk zones, environmental degradation,large scale silting of rivers, other developmental constraints, epidemics and pandemics.
Government is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change to enhance ecological sustainability of our development path. National Disaster Management Authority has formulated various hazard specific guidelines for protection of life and property during natural as well as manmade disasters. Earth System Science Organization-India Meteorological Department and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services are responsible for monitoring, detection and forecast of severe weather phenomenon and Central Water Commission is responsible for issuing flood warning in respect of 43 rivers of India.