This winter barely began and it was over. This example of climate change and global warming has registered with most people living in North India.

Many persons are suffering from its after-affects — uncontrollable bronchial coughs and asthmatic attacks. Environmental experts feel that India’s climate is changing and perhaps, not slowly.

This is a result of an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases and sulphate aerosols in the atmosphere. These receding glaciers are expected to affect the Himalayan eco-system and the lives of people who inhabit the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Experts expect that by 2025, a majority of India’s population will be concentrated in cities and fresh water withdrawals in cities will rise. This will compound the problem of water scarcity.

Environmentalists have recommended a series of initiatives to grapple with the problem. There are plans to capture carbon dioxide emissions in the air and neutralise those in the earth system, says Dr Chadha, director of Global Hydrological Solutions.