12-December-2024-Editorial

THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT) AND HIMALAYAN GLACIAL LAKES: A CONCERN FOR CLIMATE AND COMMUNITIES

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently taken suo motu cognizance of a news report highlighting the alarming rise in Himalayan glacial lakes. Over the last 13 years, these lakes have expanded by approximately 10.81% due to increasing temperatures, resulting in significant challenges for both the environment and local communities.

This issue has prompted the NGT to issue a notice to the central government, underscoring the urgency of addressing this environmental concern.

What are Glacial Lakes?

Glacial lakes are water bodies formed from glacier activity. They are often located at the base of a glacier but can also form on, within, or beneath it.

Formation:

• Glaciers carve out depressions in the land, which fill with meltwater as the glacier retreats.
• Natural dams made of ice or debris (moraines) can create glacial lakes, but these dams are often unstable and may burst, causing floods.

Expansion of Glacial Lakes:

• A recent report noted a 33.7% increase in the surface area of glacial lakes in India from 2011 to 2024.
• Around 67 lakes have been identified as high-risk for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

• This growth poses risks to infrastructure and endangers human lives in areas such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Causes of Glacial Lake Expansion

• Global Warming: Rising temperatures in the Himalayas accelerate glacier melting.
• Retreating Glaciers: As glaciers shrink, they release water and expose new land for lake formation.
• Thawing Permafrost: Melting permafrost creates depressions that hold water, further enlarging glacial lakes.

What are Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?

A GLOF occurs when the dam of a glacial lake fails, releasing large volumes of water.

Causes:

• Rapid glacier melting or heavy rainfall.
• Changes in glacier volume, lake water levels, or seismic activity.

Impact:

• According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), climate change-induced glacier retreat in the Hindu Kush Himalayas has increased the frequency of GLOFs.

Notable GLOF Events in India

• 2013 (Uttarakhand): Unprecedented rainfall caused the Chorabari glacier to melt, resulting in floods along the Mandakini River.
• 2014 (Ladakh): A glacial lake outburst flood struck the village of Gya.
• 2023 (Sikkim): Continuous rainfall led to the rupture of the South Lhonak Lake, causing widespread flooding.

Concerns About Rapid Glacial Lake Expansion

Threat to Communities:

• Flooding causes displacement, loss of life, and destruction of property.
• Many high-risk lakes lack adequate monitoring and early warning systems.

Feedback Loop:

• Rising temperatures lead to glacier retreat, which further expands glacial lakes, creating a cycle of risk.

Infrastructure Vulnerability:

• Roads, bridges, and hydropower plants are at risk of damage from GLOFs.
• Economic losses and delays in development are significant concerns.

Ecosystem Disruption:

• Floods alter sedimentation and water flow, impacting aquatic biodiversity.
• For example, the 2023 Sikkim floods disrupted downstream river ecosystems.

Secondary Disasters:

• Increased water pressure destabilizes slopes, triggering landslides.
• Other risks include debris flows and accelerated erosion of riverbanks.

Mitigation Strategies for Glacial Lake Risks

Enhanced Monitoring:

• Use satellite imagery and ground assessments to track changes in lake volume and surface area.
• Employ Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) to detect new water bodies, particularly during monsoon seasons.

Early Warning Systems:

• Develop systems integrating weather and hydrological data to predict GLOFs.
• Ensure effective communication of risks to local communities.

Transboundary Cooperation:

• Collaborate internationally to manage water resources and share best practices.

Infrastructure Investment:

• Secure funding from international organizations for disaster-resilient infrastructure.
• Promote initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Community Training:

• Train local personnel alongside specialized forces like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Conclusion

The rapid expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes poses severe risks to both human and environmental systems. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach, including monitoring, early warning mechanisms, international collaboration, and investment in infrastructure. Proactive measures can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on these fragile ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.