Parliament Question: Action Plan to Conserve Himalayan Ecology

**Executive Summary:** This document outlines the Indian government's action plan to conserve the Himalayan ecology, control glacier degradation, and enhance climate resilience. It details various initiatives led by different ministries and departments, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the Green Credit Programme (GCP). The document also addresses the monitoring systems in place to ensure the effective implementation of conservation measures. **Key Points / Main Content:** **National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):** * The Government of India is implementing the NAPCC, which includes missions focused on solar energy, energy efficiency, water, agriculture, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, human health, and strategic knowledge on climate change. **Himalayan Ecosystem Initiatives:** * The Department of Science and Technology (DST) leads the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). * The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has established the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, as a focal agency. * The Ministry has launched the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) to support the sustenance and enhancement of the ecological, natural, cultural, and socioeconomic capital assets and values of the IHR. * The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) has established a Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies (C4S) at the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee. * A Steering Committee on Monitoring of Glacier has been constituted to monitor and coordinate the work carried out by various ministries and organizations on the Himalayan glaciers. * The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) monitors six glaciers in the Chandra basin through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and the Himansh field research station. * The Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducts glaciological studies in the Himalayan region. * The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) under DST plays a key role in glacier monitoring and hazard assessment. **Green Credit Programme (GCP):** * The GCP encourages Public Sector Undertakings to undertake ecorestoration and tree plantation activities in degraded forest lands. * State Forest Departments identify degraded forest lands for Public Sector Undertakings to undertake eco restoration and tree plantation activities. * The detailed modalities for taking up tree plantation under Green Credit Programme has been brought out by the Ministry during February 2024. * Transparency and accountability of GCP is enabled through methodologies, guidelines and digital processes. **Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA):** * States and UTs carry out internal and third-party monitoring to oversee fund utilization and afforestation quality. * Internal monitoring is conducted by State Forest Department officials. * Third-party monitoring is conducted by engaging a professional entity. **Impact Analysis:** **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:** * *Impact:* Responsible for overall policy implementation, establishing focal agencies, and launching missions related to the Himalayan ecosystem. * *Action Required:* Continue implementing and monitoring the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the Green Credit Programme (GCP), ensure effective coordination between different departments, and address any shortcomings identified through monitoring. **Department of Science and Technology (DST):** * *Impact:* Leads key initiatives like NMSHE and NMSKCC, contributing to monitoring, assessment, and capacity building related to climate change in the Himalayan region. * *Action Required:* Continue to lead and support the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). **State Forest Departments:** * *Impact:* Responsible for identifying degraded forest lands for eco-restoration under the Green Credit Programme (GCP) and for internal monitoring of CAMPA activities. * *Action Required:* Identify degraded forest lands for eco-restoration and tree plantation activities, regularly conduct internal monitoring of CAMPA activities, and address shortcomings in implementation. **Public Sector Undertakings:** * *Impact:* Encouraged to participate in eco-restoration and tree plantation activities in degraded forest lands under the Green Credit Programme (GCP). * *Action Required:* Select suitable degraded forest lands and undertake eco-restoration and tree plantation activities as per the guidelines of the Green Credit Programme (GCP). **Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES):** * *Impact:* Monitors glaciers in the Chandra basin through NCPOR and the Himansh field research station, contributing to long-term glacier monitoring and strategy formulation. * *Action Required:* Continue monitoring glaciers in the Chandra basin and contribute to the understanding of long-term glacier response. **Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR):** * *Impact:* Studies the impact of climate change on water resources of the IHR through the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies (C4S) and coordinates glacier monitoring efforts. * *Action Required:* Continue studying the impact of climate change on water resources and coordinate work on Himalayan glaciers through the Steering Committee on Monitoring of Glacier.

Key Entities Referenced