To the world’s military leaders, the debate over climate change is long over. They are preparing for a new kind of Cold War in the Arctic, anticipating that rising temperatures there will open up a treasure trove of resources, long-dreamed-of sea lanes and a slew of potential conflicts.

By Arctic standards, the region is already buzzing with military activity, and experts believe that will increase significantly in the years ahead. Last month, Norway wrapped up one of the largest Arctic manoeuvres ever — Exercise Cold Response — with 16,300 troops from 14 countries training on the ice for everything from high intensity warfare to terror threats.

The Matterhorn is the iconic peak of the Alpine mountains on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Its majestic spire soars over 14,600 feet in the air, making it quite a sight to behold. The glaciers at the top of the mountain have been receding due to the changing climate, causing an increase in glacial melt water. According to a new study, the melting glaciers are causing large chunks of rock to be dislodged and tumble down the mountain. The deluge of water is penetrating cracks and fissures high up the mountain.

Racing against time, Pakistani troops, aided by sniffer dogs and mechanical equipment, on Sunday frantically searched for 135 people, mostly soldiers, buried under dozens of feet of snow after a massive avalanche slammed into a key army camp in the Siachen sector near Indian border. Rescuers resumed the desperate search after suspending the operation late Saturday night because of darkness and poor weather, though there were no signs of survivors a day after avalanche hit the camp.

The Ministry of Environment today launched the two-day International Conference of Mountain Countries on Climate Change in Kathmandu.

Organised by the MoE and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the participants were scientists, researchers, policy makers, and climate change experts from more than 20 countries who have been working on climate change and mountain environment.

The programme aims to reduce the vulnerability of two million women and men in the Mid and Far Western regions of Nepal where the impacts of climate change are already being felt.

After the first phase of its modernisation led to an improvement in the accuracy of forecasts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has embarked on Phase 2, in a bid to increase its forecasting capabilities. IMD Director Dr B P Yadav said that the department would install at least two automatic weather stations in every district in India for the purpose, besides launching a Rs 600-crore ‘Integrated Mountain Meteorology Programme’ to install modern weather equipment in the Himalayan states.

The government is all set to seek technical and financial assistance from the international community and experts to measure the height of Mt Everest afresh.

A joint project proposal being prepared by the Department of Survey (DoS) will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to request the interested donor community to fund the three-year-long project.