HIMALAYAN VALLEYS
India's first astro tourism campaign begins in Mussoorie
India's first astro tourism campaign 'Nakshatra Sabha' was inaugurated at the George Everest peak in Mussoorie, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley.
Survival at 15,000 feet: A tiny Himalayan village fights for water and jobs
Tucked in the Himalayas at 15,256 feet, Tashigang, home to the world's highest polling station, faces severe challenges due to climate change and limited resources. As Tashigang and neighboring Gete prepare to vote, the demand for jobs and better infrastructure is pressing. Locals like Kalzang Dolma struggle with declining agriculture and job losses. Water scarcity and inadequate roads further exacerbate their difficulties.
GLOF early warning system takes off; Centre targets 188 critical glacial lakes
The Indian government initiates an early warning system (EWS) for 188 critical lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region prone to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) following the 2023 Sikkim disaster. Joint expeditions assess risks and plan mitigation measures. A parliamentary committee highlights inadequate monitoring systems, emphasizing proactive hazard assessment and risk management.
Bengaluru water crisis: India’s most innovative cities are running out of water
During the construction of Egypt's pyramids, the Indus Valley civilisation thrived with advanced cities, art, and undeciphered writing. Now, a drought is driving tech professionals away from Bengaluru, as water shortages worsen in southern India. The region's economic importance and political challenges make addressing water scarcity crucial for its future prosperity and global impact.
What you need to know about Gorsam kora festival in Tawang
The Gorsam Kora festival is held in Zemithang valley along the Nyanmjang Chu River. It features cultural performances and Buddhist rituals at the Gorsam Chorten, which is older than the Tawang Monastery. The festival attracts Bhutanese nationals and promotes cleanliness through the Vibrant Village Program.
Char Dham project: Detailed geological study is needed before infra activity in Himalayas, says environmentalist Ravi Chopra
The Silkyara tunnel is part of the Union government’s ambitious Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojana. It is a highway widening project for almost 900 km in Uttarakhand to provide all-weather connectivity to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. In August 2019, the Supreme Court set up a high-powered committee to examine the “cumulative and independent” impact of the project “on the entire Himalayan valleys”.
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HC blames human activity for disasters in Himalayan states
The Uttarakhand High Court has expressed concerns about the lack of compliance with the Doon Valley notification for the formulation of a tourism development plan. The court criticized the state government for disregarding the law and wanting to commercialize everything. A PIL was filed by a lawyer and environmentalist seeking strict adherence to the notification following recent landslides and subsidence in the region.
Landslides, floods kill 38 so far as monsoon rains lash Nepal
Landslides caused by heavy rain have killed at least one person, and blocked a major highway in Nepal this week, officials said on Tuesday, as the death toll from the annual monsoon rains nears 40. The rains, which lash the Himalayan nation from June to September, kill scores of people every year, and many more go missing as the monsoon triggers landslides and floods.
Melting of Ladakh glacier could form three glacial lakes: Study
Parkachik Glacier is one of the largest glacier in the Suru River valley, which is a part of the Southern Zanskar Ranges, western Himalaya. The Zanskar Range, part of the Himalayas, lies in the union territory of Ladakh.
China's view of its Galwan misadventure: Hiding truth and muddying waters
The Chinese state propaganda machinery, with the support of its jingoistic netizens on social media, portrayed the violent clashes that took place on June 15, 2020, as a tool for PLA's troop recruitment from among the youth. In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, Twitter accounts suspected to be connected to Chinese and Pakiststates were seen spreading graphic images and videos which sought to depict the Indian Army in a poor light and the PLA as the superior force.
The 'purple revolution': Here's everything decoded about this fragrant movement
In a charming town nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, a unique and vibrant movement called the 'purple revolution' has taken root. This movement began when farmers decided to cultivate lavender, a fragrant and colourful plant, on the slopes of the region. Now, the momentum of this revolution is growing stronger as scientists from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine delve into the study of lavender's medicinal properties.
Indian Army rescues 500 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Sikkim
Heavy rain was witnessed in Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang on Friday and as a result of this, approximately 500 tourists, who were travelling to Lachung and Lachen Valley, were stranded at Chungthang due to landslides and roadblocks en route, a defence official said. "On request from SDM Chungthang, troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army swung into action and rescued the stranded tourists to safety."
Work on Zojila tunnel in full swing, over 40 pc drilling achieved; project to be complete by December 2026
The tunnel project - through the mighty Zojila Pass at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway - is of strategic importance as the highway remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir.
Border Roads Organisation reopens strategic Zojila pass
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) reopened the strategic Zojila Pass on Thursday, which acts as a gateway between union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The pass, located at an altitude of 11,650 feet in the greater Himalayan range, was closed for traffic on January 7. Various mountain passes in high-altitude regions are closed every year due to heavy snowfall, but the BRO was able to keep the pass open for only 68 days this year.
Joshimath sinking: Anatomy of a Himalayan disaster in the making
"This is a disaster in the making. Many of its implications will unfold in the days to come. You will soon see an epidemic of mental issues cropping up in the town," Atul Sati, president of the Joshimath Bachao Sangarsh Samiti and environmental activist, told PTI.
Indian Railways to run Hydrogen-powered trains at heritage routes
Heritage routes such as the Kalka Shimla Railway and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway have narrow gauge (less than 1,435 mm) railway tracks. Similarly the Niligiri Mountain Railways and Marwar-Devgarh Madriya routes have Meter Gauge (1,000 mm) tracks.
View: India’s road to Net Zero - Not the time to cut back on Ambition or Purpose
Spread over 4.2 million square kilometres, the Himalayas store the highest amount of snow and ice after the polar regions. Its glaciers provide freshwater and other important ecosystem services to more than 750 million people. Regions like Ladakh, which receive little rainfall, are home to large rivers only because of these glaciers that provide water throughout the year.
Chile's Queulat National Park: Mountain glacier collapses amid soaring temperatures. See details
In a chilling video captured by a tourist, an approximately 200-metre glacier piece sitting atop a mountain in Chile’s Queulat National Park cracks and then cascades down into the valley below.
Utricularia Furcellata: Rare carnivorous plant found for first time in western Himalayan region
The discovery by the Uttarakhand forest department team consisting of Range Officer Harish Negi and Junior Research Fellow Manoj Singh has been published in the prestigious 'Journal of Japanese Botany', a 106-year-old journal on plant taxonomy and botany which is considered to be one of the finest in the field, Chaturvedi said.
China pushing trans-Himalayan rail project in Nepal with strategic aims
It appears that Nepal was aware that the Kathmandu-China rail connection would prove to be costly and difficult and Nepal in any case would be unable to bear the financial cost of building a difficult and expensive tunnel across the Himalayas.
Everest's highest glacier rapidly losing ice: Study
Ice on a glacier near the summit of Mount Everest that took millennia to form has shrunk dramatically in the last three decades due to climate change, a new study has shown.The South Col formation may already have lost around 55 metres (180 feet) of thickness in the last 25 years, according to research led by the University of Maine and published this week by Nature.
Diwali long weekend alert ahoy!
Great news for vacationers. The festival of Diwali this year of 2021 is being observed on Nov 4-5 (Thursday-Friday).
Export debutants: India has recently exported over a dozen new agri-products, from Himalayan millet to Assam’s red rice
In a first-of-its-kind export, a 4,000 kg consignment of barnyard millet and ragi (finger millet), grown along the Ganga in Uttarakhand, was flown to Denmark in May. The importer from the Scandinavian country got excited by certain features — one, these are organic; two, these are grown in the Himalayan region; three, these lesser-known millet varieties have high nutritive value.
Nepal to resume domestic and international flights with restrictions: Civil aviation ministry
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, domestic flights will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent seat occupancy from July 1, while international flights will be operated from June 24 as per the safety protocol developed earlier by the government.
Climate change, hydro projects triggered Chamoli disaster: Study
While the study stops short of linking the disaster directly to climate change, it says that the increasing frequency of high-mountain slope instabilities can likely be related to ‘observed atmospheric warming and corresponding long-term changes in cryospheric conditions (glaciers, permafrost)’.
Chamoli disaster due to ‘rock and ice avalanche’ that transformed into massive ‘debris flow’: Study
While the study stops short of linking the disaster directly to climate change, it says that the increasing frequency of high-mountain slope instabilities can likely be related to ‘observed atmospheric warming and corresponding long-term changes in cryospheric conditions (glaciers, permafrost)’.
Nepal's hospitals stop admitting COVID-19 patients due to scarcity of oxygen
The government on Wednesday asked private hospitals to instal their own oxygen plants to meet the need of oxygen within 15 days, the Himalayan Times reported.
Nepal extends ban on international flights till May 31 as COVID situation worsens
Nepal had decided to halt all domestic flights from May 3 midnight and all international flights from May 7 midnight until May 14 to check the rapidly growing spread of COVID-19.
Why are Chinese and Indian troops fighting in a remote Himalayan valley?
China said its troops were engaged in a "violent physical confrontation" with Indian soldiers, but has given no details of those killed or wounded.
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