MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
Published on 23 Feb 2025
Mountain ecosystems, despite covering only about 1/4th of the Earth's landmass, are vital for our planet's health. They act as "water towers," storing vast amounts of freshwater in glaciers and snowpack, and are home to a unique blend of flora and fauna.
Threats faced by mountain ecosystem
Climate Change:
Melting glaciers: Rising temperatures are causing rapid glacial retreat, disrupting water supplies for downstream communities and ecosystems.
Example: Melting Himalayan glaciers threaten water for more than 250 million people in Ganges & Indus basins.
Altered precipitation: Changes in rainfall patterns can lead to droughts in some areas and increased flooding in others.
Example: Western Ghats' erratic rainfall brings droughts & floods, harming agriculture.
Shifts in vegetation zones: As temperatures rise, plant and animal life are forced to migrate upslope, potentially disrupting established ecosystems.
Example: Shifting Himalayan tree lines endanger high-altitude species like Kashmir Trefoil.
Human Activities:
Unsustainable resource extraction: Mining, logging, and overgrazing can damage fragile mountain habitats and lead to soil erosion.
Example: Illegal mining activities in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, threaten fragile ecosystems and contribute to soil erosion
Infrastructure development: Construction of roads, dams, and resorts can fragment habitats and disrupt natural wildlife corridors.
Example: Large dam projects like Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand disrupt natural river flows and sediment transport, impacting downstream ecosystems
Pollution: Air and water pollution from industrial activities and tourism can contaminate mountain environments and harm sensitive species.
Example: Manali tourism's waste & pollution harm endangered Himalayan Musk Deer.
Other Issues:
Invasive species: Introduced plants and animals can outcompete native species, disrupting the balance of mountain ecosystems.
Example: Invasive Lantana camara in Western Ghats outcompetes native Neelakurinji.
Natural hazards: Landslides, avalanches, and wildfires can be exacerbated by climate change and human activities, posing a threat to both ecosystems and human settlements.
Example: Melting permafrost in Himalayas increases landslide risk, threatening villages.
Consequences
Loss of biodiversity: Unique montane species like rhododendron are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and changing environmental conditions.
Disruption of water resources: Altered precipitation patterns and melting glaciers can affect water availability for both ecosystems and human populations.
Increased vulnerability to natural disasters: Degraded ecosystems are less resilient to landslides, floods, and wildfires.
Impacts on human livelihoods: Many mountain communities rely on healthy ecosystems for tourism, agriculture, and water resources.
Measures for conservation of Mountain ecosystem
Sustainable Resource Management: Wisely using resources and minimizing damage to ecosystems.
Example: Phase out single-use plastics in popular tourist destinations like Manali and Munnar, promoting reusable alternatives.
Climate-Smart Practices: Adapting activities to minimize climate change impacts and promote resilience.
Example: Encourage the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties like drought-resistant millets in the Himalayas to adapt to changing rainfall patterns.
Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting variety of life within mountain ecosystems.
Example: Control the spread of Senna spectabilis in the Western Ghats, protecting native flora.
Community Involvement: Empowering local communities to participate in ecosystem conservation
Example: Train indigenous tribes in the Himalayas on sustainable yak herding practices to minimize overgrazing.
Preparedness and Resilience: Anticipating and mitigating threats to ecosystems and communities in times of natural disasters as floods and earthquakes.
Example: Developing "drone-based early warning systems" for flash floods in the Western Ghats.
Himalayan Region
Significance of the region
The Indian Himalayan Region is spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories stretching across 2500 km.
Known as India's "water tower," the IHR is the source of many major rivers, including the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries.
It includes several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, such as the Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park.
The IHR influences the climate and weather patterns of the Indian subcontinent, acting as a barrier to cold winds from Central Asia and affecting monsoon patterns.
The region is inhabited by diverse ethnic communities with unique cultures, languages, and traditions.
It includes important religious and pilgrimage sites for various faiths, such as Amarnath, Badrinath etc.
The IHR holds strategic importance due to its location along India's northern borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
SC judgements supporting Himalayan conservation
Right Against Climate Change: Recognizing a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change (M.K. Ranjit Singh case) creates a legal obligation for the government to take action.
Eco centric View: The Court emphasizes a shift towards an "eco centric view" where nature is central (State of Telangana vs Mohd. Abdul Qasim case). This prioritizes environmental protection.
Carrying Capacity of Himalayas: The Court is exploring ways to limit development in fragile Himalayan regions based on their carrying capacity (Ashok Kumar Raghav case).
