For many, Leh is a picture of stunning mountains, icy winds, and beautiful landscapes. But this scenery is changing. The glaciers, once proud and white, are shrinking due to global warming.
The Himalayas store a vast amount of snow and ice. This frozen water is vital for the region’s economy, particularly for agriculture and drinking water. However, climate change is making these glaciers vulnerable, and their decline signals a looming crisis.
### Understanding Ladakh’s Glaciers
Ladakh, a cold desert in northern India, has over 2,200 glaciers covering about 7,900 square kilometers. Key glaciers include the mighty Siachen, the longest in India, and others like Drang-Drung in Zanskar. Most of these glaciers stand between 5,000 and 6,000 meters high.
These glaciers feed important rivers such as the Indus and Zanskar. They support agriculture and provide drinking water in a region that is largely arid. As the glaciers retreat, they threaten the water supply, which is already strained due to rising demands from urbanization.
### Current Challenges in Ladakh
Ladakh is home to nearly 300,000 people who heavily rely on these glaciers. But the situation is deteriorating. A 2024 study highlighted that climate change and human activity have severely affected groundwater resources in the region. Since the Little Ice Age, glaciers have shrunk by 40%, leading to reduced groundwater recharge.
Population growth and urban expansion have intensified pressure on these fragile water sources. Bore wells are on the rise, while groundwater extraction has skyrocketed by about 26 times. Dr. Farooq Azam, an expert from IIT Indore, notes, “Up to 40% of the basin’s water comes from glacial melt.” This means any changes disrupt water flow downstream, significantly impacting local agriculture.
### Tourism and Environmental Impact
In recent years, tourism in Ladakh has surged post-COVID, leading to a boom in new hotels and homestays. While this brings economic benefits, it also increases water demand. Locals report that tourists use more water than residents, straining the already limited resources.
The rising temperatures have led to new air-conditioned hotels, reflecting the changing climate. As Padma Rigzin, a Ph.D. scholar, points out, “This demand compounds water stress, leading to irrigation challenges.”
Besides tourism, geopolitical tensions have prompted more military presence in the region. Each new base means increased emissions and an accelerated climate impact. Furthermore, black soot and dust on glaciers absorb sunlight, causing them to melt faster.
This early melt creates a mismatch. Water flows before crops need it, leading to waste and leaving farmers scrambling during dry seasons.
In Ladakh, climate change isn’t a future worry—it’s a present reality. The region serves as a clear example of how sensitive ecosystems can drastically affect human lives as they change.
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Climate change, Ladakh glacier, Himalayan glaciers, Leh climate crisis, global warming, temperatuyre rise, Army movement, vehicle emission, disappearing glaciers, Indian glaciers, Siachen, Science News, India Today Science
