26 Nov : Expressing concern over the receding Himalayan glaciers, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that all resources must be mobilised to protect the Himalayas and its eco-system.
"There is evidence that the Himalayan glaciers are receding, but studies have been inconclusive on the extent of change and whether climate change is a significant positive factor," he said, asserting "we must mobilise all our resources to protect the Himalayas".
Addressing a function to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in New Delhi on Wednesday, Singh said it was a matter of deep concern that the Himalayas were being threatened by climate change.
"The Himalayan eco-system supports the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions. The glaciers in the Himalayas alone cover an area of 33,000 square kilometres, feed three major rivers of South Asia and support over a billion people," he said.
Stressing the need to develop expertise and capability in Himalayan glaciology, the Prime Minister said "even the threat of environmental damage should spur us to action".
He also paid rich tributes to the mountaineers and soldiers stationed on the high peaks for their grit and determination.