All is not well with Ladakh’s glaciers

All is not well with Ladakh’s glaciers

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate change impact

Context: Climate impact is visible in the Himalayas, with 25 glacial lakes and water bodies witnessing an increase in water spread area since 2009.

Details:

• There has been a 40 per cent increase in water spread area in India, China and Nepal, posing a huge threat to seven Indian states and Union Territories.
• Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have seen the highest increase in water spread area from 2009-2020 at 388 per cent.
• Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh are the other states/UTs at risk.

ICE STUPAS — Artificial glacier of Ladakh

• Ice stupas are artificial glaciers built to store winter water for use in the arid months of late spring and early summer when meltwater is scarce.
• The tower of ice was invented in 2013 by engineer Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh with the goal of preserving it for as long as possible so that it can feed the fields as it melts until the real glacial meltwaters start flowing again later in the summer.
• It is a low-cost, simple technology that may be used in any place with similar geo-climatic and topographical conditions.
• It’s a way of preserving water at high altitudes and thereby decreasing glacier melt, bringing life to freezing deserts and continuing the tradition of sustainability.