(a) whether the Government has made any efforts to study/monitor the geological changes;
(a) if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the India Meteorological Department has any plan to establish Telemetry Stations in this regard; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINSTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Studies relating to monitoring the geological changes in various parts of the country are carried out primarily by Geological Survey of India and various other institutions in the country. Geological Survey of India has been carrying out studies and monitoring on some aspects of geological changes like landslides, glacial studies, quarternay geological mapping, active fault mapping, etc. India Meteorological Department (IMD) is engaged in monitoring the seismic activity in and around the country.
(b) Geological changes are primarily of two kinds viz. Exogenic and Endogenic. Geological Survey of India carries out studies on both these aspects. The temporal and spatial distribution of seismic activity, being monitored by IMD, in various parts of the country would also throw light on the ongoing geological/seismo-tectonic processes in the region.
( c)&(d) India Meteorological Department (IMD) is already operating a satellite based seismic telemetry system consisting of 16 field stations for close monitoring of seismic activity around Delhi region. This telemetry system is being upgraded to consist of 24 stations. IMD is also in the process of setting up a similar telemetry system in North East India. These telemetry systems would enable close monitoring of seismicity in time and space with better resolution and also evaluate hazard potential of various geological faults in the region.