Climate change in Himachal Pradesh increases the concern of the Environmentalists for the decreasing of snowfall rate. Over the years, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed reduced snow, and this state has also confronted the issue of gradual shifts in the snowfall existence pattern that starts from the winter months towards the early summer months, which is also considered a noticeable wonder that is happening in the hill station. It raises the concern for the environmentalists regarding the climate variables in the ecologically fragile Himalayas. Higher temperature mostly contributes to the irreversible shift within the snowfall patterns and create issues in the snow droughts that have severe consequences for the stability of the mountain ecosystem.
Alarming Sign
Climate change in Himachal Pradesh has not only created issues for reducing the snow cover for decades. But also witnessed gradual shifts in the snowfall occurrence patterns from the winter months to the early summer months. This is increasing the concern for the surrounding climate variability in the Himalayas. Report of HIMCOSTE “Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology-Environment Shows the Climate change in Himachal Pradesh shows 12.72% decline in the snow-covered areas across the major rivers of Satluj, Chenab and Beas in this year compared to the 2022-23.
Environmentalists worried about these new shifts as the early winter months, starting from the October-November decreased in the snow cover areas. However, a slight increase within the Ravi basin during the time of 2023-24 reflects a positive trend. Previously, the pick winter months were December and January. However, it witnessing a drastic reduction. In the time of February and March observed positive trends in the snowfall that significantly increased in this period. The late snow fall extends in April resulted in an increase in snow in each basin.
Impact on Environment
Environmentalists confronted that the late extends of the snowfall in April may not be a positive sign as the rising temperature accelerates melting and affects the river discharge during peak summer. Climate change in Himachal Pradesh now creates tension for Environmentalists and scientists due to the snowfall reduction in the peak winter months and drastic shifts in the late winter or early summer that impact the hydropower, water sources, and the ecosystem. The most worrying aspect is the gradual shifts in the snowfall occurrence pattern.
In an interview, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said that the shifts in the patterns affect the river discharge in the peak season of summer. He also added that residents of Himachal Pradesh observe the rising temperature that affects the winters in Shimla, which had been experiencing almost negligible snow spells from the last two winters, indicating major changes within the weather patterns that create the risk of shortage of water in the upcoming years.Â
Ecological concern
Climate change in Himachal Pradesh is a long-term concern. The typical weather tends to be controlled by the cycle of the seasons. However, other factors with longer time scales cause systematic changes to the climate. This drastic climate change has the potential to affect the way of human life adversely. The terms climate change and global warming are different. Global warming is considered a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature due to the greenhouse gases within the atmosphere.
At the same time climate change in average temperature and increase of rainfall due to global warming. In the climate change report in Himachal Pradesh, out of 12 districts in this state, 1 receives excess rainfall. It recorded 20% to 59% from 1971 to 2020. Â Nine districts receive normal rainfall that stands at -19% to +19%. At the same time, the other two districts witnessed issues with the deficient rainfall -59% to -20%.Â
