Third pole melting: Rapid glacier retreat in Arunachal Pradesh threatens water supply and ecosystem, study finds

Guwahati: Researchers from Nagaland University and Guwahati's Cotton University have documented significant glacier retreat in Arunachal Pradesh over the last three decades.

The Himalayas, often called the Third Pole, contain the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions. These glaciers serve as a fresh water source for more than 1.3 billion people living downstream.

Rapid glacial retreat in recent decades has raised concerns about long-term water availability and ecological imbalance. The research was led by Latonglila Jamir of Nagaland University and Nabajit Hazarika of Cotton University, with research scholars Vimha Ritse and Amenuo Susan Kulnu of Nagaland University. The study was recently published in a peer-reviewed journal.

"The study used remote sensing and geographic information systems to analyse glacier changes in Arunachal Pradesh from 1988 to 2020," said Jamir, associate professor in the department of environmental science (Lumami Campus) of Nagaland University. "Most glaciers in the region are situated between 4,500 m and 4,800 m above sea level."

The researchers estimated an average glacier loss of 16.94 sq km per year. Smaller glaciers (less than 5 sq km) were found to be retreating faster.

"The consequences of glacier retreat extend beyond the immediate region. Communities that depend on glacial meltwater for agriculture and drinking water may face water shortages in the future," he said. "Initially, melting glaciers may lead to flooding and unstable river flows, but over time, reduced glacial mass will result in lower water availability. The formation and expansion of glacial lakes also pose risks, as sudden floods caused by glacial lake outbursts can be destructive."

Despite concerns about glacier retreat, studies focusing on the Eastern Himalayas remain limited. This research adds to the understanding of how glaciers in this region are changing and what that means for future water availability.

The researchers point to the need for continued monitoring and better climate adaptation strategies to manage water resources in the region.