Spotlight

New Delhi, 2 June 2007

MELTING GLACIERS THREATEN HYDRO PROJECTS

NEW DELHI, June 3 (INFA): The rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers are likely to spell disaster for the hydroelectric projects set up on the rivers fed by the melting ice. The danger is in addition to the water sources.

The melting of the Himalayan glacier is taking place at a fast and threatening pace, according to the finding of an extensive study by the scientists of the Space Administration Centre at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad.

The scientists remote sensing satellites which revealed the melting was taking place at a fast pace. The study was conducted on as many as 466 glaciers in Chenab, Parbati and Baspa river basins.

The study has shown reduction in glacier area from 2077 sq. km. in 1962 to 1628 sq. km at present.

The Himalayas are the largest source of fresh water for Northern India. The glacial melt will initially increase the volume of water in rivers, causing widespread flooding, and in the long run, cause significant decline in fresh water supplies.

According to the paper, ‘Glacial Retreat in Himalayas using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Data’ published in Current Science, hydro power projects operating on the Chenab parbati and Baspa river basins are especially threatened.

At present, there is one hydro-electric power plant operating on the Baspa and another one is under construction. Besides, the National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation Ltd is building large project on the Parbati, where a number of similar smaller projects are already functional.

According to scientists at the ISRO, the Government needs to take shrinking glaciers into account before planning more power projects.

The Himachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology is preparing an inventory of snowfields and glaciers for various river basins to help generate data for taking up remedial measures. ---INFA

ECO SUMMER CAMPS IN ANDHRA

HYDERABAD, June 3 (INFA): The Andhra Pradesh National Green Corps is conducting eco-summer camps in association with the Hyderabad-based Jawahar Bal Bhawan in 150 locations all over Andhra Pradesh

The 45-day-long summer camps end on June 5, World Environment Day.

About 15,000 school children are expected to take part in the camps, which will instill in them environmental awareness. ---INFA