NEW DELHI, Aug 5: The recent deluge and devastation in Kedarnath of Uttarakhand was not mainly due to glacier melt but a combination of factors like heavy rainfall, snow melt and breaching of Chaurabari lake in the upstream resulting in gushing outflow of large amounts of debris that had devastated the entire valley, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a written reply, Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said the Geological Survey of India, after conducting studies in Himalayan region, had concluded that the glaciers were receding in different areas as a result of natural cyclic processes and other factors, including global warming.
She said the government was implementing a national action plan on climate change with a view to enhance ecological sustainability of India’s development path and to strengthen the system for observing and monitoring the glaciers.
Ms Natarajan said Dehradun-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology was undertaking a comprehensive glacier research in the country. All states including Himalayan states were advised to prepare for a state action plan on climate change to address specific climate change issues.
(UNI)
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