The Himalayas are home to planet Earth’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest which along with its other towering peaks are being threatened by global warming. Along with the mountains, plant species and humans within the mountains and along the basins are at risk because of temperature increases in the rivers that nourish the ecosystem and have been watering the crops of humans for thousands of years. As countries are beginning to step up by addressing their environmental issues, the Government of India has the Himalayas making its way to the top of their list.
Research by Singh et al. shows that decreases in the temperature of the Himalayas will alter migration patterns of animals; affect the severity of India’s monsoons further altering the temperature of the mountains bordering areas. The actual rate at which the Himalayas are warming have been observed to be much greater than the actual global average rate while increases are more significant in the winter than in the summer. This increase in temperature is causing the glaciers of the Ganges to retreat which is significant for the rivers which rely on the glaciers for up to 70% of their water flow during the summer months.
In Himalayan areas where there are down slopes in the relief the water from melting glaciers and the rainfall are combining to create flooding and landslides. The snow melted water benefits many of the plant species because they usually rely on the monsoon season for water but once all the glaciers are gone, the species will likely die due to the decrease in water consumption they were used to. Animals such as the pika, a small mammal who evades warmer temperatures in the mountains by crawling into crevices will have decreased hours to find food and resting places. In general, the animals living in that ecosystem will soon have to adapt to terrain and food chain limitations opening them to new meals and foes.
With increased temperatures comes variation in the way crops grow, if the growth of fruits and vegetables begin to decline and supplies are exhausted then malnutrition will be seen predominantly in the children and women of the Himalayan area. It is usually relied upon cold weathered winters to kill microbes and bacteria which cause sickness and diseases to humans in the river waters which are unfiltered. With higher water temperatures in the winter these bacteria and microbes have a head start on growth leaving people who drink the water more likely to suffer or even die.
The issue of global warming in this particular situation comes down to the populations of people in areas of India, Pakistan, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Burma who must adapt their modes of life to the changes in their surroundings. The problem is many of the people in these regions don’t have the money to uproot their families and jobs and restart elsewhere. Already there is work being put into technologies which will increase production of crops but disease and death due to water contamination through global warming will take lives of the less fortunate just trying to make ends meet.
Due to its relief and regional politics, the countries that encircle the Himalayan Mountains will be at a far greater manipulated by global warming. It is up to the governments in the surrounding countries to put in plans to weather the storm of global warming, paying to have new and innovative technologies, one which would make crop growth easier and a water purification system to protect their citizens from sickness and possible death. Most of all the governments should have their CO₂emissions reduced to target the root of the problem which is global warming. If they can make steps toward making their countries more environmentally friendly then the 70 million year old Himalayas may remain the home of plant species, animals, humans, wonder and awe for years to come.
References:
Singh, S.P; Singh, V; Skutsch,M. (2010). Rapid warming in the Himalayas: Ecosystem responses and development options. Climate and Development, vol.3, 221-232.
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