December 12: Conservationists and climate activists have expressed concerns over the mountains turning bare across the country.    

Arguing that snow has been melting at a fast pace resulting in the mountains turning bare and thereby affecting the entire ecosystem, they urged all sides concerned to continue efforts to minimize the impacts of climate change.    

"Owing to global warming, mountains are losing snow cover. It will turn mountain climbing to a mere rock climbing," warned Dr Ghanashyam Gurung, chief of World Wildlife Fund in Nepal and conservationist, stressing that there is no option but to adopt and scale up measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation.    
He expressing such views during a session focused on fading snow cover and impacts on livelihood in the ongoing International Mountain Festival in Pokhara on Monday. Gurung said Nepal was witnessing fast melting of snow, thereby leaving mountains bare.    
He further shared that local initiatives are imperative to minimize the impacts of climate change to which Nepal has negligible role.

"Those culpable for climate change are rich and industrialized countries. However, Nepal must not stay idle, but build moral grounds to voice its concerns to the international community," Gurung opined.    

Another speaker Dr Amina Maharjan, who is an expert on livelihood and migration, argued that mountains turning bare are the growing concerns not only of Nepal but of the entire Hindu Kush region.

"Ecology, agriculture, tourism, and health are having negative impacts of climate change," she said, stressing the need of proper adaptation to minimize the worsening situation.    
The flashflood that occurred in Seti River in 2012 and the floods in Kagbeni some months ago were caused by climate change, according to Maharjan.    

She expressed concerns about inadequate discussions and research on the impacts of climate change on health. The spread of disease and health-related problems are rising of late, she warned.

“Nepal should make its voice heard in the global arena to receive compensation under the Loss and Damage Fund,” she suggested.    
    
Noted journalist Kunda Dixit expressed his view that the time has come to term climate change a 'climate crisis'.    
He further said that water crisis is induced by climate change. As the rivers and water sources are drying up, it must be considered as an urgent issue by the government. Dixit suggested to promote the use of renewable energy.    

Researcher on climate change and food security, Dr Jagannath Adhikari, said that mountains have close ties with the culture of Nepal.

"Once the mountains lose snow, we lose our culture," he argued, warning that Pokhara could no more enjoy the majestic sight of snow-capped mountains.    

Melting of snow has direct impacts on agricultural products, he said adding that both national and international initiatives must be continued to cope with the impacts of climate change. -- RSS