The Himalayan region is not only tectonically active and ecologically fragile but is it also one of the most economically underdeveloped and most densely populated mountain ecosystems on the planet. These natural as well as human characteristics render the Himalayan region highly vulnerable to the impacts of development, degradation and climate change and in particular the impact of melting of glaciers and changes in the patterns of precipitation.
The Himalayan region is subject to the Indian National Action Plan on Climate Change. However, the accelerating of the melting of the perennial snow cover is of global concern. Regional co-operation for assessing the impacts of global warming is needed. 

Professor Syed Iqbal Hasnain
The Energy and resources Institute  (TERI)
New Delhi, India
shasnain@teri.res.in