According to a recent study published in the Journal of Earth System Science, Arunachal Pradesh lost 110 glaciers in three decades. The state contained 756 glaciers in 1988, with a total area of 585.23 square kilometers. By 2020, there were just 646 glaciers left, and their total area had shrunk to 275.381 square kilometers. This corresponds to an average loss of about 16.94 square kilometers of glacier retreat every year.

The study was carried out by Nabajit Hazarika from Cotton University‘s Department of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences, along with Amenuo Susan Kulnu, Latonglila Jamir, and Vimha Ritse from Nagaland University‘s Department of Environmental Science. According to the report, the majority of the glaciers surveyed are mainly oriented northward and are situated between 4,500 and 4,800 meters above mean sea level.

Climate Change and the Need for Monitoring

The study emphasizes how important glaciers are as natural freshwater reserves and underscores the need to monitor them to guarantee efficient management of water resources. However, due to difficult terrain and a lack of technical advancements, researchers noted that glaciers in the Himalayas, particularly in the eastern section, are not well documented despite being important markers of climate change.

Arunachal Pradesh lost 110 glaciers in three decades, and its glacial retreat is indicative of a larger pattern seen throughout the Himalayas. Scientists stressed that there will be serious environmental repercussions from the ongoing retreat of glaciers, including disturbances to local water supplies and hydrological cycles. Researchers emphasize the importance of better monitoring and conservation efforts since glaciers are crucial to preserving the ecological balance of the area.

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The Himalayas as the ‘Third Pole’ and Its Global Significance

The Himalayas contain the greatest concentration of glaciers outside the Polar regions and are sometimes known as the “Third Pole.” More than 1.3 billion people depend on these glaciers for their freshwater needs. They are also a crucial part of the Earth’s climate system because of their role in regulating sea levels worldwide.

Scientists have cautioned that further glacial retreat in Arunachal Pradesh may worsen the region’s water scarcity problems and change its hydrological patterns. The results highlight how important it is for conservationists and governments to prioritize research and the preservation of these crucial freshwater resources.

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