India likely to share glacier info with China, Pak
New Delhi, Feb. 16: Keen to study the Himalayan glaciers in their totality, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has mooted a proposal to the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and the ministry of defence (MoD) to allow data-sharing on this crucial subject with China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan.
The MEA, sources in the DST confirm. has given the green signal to this proposal. It is at present before the MoD which is studying this proposal very carefully given the security concerns that this information-sharing can throw up.
The Himalayas stretch across six nations, forming an arc of 2,400 km, and consist of three parallel ranges that are home to around 9,000 glaciers, including Siachen, Gangotri, Nubra, Baltoro and Zemu. A large number of these glaciers are located in China, Pakistan and Nepal.
"Only a comprehensive study of the Himalayan glaciers involving all India’s neighbouring countries will help scientists understand the phenomena of how rapidly they are melting and what the consequences will be on the rivers that flow from here," a leading glaciologist pointed out.
The DST has taken the initiative on this because in the past most of the scientists studying glaciology have been funded by DST.
Minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has, however, also put his weight behind this proposal. He has stated publicly in several forums for the need for a joint study to be kick-started so that experts from all the Himalayan countries come together to understand how rapidly Himalayan glaciers are receding and how this is impacting the hydrology of this region.
This consensus on a joint study was accelerated after the IPCC fiasco involving a statement that the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035.
Dr V.K. Raina, a glaciologist and former deputy director-general of the Geological Survey of India, pointed out that while it is an extremely positive step forward, he had his apprehensions about whether it would be implemented. "Even today we can’t get aerial photographs of glaciers located 15 km close to India’s borders. Let us see whether they will agree to share information jointly on this subject given the sensitive nature of the terrain where all these glaciers are located," said Dr Raina.
A crucial note on sharing of non-strategic data has been placed before the Cabinet by DST. The note points out that a large amount of data on scientific, economic and developmental issues is being generated by institutes across India and that this should be made freely available in order to facilitate free interchange of information.
Sources in the PMO confirm that the Prime Minister is keen on the free interchange of information. The Cabinet is expected to gives its approval to the document within this month, sources in the DST have said.
Rashme Sehgal
Post new comment