Questions :

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

• whether Government is aware that due to the melting of snow in the Kumaon-Himalayan region, more than 70 lakes have been developed;
• if so, whether Government is planning any such scheme in the near future, in which the water of these newly created lakes can be connected to the rivers and brought to the drought-affected areas of North India;
• if so, the details of the scheme and by when it will be implemented; and
• if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

• Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments as per their respective resources and priorities. In order to supplement efforts of State Government, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes.

The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology, has informed that more than 70 lakes have been developed due to melting of snow in the Kumaon Himalaya region. Out of 77 new glacial lakes reported, 36 lakes are present in Milam, 7 lakes in Gonkha, 25 in Ralam, 3 in Lwan, and 6 lakes in Mertoli glaciers. WIHG has prepared glacier lake inventories (2015) of the Uttarakhand Himalaya using satellite data, topo-sheet, and extensive fieldwork. Over all 1,266 glacial lakes were identified in Uttarakhand, covering an area of about 7.6 sq km.

• to (d) There is no such plan by the Central Government to take up any scheme by which the water of these newly created glacial lakes will be connected to rivers and brought to the drought-affected areas of North India.