Fast thawing of snow leading to new lake formation in Himalayas

The Environmental studies are indicating alarming trend in changing the course of glacial bodies, thawing snow cover rapidly and formations of new glacial likely to further affect the Himalayan hydrology. This was stated by Prof. Anil Kulkarni, distinguished Scientist, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in a workshop on Climate Change and Mountain Ecosystems held in Shimla today.  He said that due to climate change, the snow rivers of Himachal are changing rapidly and many lakes are forming due to the movement of glaciers  and fast thawing of glacial bodies. He said that if the ongoing trends would not reversed by adopting mitigating Environmental challenge and carbon emissions remained uncheck may loom large challenges in the near future. The formation of new glacial lakes inside the glacier  could  cause of heavy devastation and destruction.  Stressing to devise green technologies, industries and sustainable development he said that it is there is dire need to find new means to avoid disaster as Himalayas are reservoir of invaluable treasure of drinking water to two third of world population.  Pro . Kulkarni said that today there is a need that the water of these snow lakes .  Many advance countries of the world are already engaged  in taping this water from these snow lake. He said that this would make life better for the people if water preserved in the Himalayan regions, inform of snow lake and glacial bodies lakes could be used to generate electricity etc. He said that exploring such possibilities it could eliminate frequent floods along such rivers. Kulkarni said that  Parchhu Lake, built on the Sutlej River in Himachal, has caused great devastation in 2002 as well. The report of the State Science and Environmental Technology Department also states that many dangerous lakes have formed on the four river basins of the state.  Prof. Kulkarni during the address said that there need of formulating a policy for the use of its water which could avoid future challenges. Kulkarni said that in 2007 the Inter-Governmental Panel (Climate Change) had said that glaciers would disappear by 2030, but that seems to be a mistake. The country and the world would have to make efforts to avoid the effects of climate change. Glaciers are drying up fast due to increasing temperature. Kulkarni said that the temperature is increasing rapidly in Himachal and its mountainous areas. Because of this glaciers are melting rapidly. It is also affecting the water source. Sometimes people also have to deal with disasters like flash floods. Distinguished scientists from reputed institutes across the country attended the workshop on climate change and mountain ecosystem in Shimla. Its purpose is to increase the knowledge of policy makers and high officials of administration on climate change and mountain ecosystem. Pro . Kulkarni said that today’s workshop will definitely prove to be helpful in future policy making and mitigating the ill effects of climate change. Director Environment Science Technology Department and Member Secretary HIMCOSTE Lalit Jain said that they would try what kind of government’s various policies to tackle climate change.