Central study claims not all Himalayan glaciers are receding

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New Delhi: The fear that Himalayan glaciers might disappear in the next couple of decades might not be true. A first-of-its-kind study conducted by GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora (Uttarakhand), for the ministry of environment suggests that the average annual retreat of some glaciers under observation -- five metres till the late 1950s -- slowed down with the advent of 1990.

In fact, glaciers such as Siachen, Machoi, Drung Drung, Gangotri, Satopanth, Bhagirath Kharak and Zemu did not retreat during 2007-2009.

The scientists found no evidence to suggest that the prior retreat was because of climate change.

Senior environment ministry officials said all glaciers under observation received less snowfall during 1970-1990, resulting in a negative snow mass balance that resulted in their retreat and not abnormal melting...

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