Qatari princess concerned over loss of snow cover in the Himalayas

SOLUKHUMBU: Standing on the base of the world’s tallest peak, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), Qatari princess Asma Al Thani expressed her serious concern over the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region. Princess Asma has also climbed Mt Everest in 2019.

Addressing the Summiteer’s Summit in Thame—a Sherpa village already devastated by glacial floods—Princess Al Thani described the status of the mountains as “lifeless” compared to her first visit in 2019.

The Summiteer’s Summit was organized by an organisation called Sathsathai on the occasion of the International Earth Day on April 22.

She said, “The melting of snow on mountains like Everest is a threat not only to Nepal, but to the entire global community.”

“I climbed Everest in 2019 and was exhilarated by its beauty and vitality. But now, I return to find bare rocks where snow once lay, blackened cliffs, and a silence that speaks of loss. There is no life in these mountains anymore.”

In her experience, the weather in the Himalayas has changed and all these changes are very serious.

She pointed out that the natural disaster of 2023, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), wreaked havoc here, displacing dozens of families, destroying power lines, and severing road links.

“These are not isolated disasters,” Princess Al Thani said, adding that they are symptoms of a much larger, man-made emergency.

“And it’s not something Nepal can or should bear alone.”

She also showed concern about perishing snow in the snow-covered Himalayas.

“Everest is no longer the white peak we remember from photos,” said a local climber. “It’s a fragile mountain now, and it needs protection, not just admiration.”

Settlements such as Thame are facing the biggest impact of the changes in the Himalayan environment.

The princess stressed the need to install early warning systems to prevent disasters such as floods, landslides, glacial lake eruptions and avalanches.

“The mountainous regions are sensitive. If there is such a system here, life can be saved by disseminating information in time.

Technology needs to be used,” the Qatari Princess suggested.

Princess Al Thani mentioned that Sagarmatha is the shared asset of all humans, not only of Nepal.

“Climbers like us don’t just think it a matter of pride to climb the Sagarmatha. We also think it is a duty to protect it. Existence of mountains should be kept in the first priority in every development plan. Otherwise, Sagarmatha will be limited to photo only in coming days”, she warned.

Supporting the Princess’ statement, other participants – environmentalist, climbers and local representatives pointed out the need of collaboration of the world for the protection of mountains.

During the event, emphasis was laid on collaboration among the government, local bodies, NGOs and foreign mountaineering community.

As per the details presented in the conference, temperature of Sagarmath area is increasing every decade which is making direct impact on glaciers.

The warning, experience and sentimental appeal of Princess Thani had made deep impacts in the conference. She shared, ” We will lose future of earth if there will be no snow in mountains. It is a shared responsibility of us to save Sagarmatha.”

On the occasion, a message sent by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the occasion of the summit was unveiled.

He expressed the belief that the conference would support the informal preparation of Sagarmatha Sambaad. Prime Minister Oli mentioned that it was necessary to spread awareness about environmental risk.

The Summit organised by an organization, Sathsathai, in coordination with all three-tier government is taken as the pre-event of Sagarmatha Sambaad to be organized by the government from May 16-18.