India's Gangotri Glacier Losing Snow, Affecting Local Ecosystem

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-08-30 22:38:37 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-31 11:42:57

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Despite arriving at its peak with a solid blanket of snow this year, the Gangotri glacier is melting earlier than usual, impacting the local ecosystem and water cycle.

It's peak winter, but the towering peaks of India's Himalayas are still speckled with snow. Despite these picturesque conditions, the country's melting glaciers are sending out stark warnings. One of them is the Gangotri glacier, the origin of the sacred Ganges river. It's experiencing an abrupt melt this year compared to previous years. Local authorities and scientists are concerned that this could impact the local ecosystem and water cycle.

"In December, we usually have around 10 to 15 days of snowfall. This year, there has been hardly five to six days of snowfall till now," says Shakti Singh Gharti, who heads the Namami Gange project in Uttarakhand. Due to this premature melting, the Bhagirathi river, a tributary of the Ganges, didn't freeze this year. It usually freezes around September or October, highlighting the altered patterns in the region's weather.

Environmental experts like Gharti believe climate change is responsible for this shift. "Due to the increased emissions, the glaciers are melting, and the snow is melting," he said.

The melting of glaciers is a worrying trend in India. The country has around 3,000 glaciers, and the Himalayas house some of the world's highest peaks. As these glaciers melt faster, they could potentially devastate the region's ecosystem and water supply. Therefore, cracking down on climate change and preserving the local environment is vital.

The Gangotri glacier may be far from most people's minds when they turn on the tap, but the water that flows from it supports local ecosystems and sustains local communities. Without it, the region could face a catastrophic future.

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