Context:
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Glaciers are thinning at an accelerated pace, retreating 65% faster in 2011-2020 compared to the previous decade, according to the UN report released on World Day for Glaciers (21 March).
About the HKH region:
- The HKH region spans over 5 million square kilometres, with approximately 100,000 km² of glaciers.
- The HKH region is often referred to as the “Third Pole” or the “Water Tower of Asia,” storing more ice and snow than any region outside the Arctic and Antarctic.
- The range has numerous high snow-capped peaks, with the highest point being Tirich Mir or Terichmir at 7,708 meters (25,289 ft) in Chitral, Pakistan.
- The Hindu Kush Himalayas is home to four of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots, two of the global 200 ecoregions, 575 protected areas, and 335 important bird areas.
- It feeds over 10 major river systems supporting nearly 2 billion people in downstream countries.
- HKH stretches over 3,500 kilometres across eight countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.
- They are home to 240 million people, with an estimated 1.65 billion more downstream depending on their waters for drinking and sanitation, agriculture, hydropower and ecosystem services.
Impact of Climate Change on HKH
According to the report, if global temperatures rise by 1.5-2°C, glacier volume in the HKH could decline by 30-50% by 2100.
If warming exceeds 2°C, the region may lose up to 45% of its 2020 glacier volume.
The report suggests that mountain glaciers could lose 26-41% of their mass by 2100 compared to 2015 levels.
The Report highlights how mountain glaciers worldwide are undergoing unprecedented changes, contributing to the global water crisis.
- Over 1.1 billion people live in mountainous regions, many in towns and cities dependent on glacier-fed rivers for water.
Glacier Melts and Associated Hazards
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Melting glaciers lead to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), sudden, destructive floods from glacier-fed lakes, threatening human settlements, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy systems.
- The HKH region has experienced over 7,000 fatalities due to GLOFs in the last 190 years, with the risk expected to triple by the end of the century.
Impact on Hydropower: Glacier melt, shifting precipitation patterns, and increased evaporation are directly impacting hydropower generation in mountainous regions.
- While hydropower is a dominant industry in mountain regions, unregulated development of small hydropower plants is straining water resources, leading to river depletion in countries like Georgia.
Climate Change Paradoxes: The report also mentions the paradoxical relationship between mountain-based industries, such as lithium mining (like in Bolivia and Chile), and cryptocurrency mining in central Asia which contribute to climate change while being vulnerable to its impacts.
Governance and Data Gaps in HKH Region:
- Water governance in mountain regions is weaker than in lowland areas, with a lack of transboundary cooperation hindering effective disaster risk reduction.
- Mistrust between countries in the HKH region limits cooperation and the sharing of vital water data, complicating efforts to address GLOF and river flood risks.
Key Recommendations of the report: The report emphasizes six key actions for the HKH region:
(i) Promote Cooperation: Encourage cooperation at all levels for mutual benefits.
(ii) Recognize People’s Uniqueness: Prioritize the uniqueness and rights of local communities.
(iii) Climate Action: Urgent climate action to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
(iv) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Accelerate actions to achieve SDGs, with a focus on mountain priorities.
(v) Enhance Ecosystem Resilience: Focus on halting biodiversity loss and land degradation.
(vi) Regional Cooperation: Engage in data- and information-sharing, and strengthen science and knowledge cooperation across the region.