Preserve J&K’s melting glaciers
Glaciers are melting globally at a fast pace due to rapid rise in temperatures coupled with increasing pollution levels. Glaciers are more than frozen mounds of snow as these regulate global climate and provide freshwater as a lifeline of people.
In view of rapid melting of glaciers, the United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. March 21 has been recognised as the World Day for Glaciers.
The aim of the initiative is to raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system.
The initiative aims to study effects of changes in the Earth’s cryosphere on sea-level rise, the hydrological cycle, geohazards, and related impacts on our economy and society. The objective is to encourage exchange of data, knowledge, and best practices regarding glacier preservation strategies.
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and World Day for Glaciers were proposed by Tajikistan and adopted by a UN General Assembly resolution inviting UNESCO and WMO, in cooperation with UN Member States and to facilitate their implementation. India, along with 35 other countries, is participating in this global initiative. India, along with 35 other countries, is participating in this global initiative.
What makes The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 relevant to J&K? As one of the largest parts of Himalayas, J&K and Ladakh house major glaciers in the Hindu Kush region. Kolahoi, the largest glacier of Kashmir valley’s Jhelum Basin, besides Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and Harmukh are retreating rapidly due to spurt rise in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Glaciers including
The Kolahoi glacier is the main source of water for river Jhelum, which is considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir. Rapid melting of Kolhai has led to decrease in Jhelum’s water
Kolahoi Glacier has lost almost 23 percent of its area since 1962 and has fragmented into smaller parts. Studies have revealed that Kolahoi Glacier, based on the last 10 years’ observation, is losing mass at the rate of about 1.0 m water equivalent annually, which is significantly higher than the glaciers in the rest of the Himalayas. The mass loss of the glaciers is expected to exacerbate in future as a result of the projected climate change, and thus further diminishing the stream flow of the trans-boundary rivers emanating from the region.
The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Glacial Studies, University of Kashmir, Kashmir chapters of the Indian Meteorological Society (IMS), and the Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG), marked the International Year of Glaciers Preservation. The seminar “Melting Himalayan Cryosphere and Its Implications” raised awareness about the accelerating retreat of glaciers worldwide and its cascading effects on water, energy and food security, and as well as the livelihoods.
Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, and Head, National Cryosphere Lab, KU, stressed for scientific research, policy interventions, and community engagement to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on snow and glaciers. He highlighted that the Himalayan glaciers, a crucial source of freshwater for millions, are melting at an accelerated pace due to rising temperatures and black carbon deposition, posing significant threats to water security, agriculture, and disaster risks in the region.
The retreating glacier fronts result in formation of proglacial lakes dammed by loose moraine material. These lakes often result in sudden and catastrophic glacial lake outburst floods often destroying the downstream infrastructure, resulting in fatalities and affecting livelihoods of mountain communities.
Decreasing precipitation coupled with rapid loss of snow cover due to high temperatures in winter in Kashmir is taking a toll on our fragile glaciers.
In 2023, a three week Capacity Building Program in Glaciology was organised in Western Himalaya by the Centre of Excellence (COE) for Glacial Studies, University of Kashmir with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Spanning three years (2023-2026), the program focuses on theoretical aspects of glaciology, advanced research methodologies, utilisation of state-of-the-art facilities and instruments, glacier field training, and engagement with a highly skilled team of field glaciologists.
The program’s objective is to empower program participants to unravel the complexities of glaciology, glacial-hydrology, and climate change influences. It aims to bolster the human and institutional capacities of Indian students and researchers in various facets of glaciology and related fields, providing them with the essential knowledge and skills to conduct independent research.
Being an eco-fragile zone, J&K is already confronted with environmental challenges due to global warming, unplanned urbanisation, deforestation and vandalisation of water bodies. Studies have projected that the Kashmir valley will experience more frequent and prolonged droughts in the future due to melting of glaciers.
It is the responsibility of the government to undertake scientific studies of all glaciers in J&K. There is a need to develop strategies to minimise the glacier recession rate. We have to preserve glaciers to ensure regional water availability and hydrological regimes. Glaciers are our lifeline and we have to protect these for our survival.
Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir
