06/02/2019 - Geography ( Hindukush Himalayan Range)

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KEY POINTS

Major consequences

·        The retreat of glaciers in Hindukush Himalayan Region could destabilise the hydrology of large parts of South Asia, China and Myanmar. Since this acts as “Third Pole”, Water tower of Asian region.

·        This will have a major bearing on the ice-fields, which are the largest repository of permafrost outside the polar regions. 

·        According to Integrated Centre for Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the region acts source ten large rivers of Asian region especially in China, India, and Myanmar.

·        Large-scale warming could drastically alter the river flows in these countries. The receding glaciers could cause a deluge in the rivers during the monsoon while the flows are likely to plummet during the dry seasons, with serious implications for irrigation, hydropower and ecosystem services.

·        The ICIMOD study offers clues that the receding glaciers might be the reason for the changing monsoon pattern, the number of intense precipitation days and intensity of extreme precipitation have increased overall in the last five decades.

Significance of cooperation at international level

·        The ICIMOD researchers point out that more studies are required to firm up the links between extreme weather events in the higher reaches of the Subcontinent and the erratic weather in the plains. This needs cooperation from countries of Asian region.

·        It happens when countries share their data on Himalayan landforms over last ten years to have a comprehensive study retreating glaciers.

·        Geopolitical differences hould not come as an obstacle to these efforts which helps in protecting water security in the region.

·        Such cooperation must go alongside meeting the Paris Climate Change Pact’s goals.

Kindly review thanks

Kindly Review. Thanks!!