Alarm: JK Glaciers melting rapidly, threatening water security and livelihoods
Experts call for urgent climate action as 30% glacier loss reported in six decades
By: Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is facing a grave environmental crisis as its glaciers—the vital source of water for millions—are melting at an alarming rate, experts have warned.
Nearly 30 percent of the region’s glacier cover has disappeared over the past sixty years, and if current warming trends continue, up to 70 percent may vanish by the end of the century, the experts warned.
Glaciologists and climate scientists are sounding the alarm over the rapid retreat of key glaciers, including the Kolahoi Glacier, the largest in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Once referred to as the “Kashmir Alps’ main glacier,” Kolahoi has shrunk by over 25 percent since the 1960s and is retreating at a pace of 35 metres annually, losing nearly 1 metre of ice mass per year.
“Glacier melt in the region is accelerating due to a combination of warming winters, declining snowfall, and black carbon pollution,” said Prof. Shakil Romshoo, a leading expert in earth sciences.
“If this continues unchecked, the implications for water security, agriculture, and biodiversity will be disastrous,” he added.
The shrinking glaciers threaten the flow of major rivers such as the Jhelum, Lidder, and Chenab, which are heavily relied upon for irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power.
Experts warn of early spring flooding followed by summer droughts, disrupting the delicate balance of Kashmir’s agrarian economy. Crops like rice, apple, and saffron—key to the region’s livelihood—are already showing signs of stress due to erratic water availability.
In addition, the formation of new glacial lakes due to meltwater accumulation has raised the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)—potentially devastating flash floods that could impact downstream villages and infrastructure.
“This is not a distant threat—it is happening now,” said Dr. Imtiyaz Rasool, a climate researcher.
“We need stronger environmental policies, early warning systems, and adaptive water storage infrastructure.”
Experts are also urging the government to promote eco-friendly tourism, regulate pollution in high-altitude regions, and support community-led conservation efforts.
Notably, the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation has added momentum to calls for immediate intervention.
Meanwhile, institutions like the University of Kashmir have begun strengthening their glacier monitoring programmes and training young scientists to study climate patterns in the Himalayas.
“Preserving our glaciers is not just about climate—it’s about securing the future of our people,” said Prof. Romshoo.
“If we don’t act now, the damage may be irreversible,” he cautioned.
