Dehradun: BJP's Tehri MLA Kishore Upadhyay has urged the recognition of the Himalayas as the Third Pole to address the rising threats from climate changehighlighting the mountains’ vital role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting millions of lives, calling for urgent global attention.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Upadhyay said, “The Himalayas are often called the Third Pole due to their critical role in sustaining the global ecosystem and supporting millions of lives.However, they now face threats from climate change.” He also stressed that the Himalayas are a natural fortress against climate extremes, adding, “Their designation as the Third Pole demands global acknowledgment and urgent action.”
In the letter, Upadhyay detailed the significance of the Himalayas, stating that they host the largest concentration of glaciers outside polar regions, which contribute to the Indo-Gangetic river system and support over 1.5 billion people. He wrote, “The mountains act as a climatic buffer and are critical in regulating regional and global climates.”
Highlighting the impact on Uttarakhand, he pointed out that rivers like the Bhagirathi, Yamuna, and Alaknanda depend on glacial melt. “Reduced flow threatens agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower in Uttarakhand,” he added.
