Glacier Preservation ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

The Yala Glacier in Nepal was recently pronounced dead after experiencing a 66% reduction in size since the 1970s.

Other major glaciers declared dead

• Pizol Glacier in Switzerland (2019); Clark Glacier in the US (2020); Ayoloco Glacier in Mexico (2021); and others.
 • The world's inaugural funeral for a glacier took place for Okjokull Glacier in Iceland in 2019.

Consequences of Glacial Loss

• Diminished glaciers will result in a decreased albedo effect, leading to greater heat absorption.
 • The melting of glaciers has contributed to an almost 2 cm rise in global sea levels since 2001.
 • Approximately 75% of Earth's freshwater is contained within glaciers.
 • There is an increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and avalanches.

Recent Initiatives for conservation of Glaciers Global

• UN Initiatives
    o The year 2025 has been declared the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
    o The period from 2025 to 2034 is designated as the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences.
    o March 21 will be celebrated every year as the World Day for Glaciers.
 • A High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation was held in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), in partnership with UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

India’s Initiatives

• Ministry of Earth Sciences Initiatives for Himalayan ecosystem
    o ICE-CRUNCH (Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the North Western Himalayas): A joint research effort between scientists from India and Switzerland
    o India’s first High-Altitude Climate Research Station: Located in Nathatop, Jammu and Kashmir for climate research, capacity building, training of young scientists, and the development of climate modelling capabilities.
      > It will function as a long-term research center associated with the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Programme.