Forest fires in Uttarakhand effected on states glaciers which act as a lifeline for major rivers flowing through Northern plains of India. Nainital`s Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) and Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) is covering the glaciers with black carbon from smog and ash says the experts.
Manish Kumar, a senior scientist at the atmospherics department in ARIES, told TOI, “Black carbon is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It absorbs light and increases heat, which is why it can cause glaciers to melt faster.”
These rivers are polluted heavily which are originated from glaciers by harmful particles and compounds that have black carbon said, Kumar.
“Black carbon floats in air for a long time and gets deposited on clouds interfering with the normal cycle of the monsoons,” said Kirit Kumar, a scientist from Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora
According to Kumar of Aries, the glaciers are at risk are those that situated at relatively low altitudes such as Gangotri, Milam, Sundardunga, Newla and Cheepa the source of many rivers. The study effect the fires having on these glaciers team of scientists from GBPIHED undertake a scientific trip to heights.
Kirit Kumar said, “In normal circumstances, glaciers act as mirrors reflecting most of the light and heat. This is known as ‘albedo’. But when black carbon gets deposited on them, it results in their absorbing all the light and heat which eventually results in their meltdown. This is a serious concern.”