Melting Himalayan glaciers and other climate change impacts pose a direct threat to the water and food security of more than 1.6 billion people in South Asia, according to preliminary findings of a new study financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Climate change threatens to bring food and water shortages to 1.6 billion people in South Asia, with the region's poorest likely to be worst hit, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said here Wednesday. New research commissioned by the ADB shows that if current climate trends persist until 2050, maize yields in South Asia will fall by 17 percent, wheat by 12 percent and rice by 10 percent.

The first climate change conference of Himalayan nations was opened yesterday at Kathmandu by Nepal's prime minister Madhav Kumar with a warning about the dangers of melting glaciers, floods and violent storms for the region, according to a message received in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has called for joint effort from the South Asian countries to tackle the increasing impacts of climate change.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurating the regional climate change conference by lighting traditional oil lamp in Kathmandu, Monday, Aug 31 09. nepalnews.com/rh

Union for National Industry Trade and Entrepreneurs Nepal (UNITE) has asked the government to concentrate on green revolution campaign for the next five years.

"It is mandatory to chalk out integrated development policy for agriculture and industries," UNITE said adding that the revolution must target surplus food production along with establishment of agro-based and herb-based industries.

WITH the clock ticking and less than a hundred days to go until ministers from around the world meet at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, now is the time for the UK and [South Asia/India/Bangladesh] to work together to get a climate deal that is fair to the region's economy and its people.

Ed Miliband and Douglas Alexander

With the clock ticking and less than a hundred days to go until ministers from around the world meet at the U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, now is the time for the U.K. and India to work together to get a climate deal that is fair to the region