Beijing: The ecological balance of Tibet plateau has become fragile with glacial shrinkage, reduced snow fall and land desertification, a phenomena that can
affect the water flow in the Indian rivers.
Home to eight important rivers of Asia, including Ganges,
Indus, Sutlej and Brahmaputra, Tibet has recorded an increase
of 0.32 degrees C in its average temperature in every 10 years
since 1961, quicker than the national and global warming
rates, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
"Global climate change has made Tibet's environment much
more fragile than before," Hao Peng, vice-chairman of the
Tibet autonomous regional government said.
"Economic and social development is out of the question
for Tibet if we do not have a pleasant ecological
environment," he told official 'China Daily' newspaper.
Located on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, the region is
affected by greenhouse gases due to its altitude of 4,000
metres, he said.
"Given its underdeveloped industry, Tibet's own carbon
emissions are very low and the deteriorating environment is
mainly due to global climate change," Hao said.
In its report, the Greenpeace has said about 80 per cent
of Tibet?s glaciers will disappear by 2035, and may trigger
crisis in South Asia's four top rivers providing water to
Nepal, India and Pakistan.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 06, 2010, 16:59