Date:31/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/31/stories/2007083162231300.htm

National

Rapid melting of Tibetan glaciers will have a catastrophic effect, says Manmohan Singh

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday expressed concern over the rapid melting of glaciers in the Tibetan plateau. “If the glacier system in Tibet and Indus rivers melts, then it will have a catastrophic effect because of the linking of Tibet and India.”

He was intervening during the reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha by Janeshwar Mishra (Samajwadi Party) on the melting of ice in the upper regions of Tibet.

Dr. Singh said he had raised the issue with Chinese President Hu Jintao and emphasised that a joint study should be held to understand the dynamics of the water system.

Earlier, the Prime Minister came to the defence of Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narayan Meena when several Opposition members expressed dissatisfaction with his reply to Pyarelal Khandelwal on pollution of the Ganga. “There is some improvement but I will be the last one to say that we are satisfied with the status.”