(a) whether the recent calamity in Uttarakhand has been termed by some environmentalists
as a man-made disaster;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the precautionary steps taken and proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent
/minimise losses due to such disasters in future?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 2 DUE FOR REPLY ON 05.08.2013
RAISED BY SHRI M. KRISHNASSWAMY REGARDING ‘UTTARAKHAND DISASTER’.
(a) & (b) The State of Uttarakhand experienced abnormally high rainfall between 15th and
17th June, 2013 that resulted in a number of landslides, cloudbursts and flood events throughout
the State. As per information provided by Indian Meteorological Department, rainfall in
Uttarakhand during the period 1st June – 18th June, 2013 was 385.1 mm against normal level of
71.3 mm, which was in excess by 440%. Heavy precipitation augmented the river discharge and
almost all the major rivers crossed the danger level. This caused severe damage to life and
property in different parts of the State. Some environmentalists have asserted that the damage
has been exacerbated on account of undertaking various development activities in the State
without paying due attention to environmental concerns.
(c) As regards the precautionary steps to address the environmental concerns, the environment
and forest clearances for various developmental projects, including those in the State of
Uttarakhand, are granted after following statutory procedures. The Environment Impact Assessment
(EIA) Notification, 2006 as amended from time to time, prescribes the procedure to be adopted
for the grant of prior environment clearance (EC) in respect of developmental projects or
activities stated in the Schedule to the Notification. Similarly, the diversion of forest
land for non forest activities is only allowed as per the provisions of the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980 and the rules framed thereunder.
In addition to the regular environment regulatory regime, the Ministry of Environment & Forests
has notified vide S.O. No.2930(E) dated 18th December, 2012, the entire watershed of about 100
kilometres stretch of the river Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of 4,179.
59 square kilometres as Eco-sensitive Zone thereby inter-alia prohibiting and regulating certain
activities within the Zone.