Mountaineer calls for unity against climate change
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, April 26, 2012
With the conclusion of the 99 day Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) which took place in Nepal as an effort to battle the climate change, participants and organizers pave the way for all possibilities that lay in the road for change.
The GHT Climate Smart Celebrity Trek began in January 15 with a team led by renowned mountaineer Appa Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa inviting all concerned and enthusiasts to trek along the 1700km east to west Himalayan range of Nepal.
The trek was aimed at spreading information about climate change in the Himalayan regions to the people of the world while also acknowledging the already felt impacts of climate change and possible threats it could pose in the future to the people of the region and the entire world as a whole.
In the same manner, the trek was also aimed at mapping a trekking route which could further enhance tourism in the sector, thus, uplifting the rural community of the 20 districts of Nepal from their present situation and making them capable to battle against the climate change and its impacts.
Talking to Xinhua after the conclusion of the trek, the 52-year-old mountaineer Appa Sherpa, who is also the Guinness World Record holder for climbing Mt. Qomolangma 21 times expressed his concern over the impacts of climate change which is already taking place in different parts of the Himalayas of Nepal.
"Agricultural production in different parts of Nepal has been badly affected. It has also affected the lives of the locals," Appa shared.
Many of the key agricultural production of Nepal such as tea, orange, cardamom and herbs which yields a huge amount of revenue to the country have been greatly affected due to the impacts of climate change, according to Appa.
He also informed about the change in the pattern of climate that were noticed in the trail.
"Places which received a lot of snowfall in the past has been receiving less snow and more rain," Appa said.
Likewise, Appa also informed about the risks that lied in the glacier lakes along the trail.
"A lot of glacier lakes are rising in their size showing signs of possible outbursts," Appa informed.
Glaciers have been the source of fresh water for more than 1.3 billion people the in entire region and a large number of these glaciers are on the risk of outburst with their increase in size.
Similarly, Appa also shared about the development changes that were taking place in the regions along the trail.
"We did not have to spend nights without electricity. There were solar and micro-hydropower generated electricity which showed that development was reaching the areas," Appa told Xinhua.
"We also noticed positive changes in education. More and more children were going to schools and more importantly mobile and network services were also available," he said adding that if development activities would take place in such pace, then surely the faces of the rural areas of Nepal would change soon.
Appa also highlighted that though Nepal is not much accountable for the serious climate change; it will have to bear the consequences as it has many mountains lies under a region that has closer impacts of climate change. "Therefore everyone must come together for the cause," Appa said.
The trail which was estimated to be 1700 kilometers and complete in 120 days ended in 99 days and covered 1550km.
Answering the querry about his experience about the trail, Appa said, "It was certainly not easy. We started the trail in January and in most of the parts, the winter is extremely cold with a lot of snow. Some of the routes were difficult, sometimes we were lost in the jungle, sometimes there were no good food."
Likewise when asked about the similarities with his past record setting climb, Appa said, "The trail is totally different from the Mt. Qomolangma ascend. Both are equally difficult and both require a lot of pledge."
Appa said that he was mesmerized by the beautiful places he came along the trail. "Nepal is definitely beautiful and naturally wealthy. If we develop the access to these different places with regular air services and road services, then these places have absolute potentials," he said.
Appa who is himself a victim of climate change and a strong standing example of the influence of tourism expressed his hope that everybody will come together and join the cause. "We have drawn the line. Now we want everyone to join us," he said.
A farmer by profession, Appa had lost everything to a glacier outburst flood in his village in Thame in Himalayan region in 1985.
Appa gives credit to the tourism industry because of which he started working as a porter and making a better living. The same profession led him to become a world renowned person who the world today knows as the 'Super Sherpa' for his numerous Mt. Qomolangma climb.
"I want to therefore promote tourism in all these areas. They can generate good income and promote better living," Appa said.
Talking about the post effort after the trail, Appa informed, "We will present our report to the government and the concerned agencies and begin exploring every possibilities that can change build greater avenues for the nation in terms of climate change, tourism promotion and betterment of mankind."
The trail began in January 15 and was organized by Himalayan Climate Initiative, a non-profit organizer working towards protecting the climate with support from various donor agencies and private sectors.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)