Himalayan Glaciers Melting

Glaciers in the Himalaya are melting and have shrunk by over a fifth in just 30 years, scientists are claiming.

Findings were published in 3 reports by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and show that Nepal’s glaciers have shrunk by 21 percent and Bhutan’s by 22 percent.

The reports form the most in-depth assessment to the extent of climate change in the Himalaya and were launched at the UN climate talks in Durban South Africa, early December. The 3 year Swedish-funded research project led by ICIMOD showed 10 glaciers with marked acceleration in ice loss.

Scientists say the findings could prove devastating, not only for the communities living in the Himalaya but downstream for the 1.3 billion people in the river basins, in regards to food and energy.
The Hindu Kush is also one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world, according to David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD.The Himalaya is referred to as the “third pole” by environmentalists who claim that the melting glaciers are the biggest contributor to rising sea levels after the north and south poles.

Not only will the melting glaciers create huge lakes that will burst, devastating downstream communities, but later, the lack of glaciers in the future will also bring drought to swathes of Asia.