Jammu Aug 09 :- The glaciers of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir adjoining Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh are shrinking. Climate change has also increased the incidence of cloudbursts in recent years. In the study of the last 20 years, environmental scientists have also found more number of lakes formed on the glacier. The impact of climate change on life, flora and fauna in this sensitive area will now be extensively studied.
The proposed three-year project by the Environment Department of the Central University of Jammu has been approved by the National Development Foundation. Dr. Sunil Dhar, Professor, Department of Environment, will be its lead researcher through Remote Sensing. Dr. Sunil Dhar informed that Kishtwar district is adjacent to Ladakh on one side and Lahaul-Spiti of Himachal on the other. Its environment is as sensitive as that of Himachal.
This has not been researched in detail. The three-year project will focus research on the growth of lakes, shrinking glaciers and flora and fauna in the Greater Himalayan region. Data will be collected and alerted about the danger of disasters in the coming time. Dr. Dhar told that he has done research on Himachal. There, glaciers are melting at an average rate of 13 to 14 meters. The glaciers of Kishtwar are shrinking at the rate of 12 meters every year. A target has been set to conduct research to find out the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The focus will be on these areas
The impact of climate change will be studied on the surrounding areas including Madwa, Dachhan, Vadwan, Padar-Machail, Bhot Nala area of Kishtwar. Most of the cloudburst and flood incidents are being reported in these areas. The study will collect data on the impact on life, flora and fauna.
All areas adjacent to Chenab river affected
The Chenab river passes through Himachal from Lahaul-Spiti to Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi to Jammu. In case of cloudburst or floods, it has a huge impact on all these districts. The impact area of glacier and river conditions will be part of the study.
Glacier lakes have to be emptied like Sikkim
According to Dr. Dhar, the lakes formed on the glacier can become the cause of disaster at any time. According to the study so far, efforts need to be made on the lines of other northeastern states, including Sikkim, to empty the lakes formed on the glaciers of Kishtwar.(AGENCIES)
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