Jammu, June 12: Due to erratic climate change, the glaciers are melting at a fast pace in Ladakh, a fresh study has revealed. 
 The study conducted by a Non-government Organisation in the region has claimed that the glaciers are melting at a very fast rate and at some of the places they have already disappeared.
 “Khardong and and Kargyam Burma glaciers have disappeared whereas Khardongla, Gyung-Kangri, Stok-Kangri, and Kang-Yatze are retreating at a fast pace”, said Tundop Angmo who conducted the study, ‘Impact of climate change.
 Pertinently, in Ladakh recieves annual rainfall of around 50 millimetres (two inches) and glaciers provide 90 percent of the water.
 “The daily life of the people of Ladakh has been severely affected due to the climatic change during the past one decade and the region is heading towards the water crises”, Angmo claimed.
 A satellite-based study of 466 Himalayan glaciers published in 2007 by scientists with the Indian Space Research Organisation estimated their area had reduced by 21 percent since the 1960s.
 It is not only the reduction of the ground water and increasing temperature but the locals in the arid desert have even started feeling the change in the average snowfall.
 ”Earlier it used to snow at least 1-2 feet. Snow used to stay for a much longer time. However now snowfall is getting erratic as its timing is becoming uncertain and less”, he added.
 The study claimed that the number and types of insects and pests have increased in agriculture fields, while villagers are now using mosquito nets and repellents.
 Long duration vegetables-brinjal, pumpkin, capsicum are now grown in Ladakh where earlier it was not possible, the study says further.
 It claims that because of less snowfall there is less recharge of the groundwater and most natural springs are drying or discharging less water than before. “Leh town has witnessed an upsurge in sinking of new tube wells. The spring water in and around the town have dried up depriving people of sources of freshwater. Water markets have emerged where people buy water from households that have bore wells”, the study claims.
 Amod Khanna, from Bhopal who is the director of TAAL, an NGO, said that increased urbanization that has led to concentration of human settlement at one place. “The use of cement for the construction of houses and building has created infrastructure that absorbs less and radiates solar radiation more when compared to the mud brick houses that were constructed traditionally,” he said.
 He further said that climate change has repercussions on the unique ecosystems of Ladakh as well as local tribal communities.
 “The events like the floods, which occurred in 2005 and 2006 and 2010 claimed several lives along with causing massive economical destruction. The local community was caught unaware due to their ignorance about the changing climate” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST