to put a brake on vanishing Himalayan glaciers and shrinking snow cover, a 'Society of Indian Glaciologists' was recently proposed by eminent environmental scientists and glaciologists all over the country. The proposal was made at a two-day national symposium on 'Himalayan glaciers and snow cover' in New Delhi in early March. Addressing the symposium, former director-general of the Geological Survey of India, C P Vohra, said that the monsoons and their varying patterns are considered connected with the phenomenon of glaciation. Other experts suggested that initial research on climate and ecological studies be conducted in the Gangotri glacier. They said the recession of Himalayan glaciers in general, and the Gangotri in particular, had heightened with increased human intervention.

The meeting proposed creating a database and maintaining a relationship with other data centres of the world, besides disseminating information on glaciers.Noted environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna called for a temporary ban on tourism in the Himalaya, as it is wreaking havoc on the environment.