Bhubaneswar, Jan 13 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Wednesday said global warming is a major problem that the world is facing today and the Tibetan plateau is already facing its impact.

Speaking in Chandragiri in Gajapati district of Orissa, he said. 'Global warming is a major problem the world is facing today. It is certainly a major problem, we can't overlook it.'

He said the Tibetan plateau is already facing the impact of global warming and it will have other repercussions as several rivers originate in the Tibetan region.

'The problem is much more serious than it is perceived to be. The glaciers are melting at a faster rate in the Himalayan region and deep inside Tibet. So it is very essential that we address it fast,' he added.

He also thanked the Indian government and the state government for taking care of the Tibetan people.