Dipping Snowfall

Nepal’s iconic snow-capped mountains are not just the national heritage but also a great source of life and sustenance for the people living downstream.  Nepalis boast as the citizens of the country of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). The world’s highest peak has been a fancy as well as a formidable challenge for the people desirous to conquer it. Numerous tall and shining mountains have enabled to flourish civilisation filled with distinct cultures, mystic myths, collective emotions and enduring urge for better survival. These mountains are the wonder and awe of nature. When there is a harmonious bond between the nature and humans, such a wonder continues to stay there, inspiring and supporting the people generation after generation. But when the people violate the law of nature and greedily exploit it, the natural elements also react in a negative way, posing an existential threat to the humanity itself.

Yes, the climate change, caused by rising global warming, is the outcome of human's excessive and irrational behaviour against the vast body of nature. The issue of climate has acquired ecological, social, economic and political dimensions globally. Mountains have become the first victim of the climate change. This has resulted in the rapid decline of snowfall in the Himalayan belt, with devastating impacts on the mountain life. This risks turning the majestic mountains into bare and black rocks. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepali mountains, located at the central of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, witnessed decrease in snowfall by 14 to 18 per cent, while the snowfall in the eastern and western mountains has increased by 10 to 12 per cent. Interestingly, the overall volume of snowfall in the HKH has remained similar but it has gone down in Nepal’s mountains.

Another study shows that big glaciers are shrinking faster than the smaller ones in the Sagaramatha region due to the soaring temperature. Similarly, there is lesser snowfall in certain river areas. The winters are not receiving the desired amount of snow, affecting the flow of water. Snowline altitudes (SLA) are hit hard by weather and land. The winter sees the most snow but during the summer it occurs only on highlands. Come rainy season, the snow is washed away. While the temperature has reduced snowfall, it has escalated the rainfall in high mountainous areas. The changing trend of snowfall in higher altitudes has put the traditional farming at the receiving end in the mid-hills. Fruits and crops grown in the cold climate are vanishing. When there is no snowfall, insects infect them. 

Farmers in Helambu in Sindhupalchowk, who recently talked to this daily, have shared that in the absence of snowfall, apple trees have dried out. They no longer produce the sweet, soft and juicy apples. Helambu's apples are famous in Kathmandu and farmers make good income from selling them. Now the scenario is disappointing with the end of lucrative business of apples. Locals have now turned to kiwi farming that suits for dry climate. Helambu is just a representative of mountainous villages reeling from the crushing blow of the global temperature rise. Adaption to the changing weather is the only way out to minimise the consequences and find new means of livelihood. To cope with this situation, experts suggest adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, drought-resistant crops and precision irrigation. Similarly, rainwater harvesting, desalination and wastewater reuse are useful when the traditional water sources dry up.