India, China to conduct research into Himalayan glaciers

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) India and China will jointly
conduct research on the impact of global warming on glaciers
in the Himalayan and Tibetan regions, India Union Environment
Minister Jairam Ramesh said Saturday.

"There is a need for a joint study on the glaciers in
the regions. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and its
Chinese counterpart the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental
and Engineering Research have been roped in to conduct the
joint research," Ramesh said.

The decision was taken last week during his visit to
Beijing, Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function after
releasing a report on the Security Implication of Climate
Change for India, prepared by the Institute for Defence
Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

The Union Minister said it was mind-boggling to know
the way China has invested heavily--both monetary and resource
wise-- to study glacilogy in the Himalayan region in the past
ten years.

"We are just beginning. A joint research will be
better for in-depth findings of what is happening to our
glaciers, or say to what extent glaciers are being impacted
due to climate change," Ramesh said.

However, besides seeking joint research with the
neighbouring countries, he emphasised on strengthening
scientific capabilities of the institutions to combat the
climate change threat. PTI