Renowned climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for the establishment of a dedicated commission to assess and safeguard the rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers. His plea comes amid alarming climate shifts that threaten India’s most sacred rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra posing a severe risk to millions who depend on them for sustenance and livelihood.
Why This Matters: The Himalayan Crisis
The Himalayas, often referred to as the “Water Tower of Asia,” are home to over 9,500 glaciers, supplying freshwater to nearly two billion people. However, studies show that these glaciers are retreating at an unprecedented rate due to rising global temperatures and unchecked human activities. If the melting continues unchecked, the consequences could be catastrophic leading to devastating floods, water scarcity, and irreversible damage to ecosystems.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Wangchuk highlighted India’s critical role in leading glacier conservation efforts, stating:
“India must take charge in preserving its glaciers. Our sacred rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra—originate from these ice masses, and if we do not act now, future generations may witness events like the Mahakumbh taking place on dry riverbeds instead of flowing waters.”
A Global Call to Action: Wangchuk’s Symbolic Protest
To bring global attention to this crisis, Wangchuk embarked on a powerful mission carrying a 7 kg block of ice from Ladakh’s melting Khardungla glacier to the United Nations headquarters in New York. The ice block, insulated using Ladakh’s famous Pashmina wool, served as a chilling reminder of the rapidly disappearing glaciers. His journey was symbolic of the urgent need for international cooperation in tackling the Himalayan climate crisis.
What Wangchuk Proposes
Sonam Wangchuk has laid out a series of measures that he believes the government should take immediately:
1. Establish a Himalayan Glacier Conservation Commission – A central body dedicated to researching, monitoring, and implementing policies for glacier preservation.
2. Declare Major Glaciers as National Heritage Sites – Protecting critical glaciers like Gangotri and Yamunotri under a specialised policy framework.
3. Strict Regulations on Infrastructure Development – Limiting high-impact activities like deforestation, excessive tourism, and large-scale construction near glacier zones.
4. Invest in Climate Resilience – Promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, water management, and energy to reduce stress on fragile ecosystems.
The UN’s Stand and India’s Responsibility
In a timely move, the United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, signalling the growing global awareness of glacier conservation. This presents a crucial opportunity for India to lead the way in safeguarding the Himalayas.
As climate change accelerates, ignoring the plight of the glaciers is no longer an option. Sonam Wangchuk’s call to action is a wake-up call—not just for India, but for the world. The question is: Will India rise to the occasion and take the lead in preserving its most precious natural resource?
What You Can Do
• Spread awareness about the issue by sharing this article.
• Support eco-friendly initiatives in your region.
• Urge policymakers to prioritise climate action.
The future of our rivers, ecosystems, and millions of lives depends on the steps we take today. Let’s act before it’s too late.
