India
India is witnessing the melting of Himalayan glaciers
As temperatures increase and climate change wreaks havoc throughout the planet, the bulk of glaciers in the Himalayan area is melting. According to the Centre’s research, the phenomenon is occurring across nine major glaciers in the country, each of which is melting at a different rate.
Accelerated heterogeneous mass loss in Himalayan glaciers has been observed in studies led by the Geological Survey of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, National Institute of Hydrology, Space Application Centre, and Indian Institute of Science.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh stated: “In the Himalayan area, GSI has performed research on glacier melting using mass balance assessments on nine glaciers, as well as monitoring the recession/advance of 76 glaciers. The bulk of Himalayan glaciers is melting/retreating at various rates in different parts of the mountain range.”
INDIA’S MELTING GLACIERS
According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers recede at a pace of 14.9-15.1 metres each year, compared to 12.7-13.2 metres in the Indus, 15.5-14.4 metres in the Ganga, and 20.2-19.7 metres in the Brahmaputra river basins.
However, mass balance analyses were undertaken by the University of Kashmir, Sikkim University, IISc, and WIHG for various Himalayan glaciers confirming a similar scenario, with the bulk of Himalayan glaciers melting or receding at varied rates. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, which has been monitoring a few glaciers in Uttarakhand since 1995, discovered that the Dokriani Glacier in the Bhagirathi basin has been retreating at 15-20 metres per year since 1995, and the Chorabari Glacier in the Mandakini basin has been retreating at 9-11 metres per year between 2003 and 2017.
Similar phenomena are taking place in the Satluj River watershed. IISc Bangalore’s Divecha Centre for Climate Change researched the glacier and discovered that glacial melt contribution will grow until the middle of the century, after which it will diminish. “Numerous tiny glaciers in the Satluj basin’s low altitude region imply a considerable loss in the area until the middle of the century,” the ministry stated, “causing a water scarcity during the dry summer season.”
How Is It An ISSUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT?
The melting of Himalayan glaciers is a major source of concern since it will have a significant impact on the water supply for rivers that rely on these glaciers. Because of variations in flow, flash floods, and sedimentation, ongoing melting will cause changes in glacier basin hydrology, downstream water budget, and influence hydropower plants.
“The increased danger of glacier hazards as a result of increased number and volume of glacier lakes, faster flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods, as well as influencing agro practises in the high Himalayan region,” the ministry stated in a statement.
Furthermore, the minister told that while glacier melting is an uncontrollable natural process, it does raise the likelihood of glacial hazards. Various Indian institutes, organisations, and universities, according to the Centre, are monitoring the Himalayan glaciers on a vast scale using remote sensing data to estimate the tragedies caused by melting.
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The Tenth Tata Mumbai Marathon Was Completed By NMMC Commissioner
Dr. Kailas Shinde, Commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has accomplished a remarkable feat by finishing the Tata Mumbai Marathon for the ninth year in a row.
Thousands of runners from all around the world attended this year’s marathon, which was held on Sunday to commemorate the famous event’s 20th anniversary. Dr. Shinde further demonstrated his dedication to endurance and fitness by finishing the difficult 42.195 km race in an astounding 4 hours, 29 minutes, and 12 seconds.
As evidence of his commitment to regular training and preparation, Dr. Shinde maintained a constant pace of 6 minutes and 23 seconds per kilometer throughout the marathon, which started at 5:00 a.m. at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai.
This year’s achievement comes after Dr. Shinde’s outstanding performance in the Comrades Marathon, an ultramarathon in South Africa, when he exceeded the time limit by finishing the 86.6 km route in 11 hours, 10 minutes, and 56 seconds. His reputation as a focused and dedicated athlete was further solidified by this accomplishment.
Dr. Shinde has continuously put his training first despite his hectic administrative job and rigorous schedule, demonstrating that amazing outcomes are possible when hard effort, goal-setting, and preparation are balanced. In addition to reflecting his own accomplishments, his love of running provides as motivation for leading a healthy lifestyle.
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Residents Of Kharghar Express Concern Over The Increasing Number Of Roadside Shops And Encroachments
Residents of Kharghar are raising serious concerns over the growing encroachments and unauthorized shops in Sectors 30 to 40, which are causing inconvenience and safety issues. Locals have shared photographs showing illegal roadside stalls selling clothes, fruits, coconuts, and snacks, taking over footpaths and parking spaces.
One image shows a clothing shop operating from a car boot, while another captures coconut vendors blocking a busy intersection. A third photo highlights a snack stall covered with plastic sheets, further restricting pedestrian movement, especially under the newly constructed metro bridge.
Frustrated residents say these illegal setups are disrupting daily life. “We pay taxes for planned infrastructure, but these encroachments create chaos,” said Radhe Trivedi, a local.
Arvind Pawar, another resident, said multiple complaints to the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) and CIDCO have seen little action. “We need stricter enforcement to remove illegal hawkers and restore order,” he added.
Citizens have taken to social media to highlight the issue, tagging government officials, including the Chief Minister’s Office of Maharashtra and MLA Prashant Thakur, demanding intervention.
Resident Lalita Iyer emphasized the need for long-term solutions to prevent future encroachments and protect Kharghar’s planned urban development.
With growing pressure from residents, authorities are now being urged to take immediate and strict action to remove these unauthorized commercial activities and restore public spaces to their proper use.
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The Marathi Language Conservation Fortnight Is Being Celebrated By NMMC With A Self-Poetry Recitation Competition
NMMC Hosts Self-Poetry Recitation Competition To Celebrate Marathi Language Conservation Fortnight.
The Competition
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) held a self-poetry reciting competition to support officials’ and staff members’ poetic writing abilities. The occasion was a component of the two-week-long Marathi Language Conservation campaign.
Thirty-one poets took part in this event. From January 14 to January 28, the city government has organized a number of events to promote the Marathi language.
Ashok Gupte, a well-known poet and the grandson of the famed poet Bee, judged the self-poetry reciting competition. Gupte urged the poets to continue their commitment to producing high-caliber poetry. Despite their hectic work schedules, he commended the cops and staff for fostering their literary abilities.
The poet was especially grateful of the female staff members who had worked hard and passionately to develop their literary skills while juggling work and domestic duties. Gupte stressed the significance of delivery and presentation. He emphasized that there should be a natural rhythm and flow even in free verse poetry. According to an official, he encouraged contestants to keep competing, read quality poetry, and keep composing. During the occasion, Gupte also read a few of his own outstanding poetry.
The NMMC headquarters will host a lecture on “Mayboli Abhijat Marathi” by famous poet and writer Dr. Mahesh Keluskar. Navi Mumbai literature lovers are welcome to come and take part in this thought-provoking discussion.
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