Srinagar May 21: With the International Day for Biological Diversity being celebrated today (May 22), various studies highlight that climate change poses a significant threat to the Kashmir Himalayas.
International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated every year on May 22. This year, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is “Be Part of the Plan.” This theme calls on governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to showcase their efforts in supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.
According to a study titled ‘Impacts of Climate Change on Plants with Special Reference To The Himalayan Region’, “Climate change is a serious worry in the Himalayas because of its probable impacts on the economy, ecology, and environment, as well as downstream areas. Climate change has the potential to permanently affect distinct forest ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to the extinction of several species.”
Similarly another study titled: ‘Assessment of potential present and future glacial lake outburst flood hazard in the Hunza valley’ says that climate change has resulted in an increase in the occurrence of many natural disasters such as flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayas.
GLOF is the term scientists use to describe when the water level of glacial lakes breach their boundaries, which can cause large amounts of water to flow into nearby streams and rivers, creating flash floods.
Ubaid Ahmad, a researcher from Kashmir University, has raised concerns about the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers. He emphasizes the critical role these glaciers play as the source of major rivers such as the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, Jehlum, Kishenganga, and Sind, which sustain the lives and livelihoods of millions across South Asia. He warned that if glacier melting continues at its current pace, it could lead to water scarcity in countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, China, and Afghanistan, negatively impacting agriculture, hydropower generation, and urban centers downstream.
