He reviewed the country reports for climate change in Asia in an Australian context. Dr Mavi said that the global warming-related changes taking place in weather and climate were offering clear indications of shifting physical processes of earth and atmosphere system. He said evidence was that global warming would endanger 400 species of plant and animals and have adverse effect on human health.

“Melting glaciers are the best indicators of climate change,” said Dr Mavi, adding that ‘melting snow and moving glaciers will seriously impact hydrological system, especially in the north-west India.” He said that if the glaciers continued melting at the current rate, the fears of floods followed by droughts will come true after 2030. He highlighted that clear-cut proof of glacier melting in Karakorum, Himachal, Kumaun, Himalayas in Nepal and Assam region, as evidenced by remote sensing maps, have indicated the melting of glaciers and contraction of their snouts. Dr Mavi said that rivers such as Sutlej, Beas and Ravi were fed both with monsoons as well as water from melting glaciers while Chenab, Jhelum and Indus by glaciers and snow. He said that the fast melting glaciers in Karakorum that supply water to Pakistani rivers was a serious issue and that 19 of Himachal glaciers were showing signs of melting and the shrinking ice in Kumaun glaciers had resulted in reduction of area of Gangotri during the last decade.

Discussing the impact of global warming on agriculture, Dr Mavi said that in wheat, growing period will be shortened and tillering will be reduced as a result of the increasing temperature on water that, he said, will affect crop production and national food security. The changing scenario will also affect the occurrence of pest and disease epidemics, observed Dr Mavi.

Dr Mavi suggested that the topic of global warming should be deliberated by all concerned in an international symposium involving weather scientists, economists, policy planners and others. He said that concerted efforts should be made to enhance green cover through tree plantation and aforestation as well as adopting water use efficiency technology.

Dr Kang said that PAU would would plan holding an international seminar on the issue wherein experts from the country and abroad will be involved. He said that recently Dr Jagtar Singh Bhatti, a weather scientist from Canada deliberated on this topic at PAU.