Impact of Climate Change

Impact of Climate Change
A Brief Introduction

Climate is usually defined as the average weather or more accurately it is statistical distribution of climatological parameters in term of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from decades to thousands of years. The classical period is 30 years as defined by WMO. These relevant quantities are temperature, precipitation and wind.

Climate Change is defined as the change in the statistical distribution of weather over a periods of time that range from decades to thousands of years. It is a change in the distribution of weather events in average. Climate change may be limited to certain region or may occur across the whole earth. The climate change over a period of time are due to natural variability or human activities.

Studies of Himalayas glaciers by Nepalese and foreign scientists indicated that the Himalayas glaciers are retreating since last 150 years. In Nepal temperature was recorded since 1955 and the recorded temperature data are in increasing trend. The impacts of climate change are shown as particularly in glaciers where the glaciers are retreating in some places and forming the hundreds numbers of glacial lakes in Higher Himalayas in which twenty numbers of glacial lakes are in danger condition for GLOF but glaciers in some places are almost washed away completely. The formation of Imja glacial lake is an example of impacts of climate changes. Since 1955 to 1963 the area of Imja lake was 0.03Sq.km and its area was 0.75Sq.km in 1999. Similarly the area of Imja lake is increasing each year. Over the period of 50 years the volume of lake water was estimated 15 millions cubic meter. The Imja glacier lake is existing at the height of 5010m from the sea level. If the Imja glacial lake is outburst, the estimated 15 millions comics volume of water could be drained out. This flow will occur within a few hours of duration. The resulting flood could cause serious damages in down stream, threatening in human lives, live stokes, valuable farm land, bridges, hydro power plants, roads and other infrastructures. The impacts of the climate changes in Himalayas region are very high.

Especially in the context of environmental policy climate change usually refers to change in the average temperature on the earth. As the average temperature is increasing trend in Nepal, the impacts of climate changes are effectively occurred in all places from Terai low land to higher Himalayas. The impacts of climate changes are the retreating of hundreds numbers of glaciers where big rivers are originated or feedback from glacier. Many numbers of glacial lakes are in danger condition to outburst which is known as GLOF. The other threats are damages in down stream from GLOF, disbalances in whole ecological system, in environment change, in weather changing, changing the duration of monsoon periods, loses of agriculture products due to drought and floods, impacts on biodiversity and etc.


Factors that can shape climate are often called climate feedback. These climate feedback are variations in solar radiation, deviations in earth orbits, mountain building, continental drift and changes in green house gas concentrations. Some parts of climate changes system responds very slowly in reaction to climate changes feedback's because of its large masses. The climate system in oceans and ice caps respond very slowly because of their large masses. Therefore the climate change system can take some decades, century or longer to fully respond. The increase of carbon green house emission gases concentrations cause to increase average temperature on earth. The increase of average temperature on earth is known as the Global Warming. As the earth is getting warmer and warmer, the disasters like hurricane's, droughts and floods are continuing more frequently. Over The last 100 years, the average temperature of air near the earth's surface is increasing. The analysis of the recorded temperature data (from 1965 to 2000) shows that the increase in temperature is about 0.06 degree Celsius per year. The three hottest year ever observed have occurred in the last ten years. It is not only about how much the earth is warming, it is also about how fast it is warming. There has always been natural climate changes, but those changes were over a periods of 10,000 to 50,000 years. Now the question is how fast it is warming and why? The average temperature is increased as fast as we have seen over the last 30 years has never happened before. The other feedback for climate changes are Plate tectonics, Solar-outputs, Orbital variations, Ocean variability and human influences. In the duration of the Carboniferous period, Plate tectonics may have activated the large scale storage of carbon and increased glaciations.


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The Copenhagen Climate Change Submit

The Copenhagen Climate Change Submit
The Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in going to be held from December 6 to December 18, 2009. Delegations from 192 countries will hold two weeks of talk in Copenhagen aiming to commit and establish a new global treaty on Climate Change. Every delegations and scientists from different countries will gather together in one place to find out a solution and will be signed on the agreement with commitment which plays a vital role to reduce the carbon green house emission gases from the earth surface. These warmer carbon green house emission gases from the earth rise up and covered the whole earth as a blanket that plays a barrier where ultravoilet heat ray from the sun come down to the earth but the emitted and radiated heat from the earth can not cross the blanket shape carbon green house emission gases barrier, but these emitted gases return black to the earth again. The effect of carbon green house emission gases as a barrier is known as the Green House Effect (GHE). The carbon green house emission gases are known as Green House Eission Gases (GHEG). These processes are continuing, and when the concentrations of GHEG over the earth is increased, the earth is warming globally by the effect of GHEG is known as Global Warming. As in Nepalese context, we have receoded temperature data since 1955, the average temperature data is in increasing trend since 1955 to till now. The Climate Change Experts, scientists, leaders and Heads of Government from different countries are attending the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to be held aiming to reduce carbon GHEG with commitment. We, all poeple, from different countries are hopeful and very optimistic in the reduction of carbon green house emission gases or Global Warming. The Global Warming is hot issue in these days, and it is even in danger position for all living creatures, if the carbon GHEG are not reduced right now.

A good news came from BBC last week that Brazilian Head of Government Mr. Presedent Lula said "Climate Change in the world is most challenging issue", and he has announced that they are aiming to achieve a reduction of 36% to 39% on its carbon emission by the year 2020. If it meets their promise, green house emissiom gases would be near 1994 levels. It is good news for all of us, and we are hopeful that it will encourage to other leaders from other nations to announce their commitment in reduction of carbon emissiom gases, which is not a public target, but it makes known to public in advance of the major UN Climate Change Submit in Copenhagen next week in December 2009.

Brazil hopes to put pressure on richer nations to declare their intentiona and break the deadlock in the nogotiations. It shows that the coming UN Climate Change Submit will definitely help to find out a solution in new direction in carbon emission reduction. From the analysis of the weather pattern it is known us that Climate Change is due to the Global Warming, and it is man made problem or human influences.

After one week Mr. Barak Obama, President of United States of America, has decided to attend the UN Climate Change Submit in Copenhagen. Mr. President would pledge to cut green house emission gases in several stages, earlier US announced to cut green house emission gases with a 17% cut by 2020.

Similarly China has also decided to reduce its carbon intensity by 40-45% by the year 2020. China's decision is a wake-up call to India. According to a recent report, India is the largest country to produce big amount of carbon green house emission gases in such that India will produce about 1.2 bn tones at present to between 4bn and 7bn by 2030.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 12:52 AM 0 comments

Air Pollution in Kathmandu

Introduction:
Air Pollution in Kathmandu
Air pollution is known as the unwanted physical, biological and chemical portions which degrade its standard quality. The main sources for the pollution are the air pollutants. In case of Kathmandu Valley when we look at down to the valley from aeroplane, it looks like the whole city is covered by dust particle. We can see how air pollution destroys the purity of air resulting degradation of the air quality in the valley which directly effects human being during resperition.

The main pollution in Kathmandu is vehicle pollution, because the roads are not properly managed and cleaned. In nepal pitched-roads are not in standard quality. New pitched-roads last hardly for two years. There are dust particles on the roads, and when old vehicles move on such road, the area is covered by dust particles and black gases. This is the main problems in the valley.

Balaju industrial area and Lalitpur industrial area are separated from the main city but it produces different types of toxic gases, lead and complex organic compound etc. during the course of production. It produces mixture of harmful gases like sulphur diooxide, canbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc.


Description in Brief

Air pollution is serious problem in kathmandu. It has exceeded the thershold values, and now it is in worst condition. So, in these days many people are facing respiration problem. Meteorological factors are also known to increase the air pollution level in Kathmandu Valley. There are linkages between meteorological processes and air pollution in the lower atmosphere of the Kathmandu Valley. Particulate matter with aerodynamic size less than 10 microns (PM10) and weather conditions (wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) are the two factors for the pollution. Air pollution recorders are established in some junction of the valley and the recorded data are classified according to the United State Environmental protection Agency (USEPA) and Air Quality Index (AQI). Usually seasonal, weekly and daily variations of PM10 concentrations are to be analyzed. Although air pollution is caused by different vehicular and nonvehicular sources, particulate concentrations in Kathmandu Valley are influenced by meteorological factors. These factors are atmospheric stability, wind speed, wind direction. and precipitation.

The physial setting of Kathamndu also influences air pollution concentrations. Hence, it is found that the mountain-valley setting produces mountain valley circulations that influence air pollution transport in winter, and air pollution is carried out of Kathmandu valley during the day, while the mountain freeze causes pollution to return to the Valley at night. Since the variation in PM10 concentrations is influenced by different meteorological factors in addition to sources. People use masks to cover their noses and mouths when they are walking in the streets and in riding bikes. At present 4 million people are living in this crouded capital city, and the numbers of vehicals are also more than road capacity.

We have found two important factors to increase pollution. Usually air pollution raises up during day when temperatrure is increasing, and it gets down at nigh when the temperature is decreasing, and this circulation process is continued. So, the air pollution is countinuing to pose serious health threats. The average amount of total suspended particulate in the air of main commercial areas is greater than 1000 ppm (particle per million). It is too high than WHO standards value 150 to 230 ppm. Recorded benzene level is 23 to 67 ppm that is also more than WHO standards value 5 to 20 ppm. The concentrations of PM10 is 200 ppm and WHO standards only 70 ppm.









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Concept of VDC People in Nepal

Concept of VDC People in Nepal:

Concept of VDC People in Nepal
Nepal is an under Developing country where majority of the people live in villages and the infrastructure in the VDC is very weak. Like other villages, Eladi VDC is also lacking infrastructure development. There is no electricity available, no Higher-Secondary school. It has poor access to medical services and low access to clean drinking water.
Education and Management:

Education is one of the basic ingredients of the development of the whole community. Nepal cannot therefore develop as a whole unless quality education is provided to those large numbers of people who live in the villages. At present contest government school and private school are different in its quality and its teaching system. So, an advance teaching system is to be applied in all government school as comparable to private school. But some schools located in VDC are also changed in their teaching method from Nepali Medium to English Medium in some subjects like Math, computer, Science, sociology including compulsory English subject. Because the teaching method in Nepali language is more difficult to understanding, and it is totally useless and wastage of time.

Similarly the infrastructures like electrification and motor-able road are other basic needs for the villagers. Electrification and roadways will offer the local community for greater access to markets and greater opportunity to develop local level industry or farm.

· The infrastructure development for sustainable and equitable economic growth are other subject to be required. Women organization like Mother Sakha (Samuha) or Sister Sakha are playing a vital role in poverty reduction.

Human wastage management and Rubie collection management are the other important subjects to maintain healthy environment. At present contest protection of clean drinking water and its uses and management are the other subjects to be implemented. An awareness Campaign programmes about HIV/AIDS, Drugs, smoking and hard drinking, Cleanliness and waste management are also required.






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Eladi VDC of Syangja, Nepal

Eladi VDC of Syangja, Nepal

Location:

Eladi Village Development Committee (VDC) of Syangja District is located 50 km south from western development region Pokhara. Locationally this village committee is situated in the center part of the district and 3.5 km east from the Siddhartha Highway. The area of this VDC is about 11,973 Ropani (about 12.5 Sq. km). Geographically it is situated between 27o 57’ 41’’ to 28o 42’north and 83o 24’ 44’ to 86o 46’ 20 east.
The VDC is surrounded by Majkot Sivalaya, Manakamana, Malyankot and Walling municipalities from north, east, south and west respectively.

Topography:

The total area of this VDC is about 12.5 Sq. km. The altitude range varies from 2000 ft. to 5000 ft. above the sea level having varieties of topography. Most areas of the VDC are steep hillsides. Due to local climate many of the southwest faces of the hillsides have been terraced and farming for maize, potato and orange, and low land areas are using for chilly, onion, banana and rice farming. Especially orange farms are the main productions of this village.
VDC Condition at Present:

Nepal is under developing country and altogether there are 4000 VDC. Almost villagers from different places of Nepal are facing similar problems such as road, education and electricity. Villagers from Eladi VDC are also struggling in all areas of developments. Education is the main subject that plays a vital role for all round development of any person and in the society. The other subjects are road and electricity. The electricity line is connected in ward number nine only. But villagers living in other places are not using electricity because of power shortage. They have connected their village through motorable road, but the roads are not gravelled, and even the roads are not properly drainaged.

Agriculture and foreign jobs are the backbone and main sources of their economic activities; and They produce maizes, milates, orange, mango, tomato, potato, chilly, rice, vegetables and many other fruits are the goods to be export to the market. There are possibilities of small industries related to agriculture farm such as orange, onions, coffee, ginger. Other posibilities are poultry fram and small hydropower projects. On the other hand at least one person or two persons from each family are working out of the country which is plus point for the remmitance of our economy.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 7:13 PM 0 comments

The state of the epidemic in Nepal

The state of the epidemic in Nepal

Introduction:
Nepal is facing increasing numbers of HIV infected dominance among most at risk populations (MARPs) such as sex workers, injecting drug users (IDUs), and migrants. Effective prevention programs from government level are to be addressed such as awareness program, searching program, controlling program and reduction program among whole DVC levels. The prevention programs are to be implemented specialy among IDUs, sex workers and migrants. Poverty, political instability and gender inequality, combined with low levels of education and literacy make the task more challenging in Nepal. AIDS in Nepal was reported in 1988. But it spreads in such a way that by the middle of 2008, more than 1750 cases of AIDS and over 11,000 cases of HIV infection were officially reported. Nepal has limitation of budget allocation in health sector and the limitations of public health surveillance system, the actual number of infections is thought to be much higher. It is in increasing trend and the number of the HIV infected person till now may cross 80,000. The HIV/ AIDS epidemic in Nepal has changed from a "low level epidemic" to a concentrated epidemic. The majority of the infected represented adults (aged 15- 49 years) in which the dominance was calculated to be 0.29% (WHO/UNAIDS).

Methods:
The National Center for AIDS and STD control (NCASC), was established in 1995 under the Department of Health Services / Ministry of Health. This department of health is responsible for working against the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. As a result, the national AIDS program has been institutionalized within the government system. Recently, a high level commission under the chair of the Prime Minister has been formed to ensure political commitment and to ensure multisectoral participation. But, due to the unstable political situation, all leaders are ingage only in the benefit of their party and inter-party groups. They are batgaining each other only for their benefit. No public awareness programs are carried out till now. The epidemic of HIV / AIDS in Nepal is still in the form of a concentrated epidemic within specific sub-groups of sex workers and injecting drug users. If effective measures are not taken immediately, this epidemic will be a major public health problem in coming days. A strong commitment of the government and parliament members is necessary of the hour. HIV/AIDS is no longer a health issue, it is rather a development issue; therefore, a multi-sectoral response with strong coordination and cooperation from all sectors is required. We have to focus priorities and sustained intervention strategies with adequate program coverage and effective monitoring and evaluation. Nepal’s HIV epidemic is largely concentrated in MARPs, especially female sex workers (FSW), IDUs, transgender and migrants. Another important factor is the high number of sex workers who migrate or are trafficked to Mumbai, India to work, thereby increasing HIV in Nepal. Nepal’s epidemic will continue to grow if immediate and effective action is not taken in time.

Continued Spread among Injecting Drug Users:
Nepal was the first developing country to establish a reduction of drug users program with needle exchange for IDUs. However, due to limited coverage, the impact on HIV transmission was also limited. In Nepal the drug users inject drugs along with brown sugar is common. Poly drug use appears to be the norm. An estimated 6,557 IDUs are living with HIV or AIDS (about 10 percent of the total AIDS cases). The burden of HIV among IDUs is heavy in the Highway Districts and Kathmandu Valley. HIV dominance among IDUs in 2007 was 34.7 %, and it is 51 % in 2003. This decline in prevalence is, to some extent, supported by improving behavior.

Female Sex Workers:
There are about 20,000 female sex workers in Nepal with an estimated HIV prevalence of 1.6%. Due to their highly marginalized status, FSWs in Nepal have limited access to information about safe sex practices. Almost 60% of their clients are transport workers, members of the police or military, and migrant workers. Nationally, clients of FSWs have an estimated HIV prevalence of 2%. A major challenge to HIV control is the trafficking of Nepalese girls and women into commercial sex work in India. About 100,000 Nepalese women continue to work there. It is estimated that 50 percent of Nepalese sex workers in Mumbai brothels are HIV positive (FHI 2004).
Migration and Mobility:
It is estimated of internal and external migration for seasonal and long-term labor range from 1.5 to 2 million people. It is necessary for the economic survival of many households in both rural and urban areas. It is suggested that HIV prevalence is nearly 10 % in migrants returning from Mumbai.

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AIDS in Nepal

AIDS in Nepal

Introduction:

The long form of AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by infection with the virus HIV. Finally the Immune System becomes seriously weakened so that the body loses its ability to fight with deseases infection that it would normally have fought. The infected person develops a number of serious infection and illness, which eventually leads to death. Once a person who has HIV gets chances to have a number of opportunistic infection. It has been recorded that some people develop AIDS after he is being infected with HIV. Though some live with HIV for ten or more years before developing AIDS. The first case of AIDS in Nepal was recorded in 1988, and the number of AIDS patients were increased and it was 1,790 in 2008. The AIDS patients are increasing even today. The recorded HIV infected patients were 11,000 in 2008. Nepal has limitation of budget allocation in health sector and the limitation of public health system the above given number may not accurate. The actual number of HIV/AIDS infections is thought to be mush higher. It is increasing and the number of HIV/AIDS infected person till now may cross 80,000.

HIV (Human Immune Virus):

Human Immune Virus is a virus that damages the defence system of the body. HIV transmit diseases to body cells of the immune system and destroys their function leading to "Immune Deficiency". A person infected with HIV may look healthy for many years. However, the person is still able to pass on the virus.

Condition of HIV AIDS:

However AIDS isn't a disease but it's caused by Human Immune-Deficiency Virus. When the virus enters human body, it affects the immune system of the body (the defense mechanism of the body). Hence, even a small virus could cause a great hampers in our body after HIV positive.

Transmission:

I. AIDS is transmitted one person to another person during sexual intercourse without the use of the contraceptive devices.
II. It is transmitted to a child from HIV AIDS mother and due to breast feeding.
III. It can transmit from the using of un-sterilized equipment.
IV. It can transmit from prostitution.

Major Symptoms:

I. Loss of weight of the body about 10% per month.
II. Continuous fever for a period of about one month.
III. The patients suffer from diarrhoea for long period of time.
IV. Cough for a long period of time.
V. Itching and rashes on the body.
VI. Infection of other types of disease for long time.
VII. Red Spots appear on the lips and nostrils.
Preventive Measure:

I. Always wear contraceptive devices like condoms while being involved in sexual intercourse.
II. Don't share syringe, needles and razors with the person.
III. Blood should be used only after HIV/AIDS test.
IV. AIDS infected mother should not conceive a baby.
V. Prostitution and girl trafficking should be controlled.
VI. Public awareness programme should be conducted.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 3:10 AM 0 comments

Adhikhola Integrated Watershed Management

Adhikhola Integrated Watershed Management

Introduction:
Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is defined as a framework to integrate natural resource management with community livelihoods in a sustainable way. The action plan is known as the silent feature of the integrated watershed management. It addresses the issues of degradation of natural resources, soil erosion, landslides, floods, frequent droughts and desertification, low agricultural productivity, poor water quantity and poor access to land from

watershed management viewpoint. The action area (AA) deals with the new and upcoming challenges, opportunities for the region in the contexts of payment for ecosystem services (PES) and climate change at the watershed level.

Adhikhola watershed area is located at Syangja district in western Nepal, and it covers hills, middle mountaions, and low land with full ecosystem. Adhikhola is a trubutary of Gandaki River, and it has many small tributaries which origanate from middle mountains.
The approaches include:
IWM project takes in hand with the development and implementation of regional research programmes in collaboration with local public organizations, regional and international research institutes. it scales up of good practices by building on past experience and creating new experience from different eco-regions, new methods, technologies and options; and it disseminates and shares of knowledge through broadcasting networks, workshops, training, exposure visits, resource books, how to do manuals, posters, feature articles, leaflets, CDs, and multimedia tools.
Objectives:

The main objective is to develop and pilot equitable to payment for ecosystem service (PES), and methodologies in this region. We can develop it as a pilot project through assessments and research which results for suitable watershed management strategies. It also addresses the adaptation to climate change. This project helps to build capacities of watershed managers to scale up good watershed management practices. It supports policy making in integrated use of resources.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 1:47 AM 0 comments

Abortion in Nepal

A Brief Definition:
Abortion in Nepal
The meaning of abortion is the intentionally ending of a pregnancy at an early stage. An abortion is the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus resulting in or caused by its death. This can occur spontaneously as a miscarriage or be artificially induced by chemical surgical or other means. Abortion can refer to an induced procedure at any point during human pregnancy, and it is sometimes medically defined as either miscarriage or induced termination before the point of viability. The government of Nepal has recognized that the abortion is legal for all women in their choice in certain period of time with the consultation of authored doctor. But we believe that abortion itself is unnatural process and it is against of God. It is against nature and against ecology. As human civilization is continued there are lots of option obtained which are given by nature and man made. It is always better to follow the natural process. We should hate abortion for it is against the God's plan. It is also against human civilization. It will direct to develop unbalance population ecologically and create havoc situations in human civilization. It is true that nobody can create and control the nature. The world and its nature is created by God , and it is control by God only.

Conclusion:
According to spiritual point of view, abortion is regarded as a sinful act which evolve evilness as well as showing hatred to God. As a normal people it is totally craggy and unnatural because it is one of the unfaithful acts in the history of human civilization. Even in this modern world it is still considered dishonorable and crime while some people think it is good measure for the stopping of the increasing population. Children are the major values, richness and the most precious pleasure time or gain of a family which is gifted from GOD. The community people must be defended from the pressure of the unjust law that do not recognize the right and needs of the family values, and it disfigures family value with false understanding of marriage that do not respect the original plan of GOD. It effects in whole society and breaks the civilization.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 12:34 AM 0 comments

GLOF (Glacier Lake Outburst Flood)

GLOF (Glacier Lake Outburst Flood)Introduction:

It is known and everyone noticed that glaciers are melting faster than the usual normal rate that will cause the avalanche in high mountains and the streams and rivers to overflow causing flooding. The increasing rate of melting of the glaciers causes to the formation of more numbers of glacial lakes in high Himalayas. This is a reality that many places have and are currently facing difficulties of formation of glacial lake which is danger for all living in down stream catchments. Those living in close proximity to these rivers will need to relocate. Farmlands usually the rice lands get destroyed with these flood waters. Higher on mountains this excess water creates glacial lakes. As these lakes keep getting filled with more water which pressure on the moraine boundaries of the lake and creates Glacial Lake Out-burst Flood (GLOF). There is always a threat of these lakes bursting, causing huge floods in villages and city situated below. The outburst of Kosi-Dam in 2008 in Nepal is an example that around one million people from Nepal and India were homeless and many people lost their life.

On the other side, once the glacier has totally melted, the streams and rivers discharge either will be decreased or will run dry causing the farmland will turn dry. Those depending on freshwater from the melting glacier will have to relocate. Places that depend on the constant flow of this water for the production of electricity will have to look for other sources to produce electricity. This will cause further atmospheric pollution and it will be costly much more to produce or generate power. Sea levels that have already risen due to warmer waters will rise even further when all this water from glaciers melting enter into the sea. At immediate risk will be created to those living in low-lying in close surrounding areas to seashores. These areas will get flooded and groundwater will get polluted with sea water making it unfit for human uses where all these people will have to relocate. Maldives in South-Asian continent is already facing problem,

Ecologically, many animals, birds, plants and fishes that depend on the fresh water from glaciers will become endangered. Corals will suffer because of low sunlight due to increasing sea-levels. Fish feeding on these corals will in turn get affected. Animals and birds feeding on these fishes will be affected.There are many more dangers that could yield up due to fast melting glaciers in the coming years if we do not do something to reduce the threat of global warming. Each one of us can play a role in helping reduce harmful emissions, leading to a possible reduction of global warming in the days to come.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 11:37 PM 0 comments

Glacier

GlacierA Brief Definition:

A glacier can be defined as a huge block of ice which is formed from falling snow. Glaciers contain almost all of the fresh water present on earth. Glaciers are formed in places where the temperatures are extremely cold. This could even include places that are at sea level, but are mostly places that are high up on mountains. In such cold places that it snows most of the year. This snowfall will settle down and when it snows again the lower layer of snow gets compressed. When the snowfall continue, the below layers will compress more finally turning into hard ice, it is accumulated getting bigger in size. This hard ice larger in size is the formation of the glacier. When the temperature increases slightly, the outer edges of the formed glacier and fresh snow will melt. If the melting of glacier is greater amount than the glacier formation, it is known as ablation of glacier. For a glacier to form and sustain itself it is of prime importance that the amount of snow that falls on it must be more than the amount of glacier that has melted. This is the only way in which the glacier will be able to maintain itself and keep increasing in size year after year. The increasing amount of glacier is known as accumulation of glacier.

The only criterion is that falling snow must exceed the melting ice to sustain the glacier. Many people worldwide depend on melting glaciers for survival. All their freshwater needs are met by these melting glaciers year through. This is the main sources of water and people use for drinking and irrigation purpose. But in these days glaciers are melting faster year by year than collection. It has not only creating avalanche and flooding in down stream but the fresh water resources are also vanishing.

It has been noticed that glaciers have melted more than normal over the past decades. Many glaciers in south-Asian continent have melted so fast over the past few decades that they have nearly to be vanished from the south face Himalayas. And the melting process is increasing each year such that many glaciers are reducing in size year after year because the falling snow is not able to replace the amount of melting ice.

Glaciers are melting faster today as compared to the past decades and the reason is sudden and rapid industrialization which in turn has caused global warming what we say green house effect. Global warming is nothing but the rise in average global temperature. The 'industrial revolution' is the main cause of this rise in average temperature. It is due to this increase in temperature that glaciers are melting more than they are accumulated. When a glacier melts fully, it exposes the earth surface below. Glaciers absorb approximately 20% heat from the sun, reflecting back 80%. When the earth gets exposed this percentage gets reversed. This in turn causes a further increase in temperature. This is a vicious trap which has already begun and it will be almost impossible for us to stop it totally. As a result, in the future, the global temperature will in all likelihood keep increasing, and melting glaciers even faster than they are today.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 10:11 PM 0 comments

Geography of Nepal

Geography of NepalIntroduction:


Nepal is a landlocked country with a total area of 147,181 Km2 situated in South-Asian continent. Nepal, a country having peculiar diverse fauna and flora, lies between China on the north and India on the east, south and west. Its shape is long rectangular with eastern line is shorter than on the west. It stands on a latitude of 26degree 22' to 30degree 27' north and longitude is between 80degree 04' to 66degree 12' east. The east west length of the country is 885 Km. parallel to the Himalayan axis. Its altitude varies from 50-220 m. in the south rising to 8849 m. at the north. Within the small area the country has all possible land form features of the earth except the volcanic and coral islands and marine. The physiography of the land is very interesting. The country has plain areas in the south, hills and valleys in the middle and lofty Himalayas in the north.

Nepal can be divided into following regions:

(1) Terai Plain, (2) Churia Hills or Siwaliks, (3) Mahabharat Ranges, (4) Middle or Central Hills, (5) Higher or Great Himalayas.

Ecologically, Nepal can be divided into three regions:

(1) Low land including Terai, Bhabhar, Churia and Mahabharat range upto 915 m.
(2) Midland including Mahabharat range 915m as well as Middle Hill upto 2749m.
(3) Highland Great Himalayas including all regions above 2749m to 8848m. Mt. Everest.

The following is the approximate estimate of land in Nepal:

S. No. Zones Climate Approximate Area
1 TeraiPlain Subtropical 25,000Sq.km.
2 Churia hills or Siwalik range Subtropical 24,000 Sq. km.
3 Mahabharat range Temperate 24,000 Sq. km.
4 Midland Temperate 36,081 Sq. km.
5 Highland or Great Himalayas Alpine 48100 Sq. km.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 7:23 PM 0 comments

Pollution in Bagmati River

Pollution in Bagmati River

Kathmandu valley:

My locality is situated in the heart of the Lalitpur city, Kumariparti. It’s provided with all sorts of infrastructures and regarded as the cleanliest part of the city. The community people donate to build the pitches of the road and built two water drainage's canals in left and right sides of the road. The people are themselves paying for the private cleaners. Pollution level of this area is very low and is minimized by the effort of the community people. As Patan Hospital was the chief factor for the air pollution, it liberated a lot of smoke but now the emission level of the hazardous gas has been controlled and reduced to a normal level. Hence no other pollution has affected in our locality; Let us talk about the water pollution level of Bagmati river in Kathmandu Valley.

As Kathmandu Valley is regarded one of the crowded and over–populated city where various types of pollution are generated in a significant way. The pollution of water is involved in degradation of the environment and the health of the people. The problems are not solved even though there are proper international rules and regulations. Now let us see the detail problem of the Valley.

Initially unwanted physical, biological and chemical aspects of water which degrade its standard quality are called water pollution and these are the main sources for the pollution in the water pollutants. Now we are talking about the polluted Bagmati River the prestige of Kathmandu valley. About 40 years before the Bagmati River was one of the purest river in Nepal. It was so pure that people used the river water for drinking purpose also. Because of the fertile land Kathmandu valley was covered by rice planting. Government of Nepal had planned and separated the land in such a way that almost low lands were planed for rice plantation and it was known as Green Belt where it was prohibited or banded to build houses for settlement. some areas are separated for religious areas and it is also banned to build houses closely. It was so nice and no pollution at all. As the democracy came in 1990 from mass struggle the populations are increasing in this valley year after year in such way that the increased population is about 1000% within 15 years, and now the valley is covered by concrete building. The sewage system is compulsorily applied by Municipality. But unfortunately the sewage drainage pipes are directly connected to the Bagmati River, so the Bagmati River is now so polluted that it is one of the dirtiest (worst) river of the world. The oxygen level of the river is less than the normal level, it is 0.0%. Hence this proves that the water is contaminated, and there is no life at all. Throwing all sorts of waste products, dead animals, following daily activities like bathing, cleaning utensils and clothes, solid waste, waste of industries, laboratories are the major factor for the pollution of Baghmati River. Various rivulets of the Baghmati River are also getting impure leading to Water-Borne diseases. It has been affecting the health of the people and leading even to death. As though the management committee has formed, their activities are limited in workshop and seminar, it is totally unsuccessful and the water is still infected with harmful bacteria and viruses. The sewage and drainage waste are all thrown in this river affecting the river in a significant way day by day. The sewage pipes are directly extended in the Baghmati River and its tributaries where all the human excreta are disposed. Similarly various ponds and lakes around the valley are also getting stained, and most of them are vanished.

Main Causes of Pollution:

I. The following wastage from daily activities like bathing, cleaning, solid wastage are connected to bagmati river.
II. The solid and liquid wastes of various industries factories, laboratories, automobiles directly thrown in water without the further process of filtration.
III. Washing of Chemical fertilizers, insecticides in the near source of water by rain water also pollutes water.
IV. Disposing of various human excreta, dead animals, dead animals and other waste products are affecting the quality of the water.
V. As shown in the picture above the homeless people are settling down on the bank of the river. It is danger for them during rainy season because of flood; And the river water is so polluted and is so bad smelt that we can not stand near by river.

The Measures to control river water :

I. The waste products from each houses must be minimized. The biodegradable and non biodegradable waste must be separated before throwing into the pit.
II. The waste products of industries, hospitals, laboratories, automobiles, factories and sewage water must be controlled by themselves and be filtrated as purification process before disposing it into the river water.
III. Public awareness program must be held to reduce the level of water pollution.
IV. The Government or the management authority must make strict and proper rules and regulations for the prevention of water pollution.
Hence the above measures are for the solution which will benefit the health of the people and the proper quality of the water. The above measures could be implemented in further improvement of the Baghmati River which can regard the place as the centre of pilgrimage and the salvation center.

Posted by Chok Bahadur Gurung on 1:23 AM 0 comments

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