Himalayan region vulnerable to climate change: Roy

Hindustan Times , Thursday, May 30, 2013
Correspondent :
Chief secretary S Roy inaugurated a two-day workshop on “Snow and glaciers and the Himalayan River Systems” being organised by the State Centre on Climate Change of State Council for Science Technology and Environment here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Roy called upon all institutions and government functionaries to orient their research and planning initiatives in a manner that the resolve of the government to make the state carbon neutral was fulfilled and achieved in letter and spirit.

He said horticulture and agriculture and forest-based rural economy of the state was highly susceptible and likely to be adversely impacted on account of changing climate scenario.

Roy said not only global warming, but there were several factors which were responsible for the reduction of the glaciers and they must make concerted efforts to make the various activities eco-friendly.

Climate change issues were of global concern and pose major challenge to mountain environment as mountain ecosystem was highly vulnerable and sensitive to climatic variations, he added.

Roy said the state had begun a crusade against climate change and a state action plan on climate changes had also been framed and was in the final stage of its launch.

He said the Himalayan region was highly vulnerable to climate change and millions of people downstream in the south-Asian region would be directly affected, even if small change in climate occurs here.

Realising the threat and consequences of the changing climate in the western Himalayan region, he said the state had pioneered several initiatives to combat it and had also brought together various Himalayan states and agreed upon 12 major actions which was also known as the Shimla declaration.

Roy called upon the scientists to work to provide a healthy, stable and sustainable environment to the future generations.

Earlier, SS Negi, director, environment-cum-member secretary, State Council for Science Technology and Environment, welcomed the chief secretary.

VK Jain, vice-chancellor, Doon University, Dehradun, in his keynote address detailed about the monitoring of glaciers, linkage of air pollution, primary and secondary pollutants and radiative forcing.

Delegates from various universities, institutions and students are also participating in the workshop.

 
SOURCE : http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/HimachalPradesh/Himalayan-region-vulnerable-to-climate-change-Roy/Article1-1067967.aspx
 


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