Climate change to blame for melting Himalayan glaciers: Dave

Climate change is responsible for reduction in the volume of Himalayan glaciers, Union Minister Anil Dave said today, while adding that countries located around the mountain ranges cannot be held responsible for the phenomenon.
India and China discussed the crucial issue of rapid melting of snow on the Himalayan mountain ranges during a summit of Environment ministers of BRICS countries here.
"Climate change is a big issue and its impact is something which we feel and observe. Each and everyone has a clear understanding that there is something wrong going on the globe," the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.

He was briefing reporters about deliberations at the two-day long meeting of Environment ministers of BRICS countries that took place in South Goa.
"About 30-40 years back, those who had been to Himalayan ranges would say there were 'him ki chadar' but now 'baraf ka roomal bhi nahi hai' (earlier people used to say there was a blanket of snow in the Himalayas, but now there is not even a handkerchief of snow). Snow at the mountain peaks is melting at a rapid pace," Dave said.
"It is not that countries which are surrounding the mountain ranges are responsible for it; it is the effect of the climate change globally.

The Environment Minister said, "We discussed all these things (problems faced by Himalaya), particularly with China. These are the two countries (India and China) on either side of the mountain ranges."
Dave said China or any other country cannot be blamed for the current state of Himalayan ranges.
"We all are concerned, they (China) are also concerned." Blaming each other is not going to help," he added.