Himachal getting less snow

Subject – Environment

Context – Himachal getting less snow: study

Concept –

The hill State of Himachal Pradesh has been gradually witnessing less snow in the past decade and the area under snow is also decreasing.
The trend triggered by climate change has alarmed environmentalists, considering the importance of seasonal snow cover as a major input in controlling the hydrology of the river basins in the ecologically fragile State.
All major river basins, including the Satluj, Ravi, Chenab and Beas, have witnessed an overall decrease of 18.5% in area under snow in 2020-21 winters in comparison to 2019-20
The results also show that there is a gradual shift in the snowfall occurrence pattern as well. The snowfall in peak winter is reducing slightly and, in fact, is shifting towards the late winter months or even the early summer months.
The climate pattern at the global level is changing. Rapid deforestation, extensive construction and unregulated activities are the contributing factors.