Global News

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and 22 ministers met in the highlands Kalapathar, not far from the foot of Mount Everest, Friday (4 / 12). They discuss the causes of climate change melting glaciers at the top of the mountain and threaten the population.

Glaciers (ice and snow) has been melting rapidly to form a large glacial lake. Wall lake seemed broken in vulnerable conditions. Natural disasters due to flood not only threaten the lives of millions of people on the slopes and foot of the mountain, but also devastated the area millions of agriculture, economic resources, and residential citizens.

Ice and snow melt gradually create routes (tracks) unstable mountain climbers and more difficult to pass. “Hill and the mountains are always covered with snow even in summer. Now the snow is only visible on the highest peak of Everest, “said Ngyendon (66), citizen Syangboche.

Population at risk

Even the scientists warned, if the glaciers continue to melt until it disappeared, the drought will hit Asia in the next few decades and 10 major rivers that originate in the Everest can be dry. It was a major threat to 1.3 billion people who have been dependent on the rivers.

“We are pleased the government took the initiative before it’s too late. Usually the new authorities would take action after the disaster. Now we hope the anticipation that concrete actions can be done in earnest, “said Mingma (47), officers in Syangboche inn.

Meeting the prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, 20 cabinet ministers and Nepal took place as the preparations for the Summit (Summit) United Nations about the international climate change in Copenhagen, Danish, 7-18 December. Summit will be attended by at least 100 countries to discuss concrete measures to prevent the rate of global warming.

Location of a meeting of top politicians in Nepal are Kalapathar, at an altitude of 17,192 feet or 5240 meters above sea level (mdpl). The place is usually used as a base camp group of mountain climbers. Previously, they undergo medical tests in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

After a helicopter ride from Kathmandu, Thursday, they spent the night in Lukla, about 2800 mdpl, to adjust for changes in the very cold temperatures. They flew to Syangboche, at an altitude of 3900 mdpl, accompanied by a team of doctors and paramedics. So they flew to Kalapathar to start the meeting.

“Global warming has brought a serious impact on the national economy,” said Finance Minister Surendra Pandey of Nepal ahead of the meeting. “There has been a change in rainfall patterns. Glaciers melting, “he said again.

Monk praying

While still in Syangboche, monk entourage of ministers welcomed with a traditional drum beat and looped the ministers with a silk scarf. The monks also prayed for the health and safety of the ministers to return to Kathmandu.

Officers Himalayan Rescue Association Bikram Neupane and Subhash Khanal said the minister was wearing a heavy jacket and wool hat. So that they can stand the extreme conditions, very cold weather, their blood oxygen levels had been increased in advance when you first medical examination was held in Kathmandu.

After the meeting, the ministers returned to Syangboche to hold a news conference

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