Sandeep BadadAIR 82 · CSE 2025 · 243 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a figure
Icecaps and glaciers are reservoirs of fresh water, holding about ~70% of it. Melting of these affects freshwater availability.
[Himalayan glacial retreat] refers to a process where the glacier is melting and the snowline is receding due to following factors:
Body · points and prose
→ Global warming → Erratic weather pattern → Reducing snow cover in winter → Anthropogenic interference
Availability of freshwater:
- Himalayan glaciers are prime source of perennial rivers, viz Ganga-Indus-Brahmaputra.
- Retreat affects minimum ecological flow in summer and maximum flow level in monsoon.
- It also affects recharge of groundwater aquifers linked to river channels.
- The lower riparian states would suffer shortage.
- Himalayan retreat is reducing freshwater availability by ~6% annually.
- Impact →
- Affect cropping pattern
- May affect women badly
- Major industries may face shortage
- Power shortage in hydro power plants
- Canal system may run dry
Effect on regional hydropolitics in south Asia
- Rise of conflicts → regarding share of Indus water & Ganga waters.
- Indus water treaty may is outdated and may create conflict.
- Bangladesh :- already existing issue of Farrakka Barrage. Lower riparian vulnerability intensifies conflict.
- Water wars : weaponisation of water. ↳ China building huge dams over upper Brahmaputra affects flow in India.
Way forward
→ Extensive study the phenomenon for causal relation → Stentinal mitigation measure → Multilateral cooperation to resolve the humanitarian crisis
Close · a way forward
"Himalayas have been life line of India.. If Himalayas cries, India bleeds"
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