Climate Change Impacts on Freshwater Ecosystems in the Himalayas
The Himalayan region is considered to be the youngest mountain ecosystem in the world covering approximately 33,000 sq. km of glacierised area. Stretching across Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Tibet and Burma, the Himalayas provide 8.6x106 cubic m of freshwater annually to seven major Asian rivers - Ganga, Indus, Tsang Po (Brahmaputra in India), Salween, Mekong, Yangtze and Huang Ho. However, in recent times the effects of climate change are beginning to have significant impacts on the ecosystem of the highest mountain range in the world. Recent studies by WWF and other organisations indicate that global temperature rise may be the cause of increasing glacier melt in India and Nepal, which in turn has resulted in changes in water flow in the freshwater bodies originating from the Himalayas.
WWF is working towards generating a better understanding of climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems and dependent vulnerable communities in the region, through interventions in six pilot sites in India and Nepal.
WWF is working towards generating a better understanding of climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems and dependent vulnerable communities in the region, through interventions in six pilot sites in India and Nepal.
