As the world confronts the escalating impacts of climate change, glaciers have emerged as critical indicators of environmental health. The melting of glaciers poses risks to water security, ecosystems, and human populations. In response, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, aiming to raise awareness and promote action towards glacier conservation.
About Glaciers
Glaciers are large, slow-moving masses of ice formed from accumulated snow over many years. They are vital freshwater reservoirs, holding around 70% of the world’s freshwater resources. Glaciers play important role in the global water cycle, supporting ecosystems and human communities.
Impact of Climate Change
Rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an alarming rate. This phenomenon is contributing to global sea level rise and altering regional water cycles. The melting glaciers also lead to the formation of glacial lakes, which can pose risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) to communities downstream.
The Himalayan Glaciers
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, known as the “Third Pole,” contains the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions. It is crucial for the water supply of over 1.3 billion people. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is part of this system, with approximately 9,575 glaciers mapped. These glaciers are essential for the rivers that provide drinking water, irrigation, and energy generation.
Glacier Dynamics and Trends
Most glaciers in the IHR are experiencing a negative mass balance due to rising temperatures and reduced snowfall. The Western Himalayas are retreating faster than glaciers in Central and Eastern regions. However, the Karakoram glaciers exhibit stability, a phenomenon known as the “Karakoram Anomaly.”
Factors Influencing Glacier Melting
Glacier melting is influenced by both climatic and non-climatic factors. Climatic factors include temperature and precipitation. Non-climatic factors involve geographical elements like altitude, topography, and debris cover. Many Himalayan glaciers are covered by debris, affecting their melting rates.
Consequences of Glacier Retreat
The retreat of glaciers threatens freshwater availability for millions. Declining seasonal snowfall could impact agriculture and lead to socio-economic challenges. The increase in glacial lakes raises the risk of GLOFs, endangering infrastructure and communities.
Global and National Responses
In August 2024, the UN declared 2025-2034 as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.” This initiative aims to enhance global cooperation in cryosphere monitoring. On a national level, India has launched the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) to address climate change impacts on the region.
Need for Enhanced Monitoring
To effectively manage glacier health, there is a pressing need for improved policies and financial investments. Establishing automatic weather stations and continuous glacier monitoring systems is essential for understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Questions for UPSC:
- Analyse the impact of glacial melt on freshwater resources in South Asia.
- Critically discuss the significance of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region in global climate dynamics.
- Examine the role of glacial lakes in the context of climate change and disaster management.
- Estimate the socio-economic consequences of glacier retreat on local communities in the Indian Himalayan Region.
Answer Hints:
1. Analyse the impact of glacial melt on freshwater resources in South Asia.
- Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya are vital freshwater sources for over 1.3 billion people in South Asia.
- Melting glaciers contribute to river systems like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, crucial for drinking and irrigation.
- Declining seasonal snowfall due to climate change threatens the replenishment of these freshwater sources.
- Increased glacial melt can lead to short-term water availability but risks long-term scarcity.
- Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) pose additional risks to water security and infrastructure downstream.
2. Critically discuss the significance of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region in global climate dynamics.
- The HKH region is referred to as the “Third Pole,” housing the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions.
- It plays important role in regulating regional climate and water cycles across South Asia.
- Glaciers in this region act as indicators of climate change, reflecting global warming trends.
- The HKH affects monsoon patterns and precipitation distribution, impacting agriculture and ecosystems.
- Preservation of the HKH is essential for maintaining biodiversity and supporting millions of livelihoods.
3. Examine the role of glacial lakes in the context of climate change and disaster management.
- Glacial lakes form due to melting glaciers and can expand as temperatures rise, increasing flood risks.
- GLOFs pose threats to downstream communities, infrastructure, and hydro-power projects.
- Monitoring and managing glacial lakes are critical for disaster preparedness and response strategies.
- Effective management can mitigate risks and enhance resilience in vulnerable regions.
- Glacial lakes also serve as indicators of climate change, denoting the need for proactive measures.
4. Estimate the socio-economic consequences of glacier retreat on local communities in the Indian Himalayan Region.
- Glacier retreat threatens freshwater availability, impacting drinking water and irrigation for local populations.
- Reduced water supply can lead to decreased agricultural productivity, affecting food security and livelihoods.
- Increased frequency of GLOFs poses risks to infrastructure, leading to economic losses and displacement.
- Communities may face socio-economic challenges, including poverty and migration due to resource scarcity.
- Long-term impacts of glacier retreat can exacerbate existing inequalities and hinder regional development.
