Expressing concern over the receding Himalayan Glaciers, the Experts and Scientists warned that it would prove disastrous putting adverse impact on the wild life, vegetation, agriculture and biodiversity as 45 per cent of arable land in India were irrigated by the Himalayan rivers water system.
Delivering Popular Lecture series organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Council for Science, Technology and Environment at Degree College Nahan today, Dr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Padam Bhushan (2005), Padam Shri (1986), Raman Magsaysay award (1982) stated while sharing his experience in the field with the students. He informed that Himalayan rivers irrigate about 45 per cent of the land beside providing potable water, sustained life and soil to the Country.
Expressing concern about the receding Himalayan Glaciers, he said that the impact of the receding glaciers was alarming on the Ganga and the Brahmaputra River. Giving Detail descriptions of Rivers originate from Himalayan ranges Mr. Bhatt said that both rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra entering India from China. He said that Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra effect vast vegetation down the lines and help to sustained the live and human needs.
Highlighting the role of Chipko movement to preserve the river systems he pointed out that it helped to stop the alarming cutting of tree and forest in catchments area of rivers. The expert emphasized that such environment-friendly movements helped to address perennial violent floods during the monsoon season, especially in the river Alaknanda. Counting the role of Chipko movement he said that people stuck to the trees so that those were not cut down and helped a lot to preserve the ecosystem.
Former DEAN and faculty of Wildlife Sciences, in Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Prof. P.K. Mathur also gave deliberation stating that India is a land of diverse climate and also biodiversity need massive effort for its preservation and conservation. Attributing the vast resource of flora and fauna for diverse climates of India he said that this nation is the leader of great diversity owing to varied climatic zone. ”On one hand, India has the mighty Himalayas, where temperature some time keep less than minus 50 degrees Celsius, on the other side the Thar desert mercury reaches up to plus 50 degrees Celsius. ” he said.
Stressing the importance of preservation of vast diverse biodiversity for the sake future Prof Mathur said that there is a sea in the south, the snow laden mountains in the north. He informed the youth that Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun played an important role to deal with the vast natural resources and it’s looking after in the such a vast nation. Terming the role of horticulture to sustain the rich biodiversity in India Prof Mathur also said that many species are also on the brink of extinction. The lecture was attended by about 500 college and school students.
