Ladakh’s protest, a hunger for justice
- April 2, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Ladakh’s protest, a hunger for justice
Subject: Geography
Section: Indian Phy geo
Climate Change threat to Ladakh region:
- Climate change poses several threats to Ladakh, significantly impacting its environment and communities over the last two decades. The region has experienced numerous catastrophic events, such as floods, landslides, and extreme rainfall.
- Notable incidents include the deadly flash floods in Leh in August 2010, resulting in 255 deaths, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in August 2014 and August 2021, which caused substantial damage to infrastructure.
- Research indicates an increase in the number and size of glacial lakes in the Himalayas due to global warming, leading to glacier shrinkage and heightened GLOF risks in Ladakh.
- This situation is exacerbated by permafrost degradation, triggering mudflows, and an observed slight increase in the region’s minimum temperature over recent years, indicating a warming trend.
- The challenges posed by climate change are further compounded by human activities. The burgeoning interest in mining and renewable energy development, along with a rise in tourism, introduces additional environmental pressures.
- Increased vehicular pollution accelerates snow and ice melting, while mining activities risk enhancing slope instability and making areas more prone to landslides.
- Furthermore, dust from mining activities settling on glaciers is likely to hasten their melting, presenting a multifaceted threat to the region’s ecological balance and the well-being of its inhabitants.
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)
- A glacial lake outburst flood is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
- This type of flood is typically caused by the rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater.
- In February 2021, Chamoli district in Uttarakhand witnessed flash floods which are suspected to have been caused by GLOFs.
- Causes:
- These floods can be triggered by a number of factors, including changes in the volume of the glacier, changes in the water level of the lake, and earthquakes.
- According to NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs.
Some important glaciers in the Ladakh region:
Glaciers | Description |
Parkachik Glacier |
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Siachen Glacier |
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Machoi Glacier |
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Shafat Glacier |
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Chumik Glacier |
|
Source: TH