Qatari Princess Al Thani Voices Concerns on Himalayan Environmental Crisis
Qatari Princess Sheikha Asma Al Thani warns of severe environmental degradation in the Himalayas, particularly around Mount Everest, during a climbers’ conference in Thame. She notes significant changes since her last visit in 2019, including lifeless landscapes and recent devastating glacial floods, stressing the need for global action against climate change.
Qatari Princess and Everest climber Sheikha Asma Al Thani has raised alarm regarding significant environmental changes in the Himalayan region. During a climbers’ conference in Thame, a village previously affected by glacial floods, she lamented the lifeless state of the mountains compared to her visit in 2019.
Princess Al Thani remarked on the accelerated melting of snow on Mount Everest, which she believes poses a global threat. “The melting of snow on mountains like Everest is a threat not only to Nepal, but to the entire global community,” she stated.
Reflecting on her prior experience, she expressed sadness over the stark transformation of the landscape. “I climbed Everest in 2019 and was mesmerized by its beauty and vitality. But now, I return to find bare rocks where snow once lay, blackened cliffs, and a silence that speaks of loss. There is no life in these mountains anymore,” she remarked.
Additionally, she highlighted the recent glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in 2023, which devastated the area by displacing families and causing infrastructure destruction. “These are not isolated disasters. They are symptoms of a much larger, man-made emergency. And it’s not something Nepal can or should bear alone,” she insisted.
Concerns were also raised about the continued deterioration of snow levels in the Himalayas. A local climber commented, “Everest is no longer the white peak we remember from photos. It’s a fragile mountain now, and it needs protection, not just admiration.”
Princess Al Thani’s remarks underscore a critical environmental crisis in the Himalayan region, marking a troubling shift from vibrant landscapes to desolation. Her observations about the implications of climate change and natural disasters emphasize the urgent need for collective global action to address these challenges. The preservation of these majestic mountains is paramount for both local communities and the international community at large.
Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com
