India, China to conduct research into Himalayan glaciers

India and China will jointly conduct research on the impact of global warming on glaciers in the Himalayan and Tibetan regions, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.

India and China will jointly conduct research on the impact of global warming on glaciers in the Himalayan and Tibetan regions, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.

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"There is a need for a joint study on the glaciers in the regions. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and its Chinese counterpart the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research have been roped in to conduct the joint research," Ramesh said.

The decision was taken last week during his visit to Beijing, Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function after releasing a report on the Security Implication of Climate Change for India, prepared by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

The Union Minister said it was mind-boggling to know the way China has invested heavily -- both monetary and resource wise -- to study glacilogy in the Himalayan region in the past ten years.

"We are just beginning. A joint research will be better for in-depth findings of what is happening to our glaciers, or say to what extent glaciers are being impacted due to climate change," Ramesh said.

However, besides seeking joint research with the neighbouring countries, he emphasised on strengthening scientific capabilities of the institutions to combat the climate change threat.