5. Climate Change: Central Himalayan Perspective

This chapter describes the basic ingredients of climate change for the central Himalayan region mostly represented by the state of Uttarakhand in the northern part of Central Himalaya. The geographical, hydrological, and environmental significance of the region in context of changing climate scenario is presented. Surface meteorological parameters for the region using available grid point data are analyzed. The analysis demonstrates an increase in the surface temperature values during the recent decades. The state of Uttarakhand is a region of highly variable climate from south to north as well as from one part to the other coupled with a climate-sensitive fragile ecosystem. Therefore, to detect the signals of climate change it is essential that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission status at present and its potential to grow in future is critically examined. A subjective description on major sectors with high emission potential is discussed. These include industry, power generation, transportation, agriculture, firewood, and biomass burning. The region at present is having very low level of emission from these sources; however, the potential for future increase is also discussed in a subjective manner and elaborated.