Ever wondered which country has the most mountains? According to Wisevoter, there are ten countries where towering peaks and rugged highlands shape nearly every view, offering endless natural beauty and adventure at almost every turn.

Top 10 countries where mountains cover nearly all the land

Annapurna I in Nepal is infamous for its high fatality-to-summit ratio, with avalanches and unpredictable weather making it one of the deadliest peaks.

7 Most Dangerous Mountains to Climb in the World

Two 'secret' mountains have been discovered on the boundary between Africa and the Pacific Ocean, and they're 100 times taller than Everest.

Hidden mountains beneath Earth's surface

Earth's deepest, darkest mountains revealed

Mountains 100 times taller than Everest

Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old mountaineer from Nepal, has officially conquered all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks. He is the youngest to do it. The record was previously held by another Nepali climber, who achieved it in 2019, at the age of 30.

Nepali Becomes Youngest To Climb World's 8,000m Peaks

A new wave of adventure seekers has set their sights on conquering the world’s tallest mountains, sparking a global race among climbers to reach the highest peaks. From Mount Everest to K2, these daring expeditions are driven by both seasoned climbers and aspiring adventurers, eager to tackle some of the planet’s most challenging terrains. This surge in mountaineering ambition reflects a growing trend of extreme sports enthusiasts seeking to fulfill their bucket list goals, while also highlighting the physical and environmental challenges these iconic summits present.

Climbers' Bucket List: Race To Conquer World's Tallest Mountains Begins

The rare sight of arid mountains in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah region have been turned into a lush green landscape after the kingdom saw heavy rainfall and thunder over the past few days.

Mountains in Makkah turn green after heavy rainfall

<p>Global warming, which can disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems, is now becoming a huge issue for the survival of species in the mountain regions. A new study has revealed that species dwelling in 17 mountainous regions across the globe is facing the risk of being on the verge of extinction due to the impact of global warming.</p>

<p>This stark research was published in the journal Nature. Even as there is known information on how phenomenon like glacier retreat, shifts in vegetation zones, and&nbsp;loss of biodiversity can lead to havoc on mountain ecosystems. An international team of researchers, has now put a renewed spotlight on the alarming consequences of global warming in these regions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study conducted by the team, spearheaded by Academia Sinica in Taiwan, identified mountainous areas in diverse regions which are&nbsp;particularly vulnerable to the ravages of global warming.</p>

<p>These risk-prone regions include the Northeast Asia, Iran-Pakistan belt, Western America, Brazilian highlands, the Mediterranean basin, and&nbsp;Mexico.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The team has also showed an urgency on the meteorological monitoring stations in mountainous areas globally because they play a crucial role in understanding the interactions between weather patterns and mountain ecosystems. These stations provide valuable data on temperature, wind patterns, precipitation, humidity, and other meteorological parameters.</p>

<p>The research has introduced a new methodology to estimate climate velocities in mountainous terrains. This incorporates vital factors such as surface warming and humidity.</p>

<p>Study's lead author Dr Wei-Ping Chan reportedly explained,&nbsp;“The mountainous regions of Taiwan, like Japan, are more affected by humidity-induced high velocities than continental regions. Our study suggests that accounting for humidity is critical to fully understanding the variability of temperature isothermal shifts in mountainous areas worldwide."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-rockets-to-probe-earths-upper-atmosphere-during-solar-eclipse-2024-705648">NASA rockets to probe Earth's upper atmosphere during Solar Eclipse 2024</a></p>

<p>Lead researcher Dr Sheng-Feng Shen, also from Academia Sinica, pointed out the challenges posed by data deficit.</p>

<p>Shen admitted that the "lack of meteorological observation data from mountains is both the most valuable and the biggest challenge of our study.”</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-used-ancient-dna-to-construct-the-face-of-the-sixth-century-chinese-emperor-705587">Archaeologists used ancient DNA to construct the face of the sixth-century Chinese emperor</a></p>

<p>As there is a dearth of a comprehensive data, the team is relying on different models.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dengue-sweeps-through-the-americas-early-this-year-705691">Dengue sweeps through the Americas early this year</a></strong></p>

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<p>“The unique characteristics of various mountain regions and the absence of local data mean that just because an area isn’t highlighted, doesn’t mean it’s unaffected,” Shen added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Global warming, which can disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems, is now becoming a huge issue for the survival of species in the mountain regions. A new study has revealed that species dwelling in 17 mountainous regions across the globe is facing the risk of being on the verge of extinction due to the impact of global warming.

Global warming, which can disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems, is now becoming a huge issue for the survival of species in the mountain regions. A new study has revealed that species dwelling in 17 mountainous regions across the globe is facing the risk of being on the verge of extinction due to the impact of global warming. This stark research was published in the journal Nature. Even as there is known information on how phenomenon like glacier retreat, shifts in vegetation zones, and loss of biodiversity can lead to havoc on mountain ecosystems. An international team of researchers, has now put a renewed spotlight on the alarming consequences of global warming in these regions. The study conducted by the team, spearheaded by Academia Sinica in Taiwan, identified mountainous areas in diverse regions which are particularly vulnerable to the ravages of global warming. These risk-prone regions include the Northeast Asia, Iran-Pakistan belt, Western America, Brazilian highlands, the Mediterranean basin, and Mexico. The team has also showed an urgency on the meteorological monitoring stations in mountainous areas globally because they play a crucial role in understanding the interactions between weather patterns and mountain ecosystems. These stations provide valuable data on temperature, wind patterns, precipitation, humidity, and other meteorological parameters. The research has introduced a new methodology to estimate climate velocities in mountainous terrains. This incorporates vital factors such as surface warming and humidity. Study's lead author Dr Wei-Ping Chan reportedly explained, “The mountainous regions of Taiwan, like Japan, are more affected by humidity-induced high velocities than continental regions. Our study suggests that accounting for humidity is critical to fully understanding the variability of temperature isothermal shifts in mountainous areas worldwide." Also Read | NASA rockets to probe Earth's upper atmosphere during Solar Eclipse 2024 Lead researcher Dr Sheng-Feng Shen, also from Academia Sinica, pointed out the challenges posed by data deficit. Shen admitted that the "lack of meteorological observation data from mountains is both the most valuable and the biggest challenge of our study.” Also Read | Archaeologists used ancient DNA to construct the face of the sixth-century Chinese emperor As there is a dearth of a comprehensive data, the team is relying on different models. Watch | Dengue sweeps through the Americas early this year × “The unique characteristics of various mountain regions and the absence of local data mean that just because an area isn’t highlighted, doesn’t mean it’s unaffected,” Shen added. (With inputs from agencies)

Global warming is endangering species in THESE mountains, reveals study

<p>Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11). The search operation for the last missing person is still ongoing.</p>

<p id="1">The group of skiers, in the age bracket of 21 to 58, had left Zermatt on Saturday morning (March 9) with the aim of reaching the town of Arolla later that day. However, they went missing&nbsp;in the Tete Blanche mountain area.</p>

<p>A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-police-launch-search-for-six-skiers-go-missing-near-matterhorn-698656">storm</a> over the weekend further hindered&nbsp;the helicopters and rescuers from reaching the area, but on Sunday evening (March 10), a team was finally able to reach the spot via helicopter,&nbsp;police said in a statement.</p>

<p>At approximately 9:20 pm (2020 GMT), they located the bodies of the missing&nbsp;skiers.</p>

<p>While five of the skiers are believed to be from the same family, authorities have not yet released their identities.</p>

<p>A press conference is scheduled later on Monday (March 11)&nbsp;in Sion, the canton capital. The group's disappearance was reported by a family member who was supposed to meet them in Arolla on Saturday (March 9).</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;India-EFTA trade pact: How it benefits India?</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>What is Zermatt famous for?</strong></h2>

<p>Zermatt is famous primarily for its proximity to the iconic Matterhorn mountain, one of the most recognisable peaks in the Swiss Alps.</p>

<p>This picturesque mountain resort town offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and serves as a popular destination for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking enthusiasts from around the world.</p>

<p>Zermatt is also renowned for its car-free environment, preserved traditional Alpine architecture, luxury hotels, and upscale dining and shopping options. Additionally, the Glacier Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic train routes, terminates in Zermatt, adding to the town's allure for tourists seeking breathtaking Alpine experiences.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11).

Five out of the six cross-country skiers who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend have been found dead, according to a Reuters report citing police in the canton of Valais on Monday (March 11). The search operation for the last missing person is still ongoing. The group of skiers, in the age bracket of 21 to 58, had left Zermatt on Saturday morning (March 9) with the aim of reaching the town of Arolla later that day. However, they went missing in the Tete Blanche mountain area. A storm over the weekend further hindered the helicopters and rescuers from reaching the area, but on Sunday evening (March 10), a team was finally able to reach the spot via helicopter, police said in a statement. At approximately 9:20 pm (2020 GMT), they located the bodies of the missing skiers. While five of the skiers are believed to be from the same family, authorities have not yet released their identities. A press conference is scheduled later on Monday (March 11) in Sion, the canton capital. The group's disappearance was reported by a family member who was supposed to meet them in Arolla on Saturday (March 9). Also watch | India-EFTA trade pact: How it benefits India? What is Zermatt famous for? Zermatt is famous primarily for its proximity to the iconic Matterhorn mountain, one of the most recognisable peaks in the Swiss Alps. This picturesque mountain resort town offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and serves as a popular destination for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking enthusiasts from around the world. Zermatt is also renowned for its car-free environment, preserved traditional Alpine architecture, luxury hotels, and upscale dining and shopping options. Additionally, the Glacier Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic train routes, terminates in Zermatt, adding to the town's allure for tourists seeking breathtaking Alpine experiences. (With inputs from agencies)

Switzerland: Five out of six missing cross-country skiers found dead, search on for last person

<p>Two new moles have been identified by scientists which were suspected of living undiscovered for three million years in the mountains of eastern Turkey.<br />
<br />
The species, named Talpa hakkariensis and Talpa davidiana tatvanensis, are part of a familiar group of subterranean, invertebrate-eating mammals which are generally found in Western Asia and Europe.<br />
<br />
Scientists claimed that the new moles are likely to survive under 6 feet of snow in winter and temperatures of up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit in summer while emphasising that the discovery is exciting as it is rare to discover new species of mammal.</p>

<h2><strong>'Very rare discover of new species'</strong></h2>

<p>The study, which was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in July, was carried out by researchers from England’s University of Plymouth, Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey and Indiana University.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/large-sea-creature-with-20-arms-found-in-antarctic-ocean-624539">Massive sea creature with 20 arms attached to a strawberry-shaped body found in Antarctic Ocean</a></p>

<p>Senior author and professor of aquatic biology at the University of Plymouth David Bilton said, “It is very rare to find new species of mammals today.”<br />
<br />
“There are only around 6,500 mammal species that have been identified across the world and, by comparison, there are around 400,000 species of beetles known, with an estimated 1 to 2 million on Earth,” he added.<br />
<br />
“Superficially, the new moles we have identified in this study appear similar to other species, since living underground imposes serious constraints on the evolution of body size and shape — there are a limited number of options available for moles, really,” Bilton stated.<br />
<br />
The researchers, after discovering the moles, used “cutting-edge DNA technology” for comparing their DNA to the ones of other moles and discovered that the Turkish creatures are biologically distinct.<br />
<br />
The authors of the study said that the new moles are “subterranean, invertebrate-eating mammals,” found across Western Asia and Europe. They stated that the research emphasised how extensively one can misunderstand the diversity of mammals.<br />
<br />
“Our study highlights how, in such circumstances, we can underestimate the true nature of biodiversity,” said Bilton and added, “even in groups like mammals, where most people would assume we know all the species with which we share the planet.”</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Acid poisoning is killing marine animals in California</strong></p>

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<p>The new find increases the number of already known Eurasian moles from 16 to 18, and each of the species has its distinct physical characteristics and genetics.<br />
<br />
The researchers, for identifying the latest finds, studied the shape and size of various bodily structures through advanced mathematical analyses, which also permitted them to include museum specimens which the scientists had collected in the 19th century.<br />
<br />
Their distinctiveness was confirmed by a complementary analysis of the DNA of the moles and a detailed comparison with known species.</p>

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Two new moles have been identified by scientists which were suspected of living undiscovered for three million years in the mountains of eastern Turkey. The species, named Talpa hakkariensis and Talpa davidiana tatvanensis, are part of a familiar group of subterranean, invertebrate-eating mammals which are generally found in Western Asia and Europe.

Two new moles have been identified by scientists which were suspected of living undiscovered for three million years in the mountains of eastern Turkey. The species, named Talpa hakkariensis and Talpa davidiana tatvanensis, are part of a familiar group of subterranean, invertebrate-eating mammals which are generally found in Western Asia and Europe. Scientists claimed that the new moles are likely to survive under 6 feet of snow in winter and temperatures of up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit in summer while emphasising that the discovery is exciting as it is rare to discover new species of mammal. 'Very rare discover of new species' The study, which was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in July, was carried out by researchers from England’s University of Plymouth, Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey and Indiana University. ALSO READ | Massive sea creature with 20 arms attached to a strawberry-shaped body found in Antarctic Ocean Senior author and professor of aquatic biology at the University of Plymouth David Bilton said, “It is very rare to find new species of mammals today.” “There are only around 6,500 mammal species that have been identified across the world and, by comparison, there are around 400,000 species of beetles known, with an estimated 1 to 2 million on Earth,” he added. “Superficially, the new moles we have identified in this study appear similar to other species, since living underground imposes serious constraints on the evolution of body size and shape — there are a limited number of options available for moles, really,” Bilton stated. The researchers, after discovering the moles, used “cutting-edge DNA technology” for comparing their DNA to the ones of other moles and discovered that the Turkish creatures are biologically distinct. The authors of the study said that the new moles are “subterranean, invertebrate-eating mammals,” found across Western Asia and Europe. They stated that the research emphasised how extensively one can misunderstand the diversity of mammals. “Our study highlights how, in such circumstances, we can underestimate the true nature of biodiversity,” said Bilton and added, “even in groups like mammals, where most people would assume we know all the species with which we share the planet.” WATCH | Acid poisoning is killing marine animals in California The new find increases the number of already known Eurasian moles from 16 to 18, and each of the species has its distinct physical characteristics and genetics. The researchers, for identifying the latest finds, studied the shape and size of various bodily structures through advanced mathematical analyses, which also permitted them to include museum specimens which the scientists had collected in the 19th century. Their distinctiveness was confirmed by a complementary analysis of the DNA of the moles and a detailed comparison with known species. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Scientists discover 'very rare' mole living in mountains of Turkey for three million years

A two-year-old boy went missing from his grandparent's garden in the French Alps police have been scrambling to find the toddler but so far there has been no progress.

2-year-old boy goes missing in French mountains: search for toddler underway

<p lang="en-US">A tinge of red and pink hue has been observed in the snow by the people residing in Utah, which in turn is making the mountains appear colourful. This natural phenomenon, which is making the mountains look pretty has been nicknamed “watermelon snow”.</p>

<h2 lang="en-US"><strong>What is watermelon snow?</strong></h2>

<p lang="en-US">According to experts, this natural phenomenon occurs normally across all mountainous locations in the world. One may feel that the colour of snow is actually changing, however, the colourful hue is a result of the green algae bloom which thrives in cold, snowy environments, as per Scott Hotaling, an assistant professor at Utah State University’s watershed sciences department.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bamboo-could-be-a-game-changer-in-renewable-energy-heres-how-608532">Bamboo could be a game changer in renewable energy. Here's how</a></p>

<p lang="en-US">The species of algae which is making Utah's snow colourful is called Chlamydomonas nivalis.<br />
<br />
Hotaling said that although the snow appears red in Utah, which is the most common colour that appears in the phenomenon, there are different types of algae which live on snow and ice and can turn the usually white frozen precipitation into various types of colours like purple, green and orange.<br />
<br />
“(The algae is) normally in this kind of dormant cyst form, and when there’s enough meltwater in the snowpack and enough nutrients, like during spring, that cyst form is triggered out of dormancy,” Hotaling said while speaking to CNN.<br />
<br />
“It has this little flagella that can swim through the snowpack to the surface, (where it) experiences a lot of solar radiation and it blooms. That bloom is a sign of the algae’s reproductive stage, during which there’s a secondary pigment that’s created which darkens the algae’s cells, he added.<br />
<br />
This pigment blocks the ultraviolet rays which protect the cells of algae from solar radiation.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Leading scientists sound alarm on extinction-level threat</strong></p>

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<p lang="en-US">"The snow algae produce a pigment that basically darkens their cells, and it acts as both a protection against UV, so it protects their DNA and other aspects of their organelles from damage because they're in such a bright place," Hotaling explained, while speaking to KTVX-TV.<br />
<br />
"But then also, it has a secondary benefit of causing their cells to absorb heat which melts the snow around them which allows them to actually access water because, you know, we're out here in a world of water right now but none of it is accessible," he added.<br />
<br />
“I’m very light-skinned, I have a lot more struggles with the sun than people that have much more pigmented skin – same idea for algae. There are no human health concerns for water quality and for anyone who comes into contact with the watermelon snow,” Hotaling said.</p>

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A tinge of red and pink hue has been observed in the snow by the people residing in Utah, which in turn is making the mountains appear colourful. This natural phenomenon, which is making the mountains look pretty has been nicknamed “watermelon snow”.

A tinge of red and pink hue has been observed in the snow by the people residing in Utah, which in turn is making the mountains appear colourful. This natural phenomenon, which is making the mountains look pretty has been nicknamed “watermelon snow”. What is watermelon snow? According to experts, this natural phenomenon occurs normally across all mountainous locations in the world. One may feel that the colour of snow is actually changing, however, the colourful hue is a result of the green algae bloom which thrives in cold, snowy environments, as per Scott Hotaling, an assistant professor at Utah State University’s watershed sciences department. ALSO READ | Bamboo could be a game changer in renewable energy. Here's how The species of algae which is making Utah's snow colourful is called Chlamydomonas nivalis. Hotaling said that although the snow appears red in Utah, which is the most common colour that appears in the phenomenon, there are different types of algae which live on snow and ice and can turn the usually white frozen precipitation into various types of colours like purple, green and orange. “(The algae is) normally in this kind of dormant cyst form, and when there’s enough meltwater in the snowpack and enough nutrients, like during spring, that cyst form is triggered out of dormancy,” Hotaling said while speaking to CNN. “It has this little flagella that can swim through the snowpack to the surface, (where it) experiences a lot of solar radiation and it blooms. That bloom is a sign of the algae’s reproductive stage, during which there’s a secondary pigment that’s created which darkens the algae’s cells, he added. This pigment blocks the ultraviolet rays which protect the cells of algae from solar radiation. WATCH | Leading scientists sound alarm on extinction-level threat "The snow algae produce a pigment that basically darkens their cells, and it acts as both a protection against UV, so it protects their DNA and other aspects of their organelles from damage because they're in such a bright place," Hotaling explained, while speaking to KTVX-TV. "But then also, it has a secondary benefit of causing their cells to absorb heat which melts the snow around them which allows them to actually access water because, you know, we're out here in a world of water right now but none of it is accessible," he added. “I’m very light-skinned, I have a lot more struggles with the sun than people that have much more pigmented skin – same idea for algae. There are no human health concerns for water quality and for anyone who comes into contact with the watermelon snow,” Hotaling said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Know what is ‘watermelon snow’ | This natural phenomenon is making mountains pink and red in Utah

Bhutan opened to tourists in 1974. Down the decades, the country, with its picturesque landscape, has attracted a steady stream of curious visitors . Now, there’s more reason to explore the Himalayan kingdom's steep mountains and deep valleys as Bhutan has turned into a hiker’s paradise. We’ll tell you what has changed.

Inside South Asia: Himalayan kingdom now a hiker's paradise

<p>A group of people while on a guided tour of Kyrgyzstan's mountains had a very lucky escape. The group of ten, which had nine Britons and one American escaped an avalanche and they have the footage to prove it. The incident took place in the wildly beautiful Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Harry Shimmin, one of the people on the lucky trekking group has uploaded a video of the whole incident on Instagram, in which their narrow escape from death. The video has left people flabbergasted, with its intensity, and in just a few hours it has already gained more than 3,45,000 views and 37.5 thousand likes.</p>

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<p>Taking to Instagram, Shimmin writes an account of the incident. He wrote, that as the group was venturing onto the mountain slopes Shimmin had "separated from the group to take pictures on top of a hill/cliff edge," when he heard “the sound of deep ice cracking behind me”.</p>

<p>He then proceeded to hide behind a rock for shelter, but even there, protected from the avalanche, he was scared. Describing the jarring moment he writes:&nbsp;"When the snow started coming over and it got dark / harder to breath, I was bricking it and thought I might die."</p>

<p>"Behind the rock it was like being inside a blizzard."</p>

<p><strong>Aslo read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-fries-with-burgers-mcdonalds-substitute-in-russia-hit-by-potato-shortage-496220" hreflang="en">No fries with burgers! McDonald’s substitute in Russia hit by potato shortage</a></strong></p>

<p>Thankfully the whole group survived. One of the group members had "cut her knee quite badly", while another had some bruising from falling off of a horse. But other than that, the group survived the harrowing incident almost unscathed.</p>

<p>"The whole group was laughing and crying, happy to be alive (including the girl who cut her knee). It was only later we realised just how lucky we’d been. If we had walked 5 minutes further on our trek, we would all be dead."</p>

<p>Check out the video here:</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfyT6xcA27D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Harry Shimmin (@harryshimmin)</a></p>
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<p>The visuals in the video are "insane" and luck is definitely on the side of these adventurers. As one comment put it they "should consider buying a lottery ticket" when they get home.</p>

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A group of people while on a guided tour of Kyrgyzstan's mountains had a very lucky escape. The group of ten, which had nine Britons and one American escaped an avalanche and they have the footage to prove it.

A group of people while on a guided tour of Kyrgyzstan's mountains had a very lucky escape. The group of ten, which had nine Britons and one American escaped an avalanche and they have the footage to prove it. The incident took place in the wildly beautiful Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Harry Shimmin, one of the people on the lucky trekking group has uploaded a video of the whole incident on Instagram, in which their narrow escape from death. The video has left people flabbergasted, with its intensity, and in just a few hours it has already gained more than 3,45,000 views and 37.5 thousand likes. Also read | Protesters celebrate in Sri Lanka's ransacked presidential palace. Take a look! Taking to Instagram, Shimmin writes an account of the incident. He wrote, that as the group was venturing onto the mountain slopes Shimmin had "separated from the group to take pictures on top of a hill/cliff edge," when he heard “the sound of deep ice cracking behind me”. He then proceeded to hide behind a rock for shelter, but even there, protected from the avalanche, he was scared. Describing the jarring moment he writes: "When the snow started coming over and it got dark / harder to breath, I was bricking it and thought I might die." "Behind the rock it was like being inside a blizzard." Aslo read | No fries with burgers! McDonald’s substitute in Russia hit by potato shortage Thankfully the whole group survived. One of the group members had "cut her knee quite badly", while another had some bruising from falling off of a horse. But other than that, the group survived the harrowing incident almost unscathed. "The whole group was laughing and crying, happy to be alive (including the girl who cut her knee). It was only later we realised just how lucky we’d been. If we had walked 5 minutes further on our trek, we would all be dead." Check out the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harry Shimmin (@harryshimmin) × The visuals in the video are "insane" and luck is definitely on the side of these adventurers. As one comment put it they "should consider buying a lottery ticket" when they get home. Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tourists catch a 'lucky' break, escape humongous avalanche, while capturing mind-blowing video. Watch it here

<p>Unable to look beyond your mobile phone, being male and unfamiliar with avalanche forecast can be highly risky on Scotland’s mountains, said a female climbing expert of the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking up the role of chief instructor at Scotland’s national outdoor training centre, Glenmore Lodge, earlier this month, Heather Morning has urged visitors to “think winter” this springtime. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-uk-inadequate-care-left-300-babies-dead-or-brain-damaged-says-report-465900" hreflang="en">In UK, inadequate care left 300 babies dead or brain-damaged, says report</a></strong></p>

<p>This comes as police in Scotland said on Friday that mountain rescues have increased by 40% in recent weeks as climbers have been misreading treacherous conditions on the peaks. In this month, seven people have already been killed on the hills. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Based in Aviemore, which is 50 miles north-east of Fort William, Morning, said, “Into March, we get longer daylight hours, and down in the glen here it very much feels like summer. People aren’t switched on to the fact they might still need an ice axe and crampons up high.” &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK consumer confidence slides as inflation and war worries mount</strong></p>

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<p>“Inevitably, we see fatalities of people stepping on old hard snow, taking flight and rattling off into rocks or off cliffs. Loss of life is complex, but there are definitely some trends. Virtually all fatalities on the Scottish mountains are men. Men over 60 are the demographic that get into difficulties,” Morning added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Unable to look beyond your mobile phone, being male and unfamiliar with avalanche forecast can be highly risky on Scotland’s mountains, said a female climbing expert of the country.

Unable to look beyond your mobile phone, being male and unfamiliar with avalanche forecast can be highly risky on Scotland’s mountains, said a female climbing expert of the country. Taking up the role of chief instructor at Scotland’s national outdoor training centre, Glenmore Lodge, earlier this month, Heather Morning has urged visitors to “think winter” this springtime. Also Read: In UK, inadequate care left 300 babies dead or brain-damaged, says report This comes as police in Scotland said on Friday that mountain rescues have increased by 40% in recent weeks as climbers have been misreading treacherous conditions on the peaks. In this month, seven people have already been killed on the hills. Based in Aviemore, which is 50 miles north-east of Fort William, Morning, said, “Into March, we get longer daylight hours, and down in the glen here it very much feels like summer. People aren’t switched on to the fact they might still need an ice axe and crampons up high.” Watch: UK consumer confidence slides as inflation and war worries mount × “Inevitably, we see fatalities of people stepping on old hard snow, taking flight and rattling off into rocks or off cliffs. Loss of life is complex, but there are definitely some trends. Virtually all fatalities on the Scottish mountains are men. Men over 60 are the demographic that get into difficulties,” Morning added. (With inputs from agencies)

Being male, stuck on mobile phone can be risky on Scotland’s mountains, says expert

<p>Firefighters in Northern Ireland are spending a second day batting fires across difficult terrain on the Mourne Mountains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 70 firefighters and 10 fire trucks from across Northern Ireland were involved Saturday in trying to contain the wildfire, while helicopters from both Britain and Ireland are set to join the effort.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The wildfire has been raging since Friday morning in the Slieve Donard area, the highest point in Northern Ireland, with a peak of 850 meters (2,780 feet).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to stay away from the area as it declared a major incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Northern Ireland's first minister, Arlene Foster, said the wildfire is ‘devastating and tragic’, adding that the impact on local wildlife and flora is 'unimaginable’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assistant Fire Commander Aidan Jennings said the cause of the wildfire is unknown at present but noted they are 'predominantly caused by human behavior’. He said firefighters are wearing personal protective equipment and travelling for up to an hour and a half to get up the slopes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're working with small pumps out of rivers but predominantly it is a physical, hard, beating-out job up there," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said the fire was moving quickly, pressed by an easterly wind. The weather has been relatively dry in recent weeks. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Firefighters in Northern Ireland are spending a second day batting fires across difficult terrain on the Mourne Mountains. More than 70 firefighters and 10 fire trucks from across Northern Ireland were involved Saturday in trying to contain the wildfire, while helicopters from both Britain and Ireland are set to join the effort.

Firefighters in Northern Ireland are spending a second day batting fires across difficult terrain on the Mourne Mountains. More than 70 firefighters and 10 fire trucks from across Northern Ireland were involved Saturday in trying to contain the wildfire, while helicopters from both Britain and Ireland are set to join the effort. The wildfire has been raging since Friday morning in the Slieve Donard area, the highest point in Northern Ireland, with a peak of 850 meters (2,780 feet). The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to stay away from the area as it declared a major incident. Northern Ireland's first minister, Arlene Foster, said the wildfire is ‘devastating and tragic’, adding that the impact on local wildlife and flora is 'unimaginable’. Assistant Fire Commander Aidan Jennings said the cause of the wildfire is unknown at present but noted they are 'predominantly caused by human behavior’. He said firefighters are wearing personal protective equipment and travelling for up to an hour and a half to get up the slopes. "We're working with small pumps out of rivers but predominantly it is a physical, hard, beating-out job up there," he said. He said the fire was moving quickly, pressed by an easterly wind. The weather has been relatively dry in recent weeks.

Wildfire in Northern Ireland declared a 'major incident' 

The Pandemic has led to a shutdown of most places of leisure, from Shopping complexes to restaurants, to gaming lounges. But Ukrainian took this time to embrace nature.

Ukrainians Embrace nature amid Pandemic

As the world observes the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day on 18 April, we bring you top 5 breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are worth visiting.

Top 5 World Heritage Sites to Visit

A plan to use snow collected in Japan's mountains to cool 2020 Olympics venues this summer is being stymied by snowfalls on track to be the lowest on record, according to officials involved.

The Olympics are coming to Japan; So too is climate change

<p>Visiting hill stations in India is a sad affair. I keep on running to them because I saw most of the majestic mountains with my father. The visits evoke powerful childhood memories, but each time I go I end up coming back to Delhi less satisfied and more disturbed.</p>

<p>Even the best of the virgin forests have been ravaged by plastic. The new infrastructure has been built but it ends up obliterating and destroying the history of the place. Be it Dehradun, Mussoorie or any other town which was discovered, settled and built by the British during pre-independent India, has now been ravaged beyond repair.</p>

<p>The crass commercialisation has robbed pristine charm from towns, urban-villages and even remote areas used for adventure tourism. Unlike the West and especially Europe, the older urban settlements are treated with care. The settlements preserve history through architecture and life cycle. There is a heritage value attached to the place. People of the town become the custodian of the place. Even remote cities like Vladivostok in Russia which has seen a massive urban renewal in the last 20 years have preserved monuments related to Czars and older Russia. Even Singapore which has seen massive rebuilding has been able to preserve Little India where tourists spend hours in the end for fun and food.</p>

<p>In India, the opposite seems to have happened. The modern urban incentive for immediate business has destroyed pristine places and finished a sense of ownership of the place. The logic of immediate benefit not only destroys the place but also ends up dislocating local community life in the long run.</p>

<p>The first example which comes to my mind is the small property which I and my brother own in a remote village adjacent to Pangot. The road from the hill station of Pangot ends 2 km after our village into virgin forest. The local developers want the road to reach the plains so that travel time can be cut to avoid travelling to Nanital to reach Haldwani, a trading town nestled on the foothills of Himalayas.</p>

<p>The local developers want this road cut through the dense forest and reach the town built adjacent to Jim Corbett National Park. When I ask, what will happen when trucks will start plying through the bird sanctuary and adjacent reserve forest on which tourist industry is based, the answer is the same. “<em>Yeh bahut door ki baat kar dee.”</em></p>

<p>Both people and state have failed to create a sense of custodianship of jungles and tourist towns based on nature’s beauty in India. The massive construction in the Himalayas is not only destroying the beauty,&nbsp;but also incurring great ecological damage. In one of the walks I took from a guest house nestled 15 km from Dehradun on a less used road to Mussoorie, I found every corner with a Maggie Point. Comfort food but each shop in the middle of the Saal forest was adjacent to a dump pile. There was no sense of ownership. The lack of it is not limited to the working but also to the rich who have built ugly buildings right inside the reserve areas by bending the rules.</p>

<p>Not one city, from Tawang in the east to Dehradun and Shimla in the West has been able to retain its ethnic style of architecture or build a new one. The colonial structures are either with the government or Army. Rest have withered away.</p>

<p>Not only tourist places in mountains lack architectural style but also a policy which would enable it to have a character. It was heartening to see open defecation free semi-urban villages nestled in remote areas, but they continue to be devoid of garbage management facility.</p>

<p>I have been travelling to the Himalayas from the last 30 years. I have been privileged to have travelled in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh extensively. The modernity has definitely provided the benefit of communication, tourism and better lifestyle but lack of ownership of nature and rampant urbanisation without retaining the character of the place coupled with plastic has destroyed many pristine places.</p>

<p>There is still time to salvage beautiful places, but it would require civic action from people living in urban areas. These urban areas should become agents of change and conservation through poetry, art and public participation apart from just acting as economic engines of the state.</p>

<p>In the absence of the former, the economic engine would also fail because the engine rests on the beauty and grandeur of the Himalayas which we seem to be intent on destroying. We desperately need a new type of urban renewal movement where people take over space from corrupt government and crony capitalists, who for quick money have destroyed many beautiful towns and countryside in the Himalayas.</p>

<p>The village where we have the house passes through Pangot. It is a classic example of urban monstrosity. What should have remained a birders paradise with nature blending architecture has turned into a garish mall which only ends up destroying nature without sustaining the local economy in the long run. None of them provides food outsourced from local communities. None of them re-cycle waste. None of them uses local material for building. None of them uses conservation techniques. And by the end of the day, all of them will end up destroying the edifice on which their business is built.<br />
<br />
<em>(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Visiting hill stations in India is a sad affair. I keep on running to them because I saw most of the majestic mountains with my father. The visits evoke powerful childhood memories, but each time I go I end up coming back to Delhi less satisfied and more disturbed.

Visiting hill stations in India is a sad affair. I keep on running to them because I saw most of the majestic mountains with my father. The visits evoke powerful childhood memories, but each time I go I end up coming back to Delhi less satisfied and more disturbed. Even the best of the virgin forests have been ravaged by plastic. The new infrastructure has been built but it ends up obliterating and destroying the history of the place. Be it Dehradun, Mussoorie or any other town which was discovered, settled and built by the British during pre-independent India, has now been ravaged beyond repair. The crass commercialisation has robbed pristine charm from towns, urban-villages and even remote areas used for adventure tourism. Unlike the West and especially Europe, the older urban settlements are treated with care. The settlements preserve history through architecture and life cycle. There is a heritage value attached to the place. People of the town become the custodian of the place. Even remote cities like Vladivostok in Russia which has seen a massive urban renewal in the last 20 years have preserved monuments related to Czars and older Russia. Even Singapore which has seen massive rebuilding has been able to preserve Little India where tourists spend hours in the end for fun and food. In India, the opposite seems to have happened. The modern urban incentive for immediate business has destroyed pristine places and finished a sense of ownership of the place. The logic of immediate benefit not only destroys the place but also ends up dislocating local community life in the long run. The first example which comes to my mind is the small property which I and my brother own in a remote village adjacent to Pangot. The road from the hill station of Pangot ends 2 km after our village into virgin forest. The local developers want the road to reach the plains so that travel time can be cut to avoid travelling to Nanital to reach Haldwani, a trading town nestled on the foothills of Himalayas. The local developers want this road cut through the dense forest and reach the town built adjacent to Jim Corbett National Park. When I ask, what will happen when trucks will start plying through the bird sanctuary and adjacent reserve forest on which tourist industry is based, the answer is the same. “Yeh bahut door ki baat kar dee.” Both people and state have failed to create a sense of custodianship of jungles and tourist towns based on nature’s beauty in India. The massive construction in the Himalayas is not only destroying the beauty, but also incurring great ecological damage. In one of the walks I took from a guest house nestled 15 km from Dehradun on a less used road to Mussoorie, I found every corner with a Maggie Point. Comfort food but each shop in the middle of the Saal forest was adjacent to a dump pile. There was no sense of ownership. The lack of it is not limited to the working but also to the rich who have built ugly buildings right inside the reserve areas by bending the rules. Not one city, from Tawang in the east to Dehradun and Shimla in the West has been able to retain its ethnic style of architecture or build a new one. The colonial structures are either with the government or Army. Rest have withered away. Not only tourist places in mountains lack architectural style but also a policy which would enable it to have a character. It was heartening to see open defecation free semi-urban villages nestled in remote areas, but they continue to be devoid of garbage management facility. I have been travelling to the Himalayas from the last 30 years. I have been privileged to have travelled in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh extensively. The modernity has definitely provided the benefit of communication, tourism and better lifestyle but lack of ownership of nature and rampant urbanisation without retaining the character of the place coupled with plastic has destroyed many pristine places. There is still time to salvage beautiful places, but it would require civic action from people living in urban areas. These urban areas should become agents of change and conservation through poetry, art and public participation apart from just acting as economic engines of the state. In the absence of the former, the economic engine would also fail because the engine rests on the beauty and grandeur of the Himalayas which we seem to be intent on destroying. We desperately need a new type of urban renewal movement where people take over space from corrupt government and crony capitalists, who for quick money have destroyed many beautiful towns and countryside in the Himalayas. The village where we have the house passes through Pangot. It is a classic example of urban monstrosity. What should have remained a birders paradise with nature blending architecture has turned into a garish mall which only ends up destroying nature without sustaining the local economy in the long run. None of them provides food outsourced from local communities. None of them re-cycle waste. None of them uses local material for building. None of them uses conservation techniques. And by the end of the day, all of them will end up destroying the edifice on which their business is built. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The sorry state of Himalayas

Three Indians died on Mount Everest due to hours-long "traffic jam", just days after expedition leaders and the Nepal government claimed overcrowding on the world's tallest mountain was not a worry.

Three Indian climbers died due to traffic jam on Mt. Everest

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Environmentalists have long been worried about melting glaciers in the Himalayas. Studies and articles on the matter often border on the extreme. Some seek to reassure people that it is not a big deal, while others paint doomsday scenarios. But while global warming is a reality, available facts and figures are not enough to ascertain exactly how frozen surfaces in the region are melting or what its impact is on the environment, vegetation or animal life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Himalayan range and its extension in the northwest are home to more than 50,000 glaciers. Only the polar circles have more. Approximately 60,000 square kilometres of ice are stored along the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya mountain ranges. But despite the huge dimensions, these frozen masses do not last for ever and have retreated in the last few decades. Glaciers are fragile. After all, they consist of nothing but ice.</p>

<p>Global warming has led to the Himalayan range witnessing less snowfall, more rains and hotter summers. Glaciers erode and become shorter and thinner every year, a loss that is impossible to recover as long as the mercury continues to rise.</p>

<p>Fieldwork is a major problem here. Many of the glaciers are located in isolated high mountain areas and reaching these places with necessary equipment involves a lot of time and money. In some areas of Afghanistan, it is also a matter of safety. Data are fragmented and it is impossible to have a precise overall picture.</p>

<p>Some glaciers have visibly receded, like the Gangotri, in India, where the Ganges has its headwaters. From 2000 onwards, it has been receding to the tune of 12 metres every year. It has already lost nearly 200 metres of its length.</p>

<p>But not all South Asian glaciers are melting though. The process seems to have been reversed in the Karakoram range, along the border between Pakistan, India and China. The monsoon reaches this region in winter and the precipitation freezes thanks to severe temperatures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>When it comes to South Asian glaciers, one of the chief factors contributing towards their melting is dust. A part of it comes from forest fires, cooking fires, agricultural and industrial burn wastes.</h5>
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<p>It is not good news though and it does not balance the loss. &quot;It is more of a unique phenomenon. There are very few other places in the world where this is happening,&quot; says Sarah Kapnick, a physical scientist at Princeton University who studies the area closely. &quot;We can create a hypothesis that may be valid for the next hundred years. It is impossible to know what could happen after that. And this does not mean that it is not getting warmer up there. It sounds counterintuitive. But more snow means more precipitation which is another effect of rising temperatures,&quot; the scientist tells WION.</p>

<p>It is almost unanimously recognised that global warming is a human-induced phenomenon, mostly caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. But when it comes to South Asian glaciers, one of the chief factors contributing towards their melting is dust. A part of it comes from forest fires, cooking fires, agricultural and industrial burn wastes. Particles get deposited on the frozen surface, absorb the sun light, warm up and create holes, pretty much what happens when a firebrand is placed on an ice cube. Through these holes, solar heat gets the chance to penetrate deep in. The melting gathers speed.</p>

<p>It is a classic domino effect example, a chain reaction. More dust means more heat, more heat more holes, more holes more heat.</p>

<p>Most of this dust has natural origins: it comes from the Asian Brown Cloud (ABC), a recurring layer of pollution partially covering South Asian skies.</p>

<p>&quot;Poor quality petrol combustion also contributes to this cloud but it is mainly composed of natural dust coming from Rajasthan and other dry places in India and Pakistan which gets blown by the wind,&quot; says Dipak Gyawali, director of Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF) and a former Nepalese minister for water resources. &quot;There is not much that we can do about the natural part of it. We can surely work on cutting down on the use of poor quality petrol and coal to reduce the damage,&quot; he adds.</p>

<p>Glaciers are, above all, storage systems. They thicken with winter snowfalls and release water when the summer comes. &quot;Most of the high altitude settlements rely on spring sources for their water. This is true for Nepal. The shrinking of glaciers will not cause them problems. It will mostly affect low altitude areas, reducing the flow of rivers during dry seasons,&quot; the director of NWCF puts the elements into perspective.</p>

<p>Monsoons remain the principal source of fresh water in South Asia but the flows of some of the biggest rivers in the region depend on ice melt. The Indus in Pakistan, for example, relies on glaciers for up to forty per cent of its flow. But a dense network of minor rivers and major ones across the Indo-Gangetic plain mitigates the reduction in ice melt. The network continues to support agriculture and ensures the survival of hundreds of millions of lives.</p>

<p>Rice is the main agricultural product of the region and it is a water-intensive crop. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), paddy grows on 60 million hectares of land in South Asia. Accounting for more than a quarter of the global production, Bangladesh and India take the lead. Any change in the rivers&rsquo; flows will have a severe impact.</p>

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<h5>Glaciers are a hot topic. There is too much hype. For instance, you say that if glaciers melt, Bangladesh will be completely flooded. You immediately grab eyeballs. But it is scientific nonsense.</h5>
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<p>Sifting through the jungle of articles, videos and infographics on the matter, one encounters contradictory figures. One moment, it seems that South Asian glaciers will disappear in two decades and there will be huge floods followed by terrible droughts. The next moment, one encounters data that points to their good health. This is confusing and undermines the credibility of the scientific community.</p>

<p>&quot;See, glaciers are a hot topic. There is too much hype. For instance, you say that if glaciers melt, Bangladesh will be completely flooded. You immediately grab eyeballs. But it is scientific nonsense. You are saying a wrong thing. Floods occur because of massive monsoon rains and the problem is that no one can ever predict the right amount of precipitation. Water warming is a much bigger problem and nobody is talking about it,&quot; comments Dipak Gyawali.</p>

<p>&quot;It is always difficult to speak about environmental problems with a non-specialist. It is also challenging because what will happen in the future is pretty much uncertain. Climatic conditions change in decades and some of these are natural. As scientists, we are not always good at explaining this to common people,&quot; opines Sarak Kapnick.</p>

<p>A balanced narrative will improve general awareness about the negative effects of global warming. Water, in all its forms, is a basic need of any ecosystem and its preservation is a priority. It is the common interest of the world.</p>

<p>South Asian rivers are also an important source of clean energy. Some countries base their energy provision on hydropower. It powers more than sixty per cent households in Bhutan.</p>

<p>A decline in river flow leads to a decrease of potential energy. In a developing region like South Asia, this may also have political ramifications. It may force countries to further tighten their borders. A run for energy in such a scenario will affect peaceful and constructive coexistence.</p>

<p>But global warming also presents a unique opportunity for South Asian governments to come together to battle the problem. They can coordinate their actions and benefit from each other&rsquo;s respective strengths. Rivers and glaciers are often shared between neighbouring countries and change in one place will affect people in another. Any negative changing will affect all their populations. Pakistan, for instance, can face water and hydropower shortage if Indian glaciers melt too fast. The necessity of a common strategy to preserve water sources may become a way to mend poor diplomatic relations between some South Asian countries. In case they succeed, the region can gain a global leadership role in environmental protection. It is a chance not to be underestimated and a cause not worth neglecting.</p>


The impact of global warming presents South Asian countries with a unique chance to unite

Environmentalists have long been worried about melting glaciers in the Himalayas. Studies and articles on the matter often border on the extreme. Some seek to reassure people that it is not a big deal, while others paint doomsday scenarios. But while global warming is a reality, available facts and figures are not enough to ascertain exactly how frozen surfaces in the region are melting or what its impact is on the environment, vegetation or animal life. The Himalayan range and its extension in the northwest are home to more than 50,000 glaciers. Only the polar circles have more. Approximately 60,000 square kilometres of ice are stored along the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya mountain ranges. But despite the huge dimensions, these frozen masses do not last for ever and have retreated in the last few decades. Glaciers are fragile. After all, they consist of nothing but ice. Global warming has led to the Himalayan range witnessing less snowfall, more rains and hotter summers. Glaciers erode and become shorter and thinner every year, a loss that is impossible to recover as long as the mercury continues to rise. Fieldwork is a major problem here. Many of the glaciers are located in isolated high mountain areas and reaching these places with necessary equipment involves a lot of time and money. In some areas of Afghanistan, it is also a matter of safety. Data are fragmented and it is impossible to have a precise overall picture. Some glaciers have visibly receded, like the Gangotri, in India, where the Ganges has its headwaters. From 2000 onwards, it has been receding to the tune of 12 metres every year. It has already lost nearly 200 metres of its length. But not all South Asian glaciers are melting though. The process seems to have been reversed in the Karakoram range, along the border between Pakistan, India and China. The monsoon reaches this region in winter and the precipitation freezes thanks to severe temperatures. When it comes to South Asian glaciers, one of the chief factors contributing towards their melting is dust. A part of it comes from forest fires, cooking fires, agricultural and industrial burn wastes. × It is not good news though and it does not balance the loss. "It is more of a unique phenomenon. There are very few other places in the world where this is happening," says Sarah Kapnick, a physical scientist at Princeton University who studies the area closely. "We can create a hypothesis that may be valid for the next hundred years. It is impossible to know what could happen after that. And this does not mean that it is not getting warmer up there. It sounds counterintuitive. But more snow means more precipitation which is another effect of rising temperatures," the scientist tells WION. It is almost unanimously recognised that global warming is a human-induced phenomenon, mostly caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. But when it comes to South Asian glaciers, one of the chief factors contributing towards their melting is dust. A part of it comes from forest fires, cooking fires, agricultural and industrial burn wastes. Particles get deposited on the frozen surface, absorb the sun light, warm up and create holes, pretty much what happens when a firebrand is placed on an ice cube. Through these holes, solar heat gets the chance to penetrate deep in. The melting gathers speed. It is a classic domino effect example, a chain reaction. More dust means more heat, more heat more holes, more holes more heat. Most of this dust has natural origins: it comes from the Asian Brown Cloud (ABC), a recurring layer of pollution partially covering South Asian skies. "Poor quality petrol combustion also contributes to this cloud but it is mainly composed of natural dust coming from Rajasthan and other dry places in India and Pakistan which gets blown by the wind," says Dipak Gyawali, director of Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF) and a former Nepalese minister for water resources. "There is not much that we can do about the natural part of it. We can surely work on cutting down on the use of poor quality petrol and coal to reduce the damage," he adds. Glaciers are, above all, storage systems. They thicken with winter snowfalls and release water when the summer comes. "Most of the high altitude settlements rely on spring sources for their water. This is true for Nepal. The shrinking of glaciers will not cause them problems. It will mostly affect low altitude areas, reducing the flow of rivers during dry seasons," the director of NWCF puts the elements into perspective. Monsoons remain the principal source of fresh water in South Asia but the flows of some of the biggest rivers in the region depend on ice melt. The Indus in Pakistan, for example, relies on glaciers for up to forty per cent of its flow. But a dense network of minor rivers and major ones across the Indo-Gangetic plain mitigates the reduction in ice melt. The network continues to support agriculture and ensures the survival of hundreds of millions of lives. Rice is the main agricultural product of the region and it is a water-intensive crop. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), paddy grows on 60 million hectares of land in South Asia. Accounting for more than a quarter of the global production, Bangladesh and India take the lead. Any change in the rivers’ flows will have a severe impact. Glaciers are a hot topic. There is too much hype. For instance, you say that if glaciers melt, Bangladesh will be completely flooded. You immediately grab eyeballs. But it is scientific nonsense. × Sifting through the jungle of articles, videos and infographics on the matter, one encounters contradictory figures. One moment, it seems that South Asian glaciers will disappear in two decades and there will be huge floods followed by terrible droughts. The next moment, one encounters data that points to their good health. This is confusing and undermines the credibility of the scientific community. "See, glaciers are a hot topic. There is too much hype. For instance, you say that if glaciers melt, Bangladesh will be completely flooded. You immediately grab eyeballs. But it is scientific nonsense. You are saying a wrong thing. Floods occur because of massive monsoon rains and the problem is that no one can ever predict the right amount of precipitation. Water warming is a much bigger problem and nobody is talking about it," comments Dipak Gyawali. "It is always difficult to speak about environmental problems with a non-specialist. It is also challenging because what will happen in the future is pretty much uncertain. Climatic conditions change in decades and some of these are natural. As scientists, we are not always good at explaining this to common people," opines Sarak Kapnick. A balanced narrative will improve general awareness about the negative effects of global warming. Water, in all its forms, is a basic need of any ecosystem and its preservation is a priority. It is the common interest of the world. South Asian rivers are also an important source of clean energy. Some countries base their energy provision on hydropower. It powers more than sixty per cent households in Bhutan. A decline in river flow leads to a decrease of potential energy. In a developing region like South Asia, this may also have political ramifications. It may force countries to further tighten their borders. A run for energy in such a scenario will affect peaceful and constructive coexistence. But global warming also presents a unique opportunity for South Asian governments to come together to battle the problem. They can coordinate their actions and benefit from each other’s respective strengths. Rivers and glaciers are often shared between neighbouring countries and change in one place will affect people in another. Any negative changing will affect all their populations. Pakistan, for instance, can face water and hydropower shortage if Indian glaciers melt too fast. The necessity of a common strategy to preserve water sources may become a way to mend poor diplomatic relations between some South Asian countries. In case they succeed, the region can gain a global leadership role in environmental protection. It is a chance not to be underestimated and a cause not worth neglecting.

Is it bad news for the Himalayan glaciers?

<p>The International Highline Meeting festival is clearly not for the faint-hearted.</p>

<p>It is an event that brings together the most daring of adventurers, who band together to play music and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Italian Alps in hammocks situated hundreds of meters above the ground.</p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LqYsm7zNhNs" width="970"></iframe></p>

<p>Those attending the event call themselves the slackers because of the&nbsp;slacklines they balance themselves on. At the event, you can enjoy awesome musical jam sessions while hanging out in the mountains, along with a Yoga workshop and paraglider flights.</p>


The International Highline Meeting festival promises good food, great music and a crazy adventure!

The International Highline Meeting festival is clearly not for the faint-hearted. It is an event that brings together the most daring of adventurers, who band together to play music and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Italian Alps in hammocks situated hundreds of meters above the ground. Those attending the event call themselves the slackers because of the slacklines they balance themselves on. At the event, you can enjoy awesome musical jam sessions while hanging out in the mountains, along with a Yoga workshop and paraglider flights.

Video: Daredevils lounge in hammocks over the Alps

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