Commencing with the scene in January 2018, the Indian military has impressively hauled down approximately 130 tonnes of trash from the Siachen Glacier. This massive undertaking has been made part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the army to promote waste management. This step is especially crucial in these high-altitude regions, which span 18,000 to 21,000 feet, where the extreme sub-zero temperatures prohibit any form of waste decomposition.
Siachen Glacier: An Overview
The Siachen Glacier, nestled in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, is situated just northeast of Point NJ9842. This point marks the Line of Control end between India and Pakistan. A fascinating aspect of this glacier is that it’s the second-longest non-polar glacier globally. The jurisdiction of the entire Siachen Glacier, including all its major passes, has been held by India since 1984, following Operation Meghdoot.
It is essential to note the strategic geographical importance of the Siachen Glacier: it lies immediately south of the significant drainage divide which severs the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent within the extensively glaciated region of the Karakoram. This area is sometimes referred to as the ‘Third Pole.’ Currently, the Siachen Glacier is considered a part of Ladakh, which has recently been transformed into a Union Territory.
World’s Highest Battlefield: The Siachen Glacier
The Siachen Glacier, renowned for its extreme conditions, is regarded as the highest battlefield globally. The initiation of Operation Meghdoot on 13th April 1984 marked the first assault launched in this frosty battlefield. Subsequently, Indian troops successfully seized control of the entire Siachen Glacier.
Fact Check: Siachen Glacier
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Operation Meghdoot | 13 April 1984 |
| Location | Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas |
| Administrative Control | India (since 1984) |
| Altitude Range | 18,000 to 21,000 feet |
| Waste Collected and Disposed (since Jan 2018) | ~130 tonnes |
The Importance of Waste Management in High Altitude Areas
Initiatives taken by the Indian army to incorporate waste management practices in their SOP are deeply consequential in these high-altitude areas. The severe sub-zero temperatures in these areas halt any natural waste decomposition, further aggravating the existing environmental issues. Hence, it becomes crucial to manually manage and dispose of the waste to maintain the ecological balance.