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to use at many places for collection of data from remote regions of Himalaya. A
geopolitical assessment of current situation and modeled situation with projection
of different scenarios is required to be taken up earnestly.
Keywords Cryosphere · Paleoclimate · Climate Change · Geopolitics
1 Introduction
Everything superlative about Indian Himalaya, be it attractiveness, ruggedness,
loftiness, diverseness, cragginess, harshness, lures one and all. However, the unwariness of people who least recognise its bounties has put it in peril. Superimpose it
with the effect of climate change, the region is assumed to reach to disastrous situation in future, if not taken care of, in time. Himalayan Region is so challenging, so
intriguing that century old research efforts in geology, geomorphology, glaciology,
climatology, biology, zoology etc. has not yet explained everything that is in its fold.
The effect of climate change in Himalaya is still in infancy and this is the time to do
something about it. Home of 1.3 billion people, Himalaya has evolved through
intense upheavals of tectonic movement, glaciation, flooding, volcanic activity, forest fires etc. yet the stage to which Himalayan environment and its fragile terrain has
been subjected to since industrial revolution, is very dreadful for humankind.
The Himalaya requires immediate attention because it provides fresh water to
drink; has a great hydropower potential through its streams and has forests to sustain the ecological health of the planet and more. This mountain barrier is in fact a
wonder, which we have not comprehended fully. The worst to fear is that we are
ruthlessly exploiting it and knowingly or unknowingly destroying it every day. Its
unique bio-diversity has seemingly infinite variety of plants and animals within its
ranges. Its distinctive cultural diversity and traditions, language, faiths etc. has been
preserved by its inhabitants for centuries. It is endowed with beautiful landscapes
that comprise snow and ice clad mountains, waterfalls and lush green vegetation
which entices one and all. To a scientist, it has in its fold abundant information
stored on geological, structural, tectonic and geomorphologic aspects to explore and
study. With the depleting natural resources of Himalaya, the waning tranquillity,
charm and bounties etc., an immediate attention is required from scientists to policymakers to politicians and people of all walks of life, to safeguard it from total
disaster that it is heading to.
Himalaya has been the worst hit due to climate change. The unprecedented
extreme weather events have affected the mountain weather in a number of ways.
The extreme precipitation in certain pockets has augmented the erosive power of
streams that have initiated landslides, cut embankments, and destroyed forest, etc.
Unplanned manmade structures at risky places have brought death and destruction
in the region.
Leh cloudburst (August 2010), avalanche on Pakistani military base in Gayari
Sector, near the Siachen Glacier (April 2012), Kedarnath flood (June 2013), Kashmir
A. Ganju and H. S. Negi
to use at many places for collection of data from remote regions of Himalaya. A
geopolitical assessment of current situation and modeled situation with projection
of different scenarios is required to be taken up earnestly.
Keywords Cryosphere · Paleoclimate · Climate Change · Geopolitics
1 Introduction
Everything superlative about Indian Himalaya, be it attractiveness, ruggedness,
loftiness, diverseness, cragginess, harshness, lures one and all. However, the unwariness of people who least recognise its bounties has put it in peril. Superimpose it
with the effect of climate change, the region is assumed to reach to disastrous situation in future, if not taken care of, in time. Himalayan Region is so challenging, so
intriguing that century old research efforts in geology, geomorphology, glaciology,
climatology, biology, zoology etc. has not yet explained everything that is in its fold.
The effect of climate change in Himalaya is still in infancy and this is the time to do
something about it. Home of 1.3 billion people, Himalaya has evolved through
intense upheavals of tectonic movement, glaciation, flooding, volcanic activity, forest fires etc. yet the stage to which Himalayan environment and its fragile terrain has
been subjected to since industrial revolution, is very dreadful for humankind.
The Himalaya requires immediate attention because it provides fresh water to
drink; has a great hydropower potential through its streams and has forests to sustain the ecological health of the planet and more. This mountain barrier is in fact a
wonder, which we have not comprehended fully. The worst to fear is that we are
ruthlessly exploiting it and knowingly or unknowingly destroying it every day. Its
unique bio-diversity has seemingly infinite variety of plants and animals within its
ranges. Its distinctive cultural diversity and traditions, language, faiths etc. has been
preserved by its inhabitants for centuries. It is endowed with beautiful landscapes
that comprise snow and ice clad mountains, waterfalls and lush green vegetation
which entices one and all. To a scientist, it has in its fold abundant information
stored on geological, structural, tectonic and geomorphologic aspects to explore and
study. With the depleting natural resources of Himalaya, the waning tranquillity,
charm and bounties etc., an immediate attention is required from scientists to policymakers to politicians and people of all walks of life, to safeguard it from total
disaster that it is heading to.
Himalaya has been the worst hit due to climate change. The unprecedented
extreme weather events have affected the mountain weather in a number of ways.
The extreme precipitation in certain pockets has augmented the erosive power of
streams that have initiated landslides, cut embankments, and destroyed forest, etc.
Unplanned manmade structures at risky places have brought death and destruction
in the region.
Leh cloudburst (August 2010), avalanche on Pakistani military base in Gayari
Sector, near the Siachen Glacier (April 2012), Kedarnath flood (June 2013), Kashmir
A. Ganju and H. S. Negi