Future Sustainability Challenges in Hindu Kush-Himalaya - Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation - page 240

Figure 10.9. Atmospheric brown cloud seen over the Himalayan region appears to cause
warming. The haze seen south of the Himalayan come from human activities, such as,
agricultural fi res, cooking sources that rely on wood, kerosene or dung; industrial and vehicle
emissions. Melting of Himalayan glaciers, more extreme weather system, and darkening city
skies is due to ABC. ABC resulting from fossil fuel and biomass burning—primarily affected
air quality in Asia, and likely worsened the effects of climate change in the region (United
Nations Environment Programme report ABC). In the fi gure, a river of haze (ABC) travels
along the Ganges River fl owing before spreading over the Bay of Bangla in the Indian Ocean.
NASA image courtesy MODIS Rapid Response, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Image
from: NASA Earth Observatory, Jesse Allen).
their livelihood. A majority of 150 million people from the region are farmers
(ICIMOD 2003). About 80% of total water use goes towards agricultural
need (GWP 2011) (Fig. 10.11). In 2030, percentage water availability on
per capita cubic meter is estimated to decline in China, India, Bangladesh
and Nepal by 13.5, 28, 22.13 and 35.29% respectively and reducing yield
signifi cantly (SFG 2010).
The cascading effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change
have already stressed mountain ecosystems, and put more pressure from