(a) whether the sea-level is rising in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the likely impact of increasing sea level on the life of sea plants and animals;
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(e) whether the Government proposes to provide incentives to the local people
participating in the protection work in these areas; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) As per the study conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography, of the tide gauge records from the
north Indian Ocean for more than 40 years, it is observed that the sea-level rose by 1.06-1.75 millimetres per year
in the past century.This estimate is consistent with the estimated global sea-level rise of 1-2 millimetres per year
made by the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
(c) The sea level rise by itself is not expected to have any impact on animals living in the sea.Inter Governmental
Panel on Climate Change in its Assessment Report published in 2007 has reported that sea-level rise together with
ocean warming and loss of sea ice is likely to increase risk of diseases in marine biota.
(d) The Government has declared the Coral Reefs in Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and Nicobar Islands as Biosphere
reserves. Coral reefs have been included in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
(e) & (f) Central Government provides financial and technical assistance to States and Union Territory Governments
under the various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz., Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats,Project Tiger and
Project Elephant for activities aimed at wildlife conservation that includes the involvement of local communities
for wildlife conservation including marine and coastal areas.