Climate Change in the Himalayas: Preserving the Third Pole for Cooling the Earth

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The Himalayas are the highest, the loftiest and the most fragile ecosystem on the Earth. As they accumulate the largest mass of snow and ice outside the North and South Poles, it is often referred to as the “Third Pole”. The Third Pole, apart from influencing global weather system, also contributes to cooling the planet Earth. Climate change exhibiting the rising temperature to an alarming extent is posing a threat not only to the Himalayas but also to the plain areas due to natural highland-lowland ecological linkages. This book attempts to present a real picture of the Himalayas as emerging owing to ominous climate change which is spreading its tentacles all over the globe and needs to be adequately and conclusively responded. Adoption of strategies and climate change mitigation, which appear to be possible, would lead to ecological restoration in the Himalayas. Cooling of the Himalayas and well-being of the cryosphere are a prerequisite for cooling the planet Earth. This book provides useful matter and, in the wake of ongoing climate change phenomenon, it would prove to be of critical value for climate scientists, ecologists, environmental engineers, mountain scholars, planners and policy-makers. Table Of Contents Editorial: The Climate Change Hot Spot of the World: Cryosphere’s Crisis and Cry for Cooling Part I—Climate Change, Vulnerability and Anthropogenic Dimensions Impact of Climate Change on the Severity of Natural Disasters in the Himalayan-Hindu Kush Belt Impact of Climate Change on Vulnerability of the Himalayan Ecosystems and Livelihoods Receding Glaciers: Future Implications under Changing Climate Scenario Observations of Radiatively & Chemically Active Trace Gases in the Central Himalaya & Indo-Gangetic Plains Climate Change Problems in the Himalayan Mountains Impact of Boundary Layer Dynamics on Black Carbon Variation over the Central Himalaya and its Foothills Impact of Grazing on the Biodiversity of a Temperate Grazing Land in Kumaon Himalaya Hydro-Geochemical Characteristics of Gangotri Glacier Hydroelectric Power Developments—A Threat to River Existence and Livelihood Systems in the Mountains Landslide Hazards Investigation of Pindar Basin in Uttarakhand Himalaya Climate Change in the Himalayas: An Obvious Jeopardy to Cold-water Fish and Fisheries Part II—Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Measures Sustainable Management of Mountain Biodiversity in the Eastern Himalaya Resilience- and Carbon Sequestration-Enhancing Technologies for the Fragile Ecosystems: A Perspective Forest Fires in the Himalayan Region: Some Mitigation Measures Pine Needles: A Source of Forest Fire to an Alternative Fuel Indigenous Herbal Coolants for Combating Heat Stress in the Hot Zone of North-West Himalaya Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Himalayan Mountains and their Contribution to Cooling of the Earth