The once-snow-capped peaks of Himachal Pradesh are now a stark reminder of the growing climate crisis. The Chanshal and Churdhar mountains, usually blanketed in snow during peak winter, have remained bare, leaving locals and mountaineers alike in shock. Kinnaur's Kinnar Kailash, known for its snow-covered grandeur, now only shows traces of snow, while Chamba's higher reaches are barely covered at all. This is a stark contrast to the usual winter scene, where these mountains are typically buried under several feet of snow. But why is this happening? The weather department points to weak western disturbances, but environmentalists argue that rising greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable development, and high-energy industries are to blame. As Kulbhushan Upmanyu, a Chamba-based environmentalist, notes, the average temperatures in the Himalayas are rising faster than the global average, with over-tourism, vehicular emissions, and large construction projects exacerbating the issue. The situation is alarming, and it's time to take action to preserve these fragile ecosystems before it's too late.
