Bhupender Yadav outlines five-point call for mountain ecosystems at first Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav represented India at the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu on 16 May 2025, themed 'Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity', and set out a five-point call for global action on mountain ecosystems.
Summary
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav represented India at the inaugural session of the first Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 16 May 2025. The dialogue's theme was 'Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity'. Yadav said South Asia accounts for only 4% of historical global CO2 emissions despite having nearly 25% of the world's population, and called on Himalayan nations to collaborate under the International Big Cats Alliance for species such as snow leopards. He noted that India's first Snow Leopard Population Assessment (2019â2023) counted 718 snow leopards. His five-point call covered scientific cooperation, climate resilience (including early warning for glacial lake outburst floods), empowering mountain communities, green finance under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, and recognising mountain perspectives in climate negotiations.
Key facts
- Event
- 1st Sagarmatha Sambaad, Kathmandu, 16 May 2025
- Theme
- Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity
- South Asia
- ~4% of historical CO2 emissions; ~25% of world population
- Snow leopards in India
- 718 (first assessment, 2019â2023)
- Five points
- Scientific cooperation; climate resilience; mountain communities; green finance; mountain perspectives
- Alliance cited
- International Big Cats Alliance
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The first Sagarmatha Sambaad, held in Kathmandu in May 2025, had which theme?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity
The theme of the first Sagarmatha Sambaad was 'Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity'.
According to India's first Snow Leopard Population Assessment (2019â2023), cited at the Sagarmatha Sambaad, how many snow leopards were found in India?
Show answer
Correct answer: D â 718
The assessment found a total of 718 snow leopards across India, about 10â15% of the global population.
Consider the following statements made by India at the first Sagarmatha Sambaad (May 2025): 1. South Asia accounts for only about 4% of historical global CO2 emissions despite being home to nearly 25% of the world's population. 2. Himalayan nations were called upon to collaborate under the International Solar Alliance to protect snow leopards. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A â 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The call for transboundary conservation of snow leopards, tigers and leopards was made under the International Big Cats Alliance.