Shimla, 31 October 2024 — The ice sheets in Himachal Pradesh are shrinking at an alarming rate, with a reported 10.02% reduction in the lower reaches of the Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, and Chenab basins, attributed to the spread of global warming.
According to reports, the Ravi basin has experienced the most significant decrease in snowfall, with a decline of 22.42%.
Rising temperatures, driven by factors such as forest fires, increased vehicular traffic in tourist areas, and air pollution, have accelerated the melting of glaciers in the region, according to experts.
One striking outcome of this glacial retreat is the formation of new lakes in the high-altitude areas of the Himalayas.
In the Sutlej basin alone, 321 new lakes have emerged. These developments are a stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change.
The Climate Change Center of the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology, and Environment has been actively monitoring these changes.
Satellite technology is being utilized to track the formation of lakes and monitor glacial shifts, revealing a steady increase in lake numbers within the Sutlej basin. In 2020, the basin recorded 1,359 lakes, which increased to 1,632 in 2021. Today, the number stands at 1,953, revealing the rapid transformation of the region’s landscape.
Moreover, a recent report from the center indicates delayed snowfall from December to February in the 2022-23 period, specifically affecting the lower Himalayan region.
This delayed snowfall has contributed to the estimated 10.02% reduction in snowfall in the lower reaches of the Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, and Chenab basins, underscoring the severe impact of global warming on Himachal Pradesh’s ecosystems.
