The Tibetan plateau has become warmer during the last 50 years and had shrunk to 15% around 8,000 square kilometers (3,100 square miles), say researchers.

According to a fresh report by Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, the temperature and humidity can continue to rise throughout this century. The report also says that over the past five decades, the rate of temperature increase has been twice the average global level. This aspect can lead glaciers to retreat and increase desertification.

According to researchers, glacier retreat might hinder the water supply to various main rivers of Asia. It may also include disruption of water supply to China's Yellow and Yangtze, India's Brahmaputra and South Asia's Mekong and Salween.

In a report, researchers said that change in climate and human activities on the plateau can increase risk of floods and landslides there. However, ecosystem of the plateau is improving overall as the temperature zone and the forest coverage is increasing.

Scientists have suggested government to reduce the human activities on the fragile regions. However, Beijing is constructing a series of huge hydropower projects along with building of many mega-dams that are expected to start by 2020. China and India are also planning a number of hydro plants.