A group of mountaineers and civil society leaders have formed an alliance to generate awareness about the impact of climate change on the Himalayas which is adversely affecting the environment and threatening the livelihood of hundreds of thousands in the region.
Nepal's important tourism industry is also under threat as increased temperature are causing abrupt changes in climbing and trekking routes, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of the newly formed Climate Alliance of Himalayan Community.
"Alarmingly, there is a big increase in the frequency and magnitude of avalanches, serac collapses and rock falls on our climbing peaks," he said pointing the death of 16 mountain guides in the Everest region in May, which has jeopardised this year's mountaineering activity.
"Climate Alliance of Himalayan Community (CAHC) is such a national civil society initiative to present the issues from the Himalayas to the international forum," he observed.
The alliance aims to play active roles in their communities to raise awareness and understanding of climate change through a national, regional and global initiative.
"We are also witnessing in the climatic pattern causing severe wind, hail, snow and ice storms, more drought in some areas, while experiencing more floods in the other," he said.
Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya highlighted the importance of preserving the ecosystem of the Himalayas for maintaining livelihood of the mountain people.
"The government will join hands with the local communities in preserving the environment of the mountain region," he said.
