The Ministry of Jal Shakti has filed a reply affidavit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) enclosing a project report on snow and glacier changes and their impacts on melt runoff in Himalayan Basins prepared by the National Institute of Hydrology.
The report highlights significant changes driven by climate change, including a decline in snow cover and snowmelt runoff, and an increase in rainfall and glacial melt contributing to total runoff.
The scenario reflects a slow but steady transition from snow-driven to rain and glacier-driven runoff, particularly after 2050.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for climate mitigation to prevent severe reductions in snow cover and to manage the increasing variability in water resources.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has also filed a reply affidavit disclosing the actions being taken/proposed to mitigate the impact of climate change.
The MoEF&CC has prepared the National Mission for Green India (GIM) and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
The counsel for MoEF&CC has sought a short adjournment to place on record a copy of GIM and NAPCC.
The Principal Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Dr A Senthil Vel, Expert Member, has listed the matter for hearing on March 11, 2025.
The NGT had taken suo motu cognizance of a news item dated March 21, 2024 related to the alarming impact of climate change on South Asia’s major river basins, including the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
The NGT has registered an original application suo motu, taking cognizance of the issue.