Pachauri dodges questions on ‘Himalayan blunder’

This event is strictly confined to the energy security-related matter,” he said at an event organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) which is headed by him.

Despite a barrage of questions from the media who insisted that the issue was of global importance and his reaction could clear the air on the matter,Pachauri remained evasive and refused to budge.

“I do not want to speak on the issue (controversy) right now,” maintained Pachauri who had vociferously dismissed a report last year by India’s senior-most glaciologist V K Raina that questioned IPCC’s claim as “voodoo science”.

Journalists,including from foreign media who had come in large numbers,were keen to get his response on IPCC erring in concluding that Himalayan glaciers will melt by 2035,a claim which has now turned out to be based on “speculations”.

On Wednesday,the UN panel had expressed regret that it had erred on the Himalayan glaciers. It issued a statement saying that its conclusion was based on “poorly substantiated estimates of rate of recession and date for the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers.” The fourth assessment report of IPCC had forecast that the Himalayan glaciers would “disappear altogether by 2035 if not sooner.” Besides facing heat over the glacier issue,Pachauri is being accused of financially profiting from the influence of his UN role — a claim he vehemently denies.