Concern raised over rapid melting of snow in the Himalayas

By Rajan Raut,Humla, May 26: Manasarowar Multiple Campus in Humla organised a workshop on Saturday to discuss the impact of climate change in the Himalayas, stressing the need to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem. 

Professor Laxmi Karki expressed concern that the rapid melting of snow in the mountains of Himalayan districts in recent times has disturbed the mountain ecosystem and people dependent it.

She said that while the mountains should be covered with snow at this time of the year, the sight of exposed black rocks due to melting snow is not a good sign.

She attributed climate change and global warming to the melting of the snow in mountain districts, although developing nation like Nepal has a negligible share in global pollution it is facing the consequences of climate change. She also presented her research paper on this topic.

Binod Kumar Shahi, who has been working in the environmental sector for a long time, explained that climate change has led to less snowfall in the mountains, quicker melting of snow, increased heat and change in precipitation patterns causing floods and landslides.

Presenting a paper on climate change impact during the programme, he said that water sources are starting to dry up, snowfall has decreased, and the government has placed all districts of Karnali Province at high risk due to these impacts. The agricultural sector is directly affected and adaptive measures must also be implemented in agriculture. 

Participants expressed grievances about issues like apple trees blooming in December but not bearing fruit, increased cold with less snowfall and rainfall occurring earlier than expected in recent times.

Karna Bahadur Rawal, Chairman of Kharpunath Rural Municipality, stressed the need to bring this kind of programme to every village to make people aware of the impact of climate change.