Glaciers in Drass are receding fast, says study

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Last Updated11/07/2022

Pace at which glaciers are receding in Drass region points to grave threat to Himalayan glaciers.

Recent study attributes to growing vehicular traffic in the region, which has been witnessing a massive military build-up on both the sides of Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 2020.
Glacier area decreased from 176.77 sq. km in 2000 to 171.46 sq. km in 2020, which is about 3% of total glacier area.
Debris cover had significant impact on glacier melting, with clean glaciers losing 5% more than debris-covered glaciers.

Heavy vehicular movement is the main cause for rapid pace at which glaciers are receding in the region.
Black carbon concentrations are higher compared to their concentration from other high-altitude locations in the Hindu Kush Himalayas.
It is inferred that increasing black carbon concentration, due to proximity to National Highway, has affected the glacier's health.
17 glaciers situated close to highway showed higher glacier shrinkage than those situated further away.

It is challenging to distinguish between effects of civilian and military infrastructure and mobilisation on environment and glaciers in the absence of data.
If observed trends of climate change continue in the future, glaciers in the Himalayas may disappear entirely, having a significant impact on regional water supplies, hydrological processes, ecosystem services and transboundary water sharing.