SAGARMATHA SAMBAAD

Union Environment Minister represented India at the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal.

  • Reaffirmed India’s commitment to climate action and protection of the Himalayas.
  • Highlighted the Himalayas’ role in India’s environmental integrity and economic resilience.

What is Sagarmatha Sambaad?

  • Global Biennial Forum initiated by Nepal to address pressing global issues, especially mountain ecosystems.
  • Named after Sagarmatha (Mount Everest).
  • First edition coincided with International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025.
  • Theme: “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity”.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Climate change impacts: glacier melt, lake outbursts, biodiversity loss, water stress, and disasters.

India’s 5-Point Call to Action:

  • Scientific Cooperation: Joint climate and biodiversity monitoring.
    • Cited Project Snow Leopard (718 snow leopards recorded, 2019–2023).
  • Climate Resilience: Build early warning systems and adaptation infrastructure for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOFs).
  • Empowering Mountain Communities: Integrate traditional knowledge, support green livelihoods.
  • Green Finance: Called for predictable, adequate finance aligned with Paris Agreement.
  • Mountain Perspective: Advocate mountain concerns in global climate forums.

Significance of Himalayan Ecosystem for India

1. Hydrological:

  • Source of major rivers (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus).
  • Supplies ~1.2 trillion cubic meters of water/year for agriculture, drinking, and energy.

2. Ecological:

  • Biodiversity hotspot: 10,000+ plants, 979 bird species, 300 mammals (e.g., snow leopard, red panda).

3. Cultural:

  • Sacred to Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism (e.g., Kedarnath, Kailash Mansarovar).

4. Economic:

  • Supports livelihoods via tourism, organic farming, forestry.
  • Tourism contributes >10% of GDP in states like Uttarakhand, Assam, Tripura.
  • Ganga basin supports 40% of India’s population.

5. Renewable Energy:

  • Hydropower from Himalayan rivers (e.g., 13,000 MW Lohit Basin in Arunachal Pradesh).

6. Climate Regulation:

  • Acts as natural shield against cold winds and regulates monsoon patterns.

7. Carbon Sink:

  • Forests and meadows absorb CO₂, mitigating climate change.

Key Challenges to Himalayan Ecosystem

  • Climate Disasters:
    • Frequent avalanches, flash floods, GLOFs.
    • g., 2025 Uttarakhand avalanche, 2023 Sikkim GLOF.
  • Fragile Development:
    • Deforestation, blasting, slope-cutting increase instability.
    • g., 2023 Joshimath land subsidence.
  • Glacier Retreat:
    • Gangotri glacier retreated 850+ m in 25 years.
    • Hindu Kush glaciers may lose 75% volume by 2100.
  • Biodiversity Loss:
    • Climate change and deforestation displace endemic species.
    • g., 90% displacement in Sikkim Himalayas.
  • Overtourism:
    • Waste, pollution in sacred sites and trails.
    • 2022 audit: 92.7% Himalayan trash was plastic.

Measures for Sustainable Himalayan Development

  • Climate-Resilient Infrastructure:
    • Follow EIA norms, promote electric vehicles, bioengineering solutions.
  • Sustainable Tourism:
    • Carrying capacity limits, eco-tourism, permit-based entry.
  • Glacier & Water Conservation:
    • Use GIS, remote sensing, rainwater harvesting, ice stupas.
  • Forest Conservation:
    • Afforestation, community forest management (e.g., Van Andolan, JFM in Uttarakhand).
  • Adaptation Strategies:
    • Early warning systems for GLOFs, resilient agriculture, rainwater harvesting.
  • Sustainable Livelihoods:
    • Promote organic farming, herbal products, eco-handicrafts, adventure tourism.

The Sagarmatha Sambaad highlights the urgent need for global cooperation to preserve the Himalayas’ ecological, cultural, and economic values. India’s leadership and regional partnerships are crucial for ensuring climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development of mountain ecosystems.

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