DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) found the temperature of Almora town rising by 0.46 C and rainfall becoming lesser after probing the related data of last 53 years. Various experts also highlighted the issue of climate change at a workshop on the subject of Himalayas, Climate Change and the media held at GB Pant Institute at Almora on Thursday.
RajenderDobhal, director general of UCOST said, "We are witnessing several impacts of climate change in the state. Average temperature of Almora which is 17.55 C has increased upto 0.46 C during last 53 years. Annual rainfall is decreasing and changing its rhythm in the state due to climate change which is adversely affecting the interests of farmers. Out of 1469 glaciers in the state ,14 have been studied and found retreating. Some studies have proved that the glacier water is collecting under the surface which will be gold mine of water in future. The diseases due to various kind of virus and insects are spreading. Due to lesser rainfall in winter, many crops went extinct, now the alternative crop seeds have to be procured from other states."
N.Bhaskar Rao, chairman of Centre for Media Studies said such workshops will be held in all the 12 mountain states to raise awareness level among media and the related organisations who play key role in sensitising people about climate change. He said, despite the fact that climate change has emerged as a huge issue world over , there is ambiguity about the issue among journalists and masses who need to understand it and espouse the cause with passion for better tomorrow.
Chief conservator of forests and nodal officer of environment wing of the state government, RN Jha said that they have completed the tedious task of preparing the state action plan for climate change and, have prepared the list of all the vulnerable blocks for climatic reasons in the districts. He also termed that the forest fire and pine chir, which are considered damaging, having ample benefits for eco-system
