Explained: What Is The Retreat Of Glaciers In Ladakh And How Is It Bringing Water Back

Glaciers all around the Himalayan range are receding in varied forms. Glaciers in the eastern and western parts of the Himalayan arc are melting faster as compared to other regions. Two recent studies have shed more light on the state of the Himalayan glaciers, as well as those in Ladakh's Trans-Himalayan region. Despite the fact that the thinning, melting, and receding of glaciers has been known for some time, each new study serves as an alarm for mankind.

Glacier retreat in Ladakh

Glaciers in the Pangong Tso region of Union Territory Ladakh have receded 6.7 percent between 1990 and 2019, according to a recent study, with scientists warning of catastrophic consequences for the environment of this cold deserted region of India. This revelation through this satellite research has come to light at a time when the dispute between India and China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh has been at an all-time high since April 2020. The area changes and frontal retreat of 87 glaciers in the Pangong region on the Indian side were studied.

Greg white/PX3

The key causes, according to the study, are atmospheric warming and an increase in the anthropogenic footprint in glacial and periglacial ecosystems. According to the report, "these glaciers are relatively small, with an average size of 0.8 sq km."

Given the current receding glacier scenario over seismically active Jammu and Kashmir, the formation of new proglacial lakes, as well as the presence of existing ones, would represent a massive glacial lake outburst flood danger to downstream communities and infrastructure, states the study. Glacial lakes are generated when water from glaciers melts and accumulates. Glacial lake outburst flooding has been one of the main causes of flash floods in the Himalayas in recent years.

Primary causes that may affect glacier health

Glacier recession, according to the study, is primarily caused by atmospheric warming and an increase in the anthropogenic footprint in glacier and periglacial regions, including many topographic and geological aspects that may affect glacier health. Infrastructure development in the Pangong region by India and China will be another contributing factor to the melting of glaciers.

Similarly, black carbon emitted by vehicles or cow dung settles in the glacier. The increased traffic activity contributes to rising temperatures, which leads to glacier retreat. Infrared radiation is emitted by black materials, which absorb more light and raises the temperature. According to researchers, an increase in black carbon will lead to accelerated glacier melting. Diesel engines and residential solid fuels like wood and coal are the main sources of black carbon emissions.

Impact of glacier retreat

People in Ladakh rely heavily on glaciers for drinking water and irrigating crops. It will have an impact on water, food, energy security, and agriculture, as well as cause soil erosion, landslides, and floods.

Greg White/PX3

With the effect of the water crisis, the vegetation will also be hit due to less water availability. Agriculture-related activities will be impacted. The melting of glaciers will have an influence on the entire biodiversity of the region. Glacial lakes could also form with an accumulation of melted ice, resulting in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and even altering the global climate by dumping fresh water into the oceans and disrupting their circulation.

Glacier melting will cause more floods in the region at first, before they totally melt, releasing more water in the short term. However, when glacial ice melts, the runoff will be drastically decreased in the long run. Many scientists believe that the amount of runoff water from melting glaciers will increase until at least 2050, and then decline.

Fresh water will become a valuable commodity if unsustainable practices and mismanagement of water resources are not addressed, and control of which could trigger wars in Asia.

ICE STUPAS -- Artificial glacier of Ladakh

Ice stupas, which are artificial glaciers built to store winter water for use in the arid months of late spring and early summer, when meltwater is scarce, are becoming a more practical solution. The tower of ice was invented in 2013 by engineer Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh with the goal of preserving it for as long as possible so that it can feed the fields as it melts until the real glacial meltwaters start flowing again later in the summer.

It is a low-cost, simple technology that may be used in any place with similar geo-climatic and topographical conditions. It's a way of preserving water at high altitudes and thereby decreasing glacier melt, bringing life to freezing deserts, and continuing the tradition of sustainability.

Greg White/PX3

Due to the extremely cold weather, water during 6-7 months is drained into rivers and goes to waste in the absence of any agricultural work. The wastewater is diverted at a higher altitude with a broad slope, and the water is made to flow in small volumes down the ridge through a network of appropriately designed structures. Huge reserves of solid ice accumulate all along the ridge down to a several thousand-meter gorge below during the course of 6-7 winter months, accurately named 'artificial glacier.'

Artificial ice reserves are not new, but they have traditionally been built in less effective designs and far higher up in the mountains, making them difficult to manage. These ice stupas are now constructed precisely where the water is most required, on the fringes of villages and near their fields. They are particularly efficient, affordable, and easy to maintain due to their size and form, and they may produce millions of liters of water each year.

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