What exactly will happen to India’s glaciers if the world warms by 2.7°C? At this level of warming, only about 24% of present-day glaciers worldwide will remain intact. In India, particularly in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, it is anticipated that only 25% of glacier ice from 2020 levels will survive.
As glaciers shrink, vital rivers like the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra will receive significantly less meltwater. This reduction in flow is especially critical during the dry season when glaciers serve as essential water reservoirs. Millions of people residing in northern, northeastern, and Indo-Gangetic plains depend on these rivers for drinking water, agriculture, and their livelihoods.
Glacier-fed rivers constitute a crucial source of fresh water in India. A decline in glacial mass translates to diminished meltwater in rivers, leading to potential water shortages that could affect agriculture, drinking water supplies, and hydroelectric power generation.
While some effects, such as altered river flows, will manifest gradually, others, like flash floods resulting from sudden glacier collapses, are already observable. Over time, the reliability of water availability is expected to decline, becoming increasingly seasonal.
On a global scale, the loss of glaciers could contribute approximately 113 mm to sea level rise if warming ceased immediately. India's coastal regions are particularly susceptible to these rising seas, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
Farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains are heavily reliant on glacier-fed rivers for irrigation. A decrease in river flows could lead to crop failures, exacerbating food insecurity. Additionally, hydropower facilities in the Himalayas depend on glacier meltwater for electricity generation.
Indian glaciers are particularly vulnerable due to their relatively small size and lower altitudes compared to polar glaciers. This makes them more sensitive to temperature increases, resulting in a faster loss of ice mass.
Restricting global temperature rise to 1.5°C could help preserve up to 54% of glacier mass worldwide, ensuring more reliable river flows and enhanced water security for India’s growing population.
Policymakers must integrate glacier conservation and climate adaptation into national planning strategies. This includes promoting renewable energy, implementing water-saving agricultural practices, and enacting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
This study underscores the importance of glaciers for India's future water security and food production. Immediate actions to mitigate global warming and adapt to shifting water availability are crucial for national stability and development. “A good civil servant must see beyond the present; the mountains that feed rivers today must be protected for the generations that drink from them tomorrow.”
Q1. What are the implications of glacier loss for India?
Answer: Glacier loss threatens India's water security by reducing meltwater in rivers, leading to shortages in drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower generation.
Q2. How does climate change affect river flows in India?
Answer: Climate change leads to shrinking glaciers, resulting in decreased meltwater that feeds major rivers, particularly during dry seasons.
Q3. What role do glaciers play in agricultural sustainability?
Answer: Glaciers provide essential meltwater for irrigation. Their loss can cause reduced river flows, threatening crop yields and food security.
Q4. Why are Indian glaciers more vulnerable than those in polar regions?
Answer: Indian glaciers are smaller and located at lower altitudes, making them more sensitive to temperature increases and quicker to lose mass.
Q5. What must be done to protect glaciers in India?
Answer: Immediate actions include promoting renewable energy, water conservation practices, and policy measures to curb emissions to protect glaciers and ensure water security.
Question 1: What percentage of glaciers is expected to remain in India by 2020 levels with a 2.7°C rise?
A) 50%
B) 25%
C) 75%
D) 10%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which rivers are affected by glacier melting in India?
A) Ganga, Yamuna, Sutlej
B) Brahmaputra, Indus, Ganga
C) Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
D) Narmada, Tapi, Mahi
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is the primary consequence of glacier loss for agriculture in India?
A) Increased rainfall
B) Enhanced irrigation
C) Water shortages for crops
D) Higher crop yields
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: How much could sea levels rise due to global glacier loss?
A) 50 mm
B) 113 mm
C) 200 mm
D) 75 mm
Correct Answer: B
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