Context: A recent study revealed that 110 glaciers in Arunachal Pradesh’s eastern Himalayas have disappeared over 32 years (1988-2020), with glacial cover shrinking by 309.85 sq. km.
About Glacier Meltdown:
What is Glacier Meltdown?
- Glacial retreat occurs when glaciers melt faster than the accumulation of new ice and snow, leading to reduced ice cover and formation of glacial lakes.
- It is a key indicator of global climate change, affecting water resources, ecosystems, and disaster risks.
Reasons Behind Glacier Meltdown
- Rising Global Temperatures: The eastern Himalayas are warming faster than the global average (0.1°–0.8°C per decade).
- Increased Carbon Emissions: Accelerates atmospheric heating, leading to faster ice melting.
- Changing Precipitation Patterns: More rainfall instead of snowfall, disrupting glacial accumulation.
- Anthropogenic Activities: Deforestation, infrastructure projects, and tourism add to local warming.
- Black Carbon Deposits: From burning fossil fuels, reduces glacier reflectivity, increasing heat absorption.
Impacts of Glacier Meltdown
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Rising water levels in glacial lakes increase the risk of catastrophic floods.
- Disruption of River Systems: Himalayan rivers, such as Teesta and Brahmaputra, face irregular flow patterns, affecting agriculture and hydroelectric projects.
- Threat to Biodiversity & Ecosystems: Shrinking glaciers impact flora, fauna, and water-dependent species.
- Water Scarcity & Food Security: Reduced glacier-fed water availability affects irrigation and drinking water supply.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
- GS Paper 1 – Geography & Climate Change
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- Glacial retreat and its role in climate change affecting monsoons, river basins, and ecosystems.
- Himalayan geography and vulnerabilities, including impact on permafrost regions and water cycles.
- GS Paper 3 – Environment & Disaster Management
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- Climate change and disaster risk reduction, including threats of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
- Sustainable development policies, adaptation strategies, and environmental governance.
- Essay Paper – Environmental Degradation & Sustainable Development
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- Role of climate policies, international treaties (Paris Agreement, IPCC reports), and India’s commitments.
- Importance of glacier conservation and impact of Himalayan degradation on Indian monsoon systems.
