By Jay Prakash Pandey “Pahadi”
The towering peaks of Kalamuni, Badrinath, and Panchachuli in the Himalayas, once resplendent with glistening white snow, are now turning dark. This isn’t merely a loss of Uttarakhand’s pristine beauty; it’s a stark warning of a larger environmental crisis. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports a 20% reduction in average snowfall over the past 50 years in Uttarakhand. Geological surveys reveal that 30% of Himalayan glaciers have melted since 1962.
This darkening map of ice mirrors drying rivers and the deteriorating ecosystem of the Himalayas. It’s time to question whether this is a natural phenomenon to be ignored or a critical alarm about the future. The story etched in the Himalayan folds awaits our attention—both to be heard and understood.
The Third Pole: A Crumbling Lifeline
Known as the “Third Pole”, the Himalayas cradle the origins of ten major Asian rivers, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus. These rivers are not just water sources but the lifeblood of civilisations. But the glaciers feeding these rivers are shrinking, causing the rivers to lose their flow. This change threatens not only the Himalayan ecosystem but also the water security of millions. The lifelines of the Himalayas, once vibrant with life, now stand as silent witnesses to an impending catastrophe. Are we ready to heed their warnings?
Gangotri: A Glacier in Retreat
Gangotri, a revered glacier nestled in the Himalayan folds, is more than just a frozen mass; it’s a cornerstone of our civilisation. Yet, this glacier is retreating every year, almost as if disconnecting from its own past. According to the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Gangotri has retreated by 144 metres over the last 12 years. This retreat is not merely physical—it’s a loss of memories, faith, and hope.
Gangotri and other glaciers like Bhagirathi Kharak, Satopanth, Chaturangi, and Raktvarn are more than just frozen landscapes—they are the arteries of life. Studies from 2005 to 2017 show that Gangotri was retreating at a rate of 8 metres per year between 2005-2010, which increased to 14.58 meters per year by 2016. This alarming speed of retreat is a testament to the rapid loss of this icy heritage.
Rising Fern Line: Melting Stability
The crisis isn’t just about retreat. Scientists have noted that Gangotri’s fern line—the point where snow remains permanent—has also moved upwards, from 5327 metres in 2005 to 5376 metres in 2016. This upward shift of 3.44 metres annually highlights the breaking equilibrium of snow even in the higher reaches of the Himalayas.
This retreat of Gangotri symbolises more than just glacial melt; it poses a dire question about humanity’s future. Drying rivers, barren fields, and a civilisation grappling with its self-created disaster—it’s no longer a distant possibility but an imminent reality.
The Everest Threat: Dangerous Lakes
The melting glaciers around Mount Everest have led to the formation of 1490 glacial lakes, of which 95 are considered dangerous. Among these, 17 are classified as highly hazardous, while 59 are moderately dangerous. These lakes, formed by melting ice, are not just a collection of water but a ticking time bomb for the downstream regions.
The number of these lakes has increased alarmingly—from 1275 in 1990, covering 106.11 square kilometres, to 1490 in 2018, spanning 133.36 square kilometres. This isn’t merely a statistic but a looming disaster waiting to strike. If these lakes overflow or break their banks, the resulting floods could devastate downstream areas.
ISRO’s Dire Observations
On Earth Day, April 22, 2024, ISRO released a report documenting the alarming pace of glacial retreat in the Himalayas and the consequent expansion of glacial lakes. Between 1984 and 2023, the melting rate of Himalayan glaciers has accelerated significantly. Experts attribute this to a 1.5°C rise in global temperatures, which has increased the melting rate by 15%.
A Global Warning
The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report resonates as a sorrowful melody for our times—a song of melting glaciers and rising seas. Published in three instalments between 2021 and 2022, the report paints a grim picture of rampant greenhouse gas emissions fuelling an unprecedented rise in global temperatures. If humanity fails to curb its greed, climate disasters will obliterate both cultural and physical heritages. This report is not just a warning—it’s a final call to action.
The Call to Action
This melting geography of ice is not just a collection of statistics; it’s a grim question mark over the existence of our civilisation. From the Himalayas to Greenland, from Panchachuli to the North Pole, this story of melting ice reflects human negligence and blind development.
The solutions are within reach—reducing carbon emissions globally, promoting renewable energy, and adopting climate adaptation policies are essential pillars of the fight against this crisis. Locally, environmental education, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development strategies in Himalayan regions must take priority.
The question is no longer about what we’re losing but whether we are ready to act to preserve it. Time is running out, and if we ignore this warning, the future will be devoid not just of ice but also of hope and faith.
(Jay Prakash Pandey “Pahadi” is an independent writer, columnist and Senior Rajbhasha Officer, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand)
