Climate change and environmental degradation in Tibet: Implications for environmental security in south asia

Strategic Analysis

Volumn 34, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 744-755

  Gautam, P K ^a  

^a IDSA ^*  (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 79960064788     PISSN: 09700161     EISSN: 17540054     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/09700161.2010.501593     Document Type: Article

References (56)

1. R. Schubert, H.J. Schellnhuber, N. Buchmann, A. Epiney, R. Grieb Bhanmer, M. Kulessa, D. Messner, S. Rahmstoy and J. Schmid, German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), Climate Change as a Security Risk, London and Sterling, VA, Earthscan, 2008, pp. 72-75.
2. Ibid., p. 147.
3. P. Christiaan Klieger, 'The People of Tibet', in Barbara A. Brower and Barbara Rose Johnston (eds.), Disappearing People? Indigenous Groups and Ethnic Minorities in South and Central Asia, Left Coast Press, Inc, California, 2007, pp. 221-241.
4. According to the Chinese, Tibet's historic status is a closed book. Tibet, according to the official narrative, has been part of China since the Mongol empire of Kublai Khan in the 13th century. This is proved by the official titles and seals bestowed by the rulers of China since that time. Only in the 19th century, when China was weakened and dismembered by European encroachment, did Tibet, egged on by the British who invaded it in 1904, begin to foster the historic fantasy of independence. When China was finally able to 'stand up' after the victory of the Chinese Communists in 1949, Tibet was 'reunited with motherland', since which time it has been given support and special treatment ('autonomy') by the central government in recognition of its unique and distinct culture.
5. George Fitzherbert's review essay of Anne-Marie Blondue and Katia Buffetrille (eds.), Authenticating Tibet: Answers to China's 100 Questions, University of California Press.
6. Berkeley, 2008, 'Lands of Cloud', in Times Literary Supplement (TLS), June 2008, p. 7.
7. The Chinese interpretation is controversial. Tibet has a recorded history of over 2,000 years as an independent nation. Before the Chinese occupation in 1949 it fulfilled all conditions of statehood. See Understanding the Issue of Tibet, Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre, New Delhi, 2007, p. 3.
8. 'China: Glaciers, Retreating Glaciers and Its Impact on the Tibetan Plateau', in An Overview of Glaciers, Glacier Retreat, and Its Subsequent Impacts in Nepal, India and China, WWF Nepal Program, March 2005, pp. 37-57;
9. Wang Jun, 'In Defense of Ecological Security', Beijing Review, September 3, 2009, p. 21.
10. http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6913151.html (accessed April 15, 2010).
11. China's National Climate Change Programme, National Development and Reform Commission, PRC, June 2007, p. 6.
12. China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change, Information Officeof the State Council of the PRC, Beijing, October 2008, p. 9.
13. Ananth Krishnan, 'Rapid Retreat of Tibet's Glaciers Alarms Researchers', The Hindu, November 2, 2009.
14. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/23/content_12859870.htm (accessed May 18, 2010).
15. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/23/content_12860083.htm (accessed May 18, 2010). There have been four national conferences on Tibetan work in the past in 1980, 1984, 1994 and 2001.
16. 'Tibet to Found 5 Industrial Groups by 2010', at http://in.china-embassy.org/eng/focus/t630972.htm;
17. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/28/content_12715343.htm (accessed May 18, 2010).
18. http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a106794.html (accessed May 18, 2010). According to the CTA, quoting China Daily, China is building the fifth civil airport at Xiagaze (Tibetan: Shigatse). This Peace Airport at an altitude of 3,782 metres would be finished in two years. The other four are Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi and Ngari. See Green Tibet, Annual Newsletter 2009, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India, p. 5.
19. Wang Jun, 'Prosperity Below and Blue Skies Above', Beijing Review, September 3, 2009, pp. 17-19.
20. Wang Jun, 'In Defense of Ecological Security', Beijing Review, September 3, 2009, p. 21.
21. Yuan Yuan, 'Highest Oxygen Bar: The World's Highest Altitude Lhalu Wetland in Tibet is Rebonding from Past Environmental Damage', Beijing Review, September 3, 2009, p. 20.
22. http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/zt/xzwt/ (accessed September 27, 2009).
23. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/16/content_10206063.htm.
24. Michael Zhao and Orville Schell, 'Tibet: Plateau in Peril', World Policy Journal, 25(3), Fall 2008, pp. 171-180.
25. Tibet 2003: State of the Environment, White Paper, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, 2003.
26. Ibid., p.8. Other publications of the Environment and Development Desk include China's Train, Tibet's Tragedy (2009) and Green Tibet, Annual Newsletter 2008.
27. His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on Environment: Collected Statements, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, 2007, p. 6.
28. 'The Impacts of Climate Change on the Tibetan Plateau: A Synthesis of Recent Science and Tibetan Research', Executive Summary, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India, at http://www.tibetcustom.com/article.php?story=20091212163228232 (accessed February 16, 2010). The Executive Summary is given in the Appendix to this article.
29. World Development Indicators, 'Chapter 3: Environment', Washington, D.C., World Bank, pp. 127-133.
30. Michael Zhao and Orville Schell, no. 18.
31. Katherine Morton, 'China and Environmental Security in the Age of Consequences', Asia-Pacific Review, 15(2), November 2008, p. 60.
32. Ibid.
33. Ibid.
34. China's Train, Tibet's Tragedy, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India, 2009, pp. 48-49.
35. As quoted byWim van Spengen, Tibetan Borders: A Geohistoric Analysis of Trade and Traders, London and New York, Keegan Paul International, 2000, pp. 98-102.
36. Michael Zhao and Orville Schell, no. 18.
37. I am thankful to Professor B.G. Verghese in pointing this out during his lecture at the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi on April 21, 2010 on the occasion of the Major General Samir Sinha Memorial Lecture on 'Water Conflict - The Looming Threat'.
38. 'Editorial', Green Tibet, Annual Newsletter 2009, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India, p. 2.
39. Ibid., p. 3.
40. 'Report', Green Tibet, Annual Newsletter 2009, Environment and Development Desk, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India, p. 13.
41. M.R. Bhutiyani, Vishwas S. Kale and N.J. Pawar, 'Changing Stream Patterns in the Rivers of Northwestern Himalayas: Implications of Global Warming in the 20th Century', Current Science, 95(5), September 10, 2008, pp. 618-626.
42. As told by glaciologist D.P. Dhobal of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, in Somini Sengupta, 'The Retreat of the Himalayan Glaciers', New York Times, reproduced in The Hindu (New Delhi), July 19, 2007.
43. As told by former Deputy Director General of Geological Survey of India V.K. Raina, The Hindustan Times, March 3, 2007.
44. V.K. Raina, 'Himalayan Glaciers: A State-of-Art Review of Glacier Studies, Glacial Retreat and Climate Change', Ministry of Environment and Forests Discussion Paper, 2009.
45. 'Glaciers Disappearing by Year 2035 in Business as Usual (BUA)' is based on WWF, An Overview of Glaciers, no. 4.
46. Pallava Bagla, 'Himalayan Glaciers Melting Deadline "AMistake"', BBC News, December 12, 2009, at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8387737.stm (accessed December 7, 2009).
47. Hasan Suroor, 'Glacier Error Damaged IPCC's Credibility: Pachacin', The Hindu, February 4, 2010.
48. 'Landslide Lake Threatens Massive Floods in N. Pakistan', The New York Times, March 25, 2010.
49. Jagdish Bahadur, Himalayan Snow and Glaciers: Associated Environmental Problems, Progress and Prospects, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, 2004, pp. 99-101.
50. Mats Erikkson, Xu Jianchu, Arun Bhakta Shreshta, Raman Ananda Vaidya, Santosh Nepal and Klas Sandsttrom, The Changing Himalayas: Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources and Livelihoods in the Greater Himalayas, The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development(ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal, December 11, 2009.
51. Ding Yihui, 'Impact of the Climate Change on the Asian Monsoon System: The Common Scientific Issues Confronted by China and India', National Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration, at http://moef.nic.in/modules/others/?f=india_china_CC (accessed November 2009).
52. As reported in Xinhuanet of March 25, 2010. See http://chinatibet.people.com.cn/6931012.html (accessed April 15, 2010).
53. P.K. Gautam, 'Buddhism in the Himalayan Belt', Bulletin of Tibetology, 44(1 and 2), 2008, pp. 61-84.
54. See Appendix.
55. National Action Plan on Climate Change, Government of India, Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, at http:moef.nic.in/downloads/home/pg01-52.pdf (accessed July 26, 2010).
56. http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/India-China%20Agreement%20%on%20Climate%20Change.pdf. (accessed May 17, 2010).