MANALI: Contrary to the heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, the snow desert of the state -- Lahaul-Spiti -- has received negligible snow this year, triggering global warming fears in the Himalayan regions. Minimum 15 feet of snowfall is normal in the district every year but it did not snow beyond 5 feet this time.
According to residents, they had been noticing a drop in density of snowfall since late 70s. "Our ancestors had started celebrating Fagli festival in February wherein all family and relatives met and made sure they could cope with the harsh winters. But now things have changed," said a resident of Pattan valley, Balbir Kirpu. It is surprising that other areas of Himachal, south of the Rohtang Pass, have received thick snowfall, some after 50-60 years.
Tashi Angrup of the valley said, "The transportation was never affected and all internal routes in Lahaul are clear of snow. This is very strange."
Experts say that such climate changes are taking place due to global warming. A scientist at Govind Ballabh
Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Dr J C Kuniyal, said, "It is the environment imbalance that caused variations in snowfall. Increasing population, arbitrary construction and pollution can be the reason."
Kuniyal and his team are studying the changing behaviour of aerosol particles suspended in the air, for many years. Aerosols are responsible for warming or cooling of the atmosphere. He said the pollution has increased the heat absorption capacity of the aerosol causing global warming.
