The Himalayas are facing a severe crisis, akin to a disease, worsened by global warming. Despite repeated warnings from scientists about the deteriorating state of the region, no significant action has been taken to address the issue. The human response remains lethargic, despite the escalating risks posed by the changing landscape. Ironically, the core cause of this crisis is well-understood but largely ignored. The consequences are becoming increasingly evident through the rise in natural disasters.
Shrinking Snow Cover
The Himalayas, often referred to as the “water tower of Asia,” store around 2,000 cubic kilometers of water, making them a crucial resource for India and other countries. However, the snow-covered area is rapidly diminishing. Glaciers are shrinking, and new lakes are forming, signaling a troubling trend. A significant reduction in snow cover is now documented across the region.
Decline in Snowfall
Dr. D.P. Dobhal, a former scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, highlights how global warming has caused a decrease in snowfall in higher altitudes. Snow that once persisted through the colder months now melts prematurely, contributing to the deterioration of glaciers. This disruption is not confined to high altitudes; even vegetation and human settlements are being displaced, as warming affects ecosystems and living conditions in both the tree lines and grasslands.
Early Snowmelt
Another alarming change is that snow in the higher Himalayas now begins melting as early as April, instead of the usual June or July. By the time the monsoon arrives, glaciers have already started to melt, exacerbating the risk of floods. The earlier onset of snowmelt adds to the strain on water resources and threatens to destabilize the delicate balance in the region.
Water Supply Threatened
The Himalayas play a pivotal role in regulating climate and water supply for millions of people. Many major rivers that originate from Himalayan glaciers are now at risk, as these glaciers continue to melt at an accelerated pace. The cascading effect of glacial changes is felt far beyond the highlands, impacting vast regions reliant on these rivers.
Increasing Natural Disasters
The number of avalanches, floods, and landslides in the Himalayas is rising. Kedarnath alone has recorded five avalanches since May 2022. Worryingly, the temperature in these higher regions is increasing, fueling further glacial melting. As the glaciers retreat, loose moraine—the soil and rock deposited by glaciers—becomes more prone to erosion, leading to more frequent and devastating landslides.
Accelerating Glacier Melting
In the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, the rate of glacial melting has increased by 65%, with the Himalayas losing 40% of their snow cover. The creation of thousands of lakes across the range—over 700 in Uttarakhand alone—further signals the rapid transformation underway. Between 2013 and 2022, 44% of all natural disasters in India occurred in the Himalayan region, primarily floods and landslides.
Black Carbon and Forest Fires
Another threat is the growing presence of black carbon on Himalayan glaciers, primarily due to an increase in forest fires. Black carbon, produced by these fires, absorbs heat, accelerating the melting process. Uttarakhand, in particular, has experienced a rise in forest fires, reducing green cover and spreading harmful carbon deposits across the high Himalayas.
Human Impact
Human activity is also contributing to the crisis. Dr. Vipin Kumar, a Himalayan researcher, notes that areas like Gangotri and Malari, once dominated by glaciers, are now increasingly accessible to vehicles and tourists. The carbon emissions from these developments are heating the environment and accelerating the degradation of the glaciers.
The fate of the Himalayas hangs in the balance, with the cumulative effects of climate change, human encroachment, and environmental neglect driving the region towards an uncertain future.
