The rapid melting of glaciers has worried experts in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir who find among other factors a strong link between the chemical and nuclear weapons dumped in various parts of the territory by India and the melting phenomenon.
Experts say the melting of glaciers would enhance serious implications for regional water availability and hydro-logical regimes.
The scientific studies indicate that Kolahoi, the largest glacier of Kashmir valley’s Jhelum Basin, is retreating rapidly due to spurt rise in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution.
Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and glaciers around Harmukh are also retreating slowly, they added.
The Kolahoi Glacier is the main source of water for River Jhelum, which is considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir.
Being an eco-fragile zone, J&K is confronted with environmental challenges due to global warming, unplanned urbanisation, deforestation, huge dumping of huge war weapons including ballistic missiles, chemical and atomic weapons and encroachment of water bodies.
Talking to media men, prominent earth scientist Prof Shakil Romshoo said, “This year, glacier melting in Kashmir and Ladakh regions has been unprecedented. Since we began monitoring the glaciers in Kashmir and Zanskar Hi-malaya about 15 years ago, this year has seen the highest melting of glaciers, as also reported from the rest of the Himalaya and the Alps.”—KMS
