Dire predictions about the effect of global climate change for the people living in the lap of the Himalayas and the basins of the rivers fed by the melting glaciers of the same mountain range have long been afloat. The latest such prediction has come from the Switzerland-based World Wide Fund for Nature which says the rate of retreat of the Asian glaciers is accelerating because of global warming, and has now reached an alarming 10-15 meters a year. Climate change, linked to global warming, has been an emerging threat for the welfare of mankind. It has been attributed to the change in weather patterns, as a result of which, a range of plants and animal species have been either facing new survival challenges or in some cases already teetering on the verge of extinction. But human interference in the natural processes is believed to have been a major cause behind upsetting the natural balance, including climate change

Glaciers normally have a very slow pace of retreat. But unfortunately, interference has come swiftly, through global warming, which was heralded by rising levels of green house gases, namely carbon dioxide. Because these compact ice sheets formed since the ice ages have been a source of water for most of the rivers in the Indo-Gangetic river basin, any variable that interferes with the natural cycle will, no doubt, have a big impact on the amount of water the rivers carry. Though Nepal can do very little to retard that process, it can, however, help prevent direct domestic interference, some of which it has already taken care of. Reducing overgrazing, over exploitation and deforestation and tree-felling in and above the snowline is important. This is a difficult task as that will mean interfering with the lifestyle of those in the high Himalayas.

The greater part of the battlefield on global warming, therefore, lies with the industrialised world, without whose cooperation and resources, the fight against climate change will come to nothing. Their surging energy needs have fuelled global warming more than that of the third world countries like Nepal. But emerging economies such as China and India produce no less green house gases. Because the dead Aral Sea is a glaring example of how human interference can spell doom on natural resources, the time to act for the world is now. Incidentally, the climate ranging from hot, humid and alpine conditions have supported the evolution of so many aquatic, volant, arboreal and terrestrial animals in the region over the ages. Important as biodiversity is, floods as predicted will exact incalculable economic price too. Investing on eco-friendly and clean energy and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel holds promise for future.