Context:
Himalayan Yala Glacier declared dead in Langtang, Nepal
Glacier Funeral:
- A symbolic ceremony held to acknowledge the rapid disappearance of glaciers due to climate change.
- World’s 1st such funeral took place in Iceland for Okjokull glacier in 2019.
- Other major glaciers declared dead include –
- Pizol Glacier, Switzerland (2019)
- Clark Glacier, USA (2020)
- Ayoloco Glacier, Mexico (2021)
- Consequences of Glacial Loss –
- Accelerated Global Warming: Reduced glacier cover lowers the albedo effect, leading to increased heat absorption.
- Sea Level Rise: A Nature study reveals that melting glaciers have contributed nearly 2 cm to global sea level rise since 2001.
- Disrupted Water Cycles: Glaciers store about three-quarters of Earth’s freshwater, and their melting threatens water security and biodiversity.
- Increased Natural Disasters: The risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and avalanches rises significantly.
Initiatives for Glacier Conservation:
- UN Initiatives: 2025 designated as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation; March 21 recognized as World Day for Glaciers.
- UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme: Focuses on sustainable water resource management.
- Himalayan Adaptation Network (IUCN): Supports climate resilience in mountain communities.
- Living Himalayas Initiative (WWF): Works towards protecting Himalayan ecosystems.
- India’s Efforts –
- National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem: Aims to conserve Himalayan biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Network Programme on the Himalayan Cryosphere: Studies glacial changes and trends.
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS): Monitors glacier-related events and issues GLOF alerts.
- Himansh Research Station: Dedicated to studying the dynamics and rate of change in Himalayan glaciers.
- Polar Missions: Indian research missions to the Arctic & Antarctic, such as IndARC (2014), contribute to glacial studies.
Source: HT
Previous Year Question
The 2004 Tsunami made people realise that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out.
(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster.
(c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami.
(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots
Answer: (d)