𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐊𝐇

…𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝑳𝑶𝑭 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌-𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝑲𝑯 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Kezang Choden

A session on Cryosphere and People at Risk highlighted the urgent need to act on the rapid disappearance of glaciers in Bhutan and across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Experts and participants stressed that the consequences of retreating glaciers are already being felt, with some communities forced to migrate in search of clean water and safer living conditions. The threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) further intensifies the risks faced by vulnerable populations.

Experts emphasized that cooperation is critical to addressing these challenges. They called for greater sharing of information, scientific knowledge, and technical expertise among nations and institutions in the region, noting that fragmented efforts alone will not effectively reduce risks.

Participants highlighted the need to identify gaps in research, policy, and preparedness, and to develop concrete measures that directly address the needs of populations exposed to glacier-related hazards. They urged the formulation of realistic, actionable proposals that could be presented to potential funding agencies, enabling communities and institutions to build stronger resilience against climate change impacts. Without timely and coordinated action, experts warned, retreating glaciers and rising GLOF risks could result in severe consequences for lives and livelihoods across Bhutan and the wider HKH region.

Prof. Tom Battin, Coordinator of the Glacier Stewardship Programme, emphasized the alarming reality that glaciers are melting at an unprecedented pace worldwide, putting both biodiversity and human lives at risk. He said the disappearance of glaciers could lead to severe biodiversity loss and escalating threats to communities downstream.
Highlighting the need for a structured response, Prof. Battin outlined three key pillars of action: geoengineering, saving lives, and protecting biodiversity. Under technical interventions, he spoke of designing nature-based solutions to increase glacier reflectivity, applying precise and targeted measures, and ensuring efforts are tested for sustainability, scalability, reversibility, and social acceptance among local communities.

He added that glacier-related hazards have already devastated villages, destroyed crops, damaged critical roads and energy infrastructure, and continue to threaten millions of people dependent on these ecosystems. “The hazards are not only environmental but also humanitarian, as they directly endanger lives and livelihoods,” he said. Prof. Battin stressed the urgency of establishing next-generation early-warning systems to reduce disaster risks. He also highlighted what he called a moral obligation to safeguard the unique ice microbiome, an irreplaceable natural heritage for future generations. Looking ahead, he urged innovation in anticipatory solutions and breakthrough technologies, guided by principles of respect, responsibility, and inclusiveness. “Over the next decade, our efforts must be rooted in innovation, but also in responsibility to people and ecosystems,” he stated.

Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, underlined the urgent threat posed by climate change to Bhutan’s glaciers and lakes. He revealed that Bhutan is home to 700 glaciers and 567 glacial lakes, many retreating at an alarming rate. To highlight the growing crisis, the government has designated March 21, 2025, as Glacier Day, a national observance aimed at drawing attention to the rapid retreat of glaciers and associated risks.
“The glaciers are melting rapidly due to global warming and climate change. If we do not act now, it will have a direct impact on our hydropower plants, and as everyone knows, our country heavily depends on them,” Lyonpo said.

Hydropower remains the backbone of Bhutan’s economy, contributing significantly to national revenue and energy security. Experts warn that shrinking glaciers threaten both water availability and the long-term sustainability of this vital sector. Lyonpo noted that the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) is monitoring glacial changes and mitigating potential disasters, such as GLOFs, which pose serious risks to lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods downstream. He stressed the importance of public awareness, community preparedness, and regional cooperation. “For issues like this, the NCHM is doing its best to avoid risks in Bhutan,” he said, calling on stakeholders to support glacier conservation and climate adaptation.

Sonam Lhamo presented an overview of Bhutan’s cryosphere programmes and priorities, highlighting the pressing challenges faced by NCHM. She noted that the cryosphere, comprising glaciers, snow, ice, and permafrost, plays a critical role in Bhutan’s environment and livelihoods. Among the most urgent concerns is investment in Thorthormi Glacier, one of Bhutan’s most volatile glacial lakes. Strengthening permafrost monitoring also remains a top priority, as thawing permafrost can destabilize mountain slopes and increase hazard risks in high-altitude regions.

She emphasized the need to understand the impacts of black carbon deposits on glaciers, which accelerate melting by reducing surface reflectivity. Bhutan currently lacks black carbon monitoring stations, a gap NCHM plans to address. Improved snow monitoring and mapping are also critical for predicting water availability and understanding seasonal Himalayan water cycles.

“The cryosphere in Bhutan acts as a climate indicator, provides early warning signals of global warming, and sustains rivers that feed agriculture, hydropower, and communities downstream. Protecting the cryosphere is not just about preserving ice and snow; it is about securing water, reducing disaster risks, and building resilience for the future,” she said.

Qianggong Zhang from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) highlighted the organization’s vision for a greener, inclusive, and climate-resilient HKH. According to Zhang, 63,761 glaciers have been identified and mapped across the region using 2020 Landsat satellite imagery, covering 55,782.02 km² and holding an estimated ice reserve of 5,735.79 km³. The Karakoram Range contains 18 of the 25 largest glaciers, each over 100 km², with nine exceeding 200 km².

Zhang outlined four pillars to address cryosphere challenges: robust monitoring and early warning, capacity building and community resilience, transboundary cooperation, and integrated risk mitigation and adaptation. He stressed that collective action is more urgent than ever as climate change continues to threaten fragile mountain ecosystems.
The GLOFCA initiative, implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty with Adaptation Fund support, works to reduce glacial hazard risks through early warning, community preparedness, and regional cooperation across Central Asia. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has strengthened climate adaptation and resilience through initiatives such as the Resilient River Basin Initiative, Glacier to Farms, and CAREC Water Pillar.

Scientific programs like Third Pole Environment (TPE) and Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) are gaining momentum in safeguarding high-altitude communities and deepening understanding of sensitive mountain ecosystems. TPE studies the interconnections among water, ice, air, ecology, and humankind across the Tibetan Plateau, a critical global climate regulator. STEP examines environmental changes and adaptation strategies for local populations facing rapid climate shifts.

A total of 85 lakes in the region pose very high risk, threatening nearly 190,000 lives, 55,808 buildings, and about 5,005 km of roads. In 2022, 58,249 glacial lakes were recorded across the Third Pole, covering 2,870.4 km², an increase of 34% since 1990. China alone has 30,066 lakes (1,747.5 km²), while Bhutan has 2,457 lakes (88.78 km²).

Karma Dupchu, Director General of NCHM, stated, “We plan to pilot the community-based early warning system in the Haa Chhu, which we have already initiated. At present, Bhutan does not have any black carbon monitoring stations, so we will establish one at the Shodhug glacier.” The NCHM-DLGDM-ICIMOD partnership project (2025–2026) was launched to monitor glaciers, strengthen early warning systems, and support communities in disaster preparedness.