Urgent Climate Change Warning from Himalayas: Insights from Union Minister Bhupender Yadav | Dehradun News

The Alarm Bells of the Himalayas

Recently, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav raised a red flag about the environmental risks facing the Himalayas. During a meeting in Kathmandu focused on climate change, he highlighted a critical issue: glaciers in the region are melting at an alarming rate. This isn’t just a scientific observation; it’s a dire warning for those living downstream.

Yadav stated, "The science is clear. The Himalayas are sounding the alarm." His message was strong: those who depend on these mountains—especially communities that contribute minimally to climate change—are at risk.

One study from the Journal of Glaciology by Cambridge University Press sheds light on this. It reveals that the Gepang Gath glacier in Himachal Pradesh has been shrinking rapidly. Over the past six decades, a lake at the glacier’s forefront has swollen from 0.2 square kilometers in 1962 to an astonishing 1.2 square kilometers in 2023. That’s a sixfold increase!

Scientists from India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research found that as the glacier retreats, the meltwater contributes to this growing lake. Between 2014 and 2023 alone, Gepang Gath retreated by almost 500 meters. This loss amounts to around 21.7 million cubic meters of ice. Unfortunately, the glacier is not only losing ice but also getting sicker, with a consistently negative mass balance, meaning it’s losing more ice than it gains.

This phenomenon has broader implications. The Chandra River, which draws from this glacier, supports agriculture and energy for millions. Loss of ice could threaten this vital water supply, while a growing lake increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These sudden floods can be devastating, causing damage and displacing communities.

There’s a concerning cycle at play here: as more water collects, it warms and accelerates melting at the glacier’s edge. This creates space for the lake to grow even larger, making the glacier’s retreat even more pronounced.

Yadav’s call for cooperation is timely. He emphasized the need for shared scientific knowledge to tackle these challenges. A key aspect of his five-point action plan is building climate resilience. This includes investing in early warning systems to predict emergencies like GLOFs and developing infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts.

Beyond Gepang Gath, similar worries exist across the Himalayas. With many glaciers facing rapid decline, experts warn that continued ice loss could jeopardize the livelihoods of millions in South Asia. A 2021 report from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development found that over 1.6 billion people worldwide are dependent on glaciers for drinking water, agriculture, and energy.

The situation is critical, and the time to act is now. Enhancing monitoring and implementing protective measures are essential steps in safeguarding both the fragile Himalayan ecosystems and the millions who rely on them.

For more on climate change impacts and adaptive strategies, check resources from the World Meteorological Organization.

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