Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
2. India should draw the world’s attention to the impact of climate change crisis unfolding in the Himalayas and Himalayan River system. Elucidate. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of climate change on Himalayan rivers and examine the consequences.
Directive word:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining that Himalayan glaciers feed Himalayan rivers which are under threat.
Body:
First, mention according to the Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report, more than a third of the Himalayan glaciers could melt away by 2100, even if carbon emissions are dramatically cut and global warming limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The situation would be even more perilous if governments fail to limit greenhouses gases as promised
Next, Explain the impact of it – HKH glaciers that the major rivers of South Asia and China have their origin. These sustain over 240 million people living in the HKH region’s mountains and hills and some 1.5 billion people living in river basins fed by waters from the HKH’s glaciers. Melting glaciers of the HKH region would therefore impact the lives and livelihoods of almost a fifth of the world’s population. Changes in river flows could not only cause more erosion and landslides in the mountains but also destroy dams and impact hydropower production etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by emphasizing on the seriousness of the threat and discuss a way forward.
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