For the first time, Indian scientists have collected high-quality, continuous data on greenhouse gases in the Himalayas. The study shows that levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) are generally higher in the Central Himalayas compared to other remote areas. This suggests that human activities are increasingly affecting the region.
The data was gathered over five years by scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital. Led by Dr Priyanka Srivastava and Dr Manish Naja, the team studied carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide (CO), and how natural and human-made factors influence them.
Key findings of the study:
Carbon dioxide and methane are steadily rising, showing a growing impact of human-caused emissions.
Carbon monoxide is slowly decreasing, possibly due to better fuel-burning methods or reduced pollution.
During the day, carbon dioxide levels drop as plants absorb it through photosynthesis, while methane and carbon monoxide levels increase due to winds carrying pollution upward from lower areas.
In spring, carbon dioxide rises, likely because of burning vegetation and low plant cover.
Methane levels are highest in autumn, possibly due to farming activities like rice cultivation.
Carbon monoxide peaks in late spring, suggesting pollution is being transported into the region during that time.
The study also found that factors like sunlight, temperature, and how high pollutants can rise in the air play a major role, just like farming or urban pollution.
This is the first detailed ground-level data from the Central Himalayas, filling a major gap in global climate research. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, this data will help improve climate models, guide government policies, and support climate action in South Asia.
The research has been published by Germany-based science publisher Springer Nature.
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