2025 is International Year of Glaciers Preservation

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. This year will also see the declaration of 21 March as the World Day for Glaciers every year starting 2025. Glaciers are crucial for regulating climate systems and for providing freshwater to billions of people. Anthropogenic climate change is resulting in rapid melting of glaciers which needs urgent attention and action.

Glaciers are indispensable to India’s environmental health, economic stability and cultural heritage. These vast ice masses, predominantly located in the Himalayan region, serve as critical freshwater reservoirs, support diverse ecosystems which provide ecosystem services and play a pivotal role in the nation’s agriculture, hydropower generation and water security. They are also the source of spirituality and religious fervour in India, with some of these glaciers attracting millions of pilgrims from around the country every year. Since the Himalaya act as the border between India and other countries, glaciers in India are also located in some very geo-strategic locations.

Geo-spatial importance of glaciers in India

India’s glaciers are primarily situated in the Himalayas. The location is adjacent to the Third Pole, which refers to the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau region that contains the largest concentration of glaciers and snow outside the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The region plays a crucial role in regulating climate and providing freshwater to billions of people in Asia. The extensive ice reserves serve as the source of some of the largest rivers in the world that serve the needs of over a billion people. The Gangotri Glacier on the Indian side of the Himalaya, e.g., is one of the largest glaciers, serving as the source of the Bhagirathi River, a principal tributary of the Holy Ganges. Spanning approximately 30 kilometers in length and 2 to 4 kilometers in width, the Gangotri Glacier is a vital freshwater source for millions.

The geo-spatial distribution of these glaciers significantly influences India’s river systems. The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers, all originating from Himalayan glaciers, are lifelines for the Indian subcontinent. They provide water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes to hundreds of millions of people across multiple countries. The glaciers’ meltwater is crucial for maintaining river flow, especially during the dry summer months, ensuring a continuous water supply for agriculture and daily life. Any disturbance in this region, either climate induced or militarily, can have a big impact on the entire North and North-eastern parts of India.

Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram range of the Himalaya, is one of the highest and longest glaciers outside the polar regions, spanning around 70 km in length. It lies in the Jammu and Kashmir, adjacent to Pakistan, and is sometimes referred to as the world’s highest battlefield! Due to its strategic location, the Siachen glacier has significant geo-political and military importance for India, as it provides access to key high-altitude positions that help secure the northern frontier against any potential incursions. Protecting and monitoring the glaciers is thus critical to the national security of India.

Ecosystem services provided by glaciers

Glaciers offer a multitude of ecosystem services that are vital for environmental sustainability and human well-being. The ecosystem services and benefits of glaciers are not restricted to the people who live in high altitudes around them but to a large part of Indian and Asian population. Some of these ecosystem services provided by glaciers are:

  1. Freshwater storage and supply: Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, storing vast amounts of freshwater. During warmer months, glacial meltwater sustains river flows, supporting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and sanitation. This is particularly important in arid and semi-arid regions that rely heavily on consistent meltwater for irrigation. Without healthy glaciers, there will be no major rivers in North and North-east India.
  2. Agricultural support: The consistent flow of glacial meltwater ensures the availability of water for irrigation, enabling the cultivation of various crops. This supports food security and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The rapid melting of glaciers therefore poses a huge threat to this balance, and can result in water scarcity during crop growing seasons.
  3. Hydropower generation: Many of India’s hydropower projects depend on the steady flow of glacial-fed rivers. The energy produced is essential for economic development and meeting the electricity needs of the population. Disruptions in glacial melt patterns can affect hydropower generation, leading to energy shortages and making all big dam investments go waste.
  4. Climate regulation: Glaciers influence regional and global climate patterns by reflecting sunlight, thus regulating temperatures. Their presence affects atmospheric circulation and precipitation patterns, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance in the regions that they exist and in far away regions as well. Any non-natural melting of glaciers will upset the climate system around it.
  5. Habitat for biodiversity: Glacial regions and the rivers they feed support diverse ecosystems, including unique flora and fauna adapted to cold environments. These ecosystems are integral to the overall biodiversity of the region. Glaciers support large biological diversity around them and in the downstream rivers that originate from it.

Recent studies are highlighting alarming rates of glacial melting in the Himalayan region. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported that glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, leading to the expansion of glacial lakes. This increases the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating consequences for downstream communities. The retreat of glaciers also threatens water security. As glaciers shrink, the volume of meltwater decreases, leading to reduced river flows during dry seasons. This can result in water shortages for drinking, agriculture, and hydropower generation, impacting food security and economic stability.

Way Forward

Addressing the challenges posed by glacial melting requires a multifaceted approach that must include:

  • Climate Action: Mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial for slowing down glacial melting.
  • Monitoring and Research: Continuous monitoring of glaciers using satellite imagery and ground-based observations will help in understanding the rate of melting and its impacts.
  • Disaster Preparedness: Developing early warning systems for GLOFs and implementing community-based disaster management plans can reduce the risks associated with glacial lake outbursts.
  • Sustainable Water Management: Implementing efficient water management practices, including rainwater harvesting and the development of alternative water storage systems can help mitigate the impact of reduced glacial meltwater.

The UN declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation is timely and will help raise global awareness about the vital role of glaciers and promote actions to preserve them.

Image by Siddhartha.

Dwija Sharma

Dwija works in a leading consultancy firm based out of Delhi NCR and is passionate about environmental harmony, spirituality, nature walks and natural & organic products.

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