Water crisis looms as Himalayan glaciers melt

This article on cnn.com rings the alarm bell on the devestating impact that global warming and glacier melt will have on both sides of the Himalayas:

"About 67 percent of the nearly 12,124 square miles of Himalayan glaciers are receding and in the long run as the ice diminishes, glacial runoffs in summer and river flows will also go down, leading to severe water shortages in the region."

Basically 40% of humanity depends on Himalayan rivers. It will take regional cooperation to address the expected apocalypse, which might not be possible to avert.

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India, China to revive Silk Road trade

Judging from this Al-Jazeera news item, it looks like plans for opening Nathu La and restoring the traditional Himalayan pass connecting Sikkim to Lhasa are well under way.

The report claims that this would the first full-fledged trade link between India and China since the 1962 war, eclipsing the other passes that have been opened since 1993 because of its central role as an ancient artery of the silk road. The opening is slated for October 2. The Sikkimese seem to be looking upon the restoration with optimism.