PUNE: To uncover the status of glaciers due to the changing weather conditions and how it could affect the human race, a team of glaciologist, hydrologist and a geologist will accompany the climbers from Giripremi on its largest civilian expedition on India’s highest mountain- Mount Kanchenjunga. The expedition will take place in April-May 2019.
After six successful expeditions on six of the 14 8000er peaks (the eight-thousanders are 14 independent mountains on Earth that are more than 8,000 feet above the sea level) in the world, Giripremi has planned for the expedition. It will be an eco-expedition which is dedicated to the Econ Project team along with the climbing team. The eco-project team will study the biodiversity of Kanchenjunga Reserve and through which a detailed study will be carried out and research papers will be made on the study done by the researchers during the expedition.
While addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Umesh Zirpe, leader of the expedition, said, “This expedition is not just a normal expedition but it will be one of its kind of expedition where researchers and experts will accompany us to the base camp. The glaciologist, hydrologist, geologist and students will collect a sample of the ecosystem and meanwhile, the climbers will also do the same and click photographs of the glaciers and valleys.
On the basis of the photographs, findings and studies done by the experts and climbers, research papers will be published and released. This will take a long time, but the status of the glaciers, the rate of melting point, its disadvantages, how humans could be affected through it and many other such things which have changed over the period of years could come to the forefront by which solutions could be found out to save the ecosystem and the humans race.”
The Giripremi’s team is also in talks with the environment minister so that their involvement could be implemented in a better way. On February 4, 2018, Giripremi launched ‘Mount Kanchenjunga Eco Expedition 2019’ in the presence of veteran mountaineer, Everesteer and son of the great Sherpa Tenzing Norgay- Jamling Norgay.
To spread awareness, a programme has been organised for ‘Kanchenjunga Eco Expedition 2019 on July 17 at ‘Kannada Sangh Auditorium, Dr Shamarao Kalmadi High School, Ganesh Nagar, Earandwane at 6.30 pm. The 22-time Everesteer Kami Rita will attend the programme, along with Kami Rita Sherpa, First Nepali Sherpa to climb all 14 8000er Mingma Sherpa and Everesteer and Vice Principal of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling will also attend the programme.
Along with Sherpas Mayor Mukta Tilak will be the chairperson. Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University; Pune,
Dr Anant Sardeshmukh, Director General, MCCIA Director Board;
Dr Suresh Haware, MD Haware Builders and Engineers and President of Sai Sansthan, Shirdi will also attend the programme.
