The Rising Nepal: Saving Himalayas From Global Warming

2/14/2022

Shrawan Sharma

CDER’s Nepal Associate, Shrawan Sharma recently provided the op-ed “Saving Himalayas From Global Warming” from The Rising Nepal. The article provides a strong background in research on the effects of climate change in Nepal, while also providing a narrative of the culture and spiritual understanding of the appreciation of nature. He shares: “It is obvious that nature can't speak. It, however, reacts”. Yet, with rapidly melting snow peaks on Mt. Everest and increasing temperatures, Shrawan speaks for the natural resources in Nepal. Strong political action such as securing legal rights for Himalayan natural beings will lead to policies that can be implemented effectively.

The Glory

The Hindu mythologies have presented the Himalayas as conscious living creatures. The Western world perceives the Himalayas as a place of optimum adventure. Mountains create different climatic and ecological zones. The climate ranges from tropical at the base to snow at the highest elevation. To date, more than 4,000 climbers have stood atop the world’s highest peak: Mt. Everest. Each climber brings pounds of gear, much of it used to waste and littering the mountain, with little opportunity for clean up due to inclement weather conditions. This search for human glory must be balanced out with the Mountains’ own innate glory.

Effective Strategy

Securing constitutional rights in Nepal for the Himalayas will be vital in protecting not only this nation from the impacts of climate change, but also the Asian region and the world at large. The Himalayas have been a vital source of water for big and small rivers in South Asia. The pristine Himalayan glaciers feed the rivers, floras, and faunas and serve as lifelines to biodiversity, animals, and microorganisms. The people’s rights to the Himalayas should be guaranteed through incorporating a provision in the constitution. Constitutional right of the Himalayas recognises that the ecosystem has the right to exist, flourish, regenerate and evolve. The constitution obliges both the government and the people to respect this provision lest the Himalayas will be confined to history and science books.