The Himalayan region is facing an urgent environmental crisis that demands immediate action concludes a new policy briefing1 by Climate Action Network South Asia. The estimated cost of climate mitigation and adaptation in the six Himalayan countries is staggering, with 1,085 billion needed for mitigation and 270 billion US dollars for adaptation.
The Himalayas are inherently vulnerable to heavy rains, flash floods, landslides etc., as these are new mountains which are still growing and are seismically very active. Climate change has added another layer of vulnerability. It is acting as a force multiplier and making landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts more disastrous. The most widely reported impact is the rapid reduction in glaciers, which has profound future implications for downstream water resources.