Latest news with #InternationalCenterforIntegratedMountainDevelopment
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Black rocky hills have started to appear' - Experts witness the devastating toll of climate change on Mount Everest in eye-opening fly-by
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Want to see Mount Everest in all its glory? You might need to go sooner rather than later due to the devastating effects of climate change on the world's tallest mountain. In a recent fly-by, Nepali lawmakers and experts from across the globe witnessed a drastic reduction in snow coverage on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. The aerial survey was organized by Nepal's Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, to highlight the grave effects of climate change in the region. Alongside a reduction in snow coverage, passengers witnessed rapidly retreating glaciers as they passed multiple major Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Shishapangma, Makalu, and Lhotse. "In the past, wherever you looked, you would see snow-covered mountains. But now, black rocky hills have started to appear. The mountains that once looked completely white now appear as black peaks," Thakuri told the Asia News Network. "This mountain flight has shown the direct impact of climate change on the Himalayas. Foreign experts and guests, too, observed it first hand." The Himalayan region has experienced a dramatic drop in snowfall in recent years. This year alone, snow persistence (the time snow stays on the ground) in the Himalayas has reached a 23-year low. A report published in April by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found "a significant decline in seasonal snow across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, with snow persistence 23.6% below normal - the lowest in 23 years". The reduction is seriously bad news for the two billion people who rely on Himalayan snowmelt to feed their water sources. The melting cycle fills 12 major river basins that provide water for multiple heavily populated countries like China, Pakistan, and Thailand. "This trend, now in its third consecutive year, threatens water security for nearly two billion people," explains author Sher Muhammad. "All twelve major river basins, including the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, experienced below-average snow cover, with the Mekong and Salween basins losing over 50%." Climate change in the Himalayan region poses multiple other significant risks, including the destruction of invaluable habitats and dangerous climbing conditions for Everest hopefuls. The best crampons: tested for sure-footed traction on frozen terrain The best ice axes: for tackling frozen terrain
Korea Herald
13-05-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
Nepal holds tribute for disappearing glacier
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AFP) — Dozens trekked to Nepal's Yala glacier for a ceremony Monday to mark its rapid disappearance due to climate change and put a spotlight on global glacial retreat. The Yala glacier, located between 5,170 and 5,750 meters above sea level, is in the Langtang Valley in northern Nepal. Since 1974, the glacier has shrunk in area by 66 percent and retreated 784 meters, according to the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development. Scientists warn it may eventually disappear by the 2040s if the warming trend continues, and might be among the first in Nepal to join the growing numbers of glaciers declared "dead" worldwide. "In the 40 years I have studies this glacier, I have seen it halve with my own eyes. We worry that the next generation might not be able to see it," Sharad Prasad Joshi, a cryosphere specialist at ICIMOD, told Agence France-Presse. Prayer flags fluttered Monday as Buddhist monks performed a ceremony for Yala, with the Himalayas towering behind them. Two granite plaques were unveiled engraved with memorial messages in Nepali, English and Tibetan. "This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it," part of the message in one of the plaques read. The words were by Icelandic writer Andri Snaer Magnason, whose message is also at the site of the world's first glacier funeral in Iceland. Glacier funerals have also been held in Mexico, the United States and Switzerland. The ceremony comes as the world marked near-record high global temperatures in April, according to the EU's climate monitor. In its latest bulletin, the Copernicus Climate Change Service said that April was the second-hottest in its dataset, which draws on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations. All but one of the last 22 months exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the warming limit enshrined in the Paris agreement, beyond which major and lasting climate and environmental changes become more likely. Time to act Yala is one of seven glaciers in the 3,500 kilometer-long arc of the Hindu Kush Himalayas to have been monitored annually for a decade or more, according to ICIMOD. Joshi said that the ceremony was also to honour the glacier as it has been an "open textbook" for young researchers and glaciologists. Himalayan glaciers, providing critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters. Experts say that on current melt rates, many glaciers worldwide will not survive the 21st century. Last month, the United Nations said that all 19 of the world's glacier regions experienced a net loss of mass in 2024 for the third consecutive year. Together, they lost 450 billion tonnes of mass, the organization said, citing new data from the Swiss-based World Glacier Monitoring Service. Maheshwar Dhakal, chief at the Nepal government's climate change management division, said in a statement shared by ICIMOD that Nepal is at the frontlines of the impacts of temperature rise despite minimal emissions. "We are urging world leaders to pay attention to the changes in mountain glaciers, such as Yala, because our own fate, and futures, is bound up in those of our frozen freshwater reserves," Dhakal said. "Glacier loss is irreversible on human timescales. The time to act is now."
Times of Oman
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Times of Oman
Toxic haze blankets Kathmandu, world's most polluted capital
Kathmandu: Nepal's Kathmandu has been covered by a toxic haze of dust and smoke for multiple days, with the sun glowing an eerie red through the smog. The Himalayan nation is famous for its mountains, including Mount Everest, but its capital is located in a valley which hasn't seen significant rainfall in six months. Widespread forest fires in the valley's vicinity — particularly in the southern and eastern regions — have sent air pollution levels spiking, along with vehicle emissions and stagnant air trapped by the city's unique topography. "Kathmandu Valley is shaped like a bowl. When there is no rainfall, pollutants remain suspended in the air without settling, and there is little wind movement. As a result, pollution accumulates in the valley," Bidhya Banmali Pradhan, an air pollution specialist at International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), told DW. "Unlike the plains, it takes longer here for polluted air to clear," she said. ICIMOD is a regional body whose members include Nepal, India, China, and Pakistan. Recent ICIMOD data shows rising carbon monoxide levels in Kathmandu's air, posing a serious risk to human health. Flights at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport have been repeatedly disrupted due to poor visibility. Kathmandu has worst air quality in the world The Nepalese capital is currently ranked as the world's most polluted city in the terms of air quality by the IQ Air, a Swiss-based platform aggregating information on air pollution from various sources including governments, companies, and NGOs. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) considers pollution levels between 0 and 50 to be good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and anything above 301 is deemed hazardous. Last Thursday, Kathmandu's average AQI reached 348, with some areas recording levels over 400. Since then, the city has consistently topped global pollution rankings with AQI levels above 200. Pollution drifting from across the border But Nepal's air pollution troubles stretch far beyond its capital. Many regions in Nepal's south and east have also become unhealthy, AQI data shows. "The primary cause of the recent rise in air pollution is forest fires," Hasana Shrestha, an environmental inspector at the Department of Environment (DoE), told DW. "These fires are not limited to Nepal — they are also occurring in India and Southeast Asia, and the impact is reaching us." Shrestha added that emissions from vehicles, industries, brick kilns, open waste burning, and dust from construction sites further worsen air quality. Cities near Nepal — such as New Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka, Lahore, and Yangon — have also regularly appeared among the world's most polluted. "During November–December, pollution mainly comes from sources across the border, particularly crop burning in Indian states of Punjab and Haryana," air pollution expert Pradhan told DW. "From March to May, most pollutants are domestic, with forest fires playing a major role. Dry conditions turn forests into tinderboxes, triggering widespread fires. This eases once the monsoon begins in June," she added. Pradhan noted that current PM 2.5 levels — airborne particles small enough to enter air sacks in the lungs — have soared more than 200 micrograms per cubic meter, well above safe limits. Health authorities urge vulnerable groups to take precautions According to the State of Global Air report published last year, air pollution was directly linked to 125 deaths in Nepal in 2021, and contributed to a total of 48,500 fatalities. It remains a leading cause of serious health conditions such as stroke and heart disease. Scrambling to respond to the current crisis, Nepal government has issued public warnings urging residents to stay indoors, and some schools have temporarily shut down. The authorities reported overcrowded hospitals, with patients suffering from eye irritation, respiratory problems, throat infections, and skin conditions. "Vulnerable groups — including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses — must take extra precautions," health ministry spokesperson Prakash Budhathoki, said. Government says its efforts 'not enough' against forest fires Nepal is also considering reinstating a two-day weekend to limit public exposure to pollution. Traditionally, the country observes only Saturdays as a public holiday. However, in May 2022, a two-day weekend — Saturday and Sunday — was temporarily introduced as an economic measure to curb fuel imports. Speaking at a public event on Sunday, Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri admitted that the government lacks advanced equipment and adequate personnel to effectively control forest fires. "All state mechanisms are involved in fire management, but government efforts alone are not enough," he said. "Collaboration is crucial — from civil society to local communities and youth." 'We talk more than we act' Meanwhile, the Broad Citizens' Movement NGO has called for immediate action to combat the crisis. "It is shameful that the government needs to be reminded about air pollution," the group said, while calling for urgent measures including temporarily shutting down highly polluting factories and limiting car traffic. Critics say the government often appears reactive rather than proactive. "We talk more than we act," environmental inspector Shrestha told DW. "We need at least one lead authority to take real, coordinated action." Multiple countries need to work together Experts like Shrestha and Pradhan stress the need for both immediate and long-term strategies to curb the rising pollution, particularly for the Kathmandu Valley. Shrestha proposed relocating brick kilns outside the valley, enforcing stricter vehicle emissions standards, regularly monitoring industries, and ensuring inter-agency coordination for tangible results. In turn, Pradhan from the regional ICIMOD initiative pointed to the importance of international cooperation to tackle the problem. "South Asian countries — including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan — must adopt an integrated air pollution policy and enforce it strictly," Pradhan said. "Having policies on paper is not enough," she added. "We need implementation — through incentives for cleaner practices, gradual replacement of polluting industries, and consistent monitoring."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Toxic haze blankets Kathmandu, world's most polluted capital
Nepal's Kathmandu has been covered by a toxic haze of dust and smoke for multiple days, with the sun glowing an eerie red through the smog. The Himalayan nation is famous for its mountains, including Mount Everest, but its capital is located in a valley which hasn't seen significant rainfall in six months. Widespread forest fires in the valley's vicinity — particularly in the southern and eastern regions — have sent air pollution levels spiking, along with vehicle emissions and stagnant air trapped by the city's unique topography. "Kathmandu Valley is shaped like a bowl. When there is no rainfall, pollutants remain suspended in the air without settling, and there is little wind movement. As a result, pollution accumulates in the valley," Bidhya Banmali Pradhan, an air pollution specialist at International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), told DW. "Unlike the plains, it takes longer here for polluted air to clear," she said. ICIMOD is a regional body whose members include Nepal, India, China, and Pakistan. Recent ICIMOD data shows rising carbon monoxide levels in Kathmandu's air, posing a serious risk to human health. Flights at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport have been repeatedly disrupted due to poor visibility. The Nepalese capital is currently ranked as the world's most polluted city in the terms of air quality by the IQ Air, a Swiss-based platform aggregating information on air pollution from various sources including governments, companies, and NGOs. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) considers pollution levels between 0 and 50 to be good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and anything above 301 is deemed hazardous. Last Thursday, Kathmandu's average AQI reached 348, with some areas recording levels over 400. Since then, the city has consistently topped global pollution rankings with AQI levels above 200. But Nepal's air pollution troubles stretch far beyond its capital. Many regions in Nepal's south and east have also become unhealthy, AQI data shows. "The primary cause of the recent rise in air pollution is forest fires," Hasana Shrestha, an environmental inspector at the Department of Environment (DoE), told DW. "These fires are not limited to Nepal — they are also occurring in India and Southeast Asia, and the impact is reaching us." Shrestha added that emissions from vehicles, industries, brick kilns, open waste burning, and dust from construction sites further worsen air quality. Cities near Nepal — such as New Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka, Lahore, and Yangon — have also regularly appeared among the world's most polluted. "During November–December, pollution mainly comes from sources across the border, particularly crop burning in Indian states of Punjab and Haryana," air pollution expert Pradhan told DW. "From March to May, most pollutants are domestic, with forest fires playing a major role. Dry conditions turn forests into tinderboxes, triggering widespread fires. This eases once the monsoon begins in June," she added. Pradhan noted that current PM 2.5 levels — airborne particles small enough to enter air sacks in the lungs — have soared more than 200 micrograms per cubic meter, well above safe limits. According to the State of Global Air report published last year, air pollution was directly linked to 125 deaths in Nepal in 2021, and contributed to a total of 48,500 fatalities. It remains a leading cause of serious health conditions such as stroke and heart disease. Scrambling to respond to the current crisis, Nepal government has issued public warnings urging residents to stay indoors, and some schools have temporarily shut down. The authorities reported overcrowded hospitals, with patients suffering from eye irritation, respiratory problems, throat infections, and skin conditions. "Vulnerable groups — including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses — must take extra precautions," health ministry spokesperson Prakash Budhathoki, said. Nepal is also considering reinstating a two-day weekend to limit public exposure to pollution. Traditionally, the country observes only Saturdays as a public holiday. However, in May 2022, a two-day weekend — Saturday and Sunday — was temporarily introduced as an economic measure to curb fuel imports. Speaking at a public event on Sunday, Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri admitted that the government lacks advanced equipment and adequate personnel to effectively control forest fires. "All state mechanisms are involved in fire management, but government efforts alone are not enough," he said. "Collaboration is crucial — from civil society to local communities and youth." Meanwhile, the Broad Citizens' Movement NGO has called for immediate action to combat the crisis. "It is shameful that the government needs to be reminded about air pollution," the group said, while calling for urgent measures including temporarily shutting down highly polluting factories and limiting car traffic. Critics say the government often appears reactive rather than proactive. "We talk more than we act," environmental inspector Shrestha told DW. "We need at least one lead authority to take real, coordinated action." Experts like Shrestha and Pradhan stress the need for both immediate and long-term strategies to curb the rising pollution, particularly for the Kathmandu Valley. Shrestha proposed relocating brick kilns outside the valley, enforcing stricter vehicle emissions standards, regularly monitoring industries, and ensuring inter-agency coordination for tangible results. In turn, Pradhan from the regional ICIMOD initiative pointed to the importance of international cooperation to tackle the problem. "South Asian countries — including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan — must adopt an integrated air pollution policy and enforce it strictly," Pradhan said. "Having policies on paper is not enough," she added. "We need implementation — through incentives for cleaner practices, gradual replacement of polluting industries, and consistent monitoring." Edited by: Darko Janjevic
Japan Times
06-04-2025
- Japan Times
Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan
At the foot of Pakistan's impossibly high mountains whitened by frost all year round, farmers grappling with a lack of water have created their own ice towers. Warmer winters as a result of climate change has reduced the snowfall and subsequent seasonal snowmelt that feeds the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote region home to K2, the world's second-highest peak. Farmers in the Skardu valley, at an altitude of up to 2,600 meters (8,200 feet) in the shadow of the Karakoram mountain range, searched online for help in how to irrigate their apple and apricot orchards. "We discovered artificial glaciers on YouTube," Ghulam Haider Hashmi said. They watched the videos of Sonam Wangchuk, an environmental activist and engineer in the Indian region of Ladakh, less than 200 kilometers away across a heavily patrolled border, who developed the technique about 10 years ago. Water is piped from streams into the village, and sprayed into the air during the freezing winter temperatures. "The water must be propelled so that it freezes in the air when temperatures drop below zero, creating ice towers," said Zakir Hussain Zakir, a professor at the University of Baltistan. The ice forms in the shape of cones that resemble Buddhist stupas, and act as a storage system — steadily melting throughout spring when temperatures rise. Gilgit-Baltistan has 13,000 glaciers — more than any other country on Earth outside the polar regions. Their beauty has made the region one of the country's top tourist destinations — towering peaks loom over the Old Silk Road, still visible from a highway transporting tourists between cherry orchards, glaciers and ice-blue lakes. Sher Muhammad, a specialist in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan mountain range that stretches from Afghanistan to Myanmar, however said most of the region's water supply comes from snowmelt in spring, with a fraction from annual glacial melt in summers. "From late October until early April, we were receiving heavy snowfall. But in the past few years, it's quite dry," said Muhammad, a researcher at the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). An artificial glacier built by local residents during winters to conserve water for the summers at Pari village in Kharmang district, in Pakistan's mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, is seen in this aerial photograph taken on March 18. | AFP-JIJI The first "ice stupas" in Gilgit-Baltistan were created in 2018. Now, more than 20 villages make them every winter, and "more than 16,000 residents have access to water without having to build reservoirs or tanks," said Rashid-ud-Din, provincial head of GLOF-2, a U.N.-Pakistan plan to adapt to the effects of climate change. Farmer Muhammad Raza said that eight stupas were built in his village of Hussainabad this winter, trapping approximately 20 million liters of water in the ice. "We no longer have water shortages during planting," he said, since the open-air reservoirs appeared on the slopes of the valley. "Before, we had to wait for the glaciers to melt in June to get water, but the stupas saved our fields," said Ali Kazim, also a farmer in the valley. Before the stupas, "we planted our crops in May," said 26-year-old Bashir Ahmed who grows potatoes, wheat and barley in nearby Pari village which has also adopted the method. And "we only had one growing season, whereas now we can plant two or three times" a year. Temperatures in Pakistan rose twice as fast between 1981 and 2005 compared with the global average, putting the country on the front line of climate change impacts, including water scarcity. Its 240 million inhabitants live in a territory that is 80% arid or semiarid and depends on rivers and streams originating in neighboring countries for more than three-quarters of its water. Glaciers are melting rapidly in Pakistan and across the world, with a few exceptions including the Karakoram mountain range, increasing the risk of flooding and reducing water supply over the long term. "Faced with climate change, there are neither rich nor poor, neither urban nor rural; the whole world has become vulnerable," said 24-year-old Yasir Parvi. "In our village, with the ice stupas, we decided to take a chance."
