P: ISSN No. 0976 - 8602 RNI No.UPENG/2012/42622 VOL.-IV, ISSUE-III, July-2015 Asian Resonance 151 E: ISSN No. 2349 - 9443 Core-Winter Temperature in Kashmir Valley (1950-2010) as an Indicator of Climatic Change M. Shafi Bhat Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Geography, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K Javeed A. Rather Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Geography, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K T.A. Kanth Professors, Deptt. of Geography, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K M. S. Bhat Professors, Deptt. of Geography, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K Keywords : Geo-Environmental Changes, Fragile Ecosystem, Ecological Imbalances, Core-Winter, Glacial Recession, Fern Formation, Mitigation Introduction Global climate change has been a burning problem for environmentalists since the middle of 20 th century and has caused great discussion among the researchers even in the contemporary scientific community. A bundle of literature has been produced regarding the nature and causes of global warming and also impact assessment studies have been carried out at large scale .Mans advertent or inadvertent role has been investigated by various researchers (Lal et al., 1993b). The gist of all these studies provides a clear indication that climate is indeed poised for a change. The impact of global warming is much pronounced at high latitudes and uplands as compared to low latitudes on global scale as revealed by Inter- Government Panel for Climate Change (IPCC-TAR, 2001). Regional manifestations of climate change is a key geographic concept because global trends in environmental change have not been experienced uniformly throughout the globe; different regions have different experiences (Kates et.al. 1990). Mountains and uplands are often considered to comprise some of the worlds extreme environments. However they are of immense value to humankind as sources of food, minerals and water. Mountainous regions are often perceived to be isolated and inhospitable: in reality they are fragile regions who’s welfare is related to that of neighboring lands (Ray. S. Bradly,1991). In this backdrop Kashmir being an upland surrounded by mountains is an ideal unit with fragile environment for studying climatic variability which will provide vital clues about highly sensitive western Himalayan region. The Valley of Kashmir is nestled in the north-western folds of Himalayas. The mountain ranges rise to a height of about 5550 m in the north-east and dip to about 2700 m in the south. Valley stretches between 32 0 22'–34 0 43' north latitudes to 73 0 52'–75 0 42'east longitudes (Hussain, 1987). Despite being located in subtropics the Valley has got a sort of sub- Mediterranean or modified sub tropical climate (Mehor- Homji, 1971). It has also been defined as irregular climate as it does not show any Abstract Mountainous regions and high altitude areas of the world act as the barometers of the geo-environmental changes. They abode highly fragile and sensitive ecosystems which provide vital clues about the impact of global warming and other man induced ecological imbalances. Kashmir valley which lies in the lap of north-western Himalayas also exhibit the impact of global environmental changes as has been reported by a number of studies. The present study analyses the core-winter (January) temperature of last 60 years to ascertain the impact of global warming on the winter season in Kashmir valley. January is the coldest month and most of the precipitation is received in the form of snow. Cold winter temperature is beneficial for the glaciers as it helps in fern formation which gives the glaciers enough strength to resist the spring and summer heat and combat the recession. Cold winter temperatures are also essential for various temperate fruits and rabi crops in the valley of Kashmir. However present study reveals that during last few decades there is a considerable increase in the mean minimum and mean maximum winter temperature which could prove detrimental for the economy and ecology of the Kashmir Himalayas if appropriate mitigation measures are not taken on time.