Dehradun: A study by scientists of the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in the Bhagirathi basin near Gaumukh has revealed that in the last two years, there has been a rise of at least 0.5 degree temperature accompanied by an almost 10% variation in humidity levels in upper Himalayas in Uttarakhand at an altitude between 3500-4500 meters. This alteration in temperature, the scientists say, will have direct impact on 40 species of animals and birds having their habitats in the region like Snow leopard, Musk deer, Himalayan snowcock and Snow partridge which are “under stress due to the escalated temperature.” “Even a 0.5 degree rise in temperature in the past two years in the upper Himalayas affects the equilibrium of the sensitive species living in these regions. If this persists, we fear that the sensitive ones will phase out and only the tough ones would be able to survive the changed environment,” said Dr S Satyakumar, scientist (G), WII, who led the study that began in January 2016 and is being monitored by the National Action Plan on Climate Change.According to Satyakumar, the variation in temperature in these altitudes — the maximum temperature at 4500 metres touches 5 degree celsius while the minimum plunges to -14 whereas at 3500 metres, the maximum temperature is 10 degrees celsius while the minimum is around -2.5 degrees — is affecting not just animals but also the vegetation of the region. “Flowering patterns and budding of leaves are now happening in May instead of June. Rains are happening in late September which is unusual since this is the autumn season. These variations are going to have consequences,” he added.Elaborating further, the scientist said, “In response to the changed temperatures in alpine meadows which are the grazing and hunting sites for the species inhabiting the region, premature budding and flowering happens in plants. This leads to a change in the activities of insects. In response, birds will have to change their patterns. Therefore, the entire cycle of an area changes.”Scientists have now begun monitoring the effects of the climate change on animals like Snow leopard, Musk deer, Kashmir stag, Himalayan mouse hare (among mammals) and Himalyan snowcock and snow patridge among birds. In addition, aquatic species like Golden mahseer, Snow trout and Gangetic mystus are also being monitored. Further, flora like Himalayan birch, White lily, Tibetan sea buckthorn, Spotted heart orchid, Himalayan fir and Sikkim Rhubarb are under the scanner of WII too.In some species, notable changes have already begun to be observed. “Our researchers have identified that Himalayan mouse hare, a kind of rodent unique to the alpine area is unable to adapt to the new environment. During snowbound months, it goes inside its burrows under partial hibernation. But now, due to a shift in flowering patterns, their food availability is getting affected which may pose a threat to their survival.” Satyakumar said.Incidentally, research conducted by other scientists had also pointed at how different species were adapting themselves to the changes in their habitat. A study by the dean of WII GS Rawat sometime ago had found that the Golden mahseer which was earlier breeding at altitudes of 600 to 700 meters was now being found in heights of 1200 to 1300 meters, indicating its need for a cooler environment.

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