Climate change meet calls for setting up EWS stations across Himalayas

EOI, Kathmandu, 122 November 2014: An international conference on climate change, attended by experts from countries including India, on Wednesday underlined the need to install more stations across Himalayas so as to receive benefits from the early warning system in case of climate-change induced disasters.

"Mountains have not received due recognition in global and national development agenda," Executive Director of International Centre for Integrated Development of Mountains (ICIMOD) David Molden said.

"Key messages and outcome from the conference will be taken forward by the participants in regional adaptation efforts and global forums," he said. "It is crucial that knowledge from the Hindu Kush Himalayas and mountain region is given a strong voice in these processes," Molden said.

The experts underlined the need to install more stations in disaster-prone high altitude areas across the Himalayas and improve communication systems to receive maximum benefits from the early warning system in case of climate-change induced disasters.

"Development could be undercut by issues related to climate change and adaptation. Keeping these issues in the global agenda is not only essential, it is imperative as well," said Jamie McGoldrick, UNDP Nepal director.

The four-day conference, attended by experts and government officials from countries including India, concluded during the day.

The conference on "Mountain People Adapting to Change" was organised with the goal of exploring holistic solutions for adaptation to change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Experts and government officials from more than 20 countries including, Afghanistan,

Bangladesh, India, China and Pakistan had gathered in the conference to stress on the need for greater involvement of rural mountain communities and the need to better integrate scientific and traditional knowledge for effective action. The conference was attended by scientists, climate change experts and policy makers.