(a) whether with the passage of time flow of water in river Ganga is decreasing;
(b) if so, whether the Government have conducted any survey in this regard;
(c) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(d) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (c) The flow in the river Ganga like other rivers, is dependent upon hydro-meteorological parameters which vary with respect to time and space. The flow in the upper reaches i.e. Alaknanda and Bhagirathi depends upon snowmelt due to heat while in lower reaches it depends upon meteorological conditions. Government observe the discharge data of river Ganga through hydrological stations set up under the control of the Central Water Commission. An analysis has been carried out with the actual observed discharge data on river Ganga at three sites in its lower reaches taking a significantly long time series data to determine both variance and significance in trend, if any, of the discharge. The analysis has shown that there is no significant increase or decrease in the discharge of river Ganga.
(d) Does not arise.