The Implications of the Himalayan Glacial Melt

Published: August 21, 2024

A research brief from the Sundar Singh Institute evaluated the accelerated glacial melting in the Himalayas, alarming issues for South Asia’s water resource equilibrium and agriculture. “High-Altitude Glaciers of the Himalayas: A Ticking Time Bomb for River Basins in South Asia,” written by a team led by Prof. Helena von Strauss and Dr. Ravi Iyer, aimed to investigate how the accelerated retraction of glaciers would impact larger river basins like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus systems.

The hydrological modeling results combined with socio-economic vulnerability assessments showed that with the loss of glacial mass came detrimental impacts on not only seasonal water availability but also on livelihoods reliant upon rural irrigation. Furthermore, the research assessed the likelihood of increased transboundary water conflicts as riparian countries—India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan—might fail to adopt proper inclusive governance.

Therefore, the brief sought to recommend various policymaking approaches relative to proper water resource management, highlighting sustainable practices and the need for bilateral and trilateral facilitation between India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Findings had an appeal to the International Water Policy Forum, and the brief was sought out by many water authorities in the region attempting to seek plans for adjustment and resiliency.