Pachauri flays Centre report on glaciers' melting

New Delhi, Nov 15: Environmentalist R K Pachauri has rubbished a government-backed study that melting of glaciers was not due to climate change.

Pachauri, the head of Nobel prize winner Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said it was universally acknowledged that glaciers were melting because of climate change and the same applied to Indian glaciers.

"Everywhere in the world, glaciers are melting due to climate change, the Arctic is melting because of climate change. What is so special about Indian glaciers?" Pachauri was quoted by news agency saying.

The study by former deputy director general of the Geological Survey of India V K Raina has claimed that while most glaciers are in the process of retreat, some Himalayan glaciers, such as the Siachen glacier, are actually advancing and some others are retreating at a rate lower than before, such as the Gangotri glacier.

Questioning the basis of the study supported by the Environment Ministry, Pachauri asked, "How can you come to the conclusion that it is not climate change and something else? You give the reasons first. I don't know why the minister is supporting this one-man research."

"We do need more extensive measurement of the Himalayan range and there are only two-three glaciologist in the country. We need to strengthen this area," Pachauri added.

OneIndia News