Conference on Himalayan Rivers and Climate Change
Thursday, 14 February 2008, 10:15 a.m
Claude Arpi (sitting right) speaks during a conference on Himalayan Rivers and Climate Change in New Delhi on 11 February 2008 |
Dharamshala: Some noted
scientists, educationalists, grassroots environmental activists from
all over India and abroad, examined the ways to preserve Himalayan
rivers and tackle climate change at India International Centre, New
Delhi, on 11 February.
The conference was organised by the Navdanya, the Research
Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, based in Dehradun,
Uttarakhand, India.
Mrs Vandana Shiva, Director of Navdanya trust, underlined that
diversion of Himalayan rivers, which is the biggest concern, poses a
serious environmental threat to Asia.”
While responding to a question on how India could stop China
from diverting the Brahmaputra river, Mr Arpi said: “In the absence of
trans-boundary river treaties, such actions are negligible. Besides,
China is non-signatory to the UN Convention on the law of
non-navigational uses of international water courses.”
Referring Himalayan rivers as the rivers of Tibet, the noted
Tibetologist, Mr Arpi, said: “Universal responsibility is the only
solution to this humanity crisis.”
The issue of Himalayan rivers is the issue of Tibet and some of
the prime issues concerning Himalayan rivers are pollution, diversion,
integrity of river systems.
In a March 2007 report released by the World Wildlife Fund for
nature, it was mentioned that four of the worldïž’s ten most endangered
rivers originate in Tibet.
Other topics, including scientific evidences for glacial
retreat and erosion rates over the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages,
were also discussed.
The speakers from Ladakh and Bundelkhand shared their own
experiences of how their lives are being affected by the climate
change.
Ms Chokyi and Ms Dolma Yangzom of Environment and Development
Desk (EDD) of the Department of Information and International
Relations, attended the conference.