New Delhi, Climate change is causing a significant reduction in snowfall in the Himalayas and an acceleration in the melting of glaciers, which will have far-reaching consequences for cities like Delhi, which are already facing a water crisis, warned the Tuesday a legislator from Uttarakhand.
At a press conference in New Delhi, BJP's Tehri MLA Kishore Upadhyay cited studies that predict the Himalayas could run out of snow in the next two to three decades.
He also said that rapid melting of glaciers induced by climate change is affecting the strength and pattern of the Indian monsoon.
Upadhyay has launched the World Himalayan Organization to create awareness about the critical state of the mountain range.
Avinash Mishra, former NITI Aayog advisor and member of the initiative, cited a report by the Indian Space Research Organization and said that more than 27 percent of the glacial lakes identified in the Himalayas, 130 of which are located in India, have expanded significantly since 1984.
"The burning of fossil fuels is accelerating the melting of glaciers and the expansion of glacial lakes, increasing the risk of flooding from glacial lake outbursts. Increasing forest fires are further warming the Himalayas," Mishra said.
He added that the reduction in snowfall in the Himalayas will have a serious impact on industries along the rivers that originate in the mountains and on agriculture.
Mishra warned that melting glaciers caused by climate change will affect not only the Himalayas but also cities like Delhi. "Not even the president's house will be safe."
"The rapid melting of glaciers and reduced river flow due to reduced snowfall will have a wide and far-reaching impact, not only on Himalayan towns and cities but also on urban areas like Delhi," he said. BJP MLA Upadhyay.
He also blamed deforestation in the plains for contributing to the warming of the hills and subsequent melting of glaciers.
"We used to get six to seven feet of snow in the mountains. Now it's down to one to two feet. I don't blame anyone, but one of the reasons is large-scale deforestation and concretization in the lower latitudes. "said Upadhyay.
He said an important solution to this problem lies in protecting Himalayan forests and ecosystems, which serve as a crucial carbon sink.
At a press conference in New Delhi, BJP's Tehri MLA Kishore Upadhyay cited studies that predict the Himalayas could run out of snow in the next two to three decades.
He also said that rapid melting of glaciers induced by climate change is affecting the strength and pattern of the Indian monsoon.
Upadhyay has launched the World Himalayan Organization to create awareness about the critical state of the mountain range.
Avinash Mishra, former NITI Aayog advisor and member of the initiative, cited a report by the Indian Space Research Organization and said that more than 27 percent of the glacial lakes identified in the Himalayas, 130 of which are located in India, have expanded significantly since 1984.
"The burning of fossil fuels is accelerating the melting of glaciers and the expansion of glacial lakes, increasing the risk of flooding from glacial lake outbursts. Increasing forest fires are further warming the Himalayas," Mishra said.
He added that the reduction in snowfall in the Himalayas will have a serious impact on industries along the rivers that originate in the mountains and on agriculture.
Mishra warned that melting glaciers caused by climate change will affect not only the Himalayas but also cities like Delhi. "Not even the president's house will be safe."
"The rapid melting of glaciers and reduced river flow due to reduced snowfall will have a wide and far-reaching impact, not only on Himalayan towns and cities but also on urban areas like Delhi," he said. BJP MLA Upadhyay.
He also blamed deforestation in the plains for contributing to the warming of the hills and subsequent melting of glaciers.
"We used to get six to seven feet of snow in the mountains. Now it's down to one to two feet. I don't blame anyone, but one of the reasons is large-scale deforestation and concretization in the lower latitudes. "said Upadhyay.
He said an important solution to this problem lies in protecting Himalayan forests and ecosystems, which serve as a crucial carbon sink.