Report on One Day Seminar on Melting Himalayan Cryosphere and its Implications, 20th March, 2025 held in Hybrid (Online/Offline) mode
The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Glacial Studies, University of Kashmir (KU), the Kashmir chapters of the Indian Meteorological Society (IMS), and the Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG), successfully organized a one-day seminar titled “Melting Himalayan Cryosphere and Its Implications.” The event was held on the eve of the First World Day for Glaciers, a global initiative led by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) under the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025).
This global event, coordinated by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025), aimed to raise awareness about the accelerating retreat of glaciers worldwide and its cascading effects on water, energy and food security, and as well as the livelihoods.
The seminar brought together leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, and academicians to discuss the critical state of the Himalayan cryosphere under changing climate conditions. The event featured keynote addresses by Head, National Cryosphere Lab, KU, Prof. Anil V. Kulkarni, Distinguished Scientist at the Divecha Centre for Climate Change, IISc Bangalore and and Arjimand Hussain, a noted Development Economist.
In his Lead Talk, Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo stressed the urgent need for scientific research, policy interventions, and community engagement to mitigate climate change impacts on glaciers. He highlighted the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers due to rising temperatures and black carbon deposition, which poses severe risks to water security, agriculture, and disaster management. “Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are home to around 20,000 glaciers, which are vital water sources supporting agriculture, horticulture, hydropower and several other key sectors. Almost every sector of the economy in J&K depends on glacier-fed water, making their preservation essential,” he said.
He called for collective action, saying governments, people, academics and individuals must collaborate to protect these natural resources.
“There is no doubt that glaciers have been melting at an increased rate over the last 10-12 years. We are also witnessing a rise in winter temperatures and reduced snowfall, both of which accelerate glacier melt,” Romshoo said.
He revealed alarming statistics, saying, “We are losing nearly one metre of glacier ice every year, which has led to glaciers receding by about 20 m annually. This is a grave concern, and immediate action is needed to mitigate the effects.”
Prof. Anil V. Kulkarni, in his address, elaborated on the scientific insights into climate change and its impacts on snow melting and stressed the importance of national and international collaborations to preserve and monitor the rapidly depleting cryosphere. He highlighted the vulnerabilities of mountain regions associated with climate change, particularly in high-altitude communities that depend on glacier-fed resources for agriculture, energy, water, and daily sustenance.
Arjimand Hussain, in his talk, provided a socio-economic perspective on glacier retreat and its far-reaching consequences on regional development, livelihoods, and food security, especially on the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Indus basins. He further emphasized the need for inclusive climate policies, sustainable economic planning, and community-driven adaptation strategies to build resilience against the socio-economic challenges posed by glacial melt.
A panel discussion was held with experts from academia, environmental agencies, and policy institutions. Key deliberations included:
- Strengthening observational networks and ensuring open-access data-sharing.
- Integrating remote sensing technologies with hydrological and climate models to improve glacier projection accuracy.
- Expanding research into cryosphere-climate interactions, aerosol impacts, and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation.
- Advocating transboundary cooperation and stronger policy frameworks for glacier conservation.
- Engaging local communities and stakeholders in preservation efforts through participatory conservation initiatives.
Future Roadmap & Recommendations:
The seminar concluded with a call for collaborative research and policy action to address the challenges posed by climate change to the Himalayan cryosphere. The key recommendations included:
- Enhanced Monitoring & Data Integration: Implementing satellite-based glacier monitoring systems integrated with climate models.
- Research & Development: Strengthening studies on aerosol-glacier interactions, glacier hazards, and sustainable water management.
- Technology-Driven Conservation: Utilizing AI-driven climate modeling, GIS-based hydrological assessments, and automated early warning systems for GLOFs.
- Community Engagement: Developing climate-resilient adaptation strategies for glacier-dependent populations.
- Policy Implementation: Encouraging government-led initiatives to enforce sustainable environmental policies and international collaborations for cryosphere preservation.
The seminar underscored the critical need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle climate change impacts on glaciers. It called for an integrated effort involving scientists, policymakers, institutions, and local communities to protect these vital water sources.
The Seminar was attended by more than 60 persons including researchers, academicians, policy makers, environmental activists, representatives from government and other stakeholders who joined both online and offline.
National Himalayan Cryospheric Research Lab