After two geographic poles the Himalayan mountains contain the biggest snow covered area covering 3500 sq kms, which along with other factors make it among the major factors influencing global climate.
Though, climate change has graphically affected the Himalayas, there is no credible Government scientific body in the nation to collect data regarding the important ecological components of the region.
HNB Garhwal University Former Vice-Chancellor Professor SP Singh said this while delivering a talk on the subject of Himalaya and climate change at an event organised by Doon Library and Research Centre.
Referring to reliable data on various factors linked to global climate changes, Professor SP Singh said that barring few undertakings in United States, presently there was no scientific body actively collecting measured data on the subject. The Himalaya Mountain support up to 10 river basins but since these are located across eight countries, there is no coordinated data collection or specific ecological research.
"Though, the Amazon region is often referred to in international debate, the Himalayan region is a much larger geo-ecological and anthropological system on earth. Though, the world average temperature rise measured at 0.6 per cent per decade after 1977, the temperature rise in Himalayas is highest when compared to other mountain ranges including the Alps, Andes and Scandinavian mountains.
Earlier, the mosquitoes responsible for spreading malaria in Uttarakhand could not exist above an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level but with temperature increase they will flourish even above 2000 metres in the near future," said Singh.
Referring to the alpine meadows, bugyal in Uttarakhand, Singh said that temperature increase affected population of tree species which could gradually migrate on to the bugyals.
The birch tree with wind-propagated seeds would fare better but the brown oak would be depleted by temperature increase. In spite of the seriousness of the issue, the Government had remained apathetic towards academic and scientific activity to address the ecological issues of the Himalayas, added Singh.
Earlier, former vice-chancellor of Kumaon University and DPRC convener BK Joshi introduced SP Singh crediting him for starting a new trend by initiating practical work in forests around HNB Garhwal University as part of academic studies. DPRC advisory board member Rajen Brijnath was also among those present on the occasion.
