By IANS,
New Delhi:The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to the stress caused by the increased pressure of population and exploitation of natural resources and it is important to protect it, union Minister for Earth Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh said Friday.
“The Himalayan ecosystem is vital to the ecological security of the Indian landmass. It provides forest cover, feeds perennial rivers that provide water for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower, and provides a home and a basis for sustainable biodiversity, agriculture, and tourism,” said Deshmukh, who is also the science and technology minister.
“The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. Climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature, altered precipitation patterns, and episodes or drought,” he said.
Considering the fragility and importance of the Himalaya, Deshmukh said that a National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) has been included in the eight National Missions of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with the objectives of conserving and protecting Himalayan glaciers and its ecosystem.