Shimla, December 18
Sonam Wangchuk, an eminent reformist from Ladakh, today said that it was bigger cities which owe people in the mountains the support and finances to deal with hazards like climate change for better preparedness.
"The future will see many unprecedented calamities if we don't act now," warned Wangchuk, an innovator who is known for his reforms in the field of education in Ladakh. He was here to attend a seminar on "Secure Himalayasndash;Safe India: Reducing Climate Change Induced Risks and Vulnerabilities due to Glacial lake Outburst Floods in Himalayas".
Wangchuk, an engineer, emphasised the need for engaging the youth to save mountains. "Eco literacy and climate literacy should become paramount in the education system, especially in the mountainous regions," he said.
"We will have to come up with original and fundamental solutions for mountainous regions as the challenges and lives are different from those living in New Delhi or New York. One cannot just keep adapting to climate change as mitigation is the key," he said.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also stressed the need to ponder over impact of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities for the next generations.
Walter J Lindner, Ambassador of Germany to India, said the implications of accelerated glacial melting for people living downstream were immense and mitigation steps would have to be taken jointly by all.
"Climate change manifests in different ways and support from developed countries is required for developing countries. Germany and India have a long standing cooperation in climate change, hydropower and agriculture," he said.
The CM and Lindner launched the revised State Action Plan on Climate Change and the Knowledge Network and State Platform on Climate Change Adaptation. A Digital Climate Change Reference Centre was also launched.— TNS
Courtesy: Tribune News Service