(a) whether attention of the Government has been invited to the reports on the coloured rains in Kerala which show due possibility of algae contamination as reported in the Times of India dated November 5, 2001;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether such rains are likely to be imported to the Capital for the Diwali season; and
(d) if so, whether any analysis has been made on the toxicity or safety of the coloured rains and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T. R. BAALU)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. The Centre for Earth Science Studies, Tiruvananthapuram has conducted studies on coloured rains occurring in Kerala and has opined that the red colour in rain was probably due to meteoric dust, and the chemical analysis of the samples collected showed that the material is largely biological and has been identified as fungal spores. The Centre for Earth Sciences has taken up detailed investigations in the matter.
(c)& (d) No such reports have come to the notice of the Government.