On December 4, 2024, Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive climate change studies in the Himalayas. During the Parliament’s winter session, Subba pressed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for clarity on funding and initiatives addressing Himalayan climate issues, specifically concerning Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and the Teesta Basin floods in Sikkim.
In response, the Ministry detailed measures backed by the Government of India to assess and mitigate climate repercussions in the Himalayan region. Key initiatives include the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-System (NMSHE) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), which is a cornerstone of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) also contributes through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and its Polar and Cryosphere Research (PACER) sub-scheme, aimed at understanding glacier dynamics and water sustainability.
The G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and the Environment Ministry’s National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) are conducting extensive research on the ecological, socio-economic, and risk landscapes altered by climatic shifts. These institutions have published comprehensive reports on biodiversity changes, glacier melting, and climatic risks threatening the region.
The Ministry confirmed a Rs 40 crore allocation to Sikkim for disaster mitigation under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund for GLOF events. Subba acknowledged the government’s considerable efforts and encouraged ongoing policy refinement to confront Himalayan climate challenges. Meanwhile, Sikkim, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, has already instituted the Sikkim Commission on Glacial Hazards. This 13-member body is charged with assessing the risks posed by glacial lakes and recommending preventive actions, highlighting proactive state initiatives in addressing climate threats.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/centre-lists-out-measures-taken-to-study-himalayan-climate-change-risks
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