PM concerned about melting glaciers

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given an in-principle approval to the National Mission for protecting the Himalayan Eco-system, calling for much greater engagement and coordination among nations, including China and Pakistan who share the sensitive mountain range.

It's a significant step as India gears up for the climate change talks in Copenhagen in December.

"I announce the launch of a national mission on sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem. We will make all efforts to protect the Himalayan glaciers," the Prime Minister said.

The mission's objective is to conserve biodiversity, glaciers and forest cover; study impact of climate change and put filters in place to slow down or reverse deterioration.

But will this mission slow down the devastation of one of the world's most unique ecosystems, which has been pushed to the breaking point by mindless deforestation, demographic pressures, and uncontrolled urbanisation?

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For example, Kashmir's biggest glacier Kolahai, which was once spread across 11 square kilometers, has shrunk nearly a quarter in the last three decades as temperatures continue to rise.

The melting of this glacier is posing a major environmental challenge for Kashmir valley as it feeds the Valley's water bodies.

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"That has all sorts of implications for horticulture, growing of crops, and of course on top of that changing temperatures itself which also changes the behavior of crops as does the increase of carbon-dioxide-in the atmosphere," said Jimmi Falk, Glaciologist, University of Melbourne.

To make this Himalayan mission a reality, the Prime Minister has also urged stakeholder nations to pitch in and create common action plan so that these ancient mountains get another chance.