Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III – Climate change; Conservation
In news
According to UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) report, ‘Melting glaciers; Threatened livelihoods; Confronting climate change to save the Third pole’, the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain ranges could lose up to two-third of its ice by 2100.
About 2 billion people may face food, water shortages by 2100.
Glacier melting in HKH region is caused by:
larger anthropogenic modifications of the atmosphere
disruption in weather patterns and precipitation due to global warming
changes in Glacier volume
Unplanned urbanization
Impact
Threatens climate as well as monsoon patterns
It impacts 10 major river systems which help in agricultural activities, provide drinking water and hydro electricity production in the region
socio-economic disruption and human displacement
Recommendation
Shifting away from fossil fuel use in energy transport and other sectors
Changing diets and agricultural practices to move to net zero emissions of greenhouse gases
Improve data and information capacity building and early warning systems
Important value additions
HKHextends over 8 countries – Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, India Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan
It contains the world’s third largest storage of frozen water after Antarctica and Arctica
It is also referred as the third pole of the world.
