“Degradation of Himalayan eco-system an issue of concern and a challenge”

VISHNU NEOPANEY | Sikkim Reporter – www.sikkimreporter.com

Gangtok: Dr Prodipto Ghosh, former Secretary of Ministry of Forest and Environment, Govt. of India said Sikkim should play a ‘vocal role’ in the issue of degradation of Himalayan eco-system. Dr. Ghosh was addressing the third Foundation day National Seminar on ‘Mountain Regions and Climate Change: Impact, Adaptations and Policies, here at Chintan Bhawan on August 7, organized by Sikkim University. Former chief secretary of Sikkim Mr. KC Pradhan chaired the first half of the seminar.

Delivering his key note address on the seminar topic, ‘Challenges for sustainability in the Indian Himalayas’, Dr Ghosh, who is also the India’s representative in the global climate change negotiations, said the climate change refers to the ‘change of the climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere’.

Mentioning that the Himalayan bio-diversity hotspot covers an area of nearly 7.5 lakh square kilometer he said, it also produces a distinct climate of its own. He said, the Indian Himalayan region consists of 816 varieties of trees, 765 wild edibles and over 1,740 species of medicinal plants which are of great significance and value.

Stating that the degradation of Himalayan eco-system is emerging as one of the major issues of challenge and concern for the environmentalists, Dr Ghosh pointed out that deforestation, submergence of rivers and valleys by hydro power plants, pollution of fresh water sources, improper sewerage disposal are some of the major factors which are affecting the Himalayan eco-system directly. All three major policy documents on Himalayan study are premised on accomplishing sustainable development and not environment conservation or responding to climate change, he added.

Prof Jayanta Bandopadhaya from Indian Institute of Management (Kolkata) made a power point presentation on problems of global warming and climate change in the Himalayan region. He said the making of a database on the spatial variability of the Himalayan climate has now become vital for accessing the impacts of global warming and climate change. He asserted that the Himalayan glaciers are much more stable in comparison to other glaciers, adding, 30-40 percent of the glaciers of the world could melt with the warming of two to three degree Celsius by 2015. He also spoke on an alternative approach to evolve local adaptation strategies.

Mr. KC Pradhan in his address said Sikkim is rich in bio-diversity and it should be used for the commercial purposes. He said the people should not only remain custodians but should market the bio-diversity commercially. Expressing concern over the deploring old food habits he said the hotels in Sikkim should adapt the local food culture. He also said that ‘Sikkim lacks the culture of sharing information so the Sikkim University should take a lead in this area’.

Prof. Dr. Mahendra P lama, Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim University, said the seminar aims at deliberating awareness on the issue of climate change and mountain regions by critical and resourceful minds of India and the countries abroad.

Prof Lama said the onus of protecting and conserving the significant portion of the fragile environment has been with the people of Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. ‘The protection of bio-diversity and the forward and backward linkages emanating from it to the entire Himalayan Community and plain land have never been quantified. Many quarters are not able to appreciate the work the people of this region are doing for sustainability of the region’ Prof Lama added.

Mentioning that the issues of global warming and climate change have started affecting even when there is not much of awareness about this at the very local level he added that the receding glaciers, hot winters and the poor regenerative cycles have started occurring with great frequency.

Dr LMS Palni from GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora, Dr Pradeep Mool of International Center for Integrated Mountain development, Kathmandu, Dr Pulok Mukhrjee of school of Natural products studies, Jadavpur university, Sally Daultrey from the University of California and Dr Anamika Barua from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati also addressed the seminar.