KATHMANDU: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) today said that the Himalayan region lacks adequate and reliable data on climate change.

"We should accept that the data on glaciers and snow melt are very little and we should undertake more reliable and large scale research to further explore the relation between the climate change and mountains," Dr Andreas Schild, Director General of ICIMOD, said. He was giving away awards to journalists at an award-distributing ceremony organised at ICIMOD headquarters in Khumaltar.

The issue of glacier melt peaked after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - a global body to look over the issues of climate change-admitted that the data on glacier melt was erroneously cited in its recent report.

"The controversy over the use of data has created some problems but the climate change has already started affecting the lives of communities, and, therefore, we can no longer wait for the data to come, but should start working immediately to help mitigate the risk of climate change that is taking a toll on the lives of communities," added Schild.

Talking to mediapersons, experts on climate change underlined more rigorous research on snow melt in the Hindukush-Himalayas that cover eight countries - China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

"To raise our voice strongly in order for it to be heard globally, we need to carry out good research on mountain issues," explained Dr Madhav Karki, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD.

On the occasion, ICIMOD awarded journalists covering climate change-related beat from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, China and Myanmar. The theme for the competition, which was held both at regional and international level, was: "Media Reports on Climate Change in the Himalayas." The journalists submitted their published articles for the contest.

Anjali Derryn Nayar of Canada and Farrukh Ahmed Chishtie from Pakistan bagged the first prize in the international and regional category respectively. While Laurie Anne MacGregor of the United Kingdom and Ramesh Prasad Bhushal of Nepal bagged runner up in the international and regional category. Smriti Felicitas Mallapaty of Nepal was conferred outstanding regional Young Journalist Award.