Changing Landscapes
The impact of climate change in the Himalayas is apparent, especially in the form of higher incidence and intensity of natural disasters. The complexity of the mountain climate system means that predictions vary widely, and the smallest changes can have severe consequences. Human-induced climate change is taking place, it has global consequences and what happens in the Himalayas is a concern for all humanity.
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region extends 3500 kilometers across eight countries from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east. The region contains over 3700 square kilometers of eternal snow and ice. It is known as the ‘third pole’ of the earth due to its inaccessibility and the amount of water stored in the ice and snow. It is also known as the ‘water tower’ of Asia, the source of ten large river systems that provide water and livelihoods to a population of around 150 million people. The basins of these rivers supply fresh water to a further 1.3 billion people, a fifth of the world’s population.
The mountains have always constituted places where adaptation and resilience are hallmarks of the local people and the landscape they inhabit. Since time immemorial, the people of the Himalayas have maintained a rich cultural identity, food security, and biogenetic diversity within the parameters of their own traditions.
The mighty Himalayan mountain range straddles many countries and is the home to a host of ethnic groups. But all along the Himalaya's local communities are finding that their way of life is threatened by changes in their environment.
The battle against climate change is a global one, and global solidarity is required to solve it, as is the commitment from parties willing to be part of the solution. Himalaya – Changing Landscapes photo exhibition is an instrument enabling ICIMOD to pursue this priority.
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region extends 3500 kilometers across eight countries from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east. The region contains over 3700 square kilometers of eternal snow and ice. It is known as the ‘third pole’ of the earth due to its inaccessibility and the amount of water stored in the ice and snow. It is also known as the ‘water tower’ of Asia, the source of ten large river systems that provide water and livelihoods to a population of around 150 million people. The basins of these rivers supply fresh water to a further 1.3 billion people, a fifth of the world’s population.
The mountains have always constituted places where adaptation and resilience are hallmarks of the local people and the landscape they inhabit. Since time immemorial, the people of the Himalayas have maintained a rich cultural identity, food security, and biogenetic diversity within the parameters of their own traditions.
The mighty Himalayan mountain range straddles many countries and is the home to a host of ethnic groups. But all along the Himalaya's local communities are finding that their way of life is threatened by changes in their environment.
The battle against climate change is a global one, and global solidarity is required to solve it, as is the commitment from parties willing to be part of the solution. Himalaya – Changing Landscapes photo exhibition is an instrument enabling ICIMOD to pursue this priority.
Historic Photographs
During the 1950s and 1960s, Austrian and Swiss scientists conducted intensive studies of the Everest region of Nepal. The glaciers, mountains, and valleys of the Khumbu were meticulously photographed and measured by these teams. Around the same time, the Swiss glaciologist Fritz Müller spent eight months in Khumbu at locations above 5000 meters, studying and photographing the mighty Himalayan glaciers.
Now, fifty years later, the hundreds of black and white photographs taken by these climber scientists are of immense value in trying to understand the impacts of climate change on the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas.
Mountain geographer Alton Byers has revisited many of the sites of the original photographs and taken replicates, illustrating the changes in the climatic, cultural and physical landscapes of the Khumbu that have occurred over the past half century.
The old and new panorama photographs have now been united in a unique photo exhibition: Himalaya –Changing Landscapes. The exhibition has been put together as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional knowledge and learning centre working for the mountains and people of the Himalayas.
Now, fifty years later, the hundreds of black and white photographs taken by these climber scientists are of immense value in trying to understand the impacts of climate change on the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas.
Mountain geographer Alton Byers has revisited many of the sites of the original photographs and taken replicates, illustrating the changes in the climatic, cultural and physical landscapes of the Khumbu that have occurred over the past half century.
The old and new panorama photographs have now been united in a unique photo exhibition: Himalaya –Changing Landscapes. The exhibition has been put together as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional knowledge and learning centre working for the mountains and people of the Himalayas.
Exhibition credits
Himalaya - Changing Landscapes is a photo exhibtion by ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.